A Couple Videos...

We cannot get over how big Daniel has gotten over the last week! He is getting really good at picking up his head and moving around. He is also spending a lot more time awake and alert...which has been very fun for us and Grandma and Grandpa. Last night he slept for almost 4 hours, ate and got his diaper changed, then slept for almost 3 hours! Brian and I were very happy! He was awake from 7am until almost 2pm...though there were a few meltdowns in between! Later today Aunt Ni, Daniel, and Mommy are going shopping at Target while Daddy, Uncle Mike, and Uncle Keith are going to play at the batting cages!

Pictures from Grandma and Grandpa's...

Dad giving Daniel a bath...

Napping with Grandpa...

Another bath picture...

Happy Birthday Grandma!

Today my Michigan Grandma turns 50! I'm in Maryland, so I can't give her a big hug and kiss...so if you see her today, tell her Happy Birthday!

Everyone in Maryland sends their love...

Happy Birthday!

Love, Daniel

September 28

Today is the last day that great-grandma Jan and the great-aunts will be in town so we had to take some pictures! This is four generations for Brian's family...great-grandma Jan, Grandma Vicky, Brian, and of course Daniel. It was hard to say good-bye, but we are already planning a family reunion in Florida for next summer!

It is hard to believe how fast Daniel is growing! He has started to hold his head up for longer periods and it seems like he is able to focus on things much better with his eyes. We weighed and measured him today (nothing too technical, we used a yard stick and bathroom scale) and he is 21 1/8" long and 8 lbs. 14 oz. He seems to be sleeping a little bit better at night (I think...for now Brian is still handling the night-time feedings). Grandpa is very much in love with Daniel...we don't want to point fingers, but he is very much hogging the baby! Daniel spent a good part of the afternoon napping in front of Grandpa's computer while he worked on stuff.

Mike and Ni's wedding was absolutely beautiful! We were all nervous because it poured buckets earlier in the day...and up to a couple hours before the wedding. Thankfully the sun came out and everything turned out perfectly. Daniel slept through the entire ceremony, and even most of the reception. We have decided that he is definitely a party animal, however, because he woke up as soon as the dance floor opened up! He spent a lot of time looking at the lights and candles...and being cute! Grandpa seemed pretty proud to show off his grandson to the other guests.

Great Grandma Jan

Thursday was a big day for Daniel. Not only did he celebrate being 3 weeks old, he also got to meet his great-grandma Jan and his great-aunts, Dianna and Kelly. Of course everyone loved him!

3 Weeks Old...

This is a bit late since we have been very busy in Maryland, but Daniel was three weeks old on Thursday!

Who's Kid is This??

Apparently this is a Howell family tradition, and maybe I have done it once or twice....

We just hope that we can make it to at least two or three before this becomes a HUGE problem!

More from Grandma and Grandpa's...

Hunter in Training...

Grandpa had a surprise for Mommy and Daddy! We weren't exactly sure what Grandpa was doing, but there was no crying coming from the room so we weren't too concerned. What emerged was a tiny man ready for the hunt! Daddy has been watching hunting shows in the middle of the night...and now Daniel has some fancy duds to make him feel like he's part of the action!

Grandma and Grandpa's...

Daniel was so excited to meet his Grandma and Grandpa! I think they were just as excited to meet him! Even though there was a lot of talk about who was going to get to hold the baby first (and the most)...Grandma and Grandpa showed Daniel his first lesson in sharing. There was no fighting, pinching, or tricking to get the baby out of the other's hands.

Traveling Man...

We made it to Detroit safely...in a little over 6 hours. Daniel was great in the car! We stopped a couple times to feed him...and had to stop once so Daddy could hop in the back to keep Daniel company. Since he slept the entire time in the car, he decided that he was rested enough that he didn't need to sleep when Mommy and Daddy wanted to sleep. The plane ride was uneventful and we made it to Baltimore in one piece. The sling was amazing...Daniel loves to ride in it, and Mommy loves to wear it!

On the Road...

We are getting ready to hit the road for Detroit! We fly out for Baltimore tomorrow morning...wish us luck! We may eventually make it to Detroit tonight. It's 2:15 pm and Brian is loading the car. Penny is going to Grandma and Grandpa's and then we can hit the road. Daniel is awake and wondering what all the excitement is about! Baltimore here we come...

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

Happy Birthday Grandpa! We'll see you when we get back from Maryland!

Love,

Daniel...and Cathy and Brian

Monday Night Football

Penny and Daniel are not nearly as excited about the football game as Daddy is.

Being a baby is soooo hard...

Mommy and Daniel blogging....he does not see what all the excitment is about.

Another Birthday Party...

Today we celebrated Grandma and Granda's 50th birthdays at Aunt Jeanne's. Their birthdays aren't for another week, but we had the party early since Brian, Daniel, and I will be gone to Baltimore! For the occassion, Daniel wore his super cute outfit from Uncle Keith...we promise that he enjoys the hat more than he lets on in the picture. This was the first day that Daniel was awake for any length of time around grandma and the great-aunts. In fact, it is almost 11pm and he is wide awake, playing with Daddy. Hopefully he will sleep well tonight!

Daniel's First Wedding...

Daniel went to his first wedding reception today. It was very exciting picking out the perfect outfit for him to wear...Daniel was not so amused. He slept the entire time we were there, I don't think weddings are his "thing". Hopefully he will be a little more awake for his Uncle Mike and Aunt Ni's wedding next week.

The Vibrating Chair...

Daniel's new love (and our's...) is the vibrating chair! Not only does it vibrate, it has lights and plays music. It's one of the few places that Daniel will stay awake and content.