Happy 4th!

Happy 4th of July, a little late, from Delaney!! Here she is in her 4th of July dress - although I did not get any of the cute red and blue stars in the picture. We spent the 4th at the Maple Lake Elementary School playground with the Haglins. They have a great little shaded picnic area, and Grandma Lucy decorated it with every red white and blue piece of joy you can imagine. All the cousins got to play together, we had great food, and Alan ran around the bases twice.

During the past couple weeks, Delaney also clapped for the first time, said "mama", and fed herself with a spoon. Well, okay, she TRIED to feed herself. It was quite messy! But it was fun that she wanted the spoon to go in her mouth and she was trying to do it herself.

We have had visits from Linda Weber, Great Grandpa Elmer Whyte, Grandma Lucy, Grandpa Greg, and Grandma Gloria. We had the privilege of visiting cousin Kacie at St. Cloud Hospital on Sunday, and we were able to see her wheeling herself around the room and responding as people greeted her.

Since I have received so many comments on how difficult Alan must be, I feel that I need to call attention to all of the free services he provides Delaney in addition to the trauma.

Alan willingly:

• picks up Delaney's toys when they fall
• "helps" feed her baby food
• tells her "it's okay" while she is getting shots
• insists on hugging and kissing her every morning when she wakes up
• makes her smile and laugh while I am cooking and too busy to play with her
• runs upstairs to fetch diapers if I realize too late that I need one downstairs
• runs to fetch a burp cloth after announcing that "Laney puked!"
• teaches her how to do all the new things like saying words, drinking from a cup, and laying on her tummy
• says "I love you Nay-Nee!" several times a day

Well, I guess my point is that he is my 2-year-old angel sometimes. He is my smart, funny little dude. But the impossible moments are so much more fun to write about! More of those next time.