May
19
2011
Happy Birthday Danny Boy
One year old.
A year ago there was a mother in Africa who was scared and likely alone. She was about to deliver a baby. Maybe she wanted desperately to provide for him…maybe she knew she had to do something drastic in order to give him hope and a future. We will never know. But after she delivered him he was brought to a nearby hospital where he would be found and cared for quickly. I can’t imagine the anguish of delivering this beautiful baby boy and fearing for his life. I know she knew it was his only hope and all aspects of his story point to that. But God had an ultimate plan for my son that no one could carry out but Him. Before Daniel was ever born, God had a family chosen for him. And it wasn’t a Muslim family deep in the heart of Jimma…it was a Christian family in Kansas who would teach him of the INCREDIBLE love and provision of God. Daniel now has an earthly father who loves him as only Dads can love their son. But he also has a heavenly Father who provides a love so strong and secure that no amount of hurt could make it waiver. God has shown His hand in Daniel’s life so powerfully already…and we are so excited to see what HE has in store for him!
Danny is SO full of life. And our lives as so full by having him as our son. He has overcome tremendous obstacles to reach this milestone and yet here he is…our sweet little boy! I think he just might be the most beautiful baby I have ever laid my eyes on (or at least one of the top four!) His sweet smile lights up the room…although he might make you work for it. He is relaxed and content…and nearly always happy. He loves to wave to people passing by and say “hi!” When he is especially proud of himself he claps and yells “YEAH!” And when he wants to snuggle he will willingly lean in to plant a smooch right on your lips. He’s learning peek-a-boo, “SO BIG”, and a myriad of other games. He is a champion sitter. No crawling, scootching, or movement of any type here. That would be TOO much work! He is happy to just watch the world go by from wherever he is perched. He ADORES his bottle and can often be found talking to it. If you interrupt…BEWARE…you will get the serious evil eye! He is sleeping through the night (most of the time) and eating three meals a day. He still prefers to be spoon fed but is branching out into a few new table foods. Did I mention he loves his bottle? Oh yeah…he LOVES his bottle! He is dangerously close to saying “Anna” (to my great dismay as he has yet to say “Mama”) and will call for “Dada” too. He is the baby with a thousand expressions. He is quite possibly the sweetest little man ever!
Just {a few} pictures of him from our little birthday photo shoot.
Happy Birthday Danny Boy. We are so proud to call you our son!
Jenn, you gotta enter some of these pics in a photo contest!!!! Spectacular:)
Jenn – he is just gorgeous! Happy, happy, birthday sweet Daniel!!!!
Happy Birthday Danny!!! He is so sweet and adorable and lucky to be in your family! I love all of his expressions! Love these pics!
Happy birthday to the most beautiful baby boy in the whole wide world….well the youngest one, anyway! You are so loved, sweet Danny!
It truly is amazing that you accomplish anything during the day except stare at this Beautiful. Baby. Boy. What a *total* cutie! You really captured some gorgeous pictures of him and I especially love the opening paragraph where you so beautifully captured Daniel’s story!!
Hands down. These are my favorite photos I’ve seen you take. He is breathtaking. Really! God must have great things for him. And for you!
You did it again Jenn…your photography is something else and your subject matter is ADORABLE…such a beautiful little man. So happy for him and for you and your family. God is good all the time…Look at these pics if you don’t believe it. Happy Birthday Danny Boy.
He truly is A.D.O.R.A.B.L.E! Happy birthday Daniel!
happy birthday, beautiful boy! i love how you celebrate your kids, jenn. d is the darlingest birthday boy this side of anywhere.
He truly is a BEAUTIFUL baby boy! His skin is so perfect, he almost looks like a doll. Love the shirt he is wearing, and love the pictures. You are one lucky mama!!!
Happy birthday Daniel! Gorgeous photos Jenn!!!
Dannie is so precious!! I love every pic of him. I’m so glad that he has a wonderful home and family! (when he’s a teenager…all the girls will fall in LOVE with him. I mean…I already have! LOL) Happy 1st Birthday!!!
Danny you are perfect! Happy birthday! Jenn, your writing is beautiful. You are certainly making all of Danny’s dreams come true!
Happy birthday, Danny Boy! You are quite possibly the cutest thing EVER!!!!!!!!! What a precious gift you are to your family! Jenn, these pictures are gorgeous, as always!
Happy birthday! What a beautiful post and breathtaking photos.
Happy Birthday, Daniel! I still LOVE that smile and all of the new curls.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Daniel!! What a handsome little guy you are!!!
Simply beautiful!!!! So glad God brought him to your special family…. Love what you wrote about his mama….tugs at my heart!!!!
Happy happy birthday Danny!! What a precious little guy!! And awesome pix as always!
Happy late birthday ,he is just the sweetest ever! Love your photos , hope you guys can come over sat eve for harrys grad party, swim and dinner, starting at 5
He is seriously too CUTE!!! He is so lucky to have you as his family. God is so good! Happy Birthday Danny!
As a side note, where did you take the photos? I am scouring out places for Berkley’s 1 year pics.
He is the most beautiful baby!!
Love every single picture! He is so precious! Happy birthday, sweet boy!
medium haircuts…
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