Happy 6th Birthday, Daniel

Daniel,

This has been the birthday that never seems to end. Although today is your actual birthday, we got the ball rolling a week and a half ago with your birthday party at Moe's Bowling Ally. We scheduled the event so early in hopes of avoiding a clash with your baby sister's birth. And it's a good thing we did. Gloria was born less than 48 hours after your bowling bash.

Your friends (Addie, Faith, Matthew, Peter, Porter, Louge and Dylan) and family joined the fun. Even Jeremy made it out for the occasion, although he left all the bowling to his Daddy. It was a great afternoon.

April 23 arrived today, which meant a birthday breakfast before school, where your class sang to you and gifted you with a new book, silly straw and rainbow pencil. After school Nonna whisked you away to P,F, Chang's for lunch - a tradition that began last spring when you and Nonna scouted out their kid's low main and free birthday-boy dessert. (Make sure to note how big the piece of chocolate cake was.)

Happy Birthday, Daniel. 

We are so proud of the caring, compassionate, thoughtful, clever boy you have become. 

We pray for all your years to come.
 May God's gracious and merciful spirit shine among them.

Rub A Dub Dub...

...boys give Gloria a scrub.
 

Your Story

One Week Old

Gloria,

Every child has a story, a story of their arrival into this world, and here is yours:

It was a Monday night. Your dad and I had just put your brothers Chase and Daniel to bed. The evening had gotten away from us, which meant it was just about my bed time, too. So a little past 9pm I hoisted myself and my pregnant belly into bed and ... a popping sensation got me quickly back out of bed. My water broke. Surprise! Looked like you were going to join our family 10 days earlier than we anticipated.

After laboring with daddy in my bedroom for eight or more hours we headed to Littleton Hospital, your Marmee asleep on the couch. No. Make that floor, because Chase had slowly wiggled his way into full possession of the couch by this time. Things sped up fairly quickly once at the hospital - is there really a delivery that is "quick," though? A few hours laboring in a hospital room, musical accompaniment from the construction just outside the window - cue drills and saws - and three big pushes you were here, little girl. 

A girl? Your dad looked thrice before the midwife passed you over to my chest, where you cuddled in and I cried. You were here. And a girl? Really? What a sweet surprise you were in so many ways. A 6lb-10oz, 19-inch-long, cute-as-a button, surprise.

In spite of previous remarks about wanting a brother, Daniel and Chase fell in love with you almost as quickly and fiercely as I did. While Daniel has the confidence to walk you, rock you and shoosh you when you cry, Chase treats you like a delicate peace of china and prefers to caress your forehead with a few fingers or talk sweet nothings in your ear.

You have been a part of our world for just one week now and yet you are clearly a permanent fixture in our lives that we intend to treasure and thank God for you all our days to come. 

We love you, Peanut.

Mommy, Daddy, Daniel and Chase

Oh, Gloria!

 Gloria Marie Hendricks

DOB: Tuesday, April 14 - 9:03am

6lb 10oz

19inches long

Welcome to the family, Gloria!

Chasers

Dear Chase,

Your baby brother or sister will be joining our family in just a few weeks now, which we are all excited for. Before he or she arrives, your dad and I really wanted to tell you how proud we are of you and how exciting it has been to watch you grow these last three and a half years. 

You have become a very eloquent speaker for three-year-old. You can clearly express your thoughts and opinions with reason. And yet, the way you call your brother Daniel “Dano” reminds us you are still our little boy.

You have recently turned the corner with your sleeping habits – praise God! Whereas you once (up until very recently) came into our room each morning between 5 and 5:30am to see if Daddy would get up with you and have breakfast, you now wait till the sun has risen (6-7am). “You see? The sun is up,” you say. “I waited to come get you so you aren’t so tired. Are you ready now?” Your dad and I smile. We can’t help but respond: “ready.”

One of your favorite movie right now is Karate Kid. Daily you bounce around the house in karate stance like actor Ralph Maccio and then you “karate chop” bad guys all around you. Sometimes we even hear you singing the lyrics from the theme song: “You’re the best a-rou-ound…” Your other favorite is Disney's High School Musical (your dad's doing), songs from which you also sing constantly throughout the day.

You love your big brother Daniel, even when you say you don’t because he won’t let you play by your rules. You also love to push his buttons, at the expense of getting a beating when Daniel can’t take anymore of your shenanigans. (Your mommy, the younger sister, did the same thing when she was little. Sorry, Auntie Jen!)

You are certainly the most theatrical one in the family. You look forward to every concert at school or church, and we are pretty certain you have been singing a theme song for your whole life up until now.

This last year has been the year of “Sharky Boots.” Rain or shine you have worn the same footwear day in and day out, which is why, sadly, your sharkies are worn and ducked taped, just waiting for their last adventure.

You know Jesus died for your sins, and you remind us daily as we pray before meals. You have taken communion and know that Jesus is your no. 1! We are thankful for this unique spiritual awareness and love for Jesus.

A few last things:

-You stick your tongue out whenever you hear someone say, “say cheese,” before snapping a photo.

-Your best buddy is Adam Szczecina, who is every much a super hero as you are. You had your first sleepover together this winter.

-You are an excellent Lego constructor for your age.

- We love you to pieces!

Mom & Dad

January Trip East

Daniel teaches Auntie Jen to Rainbow Loom.

Never too late for a gingerbread house.

Igloo making on Saratoga Lake. These below freezing temps are good for something.

That family photo on that chair.

Sledding down Pop Pop's yard. Another silver lining to the cold.

Antonio's Pizza - Oh, the slices mom ate here as a kid!

A Pop Pop squeeze.

Christmas 2014 in Pics