Day 71: Ringin' in the New Year

Sadie -

Today is New Year's Eve, meaning that tomorrow will be the first day of a new year! To celebrate, your mom dressed you up in a funny hat and took pictures of you. I told her I am afraid you'll hate us when you are older for being so silly with you while you were a baby, but I actually hope you have a good sense of humor and can appreciate the sentiment. If you don't, life may be hard on you because your mom and I are awfully silly an awful lot!

Since we are about to embark on a new year together, I have been thinking about all of the big things that are going to happen in the next year. You will learn to crawl, start learning to walk, turn one year old, start making lots of sounds and maybe say your first words. I am looking forward to all of it, but doing my best to enjoy every moment with you right now, too.

I love you so much!

- Dad

Day 70 : Grumpy Pants Fit So Well

Sades -

You have been SOO out-of-sorts today! It started early this morning when you decided you didn't want to sleep. I spent several hours in the middle of the night awake and trying to help you relax and snooze. I had to play bass guitar at church this morning, so your mom stayed home with you and tried to help you sleep some more.

I get so frustrated when I can't help you calm down. Just always know that your mom and I love you more than you can imagine and just because we won't let you stay up and out of your crib all day doesn't mean we don't love you and know what is best for you.

I remember when I was a boy I could never understand what my parents meant when they said that what was happening was "for my own good." So just trust me when I say that when your mom and I want you to nap, "it is for your own good!" I love you all the time.

- Dad

Day 69 : The Weight of You

Sadie -

Today was a really fun day for us as a family. We ran errands and went to stores this afternoon and your grandpa even cooked chicken on his big backyard grill for dinner (even though it was pretty cold outside!)

Your mom and I look at you often when you are resting or just hanging out with us and wonder aloud how the two of us could be responsible for something as precious as you. The gift of life is amazing and the family you are born into is one of the only choices you can't make for yourself.
Is it weird that I am already super-nervous about the weight of this responsibility? I want so badly to make sure you turn out to be the best woman you can possibly become and I am so afraid that I'll do something to screw that up. People in our culture often blame their parents for the failures they face later in life. I hope that I never give you a reason to do that.

- Dad

Day 68 : Oink Oink

Sadie -

So I've been holding off on pushing pictures of you onto my friends and making them insist on how cute you are - until today. I finally broke down and started showing off a snapshot of you after your bath this week, wrapped up in your pig towel. Everyone IS insisting that you are beautiful! My friend Dana from Arkansas even wrote an in email that you "might be the cutest little girl I've ever seen." That is a pretty big claim!

Mom said you were still grumpy from your shots today and didn't want to sleep much, but you've been pretty good since I got home. We went and ate burgers and you slept. Then you got up and ate and took a bath and just sat with mom and I on the couch for an hour or two. I love hanging out with you and am so glad it is the weekend again!

More fun tomorrow!

- Dad

Day 67 : Ouchie!

Sadie -

You had to get booster shots from the doctor today and you did not like it! Mom said she has never seen your face turn as red as it did after you felt the pain of the needle prick.
The top of your legs are swollen tonight and you are a little grumpy, but mom and I are both glad you don't have a fever. You are just really sleepy! Sleep as much as you need, baby girl! We hate seeing you in pain. But I know that you've already beaten off bigger things than a couple of shots!!

Love,

- Dad

Day 66 : Me and You Time

Sadie -

You were making me laugh so hard this morning while I was feeding you at 5 AM. You were so hungry, but I was worried that you would eat too fast and throw up (which you have been making a habit of lately), so I was making you take it slow. You were getting so perturbed with me for taking the bottle away periodically, that you finally started making some really funny frustrated faces! I am so excited to watch your communication skills develop.

This afternoon you would not fall asleep for your mom. I came home a little early from work and told your mom that you and I were going to hang out for awhile. I put you down in your crib, rocked you a little and put my face against yours. You fell asleep almost instantly.

I'm glad we get along so well!

- Dad

Day 65 : Your First Christmas

Sadie -

Merry Christmas!

Every year on this day we will give each other some surprise gifts as a way to remember the birthday of Jesus. Your Grandparents and aunts and uncles spoiled you today. You have several cute new outfits to wear soon and lots of diapers and formula.

I think you caught on to the festiveness of today, because you had a little trouble calming down and napping as the day wore on. I can't really blame you - there is always a lot of fun happening at a Christmas get-together, and you (much like me!) already hate missing parties.

Today your mom and I passed you back and forth and told each other that you were our "big Christmas present" to each other this year! You are THAT special!

I am looking forward to spending hundreds of more holidays with you!

- Dad

Day 64 : Stocking Stuffer

Sadie -

Today is not only Christmas Eve, it is also your Uncle Joel's birthday. When he was born nineteen years ago, the nurses at the hospital put him in a blanket that looked like a big stocking to celebrate Christmas. Today, your mom and I attempted to celebrate both his birthday and Christmas by putting you in an over sized stocking! The stocking was SO big, though, that we didn't leave you in it for long!

Tonight we also celebrated Christmas Eve by going to a special church service at the church where your Grandpa works. Before and after the service you met many new people who had never seen you before, but have been thinking about you and praying for you ever since you were born. They all thought you were beautiful and many of them thought you looked like me! Those are some contradictions, huh?!?

Tomorrow is Christmas!! YEAH!!

- Dad

Day 63 : Video and the (former) Radio Star

Sadie -

You made your recorded media debut today! Last week, our friend Michael from church came over to our house and recorded you and I talking about the story of the shepherds that went and saw Jesus at the first Christmas. He then edited it up and made it part of a series of video segments that have been showing right as the church service starts each week in December. It was really neat to see you on the big screen at church, cuddling with me and chewing vigorously on your pacifier.

This Christmastime your mom and I are reminded about how great God is every time we look at you. We are so thankful that He took such good care of you while you were in the hospital, and now we are celebrating His Son's birth as a happy and healthy family.

Learn this now: God is GOOD!

- Dad

Day 62 : Family Day

Sadie -

Today we had a family day. Your mom and I woke up and lazily got the three of us around. We all ran some errands together and then spent most of the day just hanging out together at the house, watching movies and enjoying each other's company.

You are really starting to smile a lot more. Your mom has told me that you smile at her sometimes, but usually when I get home from work, you are so tired, I don't get a lot of grins. Today you had plenty of smiles to give me, especially when I poked at your nose and made funny noises!

Everyday is so fun with you!

- Dad

Day 61 : All You Can Eat

Sadie -

You went with your mom and I to a little mom-and-pop diner on the east side of town tonight for all-you-can-eat shrimp and fish. Of course, you snoozed while your mom and I stuffed our faces, but just because you were asleep doesn't mean you didn't attract attention. Several strangers in the crowded restaurant stopped by your seat to comment on how cute you are and ask questions about your age and size.

Your mom and I both admit to each other that we really like being able to show you off in public.

Be good tonight because your mom and I both have severe stomach aches after eating way too much seafood!

Love ya!

- Dad

Day 60 : Party All The Time (Again!)

Sadie -

We went to a Christmas party tonight and you were quite the popular guest, dressed appropriately in your "I've Been Very, Very Good" shirt with candy canes on it. When we arrived, I fed you, but after you were done eating, I didn't see much of you. Our friend Michael asked to hold you for awhile and then his wife and some other friends took turns cradling and entertaining you. You seemed to enjoy all of the cuddling and attention, but you must have gotten worn out. After a few hours, you ended up with our friend Margo. She was singing you lullabies and Christmas carols when you suddenly spit up all over her!

She wasn't upset at all, but your mom and I took it as a cue that you were ready to head for home!

I have one day of work left this week and then we'll have a long holiday weekend together! I can't wait!

- Dad

Day 59 : Missing the Party

Sadie -

I am flattered that you like spending time with me, but it is starting to get in the way of your sleep!

When I get home in the evening, you get determined to stay out of your room until bedtime, regardless of how badly you might need to take a nap. Your mom says you don't have trouble sleeping in your room the rest of the day, but once I am home and you can hear that there is something going on in the living room or kitchen that you are not a part of, you let everyone know that you are not happy!

We did more dancing after your bath tonight. Your mom and I gently boogied with you while we listened to Lionel Richie. If you thought "Easy" was a fun song to dance to, just wait until you hear "Dancing on the Ceiling."

- Dad

Day 58 : L.O.V.E.

Sadie -

All I can say is that you will never understand how much I love you until you have a child of your own. Holding you after a long day at work is just overwhelming. You've been in a great mood tonight. After your bath, your mom and I held you and kissed you. Then your mom got in the shower and so now you and I are just sitting on the couch together.

You are really focusing your eyes now and I love it when I can tell you are looking at me. Not only that, mom caught you doing a pretty good job of holding your head up on your own earlier today. I love watching you make progress, but don't grow up on me too fast!

You are such a treasure.

- Dad

Day 57 : Dance, Dance Re(gurgitation)

Sadie -

I got you stripped down to your diaper before your bath tonight while your mom prepared the tub. I wrapped you into my shirt and we danced out from your bedroom and into the kitchen. You seemed not to mind the funny little jig we were doing while I sang to you and tried to keep you warm. But I forgot one important thing - right before we danced, I fed you five ounces of formula rather quickly. Yup! A minute and a half into our dance steps, your dinner came back up all over my shirt. I got to laughing so hard I thought I would need to sit down. You never got upset, you just stayed calm and made your deposit.

As a certain credit card company likes to say: One stylized, Old Navy button-up: 7 bucks on clearance.
Your daughter ralphing on you after a living room dance session: PRICELESS!

Love ya!

- Dad

Day 56 : Kisses

Sadie -

Everyone has been trying to give you kisses today. We went to Grandma's house for a casual family dinner tonight, and you got passed around and showered with love. Your cousin wanted to hold you. Your Aunt Amy held you and said she could hold you "forever" if we let her. Even your Uncle Joel couldn't quite get his fill. He held your for quite some time and even let you play in his lap.

There are a lot of people who would like to smother you with kisses and can't because they live far-away. You wouldn't believe how many people who haven't met you ask me about you on a daily basis. Always remember how treasured, precious, and loved you are!

- Dad

Day 55 : Silver Screen

Sadie -

It is no secret that your mom and I love movies. This afternoon, you got your first experience in a movie theater. We took you and your grandparents to see "August Rush." You sat next to me and slept soundly the entire movie (though you did find enough energy to kick your socks and mittens off!)

When you are older, we can have Saturday afternoon dates, just me and you, when we go see funny cartoons and movies about friendly talking animals. I might even get us some popcorn to share!

I can't wait!

- Dad

Day 54 : Cranky Pants

Sadie -



Your mom told me you were feeling a little cantankerous today. She said you were fussy and wanting to be cuddled and especially looked after. You exhausted her and she needed a break when I got home. But once I walked in, you took a look at me, fell asleep, and stayed quietly at rest for several hours.

I hope I can always be a comfort to you!

You woke up a later this evening and showed your cranky side again. Your mom and I think you might have a sore throat. You are fussy until you get to eat, and then you guzzle.

I hate it when I have a sore throat, but I'd have one for weeks if I could keep you from having one for a day. I will do my best to help you feel better.

I love you and I am so sorry you don't feel good.

- Dad

Day 53 : Your Song

Sades -

Tonight we went to see the Christmas music program your grandma annually directs at the elementary school where she works. You slept until the music started and then woke up and looked around peacefully. Your Uncle Joel and I played in the accompanying band and after the show I picked you up and took you to the piano. You looked really cute when you bounced your hands on the keys like you knew how to play. I do hope that when you grow older you take an interest in learning to play an instrument. I'll even teach you a few notes on the bass whenever you are ready!

- Dad

Day 52 : Remembering

Sadie -

You had to go back and see the special doctor you visited when you were first born today, just so you could be checked over and it could be made sure that everything was okay.

You received a glowing report - you are in fine health and are somewhere between the 75th and 90th percentile in all major categories of growth. (This just means that you are right on track!)

Being in the halls again of the special hospital where you started your life made me remember how happy I am that you have recovered so well. This afternoon, I got lost looking for the office where you and your mom were at and I ran into one of the paramedics that transported you from the hospital where you were born to the special one where you had to stay. I could tell she didn't recognize me. I wanted to run up to her and hug her and tell her how great she is and how much I appreciated the work she did for us a mere seven weeks ago. But I didn't. Instead I smiled and waved.

I thanked God for her again today, though.

I am so glad you are SO well!

- Dad

Day 51 : Sleeping Beauty

Sadie!

Mom and I are so proud of you because once again you slept through the night last night. The last thing you did before you went to sleep and the first thing you did before you woke up was hang out with me while you took your bottle. I have to say that I really love getting to be the bookend on your days since I have to be gone for most of the middle of them.

People have said since before you were born that your mom and I would face so many sleepless nights in your first few months of life, but that really has not been the case. I am trying to not take for granted how well-behaved you are and cut you some slack when you have bad days, but you have set the bar pretty high for yourself. Keep up the good sleep because good sleep means good eats which means good growth. Just don't grow up too fast...

Love forever...

- Dad

Day 50 : Splish Splat

Sadie -

I am so sorry I scared you tonight. You were taking a bath and I didn't have it secured as well as needed. We shifted you forward and the tub slipped in the sink. It scared all of us - you started screaming and couldn't calm down. I felt so terrible for the rest of your bath. Afterwards, mom put you in a new cute, green sleeper and I cuddled with you on the couch until you couldn't keep your eyes open.

Today wasn't all a wash, though. At work, some of us are playing "Secret Santa" where we give each other gifts without telling anyone who they are from. My "Secret Santa" left a bag of goodies for you in my office mailbox that included a reindeer bath towel, two Christmas shirts, and some Christmas socks. I did extra laundry tonight so you could wear them sooner.

I love you and will always try my hardest to keep you safe!

- Dad

Day 49 : Christmas Shoes

Sadie -

Your mom wasn't feeling good this morning, so you and I left her at home and went to church on our own. After the service, a friend said asked if you were my first child because I seemed like a pro at doing the daddy duties you required while we were there.

I love having both of my girls around (you and your mom), but it is nice to have the occasional outing where it is just me and you!

Tonight, you, your mom and I celebrated an early Christmas with your Great Grandma Gee and Great Aunt Janie with a home-cooked meal of pork chops, mashed potatoes, stuffing and more. Of course, you slept through most of the dinner, but woke up in time to get a nice Christmas present from Aunt Janie - an adorable pair of red satin shoe/booties. Mom said she wished she had more red outfits to dress you in just so you can wear the shoes!

It has been a great weekend together!

Love ya!

- Dad

Day 48 : Snowsuit Up!

Sadie -

Tonight was really fun! You and your mom and I and your "Aunt" Danielle and "Uncle" Ben went to our favorite Mediterranean deli downtown and then took pictures at the pretty Christmas light display in the middle of the city.

It was cold and dreary so we snuggled you up in a big fluffy snowsuit that is supposedly for someone your size, but this particular piece of clothing is still WAY too big for you. You got a little swallowed up by it, but it was keeping you warm and making you look ADORABLE! I held you close to me and sang you Christmas songs as we walked through the lights.

Your "Aunt" Danielle even snapped a picture of me holding you up and kissing you in front of the pretty lights in your big snowsuit.

I look forward to making a million more memories like this!

- Dad

Day 47 : Party All The Time

Sadie -

Your mom and I went to my company Christmas party tonight, which meant you got to spend some quality time with your grandma. She sang you songs on the piano and let you look at her Christmas lights. You liked her Christmas lights so much that she took a picture of you making a funny face at them.

When we got home I had to hold you and finish feeding you for awhile since I hadn't seen you much today. It was fun eating food and talking to grown-ups tonight at the party, but we still missed being around you.

We are so glad that you were so well-behaved and had so much fun with Grandma. Tomorrow I don't have to go to work at all, so we'll have lots of fun together!

Can't wait! Love,

- Dad

Day 46 : The Final Countdown

Sades -

While you were eating tonight, I put an episode of "Arrested Development" on TV. This, due to a reoccurring joke on the program, caused me to get an awful '80s metal song by a band called Europe stuck in my head. So when it came time for your bath, I had you, in your diaper, waving your arms as if conducting a big-haired orchestra while I hummed "The Final Countdown." This got your mom and I so tickled that we could barely stand up straight. And just when I thought you were about to get annoyed, your mouth curved into a big grin.

Your mom's comment was this:
"Doesn't that just make your entire day?"
It did.

You may have just coincidentally had gas at the exact moment we had our fit of laughter. But I like to tell myself you already have an ironic appreciation for awful rock from two decades ago.

Love ya!

- Dad

Day 45 : Pictures of You

Sadie -

A co-worker of mine walked by my desk today and scolded me for not having any pictures of you hung up next to the ones of your mom and some of your "aunts" and "uncles." She is right; I do need some photos of you by my desk; but, as I quickly showed my co-worker, I do have plenty of snapshots of you on my phone.

I tried to take some more pictures of you tonight as you were falling asleep, but none of them came out very well and I didn't want to make you mad by continuing to flash a bright light in your face.

I haven't seen you much today because you've been so sleepy. Your mom said you stayed up a lot of the day with her, and you were pooped by the time I got to see you. That's okay! I am glad you are getting good rest and properly understand "day" and "night."

We'll spend more time together tomorrow!

- Dad

Day 44 : Card Sharks

Sadie -

Tonight you and your mom and I played cards. You were on my team and we lost the first game by a long shot. I told your mom that we lost because you were distracting me! We made up for it in the second hand we played, though, whipping up on your mom quickly. After that game, I said your expert advice helped us win.

You've really seemed more like your normal self the last few days with less fussing and more fun! Your mom showed me a trick to help keep you warm when I change your diaper and you seem to like me a lot more now!

You were waiting in nothing but a diaper for your mom to run the bathwater tonight, so I zipped you up inside my big hooded sweatshirt while we waited. It was really fun to see just your tiny little head sticking out of the top of my jacket!

I love you more all the time!

- Dad

Day 43 : U Love the '80s?

Sadie -

You've been fussy since I've been home tonight, so while your mom took a shower this evening, I propped you up on the couch with me for a few minutes. At first you had some noise to make to show your disapproval of the situation, but when I turned on Grant Lee Phillips "nineteen eighties" album, you suddenly quited down and got very relaxed.

That's funny, because it is the exact same effect the music had on me. It was a good thing your mom got out of the shower before we both fell asleep and told us to turn off the depressing music!

I hope you like music like I do as you grow older. Like I told you tonight, anytime you want to hang out and listen to CDs, just let me know. I'd love to do it again sometime!


- Dad

Day 42 : Under the Weather

Sadie Rose -

It has come to light that you and I have something in common:

Neither of us take well to yucky, cloudy days.

In fact, if it wasn't for your mom today, I don't know how either of us would have coped. You've been uncharacteristically fussy and constantly fighting sleep. I have been sleepy and a little bit of a grouch. But, per usual, your mom has been holding us together. We went to church today, Wal-Mart this afternoon, and we spent a few hours with your grandma tonight, and the whole time, your mom has been making me smile, hugging you tenderly while keeping you on a schedule, and remaining positive about everything.

But this positivity has now taken a toll on mom. She fell asleep on the couch at 9:30. It is now almost 11 and I am grumpy and you are loudly fighting sleep from your crib.

Take a moment to thank God for mom. She's the best and we'd be in trouble without her!

I love you more than ever - even when you are loudly fighting sleep!!

- Dad

Day 41 : Day By Day

Sadie -

Your mom and I have been discussing recently how alert and active your expressions are becoming. Just in the past few days, you've seemed to take a giant leap in development, becoming more engaged when your mom and I talk and play with you and spending more time awake.

Tonight, my old friends Ben and Katrena came by for awhile, and while everyone else used the couches and chairs, I spent some serious time sharing your special pillow with you as we hung together on the carpet.

Your mom and I are loving watching you grow up a little tiny bit everyday. We don't want to miss a minute and we definitely don't want to rush you. But your mom did mention today how exciting it will be when you start to laugh on your own. I agree; I love making people laugh, and I can't imagine how great it will be to share my humor with you.

Every day with you is a treasure.

- Dad