Day 255 : The Monkey and the Vacuum Cleaner

Sadie -

I often refer to you as "monkey" due to the way you hang on me when I am holding you. But now I have a second reason to nickname you after the zoo animal: you really like fresh bananas!

I fed you your breakfast today, but you still seemed hungry. I cut up a few pieces of banana and you ate them with much enthusiasm. Tonight, after eating several different dishes for dinner, you again seemed unsatisfied. What calmed your craving? Fresh banana!

I can't say I dislike your newfound fruit affection - because I get to eat the remainder of the banana when you finish. And I really like bananas, too!

Something you don't like? - The vacuum cleaner! I pulled it out to clean the carpets after dinner tonight and, even when you were in a different part of the house, you had trouble playing or even smiling because of all the noise. I don't like to upset you, but the carpets have to be cleaned sometimes, and it is better to do it when you are awake then when you are asleep (Trust me!).

- Dad

Day 254 : Sunday at the Park

Sadie -

Today was unseasonably cool, so after lunch you and your mom and I went to a park near our house. It was the first time you ever got to swing in a swing and you seemed to like it. I put you in my lap and we slid down a slide, too.

The best part of the afternoon was when the three of us found a big shade tree and laid around in the grass. You kept trying to eat the grass and clovers! It was so comfortable and relaxing to just lounge around with you.

We'll have many more afternoons in the park as you grow up!

- Dad

Day 253 : Cookout Supplies

Sadie -

Your Grandma (Dee Dee) called this morning to see if we wanted to be a part of a cookout at her house this evening. We said we'd love to and I asked if we needed to bring anything. In the background of the phone call I heard your Grandpa say, "Make sure they bring Sadie!"

OF COURSE!!

We did go to the cookout and you ate a lot of grilled chicken. You seemed to really like it.

Your grandpa always says he likes to be around you while you eat because you seem to enjoy it so much. You tend to make quite a few satisfied noises while your mom or I help you shovel food down your throat.

You make meal time lots of fun!

- Dad

Day 252 : Cartin' Around

Sadie -

Mom was quite excited to show me some pictures on her phone when I saw you two after work tonight. Evidently she had taken you to the store with her after she picked you up from school today. She had pictures of you in the front of the grocery cart playing and smiling. We've taken you to the grocery and put you in the cart before, but you've you've always had trouble getting comfortable or staying seated. That was not the case tonight. Mom said you were having quite a fun time and really liked it when the cart rolled over some bumpy surface or tiles.

I am glad you are now ready for the world of grocery shopping. Just don't start taking stuff off the shelves yet!

- Dad

Day 251 : M Sounds

Sadie -

At dinner tonight you started making a new noise that got your mom very excited. While she was feeding you, you just suddenly looked at her and made a noise that went something like this:

"uuuuuhMMMMMMMeh"

Of course, this sound alone is not that significant - except for the fact that it is the first sound we've heard from you that significantly features the letter "m." And you know what word starts with the letter "m"?

You got it : Mom.

Your mom immediately launched into the game where she says "mommomomomomo" over and over in hopes that you'll repeat her. It didn't work. But that little sound was enough to satisfy your mom for now.

You just need to keep working on the "om" part of the word!

- Dad

Day 250 : (Eichen)Burger in Paradise

Sadie -

You'll soon learn that my favorite food of all time is the (at least quasi-American creation of a) cheeseburger.

I'll look at a new restaurant menu for 15 minutes and still decide upon a cheeseburger when the waiter comes. I can't help it. I love juicy, messy cheeseburgers with mustard all over them - and that is why your mom made some tonight.

We cut a hamburger patty into tiny pieces and let you try some. You seemed to really like it, though the meat by itself was a little dry for you. Don't worry... It won't be long before you get to have a hamburger in full glory - with peppers and cheese and mustard and lettuce...

Trust me - you ain't tasted anything yet! But I am very glad you seem to initially like hamburgers. We'll have many together in the coming years. (Quite a few will likely be from this nasty but delicious restaurant your mom refuses to go to with us - It's called McDonalds. As if a cheeseburger wasn't enough, they'll give you a free toy with your sandwich!)

- Dad

Day 249 : Movin' On Up

Sadie -

Your mom got a letter from your pre-school today that announced you will soon be making a change. You have been cleared to be promoted on to the next "grade" or room at the pre-school. It is not a far jump. You will still be next door to Miss Melissa and the other friends you've made from your first room, but because you are getting so big, it is time for you to move on to this next step. To get you ready, the school let you visit your new room today, and you must feel comfortable already - you took two long naps! (You rarely do this at all any more.)

Mom said she got choked up talking to your Aunt Amy about your promotion today. I have to agree with her assessment: it sure does seem like you are growing up a little TOO fast!

- Dad

Day 248 : Hand Over Fist

Sadie -

Again, let me point out that you are quite the study-er.

When you see new people or enter new situations, you are all eyes and ears, doing your best to decipher the situation to your own understanding.

Because of this trait, like I've written before, you seem to suddenly acquire skills instead of gradually learning them.

Mom and I have been trying to teach you about feeding yourself for the last few weeks. We put finger foods on your dinner tray and help you put them in your mouth. You have been picking them up and occasionally getting them near your mouth, but tonight you looked like a pro.

As soon as I put a noodle down on your tray, you reached down, picked it up and put it in your mouth with one smooth motion. It was like you'd been feeding yourself for years!

Mom and I looked at each other in shock!

Congrats! You've passed another milestone!

- Dad

Day 247 : I Know What Boys Like...

Sadie -

I asked your mom tonight if she thought it was weird that I already find myself often worrying about how boys will treat you when you are a teenager. She told me, "NOT AT ALL!"

I have become the stereotypical dad that frets about you dating and falling in with the wrong kind of boys and says "I know what boys think - I used to be one!"

I hold you when we are playing and look at you smiling at me and worry that one day you'll slam the door in my face and tell me you hate me and that I don't understand you and that whatever boy you like that I won't let you go out with is "a good guy."

Even then I'll probably just say, "I know what boys think - I used to be one!"

- Dad

Day 246 : Random Reminder and Thanks

Sadie -

You, your mom and I once again set out to see some yard sales this morning. We came across a large neighborhood sale, and happened up to a particular house where the woman who owned it seemed quite taken by you. She came up to you and talked to you and told your mom and I that she thought you were beautiful.

Mom thought this woman looked really familiar, but couldn't figure out where we might know her from.

"I work with babies," the woman said, "but I usually don't see any that are this big..."

I thought she must have mis-spoken. I figured she meant to say she usually didn't see babies this small. Mom asked the lady where she worked.

"Kosair Children's Hospital."

It suddenly all "clicked." We recognized this lady because she was one of your nurses when you were in the hospital after you were born! Mom almost cried. We told the lady that she once took care of you. She said she was sooo glad to see you healthy! We thanked the nurse for doing such good work!

- Dad

Day 245 : Future You

Sadie -

I saw a picture of your cousin Jasmine tonight that was taken around her first birthday. Now, at going on 4 years of age, Jasmine has lots and lots of hair, but on her first birthday, she had very little. Your mom and I laughed tonight that this will most likely be the case with you.

I often wonder what you will look like as you grow older. I see baby pictures of your cousin and even myself and see how much babies change. I wonder what color your hair will be, and hope that your eyes will always stay such a striking blue color.

I am looking forward to the future - but I LOVE the present!

Stay bald as long as you need to...

- Dad

Day 244 : Strange(r) But True

Sadie -

I still haven't tired of taking you out in public so people can tell me how beautiful you are. Tonight you, your mom and I went out to eat chicken at Buffalo Wild Wings (50-cent boneless night!!). Halfway through our meal, a few older grandma-types came into the restaurant and were seated at a table behind us. They tried talking to you but you stayed very stoic throughout. I told them that you usually take some time to "check out" the new people you come in contact with - and if they pass your "test," they may get a smile or giggle out of you. These ladies made a good point - once you get older, I'll be busy telling you not to talk to strangers! No wonder kids get confused! When you are little, we insist on you smiling and being friendly with people you don't know and as you get older we insist you keep to yourself.

There will be time for actual stranger safety lessons in the future, but for now know that being polite is always okay!

- Dad

Day 243 : Three-iversary

Sadie –

Today is a special day for our family. Three years ago on this day, your mom and I were married. We were hoping even then that we would one day have a beautiful baby girl!

To celebrate our anniversary, mom and I went out to dinner and to see a movie. (Your Pops came over to hang out with you while we were gone.) Your mom and I set out to celebrate each other – and we did. But we still found ourselves looking at pictures of you on our cell phones at dinner and talking about how much we love you!

You seem like the perfect addition to accent the relationship between your mom and I. It is hard to understand until you get older, but when you love someone so completely – the way your mom and I love each other – it only makes sense to create a third life out of that love. You are that life for us and we couldn’t be happier about you!

- Dad

Day 242 : Pizza Party

Sadie –

It is really turning into a family week of sorts! We had a pizza party over at Aunt Amy’s house tonight. You got to see your Cousin Jasmine and your current favorite extended family member, Uncle Steve!

We joke that you like your Uncle Steve so much because you both have the same hairstyle (bald!).

You’ve had a little trouble sleeping the last week. I think this might have to do with the fact that it doesn’t get dark until after 9:30 PM this time of year! (I hate going to sleep when it is light outside, too!) Your mom hung a dark blanket over your window tonight, and we are hoping this helps you sleep a little deeper at night.

- Dad

Day 241 : Like Father/Like Son/Like Daughter

Sadie –

Your Dee Dee has a work commitment that has taken her out of town for most of the next two weeks, so you, your mom and I had Pops over for dinner tonight. You were very excited to see him – so much so that you had trouble eating your dinner. You just wanted to smile and giggle at your grandpa. Of course, he can’t help but goof off with you when you are looking at him. We finally had to ask him to stop making faces at you for a few minutes so you could finish eating. I can’t blame him for wanting to play with you – I have to fight the urge to distract you while you are eating on a daily basis!

- Dad

Day 240 : Father Time

Sades –

Today is Father’s Day. It is a Sunday in June that is set aside every year for people to celebrate their dads. You and your mom got me lots of candy and a CD to show your appreciation for me. You must have known that it was a special day because you seemed especially loving and affectionate towards me, as well. We had lunch with Dee Dee and Pops (because Pops is MY dad!) and this afternoon you, your mom, your Uncle Joel and I all went swimming for awhile.

I made sure to tell you today that you make being a dad easy. It is better than I could have imagined!

- Dad

Day 239 : Fun Family Saturday

Sadie –

Today was a really fun family day. After you ate breakfast this morning, you, your mom and I went to a nearby neighborhood yard sale. You met lots of people as we pushed you around in the stroller. We even met a lady who has a few children who are just a little older than you. She sold us several outfits and some really cool toys for just $5.

After you took a morning nap, the three of us went out for pizza!

I love family Saturdays!

- Dad

Day 238 : Upside Down Kisses

Sadie –

You are so much fun! I find myself spending lots of your waking hours just rolling around on the floor goofing off with you. You love it when you are lying on the floor and I lean over you from above so that we are looking at each other upside down. You get so tickled – you start laughing and open your mouth for a big kiss.

I am trying to treasure the days while you are still so easily entertained!

- Dad

Day 237 : Perspective

Sadie –

During dinner last night, your mom and I passed you some pieces of the pizza we were eating. We didn’t give you much – just pieces of the crust and a tiny sliver of pepperoni and olive – but I think you might have had some kind of reaction. You went to bed like normal, but right at midnight you woke up ready to start your day. It was weird – you’ve never really done anything like this before. You weren’t obstinate. You just wanted to cuddle and be awake.

I’ll admit it was a long night. But as I laid with you on the floor, wrapped in blankets on a makeshift sleeping mat big enough for the both of us, I couldn’t help but remembering your first two weeks of life and being so thankful that not only are you now a healthy (almost) 8-month-old, but that this is the first time you’ve ever kept me up for most of the night.

I am so lucky to have you!

- Dad

Day 236 : Name Games

Sadie –

You remember how I have said that you often abruptly acquire skills. In the last few days, you have started to make noises that sound much more like a little girl and a lot less like a baby.

Mom was tickling your stomach as I was dressing you before bed tonight and you started to laugh – not even laugh really. It was like a real chuckle:

“aha ha huhhuh ha!”

Sometimes you will suddenly make a pronounced sound that comes out like,

“uh huh” or “nooo.”

But you still haven’t called me “da da” or your mother “ma ma.” (This is despite great efforts made on the part of your mother to get you used to hearing these words…)

I have a feeling that one day you will just abruptly, without any warning, get my attention by calling me “dad.”

That tends to be how you do things!

- Dad

Day 235 : Boxcar Child

Sades –

One of my favorite bedtime songs to sing to you these days is “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad.” The traditional version of the song features a girl named “Dinah.” But when I sing it to you, her name is Sadie. And the person in the kitchen with Sadie? It’s your mom playing “the old banjo!” (This is a particularly funny mental image because your mom would likely rate the banjo as her least favorite instrument of all time!)

Instead of “fee fi fiddle-i-oh” for the sound the banjo makes, I make my own special banjo and horn noises. I enjoy singing this special version of this silly song to you – and I like to think you like it, too. But you might just find it annoying…

- Dad

Day 234 : Read My Lips

Sadie -

You have MORE(!) teeth coming in... and this is making you a little uncomfortable. You are severely gnawing your toys and spend a lot of time with your cold teething ring. To help with pain, mom and I rub some special medicine on your gums before you go to sleep. This medicine numbs your gums, but you usually get excited when you see fingers coming at your mouth. Most nights you end up getting some of this medicine on your lips and it almost immediately makes your lips feel really funny. It is hilarious to watch you suck and purse your lips as you try to figure out how they got all tingly!

We love you so much!

- Dad

Day 233 : Making Friends

Sadie –

We went to the pool today for the fourth time in as many days. Today there were lots and lots of other folks at the pool – including another 7-month old little girl. She was wearing a hat like yours, too! You guys seemed very interested in each other, so mom took you over to meet her. You stared at her for a few moments – and then you started splashing at each other. That may not be the best way to make friends…

- Dad

Day 232 : Dry (food)

Sades –

Today your mom gave you some dry cereal snacks to munch on and you seem to love them. You have so many teeth that you are starting to get tired of not using them all of the time. Your usual smooth jar food doesn’t seem to interest you near as much as cereal puffs and little slivers of fruit.

This is exciting, but it is just another example to me of how fast you are growing up! I can’t believe you are almost through with traditional baby food.

- Dad

Day 231 : Rock Me (on the water)

Sades –

Remember how I said last night would be the first of many trips to the pool? Your Grandma and Grandpa heard about your new love of swimming and came over to play with you tonight. They took turns pushing you around the pool in your seat. There were lots of other people at the pool, but they all stopped for a moment when you got in to watch and smile at how much you were enjoying yourself.

- Dad

Day 230 : Pooling (our resource)

Sades –

It has gotten very hot outside recently, so tonight your mom and I took you to the pool. Mom got you a special pool chair at a yard sale last year and you loved sitting in it and splashing in the water.

Your cousin Jasmine came over and got in the pool with us. She forgot her swimsuit, but thought it was so cool that you were in the pool, that she just got into the water while wearing her clothes!

I think we’ll have lots of fun days to look forward to in the pool.

- Dad

Day 229 : THAT Guy

Sadie –

My friend Marji at work wanted to see some pictures of you today. I pulled up some of the recent pictures mom has taken of you and let her see how beautiful you are. It was funny because I think she only wanted to see a few, but I realized after five minutes or so, that I had flipped through dozens of photos gloating over you and that she was starting to get just a little bored!

I guess I am becoming THAT guy - the guy who thinks that just because I could spend hours talking about you, the whole world wants to as well…

You are that special to me, though!

- Dad

Day 228 : Change (does me good)

Sadie –

I’ve started changing your diaper before I crawl into bed myself and I have to admit that this has become a favorite part of my day. Now let me clarify – I am not all that fond of the actual diaper changing. But the necessity of this does require that I pick you up out of the crib and sling you onto my shoulder. You are usually very sleepy and spend any and all time on my shoulder snuggling and resting your tired little head on against me.

A moment like this with you makes a million dirty diapers totally worth it!

- Dad

Day 227 : My Name Is...

Sadie –

Last night, your mom and your grandparents and I were having a conversation during which it was mentioned that you should soon be “talking” enough to call your mother and I by name.

This conversation obviously excited your mom because she has started a new game with you today where she sits you on her lap and tickles and wrestles you while saying, “Mommommommommom” or “Dadadaddadadadada” repeatedly. I guess she thinks that this might help speed up the process of you calling for us.

I am still enjoying the fact that you reach for me. I am sure I’ll love it when you call for me as well!

- Dad

Day 226 : New Friends

Sadie -

Today after church we ate lunch with our friends the Kagy's. They have two little girls - Abigail, who is 2 and Joanna, who was just born in the last few months. Abigail really likes you and kept saying "Hi!" to you and trying to be your friend. You seemed receptive. I think you guys will get along as you get older.

Abigail was not your only new friend at lunch today, though. Our friend Brian Henderson was there, too. He is a bald and scary looking guy with a big beard, but you are not afraid of him at all. I handed you to him so I could finish eating and you instantly seemed to decide that he was your new buddy. Part of this new affection may be that he has a beard he lets you play with. Sadly, I will never be able to grow one of those it seems. But that is okay - Brian H. will let you examine his when you are curious!

- Dad