Day 317 : Mom Food

Sades -

There was a brunch at church this morning. I sat at the table with you while mom went to get the two of you food. She came back with a loaded plate and let you start feasting. After I returned with my plate of food, your mom turned to me with the now half-empty plate she was feeding you from and confessed : "I put nothing on this plate but stuff I thought Sadie would like; and now I don't have anything to eat. I don't want any of this." But you did. You ate well.

This is how mom lives. She is always thinking about you, not herself. When ever you are older and are mad at her remember this. She is ALL about you. Even if it might not always seem like that to you...

- Dad

Day 316 : All for One, One for Crawl

Sades -

You are SO close to crawling. You spend your playtime on the living room floor with your basket of toys and after a few minutes (and some accidental misplacement), you usually end up propped on all fours, concentrating hard and trying to figure out how to move yourself forward instead of backward.

Either your mom and I will be watching this sequence of events and will get convinced that this time you are about to find your true mobility. At this point, the one of us watching calls for the other who stops whatever he or she is doing to turn attention to you. And, like you know what is happening, you suddenly stop in your tracks and move on to something besides trying to crawl.

This happens so much it is starting to be hilarious.

- Dad

Day 315 : Crashin' Out

Sadie -

Your mom and I picked you up from school tonight and attempted to start our holiday weekend by going to one of our favorite places to eat - Joe's. There was a ton of traffic, though, and you were tired. You fell asleep hard while we were driving.

When we got to the restaurant, I pulled you out of the car seat expecting you to wake up, but you were sleeping so soundly. You stayed asleep on my shoulder, napping for another 10 minutes while we got situated and ready to eat. People in the restaurant noticed you were sleeping and gave me winks and knowing looks. You are so adorable - all the time!

- Dad

Day 314 : Movin' On

Sadie -

Today while you were at school, your mom and I (along with a lot of help from your Uncle Joel, Pops, Michael, Kerry, and Uncle Steve) packed up all of our stuff and moved it into a different house - a place WAY bigger than the apartment we've been living in since you were born.

We now live just a few minutes from our old place - but in a neighborhood and with a backyard and an upstairs.

After we picked you up from school, we met all the folks that helped us move at Pizza Hut for a celebratory party. You ate lots of pizza!

I am looking forward to watching you grow in this new environment. I think you'll really love it!

- Dad

Day 313 : Giggly-Face

Sadie -

You are so smiley these days! You laugh at the silliest things - even coughing! When you cough it turns into a chuckle at the sound. Now when your mom or I have a catch in our throats, it becomes amusement for you. It is so weird...

A few nicknames for you based on recent behavior (and a few just because they are fun):

Giggly-face
Goofball
Goof-Troop (your mom call you that one)
Popsicle
Boogerface
Sillyface
Boogs
Sades-a-licious

- Dad

Day 312 : Rings

Sadie -

Out of all of your toys, it is the set of multi-colored plastic rings that occupies most of your time. Other trinkets you tire of quickly - but not so with these. You pull them off of their stacking center and toss them to the side. You pick them up - one in each hand - and bang them together. And now, most recently, you offer your mom and me "bites" from those delicious pieces of plastic.

You get our attentions, thrust your thin little arms up in the air and into our general directions, and wait for us to smack our lips like we've just bitten off a chunk of that yellow, orange, or blue circle.

Then you laugh!

Will you always be so easily entertained?

- Dad

Day 311 : Chicken Salad Madness

Sadie -

Your mom's friend Lori had a party this weekend and ended up with lots of left over food. She brought your mom some turkey and a container of chicken salad to work this morning, so we decided to eat it for dinner tonight.

We made you a little half-sandwich so you could try this new dish. Little did we know what it would do to you... You went NUTS! You started shoving the sandwich in your mouth so fast, your mom couldn't keep up as she tried to cut up pieces for you to eat.

By the end of the meal, your faced had smashed chicken all over it - and you looked VERY happy!

- Dad

Day 310 : Bass-ics

Sadie -

I played bass guitar in the band at church this morning. You and your mom sat close to the stage where I played and she said you were mesmerized trying to figure out what I was doing.
You liked the music (like usual) and kicked your feet and hummed along.


We went to Aunt Amy's for sandwiches after lunch. You were so tired that you just lounged with your grandma (DeeDee) and waited to leave so you could nap.

You (like your mom) really like to sleep! That is good!

I just don't like that it means I see you a little less...

- Dad

Day 309 : Beach Bum

Sadie -

Your mom has been busy painting at our new house this weekend (more on that whole situation later...), so today has been mostly a "Dad & Sades" day. It's been pretty low-key; you, like your mom, prefer spending days off just lying around. You took two long naps today and I had to wake you up from both of them!

This afternoon you and I went to a pool party with some friends from church. Your friend Kane's family had some nice floating inter-tubes in the shape of some sea creature. They let you borrow one and you LOVED it! You lunged forward and sprawled out and kept propping your hand behind your head. You looked so adult! You got so relaxed, though, that you kept trying to go to sleep as you floated around the pool.

I took lots of pictures of you in your big, floppy sun hat lounging like an infant movie star on your inter-tube.

Everyday with you is a great day!

- Dad

Day 308 : (real) Raspberries

Sadie -

You know when you blow a bunch of air between your lips and it makes that funny noise you like so much? Your mom and I call that a "raspberry." But a raspberry is actually a fruit - my favorite fruit, in fact. Your mom can't eat them because she is allergic (once, before you were born, she and I made smoothies with raspberries and she got big scary bumps all over her body...), but I could eat them everyday if I could afford the habit.

Your grandma (Dee Dee) was in the grocery this week and saw a big unannounced sale on raspberries, so when we went over to her house for dinner tonight, she surprised me with my own pint. I put a few on your tray and you went straight for them. (You love things that are red!)

I think raspberries may soon be one of your favorites, too. You ate quite a few from my pint.

That is okay! I can't think of anyone I'd rather share them with!

- Dad

Day 307 : Straw Theory

Sadie -

We ate dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings again tonight. You scarfed some chicken (as has become your habit) and then spent some time loving on your DeeDee who went out to dinner with us. While you were sitting with your grandma, your mom offered you a drink of water through her straw. She put the straw in her water and then placed her finger over one end. She pulled the straw out, put it in your mouth, and then removed her finger, leaving the liquid in your cheeks. The water was cold and every time it hit your mouth you would grimace. Mom would make a "ooo-wee" noise and you would laugh and pant for more.

Your grandma and I got to laughing at the two of you pretty heartily!

- Dad

Day 306 : Uncle J

Sadie -

Your Uncle Joel has been out of town on and off for the last several months touring the country with his rock band Hark the Herald. I called him yesterday afternoon and found out that he was back in town. I was excited, so we all went out to dinner. Uncle Joel even came over after dinner and spent some time with you before you went to bed.

You have seemed happy to have him back. You smile at him often and enjoy hanging out in his big arms.

He loves you, too. Trust me.

- Dad

Day 305 : Once Bitten

Sadie -

It has been a mild summer and one without much discomfort. That is why I was so dismayed when I woke up this morning scratching my leg and realized that I had a bunch of mosquito bites.

You and I went over to our new house with your mom yesterday as she did a chore on the property. We threw a blanket in the front yard grass and started to play when I realized that there were mosquitos everywhere. I figured they would be trying to bite on you, so I spent a lot of time making sure they didn't get near you. I guess that left my own skin wide open. So now I have itchy bumps on my legs.

That is okay. I'd rather have 100 mosquito bites than for you to have one!

- Dad

Day 304 : Down with the Sickness

Sades -

You haven't been sleeping well and your mom and I have been concerned that you might be getting another ear infection, so I picked you up from school a few hours early today so we could visit the doctor.

We had to stay in the waiting room for quite awhile before the nurse called us back, but you didn't seem to mind. You bounced on my lap, practiced standing up, and even played with some toy blocks (which, of course, you wanted to put in your mouth even though they were in a germ-filled doctor's office).

Dr. A saw us a few minutes after we got back to the examination room.

Dr. A and I had to catch up before he looked at you. Your mom and I saw him from a distance at a Stone Temple Pilots concert a few nights ago and we didn't get a chance to say "hello." He said he thought he had seen us, too, but wasn't sure. He said whenever he sees a patient's family outside of the office, the child will inevitibly get sick within the next few days, and they will be in for an appointment. When he saw that you were on his schedule he knew for sure that it was your mom and I at the concert! (For the record, it was really strange to see such a professional fellow in such a casual setting as a rock concert!)

As for your sickness, he says you just have a little throat virus that has to run it's course. No ear infection!!

Mom and I are both VERY relieved!

- Dad

Day 303 : Landlord

Sades -

You and your mom and I will soon be moving. This means we have a found a new place to live. It is a little house just a few miles away, but it includes more room for you to play in and a beautiful backyard for you to explore.

This afternoon we went to meet the man who owns the house and will be letting us live there. He thought you were beautiful and more than once had to stop what he was doing to rub your head and smile at you. You seemed to like him, too. That is a good sign. I trust your judgement...

Before we met him we stopped at a park near our new neighborhood and let you swing for awhile. You loved being pushed through the air. I even put your hat on backwards for you for fun. It made for some cute pictures!

- Dad

Day 302 : Pupupupupawooough

Sadie -

You, "Uncle" Tim, your mom, and I all went out to lunch this afternoon to a place called Mark's Feed Store. You loved the meat from Mom's sandwich and the french fries I gave you. You spent the entire 45 minutes we were in the restaurant quietly eating and enjoying yourself. You made very little noise other than the occasional murmur when you smiled at one of us to show how much you liked your lunch.

As we were walking out of the restaurant, I overheard one of the wait staff turn to another and say, "That is the most polite and cutest baby I have ever seen!"

This made me so happy! I hugged you close as we entered the parking lot, and told you how proud I was to have you as my daughter. I held you out as I finished saying this and you looked at me in the sunlight. There was a pause as I admired you.

Then you blew all the air you could muster through your lips making a loud "raspberry" sound.

"Pupupupupawoooough!!"

It was as if you were getting out all of the energy and noise you'd been storing up over the last hour.

Your mom and "Uncle" Tim and I all fell into a fit of laughter.

- Dad

Day 301 : Remembering Uncle Tim

Sades -

"Uncle" Tim from Cincinnati came to town this evening to visit with us. We haven't seen him in quite sometime, and you were a little shy when he showed up. You couldn't seem to place whether or not you were supposed to like this guy. It didn't hurt his feelings or stop him from loving on you, though. Before bed, he even watched a little bit of "Miss Spider" on TV with you!

He is good friend!

- Dad

Day 300 : Chicken (bawk, bawk)

Sadie -

Tonight we went to meet our friends Michael and Maren at Buffalo Wild Wings for their 50cent boneless wing night. You enjoyed the loud, activity-filled restaurant and had plenty of energy and smiles to share with Michael and Maren.

I ordered my chicken to be smothered in a BBQ sauce, but I had the cooks leave one piece plain so you could eat it. Since you were chowing on puffs and potato and drank a bottle of milk, I thought one piece of chicken would be more than enough - WRONG!

You wolfed down your chicken and left me trying to cut mine into pieces that didn't have any sauce on them. I am so glad that you enjoy food so much!

- Dad

Day 299 : Sadie the Great

Sadie -

You are quite the explorer... If I get my face too close to yours I am likely to get your fingers up my nose, in my mouth, poking my eyes... One day you'll realize how gross things can get when you are not careful as to where you put your hands, but right now you have no fear.

This fearlessness also makes it more important for mom and I to watch what falls on the floor. We tell each other almost everyday now:

"We need to vacuum..."

- Dad

Day 298 : Better Days

Hey Sadie -

We were on the verge of getting you into the doctor again due to your continuing cough and overall demeanor that betrayed your feelings of sickness - then you woke up today. Suddenly all that yuck seemed to disappear... It is amazing how fast you turn around sometimes.

Favorite foods these days:
Bananas
Pancakes
Fruit

Mom and I are already talking about how to celebrate your birthday (I can't believe it is only two months away!) She wants to make all your favorite foods... I told her we might want to make it a breakfast party!

- Dad

Day 297 : Blanket Statement

Sadie -

I am flattered that you find me to be so reassuring and secure. When you get really tired in the evening, just before bed, you become adamant that I am the only one around. Tonight, I tried to let mom put you down to sleep, but you wouldn't have it. You cried and squirmed. But as soon as I entered the room, gave you your favorite blanket and put you on my shoulder - you fell asleep so fast you literally couldn't keep your head up! It kept slipping off my shoulder because it was so heavy with sleep.

It is humbling to mean so much to you. One day you'll find out that I am not perfect and that I can't protect you from everything. But I will always do my best to provide whatever peace and security I can. I promise.

- Dad

Day 296 : Micky D's

Sadie -

Another rite of passage was reached this weekend: your first official trip to McDonald's. Most of our church friends went there after service today for lunch, so we joined them. You'd already eaten your "yum-yums," but that didn't keep you from trying a few french fries. Plus, you got to examine the Playland with your mom. She was quite proud of how long you were able to stand up and alert amidst all the commotion. Soon I won't be able to drag you out of the ball pit (or you won't be able to drag me out of the ball pit... One or the other...)

- Dad

Day 295 : Something to Talk About

Sadie -

Yesterday was a gorgeous afternoon. Mom and I picked you up early from school and we went and played in the park. You met a girl named Riley who kept trying to steal your sippy cup for herself and you spent a large amount of time trying to eat 3-leafed clovers.

On the way home, the three of us were goofing off in the car. Mom was driving and when she reached a stoplight, she turned back towards your seat to talk to you. You looked up at her, waved your hand and said, "Hi!"

You were speech-full. Mom and I were speechless.

We called friends and grandmas as soon as we got home to let them know you had made your first venture into the spoked world...

- Dad

Day 294 : Isabella

Sadie -

I took you to pre-school today. We walked in the room and all your classmates were lined up in high chairs having a snack. The room was fairly quiet. As we made our entrance, your friend Isabella, sitting snug in a high chair, suddenly started making noises - at you! She was excited to see you, started saying "hi." Your teachers say you guys are friends and often sit and babble with each other. I always wonder aloud to your mother if you guys can understand one another... Is there a "baby language" you speak in?

- Dad

Day 293 : Blizzard of a Difference

Sadie -

As for your face - we called the doctor and she just told us to up your intake of the allergy meds you are already on...

Your DeeDee and Pops came over and we ordered pizza tonight. You, just like me, love pizza! We ate a lot and then went to get some ice cream at Dairy Queen. This was a special trip, though. Today, Dairy Queen is donating all proceeds from their sales of "Blizzard" treats to the Children's Miracle Network. This group is instrumental in keeping hospitals like Kosair Children's open. This hospital is the one you were at for your first two weeks of life. I called several people today and asked them to go have a Blizzard in honor of you!

- Dad

Day 292 : Puff the Magic Sadie

Sades -

So we thought you were feeling better...

You went to school today. When I got home you were on the floor playing with your mom. I walked in and instantly gasped.

"What is wrong with Sadie's face?!"

Your eyes were puffy and you looked like you could not be feeling good - but you acted like nothing was wrong! You smiled big at me and waited for a hug.

Your mom said she had the same reaction when she picked you up from school, but thought she must have been over-reacting. It looks like all this congestion might just be your allergies...

We'll have to call the doctor tomorrow...

- Dad

Day 291 : Sic(sic)

Sadie -

You woke up this morning and sounded horrible. Your breathing was raspy and through your mouth only, and you had a thick cough. I'd noticed over the last few days that you were having some allergy or cold issues, but this morning they were more than full blown. Mom and I didn't want you to have to suffer through school feeling so badly so Mom took the day off. She said you slept quite a bit and wanted to be held a lot. I am the same way when I am sick!

When I got home from work, you seemed to be in okay spirits. We played some before your bed time. I hate it when you don't feel good, but you always act like it is not that big of a deal. The doctor always jokes that you have to see her from time to time because otherwise we would never know if you were sick!

I hope tomorrow is better for you!

- Dad

Day 290 : Slap Bet

Sadie -

Your mom has started a new routine where we all eat meals together. One night recently you got irritated at the food on your plate and picked some up and threw it. We told you that this was not okay. You promptly picked more food up and threw it again!

Your mom slapped your hand as punishment. You stopped and let out a little cry. Then the room got quiet. Suddenly, you looked up and started blowing kisses at both your mom and I.

...Just so you know... That isn't always going to work...

- Dad

Day 289 : Trippin'

Sadie -

You were such a trooper today! You and your mom and I had a lot of running around to do. We are looking for a new place to live so there has been a whole lot of riding in the car. Then tonight we went to a special party for your Pops. You haven't had a lot of traditional "fun" today, but that hasn't affected your attitude. You have been upbeat, well-behaved and a lot of fun to be around! Your mom and I just keep joking, wondering when you are going to start "misbehaving all the time like a normal kid."

I'm sure it will happen eventually (and we'll still love you just the same!), but we are loving how laid back you are now...

- Dad

Day 288 : Pool (on a) Deck

Sadie -

Your DeeDee put a small inflatable pool out on her back deck under the shade of her porch. Cousin Jasmine has been at her house most of the day playing in it and there have been several phone calls made requesting your presence at the "deck pool."

Your mom and I took you over there late this afternoon and you had a blast. The water was shallow enough for you to sit up and play with toys like you do in your bath. Your Cousin thought it was cool to have you in there with her. She kept hugging you and making sure you had plenty of things to play with. We took lots of pictures of the two of you "hanging out."

- Dad

Day 287 : Future You

Saders -

(NOTE: I've started calling you "Sader Tater" (which is really stupid) partly because I used to carry you over my shoulder and call you my "sack of taters." I also call you this just because it rhymes... I should never write rap songs.)

I've mentioned to your mom recently that I often wonder what you will be like when you get older - more specifically, what kind of stuff will you like? Will you like movies and music or will you like sports and hiking? Will you enjoy reading lots of books? Will you love sleepovers with friends or will you prefer sticking at home with your mom and me?

I think about how my mom and dad must have wondered all of this stuff about me when I was little. I asked them recently what it was like to have their babies grow up and have babies. Your DeeDee called it "surreal." I think being a parent in general has been kind of surreal...

- Dad