Monday, October 20, 2008

Day 367 : Barrel of Laughs

Sadie -

A few fun moments with you today:

1. Tonight at dinner you grabbed your milk cup, swung your head back, and let out a muffled "yuummmmm" as you slurped the coldness down.

2. Later, you were hanging in my arms. Mom was across the table and asked "Who is that?" as she pointed at me. You stuck your finger out to point at me and then pronounced, "DAaadaada!"
I smothered you in kisses!

3. I was putting socks on you before bed. Mom leaned over and you pulled your finger out of your mouth and stuck it in hers. You repeated this process several times.

You are such a blast!

- Dad

Sunday, October 19, 2008

Day 366 : Boys and Cats

Sadie -

Tonight we went over to have dinner with my friend Keith from work and his wife Sarah. They have a little boy who is almost exactly 6 months younger than you (meaning that for right now, he is half your age!)His name is Henry and you guys were both fascinated by each other when you met. He kept grabbing your shirt while you were busy trying to steal his teething ring.

Henry's family also has a house cat, something you have never been exposed to before. This made you uncomfortable. You held tightly to any part of me you could find (usually the leg of my pants) whenever the cat came near.

It is all right. Your mom is allergic to cats so we won't ever own one!

- Dad

Saturday, October 18, 2008

Day 365 : It's Your Party...

Sadie -

The big party Mom and I have been excited about for weeks was today!

After your afternoon nap (which you really didn't want to take... you must have known we had something special up our sleeves!), the three of us went to beautiful Brown Park, just a few neighborhoods away, and were met by your Aunt Amy, Cousins Jasmine and Josh, Great Grandma Gee, Dee Dee, Pops, and Uncle Joel.

We played on the playground for awhile. Your Grandpa (Pops) and I were having fun pushing you on the "zip line." It is designed for much older kids, but you were loving just holding on to it tightly and letting us push you.

After we played, we opened gifts. You sat between my legs while Cousin Jasmine brought wrapped-up boxes and gift bags full of surprises for you to demolish. You got a LOT of stuff - a shape sorter from your cousins and Aunt, blocks from your Uncle. You got sweatsuits and a book from Grandma and Grandpa and a special plate from your Great Grandma - not to mention all of the cool stuff Mom and I got for you. We didn't give you the lego blocks today, though. You can open those on Wednesday!

For dinner we ate vegtable soup. Then came the cake and ice cream. You had never seen these items before. You examined them both, then picked up a whole glob of the cold ice cream and shoved it on to your face and into your mouth. It was HILARIOUS!

Today was awesome!

- Dad

Friday, October 17, 2008

Day 364 : School Trips

Sadie -

Usually mom takes you to school, but once every couple of weeks, for some reason or another, I will take you. It is extra driving for me, but I really love the extra time I get to spend with you.

Tonight after school, I picked you up and we met your mom at our favorite pizza place in our neighborhood. You were really tired, but had enough energy to scarf some peporoni down. As usually happens when we are at this restaurant, we met another family with a little girl. You waved and smiled lots. You have always been good at helping me meet new people (just because folks want to talk about how blue your eyes are or how cute you are), but now you are starting to enjoy the new-people-process yourself - especially if they have kids!

- Dad

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Day 363 : Super Secret Shopping Trip

Sades -

When you went to sleep tonight, your Uncle Joel came over and stayed with you so your mom and I could sneak out for a bit. We are throwing a small family birthday party for you on Saturday and wanted to go together to get you gifts. We wandered the aisles through several stores, picking things, putting them down, discussing and debating. On our third store we found you Lego blocks, a train that matches the toy truck your friend Lori got for you, and a purple stuffed kangaroo that I found and am sure you will like. Mom already got you some wooden puzzles she found a few weeks ago.

When we got home, we hid your presents upstairs, even though you wouldn't really know what they were if you saw them. We are just so excited about this big event and we want to show you how much we love you!

- Dad

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Day 362 : Eichen Jr. Burger

Sades -

Mom went out to dinner with some work friends tonight, so you and I had another D3 (Daddy Daughter Date).

We went to Sonic and I ordered you your own jr. burger. You looked at it kind of funny at first, not sure of what to make of the fluffy bread smashed on top of meat with yellow sauce (mustard!), but a few delicate bites in and you were sold! You ate quote a lot of your sandwich (as usual!)

We ate at a park really close to our neighborhood that we had never been to before. It was really nice and well-landscaped. There were no swings your size, though, so we spent our after-dinner time walking the trail around the park. There were lots of folks exercising and many stopped to say "hi" to you, or at least grin while they passed.

Near the end of the trail I started running while pushing your stroller. You seemed to enjoy the high speed chase!

- Dad

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Day 361 : Happy to See You

Sadie -

I sometimes get so excited about seeing you after a long day apart that I find myself a little disappointed when you don't seem all that excited to see me.

So this afternoon it was quite refreshing to have you literally fall over with excitement when I walked through the door after work.

You were playing on the floor and when you saw me you smiled big, started jiber-jabbering and blowing me kisses and then tried crawling towards me. You were so pumped, you slipped on your way over because you were just trying to move too fast.

You were in a great mood all evening and had plenty of hugs and kisses for your mom and me.

We love everyday with you more.

- Dad

Monday, October 13, 2008

Day 360 : Family Bumper Cars

Sadie -

Tonight, you and your mom and I were ready to eat, but dinner wasn't quite finished cooking. We snacked on some crackers and waited, but it still needed time to finish. So I pulled you out of your chair and the three of us invented a new game.

It is played like this:

1. You and I go stand at the far end of the hallway and walk towards the kitchen.
2. Mom is in the kitchen and begins walking down the hallway, pretending that she doesn't see us.
3. The three of us collide while Mom and I make loud fake crashing noise and watch you giggle loudly.

Just wait until you get to try real bumper cars, kiddo!

- Dad

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Day 359 : Toe Jam

Sadie -

Did I mention that we got you a new car seat this weekend? Well, actually it used to be your Cousin Jasmine's, but it is new to you and very necessary because of how long you are becoming.

I went to see a car seat expert on Friday afternoon to make sure this new seat was installed just right. We moved it to the opposite side of the car from where the other one used to sit, so now when I am driving you are off to my right instead of back behind me. The new chair has taken a little getting used to, but you seem to be enjoying it.

This afternoon, you and your mom and I were coming back from the store when I turned around to check on you. You had you foot literally in your mouth. I guess you have enough room and flexibility in this new chair...

- Dad

Saturday, October 11, 2008

Day 358 : What up, Cuz?

Sadie -

Today brought some really cool news. My best friend Chris, your "Uncle" Charlie, is now a dad, too!

No, you haven't met "Uncle" Charlie or "Aunt" Elisa, or your new "Cousin" Samantha yet, but hopefully you will soon. They ask after you often and look at pictures of you all the time. They live in Little Rock, Arkansas for now, but we hope one day all of us will live closer together and you can Samantha can get to be good friends.

It is funny to think about you having friends. Mom and I have noticed how much you like being out and about and around people and how you seem to prefer to not be cooped up in the house. I speculate that you might be quite the little socialite as you grow. That would be okay. Just make sure to come home and say "hi" quite a lot!

- Dad

Friday, October 10, 2008

Day 357 : More Monkey Business

Sadie -

You have a new morning routine that involves reading your pop-up Bible with Mom. As soon as you wipe the sleep out of your eyes and realize you are out of the crib, you lean and point towards your bookshelf and say, "book." Mom retrieves your request and the two of you settle into your small couch for a few minutes of page flipping.

One of the first pages in your book has a flap you pull up to reveal a monkey. Whenever you pull this flap up, Mom always makes a monkey noise like, "Ooh Ooh, Ahh Ahh." You think this is hilarious, and evidently you also think it is worth imitating. Now when mom says "Ooh Ooh, Ahh Ahh" to you at any random moment during the day (like at the park during our family picnic and swinging time tonight), you go, "Ah Ah!" back at her. It is really funny.

I have always called you "my little monkey"!

- Dad

Thursday, October 9, 2008

Day 356 : Incisors

Sades -

Many kids approaching their first birthday are starting to get their first teeth. You are starting to get your final teeth.

You've been wearing some major "grumpy pants" for the last few days, so mom checked your mouth to see if you could, in fact, be getting more teeth. Sure enough! And it looks like you are getting all four of these at once.

I told your mom today that my incisor teeth hurt if I touch them wrong - I can't imagine how much they would hurt breaking through my gums.

I love you and will try to be extra-sensitive to you over the next few days!

- Dad

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

Day 355 : Laugh Track

Sadie -

Mom's garraunteed ways to make you laugh:

1) Mom grabs your feet or your sock, puts it to her nose and pretends that it smells bad. She lets out a huge, over-dramatic "SHOO-WEE!"; you crack up in a hysterical fit of giggles.

2) You are on the changing table waiting for a fresh diaper and PJs. Mom appears wearing your night-night blanket over her head. She comes towards you and drapes it over you. You crack up in a hysterical fit of giggles.

3) You are in your car seat, ready to go to school. Mom appears with your car blanket and fans it onto your lap. When it settles, she grabs it away quickly and repeats the process. You crack up in a hysterical fit of giggles.

- Dad

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Day 354 : So(da) What?

Sades -

You have become quite the inquisitive explorer. We knew that once you got a handle on crawling you'd be into everything - and you are. But for the most part, you are learning to listen when your mom and I tell you that something is "not for you."

The last few nights I've cracked open a bottle of orange soda for myself to drink with dinner. Whenever you see the little bottle you get very excited, pointing and asking me to see it. I tell you that you are allowed to touch and thus explore the bottle, but you are not allowed to taste it. This arrangement is not really to your satisfaction, though, and I have had to end up hiding from you everytime I have needed a sip with the meal!

I will tell you that soda is quite the treat. You will probably notice as you grow that I drink quite a lot of those carbonated beverages. But you won't taste one for awhile.

I actually met a guy recently who told me he still doesn't drink any sodas as an adult because when he was young he kept trying to drink his mother's soda. She finally let him take a sip, and not anticipating the carbonation, he took such a big gulp it burned his throat and to this day he can barely go back to the beverage.

I wouldn't want that to happen to you...

- Dad

Monday, October 6, 2008

Day 353 : Yo, Gurt!

Sadie -

So this past weekend, your mom and I started giving you "real" milk instead of formula to drink with your meals. This not only makes life a little easier, it also allows you access to other things that heavily involve the use of "real" (read: cow's) milk: like yogurt!

Mom gave you a bite of her yogurt yesterday and you got excited. You couldn't get enough! You ate half of her cannister before she even got a bite. This morning I gave you some yogurt for breakfast and you laughed with glee and excitement after each bite.

I just keep saying: "Wait 'till you try ice cream (again...), toots!"

- Dad

Sunday, October 5, 2008

Day 352 : Under the Influence

Sades -

This morning, I was sitting on the couch while you played with your toys on the living room floor. You found a rag in your basket of fun and turned to hand it up to me. I tried to take it from you and you pulled it back and burst into laughter.

You were teasing me!

I told your mom about our interaction when she got up.

"Where did she learn that?" I asked in disbelief.

"Oh... I know where..." answered your mom.

It turns out that while "Aunt" Danielle was here yesterday, she got you into that game by doing the same trick to you. You were so impressed, I guess you had to try it out for yourself.

I can't believe your senses and learning are already so acute! You are amazing...

- Dad

Saturday, October 4, 2008

Day 351 : SUSHI

Sadie -

Your mom and I and your "Uncle" Ben, "Aunt" Danielle and "Uncle" Lafe and "Aunt" Jen are all going to a big orchestra concert tonight.

Before the show, all of us - you included - went to Ichiban for some good Japanese eating. You made quick friends with the waitress and you and your mom and I all shared some chicken fried rice. Then you and I split some cucumber roll sushi. You loved it! I am so glad that you like trying new things.

One day, when you are quite a bit older, we'll try some more advanced sushi - you know, with salmon, tuna or shrimp. But for the time being, I am more than happy to eat veggie sushi with you any day of the week!

- Dad

Friday, October 3, 2008

Day 350 : Day on the Farm

Sadie -

What a fun day!

Mom's work had a special family outing planned this afternoon, so I took a half-day at the office and joined you two in going to an orchard up in Indiana called Huber's. We met a lot of Mom's work friends and ate a big lunch of potatos and beans and chicken. Then the really cool stuff began!

First, we went on a tractor ride to feed some goats. You were less afraid of the hungry creatures than I was (though your real interest was in their food; you really wanted to try the dry pieces of corn, but mom and I let you know that wasn't a good idea.)

After visiting the goats, we took another tractor ride to a corn maze. We walked through row after row of corn that was taller than all of us. You liked playing with pieces of husk and rolling around in my arms.

We walked over to the nearby pumpkin patch and let you choose your own pumpkin. Mom is going to help you decorate it later this month.

Today wore all of us out. You napped on the way home and still went to bed earlier than usual because you were so beat.

Family outings are a blast!

- Dad

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Day 349 : Guzzle Guzzle

Sadie -

You and your mom and I returned to our weekly tradition this week : We went to Buffalo Wild Wings for boneless chicken wings.

While we waited on our food you were getting a bit anxious. Mom handed you your sippy cup of milk. You took a swig, then you handed it over to me like you wanted to share. I grabbed and lifted it to my lips and leaned my head back like I was taking a big sip. I made a funny noise like I was really downing your drink.

You cracked up into a fit of laughter. Suddenly we had found a new game...

You would take a sip, hand it to me. I would pretend to pour it down my throat, then hand it to mom. We did this for several minutes until we were all laughing ridiculously.

You are more fun to be around every day!

- Dad

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Day 348 : Tango

Sadie -

This morning, you and I got ready for work and school and were waiting around for your mom. She was in the bathroom doing her make-up, so I, with you in my arms, started prancing up and down the hallway to get her attention. This quickly turned into me getting cheek to cheek with you and holding you arm out with mine, then taking two distinct steps at a time - a loose interpretation of a dance called "tango." Not only did mom find this funny, you thought it pretty hilarious - a big grin stayed on your face and you wouldn't even shift your head away from our cheek-to-cheek stance.

This afternoon, I walked into Dee Dee's (we were invited for dinner) and got two big declarations from your mom.

1) You had been huggin your Cousin Jasmine quite excitedly for the last few minutes and there were pics to prove it.

2) You fell on the hard tile at pre-school today and have a gigantic bruise above your right eyebrow.

It was hard for me to look at the bruise at first, imagining the pain that caused it. But I should probably buck up - you are going to face more than tough tile in your life, and much like today, I won't always be there to stop it.

I love you desperately.

- Dad