Day 347 : Clothes-ing Up

Sadie -

Your continued tremendous growth has left us with a bit of a problem: you are too big for your clothes. Over the past few weeks, mom and I have had to put aside shirt after pants after dress that you just can't squeeze into anymore. With your birthday gifts still a few weeks away, we were starting to wonder, "What are we going to dress Sadie in?!"

Then your Aunt Amy called last night.

It seems that when your Cousin Jasmine was your size, she not only had some clothes of her own, she was given a tremendous amount of hand-me-downs. Your Uncle Steve volunteered to bring these clothes by on his way into his job. We were expecting some clothes - but he arrived with bag after box after bag of beautiful, cute, clean clothes - that most importantly were in your size!

Mom has now loaded up your shelves with all of these new outfits. You even wore one of them to school today. (It was an adorable little black and white dress! Mom said you looked British in it!)

It is great to have a generous Aunt and Cousin, huh?

Give them extra hugs next time you see them...

- Dad

Day 346 : Crash(ing out)

Sadie -

I got home this afternoon a little after you and your mom and found the front screen door propped open. I was confused.

"Why is the door propped open?" I asked your mom when I found the two of you in the living room. She explained that you fell asleep on the way home from school. She thought you would wake up when you guys got in the driveway at home, but you did not. She got out of the car, went and propped the door and came back to get you. You slept while she pulled you from the seat. You slept while she brought you into the house. You even slept while she sat down with you on the couch. She ended up just letting you snooze sprawled out across her lap.

You must have had a hard day!

- Dad

Day 345 : Mom Night

Sadie -

Because mom has been so busy with work recently (she had another big work event yesterday morning!), we decided tonight to make the evening a special time for her.

You and I went to the store this afternoon to get a few extra food items and then returned to the kitchen so we could prepare a special meal. Mom requested that we eat on our deck outside, so we lounged at the patio table and consumed our handi-work together!

You went to bed and I finished all the dishes and laundry for your mom.

It is always important to let Mom know how special she is to us!

Thanks for your help!

- Dad

Day 344 : Wal Mart Friends

Sadie -

You and I went on a grocery run to Wal-Mart this morning. It was bright and early and there weren't many people in the store. This meant that everyone there had all the more time to pay attention to you.

We didn't even get through the front entry before a greeter found her way over to us to stroke your arm, make faces at you, and talk about how cute you are.

A random customer came over to see if I needed any extra help getting you in a cart (?! I think he just wanted to get a closer look at your cuteness) and he quickly commented that "She looks just like you!"

As we were checking out with our cart full of food, you leaned on my shoulder and caught the attention of a woman behind us who promptly began playing peek-a-boo with you.

I say it a lot these days : You make it easy to meet new people!

- Dad

343 : Mom Time

Sadie -

Mom is back and you are happy about it! She has always said that you pour a little extra love my way instead of hers on most days, but today you made sure to let her know that you like having her around - and that you missed her a little while she was gone!

You handed out hugs without being asked and spent extra time snuggling.

Mom loves this but does admit that it creates a problem. Now that you are showing how much you notice when she is gone, it is going to make it a lot harder to leave.

- Dad

342 : D3

Sadie -

Tonight we started what I hope will become a longstanding tradition throughout your childhood: Daddy-Daughter Dates. With mom still out of town, I picked you up from school and we went to Arby's to grab a sandwich. We then went to the pretty park near our house and got on the swings. You LOVE swinging so much!

We met a little girl who was around your Cousin Jasmine's age and just as inquisitive. She thought you were really neat and asked me lots of questions about you - what you liked, how you talked, etc.

I love hanging out with my Sades!

- Dad

Day 341 : Lasagna with Dee Dee

Sadie -

Your mom has another business trip this week, so it is just you and me again for a couple of days. (For the record: Mom isn't usually away on business so much. She has just had a busy month. And she really doesn't like being away from you AT ALL!)

Your Dee Dee called and asked us to come over for a lasagna dinner. It is always fun to feed you lasagna for two reasons:

1) You love it!
2) It requires you to practice (what I call) "full-immersion eating"

This just means you end up with food all over you by the end of the meal. You did this last night with the dish mom made and you did it tonight with lasagna. Sometimes I don't even put clothes on you before a meal like this.

You got so much lasagna on you that I put you in the bathtub over at your Grandma's house immediately after dinner. We scrubbed you down and got you all good-smelling again. Then I noticed on the way to the car that your face was still streaked with a faint red stain of tomato sauce!

I am glad you love to eat so much!

- Dad

Day 340 : Real Long Distance

Sadie -

I mentioned yesterday that you have games to play with me - but your favorite game has to be the one you and mom have cooked up. We call it "Long-Distance Kiss."

It works like this:

1. I hold you in my arms on one end of the room. Mom stands on the other.
2. She asks you for a kiss. You look at her sheepishly.
3. Mom now starts running at us from the far end of the room. You pretend to hide in my shoulder or you smile and giggle in anticipation.
4. Mom grabs your face and plants one on.

We play through these steps at least 5 or 6 times a day... and it is usually you that makes us stop!

- Dad

Day 339 : Attack of the Sades!

Sadie -

Now that you are mobile (aka crawling) you have become even more entertaining.

Tonight after dinner, your mom and I were lounging in the living room with you while you played with your toys. I sprawled out on the floor near you, laying on my side, and turned my attention towards the TV. I suddenly heard you giggling and moving. I turned my head and twisted my torso just in time to see you lunge at me.

It seems you've created a new game. If I am on the floor with you, I act like I am not paying attention. You then come crawling as quickly as you can, and throw your body at me. It is especially fun because you get really worked up with anticipation to the point that you are already laughing at yourself before you even get to me.

I like playing games with you!

- Dad

Day 338 : Your Michael

Sadie -

Remember how I mentioned that you really enjoy being around our friend Michael?

He and his wife Maren came over for pizza tonight and you spent most of your meal flirting and smiling at one or both of them. You have started this funny thing where you tilt your head and stretch your face into a huge grin when you have someone's attention who you are trying to impress. We were all getting tickled watching you work your magic on Michael and Maren tonight...

- Dad

Day 337 : Gaslight Fun

Sadie -

As the summer turns to fall, now is the time for "town festivals." These are basically family-friendly street parties that include crafting booths and overpriced lemonade - and your mom and I love going to them!

This afternoon, the three of us met up with your "Aunt" Danielle and "Uncle" Ben at one of these festivals called the Gaslight Festival. We walked through closed-down streets among crowds of people pushing their way past booths full of trinkets, woodworking and t-shirts. You stayed in your stroller for awhile, then I got you out and let you laze in my arms for awhile. You were quite the monkey, flopping around in my grip and stretching out at funny angles. Many complete strangers stopped to comment on how cute you are - so many in fact, that "Uncle" Ben jokingly suggested that we get a booth at this festival next year and just charge people a few bucks to look at you.

Not a bad idea...

- Dad

Day 336 : Pizza Pals

Sadie -

In the spirit of Friday night, you and your mom and I went to a pizza place by our new house for dinner. We'd never been there before and we found it moderately crowded. After we sat down, another family came in - they had two little girls and a new little boy. They were very friendly and all talked to you and asked us about you.

People always comment about your beautiful blue eyes - how big and pretty they are. I like to think I had something to do with you getting those... I also often imagine how they will look when you have a full head of hair (especially if it is dark hair.) I often tell your mom that I am going to have to hide you away when you get older and boys your own age start to notice how pretty you are...

- Dad

Day 335 : Day for a Parade

Sadie -

I had to work late tonight because there was a big concert in town. I talked to your mom a few times and checked on you. She said that you two went to the parade over in J-Town. You seemed to enjoy just lounging on your mom and watching the commotion go by.

While I was working, one of my bosses caught a glimpse of the screen saver on my phone and asked about you. I showed him a few pictures and he was quite impressed. It made me miss you more.

- Dad

Day 334 : Back in (non)Black

Hey Sadie -

Guess what!

We got electricity restored today! Your mom drove by our house to check at the beginning of her lunch break today. Nothing.

She went and got a sandwich and drove back by later... PRESTO! She said all lights and all TVs were blaring!

Your Aunt Amy made us dinner at her house this evening. It was originally for in case we didn't have power, but we turned it into a celebration of all of us having power restored (except for your Great Grandma... Her neighbors have it back, but she doesn't!)


- Dad

Day 333 : Another Dark Day

Sades -

There is still no electricity in our house... Some of our friends have gotten it back (including your grandma and grandpa), but the official stance of local government is that it could take up to two weeks to be restored in some parts of the city... Let's hope that doesn't mean us!

You have adjusted to the lack of power. Last night you slept fine. An added bonus of no electricity: sleeping in! There is no point in getting out of bed when we can't see anything, so we have all gotten a little extra shut-eye recently.

Tonight, in spite of the local conditions, mom had to work a little late. You and I met up with your grandpa and great grandma for dinner. You had a blast talking and laughing with those two. They really enjoyed getting to have you mostly to themselves.

We both took baths at Grandpa's (since we have an ELECTRIC hot water heater!) and then headed home for some shut-eye.

Let's cross our fingers and hope we get to watch some TV tomorrow!

- Dad

Day 332 : Weathering the Weather

Sadie -

With no electricity in our house, it is REALLY quite at night. I think you find it a little disconcerting... You woke up in the middle of the night last night a little freaked out, so I pulled out the little sleeper couch (that we got from your "Cousin" Ivy's mom and dad) in your room and we cuddled up together.

You were a little restless, but seemed to sleep well as long as I was next to you.

I am glad I can be so comforting.

Since the power is out, your school isn't opened. I stayed home from work with you this morning and then your Grandpa came and got you and took you to his house this afternoon. He said you and he and Grandma had a good time together - and you ate a WHOLE banana for snack!

Mom and I came over to Grandma's house after work and we all ate together again! Grandma and Grandpa want us to help them eat all of their food so nothing goes to waste!

- Dad

Day 331 : Power(less)

Sadie -

While you napped this afternoon there was a big wind storm! The weather guys on TV say it was a product of the hurricane that has been down in Texas. All I know is that it was loud and powerful (it ripped some siding off of our house - just a little) - and it took our power with it!

We don't have any electricity in our house!

Grandma and Grandpa and Aunt Amy and Uncle Steve don't have electricity either, but we are still going to get together this afternoon for dinner in the semi-darkness!

Should be an interesting few days...

- Dad

Day 330 : Tones of Home

Hi Sadie!

You sure have found your voice! As if it came in with your crawling, you suddenly seem proud to display your opinion - and sometimes it hurts my ears!

If you don't get your morning cup of milk fast enough, or if I take a toy from you, or if I move you around in the tub - you are not afraid to let me know of your dissatisfaction and distaste.

Mom and I are working on teaching you when such reaction is appropriate and how to use different tones of voice, but I am glad to see you asserting yourself. It is important to discover your voice! Now we'll help you learn how to use it properly!

- Dad

Day 329 : Sadie Does the Dishes

Sadie -

Our new house is lacking one luxury : a dishwasher!

This means that after meals, I have to scrub the plates and bowls and pans. It hasn't been so bad recently - you've been helping.

I scoot your chair over to the sink with me and hand you different odds and ends from the table: bottle caps, cups, bowls - and you "clean" them (translation: knock them together and around and shake them in the air) for me!

We spend 20 minutes doing this sometimes, barely even saying words. Just cleaning and having fun next to each other... You are a great helper!

- Dad

Day 328 : Games

Sadie -

Sades and Mom Game 1 -

Title: Catch

How to Play: Sadie has bigsoftball. She gets mom's attention and then waves bigsoftball in the air, in mom's general direction. Mom either a) takes ball or b) waits for Sadie to drop/"throw" the ball to her. Mom then takes ball and throws it back at Sades. Sadie laughs a lot! So does mom...

- Dad

Day 327 : Hurry Up and Move!

Sades -

Mom got home from her trip in the middle of the afternoon today.

I picked you up from school and we started to head home to see her, but there was a lot of traffic. I called to tell her we might be a few minutes late and she got really irritated. She wanted to see you and watch you crawl and she was having a little trouble being patient!

It was hard enough to be away for almost three days. Now that she was back in town, she needed you NOW!

It worked out - we got home rather quickly considering and you had plenty of time to strut your stuff!

- Dad

Day 326 : New Found Skill

Sadie -

O' Mobile One! I sent a text message to a large number of folks last night that was meant to both tease and inform. It said, "Somebody's mobile! Video is on Facebook."

Several friends were confused by this, but others jumped onto their internet connection to see you move around for themselves. Your mom, in a hotel room far away, had me send her the video in several different ways to make sure she could watch it over and over.

Tonight your grandpa and Uncle Joel came over to see you groove around. You were tired so your performance was not long - but you proved your ability.

Sleep well, little one. Life is about to get a LOT more tiring!

- Dad

Day 325 : Before You Walk...

Sadie -

Mom is on another business trip this week. It is just you and me for the next few days.

Before she left, she said she didn't want to go because she was sure you would start crawling while she was away. I told her she had nothing to worry about. She has some serious feminine intuition...

I came to pick you up from school today and noticed there was a comment written in big, magic marker letters on your daily report sheet. As I got closer I could read it: "I CRAWLED TODAY!"

Mom was so upset that she missed it. I promptly brought you home and we ate. It was almost time for bed, but I had to see for myself. I put your toys on one side of the living room and you on the other. You looked around and assessed the situation for a few moments. And then you did it. You crawled.

I grabbed the camera and took footage. Then I put you to bed and spent several hours trying to get the video of your movement to your mom, all the way in another state.

Congrats. You did it!

- Dad

Day 324 : What I Love About Sundays...

Sades -

On Sundays, you and I get up early. Mom stays in bed and so it is just us having Cheerios and bananas. Then we go into the living room and pull out your basket of toys. I flip on the TV and lean back on the couch. After you play for a few minutes, you look up at me and I grab you off the floor. Sometimes you sit on my lap, or next to me, or even across my chest. Sometimes we cuddle with a blanket. We watch cartoons or "SuperWHY" on PBS.

Then when you start to get sleepy, you take a nap in your crib and I sleep on the couch.
When we wake up, we go to church.

Ahh... A day of rest...

- Dad

Day 323 : Smack

Sades -

I think it a product of you finding your personal coordination.

You love playing with your basket full of toys now. But the way you play - well it mostly consists of you taking two toys (usually small plastic toys) and banging them together. Then, when you notice your mom or I, you stop and reach out to us with one of the toys so we can "take a bite." Mom and I pretend to chew on the toy in your hand, you smile, and then you go back to smacking the two toys against each other.

Most fun game of all time...

- Dad

Day 322 : Favorite Friends

Sadie -

You are usually reserved around people who aren't members of the family. You observe them and then, after what is usually quite some time, you might smile or wave. But rarely do you quickly get comfortable with "strangers."

There have been a few exceptions. There are a handful of people who you have always loved being around - your "favorite of our friends."

1. Brian H - Brian is a bald, square, scary-looking dude. He loves metal, shreds the guitar and has a goatee - and he is a giant teddy-bear when it comes to you. When we went to that pool party a few weeks ago, he was the only person besides me that you would tolerate. He lazed around the pool with you for quite sometime.

2. Al S - Al is not intimidating like Brian. But he does have a goatee... All he has to do is smile at you and you go into full on flirt mode!

3. Michael B - Michael has something in common with Brian, too. He is bald. We always joke that you like him because you have the same hair cut!

- Dad

Day 321 : Waiting

Sadie -

We went to Buffalo Wild Wings tonight (one of our regular hang-outs/weekly routines these days).

Our waiter was a young guy who (how do I say this...) He didn't seem like the kind of guy who would care much for young kids like yourself. But (and this is important lesson to learn) you can't always judge by appearances.

The waiter not only talked to you. He made sure to go out of his way to get you the special dinner we needed for you (he wrote "for a baby" on your plate so the kitchen would give you the right food.)

As we were leaving and walking through the parking lot, I heard someone yelling out after us. I turned to see the waiter booking it out the door with the sippy-cup we had taken into the restaurant for you. I had forgotten it on the table, but he was looking out for you.

You have a lot of fans, girl!

- Dad

Day 320 : Kickin'

Sadie -

You are hilarious! (I know we tell you that a lot...)

We've mentioned it before: Ever since you were little you have one consistent way of showing your excitement! You kick your feet.

This has never stopped. Even now that you laugh and yell and have several ways of displaying enthusiasm, kicking your feet is still your number one way.

Your Grandma and Grandpa still think this hilarious (and of course, so do your mom and I).

Times you kick the most:

- When you are waiting for me to hand you your bottle.
- When I walk in the room after you haven't seen me in awhile.
- When mom is playing the "long-distance" kiss game (more on that later...)

- Dad

Day 319 : Next Month

Sades -

Mom made a comment yesterday:

"Can you believe Sadie's birthday is NEXT month?!?"

She is right - I mean, obviously, your birthday is next month - but, it is hard to believe.

This past year has flown by! It has been neat in a way I didn't anticipate: I feel like everyday is a chance to get to know you better. And this chance is going to continue for a long time. This past year has been GREAT! I can't imagine how good the next year will be... and the next... and the next...

I just hope they don't all go so fast...

- Dad

Day 318 : Labor Day (for reals)

Sadie -

Your mom and I kind of accidentally invited a bunch of people over for a Labor Day party. Labor Day is the first Monday in September - it's a holiday where people get to NOT labor and usually just eat and hang out with friends.

This is fine - but we JUST moved into our new house, so there really was A LOT of labor to do before people could visit.

It was all worth it, though!

Your friends Eliza and Abby came over and the three of you swam in the kiddie pool on our deck. We ate sausage and BBQ and you went to bed early because you got SO worn out by all the fun.

Happy first Labor Day!

- Dad