Foodie

As Bailey has grown and her menu options have increased from various foods in liquid form to eating just about anything, she has become quite the culinary artist. Bored of her usual menu, she has created some pretty interesting food combinations.  And by interesting I mean GROSS.

Here are a few of my "favorites":

• Yogurt and fish sticks - dipping fish sticks into fruit-flavored yogurt would be bad enough, but Bailey first tops the fish stick with some yogurt like icing on a cupcake, and then dips it in the yogurt.   

• Raspberries (or just about any breakfast food) dipped in syrup - OK, I kinda like the sound of that.  

• Toasted bagel topped with soy cream cheese and pieces of mushy, smashed banana
• Graham crackers dipped in mustard
• Salami, hummus, and nectarine "tacos" (that face below is a smile after trying this one)

Her creativity is also shining through by way of her dress up bin and its various options.  Some of these pictures aren't the best quality but these outfits are too good not to post!

Father's Day 2014

Three months. THREE MONTHS. It's been quite the drought, and evidently people have actually missed my ramblings.

After a few not-so-subtle hints from my better half, I figured that I better get back at it. What better day than Father's Day?

This video says it all:

A note for my Bailey as I celebrate my 2nd Father's Day...

Bailey,
Today more than most, I remember the journey we've been on these last few years. Before we even knew your name, God was preparing me for the privilege of being your father. The little quote rings so true today that "love makes a family".  

Bailey, I love you so much and I'm so proud of you. You are a beautiful, brilliant, well-behaved little girl. I'm so proud of how much you've grown in the 18 months we've had you home. I love the little conversations we can have now. You express yourself so honestly and I pray you never stop doing that, especially with me and your mom. 

I love your sense of humor and the way you fill our house with laughter. 

I am so proud of the way you behave at home and out in public. Except for the infrequent outbursts (and fork throwing) at restaurants, you are so incredibly good and have such good manners. It makes us so happy the way you behave and follow instructions. 

More than anything, I love that little heart of yours. You may only be 2, but your acknowledgement of God makes my heart smile. Yesterday in the car, as the fire engine drove past us with its sirens going, you reminded me that we needed to pray for the firefighters and whoever might be involved in the emergency. And last night you wanted to talk about God before bed and you asked to pray for little Aimerance (our sponsored child in DRC). I love hearing you repeat our prayers, until it clearly becomes a delay tactic to avoid going to bed. :-)

I love you more than I will probably ever be able to accurately express. You are my sweet Bailey, and I would do anything for you and your mother.  It is a privilege to be your Dada, a responsibility I don't take lightly. I'm thankful to God for the added joy and purpose you've brought to my life.  

I love you,
Dada