happy birthday sadie

Just last night your daddy and I were sitting around talking about how old you seem these days. You're less a baby and more a toddler (even though any actual 'toddling' has yet to happen), and it's clear that you're quite opinionated, expressive, and deliberate in your actions.

For example: you absolutely hate when we stack things. Blocks, books, cups, whatever---a stack is your nemesis. You must knock it down immediately. So naturally, we stack anything and everything, every chance we get, both of us at the same time, until you are on stack-whacking overload, darting back and forth and bringing every last stack to its demise. Sadie-5999, Stacks-0.

But then there are tags, glorious tags! Oh how you love them! Is that a tag on that toy? On your blanket? On mommy's jacket? Well, clearly it's the best part of the whole package. I made the faux pas of cutting the tags off everything when you were just an infant...will you ever forgive me? Perhaps everyone can make up for it by sending you boxloads of tags cut from old t-shirts for Christmas.

Your other favorite thing: screeching AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS! We have mixed feelings about this one. It's amazing how something can be so cute and so maddening at the same time. In case you're wondering, as a general rule: screeching when we're playing = good. Screeching when we're driving = not so good. Either way, we like that you know how to express your feelings.

Maybe all of the screeching is a result of that pesky little tooth poking through. Here's what it looked like 6 days ago---just a glimmer of white barely visible beneath your gums (and your patented Chucky face) :

Now there's no mistaking it---especially when you decide to bite down on someone's finger, or nose, or (OWW!) cheek---yet you seem determined to not let us take a picture of it. I spent over an hour today trying to get one and still came up empty! So how about this, instead?

Despite the forlorn look in your eyes (icantbelieveyouguysaredoingthistome), baby jail's not as bad as it sounds. The three of us have lots of fun playing in there together, and let's just say it keeps you...well, focused. Not a sharp corner, remote control, or breakable item in sight. Finally, a place where we can ALL relax. That is, until you learn how to climb out of it.

Happy 8-month birthday, little girl. If our universe were a jelly donut, you'd be the sweet and delicious center of it.