Storytelling

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Dear Holly: I’m Currently Obsessed with This Picture of You at the Circus

7 months.

Dear Holly: I’m Currently Obsessed with This Picture of You at the Circus

Dear Holly,

I am constantly taking pictures of you; wherever we are. But in particular, out of the hundreds I took during our family’s visit to the circus this past Saturday, there is one that I just can’t get over…

It’s the picture I captioned on Facebook with, “Fascinated by it all.”

While your brother definitely enjoyed the circus, I’m convinced that you were even more intrigued than he was. The way your big blue eyes were wide open, as well as your mouth, as you appeared to be mesmerized by what you are seeing.

From the lights, to the music, to the acrobats… you were truly fascinated by it all.

The world is still very new to you. I see it every day with you; that you are full of wonder and awe of everything that is presented to you.

But I also love how simply adorable you are in the picture. Your cuteness is very evident to me. The lights hit your skin in a way that really brings out the pink in your tone, which happens to match your cute little hoodie.

I’ve saved this picture on my phone as the wallpaper. I love to see it throughout the day- and I really enjoy showing off your picture to people. For those who haven’t seen a picture of you recently, this one is an exceptional photo to show them.

Seriously, you are such an adorable little baby girl.

You do this thing where if you are laying down and you see me walking towards you from across the other side of the room, you smile so big and so proud as if to say, “Daddy, aren’t I pretty?”

My answer will be the same every time: Of course you are… and don’t forget precious too!

Love,

Daddy

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Dear Holly: Your 1st Time to the Circus (Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme)

7 months.

Dear Holly: Your 1st Time at the Circus (Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme)

Dear Holly,

One of the many things I love about you is how sincerely excited and open-minded to whatever new thing Mommy and I place in front of you. It was obvious you could sense the excitement as we packed you up for the hour-long drive from Spring Hill to Nashville, to see Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme.

Dear Holly: Your 1st Time to the Circus (Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme)

I was always fascinated by the idea of a person being shot out of a canon at a circus. As of today, I finally got to see it happen myself. Leading up the circus this week, your brother Jack was so excited about the canon that he drew a picture at school to celebrate.

Dear Holly: Your 1st Time to the Circus (Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme)

Yes- we really got to see a person shot out of a canon, across the area. And actually, it was a lady!

Dear Holly: Your 1st Time to the Circus (Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme)

While our family thoroughly enjoyed the circus last year (while Mommy was pregnant with you), I undoubtedly appreciated the show even more this time around. It such an eclectic and old-world feel.

To say you were fascinated by it all would probably be an understatement.

Dear Holly: Your 1st Time to the Circus (Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Xtreme)

Granted, your brother was just as intrigued. It is a very unusual event to see people doing the things these amazing performers are able to do.  They truly are talented.

To say you were fascinated by it all would probably be an understatement. h9

During intermission, our family was lucky enough to have one of the clowns come up to our row and talk to us. You loved meeting her! I think if it were up to you, you would have liked for her to hold you for the rest of the show.

To say you were fascinated by it all would probably be an understatement.

h13

Your brother decided he wanted to sit in Mommy’s lap for the 2nd half of the show, so that meant you sat on my lap. You bounced in awe and wonder the whole time!

To say you were fascinated by it all would probably be an understatement.

At 7 months old, I don’t know that you’ll remember anything you saw at the circus today, but I know I definitely look forward to taking you back next year.

Love,

Daddy

h14

 

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Dear Jack: The Art of “Finding an Activity”, to Properly Focus Your Restless Energy

6 years.

Dear Jack: The Art of “Finding an Activity”, to Properly Focus Your Restless Energy

Dear Jack,

A fairly recent rule I have created for you in our house is this:

“If you can’t figure out what to do, then you’re going upstairs for a nap until you fall asleep.”

You’re a boy. That means you’re full of energy that needs to be directed with a purpose. If not, it becomes restless energy. And I don’t allow restless energy in our house. Because restless energy is not Feng Shui.

I don’t believe in spanking you as a form of punishment. I believe that your “misbehavior” has everything to do with me properly attending to your needs, based on you being either hungry, tired, bored, lonely, or sick.

So I know that if you’re acting a little crazy, yet you’ve recently eaten, and aren’t due for a nap, you likely are bored. You need me to remind you that you are responsible for entertaining yourself.

Dear Jack: The Art of “Finding an Activity”, to Properly Focus Your Restless Energy

We have a house full of toys and games and crafts. Plus, if the weather allows, and I’m not in the middle of taking care of your sister, I’m always eager to take you outside and burn some curious energy with you.

As for this past weekend, I was quite proud of you for how you figured out what to do, in the midst of nasty weather outside.

Saturday morning, as a family, we ventured to Target and bought a new Hoover vacuum cleaner. After you helped me unbox it back at the house, you were quick to take the box and turn it into a spaceship of sorts.

Then you spent most of the rest of the evening using the Styrofoam from the packaging; using it to make scientific experiments in; using water, leftover Halloween candy, and Christmas stamps.

Dear Jack: The Art of “Finding an Activity”, to Properly Focus Your Restless Energy

And on Sunday, after you and Mommy decorated the Christmas tree while I cleaned the bathrooms, you decided to use some of the extra lights to illuminate your bedroom.

You really are a creative kid. You just need me sometimes me to remind you that with your talent comes a built-in responsibility to actually do something with that talent.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Jack: The Art of “Finding an Activity”, to Properly Focus Your Restless Energy

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Dear Holly: You are Officially Learning to Crawl

7 months.

Dear Holly: You are Officially Learning to Crawl

Dear Holly,

I have to remind myself that babies don’t just start crawling all at once. Instead, there is a subtle process leading up to it. And I’d have to say, you’re clearly in it right now.

It was like the moment you were able to start sitting up on your own was the moment you realized that you had the necessary basic skills to start teaching yourself to crawl.

The hardwood floor in the kitchen works pretty well for you, as compared to the carpet in the living room.

Mommy and I were seeing you go through the motions of crawling… without actually moving. You wanted it so bad. After our past couple of visits to Alabama when you saw your Cousin Darla crawling, you’ve set a goal to be able to join her.

Dear Holly: You are Officially Learning to Crawl

And you’re now showing some actual movement.

Over the weekend, Mommy motivated you by placing her phone a few feet away from you. Then I did the same thing with an empty bag of Bear Naked Granola Bites. You love squeezing empty, noisy bags. It is quite the authentic motivation for you.

I realize that you’ll be keeping me that much more on my toes once you’re able to crawl around, but I really won’t mind. This past week, I’ve really appreciated the fact I’ve been able to help Mommy prepare and clean up dinner.

Up until now, it’s been necessary for me to sit on the floor with you. Now that you can sit up, you enjoy having “activity time” on the floor.

I’m not rushing you growing up, but I definitely celebrate you accomplishing new things.

It’s like you are able to reason that the next big thing in life for you is being able to crawl. It’s like I can tell you want to do this not only for yourself, but also Mommy and me.

Love,

Daddy

Dear Holly: You are Officially Learning to Crawl

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Dear Holly: I Predict You Will Look Like Willa, the American Girl Doll

7 months.

Dear Holly: I Predict You Will Look Like Willa, the American Girl Doll

Dear Holly,

Last week an ad showed up on Mommy’s Facebook page, advertising American Girl. Mommy clicked on the ad, after catching a glimpse of a doll with your complexion. As she saw a close-up of the doll, which is named Willa, she realized that the doll looks so much like what Mommy and I think you will look like, that we might just have to get the Willa doll for you for your 1st birthday coming up in April.

I did a side-by-side photo comparison of you and Willa. You just happened to be wearing an outfit with a pink kitty on it, like Willa has on her shirt.

Willa has red hair- as for yours, we’re not sure yet which color it will be: Up close, your hair is light blond. But from several feet away, it has a reddish tint. Plus, it was even redder a couple of months ago.

So Mommy and I just assume we have a precious little future redhead on our hands. I think the red hair is really what caught Mommy’s attention when she saw the ad.

Even the spunky bunny ears Willa is wearing, along with the matching almost-Bohemian shirt pattern, is in alignment with my vision of what you will be like as you grow up.

So yeah, I guess at this point we kind of have to get the Willa doll for you, even if it’s more for us than it is for you right now. Mommy and I love imagining how you’ll be once you evolve into a little girl.

It’s just too easy to imagine that you’ll be a happy, beautiful, and adventurous little girl, since that’s what kind of baby you are.

You can probably see that I am sort of fascinated by you.

Love,

Daddy

http://www.americangirl.com/shop/willa-doll-dnj70