daughters... they're like the new sons.

     Just got back from a lovely (albeit a bit chaotic) Christmas in the big city.  More about that later--with some pictures from Christmas, but first I wanted to post some of these awesome wintry pictures I took of Loren and Sadie today.

     Sadie is shaping up to be a total daddy's girl, and can I just say... I LOVE it!    I know that deep down a lot of guys wish for a son to be a mini-them, and to do the "man" things with later in life, etc...  I get it.  I mean, its the same reason women wish to have little girls.  In truth, we would have both been delighted with either one.  We are just so thankful to have a happy, healthy baby. And the bottom line is that regardless of gender, and rosy parental visions of the future, babies are going to grow up into who they are going to be. 

   When we found out Sadie was going to be a girl,  Loren's first comment was something along the lines of, "A girl! Wow! I don't know how to raise a girl." (Ha! Like either one of us knows how to raise a kid. period.) But as time passes and these two silly-heads become closer it just brings such joy to my heart. I am so thankful I married a man who is comfortable being goofy, sensitive, nurturing and loving towards our daughter. It won't be long before little Sadie has her dad wrapped completely around her finger.

     I predict that the intrepid Sadie will love the outdoors, and hunting (like her Dad) but I also wont be surprised if Loren has to attend his fair share of stuffed animal tea-parties, learn to braid hair and co-ordinate girlie outfits :) I think these two are already good buddies, but you can decide for yourself:

Winter photo shoot BEFORE Dad comes outside:

 Then Dad comes outside to play, and its all fun times.

I'm gonna watch you shine
Gonna watch you grow
Gonna paint a sign
So you'll always know
As long as one and one is two
There could never be a father
Who loved his daughter more than I love you.

-Paul Simon

 and here's one of me and Sadie, because Mamas love their girls too.

p.s. Thanks for the awesome snowsuit Great Grandma Sophie!