November 28

Happy Thanksgiving!

We ate tons of turkey and Daphne tried pumpkin pie for the first time (which she called "mayonnaise cake"). She just learned the word "pie" and had never eaten whipped cream, so she thought it was mayonnaise. I cannot imagine cake with mayonnaise tasting as great as her new found love for pumpkin pie (see photos below).

My father, step-mom, and her mom visited us for a Turkey Day celebration. Jennie's parents supplied the succulent bird and we had more food than we could possibly eat in a few sittings.

Today, Jennie and I took Daphne to a local park (partly to get out of the house and partly to help Daphne burn some of her overflowing energy). While she loves the baby swing, Daphne had much more fun going down the various slides repeatedly. "Do again", said Daphne after each slide. "Wheeeee, fun!" and "Like it!" were heard often.

More photos in a day or so. Enjoy!







Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

November 23

As we begin this week of Thanksgiving, I would like to wish everyone a happy holiday. I hope you are able to spend time with your loved ones and eat lots of turkey.

Several times out of the blue, Daphne has excitedly shouted, "Daddy is home!" I think she misses me when I am away on business. Next week is my third and final week of training away from home. After traveling non-stop for the last few weeks, I look forward to staying home for the holidays. Visitors are always welcome!

Enjoy these new photos of my little angel Daphne:







Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

November 22

(Knock on wood) Daphne's wheezing has subsided for now. She is still displaying symptoms of a minor cold (runny nose, productive cough, poor appetite, etc), but that's typical for a toddler this time of year.

Daphne has some new phrases that she loves to say. Give her a bite of food and you may hear, "mmmm, I like it!" She still wants to "open" and "hold it" if you are carrying something interesting. I would guess that Daphne knows about 16 of the 26 letters of the alphabet and can almost count to 10. She gets stuck on some of the early numbers and rattles off duplicate numbers while counting.

Here are some of the very first photos shot with my new DSLR camera. Enjoy! I have even more photos that I will post tomorrow night...






Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

November 20

Yay! I am home from Atlanta... but Daphne is sick. Boo!

Daphne began coughing a few days ago and last night it turned to wheezing and labored breathing. While I returned from training last night, Jennie took Daphne to the doctor's office. Luckily, our medical insurance covered the purchase of a new nebulizer and albuterol for our little asthmatic angel.

The previous time Daphne had the wheezing episodes I had just changed jobs and we were effectively without medical insurance (other than the dreaded access to COBRA) for a few weeks. One of Jennie's nursing friends graciously let us borrow her nebulizer for a few breathing treatments. Daphne recuperated and we were told she *might* outgrow this asthmatic condition in due time.

Oh well, she responds really well to the albuterol. And that is both a blessing and a curse. While we are grateful she can breathe better, it means that she might lead a life of asthma inhalers and breathing issues.

On the bright side, my new digital SLR camera arrives today! So, I will continue adding to my existing library of over 6,000 photos of Daphne... this new 15.1 megapixel camera snaps over 3.5 pictures per second! Wow! Never again will I miss a cute expression or grin as I have over the past few years with a crappy point & shoot digital camera. The point & shoot cameras take way too long to recover between photos for my liking.

Please return soon for more photos!!!

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

November 18

What a busy week! Once again, I am guilty of slacking (not updating this blog).

I have nearly completed my second of three intense training courses for work in a northeastern Atlanta suburb (a few hundred miles from home). This week, our lectures have been running long into the evening. After a quick recap of the day's activities during supper, I retire to my hotel bed. Exciting stuff, eh?

I sure do miss Jennie and baby Daphne...

Hopefully, I will post some new photos this weekend once I return home!

Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

November 13

Happy Friday the 13th!

Our house has been on the market for three months this coming Tuesday. Eight scheduled tours and one straggler (an realtor-less, inquisitive fellow looking for a house) have made their way into our humble abode. I have no news to report.

I believe the process of selling a house can be likened to having a baby. When listing a house for sale or trying to get pregnant, you have unrealistic expectations and high hopes for a quick, painless transaction. After all, everyone does it effortlessly so why can't you? Random appointments are scheduled and people come in sporadic waves (just like making a baby -- preparation, ovulation, practice, hurry up and wait). You receive great feedback and even a few low-ball offers, but nothing that blows you away (just like making a baby -- the "monthly visitor" is late, high hopes form, could this be it?, out of the blue "it" appears, the dream fades, rinse and repeat). Selling a house and making a baby are filled with momentous highs and blistering lows. It should be easy, right? Nope, not a chance.

Oh well, I hope my analogy did not depress you. I figure someone will have to buy our house eventually even if I have to pay them to take it! hehehe

On the bright side, Daphne has begun to feed herself with utensils. She is going through that "I want to do everything for myself" phase. Miss Independent smiles with satisfaction as her spoon delivers yummy morsels into her mouth.

Here are some new photos of Daphne:








Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

November 10

Well, I am another year older and wiser. Since the lifespan of an *average* man is approximately 77.6 years (according to Harvard Medical School), I am 1.8 years away from being "over the hill". How depressing!

Without sounding too biased, I feel Daphne is such a smart little girl! Her increasing vocabulary and sense of humor amazes me. She has grasped simple subject/verb sentences and repeats nearly every type of word you throw her way...

She likes to straddle her potty chair fully clothed, grip her fists, grunt like a caveman, and proclaim loudly, "pee pee poo poo". Daphne seems anxious to be rid of diapers. And, she is not quite 21 months old yet.

My recent lack of blogging (excuses, excuses) is attributable to being extra busy at work. I have more training in Atlanta forthcoming over the next few weeks.

Here are some new photos of Daphne:








Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

November 7

Today, our house was shown for the seventh time since we listed it for sale (and the fourth time in the past two weeks after our price reduction). Maybe we will receive an offer soon?

This week was definitely a challenge! I spent five days away from Jennie & Daphne as I traveled to Atlanta for business training. On the bright side, it did fly by rather quickly (great food, long days in class, and a little shopping & hockey). I don't understand how full-time consultants who travel each and every week do it. Spending time with my family is so very important to me.

In three short days, I will be 37 years young. It seems like only yesterday I was 36 years & 361 days old. Oh yeah, I was.

New photos of Daphne coming soon:



Until tomorrow,
Dave T.

November 3

No news on the house. While Daphne & Jennie recuperate from their colds, I have been away on a business trip (training). Luckily, I dodged the illness somehow. But, I missed my little angels terribly.

My car decided to need several thousand dollars worth of repairs in its tag renewal month. It must pass inspection here in middle Tennessee or else I cannot drive it. How I miss the days of growing up in east Tennessee with no car inspections! You could easily drive a duct taped, piece of junk car and no one would care or be the wiser. Oh well, I cannot complain.

Here are some witty photos of Daphne in rare form:


All hail, Princess Cool Whip


Ye olde towne crier, Daphne-doodle


Stairs are easy!


Eating a snack...


Help me with the puzzle, Daddy



Until tomorrow,
Dave T.