Sadie Story Of The Week

New Year, New Sadie

Right before Christmas, we got the news we’d been hoping for:

Sadie’s helmet could officially come off, for good.

After months of adjusting to life with her little pink dome (and matching it with every onesie we could), it’s off. Her head has rounded beautifully, and the doctor gave her the all-clear.

It might sound small, but seeing her full face again?
Game-changer. Feels like we’ve met her all over again.

Now she’s crawling around the house like she owns the place, with a fresh head of hair, a new sparkle in her eye, and zero interest in staying still.

New year.
No helmet.
Same Sadie, just 50% faster, with a head no longer weighted down by plastic and foam.

Dad Tip:
Celebrate the little progress. Even the ones that don’t come with a party hat or ribbon-cutting ceremony. Every small hurdle she clears is a reminder: you’re both growing, together.

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Dad-To-Dad Wisdom

Quote Of The Week

“The joy of brightening other lives becomes for us the magic of the holidays."

— W.C. Jones

Let’s talk Christmas.

The lights, the music, the smell of pine, even the messy gift wrap tornado in the living room.

But here’s what no one says enough:
We dads are the magic-makers.

We’re the ones on rooftops hanging lights we swore we’d never hang again.
We’re the ones wrapping toys at midnight, assembling dollhouses with one eye open.
We’re the ones faking our best surprised face when she hands us a crayon drawing wrapped in a paper towel.

And she’ll remember it.

Not just the gifts or the tree, but how it felt. The energy in the room when Dad put on the Santa hat. The way you danced to Mariah Carey in the kitchen. The stories you told during hot cocoa.

That’s the stuff that sticks.

You don’t need to do it all.
You just need to show her that the holidays aren’t about perfection.
They’re about presence.
About warmth.
About a dad who chose to make it special.

Because when she looks back, she won’t remember if the star was crooked on top of the tree.
She’ll remember you standing there, smiling, underneath it.

Dad Tip:
Pick one holiday tradition and go all in. Whether it’s baking cookies, singing carols, or reading The Night Before Christmas, be the guy she knows will always bring that magic, year after year.

Small Moments. Big Memories. Everyday Bonding Made Easy.

Being a dad isn’t about grand gestures, it’s about the little moments she’ll remember forever. Here are simple, screen-free ways to laugh, learn, and connect with your daughter (even on your busiest days):

📖 Daddy, My Hero – A Girl Dad Diaries Children’s Book
A heartwarming story that turns everyday moments into epic adventures. Join a brave little girl and her dad as they explore jungles (aka the backyard), leap puddles, and discover that being a hero doesn’t mean wearing a cape, it means showing up

Daddy & Me Learning Pack - Never run out of ways to keep her entertained and learning. 92 pages of screen-free games, crafts, and educational activities that make bonding effortless.

Girl Dad Guide to Mindful Parenting - Beat dad guilt with quick, practical tips to show up with intention. Packed with bite-sized wins that fit into any schedule.

100 Kid-Friendly Recipes - Turn mealtime into memory-making time. Delicious, simple dishes designed to bring dads & daughters together in the kitchen (yes, even picky eaters).

Daddy & Daughter Coupon Book - 30 silly, sweet, and unforgettable coupons she can cash in. From pancake breakfasts to dance-party nights. Guaranteed giggles every time.

Dad Hacks & Tips

Finding Your Holiday Thing

The holidays are full of traditions, but here’s the trick:
You don’t have to do all of them.
You just have to find the one that feels like you and her.

Because let’s be honest…
You might not love crafting gingerbread houses with 19 different types of frosting.
And she might not care much about untangling 200 feet of lights.
But somewhere in between? There’s a tradition you’ll both look forward to every year.

Maybe it’s decorating her mini tree together.
Maybe it’s making “reindeer bait” in the kitchen while Nat King Cole plays.
Maybe it’s a Christmas Eve movie marathon in pajamas.

The tradition doesn’t have to be big. It just has to be yours.

Start simple, follow her lead, and don’t be afraid to make it a little silly.
Because the ones that stick are the ones filled with joy, not perfection.

And who knows?
Years from now, she might just pass it on to her own little ones.

Dad Tip:
Pick one holiday thing this week that’s just for you two. Mark it on the calendar. Take a photo. Talk about it the next day. Repetition turns moments into memories, and memories into magic.

Papa Poll Of The Week

Vote now!

Results will be posted in next Friday’s newsletter. (All votes are anonymous)

Last week’s Poll Results

What’s your biggest goal as a dad this holiday season?

Turns out, it’s not about buying the biggest gift or building the most elaborate Christmas display.

The clear winner?
“Make it magical with family traditions.”
Girl dads are leaning all the way into the wonder this year, storytime by the tree, cookie decorating chaos, matching pajamas, and memory-making over perfection.

Runner-up:
“Keep it low-stress and focused on presence.”
Dads are choosing connection over chaos, even if that means scaling back or saying no to one more event. Because being with her matters more than checking off every holiday box.

We also saw love for:

• Avoiding gift overload – Because you know what she really wants? Your time.

• Surviving the chaos and eating pie in peace – A true dad classic. Respect.

Bottom line:
You guys are doing it right.
This season isn’t about being extra.
It’s about being there with love, laughter, and maybe a little bit of peppermint bark.

Here’s to making the magic happen… your way.

Featured Dad Spotlight

“I’ll keep it as short as I can, but my daughter is a God-given miracle and you can’t convince me otherwise.

My wife labored for 45 hours and shortly after birth, my daughter coded. She was dead for 7 minutes. And then she came kicking, screaming, and crying back to life.

She was in the NICU for 6 days and by what I can only assume is God’s grace, she has no deficits- none. She can see, hear, screech, laugh. Maybe we’ll learn as she grows up that she has a learning disability or something similar, but she is ALIVE.

My baby girl is 5 months old and she has already taught me more than I ever imagined. I had to advocate for my daughter in the NICU where they generally assume you’ll check your parental rights at the door.

I fought for her, took care of her while my wife was recovering, and discovered a love that you can’t understand until you have a child. My little lady is teaching me to be a more patient man. Shes teaching me to slow down and savor every single moment.

I could go on and on about my girl, but at the end of the day, there aren’t enough words to describe what my daughter has done for me and what she gives to me. I’m in love with her cute little smile, her laugh, her messy hair. I always knew I wanted to be a dad, but I didn’t realize how much I would love being a girl dad.

Lesson Learned: Keep the faith. Stay patient, stay present, and be thankful for all that you have. There was a moment I thought we would be leaving the hospital without our child- bringing her home and dealing with all the challenges that brought was a blessing. I thank God for every sleepless night, spit up soaked shirt, and blowout.

The Last Crumb

Plan the Dad You Want to Be

The new year has a way of sneaking up on you.

One minute you’re rocking her to sleep.
The next, you’re wondering how she grew this fast.

Becoming a better dad doesn’t happen by accident.
It happens by intention.

Not a perfect plan.
Not a color‑coded calendar.
Just small, quiet decisions made ahead of time.

Deciding you’ll be more present at bedtime.
Deciding you’ll protect one-on-one time, even when life gets busy.
Deciding that the dad you are becoming matters as much as the dad you already are.

Your daughter doesn’t need a “new you” on January 1st.
She needs the same you, just a little more intentional.

Because the moments you plan for…
Are the moments she’ll remember.

One year from now, you won’t wish you worked more.
You’ll be glad you showed up.

You’ve got a whole year to build something beautiful together.

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