Sadie Story Of The Week

The 3AM Symphony…

We’ve officially hit Week 4.

The adrenaline’s worn off. The freezer meals are gone. And sleep? That’s just a rumor I heard about on a podcast.

These nights aren’t silent anymore.

They’re filled with a strange, chaotic soundtrack:

• A tiny fart that sounds like it came from a grown man.

• A midnight monologue of coos and gurgles that somehow last 45 minutes straight.

• A stomach rumble so loud, I thought it was thunder.

And just when I start to doze off, BOOM, the unmistakable splatter of a 4am blowout.

By now, I’ve memorized the ceiling. I can find wipes in the dark. And I’ve accepted that my coffee is basically a coping mechanism.

Lesson learned: the baby may be small, but the noise? Olympic level.

Dad Tip: Keep a “night shift kit” by the bed. Think diapers, cream, wipes, burp cloths, portable changing table, and a clean shirt for you and her.

Trust me, future-you at 3am will be grateful.

Dad-To-Dad Wisdom

Quote Of The Week

"One day, you’ll carry them for the last time, and you won’t even know it."

— Unknown

This one hits different in the quiet hours.

The truth is, these moments don’t come with a warning label.

No “lasts” ever do.

So hold her a little longer. Rock her a little slower. Let the dishes wait.

Because one day, your arms will ache for what they once carried without thinking.

Dad Hacks & Tips

Daddy, Were You Alive With Dinosaurs?

My cousin’s 5-year-old daughter has entered that magical age where every question is either brutally honest or wildly inaccurate.

The other night at dinner, she looked at her dad, who just turned 35, and asked with wide-eyed curiosity:

“Daddy… were you alive with the dinosaurs?”

He laughed. “What? No! I’m not that old.”

She squinted. “But you said you were born in the 1900s…”

Technically, yes. 1990, but still.

The rest of the evening was spent trying to convince her that while he did grow up without iPads, he was not, in fact, friends with T-Rex.

Dad Tip: Get ready for the age where logic takes a back seat to imagination.

And remember, if you’re over 30, you’re basically prehistoric to a kindergartener.

Dad Gear Check

Trending products dads love.

_{Fisher-Price Kick & Play Piano Gym}

What it is: A baby gym with lights, music, and a kickable piano that grows with your little one, from tummy time rookie to sit-and-play superstar.

Why I like it: This thing turns floor time into a full-on sensory concert. The piano lights up, the arch has more dangling toys than a claw machine, and yes, the purple monkey song will get stuck in your head.

It even teaches shapes, animals, and numbers while your baby girl practices her new favorite sport: aggressively kicking stuff.

Bonus: The playmat’s machine washable. And if you know, you know.

Dad Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

_{Kitchen Helper Tower with Safety Rail}

What it is: A super sturdy, toddler-safe step stool that lets your little one “help” at the counter without you white-knuckling the whole time.

Why I like it: It’s basically a VIP box seat for the kitchen. The A-frame design makes it rock-solid, the anti-fall rail keeps her from swan-diving off the top, and it doubles as a mini table when she decides she’s now the chef.

Whether we’re making pancakes or “potions” out of flour and glitter, she’s right there at counter height, messing up your recipe, but absolutely crushing the bonding moment.

Bonus: It holds up to 150 lbs, which means she won’t grow out of it anytime soon.

Dad Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Papa Poll Of The Week

Vote now!

Results will be posted in next Friday’s newsletter.

Last Week’s Poll Results

What’s the Hardest Part of the Morning Routine?

Looks like the hardest part of getting your daughter ready in the morning… is getting yourself ready.

Hair battles, snack negotiations, and last-minute wardrobe vetoes don’t stand a chance against the real boss fight: finding clean clothes and remembering what day it is.

The Last Crumb

Mastering Chaos, One Wipe at a Time

Being a girl dad isn’t about having all the answers, it’s about having snacks in your pocket, wipes in your car, and the reflexes of a ninja when juice starts to spill.

It’s learning that silence is never good… And that a toddler with a marker can redecorate a wall in under 12 seconds.

But here’s the lesson:

The mess teaches patience.

The meltdowns build empathy.

And the tiny wins, like getting a ponytail right on the third try, feel like Olympic gold.

You’re not just “raising a daughter.”

You’re showing her how to handle chaos with love, humor, and maybe a stain remover.

You’re doing great. And if no one’s told you that this week, consider this your official dad badge.

Now go check the walls. Just in case.