Nifty Thrifty

I picked up this adorable dress for a few bucks at the baby consignment shop. Adorable dress + adorable baby = Adorable ∞.

Bargain shopper in the making.

A Year in Photos

On October 15, 2011 not only did Craig and I embark on the new journey of parenthood, but we also embarked on the new journey of taking at least one photo of Dillon every day for a year. At times onerous, but generally enjoyable, we now have quite a collection of images. If you've got 4 min 40 sec and a hankering for John Mayer, click the video below!

Viva Las Vegas!

As mentioned in a previous post, we recently took a short trip to Las Vegas. Dillon was an excellent air passenger and barely made a whimper there and back. She loved the Venetian: crawling around the room, down the hallway, around the pool deck; strolling through the canal shops; and playing with friends in the pool. Craig and I even managed to have dinner by ourselves one night!

Man, this caterpillar sure is hungry!

Guess where we are!

I never realized Vegas had so many leaves to play with!

Tired of crawling...gonna take a lie down.

Lucky Dillon gets to cruise around in her PJs!

Wading pool is the perfect size for Dillon.

Date night!

Dillon is ONE!!!!

We did it, everyone: we turned Dillon one! She is taking this big girl stuff seriously, because within 24 hours she was walking, clapping and eating finger foods.

Winning!

What Happens in Vegas...Gets Posted on the Internet

While on vacation, we tend to relax certain rules. Food, for instance. At home, Dillon is on a strict diet of whole fruits and vegetables and organic chicken. While in Las Vegas, she eats napkins.

Bates Pumpkin Farm

Every fall Bates goes from "nut farm" to "pumpkin patch." Despite the fall atmosphere, it was over 90 degrees in Escondido! Hence Dillon's ruddy farmhand cheeks.

I don't take the sun on my face.

The first of many yearly pumpkin family portraits.

I give you a cornstalk hat, daddy.

I would rather sit on a pumpkin...

Henry David Thoreau wrote in Walden, "I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself than be crowded on a velvet cushion." Dillon agrees!

E=mc^2 Piece of Cake!

Dillon is clearly a genius. We knew it all along, but have, at last, stumbled upon incontrovertible proof. Behold:

Dillonosaurus

Dillon says RAWR to Uncle Marc for the great drawing, which is now hanging up in her room.

I always knew I was part dinosaur.

Baby in a...Toy Bin!

You can't even blame me for this one. My mom put her in there! But she seems to like it...

Would Dr. Sears approve?

This seems like a good place to read.

Or maybe I'll take a nap.