And Delaney loves Daddy.

Baby has some kickin’ bed head!

Before Delaney was born, Matt and I used to say that we didn’t want our house to turn into a daycare.  We wanted to keep it as neat as possible, without toys scattered everywhere.

Fast forward eight months, and look at our living room now.  It often looks like a daycare, but we love it.

Welcome to Delaney’s house.

Through most of our nights get crazy – between dinner with friends and family, late nights at work and whatever else pops up on the schedule.  But one thing never changes – our bedtime routine.

Matt reads her “On the Night you were Born” by Nancy Tillman and “A Night Night Prayer by Amy Parker every single night.  Delaney lights up on the very first word – she loves those books!  And she loves her Daddy’s voices when he reads to her.

And after story time with Daddy, it’s cuddle time with Mommy.

And then – off to bed…  zzzzzz…

When Delaney was first born, one of my friends asked, “Do you have the happiest baby on the block?”  To which I answered, “Well… yes… she’s a happy girl!”

Then my friend explained that she was actually asking if we had the video, “Happiest Baby on the Block,” which has a few great parenting tips.

But, I do think we literally also have the happiest baby on the block.  Delaney is all smiles all of the time!  She approaches every situation with a grin across her face and eyes wide open.

As I someday look back on Delaney’s first year, I think one of my favorite memories will be our after-work walks as a family.  The four of us stroll through the neighborhood, with me carrying Delaney in the backpack and Matt walking Murphy on the leash.

Delaney squeals throughout most of the walk because she loves having the fresh air on her face and she cracks up every single time she looks at Murphy.  And Murphy struts so proudly throughout the neighborhood – he loves showing off his family!