Two weeks ago, we officially celebrated Adelaide’s one year birthday–Yo Gabba Gabba! style. Two of Danialle’s co-workers and a friend dressed as characters from the popular children’s TV show Yo Gabba Gabba! and entertained the kids at the party. Continuing the Yo Gabba Gabba! theme, we commissioned a Brobee-shaped cake from Bleeding Heart Bakery. Along with the Brobee cake, we also got Adelaide a smash cake for her to destroy. This being the first time Adelaide was subjected to nearly pure sugar–she didn’t seem to care for it.

It was an absolute blast. Thanks to all that came out to celebrate.

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One year ago, my life was forever changed with the birth of my amazing daughter, Adelaide. It’s hard to believe how much she has changed in one short year. Her personality becomes more apparent with each passing day. Watching her first experiences with the seemingly mundane things we grown ups take for granted is incredible. I am so excited to watch her continue to grow.

Adelaide, if you happen to read this years from now — I love you. -Dad

Her beautiful eyes

Her heartfelt smile

Her hilarious personality

The very first photograph of Adelaide.

Last Sunday, Danialle and I took Adelaide to her first zoo, the Lincoln Park Zoo. The Lincoln Park Zoo is open every day and admission is FREE. It was a gorgeous day and the zoo was filled with people – LOTS of people.

Click on the images to make them larger – use left and right arrows to view next image.

This guy whispered, “I will destroy you.”

I really wanted to pet this kitty.

PetSmart does not have this scratching post in stock.

Not impressed with the human exhibit.

This winged rascal kept buzzing people while searching for stray food.

Full page spread for “Zoo Mothers” magazine.

Addie attempts to memorize the order of the species.

For John Waters

Yeah

If I were to be reincarnated, please let me be a howler monkey.

Addie’s first carousel ride…

…she loves it!

Last weekend, the Foy & Curran clans spent 3 days vacationing in Wisconsin Dells, the self-proclaimed “Waterpark Capital of the World.” Saturday morning, we enjoyed a “Lumberjack Style” breakfast at Paul Bunyan’s Cook Shanty.

“Lumberjack Style” = all you can eat, seated buffet.

The food was surprisingly tasty – especially the home made cinnamon doughnuts (not shown). However, being forced to shuffle through the cramped gift shop to wait in line to be seated was an annoyance for me.

One of many adorable articles of clothing given to us at last weekend’s baby shower (Chicago crew), that will decorate our soon-to-hatch daughter. The shower was a blast. Great friends and super tasty foods. Oddest gift received: an original Vanna White doll – still in the box. Hilarious!

I was strolling through my image library and discovered this great portrait of Danialle and I standing in front of a mausoleum at Graceland Cemetery.

Just realized today marks the one year anniversary of this blog (version 1.0). It is hard to believe one year has passed so quickly.

Thanks to my wounded knee for giving me LOTS of time to cobble together a blog to showcase my new found interest in photography. I have learned a great deal about photography over the last year, and plan on learning a whole lot more this year.

I’m sad that I didn’t make a cake for my blog, it deserves it. I’ll just have to make two for it next year

Four weeks ago, at the baby shower for my first child, a 30 year secret was revealed to me. The man I  thought was my dad was, in fact, not my biological father.

I had my suspicions, and if it were not for him disclosing to me that there was something my mother should have told me (she died in 2001) during an argument several years ago (another long story), I may not have ever found out. He wouldn’t tell me. Looking back on my life, I cannot remember a single moment that he sincerely treated me like his son; I often felt like a burden. Sure makes sense now.

At the baby shower, I finally asked my grandma (my mom’s mom) if she knew anything about what ‘dad’ had said and she, along with my aunt, decided since I had asked I should know the truth. Grandma wanted to tell me for a long time, but wasn’t sure how I would react.

According to my grandma and aunt, mom had a one night stand with a guy (name not known to them) she met at a bar. Soon thereafter, one of her brothers introduced her to the man I would later call dad. Shortly after they started dating, my mom started to experience “morning sickness”  and learned she was pregnant. Hoping it wouldn’t ruin their relationship, mom told ‘dad’ she was pregnant and that it wasn’t his. Obviously ‘dad’ was okay with the situation and got married. I was born 5 months later.

At the very least, I would like to know the name of my true father. I still need to talk with ‘dad’ to see if he knows the name of the guy. Plus, I need to contact a couple of mom’s old friends to see if they have any information.

What a wild ride this life has been. I’m not sure if I should hold on tighter, or just let go.

Getting prepped for knee surgery.

One year ago today, I was carted off to the nearest emergency room due to a torn and buckled lateral meniscus in my right knee. What a way to start a new year, eh?

I was sitting indian style on the floor at my sister-in-law’s house, playing with my nephew and for some unknown reason stood up quickly and immediately collapsed to the floor in pain. After a couple of failed attempts to stand upright I realized I was in trouble and about celebrate the first day of 2008 in the hospital.

Time to go to the Emergency Room. Since I was not able to walk, my brother-in-law Lance carried me on his back down a flight of stairs and to my car which, thanks to my friend Jason, was awaiting my arrival in front of the house. When we got to the hospital, my beautiful and quite strong wife Danialle pulled me out of the car and placed me in a wheelchair. I am indebted to them all.

Surgery was successfuly performed and spent 3 months attending physical therapy. In the end, I lost about 5% of my knee’s range and it makes an awful popping sound on occasion.

Here’s to a new year!