Author Archives: playinghousewi

A Weekend of Single Momming

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This weekend (Friday-Monday morning), Mark was out of town for the unveiling of his grandfather (Pop) who passed away last year. That meant it was a weekend of just the little Miss and I.

Can you see why I was stressing and obsessing over C’s naps last week?

Regardless, we SURVIVED!!

On Friday, we went over to my parents’ house for dinner and the little one’s afternoon nap. We made it home for a 7/730ish bedtime. 

   

 On both Saturday and Sunday morning, the little one made peeps at around 5/6 am, but then went back to sleep until 8.

Saturday morning, we ate breakfast and then went for a 3.15 mile speedy walk to the park and back. 

   
    
 Then, it was time for rest. Charlotte rested like a good little nugget from around 10-11 am. It was cute. She laid in her crib and paged through books, played with toys, etc. At 11, I grabbed the little one, got her fed and then my parents picked us up to go visit Grandpa in the hospital.

   
    
 After a nice visit, we headed back home for a late nap. Oops. Didn’t get her in bed until 2:15/2:30ish and of course, she only slept for 1.5 hours. DANG!

Then, we went back to my parents house and met up with my sister and niece for dinner and playtime. Charlie was chasing her cousin Gabby around the house and actually let me hold her hands for some assisted walking! We had a nice time and my parents watched C for a little so I could work on a puzzle with my sis. I can’t even explain how nice that was. 15 minutes of peaceful mindlessness. Then home for bed!

   
    
   
Sunday, we ate breakfast, played, took a bath and it was rest time once again. No sleeping again, but after rest, Charlotte and I went for lunch at Einsteins (I LOVE BAGELS!) and then for a visit with Charlotte’s Grampie (Mark’s dad). We made it home in time for a nice 3 hour nap.

   

    
 I’m not going to lie, by the time last night hit, I was a zombie. My body felt flu-like… my hair was tired. I was SO happy when Charlie quielty got in bed because it meant I could do the same.

   
    
   
Needless to say, we were very happy to see Daddy this morning when he stopped by on his way into the office.

I literally do not know how single moms do it. I’m 100% stumpped. I would lose it. Charlotte was a literal angel this weekend. I loved our time together. She was fun and sweet and loving. But I am EXHAUSTED! No breaks is tough. Here’s to all the REAL single mommas out there. I’m in awe.

A New Approach to Napping

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Things have continued to be a little nutso with Charlotte’s sleep schedule. Today and yesterday, she slept from between 7/8 pm to 8 am.

This morning, we decided to try to go back to our original sleep bible, “Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child” for some advice on handling the nap debacle. The book confirms that this transitional period sucks… surprise! But it also suggested putting the babe down for a 1-2 hour “rest” in the morning and then a nap in the afternoon.

The “rest” is essentially quiet crib time. If she sleeps, great. If not, no biggy. But regardless, you limit the time. Charlotte did not fall asleep during her rest time today, but she was quiet (after she screamed for the first 2 minutes) and happy for the full hour.

Then, we played a little, had lunch and hung out and started the wind down/bottle/book/pre-nap routine at aroud 1:10. By 1:30, Charlotte was totally out. Now, it’s 4:30 and she’s just waking up.

Not too shabby!!

I think tomorrow I’ll try to start the pre-nap routine closer to 12:45, but otherwise, I think things worked really well.

Fingers crossed that bedtime goes well tonight and she manages to sleep until 8 again tomorrow.

Here you go, Dada…

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I had a meeting last night, so Mark was on Daddy duty. After feeding Charlie a giant meal, he got her all nice and clean in the bath. Post-bath, it was time for jammies and nighttime routine, BUT since we desperately need to do Charlotte’s laundry, Mark was forced to go scrounging for baby jammies.

He did his thing, putting her clothes away and looking for her jams, as Charlotte quietly enjoyed some naked time on the floor.

I have no idea how much time passed since Mark had looked at C, but the next time he looked down, sweet Charlotte was looking up at Daddy, trying to hand him something with a bit of a distraught look on her face.

He leaned over a bit… “OH GOD!”

He sniffed the gift and immediately grabbed her so she’d drop it… it was POOP!

With Daddy looking away, Miss Charlotte pooped (and peed) on the ground and then picked up the poo to hand to Daddy.

All I can say, is that I’m SO glad that happened on Daddy’s watch and not mine!

Yuck!

TWO NAPS!!

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I know, I know… can I talk about anything else?

Apparently, no. I’m all naps all the time.

This weekend was another couple days of weird schedules. Charlotte has been waking up at around 6/630 every day for the past weekish. Every morning, her little baby diaper is totally soaked through, as are her clothes. After 4 mornings like this, we started to think, “hey… I think she’s ready for the next size!”

Duh, right?

Anyway, I think that might be why she’s been waking up so early, which could also be throwing off her whole schedule. Bad sleep perpetuates bad sleep.

I’m not 100% convinced, but it’s something to try.

I bought her new (bigger) night diapes that we’ll try tonight!

So anyway, on Saturday, Charlotte took a 3-hour nap, from 11-2. This was her only nap of the day and it worked great. She was a little doll the whole day. Only trouble? 11-2 is not a sustainable nap time and I don’t think she’s ready to push it back until 1.

On Sunday, we went back to trying for two naps. Charlotte napped from about 940-1140 I believe… or something like that. Then, we put her down for her second nap at around 330/4. She fell asleep at around 5p and we ended up having to wake her up for dinner at 6:45. Ugh. Needless to say, she didn’t fall asleep until about 10:30 pm last night. Unsuccessful.

BUT!!! And here’s where things start looking up… today, Charlotte napped from around 10-1130 AND AGAIN THIS AFTERNOON! It’s currently 4:30 and she’s been asleep since at least 3 pm! I’m so excited. Hopefully it’s not just a fluke. But even so, I’m feeling relieved. This tiny person was definitely in need of a little rest.

Apple Picking & Other Weekend Fun!

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We had a great weekend! I’m going to start with apple picking because it really was a blast. We went with two of our friends and their 2 year old babe. Charlotte absolutely loved mowing on apples and literally had one in her mouth at pretty much all moments of the day.

Family pic at the orchard! C wouldn’t put down her apple for the picture 🙂

That tiny face and those smooshy paws… I’m such a sucker for this girl.

Gotta taste all the different apple varieties!

She couldn’t actually get the apple off of the tree… but she’s cute in her attempts!

Madison going for the highest apple!

My happy little pumpkin! So much love for this little chiquita.

Future BFFs.

Dang pumpkin got in the way of this adorable mid-photo hug.

Seriously… they’re SO cute!

Mommy & the Pumpkin

Charlotte eating the pumpkin…

I like her a little.

Hanging in the truck

“Now what kind of trouble can we get into….”

MORE HUGS!! Melting.

I ended up making crock pot applesauce with all the apples. Mmmm! Recipe here: http://www.food.com/recipe/crock-pot-applesauce-69127

Next time I’ll probably try a sugar-free version!

Some other fun from the weekend:

Charlotte discovered dipping… aka drinking sauce off a chip.

She’s not gross at all…

Mommy & Charlie took a 3+ mile walk to the park (mommy is still sore and feeling pathetic!)

Girl time!

Hanging out at Grampie’s house in the Sukkah!

Helping with the potatoes

Family pic on Grampie’s deck

Yikes…

Even a play knife looks frightening in those squishy paws.

Frosting cookies.

Connect Four is the BEST game for this age… great for dexterity!

Cool cat.

 

Hanging in the Fort

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For those of you who don’t know, I’m a huge online shopper (and returner). That means that our entryway looks like this from time to time: 

  
This morning, we decided to make use of some of the boxes by making a fort. Let me just say… Best. Activity. Ever.

So much fun 💛💛💛

   
    
    
    
    
    

    
    
 

Help!! The Afternoon Napping Strike Continues

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I don’t know what to do… Charlotte has missed her afternoon nap at least 3 times this week…

I honestly don’t really think she’s ready to drop her morning nap yet, but I don’t know what the dang deal is. I’m going crazy.

Is (or has) anyone going through this right now? Suggestions?

Help!!

Mornings with Milly

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For at least a few months, Charlotte has been spending 1-3 mornings (or afternoons) with Mark’s mom (aka Milly or Nana) at our house. With Charlotte becoming even more playful and curious, we thought it would make sense to up the number of these weekly visits.

So this week, Charlotte spent 4 mornings with her Milly and then afternoons with me at work.

Pretty crazy, huh? My little toddler baby is growing up and spending time away from mommy… and doing SO well! She absolutely loves her time with Nana and it’s been super helpful for me to have the non-baby time at work.

We’re definitely SO lucky to have had such amazing childcare options.

I think eventually, we’ll put Charlotte in day care or montessori school for a few mornings a week and then maybe the rest of the time with Nana… but we’re going to wait until she drops to one nap. I think she’ll love going to “school”… doing art projects, playing with other kiddies. It’ll be really good for our sweet girl.

It’s just so crazy how the time flies…

Schedule Adjustments

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With all of the nap issues lately, we decided to try something new with Charlotte’s schedule. Normally, we’d let her wake up when she pleases. If she sleeps until 7, great… if she sleeps until 9, no biggy! The issue we were having is with her napping for the rest of the day. If her schedule was pushed back too far, she’d end up skipping a nap and being super tired and cranked out or spending a lot of time in bed trying to fall asleep before naps.

So this week, we’ve been waking her up at 7 am, then down for her nap at 8:45 (she tends to fall asleep at around 9:20) and then second nap at 1:30/1:45 (she was falling asleep anywhere between 2:30 and 3).

That sounds good, right?

Well, the problem came in with her bedtime. We’d put Charlotte to bed around 7 and no matter how tired she was, she’d take until at least 8pm to fall asleep. That means that instead of getting her full 12 hours of night sleep, she’s only getting 11 because we were waking her up at 7.

Last night she fell asleep at 8 again, so we decided that we’d try to adjust her schedule. 8pm bedtime, 8am wakeup, 10am nap, then 2:30/3 nap. Voila! Right?

Well, in theory.

Unfortunately, Toby woke the entire house up at 6am to alert us that Mark had gotten home from the gym. Dang it!

I guess we’ll try again tomorrow!

Playing Dress Up

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Charlotte has been fixated on dressing herself lately. She’s constantly taking headbands and lifting them up over her head, around the back of her neck and then letting them snap off. Clearly she hasn’t mastered this art yet.

The other big one has been shoes. Whether it’s her shoes or someone else’s, the girl just wants to tote them around, put them on her feet and take them off. 

Daddy seems a bit concerned that she has my love for shopping and clothing. Could be worse, right?