Category Archives: Family

The Aquarium!

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This past weekend we went to the aquarium with my brother and his new gf. They live in Chicago, about 2 hours from us.

So, we got up early on Sunday, waited for C to wake up and the hauled ass to leave the house as early as possible. 

We got on our way at around 830, for a 1030 arrival in Chicago.

The aquarium was great! Charlotte has never been to the zoo… I know… Insert <gasp>! The husband is anti zoo. Anyway, that’s neither here nor there… We will make it to the zoo. 

With our lack of animal exposure, we were pretty pumped to see all the fish! And honestly, it was great! Charlotte was definitely a bit overwhelmed at times (she preferred stroller time for the first two hours), but loved pointing out the fish and other animals.

All in all, we spent about 4-5 hours trekking around the aquarium and saw all sorts of fish and even got to see beluga whales, dolphins, penguins and otters! Plus, as a bonus, my brother’s gf was great and it was so nice to see him! 

With that said, the ride home after no nap all day was not so fun. Charlotte slept for about 20 minutes, but woke up when we stopped for my husband to get a coffee (I think he’s learned the importance of stopping before we get on the highway). Post 20 minute kitty nap, Charlotte cried at hyperventilating levels on and off for the remainder until I finally moved to the back seat. 

It was lovely.

To say I was tired when we got home would be an understatement. 5 hours on my feet (many of which I was lugging a toddler) + 4 hours in the car (many with a crying toddler) + 34 weeks pregnant = bad. Just bad.

Today is Wednesday and I’m still not fully recovered. 

But look how much fun we had…

   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 

Weekend in Review

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I’ve been terrible about keeping up with this blog, as the days and weeks are literally flying by. Regardless, here’s my little weekend in review…

We had a great (and busy) weekend. On Friday after work, we had dinner with my closest little love, Marci, her hubs and babes, her parents and one of Charlie’s classmates and his family. I cannot rave enough about how fun this was.

First, I absolutely adore every minute I have to catch up with Marci and smoosh her ADORABLE little guy. And second, it was a lot of fun to chitter chatter with the other family. I actually went to middle and high school with the dad, so it was just great to catch up.

Funny story… it was around 8:45pm and C was turning into a wild woman. Definitely still behaved, but hyper… my mom would refer to her mood as “punchy.”

Anyway, the dad, Dave, was laying on the ground next to his 7 or 8 month old baby (who C was OBSESSED with) and Mark was laying on a spot on the floor across the room. In C’s wild, happy oblivion, she climbed up on top of Dave and gave him loving, happy pats as she said “Dada.” At first I responded with, “Yes, that’s Eli and Ari’s dada.”

Then, as the others in the room started making comments like, “Wow! Do you believe this kid? Look how comfortable she is… etc.” I started to think, “Well, no… I don’t believe this actually.”

Me: Charlie, you know that’s not Daddy, right? Look at his face. That’s Ari’s Daddy…

Charlotte: (Starts backing off slowly as she looks at his face and realizes that she is not sitting on top of her own daddy.)

As soon as she realized her little mistake, she booked it to Daddy’s arms while I proceeded to cry from laughing so hard.

On Saturday, we went to gymnastics class, which was fun. I haven’t gone in a bit, so it was nice to see how much she’s progressed. Of course, the day I join, Charlotte takes a tumble off of a 3 foot high mat. Thankfully, she really is the toughest little girl ever.

We looked at her in shock and said, “Are you okay”… she thought about it for a few seconds and said, “yeahhh.”

  After gymnastics, we decided to head over to a local farm that welcomes guests. Unfortunately, they were closed for winter; however, the gentleman allowed us to come check out the few animals they had at this location… one chubby bunny, a ton of the LOUDEST, squakiest ducks and 3 pigeons.

Regardless, it was enough to entertain C. In fact, she’s been making duck noises nonstop ever since.

   

  

  

 Before C’s nap, we were also able to get her little art station hung up in her room. I LOVE how it turned out! Now, I just need to finish her table and chairs. 

 That evening, we went to my sweet Carrie’s son’s 2nd birthday party! It was a farm theme and absolutely adorable! Charlie loved it! She played with balloons and toy animals, ate applesauce, cake and berries and got to be with mom and dad. What could be bad? 

    
    
    
    
 On Sunday, we went to Home Depot and Whole Foods in the morning. HD gave away little plastic easter eggs with wrapped chocolate bunnies inside. We’ve never given C chocolate, so we just let her play with the candies assuming she didn’t know what they were. Sure enough, when we looked down at her, she was silently indulging in some chocolate. We let her take one more bite and then called it quits on the chocolate. 

     
After our errands, we went to my parents’ house for brunch and some playtime. Then, post-nap, Mark’s Dad and Step Mom came over for a pizza dinner. 

    
    
    
    
 All in all, it was a great weekend!

Some other cute pics: 

    
    
 

Charlotte’s First Performance

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In celebration of Purim, Charlotte’s school put on a carnival with a special little “World’s Greatest Circus” Show. Each of the kiddies participated in some way, including MY GIRL!

When we first arrived, I dropped C off with her class. The “staging area” was chaotic with kids and stage people getting everything ready. Little Charlie, being the timid little miss that she is, was instantly overwhelmed. I tried to get her pumped up, but ultimately, left her standing with her teacher… in tears sobs.

   

 We all got a seat and I sat there stressing. Will Charlie actually get out on stage in front of all of these people? No way. Oy. Is she going to start bawling her eyes out in the middle and I’ll have to go and grab her?

I know, I know… ultimately, who cares? But I was nervous for her!

The introductions dragged on, but then, it was finally time! The kiddies came out and our little nugget walked in front of the big crowd holding one of the K4 student’s hands. 

 I was so impressed already, so imagine how surprised I was to then see my SUPER C volunteer to be the first little daredevil superhero to go through the crazy ring of fire…

Here’s her shining moment: 

 Want to know pathetic? I literally teared up. I know, so sad… but I got so stupidly nervous for her and she just did it! Like such a big girl. I was proud.

   

  

  

  

  

 After the show, Charlie enjoyed all the games at the carnival! She even stayed still and got her hand painted. Our little tot is really growing up so quickly.

   

  

  


   

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

   

So Many Weekends…

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3/10/16

I have been hoarding photos. So, here’s a review of some of our past few weekends through and excessive series of photos…

   
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    

    
    
    
    
    
    
    
    
 

Three Years ❤️

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Today marks three years of marriage with my love. While it feels like time has just flown by so quickly, it’s also hard to believe it’s only been three years. It’s hard to imagine a time without my husband by my side.


I’m a very lucky woman. While we’re not always rainbows and butterflies, we’re always working… on our marriage, on our communication, on our love.

 As parenting becomes less about simply keeping Charlotte alive and healthy, and more about shaping a human mind and heart, it becomes more clear. I have truly ended up with a man who gets me. Someone who shares my passions. Someone who wants to live and love in the same way.

 I’m married to a very amazing man, husband, father. My children and I are beyond lucky to have such strength and love and silliness from now until forever.

 Happy Anniversary, sweet man of mine. Being your wife and starting a family with you has been seamless… like, this is the way it was always meant to be. I can’t imagine my world without you. Thanks for being you and for choosing me. I love you deeply.

A Big Girl in a Big Girl Bed

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The weekend I’ve been stressing over for MONTHS finally arrived: C’s big transition from crib to big girl bed. Let’s just say, we were a little ill-prepared.

We decided that we would start on Friday evening to maximize the number of sleeps (night and naps) in the big girl bed over the weekend. However, the room wasn’t totally ready for a toddler’s free reign.

So before bed, Mark and I were hauling around to complete the following:

  • Install video baby monitor
  • Install little lock purchased on Amazon for sliding door closet
  • Take Charlotte’s side table (that’s way too tippable) and mini person table and chairs out of the room
  • Tie up “reading nook” canopy netting
  • Put plug protectors in all of the outlets
  • Switch the door handles so that the lock is on the outside (we don’t need the tot locking herself in the room… or us out)

By the time we finished, it was around 7:30. Kind of a late start for nighttime routine, but we got on our way. We both tried very hard to relax and settle into the routine, but I’m not sure how well we did. I think we were both still feeling a little rushed from our last minute toddler-proofing tasks and definitely anxious about the transition.

Anyway, we read books, brushed teeth and then took Charlotte into her new room. Instantly, she seemed on edge. We did her normal bedroom routine of saying goodnight to all her “guys” and cranking her music box. Then, we put her in her bed. She refused to lay down and was clinging her teddy.

Mommy: It’s okay. You don’t have to lay down. Here are your guys and here’s your blanky. There are books if you want to read, but it’s time for bed, so Mommy and Daddy are going to leave. We’ll see you in the morning. We love you!

Charlotte: <Cue the sobbing>

Daddy (to Mommy): Should we stay until she settles or falls asleep?

Mommy (to Daddy): Nope! We have to believe that she can do it! (To Charlie): We love you! You’re such a big girl.

Charlotte: <More sobbing>

Mark and I scurried out of the bedroom and immediately grabbed the monitor. While Charlotte cried, Mark began making suggestions, “Maybe we should send Toby in there?”

I don’t know where all of my inner mom strength was coming from, but I reassured him that she could do it and that we had to give her a minute. Through the monitor speaker, I told her that we loved her and were so proud of her and that we’d see her in the morning.

Then, she was quiet. She probably only cried for about a minute after we left her room. Then, she sat very quiet and still, clinging onto her teddy, for a good few minutes.

And all of a sudden, she seemed to relax.

She grabbed a book and had a nice little read. 

 She laid down and chatted. 

    

 And then, just like that, she fell asleep! 

   
Throughout the night, she rolled around enjoying her newfound space. And, she slept without a peep until 7am. Not to mention the fact that she stayed in bed the ENTIRE time!! 

    
    
  

Wake up time!

 
The next day for naptime, the anxiety of the new bed was gone. She laid down and started to chat and play as she normally does. Then, Teddy fell out of the bed. She stared at him for a few moments until she decided to go after him. She crawled out of bed, picked up Teddy, and marched around to the other side of the bed where the step stool is located, and climbed right back into bed. A minute later, she threw Teddy out and repeated the process. Then, she went to sleep.

The rest of her naps and night sleeps went just as well.

So, it’s official! Our tiny tot is officially a BIG GIRL sleeping in a giant, full-sized bed.

As I mentioned before, I purchased these bumpers to put under her sheets and help keep her from rolling off the bed. I’m a huge fan.

Poor Workhorse

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The hubs has been working hard these past few weeks (and a few weeks before that) on Charlotte’s new big girl room.  

 This weekend, we were finally on the last step: install the closet system.

Unfortunately, more work has arisen. 

We took down the existing shelving/pole thing in the closet and decided we also had to pull off the wood rail things that were holding up the shelves above the pole.  

 Well, if you give a mouse a cookie…

Once we removed the wood rails, the walls looked like crap. So we decided we should paint…

But before we paint, all of the holes need to be filled in with spackle. And did I mention that we accidentally busted a little hole in the wall? 

  Anyway, what was going to be a tedious installation of a closet system is now a wall repair and paint project followed by the installation of a tedious closet system.

Nonetheless, hubby has been perfect and just keeps chugging away. He even took C AND Toby with him to the store to pick up spackle so I could cook dinner in peace. 

I’m a lucky gal. There is no question about that…

Territory Marking

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Every single time I say a good word about my pets, one of them goes and does something to prove me wrong.

This time, it was sweet little innocent Toby (please, please sense my sarcasm). Charlotte and I were at my office. We were standing somewhat near the front door with a coworker and my parents chatting. All of a sudden I looked down and noticed Toby standing next to Charlotte.

“What the $&@!”

As I came out of my state of shock and disbelief, I realized that Toby had waltzed his sassy butt over, lifted his leg and was in the process of peeing on my sweet little girl!

I grabbed Charlotte (who was in the same state of shock as her mommy) and handed her to my mother so I could have a “chat” with Toby.

Then, I started to clean up Charlotte, whose socks, pants and bunny were covered in dog urine.

To my surprise, Charlotte seemed to understand the entire thing and proceeded to explain the situation… Over and over and over again.

She would point to Toby and say, “Daby (aka Toby) blah blah blah eh ba ba ho hum.” Then she’d point to one foot and the other.

“Yeah. Toby peed on your feet, right?” I’d say in response.

“Yeah!” Said C.

She went to every single person in the office and “explained” what happened at least 2 times. 

It was just about the silliest thing ever. Here’s a video after she was winding down on the story telling…

 

 That happened on Tuesday, and she’s still talking about it!

In fact, yesterday when she told Nana, she began scolding Toby. “No! No, no, no!”

I reminded her that we had forgiven Toby and that we still loved him. She gave him kisses.

Lucky for Toby, Charlotte made it a pretty adorable little occurrence. Otherwise, he might still be in trouble.

A Food Miracle

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 I’m sure I will regret saying this, as I’m sure to jinx the magic, but we have had three GREAT toddler food days in a row.

Charlotte are veggies. Just picked them up and ate them. No hiding them in anything. No struggle.

She ate chicken stir fry and meatloaf. 

Tonight, was her biggest meal in so long. 

For dinner, she ate:

  • Chicken & sun dried tomatoes (probably at least 2 big slices of chicken) 
  • Green beans
  • Some Indian spiced chicken soup (and she ate more chunks of chicken)
  • 3/4 a vegetarian stuffed grape leaf
  • Cucumber (2-3 slices)
  • A bite of zucchini and brocolli 
  • A couple bites of banana
  • Two bowls of berries
  • A small bowl of mac and cheese

So, before you judge all the randomness, we had a “take out” night, which entails us eating a smorgasbord that my husband picks up from the deli and hot bar at our local co-op. 

While part of me thinks C’s groundbreakingly improved eating habits are likely random, we have also made some significant changes lately.

  1. Only 1-2 small and healthy snacks per day (given around 10 am and after her afternoon nap). We used to let her eat as much of the healthy snack as she wanted. Now, it’s quite limited and we’ve been making it protein based. 

    Snacking on two whole wheat crackers with almond butter.

     
  2. We all eat the same thing at the same time. As much as I love family dinners, with Charlotte getting hungry by 5/530, it’s difficult to have family dinners, as hubs usually isn’t home yet. However, the past three or so nights have been great. 
  3. Dinner is what it is. We tell Charlotte that she doesn’t have to eat it, but we leave it in front of her and leave her in her chair while we eat. Every night, she’s come around and ended up tasting and enjoying the meal. And ultimately, if she doesn’t want to eat it, we are okay sending her to bed hungry. It’s definitely happened. 

Exciting, right? 

I’m definitely going to enjoy these peaceful mealtimes for as long as they last!