Category Archives: Toddler

Chanukah, Oh Chanukah…

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Top: 2015, Bottom: 2014 – It’s crazy to see how much our lady has changed!


This was literally my favorite Chanukah to-date. Charlotte is the perfect age for it… she LOVED lighting the candles each night and singing the one song Mark and I could remember (dreidel, dreidel, dreidel, I made you out of clay…). And presents… Well, she loves them.

The beauty of Chanukah is that there are 8 nights, so you can spoil without overwhelming. Charlotte got one present per night (although there were a couple nights where she received more than one at family gatherings) and absolutely loved it. We had tons of celebrations and it really was just a perfect night.

Night 1

I posted about our first night at Mark’s Dad & Step Mom’s, so I’ll just post a little recap pic of the toddler carrying around her bag filled with gifts…

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C’s Gift (from Grammy & Grampie):

Night 2

On the second night, Mark’s Mom came over with the most delicious meal! We had fish and BLINTZES! Cheese, blueberry and cherry. Mark and I literally took down two full trays. Restraint isn’t our thing. After C went to bed, we had a great time sitting at the table chatting and catching up.


  
C’s Gift (from Nana):

Night 3

On the third night, we went with my sister and her fam to my nephew’s Chanukah party at school. Oy. So cute. The kids did a little performance (hello, song session… C’s fave), there were donuts (another win for C), and a photobooth! We had an absolute blast and Charlotte LOVED playing with her cousins.


  
  
  
  
  

 C’s Gift (from my Aunt & Uncle):

Night 4

The fourth night was a Wednesday, which meant swim class! Charlotte was feeling a bit clingy and didn’t participate too much. BUT, after class, she was very excited to receive 6 whole pairs of socks… all of which made it to her hands for “sock hands.”


  


C’s Gift (from Mommy & Daddy):

Night 5

On the 5th night, Charlie and Mommy had a little Chanukah date. When daddy got home that evening, we lit the candles and gave Charlotte her present. I was really excited about this one and was a little disappointed once opened.

C’s Gift (from Mommy & Daddy):

  • Fisher Price Classics Record Player – I was really excited about this. First of all, I found it at Meijers for $18!! Yay sales! But also, C loves music and I used to play with this toy as a kid. Well, you know the saying, “they don’t make ’em like they used to”?? They don’t. This thing is kind of a piece of crap. It’s cheapo plastic. Anyway, C still enjoyed it, so whatever!

Day/Night 6

On the 6th day, Mommy & Daddy joined Charlotte at school for 30+ minutes for a Chanukah party! It was adorable. The kids presented on Chanukah and everyone sang songs. And of courses, sugar cookies. C was in heaven. That night, we had challah french toast for dinner at home.

Mommy with a mouth filled with cookies!
Charlie hugging her bestie, Chloe.


C’s Gift (from Auntie Erika, Uncle Mike & Cousins Audrey & Emily):

  • Learning Resources Cash Register – To say that C likes her cash register would be an understatement. She puts the register on the fireplace ledge, sits on the stool for her piano and “works”… pushing buttons, opening and closing the register, running the credit card… she loves it. We’ll save the play money for when she’s a little bigger.

Night 7

The 7th night was spent at my parents’ house with my sister and her fam. It was year two of the annual “Pajamakuh”… aka, I buy all three kids matching jammies and spend the night ooing and awwing at how damn cute they are. We had latkes (mmmm) and brisket! It was a nice little family celebration and C had an absoulte blast with her cousins.

 C’s Gift (from Grandma & Grandpa and Auntie Jessie, Uncle Evan & Cousins Judah & Gabby):

  • My First Tech Toys – This is an adorable set of noisy little keys, a remote and a phone. I KNEW C would love this. They look real enough to really intrigue her. Her fave? The keys. Duh. She walks around the house pushing the buttons and showing everyone. Toby included.
  • Stella Feeding Set – This set is awesome. C loves the little can of peas. Not to mention, she loves taking turns feeding herself and Stella.
  • Melissa & Doug Alphabet Express Floor Puzzle – To be honest, we haven’t had a chance to pull this one out yet. BUT, everytime she sees the box, she has a blast pointing at every single item she sees. Definitely going to be a winner.
  • Chanukah Book – I can’t seem to find it online (because I can’t remember the book title), but it’s super cute.
  • My New Baby book – Very sweet book for the new big-sis-to-be!

Night 8

Okay, don’t judge, but on the 8th night, Mommy & Daddy were so dang tired… We went to dinner with my parents (Mexican food… very jewish, huh??). I didn’t feel like wrapping up the markers I got her and even more so, I didn’t feel like her unwrapping them and wanting to color (it was bedtime)… so we just skipped the final night. Oops. Sorry, Charlie.

Hope your holidays are just as wonderful and filled with love.

Back on Track

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Apparently publicly bitching about C’s night wakings was all it took to get the tiny one back on track!

THANK GOODNESS whatever was going on has (hopefully) left and we’re back to good sleep. Now if only Toby could get the memo and stop waking up at 4am for water chugging and backyard jaunts.

Make the night wakings stop!

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Last night was terrible. I kind of figured it would be because Charlotte barely napped yesterday. She had a delayed 40 minutes in the AM and then didn’t fall asleep for her PM nap until about 430. 

Then, she didn’t get to bed until a little after 8.

The stage was set.

Beginning around 5 am, she was on and off screaming/whining until Mark finally went in there after 6.

Of course I was up until 1 am (a time I didn’t know still existed) working on some stuff for my friend’s baby shower this afternoon.

Anyway, the crying and whining is so bizarre. Charlotte is literally asleep. When we actually go in there, it takes a bit of back rubbing to actually get her to wake up, which is always followed by sobbing.

It’s literally the worst.

Please make this phase end. I miss my great sleeper. 

On a positive note, at least she’s catching up. Baby girl is still sleeping currently (it’s nearly 930 am).

On a negative note, we were supposed to have our family pics this morning, but cancelled because there was a 70-90% chance of rain. Guess what? Not raining.

Ugh.

The End to Nursing

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I realized that I never posted about “weaning” Charlie. As I’ve mentioned a million times, I absolutely loved nursing my little lady. It was SUCH precious time together and I would absolutely recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity to do so. Not to mention, as a side, that at 17 months, Charlotte has yet to need any form of antibiotic. Healthy little chickadee.

Anyway, I digress.

Up until 11 months, I nursed her 4-a million times per day (clearly a million was as an infant and 4 was at a year) and pumped once… BUT, once I hit 11ish months, I stopped pumping. I had enough milk to last until she was a year and at one year, we gave her cow’s milk anytime I wasn’t there to nurse her. (I hated pumping with a deep burning passion. Cheers to all you mommas who do it way more than that. I don’t know how you do it.)

So, how long were we able to breastfeed? Charlie and I made it 14.5 months! I think we both would have gone longer if it weren’t for the fact that my supply literally disappeared almost instantly upon me getting pregnant.

It was actually quite sad. We went from nursing 3-4 times per day to pretty much having to stop cold turkey.

Charlotte would go to nurse and would pull off because she wasn’t getting any milk. It was actually really sad.

She would point to my chest, and through sobs say, “dat” and sign “milk.”

Thankfully, this gut-wrenching experience only lasted for a few days until she got used to the bottle.

The only time it ever really came up after those first few days to a week was when we would bring her in our bed for Saturday/Sunday morning snuggles. Again, we started bringing a bottle into bed with her and that seemed to eliminate the tears.

And just like that, we were done.

It’s funny because it’s been a non-issue for over a month now, when all of a sudden the other day, it came up again. I was changing and C happened to be in the room. She pointed at my chest. I knelt down to start my explanation of the female anatomy when she came towards me, mouth open.

I laughed and explained that she used to drink from mommy’s breasts, but not anymore. Soon, mommy would feed her new little brother or sister, just as I had fed her.

She laughed, shook her head “yup” and we moved on.

 

Weekend Review (& the First Night of Chanukah)!

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We had another busy, busy weekend! On Friday, I met my mother and sister for a manicure (what’s better???).

I painted my nails “dutch tulips”… a nice Christmasy red for Chanukah 🙂

 I even made it back in time to play with my little bumpkins and put her to bed.

On Saturday, Charlotte had her very first gymnastics class! My little babes is growing up so fast. I can’t believe all of these new activities and experiences she’s been having.

Charlotte was a bit overwhelmed at class, but after getting some good bouncing in on the trampoline, she lightened up (her grip… she was a clingy koala for most of class). And of course, in her sudden, post-jump excitement, she started running towards all the people and stepped right off of the mats and faceplanted on the only foot of hard surface in the dang place.

  
  
  
 After gymnastics, I headed out for brunch with my girlfriends to celebrate one of my sweet girlfriend’s birthday! It was delicious and a blast.

  
 Then, we made our way back to the gymnastics place for open gym. Round two was really great for Charlotte. She had an absolute blast.

  
 That evening, my friend Jenna and her two boys came over for a visit. Mark took all three kids to the basement playroom and gave Jenna and I a good hour or more to chat and catch up. It was perfect.

 Then on Sunday, we headed to the nursing home to wish Mark’s grandmother a happy 97th birthday! Charlotte was a bit overwhelmed by the home. She wasn’t super comfortable, but did manage to give Grandma Dina a couple birthday smooches.

  
  
Finally, after Charlotte’s nap, it was time to go to Grammy & Grampie’s for the first night of Chanukah. And let me just say, Charlotte had a blast. We didn’t have a booster seat, so we sat her on top of a couple medical books and strapped her in with a belt. It worked perfectly and she loved sitting at the table like a big girl.

When it came time for presents, Charlotte absolutley LOVED opening her gifts and found a ridiculous amount of joy lugging around the gift bag containing all of her new items. In fact, she hasn’t stopped lugging around said gift bag.

  
  
  
 It was a blast! All in all, a very fun and eventful weekend.

No Tears This AM!!!

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Today marks Charlotte’s fourth week of school (she only attends on Thursday and Friday mornings). Last week I had noticed a huge difference. On Thursday when I picked her up, she was SO happy… not to be picked up, but just to be there. Her smile and adorable demeanor said that she had an amazing day.

Then, on Friday, after we dropped her coat off in her cubby, she started walking into her classroom by herself (normally she demands that I hold her). She made it halfway, but stopped because the teacher and administrator were standing in the doorway. Still… a HUGE milestone. Not to mention, that while she still cried when I left, it only lasted about a minute.

Then… today. She was adorably happy on the way to school, but kept yawning. When we arrived, she seemed excited, but by the time we got inside and put her coat down, it wasn’t looking great.

I asked Charlotte if she wanted to walk into the classroom herself and she kind of fell to the floor with her arms up. I grabbed her and we walked in. I pointed out some fun activities set up in the room and asked her if she wanted to play. She literally just stared blankly.

After about a minute, her teacher said to me, “I’m ready when you are.” I looked at Charlotte and said, “Okay…” and before I could even say that I was going to go, she turned to her teacher and stretched out her arms to go to her. Once in her teacher’s arms, I asked Charlotte for a kiss. She gave me my smooch and I turned to leave… totally dumbfounded and happy and excited and surprised.

I waved and told her I’d see her in a bit. Looking totally comfortable in her teacher’s arms, she waved back and just like that, she’s adjusted.

I literally had tears in my eyes. I think more because I was excited and just relieved and happy for Charlotte. She seems to really enjoy her time at school and the morning tears seemed to be the last little hangup.

When I got back to the car, Toby apparently wanted to share in the excitement, because as I opened the door, he peed all over my seat. A little grand finale. Thankfully C’s diaper bag was in the car so I had some wipes to use for clean up.

As a side note, I can’t help but feel – in the back of my mind – a little sad. Charlotte has been SUPER clingy with Daddy and not so much with me this past week or two. Like, demanding that he hold her or put her to sleep instead of me. HEARTBREAKING. So there is this slight part of me that is thinking, “is that why it was easier today??” I know, I know… whatever it was, it’s so good for her! I’ll just go cry in the corner.

Practicing for Her New Role

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Last night my Milly (Mother-in-Law) brought Charlie a wonderful and perfectly timed Chanukah gift: The Baby Amaze Learn to Talk & Read Doll

  Charlotte absolutely adores her new Baby Amaze and spent the whole evening practicing for her new role as BIG SISTER beginning in May 2016!

Yes folks, you read that correctly!

Miss Charlotte will be welcoming a little brother or little sister into our family somewhere in the vicinity of May 20th.

Cheers for growing families! Wish us luck 🙂

 

Night Wakings

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Charlotte keeps waking up in full screaming cries. Mostly it’s been happening at night, but just happened during her nap.

Prior to these very abrupt and sad wakings, she’s been a very good sleeper. She rarely cries and almost never at such an inconsolable level.

Has anyone experienced this at all?

It almost seems like she’s having nightmares… but why so many all of a sudden? Ugh. Make it end…

November Catch Up

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The past two weeks have totally flown by. Here are some tid bits to fill you in on the various happenings in our lives…

  • Charlotte is continuing to do well at school. Although, when I picked her up last week, she was bawling her eyes out. Turns out some little punk pushed her down for no reason. Now, if you know Charlotte, you’ll know that she rarely cries when she gets hurt and if she does, the tears last for a second. This was not that. I’m convinced that her uncontrollable sobs were due to a) the fact that this was C’s first real experience with meanness. This little… kid… was a total jerk. and b) the proximity to nap time. Everything is more dramatic when we’re sleepy. 

    Climbing up on the loft in the K4 room!

  • Charlotte had her first experience with snow!! She… didn’t love it.

    Yeah, that pretty much sums it up.

      

  • C’s obsession with music continues to blossom. From playing the drums and piano to dancing like a maniac, the girl loves her music.   
        
  • We got to attend a Thanksgiving Celebration at Charlotte’s school. I apparently embarrassed Mark by taking over C’s art project. Whatever. I let her put the glue down.

    See… she helped!!!  

  • Charlotte has a new BFF. Her name is Chloe. Their teachers said they’re trying to come up with a nickname for the two of them… a Brangelina type name. I love it! She picked the sweetest little munchie in her class. Momma approves.

    How cute is Bestie Chloe? 

  • We finally got our custom baby gate/staircase protector installed. THANK GOODNESS. I’m so sick of racing Charlotte to the stairs.     
  • We celebrated Thanksgiving at my parents – the annual tradition. As many of you know, it’s my favorite holiday… but I’m not going to lie, this year was not my favorite. I got in this fight with my dad that was kind of ongoing and it really just put a raincloud over the whole thing. Pretty disappointing, but I’m trying not to dwell.                 
  • Charlotte won’t stop trying to “snuggle” with Toby. AKA, she backs her butt up into him and tries to sit on top of him… or just slams her head down on him. Toby is not a fan.     
  • We finally brought our dumpster find home… Yes, we dragged a dining room table out of the dumpster! Just needs to be refinished, but tablecloths will work for now. 

And there you have it! Two weeks: Bam! Done! We’re all caught up.