Category Archives: Toddler

Bunny Sniffer

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Charlotte has two “lovies” as others call them… These are her two “must haves” for bedtime/nap time/still half asleep time. 

1) her lamb wubbanub – aka her paci with a little lamb stuck on the end of it…   

2) her bunny. This cutie little thing from Pottery Barn Kids (called a thumbie)…   

For many months now, Charlotte’s predominant self-soothing technique has been sniffing her bunny. 

It’s super goofy. 

She does it when she nurses, when she’s sucking on her paci or just whenever. She takes bunny’s ear and sometimes holds it directly under her nostril and other times just balances it there and then proceeds with what she’s doing. 

I’m not complaining because she’s a mega self soother, but I find it so interesting. We have a few of these bunnies floating around… And I don’t feel like they have any specific scent, but it’s her thing! She’s a bunny sniffer…   

 Anyone else’s kids have unique self soothing techniques?

Puppy Love

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Charlie and Toby have made strides in their relationship over the past week or so. It used to be that any time Charlotte would “pet” Toby, he’d growl at her, run away or try to bite her. And rightfully so… anytime Charlotte “pet” Toby it would evolve into severe hair/tail pulling or hitting. Lovely, huh?

Well, after MONTHS of stressing the whole “gentle” concept, my gal has got it! She’s been so sweet with Toby, giving him loving pets and kisses. Every so often her pet gets a little aggressive, but nothing too scary.

How cute is this video of Charlotte hanging out under the chair with Tobes as he snacks on his treat:

 

 
I must mention that while Charlotte has made significant improvements in her treatment of animals, she’s still a toddler. Yesterday she and Toby took a slight step backwards when she slowly poked his eyeball and then pulled his face hair. Oops.

Toddler on the Move!!

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Guys… FINALLY another walking update! Girlfriend is taking some steps! She’s had up to 6-7 steps in a string! Exciting, right? I was literally starting to think that she was going to crawl at her second birthday. Hope has been restored.

Check out her baby moves…

 

 
Ignore her silly outfit. I didn’t have a bib, so I grabbed a spare onesie and threw it on over her cutie pie shirt.

GO CHARLIE!

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.

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…