Tag Archives: toddler

Already healing

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Charlotte’s battle wound is making huge improvements. It’s unfortunate for Chloe that she picked such a fair-skinned victim. Yesterday was looking pretty brutal, but today, she’s looking much better.

And better yet, through it all, she hasn’t seemed to be in pain at all. I literally haven’t seen her touch her face or wince once.

I forgot to mention, we also got a text from C’s teacher checking in on her today (Saturday). After a little discussion, she sent this text: 

Oh I’m so glad she’s a bit better today. She IS tough but I still plan to protect that little girl like she was my own. Tell her I’m thinking of her! 


Just a few scratches (and crumbs) left on the chin and then some decent bruising across the cheek and chin.


And to show C’s mega healing capabilities, the initial photos (taken apx 1-2 hours after the incident) and the second pics (taken 4ish hours after the incident).

   

  

  

  

Chloe the Crab Strikes Again

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No, I’m not about to recommend a cute children’s book… I’m talking about Charlie’s baby bestie in class… the biter.

I got a voicemail from the administrator at Charlotte’s school at around 11:45 this morning (about 15 minutes before I typically arrive on Fridays – I go early on Fridays for the weekly school song session). The voicemail went something like this:

Hi Melissa, it’s [the school administrator]. I um wanted to check in with you and talk with you if you have a few seconds to call me that would be amazing. Hope all is well and I’ll talk to you soon. Buh Bye.

Instantly here’s what went through my head:

  • I’m sure she’s okay. That’s too weird of a message and doesn’t sound urgent at all. But weird…
  • Shit, am I about to get yelled at for sending Charlotte to school when she’s sick? (I was debating keeping C home today because of her cold/cough, but ultimately decided to send her because she seemed fine and didn’t have a fever.)
  • Oy. I wonder if she did something naughty… or did she get bit? Ugh. She was pretty crabby this morning. Maybe she was being mean.
  • I wish the administrator would call me back…

I got to school right around noon and lingered in the car for a few minutes. I was feeling nervous that I/Charlie & I were about to get reprimanded. (High school all over again.)

I walked straight into the administrator’s office who jumped up and said, “Everything is okay! Charlotte is okay, but I want to grab Carolyn (C’s teacher) to talk to you.”

Charlotte’s teacher, who I absolutely adore, came in and explained to me that during gym class, she and one of the teachers were dealing with a situation between a few of the kids and the third teacher was working with another student. Charlotte was playing/crawling through a play gym when Chloe “attacked”… she bit Charlotte’s poor cheek. The teacher tried to break it up as quickly as possible, but because they were in this little play gym thing, it was a little difficult to get a hold of the situation.

Regardless, Chloe was immediately removed from the situation and little Charlotte was taken to get cleaned up and iced. She has a tiny area of broken skin and her face is puffy (and looks to have a bruise forming).

Poor little babes. Not a fun addition to her cold.

   

 The teachers are going to be working with Chloe and keeping Chloe and Charlotte apart until they can get a handle on Chloe’s little outbursts. She’s such a sweet little girl. I honestly think that her lashing out on Charlotte purely stems from her wanting to be Charlotte’s friend and not being able to express herself.

Regardless, Charlotte will survive… she is in fact the ULTIMATE tough girl 🙂

Heart Flutters

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Our little pie was quite the sweetie tonight. After she drank her milk on my lap while we read stories, and daddy took her to brush her teeth while I sat in the kitchen zoning out, I heard a tiny voice calling my name.

“Maaa!? Momma?”

“Yes, Charlie?” (As I get up and walk into view of my little bunny – who is in daddy’s arms)

And to my heart melting surprise, Charlotte has her tiny arms reaching out for me. 

“Awww! Are you asking momma to put you to bed?”

She nods with a big smile as I scoop her up.

I don’t know if you guys remember a few weeks ago when she kept demanding daddy (by crying and reaching towards him)? Well, I haven’t forgotten. Not that I haven’t put her to bed pretty consistently since then… But tonight was different. 

Tonight was so sweet.

When we got into her room, she said, “mom mom” in a very giddy way and squeezed me for a big hug.

Excuse me while I melt. 

  

Our Big 18 Month Old!

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  Our babe is an entire year and a half! People told me that once she hit 18 months, there’s a huge developmental leap, and it’s true! She’s such a big little person these days. She is full of personality and just such a wonderful little love.

Walking Update: This should really say “running update”… the child is OFF! She’s constantly walking/running everywhere. One interesting little tid bit is that she walks on her tip toes quite a bit. As a 5′ 1″ (and that 1” might be a bit of a stretch) little lady, I spend a lot of time standing on my tip toes. It’s a habit. So I don’t know if she’s seen me doing it or if it’s a toddler thing, but it’s pretty silly. And sometimes leads to her falling on her tush.

Talking Update: The child is a chatterbox. I forsee many a report card comment about spending too much time chattering and socializing in class (just like her mommy received). Her comprehension is amazing. We can give her 1 and 2-part instructions and she goes right ahead and does it. Sometimes she shocks me with the words she knows. The best way I’ve found for teaching her words is through books. We go through picture books and identify the images.

I say, “Where’s the lion” and she points to it. Then, “What does the lion say?” And in the most feminine, high pitch voice, she squeals, “Raaaa!” She can do this with tons of animals (monkey, bear, giraffe, dog, cat, frog, fish, lion, pig, etc) and other objects (baby, milk, pine cone, tree, cup, ball, and the list goes on).

In terms of words she says, her vocabulary is a bit more limited, but still impressive (to me!):

  • Mom, Momma
  • Dad, Dada (she used to call Mark “MA” so this is a welcomed new lesson)
  • Baba (baby)
  • All Done (she said this today and it was clear as day)
  • Mosht (toast)
  • Chssss (Cheese)
  • Ornch (Orange)
  • Hot, Hot, Hot (this is Charlie’s favorite word that she uses nonstop. She touches EVERYTHING and anything remotely warm makes her say “hot” for 20 minutes)
  • Pom (Pom Poms – I have little tissue paper flower pom poms hanging in my office)
  • Mor (More)
  • Ba (Bear)
  • Liii (Lion)
  • Sssssss (Steffie – my cousin)

I’m sure there are more because I’m literally shocked daily, but it’s so hard to remember all of them.

New Tricks:

  • She is a wizard with a fork and spoon!
  • She can do “downward facing dog” and is working on a somersault  
       
  • She blows bubbles in the pool. AND, even crazier, she graduated to Level “Baby 2” in swim class and now goes in the pool without Mark. She has 2 others in her class with her and she sits on the pool step (in the water) by herself while the teacher takes the other kids for their turn. This to me is mind blowing. SUCH a big girl.    
  • She can point out every part of her body.
  • She loves to play dress up with Mommy’s hats and of course, look in the mirror or at pictures of herself in her “costumes”     
     
  • She “counts”… aka points at objects and makes a noise to imitate counting.
  • She can play the harmonica… with her nose. 
     
  • She’s the toughest “tough girl”
  • She can take her shoes and socks off on her own.
  • She loves to take care of her “baby” (her baby doll). She gets baby all wrapped in her swaddle (and by gets I mean that she demands that Nana, Dada or I wrap her up) and carries her EVERYWHERE, rocks her, pushes her in the stroller and/or grocery cart, and gives her tons of smooches.        
  • She loves her puppy and kitty. I actually haven’t noticed her pulling the cat’s tail recently… so hopefully she’s going to stop that. She’s very sweet with Toby. Gives him hugs and pets.    
  • She helps unload the dishwasher (sometimes even when we don’t want her to)
  • She throws away trash (and picks up any and every little speck of dust that comes in her path) and closes the trash cabinet door after.
  • She can wipe her own hands, face and nose (not perfectly, but pretty well) and cleans up spills with paper towel.
  • She knows the hand signals for “wheels on the bus,” “no more monkeys jumping on the bed”, “Take me out to the ball game,” “Patty Cake,” and “The Itsy Bitsy Spider”… hmmm… I’m sure there are more.
  • She’s obsessed with music. LOVES, LOVES, LOVES music.
  • She pretends everything is a phone and puts it to her little ear for a chat. She also LOVES to “work” at mommy’s desk.  
  • She’s a hilarious dancer.
  • She LOVES to brush her teeth. In fact, sometimes she refuses to drink her milk because she just can’t wait to brush her teeth.

Daily Schedule:

  • 7/8:30: Depending on when she goes to sleep and what her plans for the day are, she wakes up between 7 and 8:30 (she has slept as late as 10:30/11ish before) – the girl LOVES her sleep.
  • 8/830: Breakfast
  • 10: On non-school days, Charlotte takes a morning rest/nap. Sometimes she falls asleep, sometimes she just has quiet play in bed. Regardless, we typically only let her sleep 30-60 minutes in the morning. On non-school days, Charlotte skips this nap and comes home zonked.
  • 12: Lunch
  • 1/2: Depending on her mood, Charlotte’s afternoon nap falls somewhere between 1 and 2/230. She will typically sleep anywhere between 2-3.5 hours. Usually it’s around 2.5. Again, this depends on whether she took an AM nap, what she did all day, etc.
  • 6: Dinner, Bath (on bath days – she bathes every other day and on swim days)
  • 7/8: Charlotte goes to bed most often around 7:30/7:45ish

School Schedule: Charlotte goes to school from 9-12:30 on Thursdays and Fridays (on these days, she eats a snack and lunch at school and does not nap)

Favorite Foods: Mealtimes are kind of my least favorite lately. Although, the past few days, Charlotte has been pretty good. But she’s SO toddler when it comes to food. Some days she loves something, others she hates it. Some days she refuses to taste anything, some days she’s adventurous. Some days she eats three huge meals, other days she fizzles after breakfast. The gist is that it’s not always easy. In fact, the only meal that’s “easy” is breakfast… ever.

favorites

  • Cheerios or pretty much any other cereal
  • Oatmeal with cinnamon
  • Quiche
  • Cheese Sticks
  • Oranges
  • Crackers (she rarely gets these)
  • Yogurt
  • Cottage Cheese

sometimes loves

  • Toast with cinnamon
  • Pasta with Sauce (only lately)
  • Bread
  • Taco ground turkey meat (lately)
  • Berries – used to be her fave, now only sometimes
  • Non string cheese cheese (hit or miss)
  • Mac & Cheese
  • Grilled Cheese
  • Veggie shakes
  • Egg bread (my version of French toast)

Favorite Toys:

Favorite Books:

Size:

  • Clothes: 18/12-18 Months (sometimes the pants and shirts are too short depending on where they’re from)
  • Diapers: Size 4
  • Shoe Size: Toddler 4.5

Teeth: Charlotte has so many teeth. I want to say she has 16… although I haven’t gotten a look to see if her 2 year old molars are making their way

Morning Coffee

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This morning I finally made it to “Morning Coffee” at Charlotte’s preschool. Morning Coffee is an hour chat hosted by the preschool for (mostly) mommies and (maybe one) daddy to discuss parenting challenges, successes, etc.

Today, the administrator’s “mentor” / school advisor was there. She’s this adorably quirky lady with some sort of foreign accent. At first I thought French. Then I thought Israelli. Guys, don’t ask me… I’m from Wisconsin. She’s not local, how about that?

Anyway, she was wearing this Mary Poppins(ish) outfit with a more modern spin. Black dress with a crisp white collar under a black cardigan and black tights. Immediately I equated her to the Supernanny.

Everyone went around and introduced themselves (to me, as it was my first time attending) and then a couple of women brought up some issues they’ve been having. The gist of the discussion was disciplining. Surprise, surprise!

One woman was dealing with her typically sweet two year old acting out by beating up/tackling his older sister and randomly kicking her (she’s pregnant). Another woman had just lost her live-in nanny who left mainly because she said her son was “too difficult.” One other woman talked about her child throwing a mega tempertantrum in public and how she dealt with it.

First, let me say how much I loved the Supernanny. Her advice and suggestions were SO “Love and Logic,” which is a parenting technique that has really resonated with Mark and I.

Second, here were some takeaways…

  • Child Kicking Mom: Supernanny says, “The best way to address this is to calmly and sternly say, “No, stop that now.” This is unnacceptable behavior and we must create a framework immediately that this is not okay.” So the very interesting part is that she said not to threaten, “if you don’t stop, then… ” whatever the consequence of the moment might be (you’ll lose this privilege or that). She said we just sternly tell them to stop and hold their legs or whatever until they do. We don’t have to explain that it hurts. Nothing. Just draw the line at unacceptable behavior. As she was talking, I drew this conclusion that by saying “if you don’t stop kicking, then blah blah” you’re almost giving your child a choice. You’re saying you can kick me but you won’t have XYZ or you can stop kicking and have XYZ. Versus what Supernanny advised, which is simply drawing the line. Interesting, right?
  • Tempertantrum in Public: In this instance, the mom carried the kid out kicking and screaming. Once in the car, mom told the kid that he has now lost his tv privilege for the day. Later in the day, she gave him an opportunity to earn the privilege back. It’s unclear if he did or not. Supernanny’s response: no, no. “What relevance does the tv have to the tempertantrum? The consequence is leaving. There does not need to be further punishment.” This is interesting, too. I feel like the tantrums stay with a parent longer than with the kid. We’re still fuming well after the tantrum ends. Maybe that’s why we feel the need to further punish past the natural consequence.
  • Kid Beating Up His Sister: “Actions are the venue for our children’s questions.” This is a fancy way of saying that little dude is picking on his sister to express something else that’s going on. She said in this case, it was most likely that the little boy (younger sibling) is trying to gain some dominance. His role as “little brother” was obvious when he was a baby, but now as a 2.5 year old, he’s looking to be more of a leader. Supernanny suggested addressing both children at one time. Making sure to treat them as equals. Discuss how it’s clear that the way that they play together is different and ask them to talk about that a little. Ask questions to promote conversation. What I really liked about this discussion was the stress on talking to the children at one time. When you address your children individually, you’re playing into the tattling. You’re rewarding the behavior by picking a side.

All in all, it was a very interesting and thought-provoking discussion. I’m definitely looking forward to attending more. I love hearing all of the issues, which will likely soon become my own. I think knowing potential solutions prior to experiencing the problem will be very beneficial.

Oh! One more interesting comment… it kind of relates to the last one… make sure you are addressing the problem, not the symptom. Dig for the why behind the action.

What are your thoughts?

Happy Charlie

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Today was a great day for Charlie. Unfortunately, she still has a nasty cough and her nose is a faucet, but the little one woke up on the right side of the bed this morning. Maybe because she actually slept last night (funny how that works, huh?).

This chipper little bunny had us all smiling today and allowed us to share some sweet moments with her. Here are just a handful of the many laughs, smiles, and warm fuzzies from our day…

This is even sillier because as a little one, I was notorious for walking arounf with 2+ pacis in my mouth and even more in my hands and pockets.

  
  

Baby and blankie come together to make Charlie one happy little lady.

  

Charlotte is OBSESSED with carrying baby in a swaddle. i have a feeling, she is going to be very demanding of time with her little brother. hopefully by that time she learns that throwing babies is not allowed.

    

Being goofy with Daddy 💛

    
    
   

The Toddler Food Battle

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 While Charlotte was sick over the past two plus weeks, we became VERY lenient at mealtimes. And by that, I mean that Charlotte pretty much survived on Cherrios, oranges and cheese sticks.

One thing we’ve said from the beginning was that we were going to be strict when it came to food. No making seperate meals, no giving unhealthy options because it’s easier, etc. Well, let’s just say, that’s not the standard we were operating under these past couple of weeks.

SO, since Sunday, we’ve really been trying to get back to a good place with Charlotte. We started making her veggie shakes again, we started trying to feed her more than just her favorites, etc.

Well, last night we had turkey meatballs and spaghetti squash for dinner. First of all, it was delicious. Here’s the recipe if you’re interested. Second, INSTANTLY C was not having it. She just kept saying (and crying) no and signing that she wanted to eat.

Despite the difficulty that is watching your child cry and say she’s hungry, we stayed strong. We told her that if she wants to eat, this is what’s for dinner. This game literally went on for nearly 30-45 minutes (or so it felt) until finally Mark said, “Ok, I’m going to count to three and if you don’t want it, that’s fine. But I’m going to take you out of your chair.”

1… 2… 3…

Of course, she didn’t budge.

Mark grabbed her out of her chair and once in his arms, she pointed to the bowl of spaghetti squash and meatballs. Mark looked at me like, “should I let her have this??” I nodded.

And just like that, Charlotte ate the ENTIRE bowl and asked for more.

Unfortunately, we had already eaten the rest of it… so we started giving her other stuff. In total, Charlotte ate:

  • One turkey meatball and 1/3 cup of spaghetti squash with sauce
  • One piece of toast with cinnamon
  • 1 large bowl of cottage cheese (apx 3/4 cup)
  • Apx 1/2 cup of yogurt
  • 5-10 strawberries
  • 1-2 apple slices
  • 1.75 cheese sticks
  • Veggie shake (beets, etc)

Despite the fact that during the whole (VERY LONG) experience, one jar of salsa was spilled on the ground, my favorite little dip bowl was broken (and more red sauce was flung around the kitchen), and Charlotte technically only started eating after we said dinner was done, I’m going to call that one a win for the parents!

First Day Back to School

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  Today was Charlotte’s first day back at school post-Winter Break. Her school was closed for two full weeks.

I was a little nervous about her going back… not that she wouldn’t love it once she was there, but that she would cry when I dropped her off, etc.

Well, our little love proved me wrong.

She was SO excited to go back this morning. During the break, we had been reading the book her teachers made for her that has a picture of each student on a page with a little comment, ie: “Charlotte loves playing…” 

    
   
When we got into her classroom this morning, I put Charlotte down and her teacher said, “Let’s go check out the activity table!” (Each morning they have a different activity set up for the kids… painting, a game, etc.). Charlotte literally just turned to the table and started walking towards it. I had to say, “Excuse me little Miss… what about a kiss for momma?”

She turned back, gave me my smooch and walked away.

Well then! haha But really, it makes me so happy! How special for her to have so many loving people and places in her life…

She has mommy and daddy, she has Nana who watches her 2 mornings and one full day a week, she has Grandma & Grandpa who she saw daily for the first 13+ months of her life and now sees in the afternoons, she has Grampie & Grammy Amy who she plays with weekly and now, she has school with friends and teachers who absolultely adore her and teach her such wonderful things.

She’s a very lucky little munchie.

Here’s an adorable card they made for C’s school bestie (aka Cujo – Mark’s nickname for her, as she’s bitten Charlotte twice), Chloe, who has been out sick this week.

Chloe Card 1

2015 Chanukah MJP Party

Can you see little Charlie hugging her bestie, Chloe?

Orange

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I was about the put C down for her nap when she looked at me and while signing “eat,” said “orange”… Which actually sounds like “ornjshhh” or something like that. 

I was so excited, I jumped up and took her to the kitchen – mid naptime routine – and showed her an orange. I said, “is this what you want?” And with an excited smile, she said “yes.”

How cool is that? She can say some words, but that feels like the first time that she used a word to tell me that she wanted something that wasn’t in front of her.

And being that the poor little buns woke up with a fever that hasn’t ceased and thus has barely eaten today, I was happy to oblige.

10 Weeks Pregnant

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10/22/15

  How far along: 10 Weeks

Total weight gain: 1 lb… I definitely blame this 1″ baby… not the excessive carbs I’ve been downing. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it!

Maternity clothes: H&M Mama leggings have my heart.

Stretch marks: I’ve been lotioning!

Sleep: UGH! PREGNANCY INSOMNIA, I HATE YOU! Seriously, the struggle is real. Every few days, I wake up at 12, 1, 2 am and am awake for literally 3-4 hours. It’s horrible. I’m so tired anyway and then add that… ugh. Plus side, I’ve been reading a lot.

Best moment of this week: Our first doc visit!!!!!! YAY!! Baby is healthy and heart is beating! First relief milestone hit!

Miss anything: Sleep! I feel like I dread going to sleep.

Movement: I don’t think so. But I swear, sometimes these gas bubbles really throw me.

Food cravings: I really love cake.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I switched prenatals and that’s REALLY been helping!

Have you started to show yet: Ummm YES. It’s hard to hide this beast of a bump!

Gender: I’m back to thinking girl!

Labor signs: No, no.

Belly button in or out: Very deeply in.

Wedding rings on or off: On!

Happy or moody most of the time: Happy??? Mark?

Looking forward to: My cousin is coming next week!!