Toddler Times
He's practicing for the new baby
I’m 37 weeks pregnant, and we are ready for this baby to make her arrival at any time! As much as I don’t want to dwell too much on her impending arrival, because I know it could still be several more weeks, it’s pretty hard to think of much else when you’re belly is bulging, your back is aching, your stomach is cramping and contracting (even though nothing is really happening), and your brain is in ‘preparing for baby’ overdrive.
This is our third baby, and I’ve realized that I don’t really nest the way some women do. I don’t get these overwhelming urges to clean my house (although I kinda wish I did). But I do get the strong urge to get everything ready, and prepared, for when the baby arrives.
I’ve been sorting through baby clothes, washing them and getting them ready for her. I’ve been building up my newborn cloth diaper stash, and nagging my hubs about getting the bassinet and car seat out of the basement so they can be cleaned and ready for her.
I’ve been ‘window’ shopping for baby clothes and gear around the internet like a crazy woman, even though we don’t really need anything new at this point, at all! And I’ve been making lists. Oh, how I love my lists!
One of the main things I’ve been working on before the baby comes, is getting my toddler ready for a new baby to join the family.
And I don’t mean talking to him about how mommy is going to be busy giving lots of attention to the baby, how I’ll have to be sitting and nursing, and not up and playing (not that I do that all that much anyway, especially when I’m nine months pregnant).
What I’ve been working on is trying to break some bad habits, and establish some good ones in their place, that will make life easier on us, and for my son, once this new baby arrives. Continue reading »
My son experienced a rite of passage into summer last night.
It’s Memorial Day weekend, the kick-off of summer, and it’s supposed to be 97 degrees here on Sunday. 97!?! My pregnant body is not happy.
But I digress, back to the boy.
I guess this is something that happens for most boys around this time of year, but we’ve yet to do it with our son. And since I grew up will all sisters, it wasn’t something that happened in our home when I was growing up.
I married a sentimental man. He’s stashed away little love notes and relics from our dating days- photographs, mementos, and keepsakes throughout the 12 years we’ve known each other.
Now that we have children he’s become even more of a pack rat. He holds on to the crude preschool pictures and the backwards spelling of their names. He takes pride in the scribbles and stick figures and chalk drawings on the sidewalk (if only they didn’t wash away in the rain…).
I know that for Father’s Day he’d love nothing more than a special, handmade card from each of his kiddos.
And I won’t lie. He’d probably enjoy some quiet time on the porch swing with a good book and a bottle or two of his favorite beer. I think we can probably make that happen.
He’s a great husband, and a wonderful father. We’re all pretty lucky he’s our number one guy.
Having kids is such a sobering experience sometimes. Do you ever look at your child and think, “Oh no, they are EXACTLY like me!”? This has been happening to me more and more with my daughter recently.
Whether it’s the way that she likes to put on singing and dancing shows for the rest of the family, just like I used to do when I was her age. Or it’s the tone of voice she uses when bossing her brother around, and then I say to her, in the exact same tone, “Kaelyn, don’t talk to your brother like that!” (Yes, admitting that makes me cringe.)
Or it’s a characteristic that suddenly appears, and I don’t know if she picked up from me, or if she just innately has it because she is my daughter. Continue reading »
He won't remember last summer.
Yikes, we’re moving across the country!! Okay, only for three months, but to a toddler, that’s a sixth of his whole life. Not only that, but we’re doing some extensive work on our house here, so when he gets back, he might not even recognize it. So, how do I prepare them for this giant move?
Since things will be very different when we get home, I’m treating it more like a move than a trip.
I’m less worried about the older one, who has been counting down the return to our Vermont lake house since we left last summer.
Now that we’re down to days until we leave, I wonder if there’s something we need to do for Fuzz, who just turned 21 months and may not remember last summer at all.
But, it’s coming, whether he likes it or not! His house and bed will be different, most of his toys will be different, we’ll drive a different car, and have different people in our lives. So here’s what I’m going to do to help him feel comfortable with this change. Continue reading »
Surviving your toddler’s hospital stay is a two-part process that involves prepping both yourself and your child for what’s to come. From ensuring that your little one has plenty of toys to keep him occupied, to remembering the importance of fresh air and sunshine, these pointers will not only help your toddler stay sane … but yourself! Find out how to stay one step ahead of the game with these tips to help your toddler on the way to a speedy recovery, after the jump!
I adore birthday parties and Pinterest has made that addiction even more…well, addictive.
I realized the other night that Harrison’s birthday was coming up in 5 short months and I was going to get to plan another party! I have a few ideas that range from trains to cars to slides. I want his birthday party to say something about his year, what he loves, what he enjoys. Last year we did a Curious Goerge themed birthday party and he loved every moment of it.
I spent so many evenings making the rag wreath and banners, sewing yellow poms on the bottom of the red table cloth for the food table. I wanted everything to be fun but classy and something all the kids would enjoy. We held it in our backyard, where we pulled out camp chairs and picnic tables. The kids played on our swingset, drew on our fence chalkboard, and generally ran crazy. It was a wonderful afternoon!
Here’s a run-down of the party:
Mary L Weimer 
Beth Anne Ballance 
Ilana Wiles 
Natalie Holbrook 
Monica Bielanko 
Emily McClements 
Danielle Elwood 
Naomi Odes Aytur 
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