Hurt So Bad

Addie is full of randomness at this age.  We continue to hear her say very interesting things.  Here are a few:

• On the way home yesterday, as she sat in her seat she said, "Mama, booboo" referring to the scratches on her knees from a few days ago.  I said, "oh you have a booboo?" and she replies, "Yes, hurt so bad!".  

• She's also recently started saying 'umm' when we ask her a question that requires her to think before answering.  For example, if we say, "Addie what color is that?" she would likely reply, "umm, umm, blue".

• She's picked up the word 'delicious' which she uses quite frequently now.  We were able to catch it on tape and you can watch it here.

• She also randomly said to me about a month ago, "Feel better already".  At the time, I caught one of the best pictures I've taken of her thus far.

• Yesterday I posted about her first meeting with Mary's little one and her response after holding him for less than 10 seconds and taking her pictures with him she said, "Mary, take him".

Does your little one say anything funny or weird?  Has there ever been something your kid says that is gross?  Please tell me about it.  I love hearing these stories!

-stephanie

A Day in the Life

I'm a type A personality.  I desperately need/crave structure and routine in my daily life.  I hardly stray from my routine and can almost time it down to the minute what I'm doing at any given time.  So here's a snapshot of my daily routine.

6:20 - my alarm goes off and I roll out of bed, unless Addie decided not to stay in bed a little longer.  I'm doing my hair and makeup, getting dressed, etc.

6:50 - pack mine and Addie's lunch.  By this point, if she hasn't already woke up, then she's probably crying by this time.  I run back and get her out of her crib and she runs around the house playing, waking the rest of us up while I go back to packing lunches

7:00 - Addie gets something for breakfast while I finish getting myself together.

7:10 - I head out for my drive but quickly realize I need my Starbucks to start the day.

7:30 - I arrive to work and spend the next approximately 8 hours working my butt off.

3:30 - I leave work and go pick up my little bug.

4:30 - Addie and I play outside when the weather is nice or watch Strawberry Shortcake when the weather is crummy.

5:30 - I start making dinner and it's usually completely last minute and thrown together.

6:00 - We play some more, either inside or out depending on the weather.

7:30 - the bedtime routine begins.  Every other night she gets a bath.  We'll play quietly in her room and read books.

8:30 - last kisses and lights out.  I head off to take my shower.

8:45 - Watch tv and relax for the evening.

10:00 - I'm in bed for the night.

It all begins again the next morning.  Very groundhog day.

-stephanie

Women's Spring Outfit

It's still 32 degrees and snowing in Ohio but I know spring is literally right around the corner. I've got my eyes on the extended forecast and it's looking like mid-April is that time.  So in preparation for the weather change, I've been thinking about what outfit I'm going to wear first and I'm loving this outfit I put together.

Gap Swiss Dot Tie-Waist Shirtdress - $59.95

Merona Braided Yellow Sandals - $15.00

Mossimo Perforated Belt - $14.99

Xhilaration Aviators - $16.99

Ombre Coil Bracelet - $9.99

Essie Hip-Anema Nail polish - $8.00

What do you think?  What are you itching to wear this spring?

- stephanie

Photo Bloopers

It's been a while since I brought you photo bloopers.  In fact, the last time I showed you Addie's bloopers was nearly a year ago so please take note how much my little girl has changed!  I thought I'd post a few over the past several months for your enjoyment!  This one for example is super cute at first, mommy & Addie sharing a kiss.  Until you get up close and it looks like she's going to eat my lips!

This one cracks me up.  Again, it's cute at first and then you can just imagine Addie giving a little gremlin noise while making this face.

This is one my mother in law took at her house.  I can't even figure out what's happening.

Lastly, this is usually what I see when taking some photos when featuring a sponsor or review.  For every one great picture, there's another one like this in the mix.

Some times the outtakes are the best and you can't bring yourself to erase them from your computer.

-stephanie

PS.  Don't forget about the Shutterfly giveaway going on now.

TAT: Mommy Pet Peeve's

Yay, Toddle Along Tuesday is back!  I'll be honest, I've been having some trouble staying focused with the blog.  I think some of it is work, some if it is weather, and some of it is me not being committed.  So I'm doing my best to get excited about it all again. TAT is always a day I am guaranteed to have topic to share with you.  So this week's topic is Mommy Pet Peeve's and let me tell you, I've got a lot of them so let me just list them for you.

1.  People who chew with their mouths open - this will include people who pop their gum as they aggressively chew it as well as people who toss popcorn in their mouth and start chewing so I have to hear it.  It's rude and it's disgusting.

2.  When you leave cupboard doors open, ahem, Rick does this all the time.  How hard is it to take your pointer finger and press it lightly against the cupboard to close it?  Not hard, God gave you those hands for a reason.

3.  When you don't throw your laundry in the hamper.  Again, Rick, it's not that hard.

4.  When you don't put the toilet seat down.  This bugs me, but it really bugs me when you have a kid and you don't put both seats down and then you find your kids playing in it.  Ugh, gross.

5.  People who talk really loudly at work.  Because I'm not working or trying to speak with someone on the phone.

6.  When I'm on the phone at work and someone comes into my office and a) stands and waits until I'm finished or b) tries to talk to me when they can clearly see I'm on the phone.  If I have the phone next to my ear, assume I'm unavailable, because I am.

7.  Double parkers.  There are lines for a reason, we all learned to color inside the lines in kindergarten and learned how to park a car when we were 16.  Your Dodge Ram is nothing special, get it in the lines.

8.  People who drive slowly in the fast lane.  Again, we all learned that you pass on the left.  You don't cruise in the fast lane at 65 mph.  And you certainly don't go less than 65 in that lane.  Get out of my way.

9.  My dog Chloe, paces.  Back and forth.  She lays by the front door then feels that's not the spot she wanted so she gets up and moves to another spot.  Just lay down, sit still.

10.  People who talk too much.  If you're noticing me only say, "Yea", "Uh huh", etc., please note you're hogging the conversation.  People who rule a conversation are not conversing, your preaching and I don't want to be preached at on a daily basis.

Oi, I know I have more, but that's a pet peeve of mine, people who complain all the time.  So I shall stop! 

What are your pet peeves?

-stephanie

Addie's Favorite Christmas Gift

I told you about the wish list prior to Christmas, but what about what she actually got for Christmas.  Let me start with this, we are in toy overload in this house.  She has 50 too many so I was dreading what she would get from family.  I fully expected that she would get a lot of toys so we didn't buy but 2 toys for her.  So her favorite couple items have been her play kitchen, the Little People Surprise Sounds Fun Park Fair, and her train table.  By far the train table has been the winner.

Now books & clothes, necessary.  We can't get enough books in this house.  She's her mothers daughter and all.  I'm dying over all of the great clothes at Target.  Seriously...

...I die over cuteness!

What were your kids' favorite gifts this year?  Anything out of the ordinary?

-stephanie

Momma Needs a Hobby

Let's be honest, as a new mom you tend to lose sight of yourself.  Things you enjoyed pre-mommy you're probably not spending much time doing.  It was one of my biggest fears of having a child.  Not that I would be responsible for another individuals life, but that I would lose my individuality by being a mom.  Well, I went and let it happen.  I am officially a bum with no hobbies.

Rephrase, I WAS a bum with no hobbies. I'm getting back to my individual self.  Finding new hobbies along the way, including sewing.  I showed you a while back that I sewed myself a skirt.   

It's only the beginning though.  With my friend Mary now pregnant, we have a list of projects to complete before baby Liam's arrival.  We have our girls night in, eat dinner, girl talk, and sew our little hearts out.  

What are your hobbies?  Did you feel once you had your children you lost yourself?

-stephanie

Birth Order Traits

I've always been interested in birth order trait theories.  I think it's because every time I read about them I'm saying to myself, yes that's me.  Or, totally my sister or brother.  

I was the firstborn.  Firstborns are natural leaders.  Very reliable, conscientious & perfectionists.  We don't like surprises.  Typically we're aggressive though we also like to please people and are oftentimes model children and have a strong desire to be approved from whoever is in charge.  To a T this is me.  I'm a perfectionist, aggressive and do love to please people.  Growing up, I was the perfect child.  I never got into trouble, always did what was right, and waited to make sure I pleased my parents.

I also have a sister and a brother.  April is the middle child and Jason, the baby.  

April, being the middle child, is the most difficult to pin down.  Middle children often feel like the world pays them less attention, is sometimes secretive and doesn't openly share thoughts or feelings.  The read people well and are peacemakers who see all sides of the situation.  They are independent.  The piece I found most true to April, the middle child, was that they are guaranteed to be the opposite of their older sibling.  April and I could not be more different.

Jason, is the baby.  Let me mention Jason is the baby of two babies.  Both my mom and dad were the babies in their families so we often teased that he had it really easy.  Babies are social and outgoing and the most financially irresponsible.  They're looking to have fun and want to be in the limelight.  They're often charming but can also be manipulative, spoiled or babied to their detriment.  I would say this is somewhat true to Jason.  I wouldn't call him financially irresponsible, but he's been dependent upon my parents for longer than April or I were.  Jason can be a bit reserved or relaxed and isn't as high strung as the traits make him to be.  

It's all rather interesting to me.  It's even more interesting now that I'm a parent, and understanding the characteristics of birth order.  We need to be aware of birth order traits and how we can properly parent each child different based upon those traits.

I just hope Addie is an angel to raise like I was.

What's your birth order?  Do the traits ring true?

-stephanie

My 2012 Christmas Wish List

I can't believe next week is Thanksgiving.  It'll be Christmas before we realize it so I created my 2012 Christmas wish list a little early this year.  I had a hard time deciding what I'd like to have because usually if there's something I'm interested in, I buy it.  Or it's a big ticket item which requires agreement from Rick as well.  So I hope you enjoy my picks!

1.  Carlson Patterned Crew Neck Sweater - a gorgeous sweater that you can dress up or dress down.  Wear to work or at home.  Love it!

2.  Apple EarPods - because the ones that came with my old iPod are outdated and blown.  I like my music loud when running so it's time for new speakers.

3.  Hand Stitched Small DSLR bag - because my current camera bag is big, bulky and black (where is your mind?).  It's not fashionable nor is it easy to carry around.

4.  LouLou Natural Leg Warmer/Boot Socks - when you're wearing boots, you need a good warm sock.  If that sock can also look really cute, that's a plus!

5.  Bunji BAND Elastic Headband - look, do I really thing this is some great gift that I'll be super happy to receive?  It's no Coach purse, but sometimes you have to put things you need on your list too.  I need this for running.  My current band sucks at holding my wisps out of my face.

6.  Toms Burlap Alessandra Ballet Flats - I love Toms!  These would be both fashionable and comfortable and again, can be dressed up or down.  Must have these!

What's on your list this year?  Anything you're dying to have?

-stephanie

Adalyn's 2012 Christmas List

With today bringing the first snow to Ohio, it's time to get serious about Addie's Christmas list.  Here are a few items we've been thinking she would enjoy to see Christmas morning.

1.  KidKraft Savannah Dollhouse - $109.97.  This is the one big ticket item I'm keeping my eye on.  Because what girl doesn't love a dollhouse?

2.  Fisher Price Servin Surprise High Chair Set - $19.97.  Addie is in love with her dolls and always puts them in her highchair.

3.  Fisher Price Laugh & Learn Say Please Tea Set - $17.88.  Addie is in the new stage where she likes to pretend.  Tea is perfect!

4.  Melissa & Doug Deluxe Standing Easel - $46.93.  She loves coloring and if I can somehow contain her to one area to color on, perfect!

5.  KidKraft Waterfall Mountain Train Set & Table - $119.96.  Oi, so this list is a little pricey.  We'll only purchase one larger priced item but Addie could spend hours playing with trains.

6.  Fancy Nancy Petite Library - $10.19.  We read Fancy Nancy every night and I'm getting tired of talking about cupcakes and hair so we need to add some new books to the collection.

7.  Carters Sweater Knit Poncho - $19.20.  Loving this poncho!

What items are on your kids' Christmas lists this year?  Would love to hear more ideas.

-stephanie

Adalyn's Current Obsession

Every kid goes through phases.  What they like to play with, what they like to wear, what they like to eat.  Addie recently started eating eggs after months of disliking them.  Right now, she's obsessed with punk & gur also known as pumpkin & gourd.  We have plastic pumpkins & gourds on the mantle and once Addie found out what they were she continued to walk out in the living room and say "punk, punk, gur, gur".  Pair that with our recent trip to the pumpkin patch, that's all we hear.  

So we bought her a couple mini pumpkins and gourds at our recent trip to the pumpkin patch.  She carries them around all the time.  It's so cute, her and her mini pumpkin.

Don't forget to enter in the Shutterfly giveaway here.

-stephanie

Our Wedding

I've shared a lot about our life, struggles to get pregnant, several miscarriages, Addie's birth, etc.  What I haven't shared is our wedding day.  So sit back and enjoy pictures from 6 years ago.

Such a great day.  We had nearly everyone at the reception dancing and we've all been to those weddings where no one dances.  How lame are those?!  Come check out other weddings today on Toddle Along Tuesday.

-stephanie

Bad Habits

As a parent you quickly learn there are some battles worth fighting an some not.  The battles you decide not worth fighting for me are things that would typically just make a mess of the house and I hate a mess, but it's not going to hurt her so just let it go.  Let her dump the blocks on the floor for the fifth time even though I just picked them all up again.

But I do have to admit there is one fight I let go that I shouldn't.  It's when Addie climbs on her chair and then climbs on the couch to jump on it.  She does it over and over again.  It will eventually ruin the couches but more than anything she knows she's not supposed to do it but sometimes I'm just too exhausted to do anything about it.

It all started here.

When she thought surfing on an unstable object would be fun.  Yes, baby, I'm sure it's fun but it's not safe.  And you wouldn't have been laughing when you fell off that thing.

She quickly learned how to climb onto the couches, and the kitchen chairs, and it's gotten worse.  She climbs onto the kitchen chair then to the kitchen table.  She sits on the table and will play with anything up there; glass of water, mail, left over food from dinner.  I have to admit it's funny to walk in and see her sitting up on the table, but it won't be when she falls off the table and breaks her leg.  

I guess it could be worse.  I could leave her unattended outside or something, but letting her climb on things is probably not a good idea. 

Do you have any bad habits with your kids?  Do you let them climb on the kitchen table and eat dinner from there?  

-stephanie

Favorite Toddler Toys

I've told you all about Addie's favorite unconventional toys but I haven't told you about toys that she likes to play with at this age that are actually designed to be used as toys.  Right now Addie is digging her baby and really loves her stroller.  Sometimes she actually puts the baby in the stroller, sometimes she puts plastic dinosaurs in the stroller, most often she likes to snap the buckle on the stroller.  

She also loves her play-doh, coloring books, and finger painting.  Just last night she saw one of her old paintings and had a meltdown because I wouldn't get out the finger paints for her to play with.  

She also loves any of the 3 riding toys she has.  Oh, she also has one at her grandparents.  This one is hilarious.

What are some of your kids' favorite toys?  Tells us all about them at Toddle Along Tuesday!

-stephanie

The Things a Parent Says

You know you go through a phase while pregnant thinking, "I won't be that kind of mom, I won't say/do that, etc."

And then it happens.

You become a mom.

Your entire world changes.

 
A lot of great things happen, but a lot of not so fun things happen.  For example, we've been caught saying any of the following:

"No Addie, don't put Chloe's food in her water bowl".

"Addie, what do you have in your hand?  Is that a rock?  Oh no!  Put that down, that's not a rock" (when she picked up poop from our backyard).

"Get out of the trash"

"Keep your hands out of your diaper"

"Get off the kitchen table"

"Stop gagging yourself"

You can expect to hear any one of those phrases at least once a week. You're constantly chasing them around trying to stay one step ahead but often times you're just a few moments too late.  Though it can oftentimes be frustrating to come into the living room and find that entire bowl of dog food has been soaking in the dogs water bowl just before it was all dumped out, you can't become frustrated.  They're learning, exploring, finding their boundaries.  It's important to develop discipline but also realize it's not the end of the world if they grab a handful of dog poop and try to pass it off to you.  It's just another day in the life of a parent of a toddler.

What have you caught yourself saying and thought, I never thought I'd hear that?

-stephanie

The Importance of Family Vacations

How ironic is it that this weeks Toddle Along Tuesday topic is about vacations and we're on one right now?!

Vacations are a big deal in our household.  Being one of 5 boys, Rick didn't vacation often when he was younger but I was lucky enough to have that opportunity all throughout my younger years.  In fact, as far back as I can remember my family has owned a lot in a campground and would spend every weekend during the summer there.  Times have changed and the family isn't up there like we used to be.  I often times miss not going there and hate that Addie will most likely grow up not having the same summer experience I did.

Earlier this year I posted about our first family vacation and how much Addie loved the beach. As you read this we're probably sitting on the beach now soaking up the last bit of summer sun before the season changes.

I know there are people out there who aren't as fortunate to have vacationed outside of the state they live in.  So I make it a priority to enjoy the vacations I do get to have and know it's that much more important to make sure Addie has those same opportunities.

What vacations to you have planned?  What are your most memorable vacations growing up?

-stephanie

Toys of the Non Traditional Variety

If you have a child you know they tend to accumulate toys monthly.  Whether it's from a holiday gift or a birthday gift or just because they were really good while at the grocery store, they just end up with so many toys.  I remember when I was pregnant thinking, I'm only getting her a few toys at each different age group which is developed to help them grow at that age.  However, like many things you say before having a child, that philosophy went out the window rather quickly.  Toys are so fun to buy because you see your child's reaction so it's hard to pass them up.  What I didn't plan for was the "toys" that weren't really intended to be toys.  Take this for example.

This is a plastic hippo watering tool for your garden.  I think I picked this up for Addie at Joann's on clearance for maybe $2.  She loves using it while in the water,  but this actually gets most use out of carrying all of Addie's rocks.  You see, my sweet girl likes collecting rocks everywhere she goes.

Another random favorite is this one.

 

Seriously!  I helmet that she likes to walk around with.  This was from our neighbors whose kids are a little older and no longer needed this toddler sized helmet.  What non traditional items does your little one enjoy playing with?  

-stephanie

PS.  Don't forget the amazing INKtastic giveaway!

A Mother's Love

I remember when I was pregnant with Addie how little I realized I was pregnant.  I mean I knew I was pregnant, I had a big belly and some seriously swollen feet to prove it but it never really set in until my water broke.  Then I had an, "oh shit this is really happening" moment.  Maybe it's because I subconsciously knew I was meant to have such a special relationship with Adalyn.  That first moment I laid eyes on her she had my heart completely.

Those first days in the hospital we had a lot of visitors, but even then, at only 2 days old, Addie found my voice wherever I was in a room.

It's amazing how quickly you can develop a bond with someone you are meeting for the first time. They put all of their faith and trust into you and you are their protector.

You're her first friend in life.  Her first everything.

But she's also everything to me.  The reason I am who I am.  The reason I want to become a better person, a more giving, loving, dependable person.

One day, hopefully someday soon, she won't be the sole attention receiver and I pray when that day comes I'm able to continue to provide her with the same amount of attention, respect, and love that I do today.  But until that moment comes I'll continue to focus all of my time, energy, and love into my moments with her.

 She's already grown into such a beautiful little girl and I cannot imagine what she'll look like as a teenager but I'll savor each age as each age reveals more beauty within her.

-stephanie

Addie's Favorite Fall Snack

This is a repost of previous post from September of last year, I can't believe we're less than a week away from September again this year.  It's one of my favorite months as it signifies the start of fall for me.  Apple picking, gorgeous weather, Ohio State football, Pumpkin Spiced Latte's from Starbucks, etc.  It's one of the best times of the year hands down for me.  As I mentioned, one of our favorite things to do in September is go apple picking.  You can read about last years posts and another apple recipe I included here (check out her hair!). Today's post is specifically about Addie's favorite fall snack, Applesauce!

Applesauce
4 apples, peeled, cored and diced
Cinnamon to your preference

Toss diced apples into crock-pot.  Add desired cinnamon and cook for 2 hours on high in crock-pot.  Stir periodically.

The recipe is really that easy.  When you purchase an apple with amazing flavor, you don't need to add sugar or any other ingredients because the flavor in the apple stands out by itself.  This is also really great for little ones who are just starting to eat solids!  I packaged some of the apple sauce up last year in old baby food jars we had lying around.

What are some of your little ones favorite recipes?  I'm always looking for a new recipe/food to introduce to Addie.  Come tell us about it at Toddle Alone Tuesday.

-stephanie

My Favorite Baby Items

My little girl turned 19 months old today (month update post to come this week) and I've been reflecting on all of the items that were purchased in the preparing for baby process.  I'll be honest, we have a lot of baby crap, most of it we didn't need but for one reason or another bought it.  I'm hoping I can spare some of you new mommies (& daddies) out there the trouble of determining what are must have items for you.  These are only some of the more prominent items we loved.

1.  The Fisher Price Rock N Play.  This was an item I didn't register for but I received at one of my baby showers.  I really didn't get why it was such a big deal and even contemplated returning it because I didn't think we'd need it.  I'm so glad I didn't return it because this is what Addie slept in until she was 3 months old.  There's something about the sides being so close that she seemed to love.  The crib was a bit overwhelming to her (or so it seemed to us) so after confirming with her pediatrician (because I was a paranoid new mommy), that it was okay, we put her in that every night until she was 3 months.  There are fancier styles of this but I'd go with the basic.  Less is more sometimes.

2.  Wubbanub Pacificier.  This was a life saver for us.  I wasn't too excited to use a pacifier at all with her because I've heard terrible stories about kids not being able to give it up.  But I'm happy that we did because  it was her comfort item for a year.  We particularly got this type of pacifier because my lactation consultant suggested these for breast feeding moms.  We loved that if she spit out the wubbanub in the car we could easily reach back and find it and pop it back in.

3.  Summertime Swaddler.  This is a must have, absolute must have for any mom.  It's been proven that babies love to be swaddled.  It's comforting for them especially when they have moments of jumping.  Addie loved to be swaddled.

4.  My Brest Friend Pillow.  We started with the boppy, which I liked for the baby to sit up in, however I had trouble breastfeeding Addie while on the boppy.  She kept falling between me and the pillow so I went for the My Brest Friend pillow.  This was awesome for us and I've seen there's a version for twins as well.

5.  Ring Sling.  I loved this when walking around at festivals or at the pumpkin patch.  I also really loved the Moby wrap and would highly suggest either of these.

6.  Baby Legs.  Loved, loved, loved this item.  This is an item I buy for moms for a shower item.  They're awesome when you have a new baby and you're constantly changing diapers and just don't feel like putting them back in their clothes. It's great for when your little one is crawling around to save their knees. Sign up for their email and watch for great sales!

7.  Fisher Price Rainforest Jumperoo.  Addie loved this thing.  It kept her entertained for hours every day.  Helped her develop her leg muscles and kept her occupied if we needed to clean the house.  She saw it in a spare room the other day and wanted in to play with it.  I put her in and she nearly bottomed out.

These are some of our favorite products. There are plenty thousands out there that may work better for our next baby but so far these work for us.  What are some of your favorite items as a new parent?  Are you currently pregnant and starting to look for new products?  Make sure to check out Toddle Along Tuesday for some other great baby finds.

-stephanie