Nov-Dec 2006 Mommies - Toddlerhood

[Nov-Dec2006Mommies]

Welcome November and December 2006 Mommies!
Toddlerhood: tod·dler·hood: the state or time of being a toddler; early childhood.

http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e144/ellidew/wonderpets2.jpg

Baby Threads
First Edition: They're Here, Now What? The First Months (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=28424)
Second Edition: Nov-Dec 2006 Mommies On Our Way to 1st Birthdays (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34402)

Moderator: ellidew PM me with questions or comments! I don't always log into the Nov-Dec2006Mommies username

November 2006 Threads
Open for posting! We're Pregnant! (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=16429)
The 2nd Trimester (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=19312)
The 3rd Trimester (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=22864)
The Babies are Arriving!!! (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25730)

December 2006 Threads
We're in our second trimester!!! (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18128)
Past the halfway point! (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=23660)
Here Come the babies! (http://www.constantchatter.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26882)

**Please post all updates in RED!! Thank you!

LIST OF CHILDREN BY BIRTHDATE:

October
10 Wesley Frederick, roberta
13 Hilary, katnbug
30 Carolina Chloe Layne, Kyrsten
30 Miranda Kimie, mimieliza

NOVEMBER:
1 Maya, mayham
2 Ian Alexander, Rubbersoul
2 Noah Benjamin, mandersald
3 Miles Charles, ellidew
5 Layla Kathryn, euphorea
8 Daria, Ilovemygeek
9 Sydney Elyce, Franni
10 Devin, catgirl1007
12 Victor Javier, civats
12 Hiro, polydctylcat
14 Katherine (Katie), Lizzie Beth
15 Kathleen Christina, Lilla
20 Mitchell, Delaney21
20 Matthew, acrane
20 Lauren, neenbean
21 Gavin, lilo
22 Molly, bijouparvin
27 Grady, rosa727
29 Benjamin Aaron, ausi2b

DECEMBER:
2 Tyler Kekoa, Rancid13
4 Elizabeth "Elise" Zoe & Corinne Victoria (twins), sophiapb
5 Finnian (Finn) Maddox, Teresita
5 Samuel Lee, mobox
6 Julia Grace and Benjamin Luke (twins), AmyE
7 Jonah, Carissa
12 Lucas Shannon ("Luke"), msnicolea
12 Brendon Sean, fms
14 Tyler, Sandy
14 Ameer, janu98
20 Trever, tinkerbelljenny
21 Joshua Adam, NJMom
21 MJ, bluebunny
22 Justin Antoine. Kimmer
22 Grace Elizabeth, Sunshine0928
30 Dominic, Pacificbliss
31 Clara, Allison78

January
4 Charlotte, katmg

[Nov-Dec2006Mommies]

Members:

CC Name: acrane
DS Name: Matthew
Me: 34
DH: 31
Married: August 18, 2002
EDD: November 26, 2006
ADD: November 20, 2006
Time of Birth: 2:19 pm
Weight: 7 lbs 7 ozs
Length: 19.5 inches
Other Children: Andrew, who turns 3 next month!

Allison78
CC Name: Allison78
DD Name: Clara
Me: 29
DH: 31
Married: January 17, 2004
EDD: Dec. 27, 2006
ADD: Dec. 31, 2006
Time of Birth: 6:33 am
Weight: 7 lbs 5 ozs
Length: 21 inches
Other Children: Fur Children

http://www.allisonjanes.com/Clara/clarasmall.jpg

CC name: AmyE
DC names: Julia Grace and Benjamin Luke (twins)
Me: Amy, 34
DH: DH, 34
Married: 2003
EDD: 12/28/06 (40 week)
ADD: 12/06 (37 weeks - full term for twins!)
Time of birth: 3:24 and 3:25 pm
weight: 6lbs and 5 lbs 13 oz
length: 19" and 19.5"
Other DC: DS, 4/05

CC Name: ausi2b
DS Name: Benjamin Aaron
Me: 28
DH: 29
Married: August 11, 2002
EDD: November 24, 2006
ADD: November 29, 2006
Time of Birth: 3:57 pm
Weight: 7lbs 13oz
Length:21 inches
Other Children: N/A

CC Name: bijouparvin
DD Name: Molly
Me: 29
DH: 28
Married: 8/6/04
EDD: 11/17/06
ADD: 11/22/06
Time of Birth: 8:48 AM
Weight: 8lbs. 11 oz.
Length: 20"

CC Name: bluebunny
DD Name: MJ
Me: 32
DH: 33
Married: Sept. 2001
EDD: December 23
ADD: December 21
Time of Birth: 2:38 a.m.
Weight: 7 lb. 11 oz.
Length: 21 inches
Other Children: DS 2 years old

CC Name: Calla Lilly
DS Name: Jonathan
Me: 33
DH: 38
Married: August 2005
EDD: November 23, 2006
ADD: November 27, 2006
Time of Birth: 12:15 AM
Weight: 9 lbs 6.6oz
Length:19

CC Name: Carissa
DS Name: Jonah
Me: Carissa, 27
DH: Eric, 26
Married: 8/17/2002
EDD: 12/26/2006
ADD: 12/7/2006
Time of Birth: 10:04 am
Weight: 6lbs 14 oz
Length: 20"
Other Children: DD Grace ,19 months

CC Name: catgirl1007
DS Name: Devin
Me: 37
DH: 36
Married: 10/25/03
EDD: 11/9/06
ADD: 11/10/06
Weight: 8 lbs. 11 oz.
Length: 21"
Other Children: DD, 10/8/04

CC Name: Civats
DS Name: Victor Javier
Me: 34
DH: 45
Married:11/29/04
EDD: Nov 14, 2006
ADD: Nov 12, 2006
Time of Birth: 1:41 pm
Weight: 7lbs 13 oz
Length:20 inches
Other Children: none

CC Name: Delaney21
DS Name: Mitchell
Me: Jessica, 27
DH: Kyle, 28
Married: 6-14-03
EDD: 12-10-06
ADD: 11-20-06
Time of Birth: 2:41
Weight: 6lbs, 6ozs
Length: 19in

CC Name: ellidew
DS Name: Miles Charles
Me: 26
DH: 28
Married: June 1, 2002
EDD: November 7, 2006
ADD: November 3, 2006
Time of Birth: 12:03 AM
Weight: 7lbs 11oz
Length:20.75
Other Children: Furbaby, Bogart

CC Name: euphorhea
DC Name: Layla Kathryn
Me: Rhea, 29
DH: Gene, 27
Married: 06.21.03
EDD: 11.07.06
ADD: 11.05.06
Time of Birth: 4:46 pm
Weight: 6 lbs. 8 oz.
Length: 20 in.
Other Children: None

CC Name: fms
DC Name: Brendon Sean
Me: Felicia, 29
DH: Derek, 31
Married: 06/22/02
EDD: 12/16/06
ADD: 12/12/06
Time of Birth: 3:19 pm
Weight: 8 lbs. 6 oz.
Length: 21.5 in.
Other Children: Kitties: Loki and Freya

CC Name: Franni
DC Name: Sydney Elyce
Me: Franni, 37
DH: George, 31
Married: 09/21/02
EDD: 11/19/06
ADD: 11/09/06
Time of Birth: 12:24 pm
Weight: 6 lbs. 1 oz.
Length: 20 in.

CC Name: Ilovemygeek
DS Name: Daria
Me: Rachel, 24
DH: Trevor, 24
Married: June 8, 2002
EDD: November 10, 2006
ADD: November 8, 2006
Time of Birth: 6:40pm
Weight: 7lb 7oz
Length: 21in

CC Name: katmg
DD Name: Charlotte
Me: 27
DH: 31
Married: 11/08/2003
EDD: 12/31/2006
ADD: 1/04/2007
Weight: 7 lb.
Length: 19
Other Children: she's our first

CC Name: katnbug
DD Name: DD Hilary
Me: K, 37
DH: C, 32
Married: 4/26/03
EDD: 11/3/06
ADD: 10/13/06
Time of Birth: 8:49am
Weight: 7lbs
Length: 19 1/2
Other Children: DS Grayson 2yrs

CC Name: Kimmer
DS Name: Justin Antoine
Me: 31
DH: 31
Married: November 5, 2005
EDD: December 17, 2006
ADD: Devember 22, 2006
Time of Birth: 8:54 P.M.
Weight: 8lbs 5oz
Length:20

CC Name: Kyrsten
DD Name: Carolina Chloe Layne
Me: Kyrsten, 31
DH: John, 32
Married: September 22, 2001
EDD: 11/2/06
ADD: 10/30/06
Time of Birth: 1:33 p.m.
Weight: 9 pounds, 5 ounces
Length: 21 inches

CC Name: Lilla
DD Name: Kathleen Christina
Me: 31
DH: 34
Married: October 12, 2002
EDD: November 4, 2006
ADD: November 15, 2006
Time of Birth: 5:30 pm
Weight: 8 lbs 10 ozs
Length: 20.75 inches
Other Children: Two furbabies - Zeke & Nellie

CC Name: lilo
DS Name: Gavin
Me: 30
DH: 32
Married: 2002
EDD: November 24, 2006
ADD: November 21, 2006
Time of Birth: 4pm
Weight: 7lbs 4 oz
Length:20 inches
Other Children: He's our first

CC Name: Lizzie Beth
DC Name: Katherine (Katie)
Me: Beth, 32 (my birthday was yesterday)
DH: Alex, 33
Married: June 15, 02
EDD: November 21, 06
ADD: November 14, 06
Time of Birth: 10:33 pm
Weight: 7lbs, 10 ozs.
Length: I forget..
Other Children: Susannah, born December 26, 2004

CC Name: Mandersald
DS Name: Noah Benjamin
Me: Manders, 26
DH: Noah's dad, 26
Married: 8/27/04
EDD: 12/12/06
ADD: 11/2/06
Time of Birth: 1:50 am
Weight: 5lbs 14 ounces
Length: 18.5 inches
Other Children: furbabies Miles and Otto

CC Name: mayham
DC Name: Maya
Me: 29
DH: 30
Married: 2002
EDD: 11/25/06
ADD: 11/1/06
Weight: 6 lb. 6 oz.
Length: 19.5
Other Children: She's our first

CC Name: mimieliza
DD Name: Miranda Kimie
Me: Michelle, 28
DH: Reid, 30
Married: August 9, 2003
EDD: November 10, 2006
ADD: October 30, 2006
Time of Birth: 3:56 PM
Weight: 7 lbs 1 oz
Length: 19"
Other Children: Furbabies Miles (dog) and Neenah (cat)

CC Name: mobox
DS Name: Samuel Lee
Me: Mo, 36
DH: Dave, 36
Married: 6/19/04
EDD: 12/16/06
ADD: 12/5/06
Time of Birth: 5:57pm
Weight: 6-10
Length: 19.5

CC Name: Mona
DS Name: Ameer
Me: 28
DH: 31
Married:9/3/03
EDD: Dec 26, 2006
ADD: Dec 14, 2006
Time of Birth: 4:49 am
Weight: 7lbs 13 oz
Length:20.5 inches
Other Children: Our first

CC Name: msnicolea
DS Name: Lucas Shannon ("Luke")
Me: 35
DH: 34
Married: October 11, 2003
EDD: December 15, 2006
ADD: December 12, 2006
Time of Birth: 1:07pm
Weight: 8lbs 2oz
Length:20 1/2 inches
Other Children: He's our first

CC Name: neenbean
DD Name: Lauren
Me: 31
DH: 31
Married: November 15, 2003
EDD: November 30, 2006
ADD: November 20, 2006
Time of Birth: 11:53 AM
Weight: 7lbs 14oz
Length: 21.25
Other Children: DD Catherine, 3-19-05

CC Name: NJMom
DS Name: Joshua Adam
Me: Jen, 36
DH: Gary, 47
Married: 9/14/02
EDD: 12/29/06
ADD: 12/21/06
Time of Birth: 8:41 am
Weight: 8lbs 12 ounces
Length: 19 3/4 inches
Other Children: twin boys Jacob and Brayden born 2/15/05

[Nov-Dec2006Mommies]

Members II:

CC Name: Pacificbliss
DC Name: Dominic
Me: 32
DH: 32
Married: 3/12/2004
EDD: 12/21/2006
ADD: 12/30/2006
Weight: 8 lb. 12 oz.
Length: 21
Other Children: he's our first

CC Name: polydctylcat
DS Name: Hiro
Me: Megumi, 27
DH: Joe, 29
Married: 6/8/01
EDD: 12/23/06
ADD: 12/12/06
Time of Birth: 3:55 p.m.
Weight: 6 lb. 10 oz.
Length: 19.5 oz.
Other Children: Aiko, age 4

CC Name: Rancid13
DS Name: Tyler Kekoa
Me: Jennifer, 28
DH: Sonny, 31
Married: Dec 13, 2003
EDD: Nov 30 or Dec 3, 2006
ADD: Dec 2, 2006
Time of Birth: 8:29pm
Weight: 7lbs8oz
Length: 20"
Other Children: None

CC Name: roberta
DD Name: Wesley Frederick
Me: Roberta, 28
DH: Zak, 30
Married: November 15, 2003
EDD: November 20, 2006
ADD: October 10, 2006
Time of Birth: 2:37 PM
Weight: 5 lbs 1 oz
Length: 17"
Other Children: Furbabies Barley (pug) and Sydney (Aust. shepherd)

CC Name: rosa727
DS Name: Grady
Me: Rose-Anne, 28
DH: Eric, 28
Married: July 27, 2002
EDD: December 3, 2006
ADD: November 27, 2006
Time of Birth: 12:39AM
Weight: 7 pounds, 2 ounces
Length: 21 inches

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/IMG_3252.jpg

CC Name: RubberSoul
DS Name: Ian Alexander
Me: Ann, 30
DH: Jack, 30
Married: 10/22/05
EDD: 11/13/06
ADD: 11/2/06
Time of Birth: 9:28pm
Weight: 6lbs 50zs
Length: 19 inches
Other Children: Stepson Zach, and furbaby Hunter

CC Name: Sandy
DS Name: Tyler
Me: 28
DH: 31
Married: 6/29/02
EDD: 12/30/06
ADD: 12/14/06
Time of Birth: 1249pm
Weight: 6lb 9oz
Length: 20.5"
Other Children: None

CC Name: sophiapb
DC Name: Elizabeth "Elise" Zoe and Corinne Victoria
Me: Sophia, 39
DH: John, 33
Married: May 26, 02
EDD: December 24, 06
ADD: December 4, 06
Time of Birth: 10:49 am (Elise) & 10:51 am (Corinne)
Weight: 5 lbs 15 ounces (Elise) & 6 lbs 6 ounces (Corinne)
Length: 18 1/2 inches (Elise) & 19 inches (Corinne)
Other Children: Alexa and Alexander born May 26, 05
Alexander was stillborn but I still like to include him. Hope that's okay.

CC Name: Sunshine0928
DC Name: Grace Elizabeth
Me: Lisa, 31
DH: Keith, 34
Married: 09/28/02
EDD: 12/20/06
ADD: 12/22/06
Time of Birth: 11:38 pm
Weight: 7 lbs. 14 oz.
Length: 21 in.
Other Children: None

CC Name: Teresita
DS Name: Finnian (Finn) Maddox
Me: Terry, 34
DH: Gavin, 32
Married: 6/1/02
EDD: 12/18/06
ADD: 12/5/06
Time of Birth: 6:14 am
Weight: 7 lbs 6 oz
Length: 20.5 inches
Other Children: Mia Elise, born 7/24/04 (and two beloved dogs!)

CC Name: tinkerbelljenny
DS Name: Trever
Me: Jenny, 33
DH: Gary, 42
Married: 10/20/2002
EDD: 12/22/06
ADD: 12/20/06
Time of Birth: 6:38 AM (emergency c-section)
Weight: 9 pounds 3 oz
Length: 21 inches
Other Children: DS Tyler 7/15/03

[Nov-Dec2006Mommies]

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[Nov-Dec2006Mommies]

Welcome to toddlerhood!!

I can only imagine what surprises are in store for us as we travel through toddlerhood. Here's wishing for happy times full of smiles and laughter! :D Enjoy your trip!

If you'd like to update with a toddler picture please post and indicate you'd like it updated in RED! I'm going to do pictures a little differently this time and actually post them along with your member information.

Looking forward to the next year!

~Cheers!

[Rancid13]

This calls for celery, Wonderpets! To the flyboat!!

It just so happens we're watching Wonderpets right now and I love the picture in the first post and the avatar. :D

Yay for a new thread and I CANNOT believe we have toddlers on our hands.

[Calla Lilly]

Thanks for starting the new thread. Could you add me? Thanks!

CC Name: Calla Lilly
DS Name: Jonathan
Me: 33
DH: 38
Married: August 2005
EDD: November 23, 2006
ADD: November 27, 2006
Time of Birth: 12:15 AM
Weight: 9 lbs 6.6oz
Length:19

[pacificbliss]

To commemorate the new toddler thread my little monkey slipped and bonked his face on the coffee table. He has a real shiner :( Poor guy he's bumped his head before but the black eye is a first.

[ellidew]

Oh poor baby. Ds still has the cut from his collision with a coffee table and it happened on New Years Day. The black eye has finally healed. I was embarassed to take him out like people were going to think i beat him or something.

Calla Lilly- i'm getting ready to leave my office for today but i'll do updates in here tomorrow!

Rancid- I'm getting ds a wonder pets coloring book for his easter basket! He really likes the wonder pets, or maybe i like the wonder pets. He only stops playing to watch momentarily but he lights up when the songs come on. He thinks it's funny if i sing them periodically throughout the day too and the ever popular ming-ming references. I just can't help it... pupa! supa dupa! It's funny stuff. lol :D

[AmyE]

Julia took her first steps on Sunday, and Ben is sometimes standing unsupported.

SO yesterday when I was travelling for business I saw these adorable outfits that had little bells as buttons. 3 dollars each, so I bought one for each twin. What could be more perfect than bells in a toddler? You'd always know when they managed to get the bathroom door open...now if only I had bought them a size bigger. Turns out my kidlets are not as small as I think they are, and can wear their new bells for maybe today. And perhaps again this week, but that's it. :rolleyes: Guess I have to go back and get new ones! I keep thinking they are still babies, but obviously not!

[Calla Lilly]

Thanks, Ellidew!

No black eye yet, but with all of the bumps I am sure that is coming. Especially since ds is starting to climb more and more. For example, he prefers to walk up a slide to going down it.

I love reading about what all of our "toddlers" are doing, because it gives me ideas on what to work on with ds. Per Rosa's post I started doing body parts and it is amazing how quickly they catch on to things now. Ellidew inspired me to get out the blocks and I was surprised to find that ds could stack 3. Any suggestions on animal sounds? DS loves dogs and will bark if you ask what a dog says (or if you just mention anything about dogs or barking). He also will sssss if you ask him what a snake says or roar if you ask about a lion. Any other suggestions? He isn't catching on to Moo, Baa or Meow. He also will pick up his dinosaur and roar. I love watching the little wheels turn. I am definately seeing him as a toddler instead of a baby.

I have also noticed he is starting to get more into music. If I sing Row Row Row your boat he will sing (okay say) Row Row Row. I also noticed him making noises that sounded like his nightime cd (which the poor kid has been listening to since he was 8 mos). I am by no means a musical person, so I am going to make more of an effort to make certain he is around music each day.

I am also trying to do more art work with him. DS is in daycare 3 days a week and has been coming home with some great artwork, and they say he loves doing artwork. This week I started doing water colors with him. I am also going to get some big stampers for him. Has anyone figured out a non messy way to do finger painting? Not possible?

DS has also finally started to let me read to him. Mainly this happens when I nurse him at night or before a nap. He loves to play with books (especially to pull them off bookshelves), but the other day he actually brought a book to me to read. Of course that only lasted for a few pages before he took the book back and went on his way.

I am also starting to work on him helping to pick up his toys. I have a basket of balls that I am getting him to put in the basket. He likes to knock over the basket once he is done, so the balls spill out...but I figure it is a start. He loves putting the ball in the basket so we can cheer for him. I love that he does something, and then looks up looking for the cheers and clapping (and then will happily join in).

Yay for Julia taking her first steps! Sounds like Ben will be right behind her!

[ellidew]

We're snowed in today! Dh took our 4 wheel drive vehicle to get to work so we're dancing around the house and being incredibly silly. This morning while i cut veggies for stew i gave miles a bunch of reddi whip on his high chair tray to play with and he kept calling them bubbles, eating them, and saying 'yummy' lol. It was cute to watch! I got a little on video but the battery was dying so i put the camera on the charger if i get it uploaded today i'll share!

[mobox]

Samuel has been taking a couple steps at a time. Max, 2. He so isn't interested in walking yet. It's kind of funny. My doc said the fastest crawlers sometimes walk really late. He is FAST on his hands and knees.

But he's **this** close!

Did anyone notice a change in behavior, sleeping, etc when their DC started walking? I've noticed some marked changes in Sam's behavior.

[rosa727]

I have two questions for y'all...

1. I think many of your DC are down to one nap per day. If so, how long after getting up for the day do they go down? G goes down about 4 hours later (around 11:30). He seems to need to go down that early (or earlier). But he only naps about 1.5 hours, so he is beat by bedtime (7PM). But he WILL NOT take 2 naps. What am I missing? Does he just need to nap longer? Should I hold off putting him down and risk him getting overtired? What do you all do? How long do your kids nap?

2. spoon feeding - G still lets me spoon feed him, but I know he is going to start resisting. He eats tons of things with his fingers, but I don't think he is really ready for a spoon on his own. Does anyone have suggestions for this in-between time? Just feed finger foods? Let him go crazy with the spoon? Keep spoon-feeding him?

************************************************** ************

Here is a recent picture, could you post it?
http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/IMG_3252.jpg

and, just for fun, a recent video of him playing on his new climber:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/th_MVI_3268mpg-edited-newclimber.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/?action=view&current=MVI_3268mpg-edited-newclimber.flv)

We brought G to the doctor last week, since he had a cold, and he was 22 pound, 2 ounces, so he is still around 25th % in weight. We won't know his height until his 15 month WBV, but I can tell he is tall. His baby girlfriend is a month older and 32.5 inches. He is barely shorter.

Grady is now opening doors, saying "bye bye" a lot, and pushing his toy trucks around the playroom. We also just joined Gymboree, which he adores.

[ellidew]

I have two questions for y'all...

1. I think many of your DC are down to one nap per day. If so, how long after getting up for the day do they go down? G goes down about 4 hours later (around 11:30). He seems to need to go down that early (or earlier). But he only naps about 1.5 hours, so he is beat by bedtime (7PM). But he WILL NOT take 2 naps. What am I missing? Does he just need to nap longer? Should I hold off putting him down and risk him getting overtired? What do you all do? How long do your kids nap?

2. spoon feeding - G still lets me spoon feed him, but I know he is going to start resisting. He eats tons of things with his fingers, but I don't think he is really ready for a spoon on his own. Does anyone have suggestions for this in-between time? Just feed finger foods? Let him go crazy with the spoon? Keep spoon-feeding him?



Hey rosa.

Miles only takes 1 nap per day and goes down at the same time as Grady. The school (only goes on Thursdays) feeds him lunch at 11 and then he takes a nap at 11:30. At home we sometimes put him down before lunch and feed him when he wakes up. He sleeps 1.5-3 hours. Over the weekend he slept nearly 3 hours on Saturday and 2 on Sunday. Keeping him up past 7 is a challenge a lot of days. We try to push off bath time until 7:30. We also don't eat until close to 7 so it's the last thing we do before bath time. I used to think this was weird but i've asked around and apparently it's fairly common. I personally think it rocks that we get a mid morning break (last friday i spent my time cleaning the house but sometimes i just sit and veg!) and then he goes to bed early enough that dh and i get some alone time.

Miles feeds himself almost entirely now. Sometimes he hands the spoon to me to put something on it and then he puts it to his mouth and then to dh, back to me, and so on. It's cute. I'd say give him a combo of finger foods and spoon foods and let him go crazy and help him by spoon feeding him too. I spent a lot of time having Miles hold the spoon and then holding my hand over his and scooping up food and then bringing the food to his mouth. It didn't take long for him to catch on. That being said, he still fistfuls broccoli, peas, and green beans into his mouth! lol.

But he's **this** close!

Did anyone notice a change in behavior, sleeping, etc when their DC started walking? I've noticed some marked changes in Sam's behavior.

Almost there! I didn't notice a change in Miles behavior but my sisters daughter stopped sleeping through the night until a couple of months after she started walking. The ped told them that sometimes a childs mind get preoccupied with what it could be doing that it just runs wild. Kind of like me when i have too many projects started and nothing finished!

Julia took her first steps on Sunday, and Ben is sometimes standing unsupported.

Yay! They'll both be walking before you know it! What a shame about the outfits! I CANNOT judge clothes by just looking at them. I don't have an eye for it. I bought a shirt from gymboree one day with my mom and i thought it looked small and she said it looked big. She was right. It fits but it's a little long in the sleeves and length wise.

[rosa727]

ellidew: Thanks for the input! G naps 2-3 hours occasionally, but it is usually about 1.5. He gets 12.5-13 hours of sleep at night, so I know his overall total is plenty, but I feel like he struggles to get through the day with a 1.5 hour nap. Though I don't think there is much I can do to extend it.

I probably need to let him experiment with the spoon more!

[Rancid13]

Ellidew~ Tyler had a black eye on his birthday. I told people he got in a hockey fight and said "you should see the other guy". Either that or I told them I beat him (only to friends/family members who would understand that I was joking, though). We got into Wonder Pets from my niece who loved them a couple years ago and loves singing the "teamwork" song. Tyler's mesmerized by them and by the singing.

AmyE~ Yay for Julia walking! I'm sure Ben will follow in her footsteps shortly. ;)

Rosa~ Such a cute pic and video of Grady! It looks like the climber was a big hit!

Mobox~ I can't believe Sam is starting to take steps! That's awesome! He'll be walking before you know it!

Naps~ Tyler is still taking 2 naps a day 5-6 days a week. The other 1-2 days he'll take only a morning nap. The weekend before last he was taking 5-6 hours worth of naps each day even after sleeping 12 hours at night. I think we're just tiring him out with all our playing.

No walking yet, just lots of cruising using ANYthing, lots of speed-crawling and on occasion testing out his balance using no hands to hold onto anything.

I gave him dinner one night last week, and was getting his bath prepped, and kept hearing him banging on his tray and laughing hysterically. I came out to see what was so funny. When he banged on his tray, his food (rice, beans, peas) bounced around and he got a kick out of it.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/th_Tyler2-4-08012.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/?action=view&current=Tyler2-4-08012.flv)


Tyler spends 3 days a week with his 3yo cousin at my mom's house and she's fascinated with racing. She makes my mom say "1-2-3-GO!" and then will race from one end of the house to the other. Tyler got into it and will say "Gaaaaah!" after the 1-2-3.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/th_Tyler2-4-08075.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/?action=view&current=Tyler2-4-08075.flv)

Being silly with his board book...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/Tyler2-4-08019.jpg


Last week we went to the Discovery Science Center and he had a BLAST pushing buttons, playing with things, and crawling & cruising around. We'll definitely be going back again.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/2-4-08006.jpg

Getting into trouble...er...our candy drawer
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/Tyler%202008/1-11-08013.jpg

[sunshine0928]

Rancid - that video with him laughing was so cute! It's funny the things they find amusing.

naps- At DC, Grace will only take 1 nap that lasts 2-3 hours. She goes down after they eat lunch around 11:30. I have tried to tell them to put her down for more but they can't..they say all the parents say the same thing. There is probably too much action/excitement with the kids playing in her room. At home, I usually am successful in getting her to take 2 naps. She still goes to bed during the week by 7 and on the weekend typically by 7:30.

Feeding - She mostly wants to hand feed herself except for yogurt which she still allows us to feed her. I have tried a few time with teaching her the spoon but I just need to be consistent and kepp trying.

walking - G can do about 8-10 steps and then gives in and crawls. The lightbulb I am sure will go on soon that she should walk all the time. We'll see.

We started Kindermusik 2 weekends ago. She is not super intrested yet but everyone is very nice. I think she has been tired and has fallen asleep both times on the way home. Class is at 9:15, I guess I bore her :) At DC, she is still playing at that time as I just wrote. On Friday, she was diagnosed with another double ear infection. That totally explained why she would wake up screaming in the middle of the night. She is back to sleeping well, thank goodness! One of the other kids in her class had a seizure last week at DC...she had a high fever and a double ear infection. As soon as I heard that story, I decided to take G to the Dr. Sometimes I feel like I go too often but I need to stop thinking that as my hunch is usually right on.

[pacificbliss]

Grrr, photobucket is down so I can't see any of the videos right now. All the pictures are cute though!

naps D takes one nap that starts at 12:00 or so and sleeps until anywhere from 1:30-3:00. He generally goes down about 8:00 PM and wakes up between 6:00 and 7:00.

[rosa727]

OK, so what the heck am I doing wrong with naps? What can I do to help him sleep longer? There has to be SOMETHING I can try! Though I do wonder whether it is just going to be shorter since he sleeps 12.5 hours at night. Many of the babies that take long naps sleep only 10-11 hours at night. I know some of you have super-sleepers, but I don't think that's the norm (to sleep 12 at night and then take a 3 hour nap during the day).

The cutest thing happened today. I was giving Grady a massage, and when I leaned down to kiss him, he grabbed my face with both hands and kissed me right on the lips! He actually puckered up too! Then he kept doing it - liek pushing my face away and pulling it back to kiss me again. It was so cute.

Oh, I wanted to share another video. Grady is pointing out his body parts in the tub. I was really happy to get it on video.

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/th_MVI_3244mpg-edited-tubby.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/?action=view&current=MVI_3244mpg-edited-tubby.flv)

Rancid: Those videos are hilarious! The one of him laughing is SO cute. What a cute laugh he has!

[ausi2b]

Rosa - remind me again what Grady is doing with his naps? Ben is sleeping about 12 hours at night and has switched to 1 nap recently. He gets up around 7ish and takes a nap right after lunch. Sometimes I get 1.5 hours, sometimes I get 2.5-3. I figure that the kid needs about 13.5-14 hours of sleep each day/night right now. So if he only takes a 1 hour nap, I try to put him down earlier that night. So far it works for us. Also, I've found that he might wake up from a nap at 1 hour, and I'll let him cry for a few minutes and he'll re-settle in his nap. If he cries and doesn't stop, I'll put him on the couch with me, turn on some cartoons or something, and let him lay with me for the remainder of his "nap" time, be it 20-30 minutes. Hope that helps.

[mobox]

At DC, Grace will only take 1 nap that lasts 2-3 hours. She goes down after they eat lunch around 11:30. I have tried to tell them to put her down for more but they can't..they say all the parents say the same thing. There is probably too much action/excitement with the kids playing in her room. At home, I usually am successful in getting her to take 2 naps. She still goes to bed during the week by 7 and on the weekend typically by 7:30.

This is us EXACTLY! Sam takes two naps on the weekends. First at 10am, lunch at 12:00, second nap at 2. But at DC, he takes one 2 hour nap at about 12:30.

[RubberSoul]

It has been quite a while since I have had a chance to post, but I have been doing my best to read and follow along!

Ian is doing great now that he is over his illness. He had Roseola last week and that was actually quite scary because we didn't know what was going on for several days. He just developed a super high fever out of the blue, but no other symptoms. One night his fever shot up to 105.1 and we had to make a trip to the ER. After his fever broke he developed the rash and had puffy eyes. We went to our Pediatrician when the fever started, but he never mentioned Roseola as a possibility. I have asked around and most of my friends with kids have never heard of it. Anyway, the poor kid was feeling pretty rotten for a while and we weren't getting much sleep with his fever so high at night. We are all happy to have things back to normal!

Walking - Ian is a champ now and has started running too. Bumps and bruises are pretty common now. His first real injury was on his first birthday. He fell into some wire shelves and got a cut just above his eye. He has a scar now that hopefully will go away over time.

Food - He has become super picky about everything. Trying to get him to eat is a major challenge. What he eats one day, he won't eat the next. It is a constant guessing game of what he will eat that day. It was really bad when he was sick. He wouldn't even eat our fall back foods like, cheese on toast or fruit. He used to be a great eater, but not anymore. He isn't using a spoon much but we give him one during meals and he attemps to use it.

Naps - Still taking two naps a day and he is 15 months. He goes down for the first one around 9:30-10 and will sleep 1-2 hours and takes the second one around 3:30-4 and will sleep 1-2 hours. At night he goes to bed around 7:30 and sleeps till about 7 or 7:30.

Talking - Vocabulary is really starting to take off. He says: mama, dada, car, dog, cracker, papa(grandpa), juice and some others I can't think of. He is also doing more signs now too. When we say car he starts driving a really big steering wheel in the air, it is so cute.

Sounds and body parts - He knows mouth, nose, ears, toes, belly and head. He will also make sounds for his cars and animals. He knows the sound for dog, cat and cow.

~~~~~~~~~

Good to hear that everyone is doing well. All the pictures are cute!!

Rosa - I can't believe the amount of teeth Grady has. That is just incredible.

[rosa727]

ausi2b: Grady is taking about a 1.5 hour nap, sometimes a bit less. He sleeps from 7-7:30ish most days, so that's a total of 14 hours. Maybe he just doesn't need a longer nap? It just seems everyone on here has super nappers. Though everyone I talk to IRL seems to have a terrible napper and I end up feeling like he's a good napper.

RubberSoul: Grady is going through a picky stage too. He used to love everything. Now he is doing the thing where each day is different - who knows what he will like today?

Yeah, he has all of his teeth! Well, not his 2 year molars, but let's hope those hold off for a bit!

[AmyE]

Naaahh. the twins are great nappers either. Ben will nap for 1.5 to 2 hours in the late morning, but that's it for the day. He is "sleeping" from about 6:30 to 6ish in the morning, usually with one wakeup.

Julia takes two naps but usually for only an hour. Or, longer in the morning but only 30 mins in the afternoon. Also sleeping for about 12hours at night. Soo, not bad sleepers overall, in total hours.

DS1 though would take a 2 2-hour naps until he was close to 2, then he would sleep for 3 hours in midafternoon. I sure miss those days....

[mobox]

We are definitely well on our way to walking over here. Sam has started taking more and more steps as he gains confidence. He still prefers to crawl though. and we have our fist major climbing/walking incident. He fell onto the edge of a table at my brother's house and now he has this huge purple bruise on his cheek. I have NEVER heard him cry quite as hard.:(

[Allison78]

CC Name: Allison78
DD Name: Clara
Me: 29
DH: 31
Married: January 17, 2004
EDD: Dec. 27, 2006
ADD: Dec. 31, 2006
Time of Birth: 6:33 am
Weight: 7 lbs 5 ozs
Length: 21 inches
Other Children: Fur Children

Here's a pic of Ms. Clara:
http://www.allisonjanes.com/Clara/clarasmall.jpg

We haven't been around much as C has too much to do to let me be on the computer but now that I'm back at work, I hope to post more! Love to hear about all the babies who are now toddlers!!

C is not walking yet b/c crawling is just so much easier!! She says "Mama", "Daddy", "Ellie" (our dog), "dat" (light), "bop" (pot), "Umpa" (grandpa) and she shakes her head no, nods yes and points to food, drink and bed if she wants any of those things.

:) Allison

[AmyE]

Welcome Allison (and Clara - what a cutie!)

[Nov-Dec2006Mommies]

Welcome Allison78!

[mobox]

Hey! I have a walker on my hands. He started taking steps about 2-3 weeks ago and has now progressed to full on walking, although he still loves to crawl too.

[rosa727]

YAAAAAY Sam!

[ellidew]

Mobox - YAY! Walking is WAY better than crawling. I found that hand holding while walking has taken a little practice though. :)

[mobox]

I would say he's 50-50 right now with walking and crawling. He's still very wobbly but he takes more and more steps in a row each day. He's the king of falling down though...he's taken it to the cheek, chin, and forhead already!

[rosa727]

Yeah, I don't understand why people dread walking. To me it is way better than crawling. You can actually take them places and not worry about their face and hands being all over the ground. Grady was a SUPER fast crawler and could pull up on anything, so he got into just as much. It was a relief when he started walking. But yeah, he's not big on hand-holding either. He does the "shoulder drop" and shakes his hand free :p

[Ilovemygeek]

I have been awful about posting, but I am still following along. Daria seems so grown up these days. I am loving how much she can interact and she seems to be the opposite of most of the kiddos in this group, she loves holding hands! If I am having trouble getting her to cooperate, I just ask her to hold my hand while we clean up, walk to the door, etc. It's great!

Here she is with her favorite toy of the moment:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3018/2287415066_82656e6822.jpg

In her ball pit/bouncer she got for Christmas from her Aunt and Uncle:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2287414596_6107cf2af5.jpg

I just think she looks so sweet and innocent (ha!) here:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3181/2286626079_c711d82a30.jpg

[mobox]

Cute photos of DAria!

[pacificbliss]

Walking here too. He just started this week. He's a little wobbly but can cross a room :)

[pacificbliss]

Dominic has been busy trying to assign words to everything. Most of them make no sense but a few are very clear: Mommy, Daddy, dog, bye-bye, hi and uh-oh are all used appropriately. He takes some creative license though. For example, all dogs and bears are dogs and Daddy and all monkeys are daddy. So funny.

[rosa727]

talking:We have had lots of talking around here too. I don't know whether I just wasn't understanding him before or whether he just started talking a lot out of the blue, but Grady went from saying about 2 words to saying more than I can count. His big ones are mama, dada, bye bye, hi, ball, bubbles, uh oh, moo, cocka doodle doo, baa, woof, meow, ear, eye, up, go, and he will also repeat just about anything I say (or try to). It's also funny because he tries to impersonate every sound he hears - cars, phone ringing, birds, etc. But he doesn't necessarily know to go "ring ring" for a phone, so instead he will just make this high-pitched sound, which is actually more realistic.

sleep:I feel like I should knock wood before saying this, but Grady's sleep has really fallen into a nice pattern of 7-7 at night (STTN consistently) and a 1.5-2 hour nap each day. I finally feel rested and like we have a nice little routine going

hugging: He is big on hugging right now, especially little girls. It's really cute because he will meet a baby girl at the park or something and smile and throw his arms around her :)

15 month WBV: 32" (75th percentile) and 23 pounds (25th percentile). He had a bunch of shots because we moved and this doctor wanted to catch him up on a few things they like to give. He did SO well with them and actually clapped when they were over. Not sure what that was about!

dancing: The boy LOOOVES music still and loves to get his groove on. At the mall he will start rocking out when we walk by Abercrombie or Hollister. He also sings (la la la) along and can sign "music".

[mobox]

Man, I gotta get the signing DVD. We have a book but it's not very big. I think I will do that this weekend.

Samuel had his 15 mo WBV. He got prevnar and polio shots but has reacted badly and has had a fever for two days. It's pretty scary but we're just trying to get through.

He is 33" and 25.13 pounds. Big boy! 95th and 75 percentile. He is walking all the time but is still very wobbly. He talks a lot, but mostly just mimicry. He says certain things on his own, especially dada, dig (dog), up, down, duck, quack, coco (the dog at day care). Hi and bye sometimes. Loves to make sounds, much like Grady. Airplane noises and singing like la-la-la. It fun!

Hope all is well with everyone, would love to see some new pics!

[rosa727]

mobox: I am so sorry to hear Samuel isn't feeling well. I hope he starts doing better soon. I can't remember off the top of my head, but there was one shot (at 9 months, I think) that made Grady miserable - fever, super cranky, etc.

I would like to get the signing DVDs too. We just use the book, but now that Grady actually does some signs, I am more excited and would like to try the DVD. Although G will barely watch TV, so that could be a problem.

Oh, and Sam IS big! I thought G was tall at 32 inches - WOW!

milk: I forgot to mention before that G has transitioned to regular whole milk now and is doing very well with it. He seems to like it better than the toddler formula and isn't having any tummy troubles. We waited until 15 months because of his past reflux issues that we thought were tied to dairy intolerance.

BTW, once you go to regular milk, you need to add a multi-vitamin drop, right? I forgot to discuss it with the pediatrician at his recent visit. I guess I should call, but I just wanted to see what you all were doing for that.

Oh, and why would I ever not post a picture? :p

Here is G - in his favorite place in the world - the tub!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/IMG_3369.jpg

his fake "hamming it up" smile:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/IMG_3372.jpg

He's SUCH a character!

[AmyE]

Rosa - cute pics!

Lemme see...news from our house: Julia decided last week that she prefers walking to crawling, so now she's toddling everywhere. Yeah! (silly me - my first thought was that I can finally put her in some cute dresses, since the hems won't get in the way of crawling anymore....just in time for Easter!)

Ben COULD probably walk, but he is still Lazy Ben and hasn't taken his first steps yet. He's a champion cruiser, can stand on his own to examine a toy with both hands, and will sometimes walk if you hold his hands. But only when he's in the mood. Otherwise, he'll just crawl or hold his hands in the air to be picked up, then point in the direction he wishes to be carried by his staff...sigh.

Ben also had conjunctivitis, courtesy of his big brother. Fortunately for us, it's the bacterial kind, which will clear up in a couple of days with the drops. Last year the family went through a round of the viral conj, which is way worse 'cause there isn't much you can do, and DH is STILL putting steroid drops in his eyes, 8 months later!!:eek:

Julia is also teething -molars are coming in, so my "good sleeper" isn't STTN this week. Not surprisingly, she wakes up just as the last round of motrin has worn off- seems like to the minute from the last scheduled dose. OTOH, Ben has finally decided to STTN, so at least one baby is still down.

Ben has also pretty much weaned at this point - I won't be surprised if our last nursing session was actually a couple of days ago. Julia is still pretty needy when I'm around, but with the teething, I'm not going to push it. I'd like them both weaned in April though, so not much longer.

Now if only I could make myself get rid of those pacifiers and bottles....

[mobox]

Yes, I too must get rid of the pacifier soon. Sam only gets it for naps and night but I do want to ween him of it soon.

My pede has never said anything about vitamin drops. If he's eating lots of fruits and veg, I think he's fine.

[Allison78]

Clara is doing well at almost 15 months. She's a hilarious little thing that makes us howl with laughter daily. Here's where she's at:

walking - NOPE! Sounds like she's a lot like Ben. She definitely *could* walk. She cruises around with her walker like a pro or even with you just holding one hand but she'd much rather crawl or be transported. :rolleyes:

talking - TONNES! She says so much. doggie, kitty, mama, dada, ball, baby, grampa, gramma, book and her newest "OH MAN!" HA! I said it the other day when I saw something worth exclaiming over and she copied me. Now she says it all the time and we howl.

weaning - Yup. She self-weaned about 2 weeks ago. We had gotten down to just the morning feed (she had voluntarily given up the evening) and then one morning she was just like "Nope!" She was done. That was easy!!

sleeping - SHE STTN!!! FINALLY! After a horrific year, sleep wise, she finally sleeps like an angel. 12 hours, no waking. We are in heaven, paradise, bliss. She literally did not sleep for more than 2 hours at a time for the first 12 months so we are going to enjoy this as long as it lasts!!

She loves to hug (especially the pets). Whenever she hugs she always says "Awwwww" b/c that's what we'd say whenever she hugged us. It's so cute. She will give kisses (open mouth, of course) if she's in the mood (also accompanied by "Awwwww"). She dances and will say "Dance Dance Dance" pronounced "Da Da Da" while doing it. She also makes her stuffed animals dance, while saying "Da Da Da". She waves and claps and points. She smiles constantly, though not for the camera.

There is so much more that I can't remember. Here are 2 recent pics:

A Black & White I took recently
http://www.allisonjanes.com/Clara/clarabwdesktop.jpg

A beautiful picture my friend took (that's me all fuzzy in the background)
http://www.allisonjanes.com/Clara/CRW_7146desktop.jpg

[Teresita]

I haven't been here in ages! I love seeing pictures of all your little ones--they are so cute!

Finn is doing great. He's full of energy, personality, and just lots of fun. I love this age--so much exploring and learning happening all the time, but it is exhausting, too!

Walking Finn's been walking/running for a couple of months now. He is a fast little bugger. He loves to try to run away from me at the park and then looks over his shoulder at me and laughs like it is all a big game. He can do a very small step/stair on his own, but still needs me to hold his hand for normal-size steps.

Talking A ton! Much more than my DD did at the same age. He also loves to make animal sounds, his favorites of which are "Moo!" "Neigh!" and "Meow"! His favorite word by far is "Mama." :)

Sleeping Not great, but better. He still isn't STTN, but he is down to (on average) 2 wakeups a night. Of course, he seems to sense when DH is out of town for work, and then he takes advantage and wakes up almost every hour.:rolleyes:

Weaning Not even close. He still nurses about 6 times in a 24-hour period. He does drink cow's milk from a sippy as well, but he sees the two as very different. When he wants to nurse and I offer the sippy, he looks at me like I am on crack, knocks away the sippy, and says emphatically "MAMA!" I am not interested in weaning yet, but I am thinking about how to set some limits since he is so into nursing, and I'd like him to understand that I am not a 24/7 all-hours cafe.

Hugs Finn is so into hugs I just love it. When I am in the kitchen cooking or washing dishes, I will feel his arms around my legs and his head burrowing into my calves and it melts my heart.

No Fear Anyone else's kid have no fear and no understanding of gravity?:) I swear Finn is always climbing things (chairs, stereo components, the dog, etc.) and then launching himself off them. Scares the crap out of me!

Separation Anxiety Anyone else dealing with this? Finn freaks out when I leave him, even if he is just with DH in the living room while I cook in the kitchen. It's especially bad when the babysitter shows up. Finn knows that means I am going into my office to work, so he grabs hold of me and screams "Mamaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa." It kills me. I know it is normal, but he will often cry for a while after the sitter gets here and it is so hard to have to sit at my desk and hear it and not feel incredibly guilty.

We were at the doctors twice last week. The first was for what I thought was a cold, but the doctor said he thought it was seasonal allergies (hay fever), so now Finn is on allergy meds. The second visit was because I noticed a hard lump on the back of his head (and yes, I totally freaked myself out looking things up online the night before--I was so, so scared it might be something serious). Turned out it was just a swollen lymph node and is apparently relatively common in toddlers. Finn weighed in at 26 lbs 3 oz.

It's pretty much impossible to get a decent picture of him lately since he never stops moving, but here's a recent photo of him at the park:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2344/2381071674_bb85a1d4ce.jpg?v=0

[rosa727]

Teresita: Finn is a doll! And he sounds a lot like Grady with the never ending running around. Wow - they sure can tire you out, can't they?

[pacificbliss]

I'm a little late with this since the appointment was on the 1st but here are D's 15 month WBV stats:

Height: 32.5 inches
Weight: 25 lbs
Head: 19.5 inches

I hope everyone is doing well.

[rosa727]

We need to keep this thread going here!

Things are good with us - LOTS of talking now - about 50ish words on a regular basis, I would say. It is so much fun!

Here are a couple recent pictures...

At the Southern Kids Fest this weekend:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/IMG_3656.jpg

He loves flowers and actually made up his own sign for them!

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/P3210069.jpg

Easter morning:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/IMG_3558.jpg

I want to see everyone else's recent photos!

[mobox]

We went on an 8 hour road trip to Arizona for Spring Break. It was a lot better than I expected. Sam was such a trooper! He did great on the car ride and slept like his normal self. So, in that sense, it was a total success.

A couple shots:

http://whitmanclan.smugmug.com/photos/279945462_n2rWc-L.jpg
http://whitmanclan.smugmug.com/photos/279945427_4K8Dw-L.jpg
http://whitmanclan.smugmug.com/photos/279945530_fKH6a-L.jpg

[pacificbliss]

We had this discussion before but it's been a while.

Anyone else thinking of having another one?

I think we're almost all through the point where we would have two under two. I'm starting to seriously think about it. I think it will take me a while to convince DH. I don't know what I'd do about work since I have been traveling a lot. Still, I've been thinking about it.

[Rancid13]

We had this discussion before but it's been a while.

Anyone else thinking of having another one?

I think we're almost all through the point where we would have two under two. I'm starting to seriously think about it. I think it will take me a while to convince DH. I don't know what I'd do about work since I have been traveling a lot. Still, I've been thinking about it.

Nope, we're done. DH and I are happy with 1 and both feel like Tyler completes our little family. :)

[AmyE]

We have a 3 year old, and our twins are now 16 months. We'd planned for two kids, got 3 with our "bonus baby," so we are definitely DONE. Especially since for awhile we had 3 under age two, and only just last week got out from the "3 under 3" stage. Whoo hooo! It's so nice to have 3 toddlers.

We taught the twins to play Ring around the Rosie last night. sooooo cute. They LOVED the falling down part. Although Ben is too enthusiastic and will bang his head on the floor if you don't slow down his drop....

[sunshine0928]

Yes, we definitely want another one...hopefully soon :) We took a trip to SF a few weeks ago and G did very well on the trip. Here are some recent pictures.

Butterfly show here last weekend
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/sunshine0928/April2008026.jpg

SF - Discovery Museum
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/sunshine0928/SFTripandlateMarch059.jpg

She's really not sleeping..just snuggling with our doggy. She loves her!
http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k207/sunshine0928/April2008001.jpg

[rosa727]

sunshine: CUTE pictures!

future children: We definitely want more - 1 or 2. But the timing of it is up in the air. I like the idea of about 3 years between Grady and #2, so that would mean TTC next summer. I am not sure whether DH will be ready. But I'm not even 30, so I figure I have time, and I never had any real concern over the spacing of my kids. However it happens is fine with me. Sometimes siblings close in age don't get along and those farther do, so you never know. I would just like Grady to be a bit more independent before TTC again. And if #2 is easier than Grady (no reflux - not SUPER SUPER active) maybe there will be a #3 :) I would love even more but I KNOW DH would not agree, and I am not sure that I would be good at juggling that many. I get too stressed. Large families are better for laid-back people, I think :p

[mobox]

WE are still up in the air with having another because of our age, but we are tilting toward trying very soon if we are going to go for it.

[AmyE]

Ben walked! (I've been complaining about his laziness for so long, I figured I should update!) He took a few unsupported steps from DH to the high chair this morning when he was asking for breakfast. yeah! Granted, it will be awhile before he's mostly walking, I know, but at least he's making progress! the little guy is super steady when walking holding one of our hands, he's just been reluctant to let go of his safety net.

Finally!

[Ilovemygeek]

Future Children We are thinking we want our next one around December 11, 2008. ;) I always wanted to have my kids fairly close together and Daria will be 25 months when the new baby arrives. I think that is just right for us.

Any other moms having trouble trying to figure out what style to cut their girl's hair? Daria's is getting long in the back, but is shorter in the front. I don't want her to have bangs and I want to grow it long so I am just letting it grow for now, but I am not too thrilled with the overall look.

Here a close up of my avatar
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3055/2438208418_e2d3e8fb2c_o.jpg

[sunshine0928]

Ilovemygeek - Daria's hair looks just like Grace's. I don't want bangs either so for now, I am just letting it grow. The back is getting long. I haven't decided if I will get it evened out or just let it grow. Daria is a cutie! Congrats on your December present!

[Teresita]

Rosa I am sure you are aware of this, but Grady has the most incredible smile. It lights up his whole face! I think that is so cool that he made up his own sign for flower—isn’t it amazing how quick their little minds put things together? BTW, Finn has that same shirt Grady is wearing in the flower picture—so cute for the summer!

Mobox That’s great Sam is such a good traveler. My DD is a good traveler and it makes a world of difference. (Finn not so much, but I am hoping that will get better!) Sam’s eye color is amazing—are they blue or green? Or a mix? It’s hard for me to tell from the photos, but whatever they are, they are really stunning.

Sunshine Great pictures, especially the one with the dog!

AmyE Yay for Ben walking…let the games begin!

Ilovemygeek I think Daria’s hair looks cute. I never did bangs with DD…although for that matter, I have never even cut even a tiny bit of my DD’s hair and she is 3.5 years old! I just can’t bring myself to do it. She has the most amazing ringlet curls and I can’t bear to see them cut.

Future Children We are most likely done with 2. My DH feels completely content with this. My feelings are a little more mixed. I am completely thrilled to have two healthy children, and in some ways I am ready to be done—to have more time to pursue my own interests (i.e., read a non-child related book somewhere other than on the toilet), spend more time with DH, do some traveling and all the other things that have sort of fallen by the wayside during this intensive infant/toddler/preschooler stage. But, on the other hand, I feel real sadness when I think about never being pregnant again, never giving birth again, never holding my own newborn child…the other night I told DH that if money were no issue, then I would love to have four children. He of course looked at me like I’d lost my mind. I know that given where we live (expensive area of the country) and our hopes concerning college savings, etc., two children is what is best for us right now.


This has been a rough week in our household. Finn and I came down with an awful cold/flu. The doctor said he doesn’t have an ear infection, no fever, etc., it’s just a bad cold. It’s totally sapped all his energy. He is normally go, go, go all the time, but this week he has been so out of it and he has next to no appetite, which is strange for him. I just feel awful for him and can’t wait for him (and me) to get better. He had his 15-month well check this week and is right around average for height, bigger side of average for weight, and a huge head like his Dad and sister. Today an acquaintance of mine met Finn for the first time and the first words out of her mouth were “Look at the melon on that kid!” I decided to skip the shots this visit since he was so sick. I’ll do some of them when he is over this cold, and then MMR we’ll delay (after he is 2 or older). I swear I find the whole vaccine thing to be the most difficult of all my parenting decisions. I’ve tried researching it, reading things on both sides of the issue, and still I feel so torn about what is best for my kid.

[Allison78]

Sunshine - Clara does that same thing with our dog all the time. Sometimes she rolls clear over Ellie and Ellie is so good. She puts up with a lot of "affection", which includes eye poking, ear pulling and face smooshing.

AmyE - Clara has just started walking unsupported as well. In terms of mobility, she's always waited until she really gets it before she's willing to take it on. She didn't crawl until 10 mo and she's just started walking now at 16 mo. It's funny though, Friday she didn't walk at all and by this morning, she was walking all over the house by herself.

Ilovemygeek - I LOVE Daria's hair (and her name). Congrats on the new baby!!

Teresita - ITA about the vaccines. It plagues me. I've been doing a lot of reading but am still unsure. Clara has had her shots up to a year but the more I read, the more I think I'm definitely going to be more selective with what she gets from here on in. With the next child, I may even go as far as just getting the DPT and that's it. I want S to read some literature as well and then give me his opinion before we decide but it's certainly not a black & white issue.

Clara is amazing us so much with her talking (which makes up for our 16 month old crawler, j/k!!) She now says: "Where go?" when you (or she) hides something and "Bye Daddy/Mummy/Grampa" when someone leaves the house. She loves to hide her eyes and say "A-Boo!" She has increased her body part knowledge to include eyes, nose, mouth, ears, belly, hair, teeth, tongue, feet and toes. She can also distinguish b/w her nose/feet, etc. and Mama or Dada's nose/feet. She loves to point out shoes and cars and doggies and kitties. She can now verbally ask for "more" and can tell you what a dog, a cat, and a fish say (she can also say doggie, kitty and fish). It's amazing how proud you feel of their accomplishments.

Here is a pic of her wearing her Auntie Terri's shades:

http://www.allisonjanes.com/Clara/500width/P1010543_500.jpg

Swimming lessons w/ Daddy:

http://www.allisonjanes.com/Clara/500width/P1010563_500.jpg

Future Children - S and I were actually talking about this last night and we think we'll start trying for the next one around next December. That way Clara will be almost 3 (or over) when we have number 2. Then I'm almost 100% positive that we are done. :)

[mobox]

Teresita, Sam's eyes are blue. He gets a lot of compliments....they are much much bluer than either mine or DH's. But they are like my grandma's eyes.

[ellidew]

Aww, our babies are getting so big!!

Here are some recent pics of Miles:

Here he is doing ch"eeeee"se for the camera
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e144/ellidew/Miles/2008_04d005.jpg

Going down the slide
http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e144/ellidew/Miles/2008_04d038.jpg

More Children: We're planning to have more. At least 1 more if not 2. The plan right now is to have one between Miles being 3-4. I haven't gotten the baby bug yet and i'm really content focusing all my attention on Miles. I loved being pregnant and i look forward to it again but i definitely haven't been bitten by the bug yet.

I did a 17 month update in Miles blog (http://www.milesisone.blogspot.com/)... it's too long to post here.

[AmyE]

Allison - TOO funny. Looks like Ben is following Clara's example. Ben was on his feet walking for most of the day today. I can't believe he figured it out so quickly - it took Julia a good six weeks to get from first steps to walking!

[sophiapb]

Hi all! I know I haven't been here for ages so I thought I'd swing by and catch up on things.
Elise and Corinne are doing great. They'll be 17 months tomorrow (woah!) and into everything. Corinne had her first major holy-crap-I-think-she's-dead tumble when she fell off of her booster chair (little maniac was standing up) and fell head first onto the kitchen floor. The sound of her skull crashing onto the tile resounded through the house and made me hysterical. Ugly bruise aside, she was fine after a few minutes but I was a mess. Of course, it didn't stop her from scrambling right up onto the booster chair again! She's like a little climbing monkey and I'm sure it won't be the last time she scares me half to death.
Elise is exerting her independence and can be very strong willed. Her favorite word is "MINE!" followed by "Daddy", spoken for some reason in a very British accent (Duh-dee). She likes to attach herself to anyone's back and orders "UP!" in hopes of getting a piggyback ride. It works with DH but me and my chiropractor coddled back just won't have it. She also loves to play "Catch me if you can" and runs barreling through the house with one or both of her sisters close behind her.
Alexa is finally enjoying having two younger sisters. They play so well together. She enjoys leading them by their hands around the house and for some reason, they willingly go with her. There is certainly a lot of fighting over toys and mommy's attention but when they get it right and play harmoniously, it's like all is right in the world.
So with three kids within 18 months you'd think I would be done, right? Nope, I'm already plotting when #4 will show up. In a perfect world, I would like to get pregnant in August of 2009 for an April 2010 due date. Ahhh, the best laid plans, blah, blah,yeah I know the drill. We'll see how it goes. Given my advanced age (OLD!) there might not be any more children in which case I will count myself very lucky with my three gorgeous girls but I would like to at least give it a shot.
I hope all is well with everyone. I know I don't post here often but I do stop in to catch up on the news when I can so keep it coming!

[AmyE]

OMG! Not only at the bottom, but now not even on the first page! Definitely time for a bump.

Glad to hear your twins are doing so well Sophia! Ben and Julia are 18months old today, and like yours, well into toddlerhood. On our home scale they are 24 and 24.5 lbs, with Julia just ahead. Pretty good for my little peanuts!

My husband said yesterday that he agreed with something he had just read in Men's Health - a parents job in the toddler years is first to keep them from killing themselves!:rolleyes: Julia has also thrown herself back and caused her highchair to topple over. I was scared, but she was just pissed off. Only funny in retrospect.

Ben will try head toward any electrical socket he can find, and has tried to pry off our socket covers once. Silly baby. He's also the one to try to escape through the baby gate up the stairs if we forget to lock it, and his new trick is climbing onto the coffee table. Sigh. Good thing th bookcases are all tethered! Now that he's been walking for a month he's trying to teach himself to run, so that he can keep up with Julia and his big brother. It's really funny to see them chasing eachother around the dining room table. They are also going through a language explosion, which is great. Sometimes what comes out is in the nanny's language, sometimes English. I bet I often miss some actual words.

Julia is still the dominant one, and will snatch whatever she wants out of poor Ben's hands. He's getting better at defending himself and his turf, which is good, and he'll push her away. What's funny is that they have learned to hug and kiss each other, which makes them giggle, and will randomly run to up the other twin or older brother to engulf them in hug and kisses, which degenerates to wrestling on the ground, which shortly thereafter degenerates to a finger in someone's eye or squished fingers and tears. But it starts off really cute!

[Rancid13]

My husband said yesterday that he agreed with something he had just read in Men's Health - a parents job in the toddler years is first to keep them from killing themselves!:rolleyes:

I totally agree with that statement! Tyler definitely keeps me on my toes at all times and keeps me busy running around after him.

Tyler just turned 18 months this past Monday, and I can't believe how big he's getting and how fast time is flying by! He's just recently become a total chatterbox and was scolding my mom's dog yesterday, shaking his index finger at him and chattering to him.

Here's a couple pictures of my ragamuffin with his wild blonde curls:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/Tyler%202008/101_0178.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/Tyler%202008/tyler06052008.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/Tyler%202008/tylerparkmothersday.jpg

[mobox]

Wow, Jen, look at how cute his curls are!

[Rancid13]

Wow, Jen, look at how cute his curls are!

I know! They're getting so tangled so I have to use Johnson's No More Tangles if his hair even gets damp or else it's a nightmare combing it (and he screams). He definitely has daddy's blonde curls (well, DH was born a blonde, though now it's dark brown and he keeps it so short that you can't tell it's curly).

Shh, don't tell him I posted this, it's DH as a toddler:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v432/rancid13/Random%20Crap/sonnypic.jpg

[rosa727]

Jen: I think Tyler is like his dad's twin - crazy!

[mobox]

TOTAL TWINS! That is really cute.

**************

I found this today and thought it was very interesting and you all might get some use out of it too. My goal is to have Sam toilet trained by the end of the summer although that may be wishful thinking. He fulfills a lot on this checklist already so I might just be successful.

------------------------------
It probably seems like just yesterday that you changed your toddler's first diaper, and now you're wondering if it's time to start toilet training. There's no magic age at which children are ready to start learning how to use the potty, but some develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills between 18 and 24 months of age. Many parents don't start potty training until their children are 2 1/2 to 3 years old, when daytime bladder control has become more reliable. And some children aren't interested in potty training until they're closer to 3, or even 4.

Use the checklist below to measure your toddler's progress toward readiness, and keep in mind that starting before your child is truly ready doesn't mean you'll finish sooner — it's more likely that the process will just end up taking longer.

You don't have to wait until you've checked off every item to start training. Just look for a general trend toward independence and an understanding of what it means to go to the bathroom like a grown-up.

Physical signs

Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.

Urinates a fair amount at one time.

Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.

Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.

Behavioral signs

Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.

Can pull his pants up and down.

Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.

Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear.

Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.

Demonstrates a desire for independence.

Takes pride in his accomplishments.

Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.

Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.

Cognitive signs

Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."

Understands the value of putting things where they belong.

Has words for urine and stool.

Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.

[AmyE]

We gently moved DS1 toward potty training starting at 20 months. He was fully PTd by 2.5. We began when we noticed that he ALWAYS peed in the bath in the evenings. It only took us a couple of days to show him how to pee in the potty before bath. After a month or so, we started encouraging him to pee in the potty during the day. After 6 months, he PT'd at school (he was one of the youngest, so had lots of good PT'd examples to follow.)

Ben is now reliably pee'ing in the bath, so we're going to start with him at 20 monts. I have no idea how to begin with Julia, who is stubborn and will certainly only PT when she is good and ready, thankyouverymuch.

[mobox]

Amy, that's really encouraging to hear, thanks! My mom says we were all potty trained by 2...she has some good tips for me. Before bath is such a perfect place to start, thanks for the tip.

[sunshine0928]

I actually think I am going to buy a potty after we get back from vacation. G has told us when she has a poopy and today I tried and asked her if she had to go pee pee before her bath and as soon as I removed her diaper she went. I didn't mean for it to happen in that order but at least she is starting to put it all together.

Jen - that pic of DH is totally Tyler's twin!!

[rosa727]

Grady's 18 month WBV was a couple days ago and everything went well. Here are his stats:

height: 33.5 inches (85th %)

weight: 24.5 pounds (30th %) - this was probably a little low because he had just been teething badly for the past few days and barely eaten a thing. Now his appetite is back big-time!

head: 50th %

So he is still tall and a bit on the thin side. The funny thing is that he looks so solid - people will always say he is big. He has very square shoulders like both his parents, so I guess that helps.

Grady still has 16 teeth (holding steady since he was about 12 months old). Those 2 year molars are coming VERY soon but none yet (I can see the white right below the gum surface). They have been the worst teeth by far - ugh!

Grady is super affectionate and will hug/kiss basically any baby and any mom (not so much with men, except those he knows).

He can count to 10, though sometimes he gets stuck on a number and needs me to fill in.

He is obsessed with Mama right now and hugs and kisses me all the time. My favorite is when he hugs me, pats my arm or back, and says "oh Mama" in this sweet voice.

As far as talking, the boy is crazy - he never stops! I would say he has a couple hundred words and will put together simple sentences too. He also repeats anything, of course.

DH and I are headed to Turks and Caicos for our first couple trip since G was born. We leave in 5 days and will be there for 5. G will be with both Grandmas, who I totally trust. He loooves my mom especially.

Here is a video of him dancing to his Elmo video - so funny, he's tap dancing:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Hilton%20Head%20trip/th_MVI_3905mpg-edited.jpg (http://s14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Hilton%20Head%20trip/?action=view&current=MVI_3905mpg-edited.flv)

And a few recent pictures:

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Hilton%20Head%20trip/IMG_3888.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/IMG_3830.jpg

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a343/rosa727/Grady%202/IMG_3871-contest.jpg

[rosa727]

Since I apparently killed this thread, let me see if I can bring it back to life :)

So Grady has never been a good napper, and I know I have mentioned it to you all more than once. Well lately it has gone from bad to worse. He is only taking one 1-1.5 hour nap each day. That just doesn't seem like enough. He sleeps about 11.5 hours at night, so that's OK, but the naps really concern me.

I guess I was just wondering whether the rest of you were noticing a shortening of naps at all and whether anyone had any ideas on how to lengthen them. Do I let him CIO in there if he gets up too soon? But what is "too soon" really? I just don't know - bad napping has plagued me since he was born - I stress so much over it. Maybe I just need to accept that he will never nap well?

A side note is that he just got his first 2-year molar this week and is teething like crazy. Maybe it will all get magically better (at least back to how it was) when his other 3 are in?

[Rancid13]

Naps~ Sorry no help here. Tyler's pretty steadily taking 3-hour naps once daily (with the occasional days where he has a 2 hour nap instead). He sleeps 12-12.5 hours at night also (from 7:30pm to ~7:30-8am). I've noticed that some days he'll cry out 1-2 hours into his nap, but I have a video monitor and unless he's standing up in there, I let him cry for a few minutes b/c 9 times out of 10 he'll go back to sleep for another hour or more.

[AmyE]

Rosa, sorry that he's sleeping less, but actually he's right on the averages. And his nap is fine, although not as long as Mom would like, I know! :) I have one model like that, and two that like to sleep a bit more. The twins are sleeping about 11.5 to 12 hours per night. Julia usually sleeps .5 hours longer than Ben - she either gets put to bed first or we sometimes can rush Ben out of the room before he wakes her up. (Rarely these days, though). Julia takes a 2 hour nap usually, and Ben is 1 to 1.5 hours. Soooo - Ben is definitely on Grady's schedule, and Julia quite similar. They nap from roughly 10 am to 12 pm- ish. Give or take half an hour. Bed between 6:30 and 7pm; they generally wake at 6:30-ish.

At 18 months, the "average" amount of sleep according to Babycenter is 13.5 hours. They say 11.25 at night and 2.25 for naps. Of course some kids need an hour more or an hour less and are still perfectly fine. The link below has a chart on "average" required sleep by age, and a short list of things to look for in case you think your child may not be getting what he needs.

Frankly, unless he's showing these signs, he's probably just fine.

http://www.babycenter.com/0_how-much-sleep-does-your-child-need_7645.bc

[rosa727]

Rancid: Well I know that 3 hours is a lot more than average. So it's great that Tyler does it, but I certainly wouldn't expect G to do that.

I think just read that about 11 at night and 1.5-2 for a nap was average at this age. Anyone see anything on that?

[Teresita]

Sleep/Naps Finn's typical sleep and nap schedule is go to bed at 6:30 pm, wake at 6:30 am, nap from 11am until 2pm, so 12 hrs sleep plus 3 hrs nap. It's pretty similar to where my DD was at this point. Finn really needs a lot of sleep or he is a total crank, but I know other kids who do just fine on less. And, keep in mind that Finn only started STTN in the last few months, so he has lots of missed sleep to catch up on (as does his mama)! :)

In a couple of hours I am heading out on my first entirely kid-free work trip since Finn was born. He still nurses 3 times a day, so I have my pump in tow. I am worried about how he will do, but I am sure he will be fine (DH will work from home this week). On the one hand, I am looking forward to a child-free flight, but on the other hand I will really miss my kids! It's just a few days, so I am sure all will be fine.

Finn is tons of fun these days, saying lots of words, but not stringing them together much yet. He's obsessed with balls and tries to hold as many balls as possible all at once and is really getting good at throwing and catching. Tons of teeth coming in--molars, canines, etc. We've been enjoying lots of summer activities together--BBQs, concerts in the park, beach outings. Finn isn't too fond of the beach, but I am hoping that will change.

[rosa727]

Thanks for the input on the naps everyone! I guess he is pretty much within the average then - a bit more at night and a bit less than average during the day. Actually, we darkened his room more and he slept from 6:45PM-7:30AM last night and then took a nap from 12-2 this afternoon. I am hopeful that this trend will last. Since he just cut two 2-year molars (and obviously the other 2 are right behind), that is probably factoring in too. Other than sometimes being cranky a bit during the day (which could also be the teeth) he doesn't have any of those "warning signs" of sleep deprivation.

[Allison78]

On average, C goes down for the night around 7:30 and sleeps until 6:30. Her naps at daycare are longer, usually around 2 hours but her naps at home are at most 1.5 hours.

Here's a question for you ladies. Is anyone else dealing with a shy/dual personality child? Clara is such a happy, chatty, fun, angel when she is with her core family/friends (us and our immediate family, daycare, our closest friends) but as soon as we put her in an environment with people she doesn't know, or doesn't know well, she is a completely different child. Needy, whiny, cries easily and often, only wants to be carried, etc. We find it hard to deal with b/c when we introduce her to new people, she seems like a very difficult child, not at all like the child we know she is. I find it's really hard for me b/c I'm scared people won't like her, which breaks my heart.

We had guests over yesterday whom she'd never met and they are wonderful nice people who didn't approach too fast or do anything to intimidate her. She was clingy, whiny and threw tantrums all afternoon. Within 15 minutes of their leaving she was trotting around the house chatting away, playing, laughing. It's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, I swear.

Does anyone else deal with this or is it just us? Shawn and I were both shy children, so I know the behaviour is probably normal, I'm just wondering if there is anyone else out there going through the same thing.

In terms of development, Clara is doing great. She's a really funny child with a great sense of humour. She loves to make you laugh and her big thing to say right now is "I funny", which in itself is hilarious. Her vocabulary is great and she's started stringing words together. She says "I go in there?" when she wants to go somewhere (in another room, into a box, etc). She also says "I fall" when she falls down. She's also started imaginary play, which is pretty neat. She found the ramp/hammock we used to use to bathe her when she was an infant the other day and turned it over on the ground so that the lip was pointing upwards. She sat on it an said "Car. Vroom Vroom." Then proceeded to "ride" it around all afternoon. It's so neat to see their brains working isn't it?

She's also a little fashionista. The best way for me to get her to wear a hat and shoes when we go outside is to have a variety of choices. She loves choosing which hat and shoes to wear. And frankly, they always seem to go with her outfit. ;)

http://www.allisonjanes.com/Clara/500width/100_3639_400.jpg

[rosa727]

Allison: Well that sounds more like my child as far as sleep! I was beginning to think mine was the only one not taking 3 hour naps!

But I can't help with the shy issue - DS would go home with a total stranger if I let him (another type of problem altogether!). I think it is very normal though, and Clara sounds like quite a fun, smart little girl. Grady has started pretending too - the other day a watermelon rind was a truck for about 45 minutes. He just sat in his high chair driving it around :)

And for an update on G's sleep, it is better. He sleeps about 6:45-6:45 at night with 1-2 hours during the day. Naps are sporadic, but it's a bit better. I'm hoping once the last 2 molars are through it will get even better. The 2 year molars have been the WORST!

[mobox]

Shyness: Sam is like Grady--goes to anyone, not shy at all. In a way, it worries me a little bit because he is so adventurous and likes to wander off. I have to keep my eye on him completely and totally.

Naps: Sam takes one nap at 12:30. At day care it is 1.5-2 hours and at home it's 2-3 hours. Nights are 11.5-12 hours (7.30-7 usually) with occasionally longer stretches if he's really tired.


Girls, I'm looking for "water shoes" and I need some recs. I've seen some at ONe Step Ahead.

These are from Old Navy.
http://www.oldnavy.com/Asset_Archive/ONWeb/Assets/Product/567/567042/main/on567042-00p01v01.jpg

Thoughts?

[rosa727]

mobox: We got Grady some nice Speedo ones at Target. He has worn them practically every day since May and they are still in great condition. He is outgrowing them so we will need to get him the next size up for the second half of the summer. He just told me today at the pool "shoes tight". :) They stay on very well though, which is great.

[fms]

It's been forever since I checked in here. Brendon is doing great and will be expecting a sibling in the spring....just found out (sort of freaking out.) Planned but still...you can never be "prepared".

Sleep...he sleeps about 12 hours at night and naps are anywhere from 1-3 hours. I guess we average about 2 hours. We live by "the schedule." Up around 7 and down around 7. Nap around 12:30.

Shoes...he has an opinion on shoes and that makes me laugh. He has favorites and will often refuse ones he does not like.

Teeth...no molars yet. I just realized that my friend the margarita will not be able to help me through the two year molars. That's a huge bummer!

Talking...we've lost count of his words. He's just starting to string words together.

Glad to see all of the kiddos are doing so well :)

[mobox]

Rosa---I've looked at three different Targets and they just don't have them here. At least not in the little kid sizes. But I'll look online...maybe there?

So today I got a call from daycare that Samuel woke from his nap screaming and crying like he'd had a nightmare. That happened once over the weekend where he woke at about an hour into his nap and he was crying but easy to settle down. Then tonight we couldn't get him to sleep. That kid loves to sleep and goes down with no problems. Just rolls over and falls asleep. He is so much like his daddy in that sense. But tonight...crying, rocking didn't work, he finally just pooped out. It could be that he's overtired because he had two nights that were later than normal and not sufficient enough napping.

Could it also be molars? He's also not eating like he regularly does. Has anyone else experienced this?

[rosa727]

mobox: G is getting his 2-year molars and has been waking up from naps and sometimes even in the morning like that. I think his teeth actually must be waking him. He also eats NOTHING on days where they are really acting up. It could be teeth for sure.

[ellidew]

We're going through the crying/irritable and wont eat because "teeth hurt" stage right now too. Added is the we gave up the binky and don't know how to soothe ourself stage coupled with the rotavirus. Our house is a circus right now!

[janu98]

Looks like I will also be joining the March 2009 mommy thread as well!!!!!:o:D

[sunshine0928]

janu98 - Congrats!!! I joined as well the other day so hopefully we'll both have a nice easy pregnancy :)

[Ilovemygeek]

Congratulations janu98 and sunshine0928! I was starting to wonder if anyone else was going to be adding to their families. :)

[AmyE]

Congratulations Janu and Sunshine!

I'm bopping in to report that we have officially started potty training. Waaaay early, I know, but it worked well for DS1 so my fingers are crossed. So far PT'ing only consists of putting the twins on the 'magic potty' for a few seconds, with or without diapers. They especially like it when DS1 is in the bathroom taking care of his business, so I'm hoping the leading by example will help. My goal is to have them completely day trained by June of next year, so it's not like we're in any hurry!

[mobox]

Congrats to the new mommies to be!!! Very exciting. :)

Ok, so now on top of random crying, Sam is also suffering from severe separation anxiety with babysitters and sometimes just when DH goes out of the room. Very strange behavior from the boy who normally goes to anyone and loves everyone and is very independent. I'm think there are several things at work here- #1 teething the molars (he is a drool master right now) and #2 emotional development in a big way. He learns a new word a day and I think it's a bit overwhelming for him.

Anyway...I'm thinking of trying the teething tablets. He won't let me brush his teeth either and I know he is in a bit of pain.

[rosa727]

Congrats to Janu, fms, and sunshine on your BFPs!!! That's so exciting :) I actually am feeling like everyone I know (on CC and IRL) is PG! There must be a baby boom going on, I swear.

Looks like we will be holding off TTC #2 until next summer, though we wouldn't be unhappy if something happened sooner.

[rosa727]

Grady has been sleeping better overall. He sleeps from about 6:45PM-7AM. But then he just lays in there from 7 until 8:30 (later if I let him), just talking to himself and falling back asleep off and on. As soon as he sounds upset at all or calls for me, I go in. Or I go in after it gets really late. Does anyone else's DC do this? Do you think it is bad to leave him? I figure that he would let me know if he wanted out (he certainly does when his nap is over!). I figure he is a very active child, and he may just need this quiet time. What do you think?

[Allison78]

Congrats to all the PG ladies! That's so exciting!!! DH and I plan to TTC starting around Christmas/C's birthday.

Clara woke up last night crying hard and DH had to stay in the room with her for a really long time to calm her down. She already has her molars so I'm guessing it was a bad dream?!? Since C was such a rough sleeper her whole first year, I find I get so panicky if she has a bad night, terrified that she'll stop sleeping again. It almost feels like PTSD, as stupid as that sounds.

We took C camping for the first time last weekend and she LOVED it. She loves being outside and running around so she was in her element. We went with our friends who's DD is the same age and it was so fun watching them play and interact. They invented games together and held hands and were so cute. There were a couple minor tussles over sharing snacks but they were easily mediated and for the most part they were both extremely generous, sharing everything and being gentle. It was great.

It was really cute, every time C went near the fire pit (whether there was a fire or not), we'd steer her away and say "no touch, hot hot hot!!" and by the second day, anytime she walked past it she kept her space and said "Hot, hot, hot!" That's our smart little girl!!

:) Allison

[ellidew]

Congratulations to all the expectant mommies! H&H 9 months!

The baby bug: I honestly didn't get hit with the baby bug until the last month or so. Maybe it's b/c my sister just had a baby? Our plan is to start actively ttc at the beginning of 2009. It took 13 months last time and we'd like to have a baby sometime between Miles being 3 and 4. Ya'll aren't helping with all these BFP's! :D

Potty Training: We've started this too and it's been going pretty good. Miles actually tells us when he has to go #2 and we've gotten him to the potty twice now. We actually had him spend 1 day in just underwear and he was really responding well to it and realizing when he was going and by the end of the day he was telling us before he went. I think if we had an entire weekend (don't they call this method 3-day potty training?) then he'd be good to go. He's used the potty once for #1 and it was when I took him to the potty first thing in the morning. I honestly think if I dedicated more time to it then he'd get it down pretty quickly. I keep forgetting to go straight to the potty when he wakes up!

[rosa727]

Allison: Has she gotten both sets of molars? They get 8 total. Anyways, it definitely sounds like teething, that's why I ask. And it would be really early for her to have them all.

How fun that you went camping. How did the sleeping arrangements work for that? I am wondering since we used to like to go but have not gone camping since Grady was born.

potty training: I am not really even thinking about this until he is 2. I just don't want to push him too early and set him up for failure. It's just not something I am concerned about right now.

hugging/kissing: It's crazy how much Grady goes around hugging and kissing everyone. Every time we go to Gymboree or Kindermusik, he spends half the time going around kissing and hugging EVERYone. It is really cute and most people like it, but it breaks my heart when a kid is not nice and pushes him away. It's hard to explain that not everyone is so friendly. As much as I love seeing him be so affectionate (and certainly love when he does it to me), I don't want him to feel rejected. He just has no hesitation or shyness AT ALL!

[janu98]

thank you to everyone for all the well wishes! I will keep you all posted!

[janu98]

Well ladies it looks like i had to leave the March thread 09, my betas are dropping:(. According to the OB i had a blighted ovum.

I am doing okay so far just waiting for "it" to happen......

[rosa727]

janu: I'm so sorry to hear that :( I am sending hugs and hope that you are doing OK.

[Teresita]

janu98 I am so sorry.:( I had two miscarriages before I had my DD--it's such a hard thing to go through. I will be thinking of you.



pottytrainingWe have a potty and have shown it to Finn and tell him "you can put your poop and pee in there." But, he is really not at all interested in it yet, and I am in no hurry.

Finn is doing well. He's got lots of teeth coming in, which makes him pretty cranky. But, so long as we keep busy and spend lots of time outdoors, he seems to forget about it. He had his 18 month well check and was 28 lbs (70%). I forget his exact height and head measurements, but he was 70% for height, so he is quite proportional. Except, of course, for his head, which is 98%!

He has a rather big change on the horizon--he'll be starting preschool in September. Up to this point, he's been with a nanny when I work. But, I had put him on the waiting list at a wonderful school that accepts kids starting from 18 months and has good part-time options. He'll go three days a week. I got the call that he got a spot, so I am very excited (though also anxious!) since I think he will love it. When we visited the school, he threw a fit when it was time to leave because he was enjoying it so much! I am sure it will be different when I actually leave him there on his own, but I have hopes that it will all work out for the best for both of us.

[Rancid13]

Janu, I'm so sorry to hear that. ((HUGS)).

[ellidew]

So sorry Janu. Thinking about you.

[AmyE]

Janu - :( Sorry to hear your news.

Teresita - yep, we got a similar call on Tuesday. The "babies" can start at my son's preschool on Sept 1. I'm so excited! I took them over on Friday to pick up registration papers and introduce them to the place, and they did great. A little shy at first, but they did go up on a play structure with the director while I hung out in a corner of the room. I think they will adjust pretty well, esp since they will be together and their big bro is in the same school, but different class. I think they will be able to eat lunch all together. The twins get so MAD when DH and I abandon them at home in the morning but take DS1 to school and us to work. It will be nice to be able to take them along too! Eventually I do want to put them in separate classrooms, but there is only one class for them at this school, and the twins will be 2 of 9 students. Plenty of time later, I know!

[mobox]

Janu - Thinking of you.

[janu98]

Thank you everyone for the well wishes... I am doing okay so far, I haven't m/ced yet. I just wish this could all be over with sooner than later.....

Thanks again!!!!!

[mobox]

Hey, how's everyone doing over here?

[Kimmer]

Hi I have not been here in a long time. Justin is doing well, he is so funny everyday he makes me laugh. We are currently trying for baby #2, I don't want a large age gap and DH and I are not getting any younger :p

Potty Training We have a potty but he thinks it is a step stool to grab stuff out of his reach.