tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18081960528357071852024-03-13T04:10:19.762-04:00Our Little CasitaEmily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.comBlogger415125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-73757203925502156112014-07-07T22:19:00.001-04:002014-07-07T22:19:46.616-04:00Vacation to NH! Part 2<p>We woke up Sunday morning planning to spend the entire day at Story Land, so we arrived about 10 minutes after they officially opened. There was still a huge line to get in, but since we had our passes from the day before we were able to skip the masses and get right into the park. We went right over to the antique cars ride first, which is one of the few rides I remember from my family’s trips to the park when I was younger. We had to wait for about 10 minutes but Toby held it together with some distractions from us, like asking which color car he liked best. It was finally our turn, and the ride attendant told Toby the rules and to jokingly keep both hands on the wheel. He sat up front with Daddy and was smiling ear to ear the whole ride. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N4Iw7vPorvY/U7tU7M7b8lI/AAAAAAAAH0I/6aBcagEkkJw/s1600-h/TobyStoryLand%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="TobyStoryLand" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="TobyStoryLand" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4_5Oi1GrDs0/U7tU8k8mxvI/AAAAAAAAH0Q/rz8pamsFa60/TobyStoryLand_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="429"></a></p> <p>Next we went back over to the nursery rhyme and Little Dreamers areas, and of course it was hard to tear him away to explore something new. We finally got a chance to bring him over to the carousel. He wasn’t so sure at first, but seemed to like it towards the end.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LZZ56JnrtRM/U7tU9RYUfnI/AAAAAAAAH0Y/QPDq8KqLDaU/s1600-h/tobyhorse%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobyhorse" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobyhorse" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H2ktUn82Sj4/U7tU-AS5WNI/AAAAAAAAH0g/gT1WfzRjXkg/tobyhorse_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-eaP2_VEhIhk/U7tU_kfMftI/AAAAAAAAH0o/ie6_2UgEW70/s1600-h/tobysmile%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobysmile" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobysmile" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lqd2AfZaKnU/U7tVApu2gYI/AAAAAAAAH0s/mRlPsf4JSNk/tobysmile_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0XTjtRWSIXU/U7tVBLRk3qI/AAAAAAAAH00/mwCUClRvm70/s1600-h/IMG_3640%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3640" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3640" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AmFnxjhwxwI/U7tVCPgp7hI/AAAAAAAAH08/0-DFssusb6o/IMG_3640_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p>We then went on the Buccaneer Pirate Ship, which wasn’t one of his favorites since he had to sit down the entire time. Luckily this ride only lasts a few minutes before you re-dock. He loved the play area with the mini pirate ships which we explored after, though. We stopped for a photo op in the pumpkin and he was being so silly, jumping up and down and poking his head out the front.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Mu8f-mcvpCY/U7tVCzrk2dI/AAAAAAAAH1E/ONc9tSovJyo/s1600-h/tobypumpkin%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobypumpkin" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobypumpkin" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R047Hx9d9_k/U7tVDubSDtI/AAAAAAAAH1Q/q_Po5fUWE40/tobypumpkin_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-4UTnj-6IJ0A/U7tVEQikDeI/AAAAAAAAH1Y/MXOWNo7_Ii0/s1600-h/IMG_3636%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3636" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3636" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KbXtGq3Qg8s/U7tVFFE0nSI/AAAAAAAAH1c/tpJ8XwCbZ6c/IMG_3636_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a></p> <p>I wasn’t sure if he would be able to sit still on the Ferris wheel, but we tried it and he did pretty well. Once everyone actually got in their balloons and we started going, he loved going around and around and looking for Daddy on the ground. I’m hoping Toby doesn’t inherit Daddy’s fear of heights as he gets older or else I’ll be going on these rides by myself in the future!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VC0rbAn258A/U7tVFuSGD8I/AAAAAAAAH1k/m4gD355nMMw/s1600-h/tobyferriswheel%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobyferriswheel" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobyferriswheel" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ihmhJgyfZGU/U7tVGJLVz9I/AAAAAAAAH1s/hsWQN0na0Vo/tobyferriswheel_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-E1_odOT4pdo/U7tVG-2-ghI/AAAAAAAAH10/wjp3_sOq6cI/s1600-h/tobyferriswheel2%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobyferriswheel2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobyferriswheel2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rR26-WGiWBs/U7tVHRFpzTI/AAAAAAAAH18/JtdURnuuteY/tobyferriswheel2_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a></p> <p>I think at this point it was lunch time, which took forever since he was too busy people-watching to eat his PB & J. We brought sandwiches with us but ended up buying some more snacks to try and get him to just eat something. After we did a couple other rides and then decided to go back to the condo for a bit to see if Toby would nap there. Well, as soon as we got loaded into the car and pulled out of the parking lot, he was passed outttt. So Hubby and I took a right out of Storyland and headed up further into the White Mountains. It was a beautiful scenic drive – I just didn’t remember how green and vibrant everything was up there! We had been driving for a little over a half hour when Toby woke himself up, so we decided to go back to Story Land. After a snack and some water, he was ready to go!</p> <p>Other rides he loved were the Whirling Whales and the Dutch Shoes. We also spent a lot of time in the Oceans of Fun splash pad since he’s a fish and would spend all day in the water if we let him. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-opJ_WXNDK-o/U7tVIJ1g5LI/AAAAAAAAH2I/qu78CoT6AfM/s1600-h/Shoes%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="Shoes" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="Shoes" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-wIZnkYoMoo0/U7tVJI-Fl3I/AAAAAAAAH2M/RwsXHTYigHQ/Shoes_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-l5D7J5FNT0U/U7tVJ4v4a3I/AAAAAAAAH2Y/v3jej5pZidI/s1600-h/shoes2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="shoes2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="shoes2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OZH_nJq1iZg/U7tVKZkr5MI/AAAAAAAAH2g/Pmwja8krsf8/shoes2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YUb-0EzXIb4/U7tVL5D1uYI/AAAAAAAAH2o/CujAvb5waxE/s1600-h/shoes3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="shoes3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="shoes3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-QzRaBFJnIUs/U7tVN0GSNfI/AAAAAAAAH2w/wYYBj_iCTdE/shoes3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-cmeAIn5pmrk/U7tVPGWo3kI/AAAAAAAAH24/kOlVSOU1zrY/s1600-h/shoes4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="shoes4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="shoes4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vVfjtJdd4dg/U7tVQFOIWGI/AAAAAAAAH28/ozqfD0xucmM/shoes4_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>He did really well at the park both days – I don’t remember him throwing a tantrum until we getting ready to leave. Story Land is perfect for kids his age – he was able to do about 2/3 of the rides. We’re hoping next year he’ll make the cut-off for 36 inches so we can do the others that have the height restriction, like Bamboo Shoots (log water ride). The park is very clean, super organized, and it was even shaded well so we never felt too hot or like we were in the sun for too long. The lines for the rides were fairly short, most averaging 5 minutes at the most. I’m guessing the lines get longer as the summer goes on but considering we visited on Father’s Day, it didn’t seem crowded. We can’t wait to come back next year!</p> <p>We left NH early Monday morning, which was Toby’s actual birthday. Unfortunately he must have picked up some kind of virus and was hacking up a lung all Sunday night into Monday. He napped on the way home until we were about 45 minutes away and was coughing so much we decided to stop for lunch at Ninety-Nine. Well lots of coughing plus too much food = puke at the table and let’s just say we high-tailed it out of there fast. I felt so bad for him not feeling well on his birthday. We were at the doctor’s later that afternoon and he ended up having an ear infection, but that really had nothing to do with the cough since they thought it was just a viral thing (which did end up being true since I got it about a week later after his birthday party). At least he was still too young to realize it was his real birthday! We had such a great weekend that I think it made up for a not-so-fun actual birthday :)</p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-45860985686801228292014-07-01T22:14:00.001-04:002014-07-01T22:14:21.708-04:00Vacation to NH! Part 1<p>A few weeks ago we headed up to the White Mountains in New Hampshire for a long weekend. It happened that we drove back on Toby’s birthday but this trip wasn’t specifically meant to celebrate, it just worked out well timing wise! We rented a privately owned condo in Intervale through Homeaway.com and were so happy with our accommodations. 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms and a big living space gave us lots of room to spread out. It was a great deal after all the research I had done with finding smaller two bedroom condos that were much more expensive. </p> <p>I was nervous about the 3 hour drive up to NH and how Toby would handle it so we stopped in Dover, which was almost the half-way point. There was a great children’s museum we spent almost two hours in and since we’re members of a local museum close to our house, our admission was free! We are thinking about heading back up to Dover for a day trip again this summer because Toby had such a great time exploring the exhibits. He did end up falling asleep for about 45 minutes in the car afterwards so it worked out well. </p> <p>The weather was very rainy the Friday we left, and we didn’t end up getting to our condo until 3:30 anyway, so we headed to an early dinner at the Muddy Moose (great family restaurant, definitely recommend) and then stopped by the L.L. Bean outlet after. Toby thinks it’s hilarious running all around the stores now and playing hide and seek - we’ve become those parents that I was always judging pre-baby with not keeping their kids in line. So much for trying to get any bargain shopping done.</p> <p>We started Saturday morning with breakfast at Peaches in North Conway. Food was decent and the wait was short. After we headed down the street to the local park and also walked by the adjacent historic train station. Toby’s new favorite thing at the park is to go over to the top of the slide and instead of sitting down to get ready to slide, he hangs on the bar at the top and says “monkey bar”. I packed an extra mini first aid kit in my diaper bag just for this trip because of the daredevil stunts he pulls now.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qBw7xOAEHkQ/U7NqvDHn0NI/AAAAAAAAHww/hiRiK5Qo4Wo/s1600-h/tobypark%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobypark" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobypark" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-k3KtWmsNjOQ/U7Nqv9IUM5I/AAAAAAAAHw4/LVs9pKM77c8/tobypark_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-plaNGG4ao3A/U7NqwpOHYXI/AAAAAAAAHxA/PfjmFaT0V_Q/s1600-h/tobypark2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobypark2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobypark2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2bjzc7S5stY/U7NqxG6ejMI/AAAAAAAAHxE/PlJZZynqHDY/tobypark2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Even the fire trucks were outside of the fire station next to the park, so of course we had to walk by those, as well. After we were tired of the park, we headed a little way down the street to the Mount Washington Weather Discovery Center. It’s free, though they suggest a small donation. It wasn’t as big as I thought it was going to be and they were having a members breakfast but still allowed the public to come in so it was kind of awkward. Toby just wanted to run around but we didn’t let him so we left before a meltdown ensued. We walked through downtown a little more but didn’t stop to shop. I love all the small local stores in North Conway, though, hopefully I get to explore them next year if we come back! </p> <p>We drove back to the condo for an early lunch and then everyone promptly took a two hour nap. Yep, we all needed it! We woke up to Toby stirring around 1:40ish and decided to quickly get everything ready so we could head to Story Land. If you come in 3 hours before closing time, they will give you tickets to come back any day of the season so we wanted to make the most of the rest of the afternoon there. </p> <p>I barely remembered any of the rides from our trips to Story Land when I was a kid, so we started out in the nursery rhyme section and worked our way through the other areas. Toby saw the Grandfather Tree play area and could have stayed there until closing if we let him. He went up the stairs in the tree all by himself even though I had a small heart attack each time until his little head would poke out at the top and then he would look for us and smile SO big. He would run over to the slide and then want to climb up all over again. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VG21vcaY9HQ/U7Nqx2DDddI/AAAAAAAAHxQ/RuOaJo-SWkI/s1600-h/slide%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="slide" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="slide" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kVuWSweeAvQ/U7NqySYJayI/AAAAAAAAHxY/Ri-HaA9qHDY/slide_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>We managed to snag him and go over to the Little Dreamers Play area, which was perfect for his age. He went up and over the bridge probably thirty times in a row, played the big piano keys, and shut doors to a play house over and over and over again. This section was definitely made for kids who love repetition!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mbEjsy4DSmg/U7NqzNfdKFI/AAAAAAAAHxg/inalucsccOQ/s1600-h/piano%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="piano" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="piano" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1__Ul_GI8EA/U7NqzpFy7xI/AAAAAAAAHxo/xmcJ0ptq8AE/piano_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-rGVXEU3rWDM/U7Nq0UFJrpI/AAAAAAAAHxw/DackWs_XI1E/s1600-h/slide2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="slide2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="slide2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dWsNmBhpw6k/U7Nq04fMi_I/AAAAAAAAHx0/ljXoROP67Vk/slide2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p>We skipped Alice’s Tea Cups as I wasn’t sure how he would like that as his first ride. He did like playing under the card tunnels, though. Next we moved onto the Storybook animals. He was more interested in pressing the button to hear the nursery rhyme and putting his hand on the speaker than looking at the actual animals. I tried to get his picture with the wolf statue but he was not interested in standing still at this point.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Eg7yYN9X8cg/U7Nq1a7LkQI/AAAAAAAAHyA/gvi1_talo2s/s1600-h/alice%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="alice" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="alice" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3xVfguClQfI/U7Nq1-Gp0VI/AAAAAAAAHyE/qVSJShGOGxU/alice_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3NR7FQsPH-U/U7Nq2WHVnYI/AAAAAAAAHyQ/Qa7iCTL7r08/s1600-h/wolf%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="wolf" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="wolf" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-swdXI2JvrgE/U7Nq3K5pl0I/AAAAAAAAHyY/wbaQm6ped68/wolf_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p>We walked through some more of the park to get a feel for some of the rides so we knew what to try first thing when we came back the next morning. There’s a new digger exploration by the roller coaster, so he loved doing that with Daddy. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c4FQETyTfDE/U7Nq3-rvpjI/AAAAAAAAHyg/8goL4E5l4jM/s1600-h/digger%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="digger" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="digger" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xRIjKfldPo8/U7Nq4VkZ2TI/AAAAAAAAHyk/2OhW6SddJck/digger_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-u-97PTy4KBc/U7Nq48B3cFI/AAAAAAAAHyw/ivGcY_98qgw/s1600-h/digger2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="digger2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="digger2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-XAfc1vOuhYs/U7Nq5uTJhDI/AAAAAAAAHy4/yxz1lyo1VgY/digger2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-tpEK-Bw6BEE/U7Nq6NXhl2I/AAAAAAAAHzA/ID2Gy7-jYbE/s1600-h/digger3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="digger3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="digger3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ppihImma9S4/U7Nq6l8yJ2I/AAAAAAAAHzI/mpDSn9xBlmo/digger3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Then we went on the Tractors ride – Toby loved every second of it and didn’t want to get off so we got back in line to do it again. He unfortunately is still too young to get the concept of waiting in line…so that was interesting as I tried to explain how he couldn’t just cut in front of other people. I think he was also pretty tired at this point but luckily we only had to wait 5 minutes or so. He loved being up front by himself while we sat in the back. He would pretend to drive, look back at us and grin and say “Drive”, then press the buttons to honk the horn, and repeat the process.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-bxTy-Ai0G-g/U7Nq7urk2zI/AAAAAAAAHzQ/BTVEWTLIBrs/s1600-h/tractor%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tractor" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tractor" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EqMH1tfis8U/U7Nq8aGQ0_I/AAAAAAAAHzU/esBrUOdIpLc/tractor_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4SFEbkNQxcg/U7Nq834jLBI/AAAAAAAAHzg/6WrmGBI4MX0/s1600-h/tractor2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tractor2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tractor2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-lD9ctKQ_PVU/U7Nq9i_CN5I/AAAAAAAAHzo/P31kRMNDfMM/tractor2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-EMJ3UKqerJA/U7Nq-Ol5HBI/AAAAAAAAHzw/rln5HBtEuhQ/s1600-h/tractor3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tractor3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tractor3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s6ywY3ezGWo/U7Nq-5Fl2WI/AAAAAAAAHz0/jk7TVf-c3Vc/tractor3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a></p> <p>After the second go-around on the tractors, we decided it was time to make our way to the exit as it was almost closing time anyways. Toby threw a fit once he realized we were leaving, so it must have meant he had a good time. I think this is when we asked if he had fun and he replied with “too much fun” and then started whining about being carried to the car. </p> <p>We went out to eat for dinner again, but Toby just wasn’t in the mood to sit still so it wasn’t enjoyable to say the least. We knew we should have just eaten back at the condo but the thought of making something ourselves seemed exhausting at that point. After we went over to Pirate’s Cove for mini golf since Toby’s free and we figured we could try it out. He was interested in holding his mini putter for about two holes and then got bored of that. He loved taking our balls and putting them in and out and basically messing up our scores :) We were about four holes from being finished when he became obsessed with a water pail fountain and kept dunking his hands in it. I was grossed out by the water inside and didn’t really want him touching it but he kept insisting and of course this ended in the meltdown of all meltdowns so we were forced to leave before finishing. Hubby was pissed to say the least but I think Toby did better than what I was expecting of him. Maybe next year he will be interested in learning to putt. </p> <p>We ended the night with ice cream at a place called Lick’s which was expensive for what they offered. Positive side was they had a good-sized playscape for the kids to burn off all the sugar so Toby would play for a few minutes, run over to steal some of our ice cream, and then run back onto the playscape. All in all, it was a great first full day and we explored a lot of the area!</p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-86276410355144378082014-06-25T21:56:00.001-04:002014-06-25T21:56:43.642-04:00TWO!<p>Yup, little man turned two last week! I didn’t think it was possible, but I’m pretty sure the second year flew by faster than the first twelve months. He is a full-on toddler whose personality is emerging more and more each day. He is testing our patience all the time and throwing tantrums left and right. Gotta love the terrible two’s. And my co-workers keep telling me the three’s just get even tougher – joy! On a positive note, it is really cool seeing Toby understand so many more things and add words to his vocabulary. He is saying two and three word phrases, although sometimes he talks so fast, the words just get all smushed together. I have to get a video of him saying “Everybody, clean up” because his voice is hilarious when he says that phrase. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZHMQwg3NY-A/U6t9sxPX_vI/AAAAAAAAHvo/2aKxprhWp0Y/s1600-h/DSC_0118%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0118" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0118" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-aYuVNUHSE6k/U6t9xmH7_NI/AAAAAAAAHvw/kdgnbh6e6f4/DSC_0118_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="599"></a></p> <p>Catch up time with the stats:</p> <p>Weight: He went to the doctor on his birthday not for a regular check-up but for a sick visit…had a bad cough and ended up even having an ear infection we had no idea he had. Anyways he was 26.4 pounds.</p> <p>Height: He will be measured at his two-year visit this Friday. When we measured him at Storyland a couple weeks ago, he was about 33 or 34 inches.</p> <p>Medical Issues: Seasonal allergies definitely affected him this year, so in April he was coughing a lot, had a runny nose and puffy eyes for a couple weeks. Children’s Zyrtec seemed to clear it up. His eczema is coming back a little on his arms but I remember that happening last year in the same spots when the weather got warmer. He’s had a couple colds/fevers, a tummy bug, and the ear infection since I last updated in December. Seems like a lot but none of the illnesses lasted for too long.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-iznJZ7qmy3E/U6t9ye6i1zI/AAAAAAAAHv4/1bEjXEtri9s/s1600-h/DSC_0307%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0307" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0307" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KzUHlzvKhTU/U6t9yzDZz-I/AAAAAAAAHwA/m4hnO_rD4Kw/DSC_0307_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="599"></a></p> <p>Sleep: I would say 5 nights a week he sleeps straight through the night and we don’t hear a peep from him. There’s usually a couple nights a week when he will wake up randomly screaming, so we assume he has bad dreams now. And then with his allergies, he was coughing a ton at night so that didn’t help. Naps are good, he is still taking a 1.5-2.5 hour nap each day usually from 12:30-2:30ish. </p> <p>Clothes/Diapers: Skinny-waisted boy is in 18-24 month shorts (so glad I saved them since he never grew into them last summer). He wears 2T for shirts, 6’s for shoes, and 4’s in day diapers, 5’s in overnight diapers.</p> <p>Diet: Ugh definitely pickier than he has been. He has an opinion on what he wants to eat now and we’ll go through days where he eats tiny bits and pieces and then will eat and eat and eat the next day to make up. We basically go through the same five or six dinners each week on rotation, it’s pretty annoying. He will eat spaghetti w/turkey meatballs, English muffin or bagel pizzas (no peppers can be on it anymore, though), Firefly’s Mac & Cheese (not Annie’s or any other kind), ground turkey for tacos, black bean quesadillas, and homemade chicken nuggets. I rarely get to try making anything new unless I have a back-up plan or leftovers ready for him. Sometimes he will surprise me and eat carrots, but most of the time he refuses veggies. Is 50/50 with eating PB & J’s and peanut butter in general. Loves fruit, yogurt, bagels w/cream cheese, pancakes, bacon, and “eggies”. Eats Goldfish crackers, fruit/veggie pouches, cereal bars and “chips” (dried fruit chips) for snacks. Refused to eat cake on his birthday but LOVES “fri yo” (frozen yogurt). We were doing Fro Yo Fridays for a treat for the past month or so. Still doesn’t like juice so he just drinks whole milk, water and smoothies.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FqTiPxyWMsQ/U6t9z76P3pI/AAAAAAAAHwI/a03oR6Pm4VY/s1600-h/DSC_0537%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0537" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0537" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-rr0-_tgmGyg/U6t90pCjytI/AAAAAAAAHwQ/t7-NJR5gNnY/DSC_0537_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="336"></a></p> <p>Likes: Closing and opening any types of doors, taking covers on and off of bowls, cups, etc. Playing with anything that has wheels. Hiding toys, taking them out, hiding them again and doing this same process for 20 minutes. Playing outside – loves the park and exploring. Reading! Lots of reading. Oh my god and how did I almost forget the VACCUUM. He’s obsessed. This is a phase that’s been going on for four months now and is probably not going to end anytime soon. He has his own play one now because I couldn’t deal with him asking for me to take out the big one every ten seconds. </p> <p>Dislikes: Being naked – not sure if he’ll be one of those kids who refuses to wear clothes. He always wants a shirt and shorts on! And of course he hates being told no, knows when we try to distract him and move him onto another activity, gets frustrated when something doesn’t go his way, etc, etc, etc. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S-BW8qr0wcg/U6t91VjpzaI/AAAAAAAAHwY/oxM3BxUmYIM/s1600-h/DSC_0411%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="DSC_0411" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="DSC_0411" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-tf0qeT9RslU/U6t92NG4DFI/AAAAAAAAHwg/-nIu4LS0nNQ/DSC_0411_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="599"></a></p> <p>Milestones: Huge language explosion a week or two after he turned 18 months and then again once he started daycare in February. Easily has over 100 words in his vocabulary now that his consistently says. He can walk up and down the stairs by himself using the railing, though it still scares the crap out of me. He can almost jump up and down using both feet at the same time. Uses forks and spoons on a regular basis though sometimes he prefers to still use his hands.</p> <p>Things I don’t want to forget: this is going to have be a separate post because there’s so much that’s happened in the past few months! </p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-67575074318724060532014-01-08T20:47:00.001-05:002014-01-08T20:47:38.739-05:00101 in 1001 Days: an Update<p>I remember starting this list a few years ago and thinking there would be no problem to get 101 things done in two and a half years. Well, throw a pregnancy and baby into the mix and let’s just say I think I’m lucky I managed to get over 40 things completed :) The travel items definitely will not get accomplished anytime soon, especially since we’re up in the air with house/moving stuff. I am proud of myself for crossing off many items under Health/Appearance as 2011 was the year I lost 30 pounds and started a journey towards a more healthy lifestyle. I’d like to create a new list in the next month or so and start again, but my goal this time would be to get at least 60 things completed by the end! </p> <p>Here’s the recap of what I finished a few months ago:</p> <ul> <li><b>Start Date: January 13th, 2011</b> <li><b>List End Date: October 10th, 2013</b> <li><b>Items completed so far: 44/101</b><br></li></ul><strong></strong> <p><strong>Key:</strong> <ul> <li>items not completed <li><em>items in progress</em> <li><strike>items completed</strike></li></ul> <p><b>Fun</b> <ul> <li>1. <em>Read forty new books (5/40).</em> <li>2. <strike>Go to a Celtics game with hubby.</strike> (April 2011) <li>3. Go to a concert. <li>4. <em>Host 5 dinner parties w/close friends (3/5).</em> <li>5. Go to a water park for the day. <li>6. Watch The Hangover finally. <li>7. <strike>Visit the Museum of Science in Boston.</strike> (Aug 2012) <li>8. <em>Visit 5 new breweries (1/5).</em> <li>9. <strike>Go to a zoo.</strike> (Sept 2011) <li>10. <strike>Go wine tasting.</strike> (Oct 2012) <li>11. <em>Finish 3 new TV shows on DVD that we never watched before.</em> (2/3) <li>12. See Cirque du Soleil. <li>13. Get a new tattoo. <li>14. Go to my 10 year high school reunion. <li>15. Plan a Girl’s Spa Weekend. <li>16. Attend a midnight premiere of a movie. <li>17. <strike>Go pumpkin picking.</strike> (Oct 2012) <li>18. <strike>Go snorkeling.</strike> (Mexico - May 2011) <li>19. <em>Make 5 new playlists on iTunes. (2/5)</em></li></ul> <p><strong>Crafting/DIY</strong> <ul> <li>20. Finish my wedding scrapbook. <li>21. Finish my Italy & Greece scrapbook. <li>22. <strike>Make a diaper cake for a friend’s baby shower.</strike> (July 2011) <li>23. Go to an estate sale and buy a piece of furniture. <li>24. <strike>Make my own Christmas cards.</strike> (Dec 2011) <li>25. <strike>Make homemade vanilla extract.</strike> (Nov 2011) <li>26. Make homemade candles. <li>27. <strike>Buy something on Etsy.</strike> (March 2012) <li>28. Make my own flower-adorned headband. <li>29. <strike>Find an inspiring quote and work it into a piece of art/home décor.</strike> (Jan 2011) <li>30. Fill empty picture frames.</li></ul> <p><strong>Personal Growth/ Hobbies</strong> <ul> <li>31. Take a Spanish class. <li>32. <strike>Learn how to use a smartphone.</strike> (Feb 2012) <li>33. <strike>Talk to my boss about possible promotions/other positions at work.</strike> <li>34. <strike>Post in my blog 4 times a week for a month.</strike> (April 2011) <li>35. Visit the local library and get a library card. <li>36. Write a list of 50 things that make me happy. <li>37. Learn how to hem a pair of pants. <li>38. <strike>Purchase a better camera.</strike> (Sept 2011) <li>39. Learn basic photography skills. <li>40. Take pictures of the kitties and enter them in the Cat a Day Calendar contest <li>41. <strike>Attend a cake decorating class.</strike> (March 2011) <li>42. Write a letter to myself to open in 5 years.</li></ul> <p><strong>Financial</strong> <ul> <li>43. <strike>Set up a joint checking account.</strike> (Jan 2011) <li>44. Write a will and have hubby write one, as well. <li>45. <strike>Order new checks.</strike> (March 2011) <li>46. Take over the last student loan my parents still pay for. <li>47. <strike>Contribute a percentage of each paycheck to my 401k.</strike> (April 2011) <li>48. <strike>Put away an additional $5000 towards a down deposit on a new house.</strike> (Nov 2011) <li>49. Don’t use my debit card/credit cards for one week.</li></ul> <p><strong>Acts for Others</strong> <ul> <li>50. <em>Donate to a charity once a year (2/3).</em> <li>51. Adopt a family for Christmas. <li>52. Donate blood. <li>53. Volunteer at an animal shelter. <li>54. Buy a toy for Toys for Tots. <li>55. Make hubby breakfast in bed. <li>56. <strike>Clear out my closet and give away clothes to charity</strike> (Nov 2012)</li></ul> <p><strong>Health/Appearance</strong> <ul> <li>57. <strike>Lose enough weight to fit comfortably back into my favorite clothes.</strike> (June 2011) <li>58. <strike>Walk a mile in less than 17 minutes.</strike> (March 2011) <li>59. Exercise three times a week for two months. <li>60. Eat 5 fruits and veggies every day for 2 weeks. <li>61. <strike>Drink at least 3 glasses of water or seltzer each day for a month.</strike> (Dec 2011) <li>62. Get a facial. <li>63. <strike>Finish a bottle of multi-vitamins.</strike> (Nov 2011) <li>64. <strike>Go to the dentist and then get a cleaning every 6 months after. </strike>(March 2013) <li>65. <strike>Get a full physical</strike>. (May 2013) <li>66. <strike>Style my hair every day for one week (no ponytails/messy buns!)</strike>. (Feb 2011) <li>67. Ge<strike>t my hair dyed professionally.</strike> (Jan 2012) <li>68. <strike>Get my eyes re-examined and purchase new glasses.</strike> (March 2011) <li>69. <strike>Buy a pair of nice boots.</strike> (Oct 2011) <li>70. Don’t hit the snooze button for an entire week.</li></ul> <p><strong>Home</strong> <ul> <li>71. <em>Finish decorating the loft so it’s a completed space.</em><br>72. <strike>Re-do the kitchen.</strike> (March 2013) <li>73. Re-do the tub in the master bath. <li>74. Update sink fixtures in all the bathrooms. <li>75. Add patio stones to our outside space. <li>76. <strike>Re-decorate the bedroom area of the spare room.</strike> (March 2011) <li>77. <i>Re-carpet the bedrooms and main hallway.</i></li></ul> <p><strong>Food & Cooking</strong> <ul> <li>78. <em>Eat at 10 new, local, non-chain restaurants (7/10).</em> <li>79. <strike>Make lasagna.</strike> (April 2011) <li>80. Make Grandma’s pecan pie with a home-made crust. <li>81. <strike>Go blueberry picking and make jam.</strike> (July 2011) <li>82. Make tiramisu. <li>83. <strike>Bake a cake from scratch.</strike> (Guinness Cake w/Bailey's Frosting for St. Patty's Day - March 2012) <li>84. <strike>Drink an entire Guinness on St. Patrick’s Day.</strike> (March 2011) <li>85. Buy a teapot. <li>86. <strike>Make a gingerbread house.</strike> (Dec 2012) <li>87. Barbecue for dinner each night for one week (0/7). <li>88. <em>Try out 50 new recipes (30/50). </em></li></ul> <p><strong>Travel</strong> <ul> <li>89. Travel to Jamaica. <li>90. <strike>Travel to somewhere on the West Coast.</strike> (Feb 2012 - San Diego) <li>91. <strike>Swim in the Pacific Ocean.</strike> (stuck my feet in, good enough! Feb 2012 - San Diego) <li>92. <strike>Travel to Washington D.C.</strike> (Sept 2011) <li>93. Go on a cruise. <li>94. Go camping for a weekend. <li>95. Take a trip with my sister. <li>96. <strike>Take a trip with my parents.</strike> (August 2011) <li>97. <strike>Take a trip with my in-laws.</strike> (August 2011) <li>98. Go away for a weekend with friends. <li>99. Stay at a new Bed & Breakfast. <li>100. <strike>Watch the sun rise and the sun set in one day.</strike> (Feb 2012 - San Diego) <li>101. Renew passport w/my new last name</li></ul> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-29179611101789673342014-01-02T21:36:00.001-05:002014-01-02T21:36:46.233-05:0012-18 Month Favorites<p>Haven’t compiled one of these posts in a long time…not since 7-8 months! I do like going back to my monthly Toby recaps to see what toys he was playing with and things he enjoyed doing during the different stages, so I’m trying to make an effort to do more “Favorites” lists. Some of these items are from previous favorite lists but it proves they’re worth the money!</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-N5ukOi2JIrk/UsYiOehJPiI/AAAAAAAAHuM/Lp7vY4ippKI/s1600-h/1218MonthFavorites%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="1218MonthFavorites" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="1218MonthFavorites" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-8vgHXoDuilI/UsYiPC6EoGI/AAAAAAAAHuU/PLsKnGo3SyM/1218MonthFavorites_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="472" height="661"></a></p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Little-Tikes-Gas-Go-Mower/dp/B0038M8EQO/ref=pd_sim_t_38">Little Tikes Gas n’ Go Mower:</a> Toby used this later in the summer, both inside and outside, and still loves playing with it in our living room currently. We’ll ask him to fill it up with gas, and he grabs the gas tank and “pours” it into the little opening while we go “glug, glug, glug”. It sounds like a real mower when the beads start popping! Great gift for a birthday present. I like how this is a toy that doesn’t have songs or musical sound effects.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bumkins-3-Pack-Waterproof-SuperBib/dp/B000XPWXK2/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388195602&sr=8-2&keywords=bumkins+bibs">Bumkins SuperBib 3-Pack</a>: I included this bib on an earlier list but these things are awesome – I highly recommend them! Get the 3-Pack so that way you don’t have to be constantly washing one over and over. They are lightweight, easy to pack in a bag, and rarely stain.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Enterprises-19180-Discovery-House/dp/B004MWJLHK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388715573&sr=8-1&keywords=my+discovery+house">Leap Frog My Discovery House:</a> Included this on a previous list…he still loves to play with it now. He’s figured out what all the different functions do and can also switch settings. It’s another rare toy that keeps him entertained on his own for more than 5 minutes.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Snack-Catchers-Colors-Vary/dp/B000GB0NZK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388196886&sr=8-2&keywords=munchkin+snack+catcher">Munchkin Snack Catchers</a>: We’ve been using these since before Toby turned 1 and they’re pretty great. Do some puffs still manage to sneak out sometimes? Yes. But they do a good job for the most part. He hasn’t figured out how to take the entire top off yet, and the top has never come off while he’s stuck his hand in there to grab something.</p> <p>Big Red Barn and Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom: These are two of his favorite books. probably have been since he received them for his first birthday. I love Big Red Barn because the rhymes are soothing and it’s a great book to read before naptime. I credit Chicka Chicka for his obsession with the alphabet and learning a lot of the letters.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Radio-Flyer-Ultimate-Comfort-Wagon/dp/B008KUXKAE/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388195810&sr=8-2&keywords=radio+flyer+wagon">Radio Flyer – The Ultimate Comfort Wagon</a>: This was Toby’s big gift from Santa for Christmas 2012 as we figured we would start using it in the future summer months. We splurged to get the canopy, padded seats, built-in cup holders, and storage bag, but it was so worth it. The canopy was awesome when we had our beach vacation in August and gave Toby great sun coverage as we walked back and forth to the beach and downtown all week. The storage bag was good to stuff in all the wet towels and sandy extras that needed to be hosed down once we got back to the house. It looks like the price has increased a LOT since last year, though – almost $100! Not sure if we got it for a good deal last year, but I do feel it’s a solid investment.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Screen-Laptop/dp/B00428LJ06/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1388194606&sr=8-1&keywords=fisher+price+laptop">Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn Smart Screen Laptop</a>: Another toy that Toby’s enjoyed for a long time since he received it for Christmas 2012. It’s been fun to see how he interacts with the laptop now as he understands which buttons cause songs to play. He’s been into the alphabet letters song lately, of course. Since this toy has been used so much, the white numbers on the keys are starting to wear off but I guess that’s to be expected.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B1M2UP4/ref=oh_details_o03_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1">Halo Sleep Sack Wearable Blanket</a>: Yup, he’s been using these for over a year now. He moves around a lot in his sleep and I’m still nervous to let him sleep with a blanket so these are a great alternative. Plus, I’m pretty sure he recognizes it as a sleep cue now, so he knows it’s part of the nap or bedtime routine. </p> <p><a href="http://www.target.com/p/infant-boy-s-genuine-baby-from-oshkosh-axel-casual-denim-blue/-/A-14367851#prodSlot=medium_1_12">Infant Boy’s Genuine Baby from OshKosh Axel Casual Shoes</a>: We love these shoes so much that we bought them in size 4 and 5 so he’s been wearing them for several months now. I think he’s just starting to grow out of the 5’s which means we’ll have to look for something else soon. They’re great for early walkers (that then transition to fast runners) as the sole is thick enough for support but not too heavy – helps to prevent a lot of tripping.</p> <p><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Learning-Kitchen/dp/B00CQHYZ8I/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1388194705&sr=8-2&keywords=fisher+price+kitchen">Fisher-Price Laugh and Learn: Learning Kitchen</a>: Toby received this for his first birthday and I would say he’s played with it at least once a day since we took it out of the box in June. He’s figured out what buttons to push to make noise, he loves opening and closing the fridge, and there’s a couple songs he will play over and over again. It’s one of the few toys that he will play with independently for more than 5 minutes. While I would love for him to have a mini play kitchen, we just don’t have the room for it in our townhouse so this toy is a good compromise for now. It fits perfectly in one of the squares of our Ikea storage system.</p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-28711155808063434812013-12-17T21:55:00.001-05:002013-12-17T21:55:09.893-05:00Toby: 17 & 18 Months!<p>I decided to start doing an update every other month as I’ve just been so late in getting these done. Besides, he isn’t having a ton of firsts/milestones every few weeks like he was previously and I felt I was recording a lot of the same stuff each month! </p> <p>So the past couple months…he is saying more words and definitely babbling a ton. I can see he understands much more now. Like we will ask “can you get your shoes?” and he’ll go right over to the boot mat and pick out a pair of his, one shoe at a time(usually the red ones). We’ve been dealing with the hats/coat/mittens routine, so he knows where to get his hat and understands how to help put his arms in his coat. He knows some of his toys by name now. When I ask “are you ready for lunch”, he will go right to the fridge since he knows we start with yogurt first. He also understands the words “snack, puffs, Goldfish, pouch”. When I say “Let’s go upstairs and read stories”, he knows it’s nap time and will go over to the gate and wait for me to pick him up. The cutest thing he’s done lately is starting to recognize body parts and pointing out certain things. Asking “Toby, where is your belly button?” will result in him lifting up his shirt and pointing to his belly button while giving the biggest grin. He also knows where his eyes are, and I’ve been trying to work on nose and ears with him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y5k95kp3RIE/UrEOZcSOROI/AAAAAAAAHr0/KD4Zaj6V1T0/s1600-h/18months4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="18months4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18months4" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-by3wUHz1yuI/UrEOaHL-TsI/AAAAAAAAHr4/iC13cM3qqeg/18months4_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Temper tantrums have been in full force the past few weeks and are tiring Momma out big time. It’s usually due to him being hungry or getting mad when I take something away that he was playing with. We had a little break from the teeth but I think more may be coming in again…runny nose is back along with restless nights and needing us to go in to comfort him. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-BP8Z99IKKqE/UrEOaTAJK5I/AAAAAAAAHsA/3nuijFf3r2k/s1600-h/18months2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="18months2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18months2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YeSNfNk1F4o/UrEOa2ypG_I/AAAAAAAAHsI/795dBBVE_oA/18months2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Weight: 23.2 pounds (the nurse let him get weighed on the big kid scale since he REFUSED to sit down on the baby one)</p> <p>Height: a little over 32 inches (let’s just say he was wiggling around so much that it wasn’t very accurate)</p> <p>Medical Issues: Had a tummy bug the day before Thanksgiving. At first we thought he just coughed too much overnight as he woke up with puke in his crib. But then he barely wanted anything for breakfast and did end up throwing up the little amount of bagel and applesauce he actually ate. It was weird since he seemed okay the rest of the day, though – no fever or any other symptoms. The next day on Thanksgiving we started giving more bland food and he kept everything down so I gave him half a yogurt for lunch. He had the other half and a pouch later that afternoon, but I guess they were too much for him and while we were all eating dinner, he wanted out of his high chair and then ended up puking in Hubby’s lap. Great holiday story to remember! He then proceeded to share the bug with Hubby and me that night and then to Auntie, Grandma, and Grammy over the next couple days. I hadn’t had a stomach bug in almost 10 years and it was AWFUL…ugh little kids and the germs!!! Other than that, his doctor said all his teeth are in, so he may already be working on his two year old molars. His skin has only flared up a few times – it’s much better compared to last winter.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-I8MaJRxR12k/UrEObQHHgJI/AAAAAAAAHsQ/4X4tdBFilrc/s1600-h/18months3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="18months3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18months3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B81dlgy5gsg/UrEOcDkxysI/AAAAAAAAHsY/phCdna7TqmY/18months3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Sleep: Basically the same schedule – wakeup around 6:30am, nap from 12:45-2ish (for a few weeks he was sleeping until 3pm and it was AMAZING! But the past week he’s been waking up at 2…sigh), then asleep for the night by 7:30pm. There have been a few nights where he’s needed one of us to go in after crying for 10 minutes. He tends to prefer Daddy being the shoulder to lay on.</p> <p>Clothes/Diapers: All over the place for clothes right now – some 12-18 month sizes fit (mostly just pants) but he is quickly jumping into 2T stuff for shirts and hooded sweatshirts. Even 18-24 month stuff is not long enough to cover his belly! His pants all fit under his belly, though, so he will probably be in 18 month pants for at least a few more months. Still in 4’s for diapers, we will move up to 5’s for overnights once our current box runs out.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-c6YPGnHA8_E/UrEOcZGpqwI/AAAAAAAAHsc/4VS5KcuoEvY/s1600-h/18months5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="18months5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18months5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-b4a0gf6j4Y0/UrEOdI-1_kI/AAAAAAAAHsg/NiGMpL5Tumk/18months5_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Diet: Not being as picky – he still doesn’t like chicken and green veggies, but he’s gotten better with trying other things. Last week I tried giving him breaded chicken dipped in ketchup, then with BBQ sauce, then with applesauce and he wanted none of those variations. He wants nothing to do with broccoli or peas, but loves carrots and sweet potatoes. I was able to sneak some broccoli on pizza recently since we ran out of diced peppers for our usual topping. He ate a decent amount before he started to spit the broccoli back out. Normally he hates pasta but I cut up spaghetti into small pieces last week and he had some with turkey meatballs and loved it. He loves apples (“aaattle”), bananas, bagels w/cream cheese, oatmeal with blueberries, ground turkey w/taco seasoning, steak, hamburgers, cheese, cheese, and more cheese. He is starting to use a spoon to eat yogurt…so messy. We started putting his food on a plate instead of just on his tray and he’s doing well with not throwing the plate off, so hopefully this is good training for when we go out to eat.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-e8jlWu3V64A/UrEOdtSwVRI/AAAAAAAAHsw/VddMLaLwDo0/s1600-h/18months11%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="18months11" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18months11" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-RyvlI7wjAsE/UrEOeGZImdI/AAAAAAAAHs8/Wy4zdsot1D4/18months11_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Likes: Helping to clean up (most of the time), reading, watching Super Why (gets so excited for super letters to show up), being chased around the house and playing hide and seek (he will want you to hide), listening to music on the TV radio station (we listen to Pop Hits). Likes anything to do with alphabet letters. His new obsession has been to take a few items, place them in one spot in a room one by one, and then move them to a different spot one by one. He will repeat this for a good ten minutes and entertain himself.</p> <p>Dislikes: Getting lotion applied. Having his diaper changed. Having things taken away from him. Having the bathroom door shut.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KIUFdJECZ6I/UrEOe2e_0lI/AAAAAAAAHtE/qbUfoxgBMTQ/s1600-h/18months%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="18months" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18months" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-F4_qKaMhs_M/UrEOfcRzjFI/AAAAAAAAHtI/umpcGRGUXis/18months_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Milestones: Saying more letters in the alphabet when I sing – he will now say “L” and “O” when I stop and wait for him. Can point to his belly button, head, and eyes when asked where they are. Starting to use a spoon more on his own. Saying about 10-15 words consistently now, he has repeated a handful of other words once or twice. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sNCSfbQSljo/UrEOf1vBsbI/AAAAAAAAHtQ/i6r0nar3D9g/s1600-h/18months7%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="18months7" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18months7" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-g7hy0i8eKQk/UrEOgZyr_eI/AAAAAAAAHtY/Ud1JsfBCdOI/18months7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Things I don’t want to forget: How sometimes he will touch my mouth until I open up to show him my teeth – he loves touching them but it grosses me out. How he will reach down and start undoing the velcro straps when I ask him to take his shoes off when we get home. How he does more Yoga moves and songs at him now – he flaps his arms when I sing “Fannie the bird”. How he sometimes jumps up and down in one spot (his feet don’t leave the ground) to certain songs. How hard he laughs when we bring out the laser to let the kitties chase. He will run all around with them and laugh his butt off when they jump up to grab it on the walls. How he will listen to me sing “Jingle Bells” and then say “Oohh” when I start on the verse “Oh, what fun…”. How he will still rest his head on my shoulder after we read stories before I lay him down for a nap. I only rock him a minute or two, but I savor every second. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Fvz62NLdATA/UrEOg_RaOaI/AAAAAAAAHtk/uGgK2MNyclI/s1600-h/18months8%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="18months8" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18months8" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-PqPDS_IbwWY/UrEOh8iMiPI/AAAAAAAAHto/joqRkxEBHzc/18months8_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-af_qiYJe6-8/UrEOiaSiuQI/AAAAAAAAHtw/VTU5RzjlO9M/s1600-h/18months9%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="18months9" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="18months9" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-30ZdsoT7CbA/UrEOi8dle-I/AAAAAAAAHt4/fnW2gpnGGXg/18months9_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-57212148117692050802013-12-13T09:50:00.000-05:002013-12-13T09:50:00.411-05:00Popsicle Invitations<p>Well I worked on these invitations back in April and I’m just getting around to posting a how-to now. Since Toby wasn’t obsessed with anything in particular and I still wanted to do some kind of theme, I decided on something that was fun, colorful, and easy to put together. Since he has a summer birthday, we hosted a summer picnic/BBQ using the classic gingham design, some polka-dots, and lots of primary colors. When I was searching for birthday picnic ideas on Pinterest, the Teddy Bear Picnic theme came up a lot, but I strayed away from that as it seemed a little too feminine.</p> <p>I saw a picture of popsicle invitations and fell in love – I knew it would be perfect to set the picnic theme. They took some time to cut, punch, and actually put together but it was worth it, as they came out pretty cute. Unfortunately the downside to these invitations was that the post office really took a beating on the envelopes – the popsicle sticks must have gotten stuck in the machines causing some of the invitations to get a little crumpled. So if you decide to make something similar, I recommend passing these out in person rather than mailing, or talking to the post office about the most cost-effective way to get them out without being crushed. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KABQeh7bmRw/Uqkknx8VJJI/AAAAAAAAHqs/ie8ePUnvXcM/s1600-h/popsicleinvitationmaterials3.jpg"><img title="popsicleinvitationmaterials" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="popsicleinvitationmaterials" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-N_zb6b2TBaQ/Uqkkoyv9wHI/AAAAAAAAHq0/c4lL_YX4LIU/popsicleinvitationmaterials_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a></p> <p>I printed the invitations on 5x7 white cardstock cards (pre-cut). For each invitation, I took an invitation card for the front and then used a scrapbook paper piece for the back. I put the cards together like a sandwich and only put a glue dot in the top two corners to start. However, for the top right corner I needed to make sure that it was placed low enough so I wouldn’t punch it out (see below photo). I rounded the top left and bottom corners and used the 2” punch for the top right corner.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-GkNFU4FmJd4/UqkkpsURgUI/AAAAAAAAHq8/Cd1yaMcHrjM/s1600-h/popsicleinvitationwhite2%25255B1%25255D%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img title="popsicleinvitationwhite2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="popsicleinvitationwhite2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Nc9rxqOHsNc/UqkkqAuj_PI/AAAAAAAAHrE/fcCqf93R1QM/popsicleinvitationwhite2%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B14%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="430" height="598"></a></p> <p>I then separated the two paper pieces slightly so I could place the popsicle stick in the middle and centered on the back piece. I then put a glue dot on top of the stick and also on the two bottom corners of the back piece. Then I carefully laid the top invitation piece and smoothed everything so the glue dots stuck.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WIrhDM8ZV7Q/UqkkqnA-7HI/AAAAAAAAHrM/E3KAzki_qos/s1600-h/popsicleinvitationdots%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="popsicleinvitationdots" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="popsicleinvitationdots" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6QFLe6Ip-1M/UqkkrQDVg2I/AAAAAAAAHrQ/CdorhGbiZtg/popsicleinvitationdots_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Once I had these steps down, it wasn’t too difficult to make the rest. Here’s what they looked like after they were done. I loved that polka dot paper so much!</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-phGBZhzIAao/Uqkkr5SvT2I/AAAAAAAAHrc/4aWojS45Mss/s1600-h/popsicleinvitationback%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="popsicleinvitationback" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="popsicleinvitationback" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yrljZC66tj4/UqkksRrh9zI/AAAAAAAAHrg/3K9Zr9ZrJbI/popsicleinvitationback_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="544" height="364"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-7907789336906982122013-12-11T21:27:00.001-05:002013-12-11T21:27:36.495-05:00What Toby Really Wants for Christmas<p>I stumbled upon this hilarious blog post earlier today and had to share on Facebook just because of how true it is. You can see the original post <a href="http://theuglyvolvo.com/2013/12/10/a-ten-month-olds-letter-to-santa/">here</a>. Here’s Toby’s spin on the wishlist (but I’m sure he would want everything on the original, as well):</p> <p>Dear Santa,</p> <p>My Mommy comes up with a wishlist for me each year, but let’s be honest, she doesn’t know what I <em>really</em> want. Flash cards? I will crumple them in about three minutes or as soon as she turns her back. Plastic food? Why is it plastic? Please give me real food to play with! Here are some other ideas for you:</p> <p>1. The remote</p> <p>More specifically the one with the touch screen that I know Mommy and Daddy do not want me to have. They seem to be okay with me playing with the other remotes so why can’t I put my greasy little hands all over this one? </p> <p>2. The bathroom door to be taken off the hinges</p> <p>I despise the bathroom door being shut more than anything else. What are they doing in there?! Why can’t I come in the tiny room, too?! I’m not sure what this room’s purpose is for yet, other than it’s fun to open and close that white seat and rip the soft paper into tiny shreds. I want in this room, and I want in NOW. I demand the door be taken off, this will save everyone in our house many tears.</p> <p>3. The Swiffer</p> <p>I love swinging this thing all around the house! The long stick makes great banging noises on the walls and Mommy says I’ve been pretty close to breaking a few picture frames, but I’m not sure why that’s bad. Mommy’s not a fan of me playing with this, but I will throw the biggest tantrum ever if she puts it away. Cue big crocodile tears NOW. Please give me one of my own that I can access any time I wish.</p> <p>4. A couch</p> <p>I’ve been put in something called “Time-Out” a few times for running all over the couch and it’s not fun. Don’t they get that I need something to climb on like in my gym class? Mommy always says “this isn’t Gymboree, Toby!”, but I want it to be Gymboree ALL THE TIME. I would like a couch in my room, please, as the spare bed in there just won’t do.</p> <p>5. Ellie’s Whiskers</p> <p>The gray kitty is not a fan of me, I guess, and she really doesn’t like when I try to touch the funny white things coming out of her cheeks. I’d like a few of my own so I can actually touch them for more than just a second before she runs away. I will keep them in a wipes box for safe keeping.</p> <p>6. What Mommy Drinks in the Morning</p> <p>She always tells me she’s making “coffee” but I have no idea what this is. All I know is that it’s “HOT, NO TOUCH, HOT!”. I would like to try this drink because milk is getting a little boring. Please also provide me with some mugs of my own. </p> <p>7. Fissssh </p> <p>Also known as Goldfish Crackers. I love Fissssh, please make sure my Mommy has plenty of snack packs in the cabinet at all times. And tell her I don’t want to share anymore.</p> <p>8. More lotion containers</p> <p>I’d like a few new containers as I enjoy taking them out of the baskets my Mommy carefully organizes and placing them in random spots all over my room (and my parents’ room). Bonus points if the tops are easy for me to take off on my own before Mommy realizes what I’m attempting to do.</p> <p>9. Extra wipes boxes</p> <p>You can never have too many of these! </p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-67228484827856763722013-11-01T12:56:00.001-04:002013-11-01T12:56:23.094-04:00ROAR! Halloween Recap<p>While I love looking through everyone’s Facebook and blog photos of their happy, smiley kids on Halloween, I do have to admit I’m a bit jealous. Just keeping it real here…our Halloween was not so fun. We’ve learned that Toby does not do well being away from home after dinner at someone else’s house. He gets too cranky too fast and makes everyone stressed and miserable. It’s tough because it would be nice going out to see friends more instead of asking people to come over our house, but I guess we need to wait until he’s older. So many pros and cons to having a kid on a schedule, but he is very used to the routine.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Oo9ExPaYFJk/UnPdIT2jk0I/AAAAAAAAHbo/uOTt3gf0xSw/s1600-h/halloween2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="halloween2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="halloween2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Cgwxdva8CIc/UnPdJBkZxVI/AAAAAAAAHbw/lY7jRCAR1vc/halloween2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Earlier in the evening, I got Toby in his costume, we waited for Daddy to get to our friend’s house, and then headed out down the street to start Trick or Treating. This was our first year going out since last year Toby was only a few months old. I was hoping he’d be excited to see all the big kids and run after them, but nope, he demanded to be held by Daddy the whole time. We made it to the first house, rang the doorbell, and a sweet older lady opened the door. She was about to give Toby a Kit-Kat bar, but he burrowed his head into Daddy’s shoulder, refusing to look back at her OR take the damn candy. We decided after that experience it wasn’t worth going to any other houses and we headed back. Let’s hope next year is more fun!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-972PDkL84AA/UnPdJvZUe6I/AAAAAAAAHb0/m2aKQb6_h6g/s1600-h/halloween3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="halloween3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="halloween3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-S-coAZsrfKQ/UnPdKTRJjKI/AAAAAAAAHcA/POGxPkrWOdo/halloween3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xRY4Y2H63kc/UnPdK_EA2tI/AAAAAAAAHcI/3S7WESZLxuI/s1600-h/halloween4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="halloween4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="halloween4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WHLzqYAy0WA/UnPdLtB3k6I/AAAAAAAAHcQ/3EnULIQgn9E/halloween4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-AwcyOuHd-ng/UnPdMbW7kRI/AAAAAAAAHcY/zWXOcAqXSok/s1600-h/halloween%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="halloween" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="halloween" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-D2PRrodmXro/UnPdM-JEinI/AAAAAAAAHcg/MhRp3JnlghU/halloween_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-49640017030105957772013-10-30T17:34:00.001-04:002013-10-30T17:34:12.525-04:00Toby: 16 Months!<p>Better late than never! I actually took pictures on the 17th but he was refusing to sit in the chair for more than 3 seconds with the lion so there’s not many. </p> <p>Getting closer and closer to the year and a half mark, which just sounds so OLD! This past month has brought a lot of new things in respect to Toby understanding more and more of what we do each day. He can do a few yoga moves at home, which proved to me he does actually pay attention in class even when I think he’s not. He can do “downward dog” on demand and also knows what “silly silly spins” and “moon toe” are. He also knows certain books by title so if I ask him to bring me <u>What Do They Say?,</u> he brings the correct story over to read. I show him the three stories I am picking out to read before naptime and he smiles when he sees certain covers. <u>Chicka Chicka, Boom Boom</u>, <u>Little Blue Truck</u>, and <u>The Very Hungry Caterpillar</u> are some of his favs.</p> <p>I’m getting a little better with understanding what he says, or maybe he’s just saying more lately. When we sing the “ABC” song and stop after G, he will say “H, I” and sometimes even “J”. He says “ca, ca, ca” for cat and something like “daaa” for dog. I’ve also heard him say “ball” but not consistently. We’ve also heard him say “yes”, “wa-wa” (water), “chan” (diaper change), and “shuuu” (shoes). He now also roars on command which is freaking hilarious. </p> <p>This month has also brought more teeth..oh, the dreaded molars. Constant runny nose, lots of temper tantrums when things don’t go his way, and a few rough nights of sleep are a result of those monsters trying to get through. All I can say is that we are so spoiled with a normally good sleeper because just one tough night did all of us in. We (including the cats) all took a nap at the same time after swim lessons on a Saturday to catch up. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-ldLNfXY6-PA/UnF7L-FQN4I/AAAAAAAAHVY/8gBONXIS9G8/s1600-h/16months6%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="16months6" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16months6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-gVh9yQJdHAY/UnF7MnyffwI/AAAAAAAAHVc/23so8Hv94sc/16months6_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Weight: Well, he picked up the scale and then dropped it and stepped on to weigh himself and it said 22.8 pounds, but he was in full clothes and probably had a wet diaper. </p> <p>Height: Probably still around 32 inches.</p> <p>Medical Issues: Teething big-time.</p> <p>Sleep: Wakes up by 6:30AM, goes down for a nap between 12:15-12:30pm, usually naps for 1.5-2 hours, then is in the crib for bed by 7:30pm. Had a couple rough nights this past month due to the teeth. Needed a lot of stories read, lots of cuddles, and basically refused to be put back into the crib until 2am. Tylenol sometimes works, but it’s not a guarantee. We also tried teething tablets but I don’t think they did much for him.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G1FFFDjkW2A/UnF7NQh_onI/AAAAAAAAHVo/PnVP8F6Qeb4/s1600-h/16months%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="16months" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16months" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P55rpheJ9PU/UnF7NyRGxPI/AAAAAAAAHVs/7gB9K8Lelzk/16months_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Clothes/Diapers: Wearing 12-18 month outfits from Carters, 12-18 month two piece pj’s from Target’s Carter’s line, 18 month shirts and jeans from Kohl’s Jumpin Beans line, 12-18 pants and 18-24 month shirts from Old Navy. Some of his 18 month pants are still too big in the waist for him to wear. 5’s for shoes. 4’s for diapers.</p> <p>Diet: Still being very, very picky. Things he will actually eat lately include: bagel w/cream cheese, waffles, bananas, oatmeal w/blueberries, deli cheese, pureed carrots (refuses steamed), ground turkey (most of the time), yogurt, veggie stick puffs, homemade baked sweet potato fries, Goldfish crackers, grilled cheese, applesauce, pears, plums, homemade pizza w/diced peppers, steak, Annie’s White Cheddar Mac & Cheese (as long as I don’t sneak in peas or corn). Sometimes he will eat a burger if we’re lucky. Some days he likes hummus with pita, other days he refuses. Hates chicken, soup, tortellini, raviolis, broccoli, peas and most other veggies.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9JTd6PsEKEA/UnF7OW5uPVI/AAAAAAAAHV4/eXFmk1oGOeM/s1600-h/16months2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="16months2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16months2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MW4P_sU1b7E/UnF7PSOYJyI/AAAAAAAAHV8/FRz5M0JMC78/16months2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Likes: Helping to put things away if I ask him (most of the time it works if I get his attention and show him what I want to be cleaned up). Sweeping, swiffering, vacuuming. Reading (has favorites now that he wants to read over and over and over again). Throwing a ball and then chasing it. Super Why and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. Standing up the entire time while taking a bath. Playing outside. Climbing at the park. Running to the fence to check out the trailers and big wheels on some of the recreation department trucks at the park. Anything with wheels. Listening to the ABC song and saying “H, I”. </p> <p>Dislikes: When his mind is set on doing something and you don’t let him, watch out…ear-piercing scream at the top of his lungs will follow immediately. And then if you put him on the ground, he’ll usually go for the nearest thing and throw it in frustration. Definitely has a temper and little patience, but I suppose that’s normal watching other kids in his classes. I say “count to three, 1…2…3” and repeat that a few times and it usually distracts him long enough while we’re out in public. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-xWwWceUks08/UnF7P1XjdYI/AAAAAAAAHWE/HGDWUjJMly8/s1600-h/16months3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="16months3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16months3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-fA2_wF0pPSA/UnF7QSgsU0I/AAAAAAAAHWQ/2GHl8nxj9ys/16months3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Milestones: Saying a few other words, still waiting for a big verbal explosion. Knows what “clean up” means.</p> <p>Things I Don’t Want to Forget: When we are reading stories before naptime, I will finish a book and then he’ll push it away to let me know we’re officially done with that one and it’s time to move onto another story. How he will run across the room and jump into my lap when we are doing certain poses or exercises in yoga…he definitely has some favorites that he won’t miss out on. How he gets SO excited when he hears the key turn in the lock after dinner…DADDY’S HOME! How he tries to pick up Maggie now…let’s just say she’s had a rough few weeks with him and is a trooper (though you would think she’d get smart like Ellie and just run away upstairs). How silly he is! He giggles at the most random stuff. We have the best tickle fights now :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-4BBANm5fwIU/UnF7Q0Uil4I/AAAAAAAAHWU/_YksxH0Tzm0/s1600-h/16months4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="16months4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16months4" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-iwYxUpGfqAM/UnF7Rt8WedI/AAAAAAAAHWc/CC3aR4uHVGw/16months4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-OAHYMIhmbqs/UnF7SL6GyEI/AAAAAAAAHWk/3d3m2Iv80LA/s1600-h/16months5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="16months5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16months5" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-klQI4bOORnk/UnF7SkGRr1I/AAAAAAAAHWs/EHxaz8LXHdI/16months5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6ruL6qft03c/UnF7TJYCYfI/AAAAAAAAHW0/TIRMdPYc27w/s1600-h/16months7%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="16months7" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16months7" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-UuGMKRfhDQo/UnF7TmCj-UI/AAAAAAAAHW8/9Lpf3gZdWRU/16months7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-B74D1ejYnYs/UnF7UES5QrI/AAAAAAAAHXI/lb_7ERUiHAk/s1600-h/16months8%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="16months8" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="16months8" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-tN4cnNyeVtk/UnF7UnzvO5I/AAAAAAAAHXM/3kIr2gCD-88/16months8_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-25013388881858893652013-09-29T09:10:00.000-04:002013-09-29T20:13:12.490-04:00Apple Picking!<p>This year’s apple picking was a whole lot more fun compared to last year, that’s for sure! Last year Toby was half whining/half snoozing in the Ergo attached to me; this year he was running up and down the aisles with an apple in his hand the entire time. He enjoyed throwing some of them, too, but luckily his aim is still low to the ground and he didn’t hit anyone. He took quite a few tumbles because of all the ditches in the rows but he got the hang of it eventually. Towards the end we also checked out the pumpkin patch, but we decided to wait a few more weeks until we take home a pumpkin.</p> <p>Best part about apple picking this year was that Hubby made apple crisp twice…I didn’t even have to peel any apples!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-V9WOqG751TI/UkYssyUpcnI/AAAAAAAAG4c/mfsBnH4ZBS0/s1600-h/apples%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="apples" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_ey-ROGIpps/UkYstYhvPHI/AAAAAAAAG4k/6nA2PnN1MZA/apples_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jolCjNx-Pg4/UkYst3rAUQI/AAAAAAAAG4s/VbKOsc6PCiI/s1600-h/apples2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="apples2" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-wP1HQyqb8n0/UkYsuZU4jlI/AAAAAAAAG40/5tlHldUKf-Q/apples2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7Ti_Z-kiZTM/UkYsvKZeesI/AAAAAAAAG44/RIm_D_CrxKM/s1600-h/apples3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="apples3" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jEfeYqt2VpY/UkYsvnNOCZI/AAAAAAAAG5E/B9X53k8Xsq8/apples3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PVze1sCNOWM/UkYswVYqaPI/AAAAAAAAG5M/BU6o2JxJD2g/s1600-h/apples4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="apples4" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-JVoPLGErx40/UkjB8nsqJXI/AAAAAAAAG5k/7F499Zm9r2E/apples4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TsxAo4rJ3OA/UkjB9M1unwI/AAAAAAAAG5s/0zDKeaOzwyg/s1600-h/apples52.jpg"><img title="apples5" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NzEHAsMC0Kg/UkjB9y23h-I/AAAAAAAAG5w/3I96jHSU7t8/apples5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--PuV3UDmwOk/UkjB-VAF2zI/AAAAAAAAG58/KaA8PD0yiG0/s1600-h/apples63.jpg"><img title="apples6" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-P1MXVjuyUEg/UkjB-6gzjHI/AAAAAAAAG6A/U1LYQG4YkCQ/apples6_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KyPk5hl4y8Y/UkjB_Ytfq1I/AAAAAAAAG6M/u8_4KpEjSk4/s1600-h/apples73.jpg"><img title="apples7" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LhzDVdsGSCU/UkjB_9Sx_eI/AAAAAAAAG6Q/u9zd-zZYWM0/apples7_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-RbgEZGGCbCc/UkjCAsUMPAI/AAAAAAAAG6c/RAyhI23XC84/s1600-h/apples83.jpg"><img title="apples8" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples8" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q9LEO6byKbg/UkjCBKTQknI/AAAAAAAAG6g/HhQKkltxjkc/apples8_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-uIDIIqNxb8U/UkjCBtfnZFI/AAAAAAAAG6s/3VlAILV89PI/s1600-h/apples93.jpg"><img title="apples9" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples9" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5DorKLYz1lU/UkjCCmcKhDI/AAAAAAAAG6w/U_8XoFd7G9M/apples9_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vaM40m3f1w4/UkjCDJRbxEI/AAAAAAAAG64/WdTukybzEqY/s1600-h/apples102.jpg"><img title="apples10" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples10" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZKC2V0yWXmA/UkjCDv1rzUI/AAAAAAAAG68/Z4qid5J4DkI/apples10_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8xNwCHXPovg/UkjCEKjhawI/AAAAAAAAG7M/jff_rpvCYUU/s1600-h/apples112.jpg"><img title="apples11" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples11" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sNzhUDH80yw/UkjCEmX-M8I/AAAAAAAAG7Q/wD3mDwFp6ac/apples11_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h39IB09sIoA/UkjCFFTfE7I/AAAAAAAAG7c/D9frSlivFNM/s1600-h/apples123.jpg"><img title="apples12" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px" border="0" alt="apples12" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-V_HGFsPYBJ8/UkjCFhVRm7I/AAAAAAAAG7k/89rb2yY_9DM/apples12_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-31129650068668120982013-09-27T20:27:00.001-04:002013-09-27T20:27:44.851-04:00Toby: 15 Months!<p>This update is more than 10 days late but that’s not a huge shocker. I feel like I can’t catch up with anything lately, mostly because of the colds we’ve been battling in this house. Two colds in less than three weeks is a bummer, but at least Toby handles them well. You would never know he was sick except for his runny nose. The first time I thought he was just teething but then I had a sore throat the next day and knew we both coming down with something. I’m not really surprised we’ve been sick considering we’ve been going to Gymboree, yoga, swim lessons, and playdates. Yay germs! </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-M5vThMdi6a4/UkYiU0QC2KI/AAAAAAAAG1k/Dt5iv1W58qw/s1600-h/15monthslion%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="15monthslion" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15monthslion" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w6NzkUFo3Jk/UkYiVefLm8I/AAAAAAAAG1s/uoS8OpRFQiI/15monthslion_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Yoga was a last minute addition to our fall schedule but the instructor was offering a good discount so I figured why not. He’s been pretty shy for the first half hour of class and then slowly warms up so I think this is good for him to experience another atmosphere with other adults and kids. I’ve noticed he checks other kids out a little more than he used to, but he would still rather do his own thing. Gymboree is going really well – he loves his teacher, always stops when she starts to sign a song and stares at her like he’s trying to understand every word. He is also clapping his hands a lot more since they do that so much in gym. The only downside about Gymboree is that he has learned to climb over and onto EVERYTHING. The chairs, ottoman, coffee table are all fair game in our house, and he can climb onto the sofa if he uses your legs for support. I’d be fine with the climbing if he wasn’t so insistent about standing and jumping on everything…</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rO9CtsDxLMU/UkYiVwL6cJI/AAAAAAAAG10/WNbGPzgLdzQ/s1600-h/15months2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="15months2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15months2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pp816lSvdYk/UkYiWRycDYI/AAAAAAAAG14/KToCKLKZVFk/15months2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Other major difference this month is the pickiness with food phase has started. He still eats breakfast and lunch well (minus lunch meat), but he is usually refusing what we make for dinner a good four or five nights a week. He wouldn’t even eat Annie’s Mac & Cheese the other night because I tried to be sneaky and added in some peas. Sigh. I’m going to have to be creative with having more healthy snacks on hand because if he refuses to eat dinner then I have nothing else to give him!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2d5--wPr6FA/UkYiWyaRabI/AAAAAAAAG2E/3uJNQ_B4xdY/s1600-h/15months3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="15months3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15months3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KmS4t-DsoRE/UkYiXR65W4I/AAAAAAAAG2M/gDgrdK8NRxs/15months3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Weight: 22.5 pounds – only gained a few ounces from his 12 month appointment. The nurse seemed to be worried about it but his doctor said it’s totally fine and wasn’t concerned. Go figure. Somewhere between 25th-50th percentile…can’t remember what the papers said.</p> <p>Height: 32 inches tall. Another reason why he didn’t gain much weight is because he grew two inches in three months. (I have a feeling she may have measured him a little too tall, though). Anyways he’s back up to the 70th-something percentile for height.</p> <p>Medical issues: Two colds this past month, definitely getting molars in (doctor said they’re ready to break through any day). Eczema is okay.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fjmQynhA3DA/UkYiX9n4qkI/AAAAAAAAG2U/OgzixsaBVfg/s1600-h/15months4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="15months4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15months4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qceQltARwZM/UkYiYuIUZmI/AAAAAAAAG2c/VdLQ8X_wyqw/15months4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Sleep: Schedule is usually wake up around 6:30am, nap from 11:45-1:30ish, in the crib for bed by 7:15 or 7:30. Last week he napped for THREE hours and I couldn’t believe it – but now looking back at it, I think that’s when he was coming down with the second cold. Usually he averages 1.5-2 hours for a nap.</p> <p>Clothes/Diapers: He totally wore a pair of 12 month pants that fit the other day and the jeans he’s wearing in these pics are 12 months but Circo stuff always fits him strange…he has such a skinny waist. But most of his other outfits are 18 months now. I bought a ton of fall/winter stuff on Old Navy since they had a good sale and all the shirts are 18-24 months since their stuff tends to run a little small on him. He’s wearing one of the shirts in these recap photos and it’s not too roomy. I’ve noticed he has a longer torso (with a belly) and shorter legs, so he fills things out quicker on top than the bottom. Still in 4’s for diapers, has moved up to 5’s in shoes.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cvZ7GAvMwJQ/UkYiZA1WKuI/AAAAAAAAG2k/96keu-Cvz94/s1600-h/15months5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="15months5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15months5" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f-eB6PHkzpk/UkYiZxWHKDI/AAAAAAAAG2o/6jN7X_MwKJs/15months5_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Diet: UGH. That’s all I can say. Latest things he’s been refusing are chicken, ground turkey, deli meats, most vegetables, soup, bread w/butter, and oatmeal. Hubby made pot roast in the slow cooker yesterday and he ate 5 bites of potatoes and refused to eat anything else. So dinner has been very hard. He ate a few pieces of a hamburger the other day which was a miracle. He is, however, a huge fan of Goldfish now. We share a snack pack when he eats yogurt before taking his nap. He still loves most fruits, especially when you peel the skin off of something and let him take bites, like from an apple, peach, or plum. Also loves milk – we try to keep him to 2 cups total each day but he would easily drink more.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MugpefgmQ5Q/UkYiaK9IkLI/AAAAAAAAG20/SH_WN0VbpOg/s1600-h/15months6%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="15months6" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15months6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Q-K_3MPHBuc/UkYiasXW__I/AAAAAAAAG24/gakQbgN3E7o/15months6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Milestones/Firsts: Says “ca” for “cat”. Can say “cheese”, “all done”, and “keys”. When I say “A, B, C”, he will repeat “aaa” for “A”. Other than that we haven’t heard much or at least much that’s understandable. His doctor keeps saying that since he was walking early this is normal and he’ll probably only add a few more words by the time he turns 18 months. Other big milestone has been the climbing this month. First time staying away overnight from both Mommy & Daddy (we went to a wedding and Grandma and Grandpa came up to watch him). </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aL9mR6qO1EY/UkYibBOwudI/AAAAAAAAG3E/AaKELtGzVbQ/s1600-h/15months8%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="15months8" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15months8" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-PzlN93BoY-I/UkYibrYpLZI/AAAAAAAAG3M/Liwxu4M-YIg/15months8_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Likes: Helping shut doors. Playing outside with his Cozy Coupe (or just playing outside in general). Reading. Watching Super Why and the intro song for Daniel Tiger. Dogs (smiles so big and giggles whenever he sees one in person)! Running around with bigger kids at playdates. Pushing things. Playing with blankets and pillows. Chasing after Daddy when he gets home from work. </p> <p>Dislikes: Going upstairs to take a nap (but then he’s fine once we start reading a few stories). Being shut out of the bathroom (“privacy, please!” “just one minute!”). Being put in his highchair for dinner. </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EVwHBemWHp4/UkYicAhQsPI/AAAAAAAAG3Q/G5I6TIcLh_E/s1600-h/15months9%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="15months9" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15months9" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dQ2unmzqx4g/UkYicf8WC_I/AAAAAAAAG3c/PvPKSivWNro/15months9_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Things I don’t want to forget: How he is so proud of himself every time he climbs onto the living room chair and sits down. Then he stands up and waits for us to say “no standing” and starts jumping. How fast he flips through pages in a book when he’s reading by himself. How he loves sitting in my lap, even if we’re not reading. How he pushes the cars and trains on the floor around now, just like a big boy. How he tries to hide from strangers by covering his eyes or slumping over completely in the shopping cart. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mNsTCIDB4z4/UkYic0nAkfI/AAAAAAAAG3k/GjgQhypikT0/s1600-h/15months10%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="15months10" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15months10" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dWvZI3H2ULI/UkYidQ45m1I/AAAAAAAAG3s/RA33Pi3nOVs/15months10_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-KBER6hCU_SE/UkYieACEHmI/AAAAAAAAG30/FKeMSboG7AU/s1600-h/15months11%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="15months11" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15months11" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1xvPyYOB3m0/UkYiehDX2gI/AAAAAAAAG38/-lrImclWydw/15months11_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NU7HjlCS0_U/UkYifFnim9I/AAAAAAAAG4E/dKz5sxNj6d0/s1600-h/15monthslion2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="15monthslion2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="15monthslion2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UPGJsXSdOio/UkYif903V1I/AAAAAAAAG4I/MqcOYd5FvLo/15monthslion2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-65412503304647318172013-09-11T21:38:00.001-04:002013-09-11T21:38:10.054-04:0020 Things That Change<p>Found this on a parenting website and loved it…thought I would share for any momma’s who still read my rarely updated blog :)</p> <p>…</p> <p>Everyone warns you that having a baby will change your life. Sure, you'll have less money (and sleep), and a lot more responsibility. But when the centre of your universe shifts to your baby, there's much to celebrate too.</p> <p>You discover an inner strength you never realized you had. <p>You accept that the last 15 pregnancy pounds you can't seem to shift are absolutely worth it. <p>You don't need a clock any more - your baby now sets your daily schedule. <p>You respect and love your own parents in a new way. <p>Any pain your baby suffers feels much worse than your own. <p>You don't mind going to bed at 9pm on a Friday night. <p>Your heart breaks much more easily. <p>You discover how much there is to say about one little baby tooth. <p>You look at your baby in the mirror instead of yourself. <p>You're no longer disgusted by babies' bodily functions - in fact, you're fascinated by them (hooray, a poo!). <p>The sacrifices you thought you'd made to have a baby no longer seem that big a deal. <p>You respect your body ... finally. <p>You realize that a baby's blankie has magical powers! <p>You give parents with a screaming baby an "I-know-the-feeling" look, instead of a "Can't-they-shut-him-up?" one. <p>You make time for one more baby hug and kiss, even if it means you'll be late. <p>You realize that it's possible to love a complete stranger. <p>You learn that taking a shower is a luxury, never mind a trip to the hair salon. <p>You finally get to speak to the shy neighbour in your street, because you've got a baby in your arms. <p>You find that things that once seemed important are now meaningless. <p>Every day is a surprise. <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vVFHlCPM5W8/UjEa_ZyhK8I/AAAAAAAAG1I/IAZEaLdkozE/s1600-h/tobywater%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobywater" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobywater" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-P3r17EPI0yo/UjEbAORsMII/AAAAAAAAG1Q/pe-mMRxvbdo/tobywater_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-11261638622857766992013-09-10T22:22:00.001-04:002013-09-10T22:22:56.481-04:00Currently<p>Laughing at…Toby waving his arms back and forth really fast when he’s done eating. And sometimes he’ll shout out “Whoa, Whoa, Whoa” when doing it.</p> <p>Amused by…Toby’s new fascination with stealing things from the fridge and running away with them. For instance, yesterday he thought it was hilarious to take the milk jug out and run off with it. And today he managed to snatch a container of hummus and sneak away into the living room. By the time I realized he grabbed something, he figured out how to take off the lid and smeared globs of hummus on the floor. I was freaking out and laughing my ass off at the same time. And he was SO mad at me when I took the hummus back and made him wash off his hands.</p> <p>Struggling with…change. Hubby has a new job which means longer commute which means lot of adjusting for me and Toby. And the solution is not me going back to work, like oh so many people have suggested. </p> <p>Loving…fall is on its way! I remember last year feeling very sad with summer ending and how I wasn’t ready for the seasonal change. But this year I am all about autumn – bring on the pumpkin goodness!</p> <p>Grateful for…my Scentsy business is really taking off and I’m pretty proud of my hard work :) Being my own boss has pushed me to branch out and be creative in all aspects of the business.</p> <p>Working on…getting Toby to say more words. I’ve given up on him ever saying Mama but I will take anything else at this point as he’s just not very consistent with saying things.</p> <p>Wishing…we were back in Maine still on vacation. This year’s week away at the beach was so different compared to last year, but in a good way! It was a lot of fun watching Toby “jump” in the waves for the first time, splash in the wet sand puddles, scoop up sand in his toys, and chase after dogs on their after-dinner night walks on the beach. He couldn’t get enough of the ocean – one day we had to pull him out since his feet were blue and he threw a fit the whole way back up to our spot on the beach. I think he would have gone completely under the water if we let him!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KEfxSOBVGUM/Ui_T2Dd-xpI/AAAAAAAAGyg/eDmxAzz93cc/s1600-h/beach2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="beach2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="beach2" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nUeBJz3g3_w/Ui_T2r8sEWI/AAAAAAAAGyo/ed-eQUp3r0A/beach2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-EK49DejJmGI/Ui_T3Doi9wI/AAAAAAAAGyw/jTDFCcHHUD8/s1600-h/beach3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="beach3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="beach3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lmrtVGeJDT8/Ui_T3e7e7SI/AAAAAAAAGy4/lPHTueVQNm8/beach3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xTvrqHyFfIE/Ui_T3xJiQlI/AAAAAAAAGzA/imBdW14WAhU/s1600-h/beach4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="beach4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="beach4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-wzECBL40ctc/Ui_T4RRe9wI/AAAAAAAAGzI/Gn5Ds8EXMx0/beach4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-mu6juafb-m8/Ui_T4yIEvqI/AAAAAAAAGzQ/ER60o6EMj5c/s1600-h/beach5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="beach5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="beach5" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LAj_bQTqRmE/Ui_T5dkNfJI/AAAAAAAAGzY/ePx1XeT0qiQ/beach5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-apn_dXioLLc/Ui_T5-ZmpzI/AAAAAAAAGzg/N_LLj7pd0Nk/s1600-h/beach6%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="beach6" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="beach6" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Qg5lDBikIto/Ui_T6acV1HI/AAAAAAAAGzo/52YiMj0dB_c/beach6_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-X9v65UPbb8M/Ui_T61WHddI/AAAAAAAAGzw/hTuLBL0bfBQ/s1600-h/clouds3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="clouds3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="clouds3" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-QCr2V4oYfrU/Ui_T7Vw6h5I/AAAAAAAAGz4/yhGpn-SRsN0/clouds3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-q9hZNJLOyRs/Ui_T75N-anI/AAAAAAAAG0A/QgbWY4FXgxw/s1600-h/clouds4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="clouds4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="clouds4" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-THjnJeDtZDk/Ui_T8fmkEfI/AAAAAAAAG0I/EHEZScfzgKI/clouds4_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9ST-3wmrzxA/Ui_T9BRaxBI/AAAAAAAAG0Q/VbO8K97xev4/s1600-h/clouds5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="clouds5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="clouds5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m2TPPXt1eKQ/Ui_T9tGVouI/AAAAAAAAG0Y/dEXEmrVJ6Rs/clouds5_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-HSuBIVMrb8c/Ui_T-PJlqdI/AAAAAAAAG0g/wY0-8cYg4kc/s1600-h/clouds6%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="clouds6" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="clouds6" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PArXYeUfhVc/Ui_T-kVpIXI/AAAAAAAAG0o/ZInSu11WkyQ/clouds6_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pVxm-xQS0l8/Ui_T_J46hwI/AAAAAAAAG0w/2FJp0M1sZKE/s1600-h/IMG_3192%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_3192" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_3192" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-3cq_6BMqYmw/Ui_T_nG9q9I/AAAAAAAAG04/1-SSS6fshm4/IMG_3192_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-4066842805672432582013-08-17T11:49:00.001-04:002013-08-17T11:49:33.650-04:00Toby: 14 Months!<p>Someone has become a big boy this past month…no more bottles in this house! I started by offering him a sippy (the cheap Take and Toss kind) of milk at lunch and after a few days he realized I wasn’t going to give him water so he ended up drinking the milk. So the mid-morning bottle after his first nap turned into 3-4 oz of milk with lunch instead. Then I worked on getting him to drink a sippy in the afternoon after his second nap. That was tough the first few days since he refused to drink when he was sitting in my lap. I finally just left the cup on the ottoman and waited for him to get it himself. Success! He would roam around, drink for a minute or two, play, then keep drinking and playing until he finished. Of course the Take and Toss cups are not exactly leak-proof, so I follow him around with a burp cloth to clean up little milk puddles wherever he drops the cup, but hey, I’ll take it. Then we followed the same process for the morning bottle and replaced that, and a few days later we offered a sippy at night and he took it with no complaints. I’m fine with keeping the night sippy for now since we brush his teeth afterwards and books are read after that point. I’m not sure how it would affect the night-time routine if we omitted it completely. Overall, it wasn’t too hard to wean from the bottle once I went about the method of offering at lunch first. We’re lucky he likes drinking from the cheap sippys – much easier to clean (I HATE STRAW CUPS WITH A PASSION) and I won’t feel bad if we forget one somewhere or if it’s gets too gross and we need to actually toss it.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-z3lJYWt1qI4/Ug-bV7943fI/AAAAAAAAGp0/dgnjwaXBbyk/s1600-h/14months10%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="14months10" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14months10" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JCzsl-8QgEo/Ug-bWmGS3CI/AAAAAAAAGp8/mrKbJWXQa4A/14months10_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Other milestones this month…he has learned how to climb down a few stairs at a time on his own. This was pretty exciting to watch him do in Gymboree. And just yesterday he practiced going up and down the two stairs to get into the finished part of the basement. Something else that’s new is he will bring a book over to you and if you’re sitting on the floor, he will back up until he plops down in your lap. He also does this randomly when he’s just playing. Probably the other thing I’ve noticed more recently is how much he enjoys music now. He is loving Old McDonald’s Farm lately, along with Itsy Bitsy Spider and BINGO. He enjoys watching the Nursery Rhyme version of a Baby Genius DVD we have and smiles so much when he sees the farm animals or dogs running around while the songs play. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XD018jU2C-4/Ug-bXLGWlCI/AAAAAAAAGqE/IC1999x-zDk/s1600-h/14months%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="14months" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14months" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-iNhcNqaZMSc/Ug-bX_h-JrI/AAAAAAAAGqM/0MPQPo89JqI/14months_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Speaking of TV, I’ve also noticed he’s stopping to watch more while playing, so I try not to keep it on for background noise unless we’re listening to one of the music channels. We do still watch the Today show in the AM’s for an hour or so, because frankly, I need to watch some kind of news to feel connected to the outside world. But for shows for him, we really only let him watch Daniel Tiger’s neighborhood and then a couple other shows on the weekends. He won’t sit down for an entire episode, though, he really only watches the introduction song and the first five minutes. He will sit down for the entire Baby Genius DVD, which is a good break when I need to get dinner ready (AKA open the oven without a tiny person running around) and before Daddy gets home. The 4pm-5:30pm timeframe has been the toughest…I just run out of things to do by that point!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fUAT6RW4PoI/Ug-bYr1sn-I/AAAAAAAAGqU/Or4FYcquVNE/s1600-h/14months2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="14months2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14months2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_6NWrqKEF0o/Ug-bZae4-9I/AAAAAAAAGqc/a_MsposX0GA/14months2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Weight: Probably getting closer to 24 pounds? Really have no idea, especially because his 12 month shorts and some pants still fit! Wish I had a little waist problem…</p> <p>Height: Assuming just over 30 inches.</p> <p>Medical Issues: Nothing new…dry patches on the undersides of his elbows and knees. Ha, and he had two black eyes in less than 3 weeks. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VtF7YamO1tM/Ug-bZ3YrTNI/AAAAAAAAGqk/42r9wUnpbhk/s1600-h/14months3%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="14months3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14months3" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KxeEtYAPEG8/Ug-baydXeCI/AAAAAAAAGqs/nPnAZs6SLeg/14months3_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Sleep: Oh two naps a day, I MISS YOU! He started fighting afternoon naps again, then a few days after that he refused his AM nap two days in a row, which he never ever does. Then it went back to fighting afternoon naps. Some days I would try to just let him have quiet time for 45-60 minutes but in the afternoon he got really cranky with that. So for the past week he has been doing one nap a day, but unfortunately he hasn’t started sleeping in much later or taking a longer nap yet. He did sleep in til 6:45 today, so here’s hoping that his sleep patterns re-adjust soon. Current schedule: Wake-up between 6-6:30 (some mornings I hear him up at 5:45am), nap from 11am-12:30ish, upstairs by 7pm at the latest, in the crib by 7:15 or 7:30 depending if it’s bath night. I’m hoping I can stretch him until 11:30 or noon over the next week so he has more of a lunch before (right now I give him yogurt before putting him down as a mid-morning snack). </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d7AKe3AJWB8/Ug-bbRGRMKI/AAAAAAAAGq0/AA6OOB2gDQI/s1600-h/14months4%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="14months4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14months4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-BgrRaY7mxpo/Ug-bb72w-xI/AAAAAAAAGq8/VZMRTl5i_-k/14months4_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Clothes/Diapers: No changes – still in 12 month shorts or pants, 12-18 month onesies, jumpers/rompers, and t-shirts. 4’s for shoes, though I did buy him 5’s in some Crocs a couple days ago, but they’re roomy. Still in 4’s for day and overnight diapers.</p> <p>Diet: No major changes, has gotten a little pickier with veggies but for the most part is a good eater. Typical eating schedule now: Half a sippy of milk in the AM when he wakes up, has some puffs or a rice cake. Breakfast at 8am (usually splits a bagel thin with cream cheese with me, then he has some fruit or oatmeal and water to drink). Mid-morning snack at 10:30am of yogurt. Lunch when he wakes up from a nap, usually no later than 1pm (cheese, deli meat, peas, hummus/pita, veggie sticks or leftovers with half a sippy of milk and more water if he wants). Afternoon snack around 3 or 4 – usually a fruit or veggie pouch and some more puffs if he’s really whiny. Sometimes he gets half a sippy of milk, sometimes just water. Dinner by 6pm – usually eating whatever we have and then has some veggies out of a jar since he thinks it’s cooler to eat them that way than on his own in actual form. Last sippy of milk before bed.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QqtPspQWXbQ/Ug-bc_qflCI/AAAAAAAAGrE/GpoNetLMsUo/s1600-h/14months7%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="14months7" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14months7" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bCdx_43vBgw/Ug-bd2OyW_I/AAAAAAAAGrM/9w1DW8QaS0g/14months7_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Baby Gear Love: Red Flyer Wagon. Cozy Coupe. Used the Ergo last week at the fair and it still works great. He was fine with me carrying him around and I barely felt his weight on my back.</p> <p>Milestones: Not saying too many new words, at least ones that I can understand. I think he tries to repeat “done” sometimes but it’s not consistent. Other major thing I’ve noticed is him climbing down a few stairs on his own. Oh, and first hair cut! Daddy and Auntie were saying he was looking a little shaggy and that he had a mullet in the back, so I trimmed the fronts, around his ears, and in the back a little. At least he has curly hair so you can’t tell if it’s uneven. Next time we’ll have to take him somewhere to get it cut professionally.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RBNdpntWGgA/Ug-be4PSZHI/AAAAAAAAGrU/xQNFFeZlIoM/s1600-h/14months5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="14months5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14months5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-CPMBiy0I_mE/Ug-bflUSvaI/AAAAAAAAGrc/hTz6490L1xM/14months5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Likes: Catching bubbles at Gymboree. Chasing us and being chased around downstairs. Hiding behind the living room curtains. Picking up the kitty food kibbles, dropping them in one by one into their dishes, and then dumping them back out to start the process over again (at least he doesn’t seem to eat them anymore). Watching the weather report. Pushing his Cozy Coupe around outside in the front. </p> <p>Dislikes: Always excited to go outside until he realizes we’re going to the car instead of letting him play with his Cozy Couple (MELTDOWN). Being told no after opening drawers in the kitchen (we really need to put locks on some). Being shut out of the bathroom. Getting lotion applied to his arms. Holding hands when we walk.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AqngSjuRzTc/Ug-bgBWTOzI/AAAAAAAAGrk/TRDkJ4zTdtM/s1600-h/14months9%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="14months9" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14months9" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-2CZPuPiEdcY/Ug-bgxH3fnI/AAAAAAAAGro/z4QN6oY0kXA/14months9_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Things I don’t want to forget: How my heart melts every time he backs up to plop down in my lap. How he reaches to grab my glasses when I’m not paying attention. How he hides under the kitchen table. How he thinks it’s hilarious when I peer in the window at him before I open the door to get him out of his car seat. How he throws toys at us if he’s mad about being put in the car seat. Freshie fresh. How he will sit on my lap so we can row our boat and sing and then grab my hands when he wants to do it again. How hard he laughs sometimes. How he loves helping me push the central vac and gets so mad when I don’t let him help. Listening to the pit patter of tiny feet running all over the house every single day.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kgd7ctZNtCc/Ug-bh51J3JI/AAAAAAAAGr0/KvdGdKLWnW8/s1600-h/14months8%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="14months8" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="14months8" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8QlfydLiwzs/Ug-bjON121I/AAAAAAAAGr8/DU1NEygVOdM/14months8_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-78574047025217438972013-07-20T08:42:00.000-04:002013-07-20T08:42:00.951-04:00Two Little Words<p>When Toby and I returned back home yesterday afternoon, I changed him, said “all clean” like I’ve been doing for weeks now, and then placed him back on the floor so he could play. Not less than 10 minutes later I hear him grunting under the kitchen table. “UGH, I JUST CHANGED YOU!” I exclaimed.</p> <p>Back to the changing table we went, repeating the process of getting a new diaper on. After I snapped his onesie, I said “all clean” again and picked him up from the table. Before I set him back down, he looked right at me and repeated “aww cwean”. It was clear as day to me, however to someone else, he or she may have not agreed. I said “all clean” again and heard a little parrot repeat “awwww cwean”. I said the phrase again and hear Toby giggle after he says the two words, even though this time it sounded more like “aa keen”. I teared up instantly because for some reason I felt like this was the first time I was hearing him say words. Actual words. Hearing him yell “go, go, go” is funny but most of the time I still feel like he’s just practicing “g” syllables. But to hear him repeat me and have it be so obvious in what he was expressing…well, let’s just say it made up for a whole week’s worth of meltdowns. Maybe this age isn’t so tough after all.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-i7I5Bw7KamY/UenszMoCD4I/AAAAAAAAGok/PiGxtnq53kI/s1600-h/mommytobyjuly2013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="mommytobyjuly2013" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="mommytobyjuly2013" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--AatvwGt2Zo/UenszsZElnI/AAAAAAAAGos/IFvCO9-UPsM/mommytobyjuly2013_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="576" height="686"></a></p> <p>And of course I tried to take a video of him saying it and he got camera shy. I’ll have to be sneaky about it and try again this weekend :)</p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-12957574844744254122013-07-18T19:45:00.001-04:002013-07-18T19:45:08.839-04:00Toby: 13 Months!<p>Feels like we were just celebrating his first birthday yesterday…which reminds me I need to write up his birthday recap posts soon before I forget more details!</p> <p>This month has been exciting to see him interact differently with his toys. Instead of just touching things and shoving stuff in his mouth, he actually tries to figure out what each toy does now. For instance, he knows how to put the plastic CD’s in his music player, though he does need a little assistance sometimes. And if he doesn’t get help right away, he gets frustrated. The lack of patience definitely comes from me. He also understands that he can puts his blocks through the shape sorter top and that other toys in his play kitchen go through certain slots. His hand coordination just isn’t there all the way yet. He can stack his rings now, which I was so proud of when I saw him do that the first time. He loves the positive reinforcement – each time he does something on his own, I exclaim “yay!!!” and clap my hands, and then he gives a huge smile. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-yrUbiMO1JmQ/Ueh947LAGjI/AAAAAAAAGmc/aZ6K5xpDdv0/s1600-h/13months1%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="13months1" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="13months1" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-FYQe6KFocls/Ueh95jn-u9I/AAAAAAAAGmk/cQqMn5zPuzo/13months1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Other big milestone has been the first words! “Go, go, go” is what we finally realized he was saying, so I think “Go” is the first official word. Other than that, we think he also tries to say “good” but not much else is comprehendible at this point. Although, I swear he tells me “okay” sometimes.</p> <p>Moving on to the not so fun stuff. People keep telling me this age is the best, but the attitude and temper tantrums are really getting to me. I feel like the bulk of my day is now spent cleaning up messes and thinking of new ways to avoid meltdowns instead of enjoying time with my son. I never thought I would love the baby stage so much, but oh my gosh can we please rewind back to the 7 month old days? Sigh. Maybe things will get a little better when he can communicate more but right now my stress levels are at an ultimate high.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-sch2SAtKErI/Ueh96M1fhWI/AAAAAAAAGms/CnDUekAUOPg/s1600-h/13months5%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="13months5" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="13months5" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pW7xvxsAfYk/Ueh96pD5bgI/AAAAAAAAGm0/KvyHYFKFpRM/13months5_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-aCY0WOeSr_Q/Ueh97CUmLEI/AAAAAAAAGm8/sHekXQ9-jYI/s1600-h/13months6%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="13months6" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="13months6" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z3c_g1Vqj2o/Ueh97lTOkwI/AAAAAAAAGnE/fVtfqgyo6kY/13months6_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>I’ve been desperate to meet other parents in the area so we signed up for a Gymboree class. We did the free trial a few weeks ago and Toby seemed to have a good time. It’s a big, open area with tons of things for him to climb on and explore. The class is very laid-back and not structured, which is nice, since Toby would rather do things on his own than participate in singing songs on the floor. The instructor will introduce a few new activities each week but isn’t forceful about making the kids try them. Our membership includes open gym time so we will definitely take advantage of that to get out of the house. I would like to take him outside more but it seems like his eczema is acting up again so we’ve been staying indoors on hot days.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cU7VHwK9eDw/Ueh98F2BYuI/AAAAAAAAGnM/iqHkXFjoV4U/s1600-h/13months%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="13months" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="13months" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tt5cWjpVAZ0/Ueh98VZAFsI/AAAAAAAAGnU/RqtVlPmHZSY/13months_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Weight: Guessing he’s around 23 pounds?</p> <p>Height: Probably still around 30 inches.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3hudQATKpMg/Ueh982-Y-XI/AAAAAAAAGnc/-cFc29XDk_Y/s1600-h/13months7%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="13months7" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="13months7" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-gOCBVmrC5To/Ueh99h7HdTI/AAAAAAAAGnk/gxj9Ydt5D7g/13months7_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>Medical Issues: Well, his eczema really only cleared up for the spring months and now it’s back, mostly on the inside of his elbows and knees. Using the Aveeno Eczema lotion and hydrocortisone cream again.</p> <p>Sleep: Back to normal with sleeping til 6:30ish in the morning. First nap from 9:30-11, second nap from 2:30-4, but some days those times are off by 15-30 minutes. He hasn’t been fighting naps as much, so I guess all the walking and running around makes him tired. In bed by 7:45pm, but some nights he does cry for 10 minutes and needs us to go back in. Very rare when we have to wait another 10 minutes and go back in.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-lYViuUn5IKQ/Ueh9-bfhm2I/AAAAAAAAGns/9_4oWWH_DBQ/s1600-h/13months2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="13months2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="13months2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6H9QhWAsLmM/Ueh9-4ssbmI/AAAAAAAAGn0/rOQagcdxOuM/13months2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Clothes/Diapers: Wearing 12 month shorts and some 12 month onesies still fit. Moved up to 12-18 month rompers, one-pieces, and pj’s this past month. Sneakers are a size 4, sandals are a size 3. Still wearing 4’s in regular and overnight diapers.</p> <p>Diet: Drinking all whole milk now – 5oz when he wakes up, 4oz after he wakes up from each nap, then 6oz right before bed. Still doing bottles…sigh, that’s a battle I’m just not ready to fight yet. He will drink water out of a sippy or straw cup with each meal, though. Hasn’t been too picky this past month, except with fruit. I’ve cut raspberries, blueberries, strawberries, and watermelon all into little pieces and he refuses to put one piece in his mouth or let me feed him a piece. However, he will eat watermelon if I hold it in a big slice for him and he will bite off small chunks. So we’re still doing purees for fruits that way he at least gets a couple servings a day. New favorites are hummus with pita bread and grilled cheese sandwiches.</p> <p>Baby Gear Love: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Sing--Player/dp/B001IEZ1BK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1374189391&sr=8-1&keywords=fisher+price+cd+player">Sing-With-Me CD Player</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-Laugh-Learn-Learning-Kitchen/dp/B00388C3C4/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1374189435&sr=1-1&keywords=fisher+price+kitchen">Laugh & Learn Kitchen</a>, blocks, ring stack. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-8Nk4YEHZxDQ/Ueh9_bmccdI/AAAAAAAAGn8/zPhC2-XulVI/s1600-h/13months3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="13months3" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="13months3" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UTEMgOQhflc/Ueh9_7OAemI/AAAAAAAAGoE/NfCBzBo-_Bs/13months3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Milestones: Can run without tripping or stumbling (most of the time). Learned how to take rings off and stack them back on. First official word: Go!</p> <p>Likes: Wheels. Particularly on his stroller or other strollers. Still loves reading and going through books. Pushing the ottoman around the living room. Playing with swaddle blankets (likes them draped over his head and playing peek-a-boo). Going through all the kitchen cabinets and taking stuff out. Playing with my cookbooks. Pushing the kitties’ water dish around. Helping me vacuum. Watching Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood (but usually only the introduction song and the first five minutes, then he gets bored and will play until he hears the ending song come on). </p> <p>Dislikes: When Daddy leaves in the morning. Shutting the bathroom or basement door. Or the dishwasher door. Or the fridge door. Diaper changes. Putting pj’s on. Being picked up after being allowed to roam around. </p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-56fPJ11Cntc/Ueh-AajaWDI/AAAAAAAAGoM/eZOG-xslGto/s1600-h/13months4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="13months4" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="13months4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Yv5HnOAPUSw/Ueh-AxoTHPI/AAAAAAAAGoU/PLlHPW31CXk/13months4_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Things I don’t want to forget: How he started giggling when he realized he could push the foot rest up on his stroller (he was out of the stroller, touching the front wheels, and figured out he could do this when me and Auntie took him to the town beach). How hard he laughed when he realized he could rip paper towels apart (that left a fun mess in the bathroom). How he will chase Ellie around the living room and then look for her when she hides under the couch. How he snuggles more now, especially when he’s tired. How he knows it’s time to go to the gate or be picked up when you say “is it naptime? is it bedtime? is is time for a bath?”. </p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-47142889502957240822013-07-10T22:31:00.001-04:002013-07-10T22:31:35.949-04:0012 Months of Milestones<p>I was looking back through Toby’s monthly updates and realized it’s difficult going through each one to look up his milestones, so I thought it would be best to include them all in one post. It really is a miracle how much “stuff” happens the first year. Now we’re just waiting for all the baby talk and babbles to become words we actually understand :)</p> <p>Months One-Four:</p> <ul> <li>Started to find fingers/hands – 1 month</li> <li>Smiling – close to 2 months </li> <li>Putting weight on legs while standing – 2 months</li> <li>Grabbing toys – 2.5/3 months</li> <li>Giggling/laughing – 3 months</li> <li>Rolling from tummy to back – 3 months (9/19/12)</li> <li>Cooing/Babbling – 3.5 months</li> <li>Rolling from back to tummy – 3.5 months (10/10/12)</li> <li>Grabbing feet – almost 4 months</li> <li>Bringing toys to mouth – 4 months</li></ul> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/--i5-cWk1Rmg/Ud4Y5AwfMzI/AAAAAAAAGhA/_GzwBAAKghM/s1600-h/IMG_1235%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1235" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1235" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-liNBOxxUcPs/Ud4Y5kH8UkI/AAAAAAAAGhI/LcHWpc6IEAU/IMG_1235_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sjm9ibH91Uw/Ud4Y6UIZvuI/AAAAAAAAGhQ/lHeXJ8C95u0/s1600-h/photo%252520%25252835%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo (35)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo (35)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-sfZmVC--b9c/Ud4Y7H6zUWI/AAAAAAAAGhY/1483XO3NEtQ/photo%252520%25252835%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="571"></a></p> <p>Months Five-Eight:</p> <ul> <li>Tried first food – pears – 4.5 months (11/3/12)</li> <li>Sitting with assistance – 4.5 months</li> <li>Making “k” noises – 4.5 months</li> <li>First tooth – bottom front left – 5.5 months (12/3 or 12/4/12)</li> <li>Slept straight through the night – 5.5 months (12/4/12)</li> <li>Scooting – 5.5 months</li> <li>Sitting on own without assistance – right before 6 months</li> <li>Sitting in shopping carts and restaurant high chairs – 6.5 months</li> <li>Started to get up on knees and rock back and forth – 7 months</li> <li>Stopped using a pacifier – 7 months</li> <li>Sitting up in crib – 7.5 months (1/27/13)</li> <li>Army crawling – 7.5 months (1/28/13)</li> <li>Crawling on knees with belly off the ground – 7.5 months (few days after army crawling started)</li> <li>Pulling himself up using couch, ottoman, etc – close to 8 months</li> <li>Standing in crib – close to 8 months (2/13/13)</li> <li>Babbling more - 8 months</li> <li>Cruising – 8.5 months</li> <li>Climbing up stairs – 8.5 months</li> <li>Using pincher grasp to bring puffs to mouth - close to 9 months</li></ul> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3RqzRknP7Ow/Ud4Y7ua9p2I/AAAAAAAAGhg/uddxsuJqgjM/s1600-h/tobypears2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobypears2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobypears2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-SknArnMaqt4/Ud4Y8DTupVI/AAAAAAAAGho/cone0qYuc64/tobypears2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PW0yhr4q0-Y/Ud4Y8jXWA5I/AAAAAAAAGhw/_vSRWDQWKwI/s1600-h/sitting2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="sitting2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="sitting2" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-h3b1SZQG7VY/Ud4Y9-7WRyI/AAAAAAAAGh4/zGK2hE-yS5c/sitting2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xN7Zxoasn0s/Ud4Y-fJlp7I/AAAAAAAAGiA/u7V-XsjZLW0/s1600-h/photo%252520%252528103%252529%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="photo (103)" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="photo (103)" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GIhENeCOawE/Ud4Y-0VUH-I/AAAAAAAAGiI/M62D7PqlsjA/photo%252520%252528103%252529_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="571"></a></p> <p>Months Nine-Twelve:</p> <ul> <li>Using push walker to take steps – 9.5 months</li> <li>Waving – 10 months</li> <li>Clapping – 10.5 months (5/1/13)</li> <li>Took first steps – right before 11 months (5/13/13)</li> <li>Walking long distances – 11.5 months</li> <li>Learned how to stand himself up in the middle of the room by pushing up on the ground – 12 months</li></ul> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Dpxs63JIKqQ/Ud4Y_Zeus3I/AAAAAAAAGiQ/02W4XpsSARM/s1600-h/sunset%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="sunset" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="sunset" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vWgnqmrZqMA/Ud4Y_uimBnI/AAAAAAAAGiY/QzpHm3n2TZw/sunset_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o7eefoxthc8/Ud4ZAJ0KyEI/AAAAAAAAGig/mk2HKDmektc/s1600-h/busy%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="busy" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="busy" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R6QGJ1qcxgk/Ud4ZA3ou7oI/AAAAAAAAGio/1HgZUlcShCY/busy_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vgHoblRHVQI/Ud4ZBF0lfmI/AAAAAAAAGiw/0whgetO_lKY/s1600-h/IMG_2814%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_2814" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_2814" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-dx1L6OwU1rI/Ud4ZBg1j87I/AAAAAAAAGi4/daAYtOIXdto/IMG_2814_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Wow, looking at this list, I can’t believe how much happened during his middle months! Makes sense, though, as that time frame was most definitely my favorite. Seeing him interact more with toys, sit on his own, and then start to become mobile (without getting into too much stuff yet) was so much fun. Do things slow down at all the second year or just keep flying by as fast?!</p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-7582169889267960432013-07-08T19:26:00.001-04:002013-07-08T19:26:15.413-04:00Lately<p align="center">Lately we have been playing with our new three little pigs toy </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-UCdIBwTnDNo/UdtKbegYC3I/AAAAAAAAGeU/Z1ymNYBdjgA/s1600-h/tobypig%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobypig" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobypig" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MijYOned7x8/UdtKcMsIVnI/AAAAAAAAGec/xIGmWaPbBOI/tobypig_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p align="center">and having crazy hair days…thanks to the heat and humidity</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WWMJKoo6Xmw/UdtKcfHji_I/AAAAAAAAGeg/GeD3YnAbmyU/s1600-h/tobycurls%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobycurls" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobycurls" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WXaSKvkbKC8/UdtKcweDYaI/AAAAAAAAGes/6toPRUVjgGI/tobycurls_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p align="center">and giggling with Daddy</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-37ozoYNSoaY/UdtKddyXgYI/AAAAAAAAGew/GdaJu0bRVt0/s1600-h/tobydaddy%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobydaddy" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobydaddy" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WJEMmfycTpQ/UdtKdyk_rkI/AAAAAAAAGe8/FtGT7YjFEro/tobydaddy_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p align="center">and transitioning on to big boy pajamas…Mommy is a little sad about this, but someone runs too fast for footie jammies now.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-m-6d29m_meI/UdtKeZhieyI/AAAAAAAAGfE/WuoSjakeoH4/s1600-h/tobypajamas%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobypajamas" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobypajamas" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NBRxrRFRSTA/UdtKfFEnDPI/AAAAAAAAGfM/YXHV1RA5Yi0/tobypajamas_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gOoFPDAFTGA/UdtKfeUsWLI/AAAAAAAAGfU/3oSRmQ8eMXY/s1600-h/tobypajamas2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobypajamas2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobypajamas2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-f20P4IrsA5E/UdtKgBolJZI/AAAAAAAAGfc/l28IxLWd59w/tobypajamas2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p align="center">With the heat wave, we’ve been stuck inside so we ventured out to a nearby museum and ecotarium over the weekend. There was an inside playground to explore.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-R58k6NT-ZVE/UdtKg-GBFBI/AAAAAAAAGfk/kj8PZMQvQfQ/s1600-h/tobymuseum%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobymuseum" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobymuseum" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5LUejFLVtg4/UdtKhMYtZBI/AAAAAAAAGfo/2MIvRaUZR7E/tobymuseum_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2ePDjLlh40I/UdtKho6lJDI/AAAAAAAAGf0/VHWLw3PwP0A/s1600-h/tobymuseum2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobymuseum2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobymuseum2" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-_OTptj-obfs/UdtKiL4Ri5I/AAAAAAAAGf8/wa3WTh0L6m0/tobymuseum2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p>And last by not least there’s been some hanging out in the jumper for a bit. Still good for 10 minutes of entertainment before demanding to be let out and wreck havoc in the kitchen.</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-YdZy2l2uzfg/UdtKiwPLy9I/AAAAAAAAGgE/nzPIlOciSPI/s1600-h/tobyjumper%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobyjumper" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobyjumper" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-5YKCHAvR0O0/UdtKjRC8iiI/AAAAAAAAGgM/4hfmoICTp4U/tobyjumper_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-LKjON1OkBLk/UdtKjxY1CaI/AAAAAAAAGgU/LgT-fMNef60/s1600-h/tobyjumper2%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobyjumper2" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobyjumper2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2_NqzwKcsNw/UdtKkb9mwRI/AAAAAAAAGgc/3AGxQzUJGXY/tobyjumper2_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MlT7vsgjNTI/UdtKk-CVAYI/AAAAAAAAGgk/tgwpvCqWJJI/s1600-h/tobykitchen%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img title="tobykitchen" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="tobykitchen" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-GAI-arK30Ss/UdtKlc5ZVBI/AAAAAAAAGgs/zXoeUEGUbvs/tobykitchen_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-45714072442378770482013-07-01T23:21:00.001-04:002013-07-01T23:21:16.766-04:00Currently<p>Laughing…at Toby walking around in little circles until he gets dizzy and falls down. He think it’s hilarious and so do we. Also laughing at the fact he cracks himself up every time he hears himself toot! It’s like he’s thinking “who did that? Oh, I did!”. I am such a 7 year old boy with farts so I die every time he does it.</p> <p>Grateful for…family helping us out while Hubby had to get his appendix out last Thursday. It was SO stressful and worrisome being stuck home while he was in the hospital overnight and we had no idea what was wrong. I didn’t know if I should call people at that point or what to do for Toby’s care. I haven’t found it too hard to balance the roles of mom and wife until last week, and boy, it was tough to say the least. If anything, we have learned we need a better emergency plan put into place!</p> <p>Loving…my Scentsy business! Seriously, it’s nice to say I actually like what I’m doing for once for a “job”. I say job in quotations because it really doesn’t feel like I’m working. Selling Scentsy gives me something to do besides just housework and mom stuff and I’ve really enjoyed doing the home parties. And I’ve been to do some crafts, as well, and use up some of my old scrapbooking supplies. Bringing home a paycheck has been really important to me and I’m glad I found something that can be so flexible.</p> <p>Wishing…it wasn’t July 1st already. How is this summer flying by so fast? Not ready for July 4th this week.</p> <p>Thinking about…how lucky I am to have a healthy kid. Some people don’t have it as easy and I have to remind myself of that each day.</p> <p>Struggling with…getting Toby to wean off the bottles. He’s just about transitioned fully onto whole milk but he does not like drinking it out of a sippy or straw cup. Only wants water out of a sippy. I don’t think we’re ready to get rid of bottles cold turkey yet as I want to make sure he does actually drink some milk each day. He’s such a big kid with everything else but the bottles! No pacifiers, no blankies or loveys…just loves his bottles.</p> <p>Working on…getting more mom friends in the area. We tried out a Gymboree class last week and we have another trial class at a different gym next week. Both gyms offer a 12:30 class that works well with the 2 nap schedule or else I would have just gone back to yoga again. Here’s hoping we meet new people and can start some playdates soon!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ae7MGxVwPcQ/UdJHKXhjc7I/AAAAAAAAGd8/Xpv4gDc2rrA/s1600-h/IMG_2799%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2799" border="0" alt="IMG_2799" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-qoHvJK4bJSQ/UdJHK2OOwXI/AAAAAAAAGeE/JjbvKC1VNnQ/IMG_2799_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a></p> <p align="center">picture taken 6/12/13</p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-70932368313030186992013-06-18T10:29:00.001-04:002013-06-18T10:29:54.277-04:00Toby: 12 Months!<p>12 whole months…where oh where did the time go? Somehow my baby turned into a toddler overnight, and I’m not sure how I feel about it yet…while he’s been very fun to play and interact with, the temper tantrums have been in full force. “Toddler Toby, you’re not being fun” is something we have been saying often lately. </p> <p>This past month brought on the walking and he mastered the skill in basically a week. It was crazy fast how quickly he picked it up but you could see him walking longer and longer distances each day. Now he waddles around the downstairs level all the time, usually with a small toy or teether in his hands or mouth. He rarely crawls anymore. We can tell he wants to walk more in public but he’s distracted very easily (especially by stroller wheels) so we try to keep him contained in the mall or while doing errands. I’m still nervous about letting him roam more at the park because of the boo-boo factor but I guess that’s something we’ll just have to deal with. I do carry a little first-aid kit in my bag now :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hY99aiHXN2s/UcBux0fGhDI/AAAAAAAAGNM/kraHGNb0d8s/s1600-h/12monthsblanket%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12monthsblanket" border="0" alt="12monthsblanket" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VEiqFosxirs/UcBuyaT-8HI/AAAAAAAAGNU/AwiixGDHbRY/12monthsblanket_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>We also survived the first illness this past month…the dreaded tummy bug. Sigh, I think it was harder on me than him because of my puke phobia. All in all without going into gross details, it could have been much much worse than it was and I’m sure the next time he gets sick it will be awful haha. It was so hard watching him recover and not letting him eat that much. He would arch his back and scream after finishing a measly 2 ounce diluted formula bottle and then run into the kitchen looking up at the bottles since he wanted more. Just hoping he’s a kid that doesn’t get sick a lot each year…</p> <p>Other major change is that Hubby is back on a normal work schedule, so 7:30-5:30 or 8-6 depending on the day. He’s been up early to get up with Toby in the mornings so I can lay in bed for an extra few minutes or actually take a shower if I’m feeling ambitious. It means a longer afternoon for me and Toby but so far we’ve managed well. It’s a good thing this change happened during the warmer months where we can spend more time outside. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dXDsrPgBBHw/UcBuyq_KKaI/AAAAAAAAGNc/6k_eTmXJB0Q/s1600-h/12monthscloseup%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12monthscloseup" border="0" alt="12monthscloseup" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-WIueQqhm47E/UcBuzFbkWkI/AAAAAAAAGNk/YH0ZWQs8aTc/12monthscloseup_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Weight: 22.3 pounds (60th percentile). So relieved after his doctor showed me his stats since I was worried he’s been picky with food lately. She said that’s normal, though, and the pickiness will peak at 15 months and then get better as he gets closer to 18 months. So just trust what he’s eating and keep offering all types of food.</p> <p>Height: 30” (52 percentile). </p> <p>Medical Issues: Just the tummy bug this past month. Skin is doing well, some patches come up here and there.</p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-mr7FZiHinoM/UcBuzR7y73I/AAAAAAAAGNs/3WcVzkUZjVA/s1600-h/12monthsextra%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12monthsextra" border="0" alt="12monthsextra" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-krCFslPbPME/UcBuz4EsBrI/AAAAAAAAGN0/Xh5kd7np_DI/12monthsextra_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Sleep: Over the past few weeks he’s been waking up earlier and earlier…a few days he was up at 5:30ish which was not fun. Now it looks like he’s been up around 6:15-6:30 each morning. His doctor said there’s not much we can do to get him to sleep in later and he’s probably not going to be ready to drop a nap until he’s closer to 15 months. So I’ve been trying to put him down for the AM nap by 9:30 at the latest so that way he will be tired enough in the afternoon for another nap. The afternoon nap he usually fights for a good 15-20 minutes but he does end up falling asleep so I know he still needs it. Usually in bed by 7:45pm for the night. I don’t think he needed us to go in overnight at all this past month? He wakes up sometimes but usually falls back asleep on his own after a few minutes so he’s definitely a good night-time sleeper. Schedule is: Wake up at 6:30, first nap from 9:30-11:00 (sometimes this is 10-11:30), then second nap from 3-4:30pm (sometimes this is only 45 minutes), start getting ready for bed no later than 7:15, in the crib by 7:45.</p> <p>Clothes/Diapers: Wearing 12 month stuff and there’s really no need to start wearing 12-18 month stuff yet. He still fits into a few 9 month onesies. Wearing 4’s for diapers.</p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-9YqomMaEzic/UcBu0T5PoDI/AAAAAAAAGN8/NUPWAH0xlKY/s1600-h/12monthslion%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="12monthslion" border="0" alt="12monthslion" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-K5pnDlgcmBE/UcBu0348UkI/AAAAAAAAGOE/g1vTzHHGggc/12monthslion_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="603"></a></p> <p>Diet: Drinking four 6oz bottles each day but we have the green light to switch to whole milk. We still have a full container of formula left so my plan is to mix that with milk for the next couple weeks since when I gave him a sippy cup of milk last night, he just played and spit it out like he does with water. Will also probably decrease the amount of formula/milk to 4oz for a bottle. I don’t think he’s ready to give up bottles yet so looks like we’ll do the formula weaning first. He’s eating basically everything we eat now – he has maybe a few stage 3 purees each week. We still do fruit purees as he doesn’t like eating strawberries or blueberries in whole form. He does like bananas, though. Definitely going through a picky stage – some stuff he was eating before he will not touch now and gets so mad when we try to sneak a piece in his mouth. Favorite foods: bagel thins w/cream cheese (we each have a half in the AM), yogurt (I think he could eat yogurt for every meal if we let him), chicken, deli cheese, ground turkey, peas, carrots, black beans. And of course he loves his puffs and veggie sticks.</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jZZ8Xj1wodU/UcBu1ZBJcTI/AAAAAAAAGOM/3ve6MDtkxeY/s1600-h/IMG_2826%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2826" border="0" alt="IMG_2826" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-oi6bvOQ-aeM/UcBu11BaqfI/AAAAAAAAGOU/tSjmVKhLHu4/IMG_2826_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Baby Gear Love: He plays with these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Doug-4051-Stacking-Cars/dp/B009KA0X30/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371564178&sr=8-1&keywords=wooden+toy+car">cars</a> a lot more now and can actually push them on the floor while he’s moving around. He also uses this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Kid-O-Go-Car-Red/dp/B0039X725Q/ref=sr_1_9?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1371564228&sr=1-9&keywords=toy+car">car</a> a lot. He’s still using little teethers as it seems like his back molars are bothering him sometimes. We have been using this <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Britax-Marathon-70-G3-Convertible-Seat/dp/B00834D5SO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371564419&sr=8-1&keywords=britax+marathon+70+g3">convertible car seat</a> for the past few months and I can now say I do really like it. It’s a bit of a tight squeeze with it rear-facing in my Civic but it works. We only have the one seat so my car is the main vehicle when Toby is with us, but if we were both working out of the house, we’d definitely need to get another seat. Hubby is the one who will re-install it between cars and it takes him 10 minutes or so?</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-XI-12X-ryfs/UcBu2WNAlbI/AAAAAAAAGOc/jE6eFuKKsSc/s1600-h/IMG_2842%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2842" border="0" alt="IMG_2842" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eFhOIvjgzHw/UcBu2uUYp0I/AAAAAAAAGOk/Il9v91k4K0s/IMG_2842_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="354"></a></p> <p>Milestones: Was walking longer distances in late May. Also learned how to stand himself up in the middle of the room without holding onto anything last week (was probably 6/10 or 6/11). First birthday celebrated on Father’s Day, Sunday 6/16! Went to the Southwick Zoo. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-mjEphB9r344/UcBu3NvA4hI/AAAAAAAAGOs/2VuJE_hIyXI/s1600-h/IMG_2825%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2825" border="0" alt="IMG_2825" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ctYWj3RmDYQ/UcBu3ZDi6_I/AAAAAAAAGO0/AQuQ2ydKx9A/IMG_2825_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Likes: Being chased around the downstairs (loves when we run into the entry way and hide, wait for him to come find us, and then run back to the living room). Playing peek-a-boo behind the curtains. Dropping food of his tray for the kitties. When I sing Miss Mary Mack to him while changing his diaper. Doing flippies on the couch with Daddy. Helping me load and unload the dishwasher. Helping me vacuum (but only with the central vac not with the good one, he’s afraid of the good one). </p> <p>Dislikes: Being put back in the stroller after being allowed to roam freely. Watching the dishwasher be closed. Seeing any door be closed. Taking an afternoon nap. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-2DIPUmCpn60/UcBu3_zJR2I/AAAAAAAAGO8/jt31Tz93yWI/s1600-h/IMG_2849%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2849" border="0" alt="IMG_2849" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fKlCdAQEGqM/UcBu4MyT0hI/AAAAAAAAGPE/V3yYK9_r0u4/IMG_2849_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="401" height="599"></a></p> <p>Things I don’t want to forget: How he gets SO excited when he hears keys in the door lock – he knows Daddy’s home and runs to the door to wait. How he will watch Hubby leave in the mornings by looking out the small window next to the front door. He gets a little sad so I have to distract him. How he thinks it’s funny when Maggie jumps on the kitchen table to sniff his fingers for lunch meat leftovers. How he smiles every time he sees Auntie while we’re Facetiming. How he runs right over to me when I put the phone on speakerphone so he can hear who I’m calling.</p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-82430462039124637952013-06-16T10:33:00.001-04:002013-06-16T10:33:57.464-04:00ONE YEAR OLD!<p>I really can’t believe that at 9:43 am last year little Toby had arrived. While I don’t remember a lot from his actual birth day, I do remember very clearly when the nurse finally placed him on my chest and I cried so many happy tears. I checked out his eyes to see what color they were (blue like mine), his tiny little button nose and his mouth that was very similar to Daddy’s, his fingers and toes to make sure they were all there, and then felt the top of his head, which was covered with just a small amount of fuzzy brown hair. The first few weeks were a blur but once we got into a routine, I remember feeling more complete. I knew something had been missing from my life and Toby had filled that void.</p> <p>This year has been rewarding, sometimes challenging, but there have always been more good days than not so good days. We’ve been blessed with an easy-going baby, but I do like to think his laid-back personality has something to do with our parenting skills. We’ve learned a lot this year, grown a lot, and created so many memories.</p> <p>Love you, Toby James! Simply put, I am a better person because of you, and for that I’m forever grateful to you. </p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-NlNn5Wto57o/Ub3MW1cgXuI/AAAAAAAAGLo/aZIINDhNRuk/s1600-h/oneyearblanket%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="oneyearblanket" border="0" alt="oneyearblanket" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cHMApkK9zSI/Ub3MXUJ-jiI/AAAAAAAAGLw/uVpl23SoLnw/oneyearblanket_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="637"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kVX71kycbk8/Ub3MX3bHngI/AAAAAAAAGL4/UQoAJ6iMU2M/s1600-h/oneyearcloseups%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="oneyearcloseups" border="0" alt="oneyearcloseups" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-brPJ-Wf4z7w/Ub3MYdf-NcI/AAAAAAAAGMA/6aw5zhCXcRo/oneyearcloseups_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="628"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--p7uYO5cg5U/Ub3MzF4urAI/AAAAAAAAGMI/5M0nwJm_Qik/s1600-h/oneyearlion%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="oneyearlion" border="0" alt="oneyearlion" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SFwy_itge7s/Ub3MzthaaKI/AAAAAAAAGMQ/DrDAtmIvSr8/oneyearlion_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="504" height="504"></a></p> <p>And Happy Father’s Day to my hubby! Hard to believe this is year #2 for you:</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-xUUT_Ppiu70/Ub3M0NygXLI/AAAAAAAAGMY/vDLx0YXgZqU/s1600-h/DaddyToby%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="DaddyToby" border="0" alt="DaddyToby" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vknTJqZO3gk/Ub3M0gMeztI/AAAAAAAAGMc/OIiBs8mxs2E/DaddyToby_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="571"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-hkAfOVyOf4w/Ub3M00mRfUI/AAAAAAAAGMo/yyjY91MKXBo/s1600-h/BlogSignature%25255B6%25255D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BlogSignature" border="0" alt="BlogSignature" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-R9ZgCOHNozY/Ub3M1LxEoRI/AAAAAAAAGMs/VaTtNzeoRfg/BlogSignature_thumb%25255B4%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="225" height="98"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-67112634792164435272013-05-24T08:03:00.000-04:002013-05-24T08:03:01.210-04:00Happy Friday!<p>This was from a couple weeks ago when we went to a nearby farm. Toby was too busy looking at the ducks in the pond to smile for the camera. Quack Quack!</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ofofSjrXWDQ/UZ4v2JHDorI/AAAAAAAAGCY/hjDANhHh9ro/s1600-h/IMG_2627%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="IMG_2627" border="0" alt="IMG_2627" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-aNONrxa3dHg/UZ4v2okT1mI/AAAAAAAAGCg/fb1-Kous-CI/IMG_2627_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="445" height="657"></a></p> <p>Love my guys :) </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Yu9mGue8C2o/UZ4v26hItJI/AAAAAAAAGCo/dcO8o0SVI0g/s1600-h/BlogSignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B5%25255D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="BlogSignature_thumb[1]" border="0" alt="BlogSignature_thumb[1]" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-H4lYb76p5tU/UZ4v3So1wZI/AAAAAAAAGCw/r1J5vMJlabA/BlogSignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="225" height="98"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-40553243947208124092013-05-22T08:19:00.000-04:002013-05-22T08:19:00.238-04:00Recipe Review: Pumpkin Banana Bread<p>I’ve been searching for bread recipes that don’t use a lot of sugar, butter, oil…you know, all the good stuff ;) But I wanted Toby to try some other finger foods for breakfast besides just cereal puffs, so I figured a soft baked bread would work. I visited Skinnytaste first and found a great recipe for <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2009/10/pumpkin-banana-bread.html">Pumpkin Banana Bread</a> that I made last week. We always have bananas on hand and luckily I had one can of pumpkin puree left from last fall that was still good. </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-71KUsLpsiiQ/UZuCpRwNrmI/AAAAAAAAGBI/rrY8iek0DyQ/s1600-h/pumpkin%252520bread%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="pumpkin bread" border="0" alt="pumpkin bread" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-abvEtZ9HEDA/UZuCp-86A1I/AAAAAAAAGBQ/OPdMzKXRWLI/pumpkin%252520bread_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p>Toby and I would share a piece in the mornings before moving onto yogurt and fruits, and we both loved it. It’s not overly sweet, so you may not be a fan if you’re used to eating sugary pumpkin bread. It was a very easy recipe to put together during nap-time and the house smelled a-maz-ing as it was baking. I didn’t make any changes to the original recipe (left out the nuts since we still haven’t let Toby try any yet). Definitely a recipe to keep making in the future!</p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xzbzlHj0QZc/UZuCqFdfukI/AAAAAAAAGBY/Tjo7JoBAYf8/s1600-h/SignatureBlog%25255B6%25255D.gif"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="SignatureBlog" border="0" alt="SignatureBlog" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-sfKn0LtA3rA/UZuCqtGrNOI/AAAAAAAAGBg/4XmKIPNhe3k/SignatureBlog_thumb%25255B4%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="225" height="98"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1808196052835707185.post-1748391408222240722013-05-21T08:37:00.000-04:002013-05-21T08:37:00.705-04:00Curls & Overalls<p>I have a damn cute kid. That is all :)</p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-3Ms5anMCiDA/UZrsJKxveXI/AAAAAAAAF_c/36BEHdBry00/s1600-h/overalls%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="overalls" border="0" alt="overalls" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-0i-DKWQB2I8/UZrsKPRJxYI/AAAAAAAAF_k/cy6g6ggRmLA/overalls_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-B-LOuoS1FFI/UZrsKxHTa-I/AAAAAAAAF_s/TIXb1-E0hJE/s1600-h/overalls2%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="overalls2" border="0" alt="overalls2" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NUfUsLH5dqo/UZrsLrj2VlI/AAAAAAAAF_0/2te9YYxiyoQ/overalls2_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="599"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TYLFNkMvxOQ/UZrsMXffvuI/AAAAAAAAF_8/BW7Q5M35aN0/s1600-h/overalls3%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="overalls3" border="0" alt="overalls3" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-P-HvwM7FvHc/UZrsNCyOM1I/AAAAAAAAGAE/kPDCUigxtNw/overalls3_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Z5gJAtqY7Xk/UZrsN6BrssI/AAAAAAAAGAM/leODQIMrGwk/s1600-h/overalls4%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="overalls4" border="0" alt="overalls4" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-VsBCaPNWfso/UZrsOxZVF5I/AAAAAAAAGAU/bty5q-klVJQ/overalls4_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="429" height="641"></a><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-LepARcew6A8/UZrsPkk1-6I/AAAAAAAAGAc/SV65CuBwlyw/s1600-h/overalls5%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px" title="overalls5" border="0" alt="overalls5" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-JO41xfkTCyE/UZrsQnWS8fI/AAAAAAAAGAk/ZgQpPAStxD0/overalls5_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="529" height="380"></a></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-AiQetawxc8U/UZrsRaPKwQI/AAAAAAAAGAs/Bz3GG_t0V6A/s1600-h/BlogSignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D%25255B5%25255D.gif"><img style="margin: 0px; display: inline; float: left" title="BlogSignature_thumb[1]" alt="BlogSignature_thumb[1]" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RLyvzFghnPI/UZrsR6LfxOI/AAAAAAAAGA0/SGhSvelARpU/BlogSignature_thumb%25255B1%25255D_thumb%25255B3%25255D.gif?imgmax=800" width="240" height="105"></a></p> Emily @ Our Little Casitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04350416023626662558noreply@blogger.com2