Hope everyone has a spooky, candy-filled, Gator butt kickin' Halloween!
This one cracks me up every time I look at it, so I had to include it.
Bits of Life for Us
5 years ago
Friday, October 30
Happy Halloween!
I had a monkey costume in the works for Charlotte this year, but then my sister-in-law Emily said that she had a Piglet costume from when Lilly was 18 months. We tried it on Charlotte and it just fit. I couldn't think of a more perfect costume for Charlotte this year.
Hope everyone has a spooky, candy-filled, Gator butt kickin' Halloween!
This one cracks me up every time I look at it, so I had to include it.
Hope everyone has a spooky, candy-filled, Gator butt kickin' Halloween!
This one cracks me up every time I look at it, so I had to include it.
Wednesday, October 28
Scawey
I had to take Charlotte for her flu shot last Thursday. Charlotte thought this was a great field trip while we were sitting in the waiting room. There were sheets to color, kids to look at, and a train that ran along the top of the ceiling. She would point to the train and shake her head "no" and say, "Scawey". (scary) I reassured her that the train was not scary.
I'm not sure if they are discussing scary things at day care since it's Halloween, but lately she wants to know whether something is scary or not.
The nurse led us back to the room and said she would be right back with the shots. Normally Charlotte runs all around the room, pulling at the drawers, trying to climb the ladder up to the top of the table, or if on the table, she rips every last piece of paper off. This time, however, she clung to me.
She didn't want to sing or read a book, she just wanted to sit there. She was really nervous. I tried to get her to think of something else, but she just kept cutting her eyes towards the door. I felt so bad for her. I am a nervous person by nature, so I know how she felt, her little stomach was probably churning.
The nurse came back in and Charlotte burst into tears immediately. She fought me when we laid her on the table. But, then she laid still and just cried while the nurse gave her the shots. Then I said the magic words, "If you stop crying you can get a lolly pop". She said, "wowwypop?" I said, "Yes, even though it is 9AM you can have a lolly pop". So, she dried her eyes and we went and picked out a bright yellow "wowwypop" and she happily sucked on it to day care.
Don't you wish some of your scariest moments were easily calmed by a lolly pop? Your boss calls you in for an "impromtu" meeting - just grab a lolly pop. Your being pulled over by a cop - get a lolly pop out of the glove box. When does it become so much more complicated?
And because every post (well, almost every post) should have a picture - here is Charlotte modeling the new boots that came in the mail today courtesy of her Grammie. Not sure when she'll get to stomp around in snow with them, but they sure are cute! - and not at all scary :)
I'm not sure if they are discussing scary things at day care since it's Halloween, but lately she wants to know whether something is scary or not.
The nurse led us back to the room and said she would be right back with the shots. Normally Charlotte runs all around the room, pulling at the drawers, trying to climb the ladder up to the top of the table, or if on the table, she rips every last piece of paper off. This time, however, she clung to me.
She didn't want to sing or read a book, she just wanted to sit there. She was really nervous. I tried to get her to think of something else, but she just kept cutting her eyes towards the door. I felt so bad for her. I am a nervous person by nature, so I know how she felt, her little stomach was probably churning.
The nurse came back in and Charlotte burst into tears immediately. She fought me when we laid her on the table. But, then she laid still and just cried while the nurse gave her the shots. Then I said the magic words, "If you stop crying you can get a lolly pop". She said, "wowwypop?" I said, "Yes, even though it is 9AM you can have a lolly pop". So, she dried her eyes and we went and picked out a bright yellow "wowwypop" and she happily sucked on it to day care.
Don't you wish some of your scariest moments were easily calmed by a lolly pop? Your boss calls you in for an "impromtu" meeting - just grab a lolly pop. Your being pulled over by a cop - get a lolly pop out of the glove box. When does it become so much more complicated?
And because every post (well, almost every post) should have a picture - here is Charlotte modeling the new boots that came in the mail today courtesy of her Grammie. Not sure when she'll get to stomp around in snow with them, but they sure are cute! - and not at all scary :)
Sunday, October 25
Crafty
As I've said before, I subscribe to a LOT of blogs. Some of these blogs are written by SAHMs that do lots of different arts and crafts with their kids. I always think that it looks like a lot of fun, but wondered if Charlotte was really old enough to partake in such an activity.
Friday afternoon it rained. Charlotte decided that this would be a great day to take a 45 minute nap rather than the normal 2-2.5 hour nap. So, we went over to Michael's and got the necessary materials to do a craft. I saw some spiders on a blog that I thought would be fun to do.
Now, I know all of the early childhood education people who read this blog will collectively groan when they see what these spiders look like. In hindsight it was probably a little too complicated for a 20 month old. But, I thought they were cute and I wanted to give them a shot with Charlotte - I knew that I'd be doing most of the work, but thought that she might get into gluing eyes, putting stickers on, etc.
She did like to glue the eyes on - but then she liked to rip them off. She kinda got interested in gluing the legs on - but then she liked pulling them off. She didn't put a single sticker on them. But, we were able to finish two of them - and that's something. Maybe next time I'll just try some simple finger painting.
Friday afternoon it rained. Charlotte decided that this would be a great day to take a 45 minute nap rather than the normal 2-2.5 hour nap. So, we went over to Michael's and got the necessary materials to do a craft. I saw some spiders on a blog that I thought would be fun to do.
Now, I know all of the early childhood education people who read this blog will collectively groan when they see what these spiders look like. In hindsight it was probably a little too complicated for a 20 month old. But, I thought they were cute and I wanted to give them a shot with Charlotte - I knew that I'd be doing most of the work, but thought that she might get into gluing eyes, putting stickers on, etc.
She did like to glue the eyes on - but then she liked to rip them off. She kinda got interested in gluing the legs on - but then she liked pulling them off. She didn't put a single sticker on them. But, we were able to finish two of them - and that's something. Maybe next time I'll just try some simple finger painting.
Friday, October 23
Our new backyard
Judd and I decided it was time to sod our mud pit backyard. We were going to wait until the dog kicked the bucket, but we wanted to go ahead with it - who knows, she could live for another 5 years.
Our backyard is not very big. Until now, it has been a place for weeds to grow wherever they wanted and a place for the dog to take a poo. It was to the point where Charlotte couldn't really play out there. Between the mud and the poo it was just kinda gross.
We also were having some pretty serious drainage problems. The water from all of the rain that we have been having was causing our mud to erode and flowing under the patio and into the crawlspace.
We used Nature's Keeper Landscaping and I cannot say enough good things about them. They gave us a really fair quote, did the work on time, and even cut and trimmed our front yard and cut all of our bushes during the process!
We are thrilled with how it turned out. I'm so glad we didn't wait any longer. Now lets just hope we don't kill it! Fingers crossed.
Our backyard is not very big. Until now, it has been a place for weeds to grow wherever they wanted and a place for the dog to take a poo. It was to the point where Charlotte couldn't really play out there. Between the mud and the poo it was just kinda gross.
We also were having some pretty serious drainage problems. The water from all of the rain that we have been having was causing our mud to erode and flowing under the patio and into the crawlspace.
We used Nature's Keeper Landscaping and I cannot say enough good things about them. They gave us a really fair quote, did the work on time, and even cut and trimmed our front yard and cut all of our bushes during the process!
We are thrilled with how it turned out. I'm so glad we didn't wait any longer. Now lets just hope we don't kill it! Fingers crossed.
Tuesday, October 20
Cozy Coupe
Charlotte inherited cousin Lilly's Cozy Coupe on Sunday. She hasn't been out of it since then. She loves it. I knew she would. As soon as Emily told me that Lilly had outgrown it and that it could be Charlotte's, I couldn't wait to have it.
There is a funny story behind this little car. Judd and I gave it to Lilly for Christmas when she was 2 (or three?). We talked to Emily about it and she knew that's what Lilly was getting. We went to pick it up at Toys R Us and were so excited to find a purple and pink one. We put it together on Christmas Eve - and it wasn't easy - I remember Judd cursing those wheels. When everyone was opening presents on Christmas morning we wheeled it out of our room and into the living room - everyone made a big deal about it. Lilly climbed right in the car.
Then, Katie (Lilly's older sister) who was sitting in the middle of a HUGE pile of newly unwrapped toys said, "I'm just a little bit jealous". We all just laughed - I don't even think Katie would have fit in the car!
Charlotte wasn't even a thought in our mind then, and now look who is in the car that we bought for Lilly. Kinda funny what a little time does.
When I look at this picture, all I can think about is her driving away in a real car for the first time - I hope the next 14.5 years go by very slowly.
There is a funny story behind this little car. Judd and I gave it to Lilly for Christmas when she was 2 (or three?). We talked to Emily about it and she knew that's what Lilly was getting. We went to pick it up at Toys R Us and were so excited to find a purple and pink one. We put it together on Christmas Eve - and it wasn't easy - I remember Judd cursing those wheels. When everyone was opening presents on Christmas morning we wheeled it out of our room and into the living room - everyone made a big deal about it. Lilly climbed right in the car.
Then, Katie (Lilly's older sister) who was sitting in the middle of a HUGE pile of newly unwrapped toys said, "I'm just a little bit jealous". We all just laughed - I don't even think Katie would have fit in the car!
Charlotte wasn't even a thought in our mind then, and now look who is in the car that we bought for Lilly. Kinda funny what a little time does.
When I look at this picture, all I can think about is her driving away in a real car for the first time - I hope the next 14.5 years go by very slowly.
Monday, October 19
PioMu Toys
Are you starting to think about Christmas? I have been starting to think about what I want to get Charlotte this year. I'm thinking this is the year of the tricycle (shh! don't tell her). But, I have been trying to find some fun things to fill up space under the tree - because we can't have any left over space under the tree. :)
A friend of mine and his wife have started a new company called PioMu. They specialize in eco-friendly natural toys. But, these toys aren't your normal boring wooden natural toys, these are colorful and innovative toys.
I mean look at this pull toy- how cute?
And I know that this says it is for at home use - but it looks like it would be potentially fabulous for the airplane - lightweight and has a tote!
But, probably my favorite is Pirates of the Tub:
A friend of mine and his wife have started a new company called PioMu. They specialize in eco-friendly natural toys. But, these toys aren't your normal boring wooden natural toys, these are colorful and innovative toys.
I mean look at this pull toy- how cute?
And I know that this says it is for at home use - but it looks like it would be potentially fabulous for the airplane - lightweight and has a tote!
But, probably my favorite is Pirates of the Tub:
They have a great contest going right now...join the PioMu Fan page and you could be randomly selected for a $25 coupon off PioMu on the Nov 10th drawing. You can get additional entries on the contest by tweeting about @piomukids (once / day) !
Saturday, October 17
Just Us Girls
We braved the cooler temps this morning to go to the playground at Piedmont Park. I'm enjoying these Fall temperatures but wish that the sun would come out, I don't think we've seen the sun since last Sunday. Charlotte played and played on the playground. If you haven't been to Piedmont Park lately, you should go check it out. The new playground by the pool is awesome. It is perfect for all ages of kids - there is something for everyone to do. Charlotte ran from object to object this morning screaming and laughing - she had a great time. She would make it through an obstacle - like a tunnel or slide - and say "I got it, Mommy." She was very proud of herself. She is a little obsessed with "bugs" lately. She thought every spec of dirt on the playground equipment was a bug and would want me to brush it off.
After the playground, we headed over to the open air market they have every Saturday morning.
I'm thinking we may head to the mall this afternoon/evening and do a little shopping. Charlotte needs a winter coat - I have seen a lot of them, but feel like it is such a commitment, I want to find the perfect one. I also had some boot envy last week at story time. This one mom had on fabulous boots - so maybe I'll go scope some out. I'm not too stylish though, hopefully I can pull it off. I've had the same wardrobe every winter for the past few years - jeans, solid tees, and Dansko's - I think it's time to mix it up a little.
Thursday, October 15
Charlotte Sad
On the way home from day care yesterday, Charlotte kept saying that one of her teachers was sad, "Ms. Judy sad". She kept saying it. I told her that I think Ms. Judy is "happy" not "sad". Then she'd say that different things were happy or sad - and if they were sad she would also say "cry". I'm not sure if they are working on emotion in her day care class, but she seems to be stuck on whether something is happy or sad.
Last night I was making Charlotte's dinner and she was sitting on the counter "helping" me. She picked up the sugar bowl lid. I said, "Please don't touch that, it might break". She continued to pick it up, put it down, pick it up. I said again, a little more firmly, "Don't pick that up". She gave me the look of disobedience, and picked it up again. I grabbed her wrist and looked her in the eye and said, "Do NOT pick that up!" She started to cry, really cry. The tears streaming down her face and the bottom lip pouted out as far as it could go. Then between sobs she said, "Charlotte SAD!" Oh, my heart! I gave her a hug and told her that I didn't want her to be sad, I wanted her to be happy - then quickly distracted her with dinner.
How can someone so small already know how to pull my strings? I'm such a sucker.
Here is the picture that I posted for my assignment this week - I had to take a picture of a subject that used these 3 words - Passion, Precious, & Aged. It was hard. It's been raining and I couldn't really get outside. For those of you photography peeps, this is f/3.5, 1/40, ISO 2500. (Yes, 2500 - the bathroom is a cave).
Precious = just look at that face - no need to explain!
Passion = If you know a toddler, have a toddler, or have had a toddler in the past, you know their passion for bubbles.
Aged = the ugly 1970's mustard yellow tile in my bathroom.
Last night I was making Charlotte's dinner and she was sitting on the counter "helping" me. She picked up the sugar bowl lid. I said, "Please don't touch that, it might break". She continued to pick it up, put it down, pick it up. I said again, a little more firmly, "Don't pick that up". She gave me the look of disobedience, and picked it up again. I grabbed her wrist and looked her in the eye and said, "Do NOT pick that up!" She started to cry, really cry. The tears streaming down her face and the bottom lip pouted out as far as it could go. Then between sobs she said, "Charlotte SAD!" Oh, my heart! I gave her a hug and told her that I didn't want her to be sad, I wanted her to be happy - then quickly distracted her with dinner.
How can someone so small already know how to pull my strings? I'm such a sucker.
Here is the picture that I posted for my assignment this week - I had to take a picture of a subject that used these 3 words - Passion, Precious, & Aged. It was hard. It's been raining and I couldn't really get outside. For those of you photography peeps, this is f/3.5, 1/40, ISO 2500. (Yes, 2500 - the bathroom is a cave).
Precious = just look at that face - no need to explain!
Passion = If you know a toddler, have a toddler, or have had a toddler in the past, you know their passion for bubbles.
Aged = the ugly 1970's mustard yellow tile in my bathroom.
Sunday, October 11
Pumpkin Patch
My parents are here visiting this weekend. My mom's one request is that she could help Charlotte pick out her Halloween pumpkin. So, along with the rest of Atlanta, we headed up to Burt's Pumpkin Patch today. Although it was VERY crowded, we found a great looking pumpkin, met up with the Himes family, and enjoyed a beautiful Fall morning.
Thursday, October 8
A Tease
Charlotte has been interested in the potty for a while now, at least 2.5 months. She knows what it is, knows what you are supposed to do on it, knows how to flush, and knows what toilet paper is for.
A month ago she started to talk about it a lot - so one evening we headed to Target and bought a potty of her very own. I made a big deal about it. Brought it home, took it out of the box, and got it all set up for her in the downstairs bathroom. She immediately wanted to use it. No joke, she sat down and peed on the potty that very first night.
I didn't get too excited about it. I refused to get my hopes up that we would soon be done with diapers - the child can't even take her own pants off yet. Over the next month, she sat on the potty a few more times, and would actually go in the potty. Whenever she went in the potty I would act like a crazy person, jumping up and down and praising the living daylights out of her - constantly saying "GOOD GIRL". So, now when she goes, she twists her little body around to look in the potty to see if she really went, and says "GOOD GIRL".
Then this last weekend at her grandparents house she asked to sit on the potty and then peed on the potty. Judd's mom called me somewhat surprised at this development. I just informed her that Charlotte knew what it was for, and would occasionally go, but that we weren't really trying to potty train.
But, I still didn't get excited about all of this - I felt like I would just be setting myself up for disappointment. She's just teasing me.
I picked her up from school on Monday and her teacher said they had some very exciting news. Charlotte had peed on the potty at school! They were really excited about it and I got the feeling that they thought I should begin this new potty training chapter.
Ok, now I'm getting excited. Is she ready? Do we need to start this? I'm terrified. What should I do? What books should I read? Please help!
For now I'm just taking it easy, if she wants to go on the potty she can try, if not, I'm cool with that too. I don't even ask her if she wants to go, I wait until she tells me. Those who have walked this path before me - any advice is appreciated.
(Oh, and shameless plug - I posted some pictures of my first Holiday Mini session over on the photography blog - I still have 2 spaces left for Nov. 8th in Suwanee!)
A month ago she started to talk about it a lot - so one evening we headed to Target and bought a potty of her very own. I made a big deal about it. Brought it home, took it out of the box, and got it all set up for her in the downstairs bathroom. She immediately wanted to use it. No joke, she sat down and peed on the potty that very first night.
I didn't get too excited about it. I refused to get my hopes up that we would soon be done with diapers - the child can't even take her own pants off yet. Over the next month, she sat on the potty a few more times, and would actually go in the potty. Whenever she went in the potty I would act like a crazy person, jumping up and down and praising the living daylights out of her - constantly saying "GOOD GIRL". So, now when she goes, she twists her little body around to look in the potty to see if she really went, and says "GOOD GIRL".
Then this last weekend at her grandparents house she asked to sit on the potty and then peed on the potty. Judd's mom called me somewhat surprised at this development. I just informed her that Charlotte knew what it was for, and would occasionally go, but that we weren't really trying to potty train.
But, I still didn't get excited about all of this - I felt like I would just be setting myself up for disappointment. She's just teasing me.
I picked her up from school on Monday and her teacher said they had some very exciting news. Charlotte had peed on the potty at school! They were really excited about it and I got the feeling that they thought I should begin this new potty training chapter.
Ok, now I'm getting excited. Is she ready? Do we need to start this? I'm terrified. What should I do? What books should I read? Please help!
For now I'm just taking it easy, if she wants to go on the potty she can try, if not, I'm cool with that too. I don't even ask her if she wants to go, I wait until she tells me. Those who have walked this path before me - any advice is appreciated.
(Oh, and shameless plug - I posted some pictures of my first Holiday Mini session over on the photography blog - I still have 2 spaces left for Nov. 8th in Suwanee!)
Wednesday, October 7
Just One Thing
I am taking an online photography workshop over the next few weeks. There was some instruction over the past week, but mainly it was to get familiar with your camera again and try some new features that you may not have tried before. Then, post an image of the one thing that you would grab if your house were on fire.
Judd and I talked about this over dinner Saturday night - I had procrastinated and my image was due the next day. I told him that all I could think of was our Western Digital hard drive. But, a hard drive isn't very photogenic.
He agreed with me that would truly be the one thing that is irreplaceable to us. Sure, our entire wedding album isn't on the hard drive, but we do have a few pictures of the wedding there - and our family has some images we could use to make copies. But, that hard drive contains over 5,000 images of the first 20 months of Charlotte's life. It also chronicles my love of photography and my growth in that area.
Below is the image I came up with to share with the workshop. (This also give me an idea for a new picture series - anyone with a newborn that wants a first year program, email me for details, carrieedavis at gmail dot com) What would be the one thing you would grab?
Judd and I talked about this over dinner Saturday night - I had procrastinated and my image was due the next day. I told him that all I could think of was our Western Digital hard drive. But, a hard drive isn't very photogenic.
He agreed with me that would truly be the one thing that is irreplaceable to us. Sure, our entire wedding album isn't on the hard drive, but we do have a few pictures of the wedding there - and our family has some images we could use to make copies. But, that hard drive contains over 5,000 images of the first 20 months of Charlotte's life. It also chronicles my love of photography and my growth in that area.
Below is the image I came up with to share with the workshop. (This also give me an idea for a new picture series - anyone with a newborn that wants a first year program, email me for details, carrieedavis at gmail dot com) What would be the one thing you would grab?
Monday, October 5
Our Weekend
Judd and I had a great weekend despite missing Charlotte terribly. We tried to thoroughly enjoy the time alone to do WHATEVER we wanted.
We ate out almost every meal just because we could. We ate at the Iberian Pig on Friday night (a new restaurant in downtown Decatur)- I highly recommend it.
Saturday we woke up and took our time heading to Athens. We got to Athens and found a free parking spot!
We left the game at half time to meet some friends downtown. After the game we headed over to The National and had another fabulous dinner.
Sunday morning was spent watching TV and cleaning the house. We went out to lunch, then I had two photo sessions that evening. I watched the weather the entire day hoping that it wouldn't rain. I lucked out and the rain held out until later Sunday night. Here's a little peek at one of the fun families I got to hang out with.
I'm headed to Macon now to go get Charlotte. I can't wait to hug her neck!!
Friday, October 2
A Charlotte-less weekend
Charlotte was kidnapped by her grandparents this weekend. So Judd and I get to re-live the DINK lifestyle for a couple of days. What shall we do with ourselves? Eat fancy dinners, sleep, brunch, sleep, go to Athens together for a football game, sleep? Choices, Choices.
I'll miss the munchkin this weekend. She has been doing so many funny things lately. Other than the tantrums, I'm really digging this toddler phase.
Each night when I put her to bed, we have a set routine. We sit in the rocker, she has her milk and pacifier, we read books, then turn out the light and she puts her head on my shoulder and I rock her to sleep. Judd follows this same routine when he puts her to bed. Lately, though, when she puts her head on my shoulder she says "Mommy, sing". It makes my heart melt every time. When you were a kid, didn't you love to have your head on one of your parents chests and listen to their voice through their body? I did. It makes me so happy that she loves that too.
Last night I started to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle little star" and she popped her head up from my shoulder and put her fingers to my mouth and shook her head "no". Guess she wasn't in the mood for "Twinkle, Twinkle". So, I moved onto "You Are My Sunshine" and she settled her little head back on my shoulder and drifted off to sleep.
Charotte's new shoes from Target. They are SUPER cute in person. Everyone with a toddler should run out and get these now!
I'll miss the munchkin this weekend. She has been doing so many funny things lately. Other than the tantrums, I'm really digging this toddler phase.
Each night when I put her to bed, we have a set routine. We sit in the rocker, she has her milk and pacifier, we read books, then turn out the light and she puts her head on my shoulder and I rock her to sleep. Judd follows this same routine when he puts her to bed. Lately, though, when she puts her head on my shoulder she says "Mommy, sing". It makes my heart melt every time. When you were a kid, didn't you love to have your head on one of your parents chests and listen to their voice through their body? I did. It makes me so happy that she loves that too.
Last night I started to sing "Twinkle, Twinkle little star" and she popped her head up from my shoulder and put her fingers to my mouth and shook her head "no". Guess she wasn't in the mood for "Twinkle, Twinkle". So, I moved onto "You Are My Sunshine" and she settled her little head back on my shoulder and drifted off to sleep.
Charotte's new shoes from Target. They are SUPER cute in person. Everyone with a toddler should run out and get these now!
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