Top Ten of 2017

In no paticular order here are some of my favorite moments of 2017

1) Mallorys birthday was a fun time celebrating my baby turning one.

2) Mallory seeing Lake Michigan and enjoying it.

3) Taking the girls to the beach in September and having it almost to ourselves

4) Every time Mallory wakes up from naps and gives Eleanor a big hug I just melt. 

5) In February I went to Nashville to meet up with some of my mom friends from around the country.  I'd been chatting with these women for 4 years at that point so it was great to finally meet.

5) Our 6th anniversary.  We tried a new restaurant and I wanted to take a walk down by the river but it was so windy we kept getting belted with sand and dirt ruining that plan.

7) Great Wolf Lodge.  We ended up going twice and Eleanor loved it so much she still talks about it. 

 

8) Eleanor starting school

9) In April I took the girls to a baseball game by myself.  I missed most of the few innings we made it through, but Eleanor got choosen to go out on the field and say 'play ball'. 

10) This isn't a good moment necessarily but it stands out.  Around Halloween both girls got sick.  Eleanor had croup first, then Mallory got it and on Halloween she had temps of almost 104, and it lingered for nearly a week. It wasn't a fun time, and I didn't sleep much, but they recovered.

Growing Girls

My kids are growing up. I know that's a duh statement but really they are.

Mallory is this talkative, ambitious, determined little toddler. We are still slightly locked in to that afternoon nap limiting flexibility but it's not a cycle of eat sleep play repeat anymore. I'm probably going to beginning the weaning process this fall.

That alone is a shot in the heart. I'm not one of those nurse forever girls but that's fine if you are. I nursed Eleanor until 22 months.

Maybe it's me clinging to those last moments of it being the one thing only I can do for her. Not to say that it's just for me because nursing in the second year still has her reaping lots of benefits. 

Then there is Eleanor. She's my thoughtful, generous, clever, silly girl with a occasional streak of sass. She constantly makes me laugh but also makes me take a pause in the business of life when she asks for mama snuggles. I tell her she's never allowed to grow up and when she says she has to I make her promise to always give me hugs and kisses. Even when she's a teenager. Especially when she's a teenage but that's a post for another time because slow time time.

She's starting preschool next month. 3 days a week for 3 Hours. I'm dreading the constant running around and loss of freedom but mostly knowing that our time is coming to an end. For nearly four years it's just been us (aside from Mallory joining obviously) every day and now I have to share her and send her into the world and hope she thrives. 

Everyday I feel like I take to many pictures and videos on my phone but I need to have something to look back on.  Moments are fleeting and my memory will fade but those pictures and videos will capture that time in life when my girls weren't all the way grown up. 

Eleanor's 2 1/2 year Update

Since my last update Eleanor has become a big sister.  She's rocked it and been so amazing.  I'm so proud.  The only time there has been any sort of jealousy or acting annoyed is when I've been feeding Mallory and she wants me to get her a snack right then.  Otherwise she is awesome and I often walk back into the living room to see her trying to hug Mallory or covering her up with a blanket.  She's got a really kind and generous heart.

With that being said, she has gotten a little bit of sassiness the last few weeks.  I don't think it's bad at all though and really it happens if I tell her no or not right now and comes out when she responds "I don't like it when you say that."  It's actually hard not to laugh at that.  Toddlers tell it like it is!

She has no interest in potty training yet.  She has training pants and underwear and a cute little potty seat, but just wants her diapers.  Once or twice a week I can bribe her to just sit on it but that's about it  Honestly it's frustrating because she will more often than not wake up in the morning dry and then when she does get changed immediately (within 5-10 minutes) pee so much she will soak through her diaper and pants.  And other times she will say she peed and she has.  But with a new baby I haven't wanted to push it.  Once it eventually warms up I think I will because she can just be in a diaper.

The diapers are a size 4 in disposable or one size in cloth.  She wears a 2t/24 month in clothes and shoes are somewhere in the 5-7 range.  I think 5-6 fits best.  Last time she got on the scale she was around 25lbs and I haven't checked her height since her 2 year appointment.  I should probably know these things but I don't.  Mom fail.

I'm not sure if we had transitioned into her big bed at my last update but we did that at the begining of the year (so almost 27 months).  She did well with that and has only gotten out of bed maybe two or three times.  She sleeps 9-10 hours a night, and if she does take a nap, which is hit of miss that's usually between 90-120 minutes.

She can identify most letters correctly, although I haven't really practiced the whole sounds thing.

She can count although I'm not sure how high.  I'm guessing between 10-20 since I've head some of those teen numbers

She speaks very well.  It's not just mom pride talking.  I've been told this by several people, family and non family.  She has a good vocabulary, and is pretty clear when she speaks.  Even a year ago she was saying things like (where did the toot toot go?).

She loves to play with her blocks the most I think.  This encompasses her mega blocks, wooden blocks & her bristle blocks.  Also almost every single time we go outside she has to pick up sticks

She's obsessed with Daniel Tiger, and because there is a song for everything it seems like, I'm okay with that. Also obsessed with these chuchutv surprise egg videos on youtube.  They are so weird though. lol

Her favorite song is Bless the Lord (Oh my Soul).  Her favorite color is green.

She's starting to figure out the concept of jumping by using both feet.  Still funny to watch.  I feel like she's a bit clumsy though and trips over her feet often it seems.  But usually just inside so maybe it's the carpet/rug (or the maze of toys in the living room)

She loves to eat strawberries, green beans, carrots, chicken nuggets, ham, and cheese sandwiches (but they must be called a grilled cheese even if it's not).  She's got a bit of a sweet tooth and I can't trick her by saying something I eat isn't a treat.  I have to wait until she's distracted or share.

She's really a good eater though.  She will usually try anything.

1st Child vs 2nd Child

Eleanor on left and Mallory on right. 

I've already noticed that parenting a first child and parenting a second is different.  

With Eleanor I avoided pacifiers for a while.  She never took one.  With Mallory I was desperate the very first night and tried giving her one.  She hasn't taken one yet; I doubt she will. 

With Eleanor I only let her sleep on me in my bed while I slept a few times the first few months.  Mallory sleeps on me during my naps almost every day and at least part of every night. 

Mallory was just over a week old when I left her the first time.  I just went to the store and was only gone 30 minutes. I left her for an hour and a half  at 3 1/2 weeks.  Eleanor was almost 2 weeks when I left her to go to the store and she was probably 6 weeks when I left her more than 30 minutes.

I started pumping at just a few days with Eleanor because I wanted a stock pile of milk in case my supply dropped. So I spent 30-45 minutes pumping several times a week just to have some.  Eleanor also had her first bottle at 2 weeks.  Mallory was a month and she's only had one because I've only pumped once.

Eleanor was almost always dressed in a cute outfit or onesie even though we were home most of the time.  Mallory get's dressed if we are going somewhere or have company usually.  Otherwise it's one piece sleep and plays or pajamas all day.  I get a little sad at things she may never wear, but it's just easier to do changes etc...

Poor Mallory has really gotten very few things new.  I bought her 2 sleepers, a dress, a 2 piece outfit and a pack of onesies (white-would have been used for a boy too).  I think I spent $30 on clothes for her.  Not that I spent a lot of money on Eleanor (mostly garage sale/hand me down things), but poor Mallory has very little new to her things.

I'm sure there will be many more things I will do differently as the girls grow.  Some changes will come from experience & some from necessity (as in personality differences).   I do know that parenting a first child versus a second will also have a learning curve with it.

Favorite Pictures of My Girls ~ Mommy Monday Link Up

Picking out my favorite pictures is easy.  I love them all.  They showcase personality, appearance, and all the little details that make up memories.  But this post would take hours to look through so I narrowed it down.  

Eleanor:

Mallory:

Mallory was a whole lot easier because at only a month old I don't have many