So much has been going on in our little toddlers’ lives recently that I wanted to make sure to catalog the highlights before I forget.
Caroline transitioned to a toddler bed! I had absolutely no intention of making this move until Caroline was either climbing out of her crib regularly or she was leaving for college. Matt on the other hand has been so anxious and excited to make this move. Anyway, I finally caved to Matt’s regular requests to make the transition!
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| CGM at 27 months |
In preparation for the first night of freedom Matt and Caroline unscrewed the front of the crib together while he explained the sticker reward system for staying in bed all night and not getting out until we come and get her. He also slipped a pool noodle under the sheet to prevent her from rolling out of bed. And added a door lock in the event she decided to roam the house at 2 am. Oh, and he secured all of her furniture to the wall.
I am shocked to report that Caroline has done pretty well with the transition and is obsessed with adding a sticker to the calendar each morning. Over the past six’ish weeks we’ve averaged one adventurous night per week that definitely does not end with a sticker. One morning we opened her door to an entire collection of Dr. Seuss books completely shredded. She even attempted to hide the scraps of evidence behind the crib. We also had to lock up all her drawers after the night she pulled our every diaper, every wipe and had a field day with the diaper cream. Oh, and she fell out of bed while sleeping once. But other than a few naughty nights here and there she has been sleeping soundly and is so proud of her bed and sticker chart!
Another huge milestone – Tom Tom is officially walking! Hallelujah! Caroline is so dang obsessed with him walking now too. She pulls him around everywhere like he is her baby doll.
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| TDM at 14 months |
Also, can we please stop and reflect for one second that THIS is the exact age Caroline was when we brought Tom Tom home? HOLY MOLY.
Lastly, we said farewell to my beloved Snap & Go Stroller. We had been waiting to ditch Thomas’s infant car seat until he began walking to upgrade him to the next car seat. Then unexpectedly the computer system went out in my car so my stroller is stuck in my trunk and I can’t get to it. It only took me two days of trying to haul a 20+ pound baby in an infant carrier up a hill at daycare while also trying to hold on to Caroline, diapers and two backpacks before I said NOPE and rush shipped two Graco Contender 65 Car Seats to replace the infant system in both cars. Thomas loves his new seat!
And now, for some recent funnies…
After smuggling a pantiliner out of my bathroom drawer (and into the car)…
Caroline: Mommy I got a band-aid!
Why we can’t buy nice things for our home. Or eat mashed sweet potatoes anymore.
House parties.
Trash pick up mornings are always such a highlight for the kids. Last week as the garbage truck drove by Caroline exclaimed “mommy! they picking up all the poopies [diapers]!”
LOL the panty liner! That picture is gold!
Does the sale of the infant seat mean no more babies?! You make the cutest kids!
HA! We're going to re-evaluate after Thomas has his final (hopefully) eye surgery next year if we can swing a #3! For now we said farewell to the infant seat and stored it in the attic. 😉
I love this post – they're growing up fast & they're both so cute!! You're an amazing Mommy – I am constantly impressed how you're able to keep up with it all.
Thanks for the early morning chuckle. I know days and nights like that can be quite stressful in the moment, but easy to laugh about later!! These are the kind of things they will remember 20 years from now, trust me. Like the time my oldest got into a tube of hot pink lipstick and covered her entire face with it, but was so proud to tell me she remembered to where her bib while doing so. LOL
The panty liner is hilarious! If it makes you feel any better, my youngest decided to poop in the bath tub (instead of the toilet) and wipe his bottom with his shower curtain (it's cloth). And by the way – he wasn't actually taking a bath at the time. Just decided that was a better place to go. Sheesh! Yay for milestones!!
I am obsessed with your crib/now toddler bed! So adorable and the pool noodle idea is genius. Caroline seems like such a hilarious little girl and wonderful big sister! Do you ever have issues with the two of them not getting along? I'm pregnant with my second now and they will be about 18 months apart- praying they are best friends!
It's very rare they don't get along but the definitely do have their moments. Most of the time their disagreements happen over stealing food from one another. 🙂
So funny about the panty liner!! When I was her age I told my mom I had found the coolest stickers and I wanted her to come and see. I had taken about 30 maxi pads and stuck them all over the front door of our house! I think my mom could have died right then and there! Ha!
Love the pool noodle idea! Our little one is only 17 months, but she is getting closer and closer to climbing over the crib which is scaring me. We might be switching sooner rather than later. And oh my goodness the "bandaid", too funny!Erin, Attention to Darlingwww.attentiontodarling.com
Thanks for brightening my day. Caroline and Thomas are precious. http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com
I am dying over the pantyliner bandaid! And I feel you on the sweet potatoes.
We've had zero interest in going to a toddler bed and L JUST learned how to climb out of her crib over the weekend so perhaps crossing that bridge sooner rather than later…. bahahaha Caroline's bandaid- laughed out loud! I thought of you and C's "contraband" the other day when I opened the caboose of Lawter's trike and found a spare paci, my chapstick and the wall socket nightlight we always tell her not to touch. Sneaky tots.
We have that car seat and love it! My little girl is one month younger than Caroline and we're still rocking the crib as long as possible! Baby #2 is due in March so I think we'll make the dreaded switch around January to HOPEFULLY have her out and adjusted before the baby gets here. Ah!
Lol I love that she tried to hide the scraps to the book behind the bed.
Such cute pictures! A couple of our girls tried climbing out of the crib at 10-12 months old! Ahh! 🙂 our 23 month old has had the toddler bed for the last year….our 13 month old I guess will need it soon enough!Love the panty liner!!!-Jackie
Such cute pictures! A couple of our girls tried climbing out of the crib at 10-12 months old! Ahh! 🙂 our 23 month old has had the toddler bed for the last year….our 13 month old I guess will need it soon enough!Love the panty liner!!!-Jackie
It's so fun for me to read these, because my brother and I are 13 months apart and my mom always talks about how fun (and crazy!) it was when we were these ages! I'm glad the middle of the night shenanigans are few and far between! Too funny about hiding the book pages behind the crib!
Ahhh BIG milestones! Such and fun (and chaotic) time! We're trying to decide on a second convertible car seat for Daddy's car (I have the Chicco Nextfit in my car), so I love to see which ones other parents use and love.
my kids LOVE trash days as well! when we transitioned my toddler to a big boy bed we ended up having only a mattress on the floor! he was such a CLIMBER. he would climb up anything possible so for about 6 months he had a mattress. poor kid!
We are in the market for a convertible car seat, so this is really helpful to see which one you got. I love the price too, much better easier to swallow than the $300-$400 price tags of some.
I'd love to hear more about your sticker system! Does she get a prize or something after completing a row? I cannot believe you had kids so close together. My daughter is 13 months and I just can't imagine. Crazy!
It is so crazy how they grow so quickly and all these milestones creep up on us!! Little EN has also just gone into bed (after climbing out her cot!) and now she is interested in the toilet so potty training starts soon… x