Top & Sunnies: F21
Necklace & Bracelet: NY&Co
Purse: Target
Pant: ASOS
Shoe: Sperry
Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
Shoe Envy
As I was taking these photos, I was wishing I had found a pair of booties that I thought were as cute as these little Nine West ones I found for Emberly.
Apparently, I'm not the only one. Emberly told me after school that on the bus, a third grade girl badgered her until she agreed to switch shoes for the day. They're all scuffed up now and it's only the second time she's ever worn them. I know she probably would've done as much damage on her own, but it's irking to have had another child do it.
Muffs: F21
Jacket and Top: Target
Shirt: Gymboree via consignment
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Nine West via DSW
She also has a chapstick necklace which [sort of] keeps her from losing chapstick everyday!
Apparently, I'm not the only one. Emberly told me after school that on the bus, a third grade girl badgered her until she agreed to switch shoes for the day. They're all scuffed up now and it's only the second time she's ever worn them. I know she probably would've done as much damage on her own, but it's irking to have had another child do it.
Jacket and Top: Target
Shirt: Gymboree via consignment
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Nine West via DSW
She also has a chapstick necklace which [sort of] keeps her from losing chapstick everyday!
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Take Two
Potty training is both dreadful and exciting.
When Emberly was a bebe she exhibited "signs of readiness" for months prior to us training her shortly after she turned two. She frequently woke from naps and night time completely dry and could tell us when she wanted to be changed. The actual switch to underwear was rather effortless. However, I found a potty trained toddler to be exponentially more inconvenient. There's no more changing a diaper at your earliest convenience; but panicked rushes to the restroom when "I have to potty" is uttered. You do actually need a change of clothes (or a few) in the car and diaper bag. It seemed like long trips away from home just kind of sucked.
I was prepared for my son to not train until close to three. Because people say boys take longer and he never woke dry and rarely complained about a dirty diaper. But he trained just barely later than his older sister. First, he started refusing to keep his clothes (diaper included) on at home and wanted to use the potty. Which was novel, but anytime he had clothing on it seemed he was no longer aware of his body's signals. I asked people for suggestions and finally concluded that it wasn't worth the headache and I'd continue to let him be naked and use the toilet at home and just put a diaper on him any time he needed to be clothed.
Then came the week that we left the kids with Nana and Auntie for our trip to Costa Rica. I'm not sure if he wanted to impress them, if they worked some magic, or he was just coincidentally "ready" during their visit, but when we returned, he was now asking to use the toilet AND wearing underwear.
So I really had to do this. I had to leave the house with my two year old in underwear. Often with my 5yo who sometimes still waits until she's got seconds to make it to the toilet to mention that she needs to go.
I must say: I don't know why I found it so frustrating the first time. I can only figure that I was less logical and patient at 25. Instead of waiting for my toddler to tell me he has to potty and frantically seeking the bathroom, I simply take him to the bathroom as soon as we arrive anywhere, before I get a cart or anything. I also have the 5yo make an attempt too. If they have to go again during the trip, it's way less likely that it's urgent.
The gym. When Emberly was first potty trained, I didn't think she would tell the playroom employees that she needed to go and so I would make her wear plastic pants over her panties and keep my gym time under an hour. I'm not sure that Bauer would either, but I just take him potty when I arrive. If he goes, great; I'll often be gone up to two hours and we haven't had a problem. If he doesn't, I just come back in 45 min and take him again. And during long runs, forced potty breaks are actually oh-so-welcome!
We have not had a single accident in public *knocks on wood*
But Bauer is challenging in a different way.
He's more independent and doesn't want help until he's in way over his head. Let's just say that his attempts to clean his own behind when he's supposedly napping have made for some... crime scenes... in their bathroom.
And, apparently, one of the trade-offs for a good sleeper is longer night training completion. From the moment we put Emberly in undies, she woke from naps and night sleep to potty and never needed a night diaper or pull-up. My theory is that she was a crap sleeper and thus never in a deep enough sleep to be unaware of her body's signals. Bauer though, he's a pretty good sleeper. If he has to potty prior to midnight, he wakes up and goes just fine. After midnight though, he's discombobulated. He either doesn't wake up until he's crying and cold from having peed in the bed, or he confusedly wanders toward the bathroom, peeing as he goes. And then crying. So after a few nights of that, and discussions with other parents, it seemed that he needed more time to grow into that ability and in the meantime, pull-ups and full nights of sleep would be better. The night-time pull-up has been thankfully irrelevant to his daytime and nap-time toilet use and that was my main worry.
The last thing I want to throw out there is underwear problems. I've never found any underwear smaller than "2T/3T" yet I know my children cannot be the only 2yo that were (are) small for their age. Having to roll the waistband of underwear makes independent toilet use more difficult and I find that so irritating. Hanes does make a boxer brief that stay up on Bauer without rigging, but I would love for any readers that know of a smaller underwear manufacturer to please speak up!
When Emberly was a bebe she exhibited "signs of readiness" for months prior to us training her shortly after she turned two. She frequently woke from naps and night time completely dry and could tell us when she wanted to be changed. The actual switch to underwear was rather effortless. However, I found a potty trained toddler to be exponentially more inconvenient. There's no more changing a diaper at your earliest convenience; but panicked rushes to the restroom when "I have to potty" is uttered. You do actually need a change of clothes (or a few) in the car and diaper bag. It seemed like long trips away from home just kind of sucked.
I was prepared for my son to not train until close to three. Because people say boys take longer and he never woke dry and rarely complained about a dirty diaper. But he trained just barely later than his older sister. First, he started refusing to keep his clothes (diaper included) on at home and wanted to use the potty. Which was novel, but anytime he had clothing on it seemed he was no longer aware of his body's signals. I asked people for suggestions and finally concluded that it wasn't worth the headache and I'd continue to let him be naked and use the toilet at home and just put a diaper on him any time he needed to be clothed.
Then came the week that we left the kids with Nana and Auntie for our trip to Costa Rica. I'm not sure if he wanted to impress them, if they worked some magic, or he was just coincidentally "ready" during their visit, but when we returned, he was now asking to use the toilet AND wearing underwear.
So I really had to do this. I had to leave the house with my two year old in underwear. Often with my 5yo who sometimes still waits until she's got seconds to make it to the toilet to mention that she needs to go.
I must say: I don't know why I found it so frustrating the first time. I can only figure that I was less logical and patient at 25. Instead of waiting for my toddler to tell me he has to potty and frantically seeking the bathroom, I simply take him to the bathroom as soon as we arrive anywhere, before I get a cart or anything. I also have the 5yo make an attempt too. If they have to go again during the trip, it's way less likely that it's urgent.
The gym. When Emberly was first potty trained, I didn't think she would tell the playroom employees that she needed to go and so I would make her wear plastic pants over her panties and keep my gym time under an hour. I'm not sure that Bauer would either, but I just take him potty when I arrive. If he goes, great; I'll often be gone up to two hours and we haven't had a problem. If he doesn't, I just come back in 45 min and take him again. And during long runs, forced potty breaks are actually oh-so-welcome!
We have not had a single accident in public *knocks on wood*
But Bauer is challenging in a different way.
He's more independent and doesn't want help until he's in way over his head. Let's just say that his attempts to clean his own behind when he's supposedly napping have made for some... crime scenes... in their bathroom.
And, apparently, one of the trade-offs for a good sleeper is longer night training completion. From the moment we put Emberly in undies, she woke from naps and night sleep to potty and never needed a night diaper or pull-up. My theory is that she was a crap sleeper and thus never in a deep enough sleep to be unaware of her body's signals. Bauer though, he's a pretty good sleeper. If he has to potty prior to midnight, he wakes up and goes just fine. After midnight though, he's discombobulated. He either doesn't wake up until he's crying and cold from having peed in the bed, or he confusedly wanders toward the bathroom, peeing as he goes. And then crying. So after a few nights of that, and discussions with other parents, it seemed that he needed more time to grow into that ability and in the meantime, pull-ups and full nights of sleep would be better. The night-time pull-up has been thankfully irrelevant to his daytime and nap-time toilet use and that was my main worry.
The last thing I want to throw out there is underwear problems. I've never found any underwear smaller than "2T/3T" yet I know my children cannot be the only 2yo that were (are) small for their age. Having to roll the waistband of underwear makes independent toilet use more difficult and I find that so irritating. Hanes does make a boxer brief that stay up on Bauer without rigging, but I would love for any readers that know of a smaller underwear manufacturer to please speak up!
Monday, November 26, 2012
The Weekend
We had a great long weekend. It has to be the warmest Thanksgiving weekend we've had in our 6 years here. I didn't need a jacket the evening we celebrated a girlfriend's birthday and we could have gotten away with shorts and tank tops at the park. So lovely!
Thursday, November 22, 2012
Thankful
Happy Thanksgiving!
I have more thanks to give than anyone cares to read, but I am forever most thankful for my children. I can't count the times I've wanted to freeze a moment and live in it forever because they just make everything 500x more interesting and precious. I am especially thankful that they're always so willing to be in front of the camera for me!
Here's a little peek into our "photoshoot" for this year's holiday cards:
I have more thanks to give than anyone cares to read, but I am forever most thankful for my children. I can't count the times I've wanted to freeze a moment and live in it forever because they just make everything 500x more interesting and precious. I am especially thankful that they're always so willing to be in front of the camera for me!
Here's a little peek into our "photoshoot" for this year's holiday cards:
 |
| {note crazy boy in the background doing who-knows-what} |
Monday, November 19, 2012
The Weekend
I spent some time reorganizing my kitchen and freed up a bit of counter space. Something about wide open counters begs to be cooked upon. So I was in there making snacks and sweets anytime I had an idle moment.
Roasted butternut squash and sweet potato:
Homemade Peppermint Oreos:
Roasted butternut squash and sweet potato:
Homemade Peppermint Oreos:
 |
| {can you make peppermint oreo filling and NOT eat some? No. the correct answer is no.} |
Friday, November 16, 2012
Riding Boots
Emberly LOVES these boots. She likes wearing them with skirts to school, but my favorite is on the weekends with her too-short skinny jeans so that it hides the too-short problem!
Headband and skirt: Target
Tee: crewcuts
Cardi: H&M
Boots: Union Bay via DSW
Top and Tights:Children's Place
Shorts: H&M
Boots: Union Bay via DSW
Headband and skirt: Target
Tee: crewcuts
Cardi: H&M
Boots: Union Bay via DSW
Top and Tights:Children's Place
Shorts: H&M
Boots: Union Bay via DSW
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Old Man Swag
My darling little old man. Complete with high-water pants.
gif
So I thought given Bauer's small size and the fact that he's out of diapers, he wouldn't need new pants this winter (he wore 12 and 18mo shorts all summer!). I guess he did grow, because while the waist and seat are still huge, the length is waaaay too short (these were some of the longest!). Comical. But he picked these pants and it didn't seem like a battle I wanted to pick, so he got his old man swag on.
gif
So I thought given Bauer's small size and the fact that he's out of diapers, he wouldn't need new pants this winter (he wore 12 and 18mo shorts all summer!). I guess he did grow, because while the waist and seat are still huge, the length is waaaay too short (these were some of the longest!). Comical. But he picked these pants and it didn't seem like a battle I wanted to pick, so he got his old man swag on.
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Battered Feet
I wore this out for wine with my girlfriends the other night.
Jeans: Topshop via Nordstrom
Belt: NY&Co
Boot: Aldo
These boots have a hold on me. I love them. But they're damn uncomfortable. The peep toe rubs a blister onto my big toe no matter what I do (I really thought putting an insert on the ball of the foot would keep my foot from sliding enough to prevent the blister causing friction, but no!).
I guess I have battered feet syndrome.
Monday, November 12, 2012
The Weekend
I hope everyone had a great Veteran's Day (and hopefully has today off in observance), especially those who've served!
We made one of my house dreams come true and got rid of our matted carpet and cheap vinyl!
Before:
After:
The bathroom with a new mat I picked out (can't wait for more rugs!):
We made one of my house dreams come true and got rid of our matted carpet and cheap vinyl!
Before:
After:
The bathroom with a new mat I picked out (can't wait for more rugs!):
Friday, November 9, 2012
Two Toned
I wore two different chambray shades on a movie date with Damon. We saw End of Watch, which I'd waited weeks to see and then had to miss the end of it because Emberly had gotten pee on her shoes at school and wouldn't be able to get on the bus so I needed to bring her shoes and take her home. Ah, to parent! Damon says I didn't miss much.
Top: AE
Necklace: NY&Co
Skirt: F21
Sandal: Pink & Pepper
Top: AE
Necklace: NY&Co
Skirt: F21
Sandal: Pink & Pepper
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Citizenship
A long time ago I saw a Cold Case Files where a man had burned alive saving his family from a Klan fire at his home. He was allowing black Americans to vote in his store. It was decades before there was any justice for his family.
That concept has always touched me deeply; that people died so that I would have the opportunity to vote. I don't take that for granted and I vote. I've taken Emberly with me at least three times that I can think of and I like to think that the memories will make an impression upon her and that it will be important to her too.
Top:H&M
Dress: Crewcuts
Legs, socks and shoes: Target
That concept has always touched me deeply; that people died so that I would have the opportunity to vote. I don't take that for granted and I vote. I've taken Emberly with me at least three times that I can think of and I like to think that the memories will make an impression upon her and that it will be important to her too.
Top:H&M
Dress: Crewcuts
Legs, socks and shoes: Target
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