by Liz | All Things Kids
Traveling in general is always a bit of a chore, but the rewards are usually huge! Traveling with a toddler on a trans-atlantic flight? That might be something else altogether…
Needless to say, we’re braving it. We are making a few final plans and getting ready to pack our bags to visit my relatives for the first time since Lena was born. We are THRILLED to be able to make the trip and so far, we are optimistic we’ll accomplish it with little fuss. Provided Lena cooperates and sleeps on command. Easy right?
Our bags will mostly contain the necessities, clothes, toiletries and the like. One large duffel with sweaters, coats and other somewhat light things will also contain the pack n’ play (we’re staying with relatives so having a containment field is completely necessary).
Other than that, we have the extreme advantage of priority boarding! As the proud parents of one screaming toddler, we have the benefit of stalking to the gate ahead of everyone else while loaded down with car-seat (in plane containment, totally necessary!), stroller, diaper bag and carry-on bags. We’re going to attempt to pack light as hopefully our little cherub will be completely exhausted from tearing around the airport for hours that she’ll pass out once we lift off.
In the diaper bag (mom’s magical bag o’ tricks) we’ll have diapers (duh!), wipes (lots of ’em), a few snacks (airlines provide toddler meals, who knew?!), sippy cup/bottle, pacifiers (ear pressure relief), various meds (tylenol, motrin etc….yes, we’re currently getting molars), lovies (can’t leave home without them), books and other entertainment devices (though hopefully they won’t be needed). Oh, and don’t forget at least two changes of clothes…between airport, airplane and car rental…we’re bound to need a few. Toys seem unnecessary as she’s usually way too distracted to play with any and if we need distraction I’d prefer it be the calm, quiet sort.
I’m really trying to travel with less clutter. Every time we go away, it seems we completely move in…even if we’re only visiting for a weekend. Usually we have the benefit of our own car, so we hardly pack light since we have extra space. But since we’ll be wrestling bags, stroller, carseat and very tired toddler…I think we’ll do better using the “less is more” philosophy.
by Liz | All Things Kids, The Backyard
Between teething, emerging personalities and learning new tastes and textures it’s always a struggle to find easy to prepare foods that are healthy and relatively quick and simple. Most of my attempts to disguise veggies in Lena’s favorite foods, she never fails to find me out!
Cauliflower hidden in mac n’ cheese completely failed. She literally spent 30 minutes picking out the pasta and removing every last trace of the offending veg.
Healthy quesadillas were a favorite for a while but are no longer an options (perhaps the texture with her sore teeth). Grilled chicken was a huge part of most meals but now she barely touches the stuff.
I’m sure that some of these changes can be attributed to her little brain learning to manipulate us, but I also think she’s craving more variety and new tastes.
Tofu pups, peas, corn, veggie pouches, oatmeal, pasta (of any sort usually), almost any fruit, beans, yogurt etc. are all still on the menu but I’m quickly running out of options to spice things up. Even the always coveted cheerios are off the current list! Meal times are always a challenge because we literally arrive home from work and start throwing together leftovers or something quick and easy to cook.
What are your kids eating?
by Liz | All Things Kids
It’s been a while…life got in the way! I don’t know why summer always feel so hectic, but despite our many grand intentions we really didn’t do anything all that exciting. I’ll post a recap shortly.
I literally just scrolled back through my pictures and realized why I had this extended hiatus…
…here is the culprit!
by Liz | All Things Kids
That’s right folks, Adelena is officially crawling, sitting up, pulling up and having an all around, terrible time going to bed. Funny how it all happens at once!
Problem child!
Before the crawling and sitting up fiasco, Lena had a great bedtime routine. She’d happily lay down and her eyes would be getting drowsy before we even left the room. Naps were more of the same. Our more recent efforts have been met with total meltdowns and tantrums like you wouldn’t believe. Despite our growing frustration, is there anything cuter than a mewling pouty face peering pleadingly at you through the bars of the crib? Ok, maybe not after the 2nd or 3rd visit crib-side but it is pretty cute the first time around.
Needless to say, relentless efforts have now begun to end this new little habit. We’d previously lowered the crib to the lowest setting which is obviously much safer. However, I also believe this has encouraged the standing/pulling-up problem because now she has leverage. All the toys and blankets have been removed other than her bedtime things (Violet for lullabies and bunny snuggle blanket) so there is little distraction. We have blackout curtains and her room is pretty dark even though she goes to bed while it’s still bright out. Not much more we can do!
It’s extremely out of character for Lena to cry. I mean, there usually has to be something seriously wrong for it to even be an option. However, her latest bouts of crying are proving to be just attention-seeking and perhaps induced by a little bit of separation anxiety. It’s fairly obvious since the most intense periods of tantrums usually happen early in the week after spending the entire weekend together as a family. What it’s coming down to is the fact that Lena needs to learn that bedtime = bed. As much as all this is an adjustment for her, we as parents might have the bigger adjustment.
Despite our desire to constantly soothe any worries and fix all of her problems, we need to teach her some independence. As much as I’d like to go into her when she cries, we have to wait her out and let her understand that once she’s put to bed, there’s no getting out again. In the past, I could easily console her and calm her down enough to return her to bed and let her drift off to sleep. These days, my presence only adds fuel to the fire and makes the situation that much worse.
All I can say is thank goodness we have a video monitor. Even though I didn’t think we needed it, it’s been invaluable! There’s nothing like seeing that tousled little head finally laid down to rest…
…even if it’s on her belly and I know I have to creep in later to turn her over. Progress is progress!
by Liz | All Things Kids
There comes a time in every parent’s life when we question our decision making abilities. We all take immense delight in our child’s development and ecstatically encourage each new skill as I emerges. However, there is nothing more horrifying than realizing all of your unfailing encouragement has resulted in a mobile child!
Having a child who can move is life changing. I’m not even saying a full-fledged crawler, even a scooter will do it. Gone are the days of darting into the other room to switch the laundry or a quick run up the stairs to grab a pair of shoes. Nowadays, you turn your back for one second and mischief is brewing! Be it a potted plant, a low shelf of heavy pots or that clump of pet hair you forgot to pick up…baby has set her sights and is determined to find the exact wrong moment in which to strike. No speck is too small and no distance too far for the intrepid and fearless baby. Parents and caretakers beware!
That said, it’s so fun to watch them go!
by Liz | All Things Kids
A few months ago I posted our rough plan for introducing solids and the aftermath thereof. We are very fortunate that Lena has taken to food so well and are looking forward to the next step to finger foods, though she isn’t quite ready yet!
At the time of my post about solids, Lena was about five months old. We quickly ramped her up to three meals of solid food a day after that and even introduced a sippy cup for water. She was teething and drooling like you wouldn’t believe so we felt obliged to restore some of her fluids. She took to stage two foods readily and even loved mixing up fruits and veggies (yay for us!). I had high hopes of making my own food but with a busy work schedule we have continued to purchase most of her food.
Between five and eight months, I continued to breastfeed so we really didn’t change any of her feedings. She was still getting approximately six feedings per day for a total of roughly 25-30 oz. Added to that, she has at least one jar per meal (approximate 4 oz each) and sometimes 1.5 jars during lunch and/or dinner.
We were pretty happy with that routine so didn’t really switch it up that much until recently. When we hit eight months, I finally resigned myself to the fact that formula was a much more practical option for us so we starting mixing in a bottle or two per day. Things quickly progressed from there and we are now 100% formula feeding. With that change, we upped her bottles to 8 oz per feeding and in so doing, eliminated one of her smaller feedings in the early evening. This has definitely given us a new-found freedom and allowed us more flexibility with our routines because we always know we can easily feed her whenever we need to.With the addition of formula, Adelena also lost interest in having oatmeal mixed with her meals and so we’ve opted to leave that out.
Experiments with slightly chunkier foods have NOT been successful yet! Lena isn’t sold on protein yet and still prefers any protein items be mixed (heavily!) with some of the sweeter veggies like carrots and sweet potatoes. Fruit is never passed up either, of course. Thicker blends of food are definitely a hit, however chunks are usually met with disgusted faces and some serious tongue agility exercises in order to expel the unwanted items! Oh well…better luck next time perhaps!
