Not the sticker! - Toddle Along Tuesday

Toddle Along Tuesday - Funny/quirky Toddler Habits

Today is Toddle Along Tuesday! This week's topic is "Funny/quirky toddler habits" I am linking up with Melissa at Growing Up Geeky. Be sure to check out her fabulous blog!

This story was just too funny that I could not pass up blogging about it because I never want to forget it. Jordan, Henry and I went grocery shopping this past Saturday night, one of Henry's most favorite trips to go on because he loves riding in that grocery cart. Sometimes we indulge him and push the cart "backwards" so that he is facing forward down the aisle.

On this particular trip, we made it to the cashier for checkout. The cashier was a young twenty-something gal, who had help for her sidekick bagging buddy. They both thought Henry was being just so adorable in the cart, that the cashier decided to give him a small, bright-orange circular sticker (after asking our permission, of course).

I didn't bat an eye and thought that he would love it. They put it on my finger and as my finger inched toward him, I saw something very odd. He became inching backwards, and whimpering, as if he was terrified of this tiny, harmless, sticker. I haven't seen him act like this before, and I was a little concerned, but I smiled a whole lot because I kind of thought this was the most adorable reaction ever. 

I put it on his jacket and he kept staring at, and almost starting to cry. We quickly ushered our groceries to our car and Jordan thought it would be a "good experience" for Henry to ride the short car trip home with the sticker affixed to his shoe, so that every time Henry looked down at his foot in his carseat, he saw, which was now apparently, the scariest object on the planet. He did whimper the entire car ride home, but it was so cute we just kept it going.

The sticker has since been floating around our living room, and every now and then he will find it, and sometimes stick it on one of us, but luckily now it has lost its adhesive and just falls off, which is just how our little sir likes it.

Who knows where this fear came from. I asked myself the same question for Henry's earlier fears (i.e. nose blowing, and the sound the shower mat made when you ripped it off the floor of the tub.) He has gotten over those, and I am sure, as time goes on, this too shall pass. It has too. How are we going to survive trips to the doctor and dentist when the reward is scarier than the actual appointment?

What are some of your other quirky or funny toddler stories?

Henry enjoying something not-so-scary at the grocery store

Toddle Along Tuesday - July 4th!

Toddle Along Tuesday - July 4th!

Today is Toddle Along Tuesday! This week's topic is "July 4th!" I am linking up with Melissa at Growing Up Geeky.

Hope everyone had a lovely holiday celebrating with loved ones while honoring our nation's birthday. I had off from work, so Jordan, Henry and I got to spend the entire day together. We had made plans to go out to breakfast in the morning to the only local bagel place we can find that it is up to our standards (we have high ones coming from the Philadelphia area!) It is located in Durham, NH, the local college town. We order Henry the same thing every time we go - whole wheat bagel, toasted, with nothing on it. We cut it up into bite size pieces and he goes to town and loves it. His loud "yay!" that erupts when our server brings a plate full of food in our direction is priceless, and I love it more every time.

We live in a small "city" and they put together a bunch of activities downtown that we wanted to check out. It was very hot and humid this year so this turned out not as comfortable as we expected. Our friends came over with their almost 3-yr old daughter, and we all walked downtown together. They were kind enough to bring their two-kid wagon, and I was a huge fan!! I don't think Henry had been in a wagon before but he really enjoyed it. And they kiddos could face each other which kept them entertained.

Henry watching a tae-kwon do demonstration. Might have to try this out when he gets older!

Trying lemon Italian Ice. It was a huge hit! It's very hard to find proper Italian Ice in New England, but this was pretty close!

Henry is really working hard on self-feeding!

After exploring downtown, we came back to our house and had our own BBQ with our friends. Unfortunately, their daughter was getting sleepy (the fireworks weren't until 9:15!) I know it has to be dark, but really???? So they left before the fireworks and we tried our best to keep Henry up! He made it!

Ready to go to the fireworks. He looks really old in this picture, I think!

We stopped and got some ice cream before the fireworks. It sprinkled a little before the fireworks began, and I think that scared him more than the fireworks themselves. When Henry is tired, he becomes very sensitive and unpredictable (don't we all?)

Watching the downtown fireworks with Mom!

A little scared at times, but Dad makes it all better.

 We had a great July 4th and Henry really loved his first fireworks. I hope he enjoys them as much, if not more, next year. What did you do for the Fourth of July? Be sure to check out what other mamas did by clicking the Toddle Along Tuesday linky up at the top of this post!

Toddle Along Tuesday - Letter to Your Old Self

Toddle Along Tuesday - Letter to Your Old Self

Today is Toddle Along Tuesday! This week's topic is "Letter to Your Old Self" I am linking up with Melissa at Growing Up Geeky.

Dearest Jen (circa 2010),

Wow, you just found out you were pregnant! Happened quicker and easier than you thought, right? Well, take a deep breath, and even though Jordan is just as scared as you are, everything will work out. I know you are thinking, "How on earth am I going to do this with my parents and in-laws living over 300 miles away? This isn't how it 'normally' works, right?"

Well, you can, you did, and you will. You are stronger than you think and together, truly, Jordan and you can do anything. Here are some words of wisdom:

-Please throw NORMAL out the window, right now, because you do what you need to do and that is your new normal. Try your hardest not to play the compare game, during your pregnancy, and with Henry and his peers as he grows up. There is always going to be another child who is walking sooner, eating more, gaining more weight, using more words, etc. Henry is who Henry is meant to be and that is an amazing gift from God and you need to try your hardest to remember that.


-Don't let every other pregnancy story scare you, or make you anxious. I know its easy for you to get worked up, and just smile and nod when people tell you that it was the worst pain you will ever feel, or that you will poop on the table. You will make it through, and you might even want to do it again!

-Be up front with your OB/Gyn. Even though you think that they have your best interests in mind, it is important for you to make up your mind in order to steer your care and birth in the direction YOU want. Don't be afraid to ask them questions, call them on the phone and demand them to explain something to you more than once if you don't get it the first time. Don't be afraid of hurting their feelings. You and baby are most important!

-If you aren't getting the care you want in the hospital, speak up. Your labor will be long, and while you think you will have Henry on Christmas day, it will be 2 days later than that, even though, yes, your water will break on Christmas Eve, but nothing is done for THREE DAYS. I know it sounds scary, but you come out just fine, and more importantly Henry comes out perfectly. But, be stern with the doctors and don't be afraid of them judging you. YOU are in control.

-Don't freak out, but Henry is going to be a big guy! I know in all your birthing classes, you will hear that the average baby is 7 or 8lbs, but he will surpass this by far, and I won't ruin the surprise because its amazing, but know that he is the most adorable ball of joy you will ever lay your eyes on!!

-Henry will stop crying. I know you are afraid that he'll cry forever and you won't know what to do to make him stop, but you will know exactly what to do, and he will not cry forever. Sometimes it might seem like it, but he will stop.

-You will be a successful mother WHILE working full-time! I know it sounds overwhelming, and you wonder if you will ever have enough energy, but you make it work, with lots of help from Jordan, who is such a supportive and involved dad. He will help with the dishes and the laundry (but not too much because he is still working on his dissertation!)

Henry and you at the New Hampshire Fishercats game (6.24.12)

Much love from your awesome, amazing, calm (and pretty fit) future self :)


P.S.- you will also train for a 5K (I know, seriously!) and run it on July 7, 2012 (your first one!). Told you that are amazing xoxox

Toddle Along Tuesday - Places to Shop

Toddle Along Tuesday - Places to Shop

Today is Toddle Along Tuesday! This week's topic is "Places to Shop!" I am linking up with Melissa at Growing Up Geeky.

Shopping has always been fun for me, and it has gotten a lot more fun shopping for baby clothes, toys, and accessories since Henry was born. One of my most favorite places to shop, for myself and Henry is TJ Maax. There is just something about the prospect of not knowing what you are going to find that makes shopping there so much fun! I think Henry agrees, don't you?

Here is an outfit we bought at TJ Maxx that's really by Nautica. Henry wore it this Easter:

When I don't have tons of time to shop at stores, I also love shopping at Amazon.com. I am in love with their Subscribe & Save Program. We use this for Pampers diapers and wipes. We get a discount and its delivered right to our house (anything to make shopping easier earns an A in my book!) I also appreciate the reminder e-mail that a shipment is coming...if we feel like we don't need it this time, we can skip this shipment and wait for the next one, and we aren't charged for it at all. Win!

Do you have favorites places to shop?

Toddle Along Tuesday - Favorite Firsts!

Toddle Along Tuesday - Favorite Firsts

Today is Toddle Along Tuesday! This week's topic is "Favorite Firsts." Where to start? There are so many. But what comes to mind is the first time we saw, hugged, kissed, and fell completely head over heels in love with Henry. And, also, what is just as important that I never want to forget, is when our family had the same experience with Henry.

Since we currently live in New Hampshire, it took awhile for our family members to meet our little guy.

Born via c-section, your arrival into this big world was a bit more traumatic than we envisioned, but were nonetheless very happy that everyone was (eventually) healthy.

FIrst time Dad held you - 12.27.10

First time Mom saw you - 12.27.10

First time Mom touched your precious forehead - 12.27.10

First time mom held you - 12.27.10

Recovering from a C-section is NOT FUN, and the nurses told me that if I wanted to see and hold Henry, I needed to walk down there (what a great ploy to get me up and about!) It worked because there was no way I was going to let another minute go by without seeing him, holding him, and kissing him.

My mom flew up from Pennsylvania to meet her very first grandchild on New Year's Eve, 2010. This was a big deal because she is not a fan of flying, and then she proceeded to rent a car, and find her way to the hospital (45 minutes away!) and she didn't think she could do it. Again, nobody and nothing was going to stop her from meeting and falling in love with her precious baby grandson.

First time Moggie held you - 12.31.10

Jordan's parents weren't able to make it up to meet Mr. Henry until President's Day weekend, 2011. They took the Amtrak train all the way from Philadelphia, PA to Dover, NH. It was a special and precious moment for everyone. They could not wait to hold their first grandchild as well.

First weekend with Mimi and Shen - 2.22.11

Next came my dad, when both of my parents traveled up to spend my last couple of days on maternity leave with us.  

First time Granddad cuddled with and fed you - 3.12.11

Your only uncle, Zach (Jordan's older brother) came to meet you for the first time on Easter weekend, 2011. Even though he is currently living in Alaska, and doesn't get to see you as much as everyone would like, it was still such a special moment for him to meet you, after he flew up from Philadelphia to NH.

First time hanging out with my favorite Uncle - 4.23.11

And last, but certainly not least, the first time Nanny (Jordan's Grandmother) met her first great grandchild was very precious. At 81 years young, she rode in a car all the way from Central PA to Dover, NH, because there was no way she was going to miss the Baptism of Henry, who is named after her late husband.

Nanny cannot take her eyes off of you - 6.10.11

What are your favorite firsts?

 Be sure to check out the other blogs linked up for Toddle Along Tuesday!

Toddle Along Tuesday - Cheap ways to entertain your little one

Toddle Along Tuesday - 
Cheap ways to entertain your little one









What better way to have fun on this dreary, rainy Tuesday than linking up with Growing Up Geeky for Toddle Along Tuesday!

When thinking about this week's topic, the first idea that comes to mind is BOXES! Henry absolutely loves boxes, of any shape, but honestly, the bigger the better.

He loves to....

~turn them into a drum set
~pick and throw around whatever might be in them
~push them around the entire house as a make-shift walker. This might be the cutest use ever.
~open and close them, and if he can fit, crawl into them.

Oh oh what did I get in the mail?

Let's play with the paper, too!

PAPER is another great toy for your little one! The possibilities are truly endless what they will do with paper. It really is true that the wrapping paper is 1,000 times more exciting than the gift inside!

I love pulling this around mom, and hitting you in the face with it!

 BALLOONS are another form of infinite entertainment. They last forever. At first just pulling on the string is fun but then, as the balloon itself sinks down, your little one can bat and play with it, and drag it everyone everyone they go.

Tupperware is my fav!

Last but not least, there are pots TUPPERWARE CONTAINERS / POTS & PANS. But, remember that pulling them off and throwing them on the floor is the only fun part. Mom and Dad get to pick them all up, not so fun.

I hope you enjoyed a few of my ideas on how to entertain your little one with common household items! There is more around than you might think :)

Sweet Dreams

Toddle Along Tuesday - Bedtime Routines

Here is my first time trying out Toddle Along Tuesday! If this is your first time visiting, welcome!

This week's topic is...dun dun dun...Bedtime Routines! In our house, it certainly varies night to night, depending on Henry's level of tired-outness from daycare. Jordan and I have just instituted the "3-strike" rule to determine how tired Henry is, and it is pretty darn cute and hilarious at the same time.

If Henry does three things indicating he is tired, we call it a night and begin our routine. Right now, these include rubbing his eyes and/or laying his head down on any and everything he can find, whether it be hard or soft. Sofas...sure. Hard wooden coffee table...I love it. The changing mat on the floor...even better. But that really awesomely soft Phillies Phanatic Pillow-pet you got for Christmas? "No thanks..I haven't figured out how soft that is."

Once it has been determined that Henry needs to go to sleep within the next 10 minutes (usually no later than 6:45 p.m.) Jordan changes his diaper and we put him in his pajamas. This obviously occurs while Henry is wailing at the top of his lungs because he still thinks that diaper changes are the worst possible moment of each day.

We are also trying to being diligent in our before-bedtime reading. We read the same book every night for a week or so, allowing Henry to get used to the rhythm and words, since he still has a pretty short attention span for books. He often tries to close the book as soon as it is open. We are capitalizing on that by teaching him that it is equally as fun to turn the pages!

This week's book is:

This was a gift from my high school librarian, and Henry sure enjoys it! Not too long for our little guy.

After reading, we take him into his room, switch "his" iPod on so that he has soothing music, and turn on his fan for some white noise. At the moment, Henry's humidifier is on at night because his nose is so runny! Finally, we turn on his Glo-Moose:

Tuck him in with his frog blanket, switch on the video monitor, and shut off the lights. Say our goodnights, and kiss his sweet forehead. He is usually sound asleep within ten minutes, and stays sleeping for a solid 12-hours. He is a champion sleeper!!

Taken at nap-time, but the idea is still the same :)

..... And then in the morning, I have  this awesome face to wake up to!