crib climber - escape artist

She may be 28 months old and just shy of 20 pounds, but Charlotte Jane has been mighty and surprising us since day one!  She started climbing out of her crib a few months ago, so we lowered her mattress to the floor - took the metal springs out and set it right on the floor.  But that trick no longer works to contain our "little monkey" who has figured out how to escape once again!



And here is the last official photo of my "baby" in her crib ... {sob, sob}

She's been sleeping in her toddler bed {the crib without the front rail} for three nights now, and she seems to like it just fine.  In fact, after testing it three or four times the first night, she hasn't gotten out of it until we come to get her ... yet!

sarcasm

is completely wasted on a four year old.

For some reason, Natalie insists that she still needs help wiping after she goes number 2.  And her insistence is rather enthusiastic.  She bends over in a yoga-esque pose and yells {at the top of her lungs}, "Mommy, I'm ready to wipe."

Upon hearing this request and seeing her position, I very sarcastically said, "This is absolutely, positively my most favorite part of the day!" {yeah, right!}

And, so, now ... every afternoon {my girl is hellah regular!} Natalie yells from the bathroom and assumes the position.  As soon as I open the door, she says, "Mommy, this is your favorite part, right?"  Big grin on her face. 

All happy to be giving me the opportunity to wipe her cute little behind!

I must admit ... I am actually starting to enjoy it ... hee, hee!

singing her phone number and saving money

Hard to believe, but NHV is heading to Kindergarten in the Fall.  Like in less than seven months from now!  Don't ask me how that's possible.  So I've been somewhat interested in {slightly obsessed with} all things kindergarten.  Most recently, I've been trolling readiness checklists ... great idea, btw.  I love a list ... crossing off things she knows and highlighting skills we can work on.  Makes me feel productive and efficient, and it allows me to focus my energy on something other than crying about the fact that my baby will be going to "real" school.

One of the items on aforementioned checklists is knowing your phone number.  We don't have a home phone, and I never really thought about teaching Natalie our cell phone numbers.  But I can certainly see the benefit of her knowing that information should the need arise {major and unexpected foreshadowing here}.

I taught my four year old to sing my cell phone number to the tune of Frère Jacques.  Using the regular breaks in a phone number, sing each part twice ... like this:

425

425

123

123

4567

4567

That's my phone number.

That's my phone number.

Fast forward to about a week later.  Grammy is here for a visit, and when she's here she insists on cooking {more food than we will ever be able to consume} and buying groceries.  Natalie went with Grammy to our neighborhood market, and it was a good thing she did.  Our market has an "advantage" card, which gets you discounts on "items throughout the store."  And the card is tied to my phone number.  You see where this is going, right?  They got to the check out, and my mom realized she didn't have my card or her cell to look up my phone number.  

Natalie sang the number, which consequently saved my mom almost $13!  Way to go, NHV!

the happy - sad game

CJV is a toddler of few words.
I mean it, she says very little ... and even less that we can actually understand.

The same cannot be said for her repertoire of expressions! Which is, largely, why we don't have a problem communicating!

I especially love when we play a little game I like to call "the happy-sad game" ... I know, clever, right?

I did this with NHV, too. I say, "Happy!" And make this exaggerated happy face. Then I say, "Sad!" and drop my face into a pout. Everybody laughs (including Chad).

Charlotte is so good at this game! She cracks me up everytime!

And ... much to my delight, she has started to say "happy and sad" before she makes the different faces!

give her a book and a toy

Those were my exact words to Natalie.

Charlotte was a little grumpy just as it was time for me to start dinner.  So in the crib she went ... for some binky sucking and relaxing ... and containment.  I needed her to stop fussing and to stay put.

At the time, Natalie was happily and busily playing in her room.  Blissfully unaware.  I mentioned my plan to start dinner and told her she was not allowed to climb into Charlotte's crib.

As soon as I got to the kitchen and grabbed the ground beef from the fridge, I heard Natalie call down from upstairs ... which wasn't  necessary because I had the monitor on and could hear everything.

"Mommy, baby sister wants to play."

'No, Natalie, leave baby sister alone.  She's resting."


"But, I'm going to give her something to play with."


"Okay, honey, give her a book and a toy."


A lot of commotion in the monitor tipped me off that something was going on.  I dumped the meat in the pan, turned on the burner,  and headed upstairs to find ... this ... 

Apparently, what she heard was, "Give her EVERY book and EVERY toy in her entire room!"

I was so busy being shocked, cracking up laughing, and grabbing the camera that I completely forgot about the meat, which burnt to a crisp!  The whole house smelled awful and my dinner plans were effectively ruined.

Leaving us only one choice ... Chipotle!

Princess and the Pea

As we were finishing dinner, Natalie got up her chair and discovered that she had been sitting on a pea.  An observation that in itself got a good giggle.

However, CPV took it to the next level when he asked, "Is your butt bruised?  You're a real princess who sat on a pea, so your butt must be bruised." {you know, like in the story}

Natalie squealed with delight, ran into the living room, and proceeded to take off her clothes with lightning speed ... including her panties.  She then contorted herself in all kinds of ways in an attempt to get a good look at her bum, and finally shouted out, "Hey, my butt IS bruised.  Check it out!"

We got treated to a few more naked booty shakes before she put her dress up clothes back on and proceeded to take her plate to the sink ... without missing a beat.

Love that girl!

pets and wet sleeves

Breakfast conversation is always interesting with a three year old.  Between shoveling spoonfuls of mush in CJV's mouth, pouring a sippy cup of milk, adding cream cheese and sprinkles to NHV's "princess" waffle, and doing my best not to trip over my (annoyingly) needy cat ... Natalie entertains me with some pretty interesting thoughts.

This morning she said to me, "We have a cat, right, mommy."  "Yes, that's right."  In my head: He's kind of hard to forget when he's rubbing all 16 pounds of feline neediness against my shins and calves!  

"Do you know anyone else who has a cat?"

"Uh-huh, aunt Missy has a cat.  Grammy and Grampy have a cat - he's not very nice.  Sebastian Paul has a cat."  Pause.

"And, mommy, some people - they have a dog at their house."   "Yep."  Trying to figure out where this is going ... not having any luck.

"Cee-Cee.  She doesn't have a cat or a dog.  Why Cee-Cee not have a cat or a dog at her house?"

"Well, Cee-Cee has a fish tank.  She has fish as her pets."  Natalie nods in agreement but seems still to have something on her mind.

"Mommy, people cannot PET fish."  Why's that?

"Because you would get your sleeves all wet!"

Slice of my day

This should give you some indication of the kind of day I had ...

In the span of about 20 minutes ...

I woke NHV from her nap.  Not something I like to do, but I can't let her sleep much past 4:30 for fear of totally messing with her bedtime.

As soon as I opened the door, I knew something was amiss ... the smell that greeted me was of the number two variety.  This is unusual but understandable considering the potty training success we've been having for the past week ... 

And so, I grabbed a handful of wipes and went about the business of cleaning up the mess that had been festering for a three-hour nap.  As if waking her up didn't make her grumpy enough, this little task was made even more delightful by constant whining and thrashing about.

During this time ... about two minutes in ... CJV woke up from her nap.  Thankfully she was patient enough to allow me to bag the stinky diaper, put a pair of panties and pants on NHV, and wash my hands before going to get her.

However NHV did not intend to be nearly as patient when waiting for her post-nap "saaa-nack" and "geeenk."  So I hauled CJV downstairs, poured juice one-handed and grabbed a few graham crackers.  Stomped back upstairs to my awaiting, now less grumpy, and more appreciative toddler.

CJV was starting to squirm pretty hard-core by this point.  She was all like, "Yo, mama, where's the milk truck?  I'm starving over here!"

Plopped down in the glider and got to the business of nursing.  In the meantime, NHV was just outside the nursery playing in her kitchen.  I couldn't see her, but I could hear her banging pots and pans, talking to herself, and having a great time.  And then, it got quiet.  Too quiet.  Followed by the dreaded, "Uh-oh,"  that could only mean she peed in her pants.

Still nursing, but knowing that Natalie would freak out about the wet pants, I asked her if she could take off her pants and panties.  A tiny struggle ensued and then I saw a streak of naked booty flash by the door.  A naked Natalie is a happy Natalie ... whatever, I've got to finish feeding the baby.

Then I hear Natalie say, "Oh, I know.  I get a wipe."  She wanted to clean up the mess on the floor.  I felt a glimmer a pride and even cracked a tiny smile.

Once CJV was finished eating, I changed her diaper, put her under the mobile and went to get clean clothes for Natalie.  As I entered the hallway, I quickly assessed the damage.  Saw a small wet spot that she'd wiped up herself.  And then, did a double-take as a brown clump caught my eye.  Oh no, she didn't!  Except yes, yes, she did!  

I know she didn't purposefully poo on the floor.  I am guessing it was in her panties when I suggested she take them off ... in the hopes of avoiding a meltdown about being in wet pants.  Which technically - in some perverse way - makes it my fault, right?

Yep, the life of a SAHM.  Glamorous?  Not so much.  Interesting?  Sure.  Entertaining?  Always!

I am so glad it's the weekend, and CPV will be home for the next three days.  This mama needs a b-r-e-a-k!

Hat Trick

The girls both managed to pull a hat trick today.

Just to be clear, we're talking about number 2 here, people!

File this under ...

• T.M.I.
• Joys of Motherhood, the sarcastic edition

Yep, that pretty much sums up my day.  How was yours?

Pizza and a Movie ...

... and a few reasons to laugh :)

We did Saturday night up right. 

By "we" I mean Missy, Big E, my girls, and me. 

And by "up right" I mean ordering pizza (gluten-free and yummy), eating on paper plates for a quick clean-up, and watching a kid-friendly movie (Ice Age III) ...

All in the hopes of a stress-free, relaxing, quiet evening ...

Yeah, right!

Emmett was either saying, "di-doors" or chanting, "MINE."  The entire time!  Missy tried to convince him to stop saying "mine" and even spent a few seconds being irritated ... but then we decided to just laugh at him instead! 

Natalie was re-enacting the freakin' Spanish Inquisition.  The entire time!  If a character moved or said something on the screen, she had a question about it.  Missy and I took turns answering her questions followed by Emmett shouting, "Mine."

 

"Watts in dos eggs?"

"Mine!"

"Watt dos din-O-saurs doooo-ing?"

"Mine!"

"Watt dat aneemal say-ing?"

"Mine!"

"Where dos aneemals going?"

"Mine!"

"Wat happen to dos din-O-saurs?"

"Mine!"

"Mommy, watt dat flower doing now?"

"Mine!"

In the end, it occurred to us that Emmett was using the word "mine" to tell Natalie to stop asking so many darn questions!

What else could we do but laugh ... and be thankful that at least we weren't breaking up any disagreements over Little People or cars or babies :)

Getting Older and Riding the Bus

This past fall one of NHV's good buddies started going to preschool two days a week.  Often times - on the days he was at preschool - Natalie would ask to play with O.  I'd have to explain to her that O was at school, so he couldn't play today.  Inevitably, that explanation would prompt Natalie to inquire about this whole "school" thing. 

She'd say, "Owen go to cooool to-day? I go to cool, too?  I wide de bus to cool?"

And I'd always reply, "When you get a little bit older, you'll go to preschool.  And mommy will drive you; you won't ride the bus."

"Na-nee wanna wide de cool bus."

It cracks me up that her understanding of school is closely related to her desire to ride the school BUS.

-------------------------------------------------------------

Well, yesterday morning we attended our first preschool open house (yikes! I am so not ready for this!).  After breakfast I told Natalie about our big plans for the day, and she was beyond excited ... like to the point that waiting 8 months to actually start going to preschool is likely to cause her serious mental and emotional anguish ... and to drive me crazy! 

As I was rushing around to get us ready, Natalie had a ton of questions ... or rather the same few questions ... asked over and over and over again. 

Top on her list, "I older now?  I go to precool yike O-wen?"

And then, "We wide de bus to cool dis mow-ning?"

--------------------------------------------------------------

Again this morning, NHV expected to go back to preschool.  We aren't even registered yet.  Heck, I haven't even decide which school she'll attend.

"Mommy, I go to cool dis mow-ning?"

"No, baby, not today."

"I not older anee-more?"

Oh, the adorable confusion!

Two-Hand Fun

Aaaaahhh yeah ... I've been having myself a little two-hand fun.

Is it just me or does that sound kind of racy?!  Is my mind in the gutter?!  Is yours?!

Well, this isn't nearly as obscene as it sounds ...  

but it sure is exciting to me ...

But before I share with you exactly what the heck I am talking about ... allow me to tell you the back story.

There's this hilarious chica named Laryl ... she's one of my dearest friends from college ... and did I mention that she is so ridiculously funny?!  I can't be in a room (or on the phone, for that matter) with her for more than a minute or two without absolutely cracking up.  She's my kind of funny, and I love her for it.

Well, Laryl is as practical as she is funny ... which makes a great combination for some serious laughs ... at with her.  Because here's the thing, I think we all wish we could pull off practical as well as she does ... especially in this particular case.  You see, Laryl wears rocks a fanny (pack).  She dropped the pack and refers to it as just her "fanny."  I am cracking up just thinking about the mannerisms / dance moves she uses when speaking of her "fanny."  Wish I had video ... because I am fairly certain it's one of those "you had to be there" kind of things.

Anyway, as a result of rocking the "fanny," Laryl is the one in our group who always has whatever we happen to need, and she has it close at hand.  She's a freakin' boy scout in disguise, I tell ya.  Do you have one of those friends?  I always wish I could be that person.  The one who carries everything we may need and comes to the rescue when we need it.  But that's just not me ... especially if it means carrying a backpack or fanny pack ... just not going to happen.  I just can't pull off "that look," and we all know what you carry is a fashion statement, right?

Well, as Laryl so eloquently points out, with a fanny pack you've always got two hands free ... for, what else, but some Two-Hand Fun!  And really, two hands are always more fun!

After three days of wearing Charlotte in the Ergo Carrier, I emphatically agree.  And after more than a month of figuring out how to do everything one-handed (filling my water bottle, brushing my teeth,  making a bottle, putting cream cheese on a bagel, replying to emails, writing thank you cards, even going to the bathroom) because CJV was too tiny to be in the carrier ... boy, did I need some Two-Hand Fun!

Let the good times roll 'cause I've got 1, 2 hands free!

Clearly, the Ergo is my Fanny, and I am loving life!

Oh, and I think Charlotte looks so darn cute when I look down on her ... all snuggled up in there ...

P.S.  Minimum weight for the Ergo with Infant Insert is 6 pounds ... you know what that means, right!?  My little peanut is getting chunky :)  CJV weighed in at 6 pounds 7.5 ounces this morning ... woo hoo!

P.P.S.  That little hood-deal-io on the Ergo ... is absolutely genius!  Most often I refer to it as the "crumb-catcher" ... many meals have been eaten with the little one strapped in.  At dinnertime I do one heck of a Rain Man impersonation to keep her content while we eat ... rock, take a bite, rock, ... but her cute head always manages to be free of crumbs :)

P.P.P.S.  Can't thank my friend SC enough for loaning me her Ergo ... these things may be fabulous but they aren't cheap!

What'd You Say? Grass & Eyes

Driving down the road, NHV spots some horses in the field.  The following conversation ensued ... her thought process and what she says just cracks me up!

N:  Wat horsey dooo-wing?

M:  I don't know. What do you think the horsey is doing?

N:  Horsey tak-eeng nap?

M:  Maybe, but I think the horsey is eating his breakfast.

Silence.  Must mean my answer was satisfactory.  Score one for the mommy!

N:  Horsey eat gwass?

M:  Yep, that's right, horseys eat grass.

N:  Ofver aneemals eat gwass?

M:  Yes, other animals eat grass.  Can you think of another animal that eats grass?

At this point, I am guessing daddy recently had a chat with Natalie about animals and what they eat.  I had no idea where all of this was coming from!

N:  Yambs eat gwass?

M:  Wow! You're right.  Lambs do eat grass ... (don't they?)

Thinking that was a lucky guess ... 

M: Can you name another animal that eats grass?

N:  Cows?  Cows eat gwass?

M:  Yep, baby girl, cows eat grass.  Horseys eat grass.  Lambs eat grass. 

Holy cow!  Where did she learn all that?!  Score for the baby girl!

Quiet.  Quiet.  Quiet.

N:  See mowre horseys?

M:  I don't know if we'll see more horseys.  Keep your eyes out for them.

Quiet.  Quiet.  Quiet.

N:  No eyes out.  Mice eyes IN.

Well, you've got me there, Natalie!

--------------------------------------------

Because I can't resist, here's a pic of NHV admiring the horseys during our recent pumpkin patch visit ...

Two Wrongs ...

... don't make a right.  I know, I know.  But I kind of couldn't help myself.  And it did feel right ... you know good ... at least for a minute or two ... and then I felt a little bad.

While out running errands, I crossed paths with a fellow mom that I know (but don't really know) through a mutual friend.  We exchanged greetings and made comments about how much our two-year-old girls have changed since last time we saw each other.  Blah, blah, blah, ... pleasantries and what-not.

And then she glanced down at my adorable baby bump and  asked, oh-so-sweet-and-innocently with a slightly bemused look on her face, "Are you pregnant (pause) or not?"

Wow! That's tactful, huh?  Because I've been hearing this kind of crap a lot lately, I recovered rather quickly.

My reply ... "Yep, due in December.  And I can't believe so-and-so (our mutual friend) didn't tell me that you're expecting, too!"

She's not ... pregnant ... and I totally knew that ... but I just couldn't resist. As far as I'm concerned, "Thems fightin' words!"

Little Miss Communication

This morning when I asked Natalie what she wanted to do, she instantly and enthusiastically said, "Go to zoo," with a that-would-make-my-whole-day smile on her face, "See aneeemals."

We have a membership to the zoo here in our community, so dropping by for an hour, saying a quick "hey" to all the animals is certainly not unheard of ...

In fact, just yesterday we drove up to the zoo - with every intention of doing just that - and found the gates closed and no zookeepers in sight. I looked around for a sign to explain why the zoo was closed on a Tuesday - seemed odd to me ... and the lady with a van full of kids who pulled up behind me.

So, when NHV requested a trip to the zoo today, I thought I'd better check the website to make sure it's open ... in case there was some weird animal flu outbreak or random renovation or some plausible explanation for the zoo being closed on a weekday.

I said, "Oh, that sounds like a good idea. Let mommy go online to see if the zoo is open today."

Natalie gave me a quick nod and headed off to play ... but she soon returned with a question, "Mommy go-wing on a LION today?"

I can only imagine her confusion ... as I am sure you can imagine my amusement!

-----------------------------------------------------------------

I also find it hilarious that the word "my" has somehow morphed into "mouse" or "mice" when NHV is referring to something that belongs to her.

"Mice nakey." (My blankie.) "Geeve mice nakey to ba-bee dawl?"

"Mouse duece cup." (My juice cup.) "Boy tuk mouse duece cup."

And the two forms of the word - mouse and mice - are totally interchangable! Maybe Natalie has some new imaginary friend(s)? Or perhaps we have a rodent problem?

What'd you say? - Sentence Edition

Chuckle 1:

During dinner tonight, Natalie was eating grilled cheese and tomato soup. After dipping her sandwich pieces in the soup, she dumped the rest onto her tray and proceeded to finger paint. I didn't mind this little activity because a) I had already striped her down and b) she was happily entertaining herself - that's good stuff.

As I went to check on the leftover heating up in the oven, Natalie called, "Mommy," to get my attention. Just as I made eye contact, a huge smile spread across her face, and she said, "Na-Na make smiley face."

Sure enough; she had drawn a smiley face - at least her interpretation - in her tomato soup. Even better than her artwork was the way she proclaimed it to me; she was just beaming!

Chuckle 2:

As she pranced around wearing lavender leggings (a size too small but she insisted), a hair elastic around the upper part of her arm, and a shiny, red beaded necklace around her waist, Natalie chanted, "Ina reena. Ina reena. Ina reena."

Chad and I were fairly certain she was proclaiming some type of intestinal issue. It sounded to us like she was saying, "I have diarrhea." In typical daddy fashion, CPV commented, "That can't be good." But I knew - from the lack of odor - that Natalie was saying something else.

When I couldn't understand what she was saying, Natalie maintained her cool.

She said, "Zoe." I repeated, "Zoe."

She gave me another clue, "Tutu."

Aha! I figured it out - call me Momma Holmes.

Oh, of course, Natalie was being a BALLERINA! Thankfully it wasn't the runny poos!

Top 10 Delightful Posts ...

... of all time.

Well, that's not exactly true, but these are 10 of my favorite posts since I started this little blogging adventure back in January of 2008. This is my 244th post since then, and it wasn't easy picking just 10, but it sure was fun strolling through the archives. I should've done it randomly, but my inner control freak wouldn't allow it :)

1. Mommy Dating


2. Depot Digits


3. Confessions of a Scaredy Cat


4. Blessings Times Three


5. Flying Cross Country


6. Dear Milkman


7. Worth the Wait?


8. Not so Sweet and Innocent Anymore


9. Don't Fail to Try


10. Natalie's Special Announcement

So ... here's the deal ... my fabulous friend Heather is flying all the way here from VA - with her two adorable nuggets and hubby - to spend the next week in the NW. Woo Hoo! I am willing to bet that having four additional peeps in my crib will negatively impact my blogging productivity. That's not to say I won't try; I will sneak away if possible and throw a little new delightfulness your way ... but I can't make any promises.

Of course this couldn't be worse timing because I just threw down the comment gauntlet yesterday. But please don't feel abandoned :) I've dusted off these archives just for you, and comments count on "old" posts, so feel free to send me a little comment love ... comments make me deliriously happy ... and I've commented back on every blog so far. I'll keep tallying up entries ... there's currently 62.

Oh, and if you happen to get through all 10 of these posts and still want more ... I know, it happens sometimes, like me with rocky road ice cream right now ... there are delightful links just under my header to take you to specific types of posts.

And ToddlerBrain will have a new post each day this week ... because I worked ahead ... into the wee hours of the night.

Okay, that's all for now ... I really must get that guest bathroom cleaned at some point ...

9 Days to 2

Today we had our first experience at the community center swimming pool. The first of many, apparently, because I signed up for two weeks of lessons. If you didn't already read about our locker room "fun," click here.

While dodging a multitude of wet, grouchy people and cringing from the whines of tired kids and snaps of impatient mothers, I attempted to get myself and Natalie out of our wet suits and into something dry enough to get the h-e-double hockey sticks out of there. Natalie didn't seem at all bothered by the chaos around us ... with one little exception ... she was a little bewildered by all the nakedness. You could just tell her "parts of the body" store of vocabulary was working overtime.

Which explains why she kept staring and saying, not so much in her quiet voice,

"Nakey. Nakey."
Yes, Natalie, people are changing out of their swimsuits and into dry clothes - just like us.

"Nakey bootie."
Yes, Natalie, that woman isn't wearing any pants.

"Boobies."
Yes, Natalie, those are boobies.

Oh, the power of observation of an almost-two-year-old. Oh, the joys of replying to her not-quite-appropriate commentary without sounding like an idiot myself.

What'd you say?

Natalie has been cracking me up lately. That's really not breaking news, but I just have to share a few of the funny things she's said ...

"Pink or Green"

We were at the park the other evening, and we stayed a little longer than we should've. It was getting close to bedtime, which makes dealing with things like a little boo-boo a whole lot harder for an almost two year old. On our way to the car, she stumbled and fell ... but it wasn't major. I scooped her right up to soothe her, and through her tears she said, "Binky. Binky. Peenk o Geen. Peenk o Geen."

I wasn't surprised by the binky request. Natalie definitely resorts to the comfort of a binky when she's tired. Add to that her little fall, and she was ready for something to suck on. When we are out of the house (and it's not nap or bedtime), I usually tell Natalie that I only have a pink binky with me because she'll only take it if she really needs it. What cracked me up and touched my heart is the fact that she was willing to settle for the much harder (and much less loved) pink binky. It didn't matter ... pink or green.

"Sun. Sun. La, La, La"

Today we were in the car ... on the way to the post office to mail packages to our friends in Chi-town, and Natalie kept saying, "Sun. Sun."

And I replied, "Yes, baby girl, it is a nice sunny day. We haven't seen the sun in a few days, huh?"

Again, she said, "Sun. Sun."

Still thinking I had the right translation, I said, "I know, I am really enjoying all this sunshine today, too."

Natalie was quiet for a few seconds, and I was reveling in my success of a) figuring out what she was saying and b) holding up my end of such a stimulating conversation.

Then, I hear this determined voice from the backseat say, "Sun. Sun. La, la, la, la, ..."

That's when I realized I hadn't turned on the radio! Our new favorite SONG ... Upside Down by Jack Johnson from the Curious George soundtrack. Natalie calls it the "George Sun."

Binky Dilemma and What Are You?

Ugh! I am beginning to truly dread the binky separation that is imminent. NHV has always l-o-v-e-d her binky. She still sucks an infant Soothie, like the one she was given at the hospital. Soothie makes a version for older babies - older than three months, I think. But NHV doesn't like this firmer, different-colored version. And so, my 22+ month old continues to suck an infant Soothie. Oh, the angst of it! What am I going to do?

For a long time now, we've only allowed her to have it while in her crib - for naps and bedtime. In fact, you can ask her, "When do you get your binky?" And she'll reply, "Naps. Nigh-nigh." I feel good about that ... despite that if you calculate the amount of time that wonderful child sleeps, you'll find that her sucking potential is around 14-15 hours a day ... if said binky stays plugged in her mouth the entire time. I know her adorable little smile and our orthodontia bills will suffer some day!

Recently, we've been broaching the subject of ditching the binky. Explaining that "babies have binkies" and NHV doesn't need a binky anymore because she's not a baby. I feel a little guilty about putting this kind of pressure on her, but desperate times ...

Sitting around the table after dinner, we started having this same conversation. I think she brought if up by saying something like, "Baby. Binky." And I replied, "That's right. Babies have binkies, and you're not a baby, right, N?" CPV chimed in with another question, "Natalie, what are you?"

Following a brief pause, N happily and clearly answered ... exactly what Chad expected and what sounded to me like "Cowgirl." A cute answer, for sure, but I was a little confused. I looked to Chad for confirmation only to be surprised to learn what Natalie was actually saying ... "Toddler."

Unbeknownest to me, she and Chad had a semi-related conversation earlier today, and he taught her a new word, "toddler." And she remembered that conversation from about 10 hours earlier.

I am not sure we are any closer to getting rid of that darn binky, but I am impressed with Natalie's growing vocabulary and her ability to remember ... everything ... a trait that is sure to get us in trouble in the near future!