Party time!

Leila is officially a three year old!

This year's party was all about Leila spending time with her friends. We invited a few friends (and family members, of course) to our favorite local park. A very low key, low stress party. Certainly not Pinterest worthy, and nobody cared, not even me.

The kids played, ate pizza, played, ate cake, played, and then had a meltdown. Typical three year old stuff.

And this...well, let's just say it scared the crap out of one dad-to-be.

Terrifying, hilarious, and adorable at the same time.

Oh, and this guy, he just about ruined the party when he flew off to Never Land at the end of the evening. (Whoops.) Leila was heard screaming, "That was my favorite balloon of my birthday ever!", and "It's NOT OKAY!", and possibly even, "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to." (Okay, not really.)

Apparently, Aunt Val said the magic words. She promised to search all night and that she'd call Jake if she couldn't find him. I have a very good feeling she found him. (Best sister ever!)

Leila is officially THREE! Or as those of us with three year old girls like to call it...a threenager.  (Wish me luck!)

THREE cheers for Leila!

Today you are three. 

Three years ago, I held you for the very first time. Three years ago, our lives were changed forever. Three years ago, I was the one receiving a gift.

Today you are three. You will be showered with attention, hugs, and gifts from the people who love you. You deserve every smile, every laugh, and every second of happiness, as you bring joy to so many.

Your friendliness does not go unnoticed. Your little voice gets heard. Your energy is contagious. 

People love to be around you. I love to be around you. This has not changed in three years.

Today you are three. No longer my baby, but still my favorite girl, and always my only Leila.

Happy birthday! I love you! 

Love, Mommy

Countdown to THREE! {Leila can...}

Leila amazes me with what she know and what she can do. Although she's almost THREE, I still see her as a toddler. She has changed so much this year!

Leila can climb almost anything, and she'll try to also! She's got pretty good balance too and loves walking on curbs. She can swing on the big kid swing, run, hop with two feet, throw a ball, and dance like a maniac. 

Leila can recognize some of the letters in her name and a few in our names, as well as some random numbers. She will attempt to write it too (see the green writing on the top corner of the second picture). She blew Jeff away when her little lines actually formed a "M" for Mommy the other day!

She can count to 14 most days then skips to 18, 19, 20. She's so proud of herself when she does.

Leila can draw a pretty decent stick figure if she wants to. Her favorite person to draw is Peter Pan, of course.

She can make her brother laugh by simply looking at him the right way. Really, she can make everybody laugh! When she gets a compliment on her sunglasses she'll flip them up and give the biggest smile. Her hand gestures are funny in them self, let alone the grown up sounding words that come with them. "Great idea", "This is gonna be so exciting!", and "I can't do anything." always crack me up.

Leila can make a friend out of anybody, even if he's imaginary. (Think Peter Pan and Elmo).

She can eat with a fork and spoon but prefers her fingers every time. She drinks out of a "big girl cup" most of the time and even helps butter her toast. 

Leila can pick out her own clothes and does her best to match. She can finally put on her own underwear and pants. She can put on most pairs of shoes but still sometimes puts them on the wrong feet.

Leila can give the best hugs. She can be sweet and sassy, needy and independent...just like a typical THREE year old.

Countdown to THREE {Leila's personality}

There is no doubt about it, Leila is almost three. One minute she's happy and carefree, and the next she's stomping her foot and coming up with an excuse why she can't to do something. Three minutes later she's forgotten her tantrum and is showing off her independence. In the next ten minutes she'll be bossing you around, squealing, playing pretend, and talking, talking, talking.

She's just about the friendliest kid I know. She'll approach any child, calling them her "friend", and then is disappointed when they are shy or not as friendly as her. On the other hand, I catch her playing by herself at the park and she's perfectly content.

Ask her what her name is and she'll tell you Tinker Bell. Her imagination is out of this world. Just don't try to imagine things for her because she's quick to disagree with your creativity.

Leila is a little ball of energy! At three years old she weighs 26 pounds and is just under 3 feet tall. I have no doubt that she'll be short all her life like me.

Check out these short videos of Leila just being Leila. I can't think of a more appropriate way to share Leila's personality. 

Leila is easy to be around! I love being her mom!

Countdown to THREE! {A look back}

In a month my first baby will officially lose her toddler status.

Where in the heck has the time gone? 

{August 2010} 34 weeks pregnant with Leila 

{September 2010} 1 week old

{September 2011} 1 year old

{September 2012} 2 years old

{August 2013} Almost 3 years old

The countdown to THREE has officially begun...

A successful first haircut

A month before her third birthday, Leila finally had enough hair to warrant her first haircut. (Remember when I cut her femullet? That doesn't count.)

Look at all that hair on the black cover!

Leila's curly wings were out-of-control and needed a professional's attention. I've seen way too many photos of kids crying in the chair as their hair is getting cut for the first time. I knew I had to prepare Leila in order for a smooth and successful haircut. 

Because I also needed a haircut, I chose to take her to my hair stylist instead of a kid's salon. I scheduled my cut right before Leila's so she could watch how it was done and what was expected of her.

The day before Leila's scheduled haircut we practiced and talked about how Rachel would spray her hair and use the comb and scissors. I also prepared her by giving her an arm tattoo, just like Rachel, and I showed her pictures from Rachel's Facebook page. By the time Leila met Rachel she hugged her like they were old friends!

All of our preparations worked! Their were no tears, no struggles, and no fears. Leila was excited about her haircut because we made it a big and exciting deal (and the ice cream bribe didn't hurt either!).

Seriously adorable! I am surprised at what a difference the haircut makes. She looks older with all those thin baby wisps gone.

My dream of Leila wearing pigtails at her third birthday isn't happening. Someday...

 How was your child's first haircut experience? 

Obsessed much?

Peter, Peter Pan, Never Land, Tinker Bell, Tiger Lilly, Mermaid Lagoon, Captain Hook, The Jolly Roger...

I hear these names day after day, after day.

Leila is OBSESSED with everything Peter Pan.

He is her best friend, she's married to him, he flies, he runs, he pees and poops, he eats lunch, he holds her hand, I hold his hand, he's imaginary, he's a stuffed friend, he's EVERYWHERE. (No joke, the other night I heard her talking in her sleep about Captain Hook's ship, the Jolly Roger.) 

Someone asked Leila what her name was and she replied, "Tinker Bell." If her Tinker Bell t-shirts are clean you better bet that's what she's wearing.

Needless to say, we'll be having a Peter Pan themed third birthday party for little Miss Leila Tinker Bell! And could it be more fitting that the the re-release of the Peter Pan DVD will be August 20th?! Let's hope Disney goes big on this one...it's not easy to find a Peter Pan t-shirt in a size 3T.

What is your child obsessed with these days?

Our family of four

It seems like a really long time ago that Natalie Chiles, a local San Diego Newborn Photographer, took these amazing photos of our family of four. 

It's been FOUR months since we welcomed Carson into our family.

We have all changed and grown so much since March.  Leila has been showing more interest in her little brother. She no longer needs to sit on top of me while he nurses and loves to make him laugh.

I don't feel crazy anymore, but am quickly remembering with the passing of one challenging stage comes another. Jeff is feeling more adjusted too! He is a self-proclaimed baby-hater (Okay, that may be too harsh...but true nonetheless.) and is looking forward to a stage when Carson is more interactive.

                     

Looking back at these photos reminds me how happy I am that we got them taken. Natalie made us feel so comfortable during this shoot. She took time before Carson was born to check out my sister's apartment to make sure the lighting would work and sent me countless emails with questions and ideas to ensure we'd be thrilled with our photos.

The photo shoot lasted a couple hours, with a nursing break, lunch break, and clothing change for some of us. We hung out and chatted as a family on the couch while she took some candid shots, then she patiently waited for Carson to fall asleep for the shots of just him.  I know Natalie was as excited as I was to get this photo (and many others) of Carson smiling.

I love that when you Google "Natalie Chiles", this is one of the images that comes up.

To top off our experience, Natalie came over and shared the newborn photos with us personally. She wanted to see our reactions in person! That really proved to Jeff and I that she was proud of her beautiful work. As you can tell by the pictures, she should be! My only regret...not having her take photos of Leila as a newborn.

He still curls his long toes like this!

Natalie recently took newborn photos for a friend of mine and I can't wait to see how they turned out. 

Check out Natalie's blog here for more photos, craft ideas, and recipes. You can be sure I'll be begging her to do a family shoot for us in the future.

Leila goes to school!

Leila's first day of preschool was three weeks ago. She's been going one day a week for three hours, but asks to go almost daily. 

I have left Leila at a friend's house before, if I had to run an errand or go to the doctor, but this is different. We're calling this school and rightfully so since that's how it treated by Kari (her teacher).

I seriously found the best at-home preschool just blocks away from our home. Look at these personalized notes complete with a little story about her day on the back! I have saved them all so far. (Please tell me not to save them all.)

Leila and two of her friends get to hang out and play all morning. What could be better than that? Kari provides a great balance of activities for the girls. They do it all...from free choice, both indoors and out, to more structured activities ranging from pretend play to art activities. I am so impressed. I would sent her more often if it was in our budget.

Bold move letting three 2.5 year olds finger paint in the middle of your living room!

I am using this time to get stuff done around the house. Once Carson is older we'll be able to hang out one-on-one, but for now he spends most of his time nursing and sleeping. It's funny how quickly the three hours fly by.

These early experiences are so important to Leila's social, cognitive, and emotional development. Any other moms out there send your toddler to school or do you call it daycare?  And...is Leila still a toddler or is she a preschooler now?

You make Mommy proud!

Dear Leila,

It's official...you are not my little baby anymore.  At 28 months old you are out of diapers and wearing underwear.

Yep, Daddy is proud of you too.  (He even dressed you today!)

I really thought I would never be ready to potty-train you.  Not because I want you to stay little forever, but because I was afraid I would fail at potty-training you. This potty-training experience has taught me not to be afraid to fail, not to be afraid of change, and that together we can do anything!

You have made me so proud these past few days.  You have had only a few little pee-dribble accidents (and one big one that scared you) and have stayed dry more often than not.  Today we went for a walk to a park with no bathroom nearby and you stayed dry!  The best moment so far was Daddy catching you trying to hide and poop in your underwear.  He stopped you just in time and you went on your little potty instead.  I was surprised you actually made me stay in the bathroom with you while you did your business.  You've got this girl!

This change has not been easy on us though.  You continue to resist my suggestions to use the toilet every half hour, but Mommy knows best.  Soon enough you will be able to initiate going on your own, but until then we will be practicing a lot.  I want you to be successful, yet I realize at the same time that you will learn from your accidents.  My plan is to remain consistent so you learn what is expected.

I am not sure what challenges we will face in this potty-training adventure, but I do know that we will not be looking back!

Keep up the great work Leila.  I love you!

Love, 

Mommy   

Dear two-year old Leila,

Today you are two!  You have been a constant source of love and laughter in my life.  Because of you, I am a mom.

I love you more than applesauce,

Than peaches and a plum, 

Than chocolate hearts,

And cherry tarts,

And berry bubble-gum.

I love you more than pizza.

Than marmalade on toast.

For I love pies of any size,

But Mommy loves you the most.

- adapted from a Jack Prelutsky poem

Happy birthday to you!  We've been practicing the birthday song for months and today is finally your big day.  I cannot wait to see your face when your friends and family sing to you tonight.

My birthday wishes for you...

To find happiness in all that you do.  May you love and be loved by those you meet.  To find the strength to follow your dreams, both big and small. May you learn to laugh at yourself and with those around you.  

You are my favorite girl, my first baby, and my only Leila.

I love you!

Love, Mommy

YES, you can {Beach day fun}

Last week I took Leila to the bay for some water play.  It's been hot here in San Diego and a day at the beach was just what we both needed.

As I was relaxing on the towel, Leila was having fun playing by herself.  She was digging holes in the sand, picking up seashells, throwing wet sand in the water, splashing in the shallow water, and running around enjoying her surroundings.

About thirty minutes in, I noticed a young boy around Leila's age throwing shells and sand into the water.  His mother immediately called out his name from her towel, jumped up after him, and reprimanded him for throwing things in the bay. Seconds later she was yelling at him, "No splashing!"  She chased him around for a while telling him not to do just about everything he was doing.

Honestly, I didn't know how to feel.  For a second I felt embarrassed that I was allowing Leila to throw wet sand into the bay (that happens to be full of wet sand) and I wondered if I should ask her to stop splashing around in the water.

Then I chuckled to myself...

Here I was enjoying a relaxing day at the beach, allowing Leila to do what kids do at the beach- have fun!  And here was this other mom all frazzled chasing her son around telling him no.

Clearly Leila and I were having more fun!  Isn't that what beach days are all about?

Dear Leila, for the record, YES you can throw sand (or seashells) into the water.  YES you can splash in the bay.  YES you can be a toddler!

If you need more inspiration to say YES to your child check out my first YES, you can...post here.

Dear Leila

I'm sorry no one can pronounce your name. It's my fault. I should have known better. Please forgive me, it could have been worse.

Love,
Mommy xoxo

I'm guest blogging at It's a Vol today about the lifetime of awkward moments I have bestowed upon my child. Head on over to read more!

A lesson on germs

Dear Leila,

It's been three months since your first head cold. Since then, it seems like you have been a snotty mess just about every other week.

Yesterday when you sneezed, your baby boogers shot out of your nose and dripped towards your chin. I laughed out loud when I turned around to look at the damage. You loved the attention so much that when you sneezed later that evening, you looked at me, smiled ear to ear, and waited for me to bust out laughing again. I did, and you felt proud.

This is the thing, I love you and your drippy boogers, but I'm your Mommy. That's what I do. You see, the other adults that we hang around do not view these boogers as anything but germs. Big, fat, nasty germs that you are passing on their child (or them).

You know, when you wipe your nose with your hand, then play with their toys...GERMS. When you reach your hand into the snack bowl, touching all the crackers, then just pull out the one you want...GERMS. How about when we are at Teacher Lee and you decide to "eat" pancakes with the play kitchen fork, yep, more GERMS.

My dear Leila, I know all the other kids are doing it. (How do you think you got this cold?) Please stop eating half-gnawed apple slices that belong to your friend. Please stop drinking from their sippy cups.

And finally, it's summertime, please stop getting these colds!




Love,
Mommy xoxo

Dear Leila

It's only fair to show you a different, more flattering picture, of you as a newborn in the hospital.

After all, I did embarrassed you a bit last week with the photo bloopers post.


You are beautiful! (and smart, and funny, and lovable, and creative!)

I promise to embarrass you more in the future.

Love,
Momma xoxo

Baby boogers

Dear Leila,

This is what it feels like to be sick.

You are almost seventeen months old and this is your first cold. I knew it would happen eventually. Remember when I told you the toys at school were not for your mouth? Remember? This is why. Colds are no fun.


Luckily it's just the sniffles and sneezes. When you sneeze boogers shoot across the room and then drip down your face. Of course you will not let me wipe your nose as often as I want to, so you learned how to do it yourself. (So big!)

Instead of playing outside we are staying in and resting. You never sit and watch television like this. You hardly sit. Ever.


When you are sick you get to do special things like sit in your chair, watch Sesame Street, and eat crackers. You haven't eaten much these past two days.

Milk and crackers are your favorite sick food. I even made you blueberry pancakes and you hardly touched them. (Thanks, I got to eat them all!)

I hope you feel better soon baby. Until then, I am here to snuggle with (if you ever get tired of Elmo).

Love,
Momma
xoxox

16 Months

A day in the life of a sixteen month old toddler.

Rise and shine at 7:00 am. She plays in her crib for a while before I go and get her up. I love listening to her talk to her stuffed friends. She has such a sweet voice (most of the time).

First things first...we watch about 20 minutes of Sesame Street while she drinks her milk and I drink my coffee. She can just about put her cup in the sink when she's finished. She's a little short. I'm not sure I'm ready to teach her how to stand on a stool. Although she'd love it. She's into everything!

Morning play


Next up is a light breakfast at of cereal, eggs, fruit, oatmeal, toast, or pancakes. She just started feeding herself successfully with a spoon.


Adventure time- Forget the stroller, Leila wants to walk. We walk everywhere. She's great on her feet walking, running, or climbing.

Snack- Yogurt is her current fave. She loves when I put "surprises" like strawberries, blueberries, bananas, or cheerios in the spoonfuls. I should add pea or carrot surprises. but that's too mean.


11:30 Nap- We did it. Yep, yep! We made the great nap transition. It was not nearly as difficult as I though it would be. It took about two weeks to ease her into it. Now Leila naps once for about three hours. I hope to slowly be push it back as she gets use to our new routine. I love having more time to play and enjoy her in the morning. It is definitely her happiest time of day!


Snack- We eat a lot of small meals throughout the day. Sometimes she eats more than I expected, sometimes less. She's been pushing away her plate when she's finished instead of signing all done. Leila also stopped signing more, now she says it in the cutest way.

Indoor play- blocks, kitchen utensils, climbing the furniture, dancing...


Outside for more adventure time


Snack

Play, play, play...Daddy style!


Dinner around 6:30. She's been eating what we eat for the past few months (with a few exceptions). Makes life way easier this way!

Quiet play- She will sit with us on the couch while I read her a few of her favorite books. Actually, she usually makes me read the same book over and over again.

7:00 Night-night- Some nights I put her to bed, other nights Jeff does. We each do the 7:00ish bedtime routine with our own personal twist. Leila is a wonderful sleeper. She wakes up at night...maybe? Luckily we haven't had to go in once since she started sleeping through the night.

16 months and fun as ever!
It's her world and I'm happy to be in it.

My birthday girl

Dear Leila,

This has been the craziest and most wonderful year of my life. You captured Mommy's heart just hours after you were born. I will love you forever.

Yes dear, of course I loved you before you were born!!! But this is the moment I will never forget.

It was 12:26 am on Wednesday, September 22nd when I first heard you cry. I remember you cried, but not what it sounded like. Honestly, I was still in shock from the previous day's events. The next three hours were a blur too. I knew you were a healthy baby and that was all that mattered.

Finally it was just you, me, and Daddy in our hospital room. Before the nurses left they asked if they should swaddle you and put you to sleep in the bassinet. I sweetly told them, "No thank you, she can sleep on me." There was no way I was going to put you down in that bassinet so far away (literally touching my bed).

That night you slept and I fell in love. As I was patting your little bottom it hit me...this was exactly what it felt like when I was patting my big pregnant belly the night before. I knew all along you liked to stick your butt up into the air, and here you were still doing it IN MY ARMS.

That was the moment I realized I could love more than I ever imagined.

Happy birthday baby! Mommy loves you!

Dear Leila,

Once upon a time we were cool.



Love,
Your parents

She has to believe us, right?