Teeth Are Not For Biting!

Our little toddler has a reputation of being the biter at daycare. While she didn't use to bite at her previous daycare, and she doesn't do it at home, we're at a loss as to why it keeps happening. We have several hypotheses, and the bottom line is that she's not doing it to maliciously hurt anybody. So, we've been really trying to work with her at home and trying some alternative ways to vent her frustration.

Speaking of teeth, we were curious to know how many teeth she currently has. She's really great at opening her mouth wide, but not too long, and to get her to stay still so we can count them is another story!

At lunch, I decided I could take some pictures of her teeth for easier counting. Do you think we had "ham" for lunch? You be the judge. This is what transpired at our photography session:

And the answer is SIXTEEN!

Monkeying Around

These are some of the antics that our mischievous toddler has been up to...I swear that she comes up with this stuff all on her own!

Still likes "mowing the lawn". Too bad it's really loud! Thanks for passing this toy down, Sis!

Wee! The swing is still her favorite.

Before bath time, pressing her face against the cabinet glass. She likes to throw ALL the washcloths into the tub.

That's what the big yogurt container's for!

Also, another use for the sand bucket!

Moose needs to learn how to use the potty.

Big blocks are more fun in the plastic box with me in it!

A new place to read--wedged between the bookcase and tv stand.

Discovered how to go down the slide upside down (even when she fell off it, it didn't stop her).

No, not Daniel Boone's cap, but Ikea's toy fruit basket!

Came upstairs after hearing this creaking sound. This is what I found: P bouncing up and down on the beach ball while holding onto the baby gate and tobacco stand for balance! How she figured that out, I've no clue!

Grandpa taking her for a spin on a skateboard! (Where's the helmet?)

Left To Her Own Devices

This is what happens when you leave your 17 month-old alone with the Sunday paper...

Copycat

The routine in the morning after P wakes up and I change her, I turn off her nightlight that's right outside her bedroom in the hallway. Usually, I'm holding P, so it's just easier for me to turn the nightlight off with my foot. So, the other day, I asked her to turn the nightlight off and I see her lifting her foot and trying to turn it off like I do! These little inquisitive minds are working overdrive, so this just goes to show how our actions and what we say are being soaked up quickly!

Center your balance...

Then click, turn the light off!

Exploring More Food Options

We are coming to the point where P isn't as interested in my lovingly-prepared purees. Although they are very nutritious, the purees have been my go-to because it is so easy and I can prepare them in batches. But now, she is really liking to eat foods with texture and wanting to try different things.

It should be easy, since she's a really good eater and tries everything. Lunches are starting to be more difficult to pack. So, we've been trying to expand her palate. She just recently tried chicken and peanut butter.

I know that we're lucky that she is not finicky. So far, her least favorite seems to be lima beans and hummus (she likes plain garbanzo beans, though). She really scarfs down tofu, gardenburgers, watermelon, and appears to be partial to breads (pancakes, tortillas, etc.) just like her Daddy!

Daycare: A Trial Run

I was asked to watch a friend's baby for a couple of days. I readily accepted because for one, we owed them a babysitting swap and secondly, I didn't think it would be all day for both days. Wrong! Wrong! Wrong! It was from 7:30 am to 5:30 pm. Holy cow! I've never babysat longer than a 3-4 hour stint and usually not by myself.

Yikes! Those were going to be some long days.

Lily came and she and Miss P got reacquainted (they were both at the same daycare as infants). They played and for the most part kept each other occupied. It was fun to see how they interacted with each other.

Not that it was hard, because it wasn't but boy, was I exhausted by Friday evening! I don't think I'm going to be opening up a daycare business anytime soon (or EVER for that matter).

Shall I pour?

Monkeying around.



Monkey see, monkey do!

 

Oh yeah, and then what happened?



Trash or Treasure

I heard some rustling in the direction of our recycle can. I looked over and saw Miss P with her hands in it. So, I called her over and told her to get out of the trash--not giving it another thought.

When her Daddy came home later that day, he exclaimed, "Hey, who put her shoes in the trash?"

We started laughing because I had no idea she had done that. Even funnier, when RT was a baby, he used to throw his shoes away, too! The story is that his mom couldn't figure out why his shoes kept disappearing until she figured out he was throwing them away!

Hmmm...like father, like daughter!