What Are You Doing...?

I am totally late (or so I feel like) in starting the girls in doing more (practiced) fine motor skill development.  SURE we talk about blocks, puzzles, colors, ABC's.. read books, listen to music, and observe our surroundings.  

But, I had yet to set aside time for little 'art' projects for these birds.  They are home ALL day long and we play, a lot.  We listen to music, a lot. We are outside, a lot. 

So, I ask myself why haven't I left little things for their BB or daddy to do with them while I'm at work?

Why haven't I done it with them myself on the days and afternoons home? 

Pinterest is my favorite demise.  I have about 8,000 pins under 'Family Life', to which I started pinning activities for toddlers when they were still in the womb.  

If you are reading this expecting to find some grand plan for toddler projects, you won't find it.  Today - we color.  Its our new thing.  Totally pin-able.  

Jolie is a whiz with the crayons.  They color in the nursery at church, and she's totally got the hang of holding it the most correct way a toddler can hold it just after a couple times of practice.  I am elated for them to bring home their art once we start Mother's Day Out in the Fall.  I have real grand plans for their little art projects to be hung and displayed like this.  My girlfriend, Jacqueline did this in their playroom and I about died over the genius of an idea it was.

Parker is still working through it.  It is amazing to see the different levels of maturity in their skill development.  Parker far exceeds Jolie is some things, and vice versa for Jolie in others.  Eating with a fork and spoon came as a 'no-brainer' for Parker, but holding and using a crayon has been a struggle.  Jolie still, after months of practice, hates the spoon and will use it only half the time during meals, and the other half she will throw it off her tray in frustration.

It is super hard not to compare them.. I've been doing it all their little life.  Size, weight, who is eating what.. and now we've come to this drastic time of skill development, and as a mother I feel like I cannot help but compare them, once again.  A positive comparison, not negatively - I've been really pretty good at keeping myself in check on that.

Up until now we've done everything in their high chair, and after witnessing my children tirelessly fidget while sitting at a kids table at a birthday party, I decided we needed to 'practice' sitting at the table for activity rather than restricting that to our high chairs.

Another mom epiphany of toddler-dom: everything takes practice.  Not just for them, but definitely for me as well.

Recently, I received these Nuby booster seats and we've gotten amazing use out of them.  Before ever strapping them to a 'big girl' chair, we used them as a comfy seat for everywhere.  These kids tote them around like a handbag and love every minute of it. We've taken them to BB's house, Ashley's house, and traveled with them for use while they eat (and we don't need to cart the huge highchair around)

Find them on Amazon HERE

We finally decided to use them for our coloring activity at the table.. and my word.  Just like that there was no more sitting up on top of the table.

That 'anklet'.  Parker has been wearing it for weeks (we take it off at bath).  It is a hair tie and she doesn't even touch it all day.  Puts it on and leaves it.  

Proud mom moment.  My girl accessorizes. 

Coloring at the table has become a family affair- Ginny (and her new hair cut) was waiting patiently for a crayon to fall in hopes it was edible (because it is..) and it would actually taste delicious (but it doesn't).  She couldn't figure it out.  Parker did and spit blue for the following 36 minutes leading up to dinner.

Daddy helping his sweet daughter, and that sweet daughter's look of intent while coloring.  

 My favorite.

Until we get one of those kid tables for the playroom we will be using those booster seats {HERE} for our little arms to reach the table top. 

There will be lots of coloring going on over here this summer.  This coloring had inspired me to go through my Pinterest boards and find some more toddler-friendly activities.  Carly did a blog post for Twin Talk a couple weeks ago about summer fun for twins (well, kiddos in general) {find it HERE} and she had some really fun ideas to share, and, yup- I've pinned it.

All I have is time.  So, mom, lets get busy brained with those twin littles. 

The Great Potty Debate

We bought a potty. 

We have been debating for a couple months now on when to start the girls with potty training, and when is the 'right' time, when will they be ready, and when is too early/too late to get them started.  When I was 18 months old my mom had just had my eldest brother (I have three..) and I'm pretty sure she had the same thoughts as any mother with another new baby..

No way am I having these two babies in diapers at once.  

So I was potty trained at 18-months old after wooing me with ONE m&m any time I made it to the potty successfully.

I have twins.  I can attest that diapers are expensive.

Having two in them at once is nearly liable to break the bank.

Back to the potty.  

After going round and round we decided to wait until they were closer to 2 years to even remotely toy with the idea of potty training.  They weren't ready, or so it seemed, and so Jordan and I agreed.

AND then our decisions and questions came full circle with a conversation Parker and I had about a month ago.  She was going on and on.  I was on my phone (awesome mom of the year, right here), and totally not paying attention to her little jabber, jabber, jabber.  She finally grabbed my face to get my attention and I realized the entire situation in about 3 seconds flat.  

disclaimer: there is poop in this video. Tears were rolling down my face trying to hold back the laughter as this conversation played out, hence the shaky voice and the weird look Parker gives me at the end.  The look only her mother could have handed down to her. 

*sigh* 

SO badly did I want to share this on The Gram, but I couldn't imagine the comments I might have received.  PLUS- the 15 seconds allowed wouldn't have encapsulated to true hilarity of this video and what it all meant for us.

 So I texted it out to my entire family.  

And my friends.  

That was the day we started wearing at least a swim diaper to play in the backyard.  

..but we do have a couple dogs.. 

Too far?  

Parker was ready.  Ready to talk about it.  Knew what she had done. She knew where she was supposed to have done it, and she made sure her mother knew all about it.  

The next day (literally) Jolie started to tell us when she had 'stinky bootie' (technical terms, ya'll), and it was merely days before they both started talking about when their diapers were just wet.  I could video allllll day the faces and sweet little voices telling me about this stuff.

I'm sort of loving the poop talk right now.

Last week we bought a potty.  

To be honest my kids have zero idea who Elmo is, or any other animal/princess/cartoon on the other potties on the shelf at Target.  AND they all make noise.  Music, sound effects, and shouts of joy when a kid tinkles.  

ANOTHER thing I need batteries for.  Awesome.   

romper / Genuine Kids for Target 

The moment we pulled it out of the box after getting home Jolie walked right up and sat down on it.
Did she know what she was doing?  I haven't a clue, but the moment she lost interest, Parker plopped right down on it.  We moved the potty to the bathroom and had a little talk about it.  With a couple rules.

• No flushing (which meant no 'hooray's' from Elmo (who's Elmo..) and no music) unless we actually DID potty in the potty.  Jolie might have a stroke when she finally gets to flush the thing.  I might have a stroke when she finally tinkles in the potty.
• The bathroom is NOT a place to play.   

They have been following us (at my feet - literally) to the potty since forever, and most recently they've started talking about it while Momma goes.  

All the books and websites I've read (more like briefly skimmed) say nearly the same exact thing on a child's readiness:

• she can pull her pants up and down by herself (we are nearly there) 
• is aware of being wet or dirty (we are totally there) 
• understands and is able to tell you in so many words when they need to 'go'.  
• Understanding the sensation or feeling of actually needing to go. 

They are at the point of telling us (grabbing their diapers) BEFORE they tinkle.  Its the walk to the potty that gets us every time.  Training TWO toddlers could go one of two ways.. complete disaster or complete success.  Right now if I ask Parker if she needs to potty, it is always a nod 'yes', and then Jolie immediately follows up with an elaborate nod of her own - it becomes a game to go to the potty.  

Not good.

We are still working on it, without the pressure, at this point- talking about it and working through it and encouraging 'potty time'.  I asked a sweet friend of mine that just got through with a '3-day' method of potty training and had major success.  Jordan and I have toyed with the idea of sending one off to BB's house for the weekend while we work with the other, but that makes me sad to think about separating them for this milestone event when they've done everything else together since birth..

Yea.. I just convinced myself to a NO on that idea.  

For now the potty-ing remains a hot topic in our house.  

Tinkle and poop also has become table talk a time or two.

I'm such a mom.  

What about you ladies (and gents)?  Anyone have some potty tips to share? 

Adventures with Auntie & Uncle J

My kids LOVE these people.  I mean, love them.  Most of the time, they aren't too keen on leaving mom and dad, and when mom and dad return, they are running at high baby speed to reach our arms and go straight home.

Unless it means they are going to Auntie & Uncle J's house.  If you follow my blog on the regular, you very well know who Ashley and Jarrett are.  We've seen a lot together over the years through hard times, good times, travel, birthdays, Supper Club..

..and now babies.  TWO babies.  

I could never repay them for the countless hours of time and energy they have shown to us through this entire parenting thing and it started with bed rest.  I could go all sappy here, but sappy is my middle name, and I'll probably start sobbing uncontrollably and this post will never get finished.  We love them, and we can leave it at that for now.

About once a month Ashley and I have an exchange in texts that go a little something like:

Ash: I need your children.  Pick a date.

Me: Right now.

Ash: Auntie and J sleepover soon!

Me: Bringing them over.

Ash: I'll see you next weekend..

Me: Done.

So thankful for them, and the amazing effort they take in making it the best day/night of Parker and Jolie's little life. I always always ALWAYS harass Ashley to take pictures, and this time she blew me away with the play by play in these pictures I'm about to share.  

Over the weekend was the annual fire family pool party and BBQ, and while we would love to share all the Parker and Jolie sweetness with everyone there, we have opted to leave them at home these last couple years.  Too many people and a swimming pool doesn't do easy for this momma's soul.

While the hubs and I were having a blast in the sun with friends, my children were outdoing me 10 fold.

headband / sweet t // hanky swim top / target

A Day in the Life with Auntie & J

Snacks are essential for pre-game activities.

First stop was the pool!  

 Jarrett was dying over the piggies, so Ashley took it upon herself to share the piggie love with Parker. Jo's Fraggle Rock inspired hair is precious, but Parker's teeny baby curls in those pigtails takes it to an all time high of cuteness.

As if hours of swimming wasn't enough.. it was park time!

 moccasins / freshly picked

 DYING over that tiny top-knot

dress / babyGap (similar)

 glitter bow / bub and bugs studio

Well.. there is this way to manage toddler twins..

 Quick stop at Chick fil A for dinner before home to give Uncle J a makeover, and of course play the puzzles before bed. 

puzzle / melissa and doug

Good night!!!  Parker is thrilled.. but it is most likely a case of the freak-outs because sister had wubby.. you know how that goes.

jammies / babyGap (similar)

It has become an Auntie and Uncle J tradition to walk for donuts the next morning for breakfast. Ashley snaps a picture nearly every time.. and yesterday I got this..

The picture on the left is the first time they ever had a sleepover with Ashley and Jarrett- they were 8 months old.  WHERE has the time gone? 

Before meeting Ashley for the exchange, Jordan and I stopped for a quick breakfast, just the two of us.

Babies were WIPED.  We unloaded and reloaded the car, and then proceeded to move my babies to the truck without them so much as stirring in the process.

What a perfect sleepover.  So thankful for them and the way they love my sweet girls.  

Thank you Auntie and Uncle J, yet again.  They girls always have a blast - and will definitely be doing so for the years to come.

WE EAT | Healthy Toddler Snacks

My kids snack all day.  We don't eat a lot at one meal sitting, and sometimes hardly at all - therefore snacking is our favorite hobby.  Parker is always (and I mean always) hungry.  If the girl moves to a 'hungry' state, we are all in for it.  The struggle is real, folks.

I've been meaning to write this post forever and a day - its probably been sitting as a draft for months, and I kept adding to it as the days went by and as we came up with something else that we enjoyed as a snack.  We started snacks when Parker and Jolie were around 8 months old.  We offered things like puffs, and the yogurt melts to start, and then moved to more 'real' foods as they approached the 1-year mark.  Goldfish, crackers, whole milk Greek yogurt, diced up soft fruits (strawberries, grapes, banana), and applesauce.

I've had a plethora of requests for gluten-free/dairy-free (surprisingly a lot of dairy free) options as meals and snacks, and I came to realize how much dairy we actually consume (Not only Parker and Jolie, but as a family).  I've done my best to include dairy-free options, so hopefully this will be found helpful to my momma's with babies that have a lactose intolerance or allergy.  

   

Healthy Toddler Snacks

• wheat thins crackers with string cheese
• sprouted toast bites with peanut butter
• Snap Pea Crisps (we eat these by the gallon) 
• kettle corn (older babies are best for this one- use close supervision)
• popcorn  (older babies are best for this one- use close supervision)
• rice cakes with diced avocado
• goldfish & raisins (mixed together in snack cup)
• hard boiled egg
• fresh berries tossed in Greek yogurt
• 100% fruit pops (frozen)
• Greek yogurt tube (frozen) - such as Chobani Champions
• apple slices with cheddar cubes
• banana slices with & peanut butter - 'sandwiches'
• whole milk cottage cheese with mandarin oranges
• Chex cereal with dried cranberries (mixed together in snack cup)
• 'ants on a log' : celery sticks spread with peanut butter and topped with raisins
• graham cracker (sticks) and cinnamon applesauce
• corn tortilla chips and home made bean dip (HERE - without the chipotle for the babes)
• carrot, bell pepper, & celery sticks with sweet potato hummus (HERE)
• corn tortilla chips with guacamole (HERE)
• whole grain tortilla spread with cream cheese and fruit preserves, sliced thin
• cucumber slices - cut thick - and ranch dressing for dipping
• honey wheat pretzel sticks with sliced swiss cheese
• sliced grapes & strawberries 
• whole grain goldfish & honey nut Cheerios (mixed together in a snack cup)
• diced dried apricots tossed with popcorn
• whole grain tortilla, spread thin with peanut butter, sprinkled with low fat granola - rolled tight and sliced
• Snack Kabobs: cheese cubes and grape halves on skinny pretzel sticks
• Oatmeal Raisin Bars (HERE)
• corn tortilla chips & plain hummus
• corn tortilla sprinkled with mozzarella and melted for 15 seconds in the microwave
• Baked Veggie Chips (HERE) with Roasted Beet Hummus (HERE)
• whole wheat pita bread triangles with hummus or spinach dip
• edamame (shelled) 
• fresh whole green beans with light ranch for dipping
• peanut butter mixed with yogurt & rice cakes for dipping
• Garlic Parmesan Baked Chickpeas (HERE) 
• yogurt covered raisins
• diced cantaloupe with cottage cheese
• apple slices & almond butter
• frozen purple grapes (our FAV for summer)
• strawberries dipped in greek yogurt
• mini toasted waffles and applesauce for dipping
• Almond Milk Mini Smoothies (1/2 c plain almond milk, 1/2 banana, 4 strawberries)
• cherry tomatoes with low fat ranch dressing
• No Bake Energy Balls (HERE)
• Yogurt Covered Blueberries (HERE)
• whole grain goldfish & sliced green grapes