Category Archives: Baby Milestones

Autumn Fun with My Little One (Part Five) Let’s Make Like a Tree and Leave, Leaves!

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Quinn Loves Raking Leaves

                                 Quinn Loves Raking Leaves

All this week, I’ve been posting blog entries about the autumn fun my two year daughter and I have had thus far this season. While going to a pumpkin patch, the zoo for a little trick-or-treating and putting on a festive Halloween outfit have all been fun; there’s one activity we just did that may not necessarily be delightful for adults but certainly is for most young children. It can be labor intensive and sometimes feel never-ending for some adults; it’s raking leaves! Yesterday, as we were returning from The Little Gym, and going up the steps to our home, my daughter turned to me and said, “Look at all these leaves, Mommy! We have to clean up all these leaves! Please!” Wow, now that is delightful: a child who is eager to help do a chore. I promised Quinn that we’d clean up the leaves today when I got home from work, and she was elated. It actually was the perfect day for raking leaves: a comfortable 77 degree autumn day. While I had the big rake, Quinn had her little rake helping to build up the pile of leaves. “Oh boy; that’s a huge pile of leaves,” she said with jubilation as she got ready to jump in the leaves. Unlike last year, when she threw the leaves everywhere, she actually tried to keep them all in the pile together. After about an hour, she was ready to call it a day, but she had a great time. When my husband came out on the porch to see how she was doing, with a big smile on her face, she screamed out, “Daddy, I was working! Look at all those leaves in the huge pile!”

Let’s hope this activity continues to be fun as Quinn gets older and that she holds on to that excitement when she rakes up that “huge” pile of leaves.

All the best,

Tanya

The Beginning of a Lifelong Friendship at Only Two Years Old

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Arya & Quinn waiting for the train

Everyone needs friends, even toddlers is the title of a blog entry I posted a few months ago which talked about how my two year old daughter already understands the basic concept of friendship and seeks it out from Grover, Violet, Elmo and a host of other dolls and stuffed animals as her companions. It is, however, essential to me that Quinn is able to develop friendships and socialize with actual children her own age. Since my little girl is not in day school and does not have any siblings, from the day she was born, I’ve found myself on the hunt for friendships, not necessarily for me but for her. As a child and even as an adult, I’ve struggled to make new friends as a result of being self-conscious and shy. So when I was able to connect with a dear friend who’s daughter is just a month younger than my daughter, we both have become hopeful that they will develop a special bond and be lifelong friends.

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Quinn at six months & Arya at five months

At the tender age of four months, Quinn met her three month old playmate, Arya. While there was not much interaction between them at that point, it has been amazing to simultaneously watch their journeys as they both individually reach milestones and collectively develop a meaningful friendship. They’ve went from being immersed in their own worlds to side by side play to calling out each other’s names, running after each other and greeting each other with big hugs and smiles on their faces. Yes, I am guilty of imagining the girls having sleepovers at five years old or even ten years old and swapping stories as they become older and maybe even hanging out as teenagers and young adults. Of course, there is no way of really knowing where their friendship will go, but I know the power of a childhood friendships. That bond becomes so special, and it is as though the person is more than just a friend but a close relative, and would love for my daughter to have that experience well into adulthood.

All the best,

Tanya

Loving Math: Let’s Count Toddler Style!

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2015-08-15 12.26.45“I hate math with a passion!” some people willingly admit. Nevertheless, most people eagerly share when their child, grandchild, niece, nephew or even little cousin is capable of counting to ten or even to one hundred. For some, it’s major competition, and they love flexing those “parent-of-the year” and “my-child-is-a-genius” muscles because their two year old or even one year old is able to count. I must abashedly admit that I’m one of those parents who’s so proud of my two year old daughter.

Yes, counting is an accomplishment, but learning the concept of numbers and how to apply it with basic math, such as adding and subtracting is not easy feat. So I am extremely proud to share a milestone my toddler “the math wiz” has accomplished. Quinn has always enjoyed singing songs about numbers and will point them out during our outings in the checkout lines, in the supermarket or just walking down the street where numbers are visible. However, within the past few months she has began applying the concept of addition and subtraction. She clearly knows that one plus one equals two and that one plus one plus one is three, as she will ask for two more treats so that she can have three or one more toy so that she can have two. When she has three pieces of pineapple remaining and eats one, she will say, “Now I have two, mommy!” I’ve even observed her on occasion using her fingers to count, leaving me to wonder if it’s instinctive considering that I never suggested to her to use her fingers.

About a month ago, she went and grabbed several birthday hats from her birthday party and began to count them. In the early stages of counting items, Quinn would count some items twice or just skip over some. Also, she often would count to ten regardless of how many items were there, but this time she counted each hat just once and was confident and certain about how many were there. I was so impressed.

This makes me wonder if we are underestimating our children’s capabilities. Of course, I do not want to pressure Quinn and do not plan on having “toddler counting boot camp,” and it may be too early to tell if math will be one of her strong areas. Nevertheless, even in 2015 females are often steered away from professions dealing with math. I want my little girl to know we are counting on her to simply want to continue learning, and we will try our best to provide her with a stimulating and fun environment that helps her to love math or at least appreciate the necessity for it.

Here’s a video of Quinn counting. Enjoy 🙂

All the best,

Tanya

It’s Potty Time! 

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2015-08-01 09.01.22

Quinn Making Sure Thumper Uses the Potty

“It wasn’t until my child was three and a half that he was fully potty trained,” a mother abashedly admits. “My child was fully potty trained at 16 months,” one parent gloats. “Well, it just took a week or so to train my puppy!” one lady eagerly volunteers. Potty training is serious business in the toddler world, and when I decided to get serious about potty training my two year old, I learned that while all parents of toddlers (and puppies too) and even non-parents have opinions on the matter, the bottom line is that it’s all about knowing my child and what techniques are best for her.

Potty training for first-time parents can be like traveling to a distant land and not knowing how to navigate through it. It’s been a little over a month since I have entered this remote land, and I am proud to say that my GPS has not steered me wrong. While I can’t guarantee that the navigation system I utilized will help you reach your destination of potty training your little one, I still feel inclined to share what helped us reach that destination.
1. Look for signs. When Quinn was really, really ready, she began taking off her diaper or pull-up when she had to go. I knew this was a definite sign. She also enjoyed flushing to the toilet and would even ask to use the restroom when we went to Target or Walmart long before I started training her outside of the home.
2. Support: I made sure family, friends, caregivers and were aware that I was starting the potty training process and even asked some for advice. Also, I did not want Quinn to be confused and receive mixed signals, so my husband and I had to implement the same strategies, even it it was in our own ways. Also, my mother had to be fully aware so that she could be prepared whenever Quinn visited. Since Quinn is not at daycare, I did not need the support of many caregivers, but this is obviously important if your child is going to be successful.
3. Child’s interest: All children have different interests. Quinn loves music, certain characters and books, so I made sure to incorporate them into the potty training process. One of Quinn’s favorite potty songs and episodes is by Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood. “If you have to go potty, stop and go right away! Flush, and wash and be on your way!” Quinn actually sings this song in public settings to let me or her dad know she needs to use the potty. It’s also a cute and catchy song and let’s kids know the importance of washing their hands after they go to the potty.  Also, letting her select and purchase her Minnie Mouse panties makes her feel empowered and excited about being a big girl. She wanted to hold her shopping bag containing the panties the whole time, even when I put her in her car seat.
I also purchased a couple of potty training books. One is called, “Diapers Are Not Forever,” which is great for transitioning to panties. Another book I purchased is interactive and a story about Elmo’ Potty Time. Quinn loves pushing the button for the flush sound and will often request it when she is using the potty. I also allow Quinn to let her friends (stuffed animals) use the potty. Watching her go through this process lets me know that she is comfortable and confident with all that potty training entails. She’ll often tell her stuffed animal, “Don’t forget to flush and wash your hands!”
4. Acknowledge achievements: While some people are against giving children incentives, such as stickers or a special treat, I think it depends on the child. Quinn enjoys receiving stickers and earning stars, but she does not refuse to use the potty until she gets a sticker or rely on getting a sticker each time she uses the potty. Oftentimes, a high five or me saying, “Mommy is proud of you for telling me you had to use the potty!” carries so much more weight.
5. Don’t underestimate or overestimate child’s capabilities: I am aware that Quinn is still learning, so I try not to put too much pressure on her, but I make sure to support her and give her positive reinforcement. Sometimes, she eagerly pushes down her panties to use the potty or pulls them up once she has finished, and other times she seems disinterested about the whole process, so it is up to me to step in and remain motivated. Also, I have to keep in mind that she is still learning to control her bladder, so I must use common sense and not always wait for her to tell me when she has to go. I will simply tell her, “It’s time to use the potty honey.” Now, it is becoming a routine. Quinn knows that she must use the potty when she wakes up, after meals and any other time when she feels that she has to go.
6. Keep moving forward: If there is an accident, the punishment should not be to put her back in pull-ups or a diaper. I need to let her know in a loving way that we all have accidents but that it is not okay to pee in her panties. Making her feel ashamed or embarrassed doesn’t help her or me.
7. Accountability: People often focus on the accountability of the child, but the parents, guardians and caregivers must hold themselves accountable too. It is unfair to expect a two year olds (maybe even older) to hold their bladder for a half hour or even fifteen minutes after they have told you that they have to go to the potty. If they have an accident, it is your fault, not theirs, and I think the child should be told by the parent, “Mommy or daddy should have gotten you to the potty sooner,” so that the child knows that he or she is not at fault and shouldn’t be ashamed.
8. Consistency: The same rules at home apply when Quinn and I are outside of the home. At first, I was very nervous about using regular panties on Quinn instead of a pull-up when we went on outings, but I did not want to send mixed signals. Amazingly, Quinn does an even better job letting me know when she has to go when we are outside of the home. It’s as though she knows that she may not have a change of clothes (I do keep a change with me, but I don’t share this with her) or maybe she just enjoys going out and does not want to have to go back home because she wet herself.
9. Communicate: While I’m a type “A” personality, my husband is more laid-back and casual. Initially, this did not go over well in the beginning stages of potty training Quinn, but after I made sure to effectively communicate my plan and strategies, the process went smoothly.  Usually, the main caregiver is the one who takes on the overwhelming task of potty training. It cannot only be overwhelming but place unnecessary stress on a relationship. Yes, you may have the support of your significant other, but if you do not effectively communicate the plan or strategies you would like to implement and consider the advice of your significant other, you could be dealing with some bickering and explosive arguments in addition to potty training (I’m glad I communicated before it got to that point), especially since you both may think you have all of the answers and know what’s best.
10. Seek Out Resources: A book that helped me out a great deal and that I have already recommended to quite a few friends and colleagues with toddlers ready to potty train is “Oh Crap! Potty Training” by Jamie Glowacki. Even though I already had some ideas, this book gave me the confidence I needed to implement them. It also presented “common sense” methods I did not even consider. Once I read this book, I had Quinn out of pull-ups and in panties within two days and haven’t looked back since.
I most certainly do not have all of the answers, but I am so proud of my little girl and how well she’s doing and how well her father and I are doing with keeping her on the right track with potty training. If you have any techniques or advice that may help a parent or caregiver with potty training, please feel free to share as well.
All the best,
Tanya

Night Night Crib. It’s Time for the Toddler Bed!

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Quinn Jumping Up and Down in Her Toddler Bed

Quinn Jumping Up and Down in Her Toddler Bed

“Yay! Can I bring friends my friends?” my little girl inquired with a wide smile and giggle while jumping up and down. Then, she proceeded to gather up Grover, Thumper, Violet and many other friends. This is an exciting time for Quinn yet an anxious time for her mommy and daddy. We thought we had a little longer, but now that Quinn is doing so well with potty training, we knew the time had come. Our two year old (two years and three months to be more precise) is ready to say “night night” to her crib and wake up refreshed in her toddler bed. While I love watching her grow and reach these milestones, it is an emotional time as my daughter continues to leave behind all that made her my precious little baby and embraces all that makes her a little girl with an inquisitive nature. Though I can close my eyes and reminisce about swaddling Quinn as an infant and laying her to rest in her crib, some of the memories are sadly becoming a blur, and like so many other parents, I wonder where the time went. I can easily recall posting an entry when Quinn was a little over six months and was beginning to stand up in her crib, and now she’ll be hopping in and out of her toddler bed grabbing her stuffed animals to keep her company or maybe even using the potty if she’s so inclined (I’m anxious on how that may turn out). Of course, for the first few weeks or longer we’ll keep an eye on her through our Dropcam to ensure that she is safe and not getting into any mischief if she awakes in the middle of the night and decided to get out of her bed, but I’m still a little nervous as she spends her first night in her toddler bed. I have a feeling it’s going to be one restless night, probably more for me than for Quinn.

All the best,

Tanya

The Wheels on the Bus Go Round And Round: My Toddler’s First Bus Ride

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Quinn on First Bus Ride

Quinn on First Bus Ride

“The wheels on the bus go round and round…round and round…round and round. The wheels on the bus go round and round all through the town!” my little two year old sings with glee as she motions her hands to go round and round. This is one of the many songs we enjoy singing together, but it was not until last week when my mother told Quinn that she was going to take her on a bus ride that it occurred to me that Quinn hasn’t had this experience. While driving, walking and even jogging to places with Quinn has its benefits, most children like the idea of riding the train or the bus from time to time, and Quinn is no different. We live right near a train station and bus stop, so we often see them driving by, and Quinn will tell me, “See the bus Mommy!” and even starts singing the song on occasion. How could I have Quinn singing this song with such joy when she has never experienced the horn on the bus going “beep, beep beep” or the people on the bus going “up and down?” She was just so elated and repeatedly asked me when she was going on the bus all week. All of this made me feel guilty that in her two years of life she’s never been on a bus other than the stationary one at the Please Touch Museum. Granted, one of my pet peeves with buses is that there is no guarantee that there will be a place for her to sit, the bus is usually full of germs, and some people do not curb their foul language even in the presence of young children.  But I had this experience, and she should be able to have it too. We all want the best for our children and sometimes shield them in such a way that may deny them basic experiences. I am so glad that my mother stepped in and took Quinn on her first bus ride. She was so excited looking out of the window and didn’t want to get off the bus at their stop. Now, she can sing the song and relive the experience of her first bus ride again and again.

All the best,

Tanya

Life Lessons from My Little Girl at the Park #1

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Quinn Crossing the Bridge All By Herself

Quinn Crossing the Bridge All By Herself

Most children love going to the park, and my little girl is no different. She enjoys running, jumping and playing on the different equipment, and I love seeing how motivated and determined she is when facing any obstacle. In simply observing her, it occurred to me that while she’s having fun (of course I have fun interacting with her too), she is learning and teaching me quite a few life lessons. One of the parks we go to has a bridge. When Quinn initially came across it, she was hesitant, possibly because it seemed long to her or was a little shaky. She asked me to go across with her and to hold my hand, but about midway across she eagerly wiggled her fingers out of my grasp and went the rest of her way by herself, excitedly saying, “I cross the bridge Mommy!” I was probably more nervous than her but so proud of my brave little girl, who wasn’t quite two at the time, for not letting the obstacle of the bridge intimidate her and stop her from getting to the other side. Since then she prefers to go across without my assistance, but if she observes another child, usually older, jumping and shaking the bridge, she has enough common sense to wait until it is safe. When I think about the obstacles I’ve faced in life, there have been many occasions when I faced a bridge I needed to cross to reap the benefits of what was in store for me on the other side, but there were times when I allowed the bridge and the thought of its instability to intimidate me, making it take longer than I would have liked to cross it. Quinn has taught me that being brave enough to cross that bridge sometimes requires a support system to get us started. While she wanted to cross the bridge, she felt more comfortable knowing that I was there with her. Oftentimes, adults, including me, feel that they must do it all by themselves and think relying on support is a sign of weakness, but I have learned from my little girl that as long as the support can get me started, it will be my own determination and bravery that allows me make it across.

All the best,

Tanya

Time for the Big Girl Table! My Little Girl is Growing up!

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Quinn Enjoying Her Big Girl Table

                                Quinn Enjoying Her Big Girl Table

Alas, I knew this day would come. I even prepared for it by purchasing a Kid Kraft table with chairs that resembles my own dining room set as one of the gifts when my little girl turned two so that she feels like a big girl. While some children want to sit at the big table because their older siblings do or it is the way it is done at daycare, my little two year old is an only child who is not in day care, so she was content with sitting in her high chair until I introduced her very own table and chairs set. While sitting at the table may not seem like a big deal to her, outside of the joy she gets from looking out of the window, it is to me. My little girl is no longer a baby, and while I want the best for Quinn and am wiling to do what is necessary to promote her independence and development, part of me misses my baby. Though I now can get a couple of tasks done while she is eating, I actually miss making silly faces at her to get her to eat and assisting her with holding the spoon to get those sweet potatoes or mashed bananas into her mouth. Of course, it is wonderful that she now can feed herself and eagerly runs to her table for breakfast, lunch or dinner, but my little girl is growing up so fast leaving me wondering where the time went. Before I know it she’ll be moving from the “big girl” table to the actual dining room table. It’s amazing how one milestone is able to make me not only appreciate the time I have with my daughter but be excited with how well she is progressing into toddlerhood. Here’s to many more milestones to come!

All the best,

Tanya

Quinn Sitting Across from the Dining Room Table

Quinn Sitting Across from the Dining Room Table

One, Two, Three: Red Light! Green Light! Teaching My Toddler Traffic Rules

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Quinn Excited to Take Her Car for a Drive

Quinn Excited to Take Her Car for a Drive

 “Mommy, the light’s green. We go!” is what my two year old daughter excitedly informs me of as we patiently wait  at the crosswalk to continue on with our morning stroller jog. I’m amazed at how she has made the association with green meaning go and red meaning stop a few months ago, shortly before her second birthday. I started taking Quinn on stroller jogs and brisk walks when she was a little under a month old, and there is a phrase I say whenever we get to an intersection and are about to cross the street, “Look both ways, and listen for cars before we cross the street.” If we are walking down the street, I will utter the same phrase in hopes that she will retain it as she gets older and follows it when she is not in my presence.

Now that she’s getting older and bolder and willing to take even more risks, it pleases me to know that she does comprehend the importance of following some traffic rules as a pedestrian. Though I must occasionally admonish her for sneaking down the steps or scurrying up the street after I asked her to wait, I cannot help but smile when she says, “Look both ways Mommy!” “We wait. The light’s red,” or ” I hold mommy’s hand. Now, we cross the street.” For me, this is a perfect example of how children model the behaviors of adults, so I must be extra vigilant in following the traffic rules myself. Presently, Quinn’s car seat is still rear-facing, but I have a feeling that I will have a back seat driver really soon letting me know when the light is green yelling out, “The light’s green! We go now Mommy!”

All the best,

Tanya

Here’s to Another Happy Mommyversary!

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Mommy and Daughter

Quinn and Me: Ready for Mother’s Day Brunch at the Please Touch Museum (2015)

As cliché as the saying goes, “There truly is something special about being a mom.” Though my little girl just turned two last week, this is my third year celebrating being a mother, and I feel so blessed to have her in my life. She constantly inspires me and is the reason I started this blog. As I continue on my journey taking baby steps into motherhood, I am bewildered at times because I know I have so far to go and so much to learn. Regardless of the emotions ranging from anxiety, happiness, frustration and joy, the views thus far have been breathtaking and often leave me in awe.

Being a mother has allowed me to have an even greater appreciation for my own mother, grandmothers, family and friends who are mothers, co-workers who are mothers, and even people who are mother-like figures to those without mothers, etc. People often remark that it is one of the toughest jobs that you will ever love and would not trade it for anything in the world. I wholeheartedly agree and hope that my little girl enjoys being my daughter as much as I enjoy being her mother.  Here’s to all of the mothers celebrating another mommyversary!

All the best,

Tanya