Stella - 2 Years

Weight: 32 lbs
**Steve took her to her 2 year well visit and failed to get her exact height/weight information for the blog.  He did say that she is definitely in the 98/99 % for weight and average in the height department.

Clothes: 24 months to 3T.  It's all about the fit.  Her chunky thighs can totally fit into 3T pants but the length is long.  Her tops are mostly 24 months/ 2T, but not going to lie, she could totally fit into 3T tops as well!

Shoes: Size 7

Diapers: Size 5

Eating: This child used to be quite the eater.  Don't get me wrong, she still is, but she is starting to become more picky and fickle about what she will eat from one day to the next.  One day she loves peas and the next day she is throwing them and screaming, "YUCKY".

Favorite foods: turkey dogs, pasta, peas (most days), cucumbers, pickles, grapes, strawberries, oatmeal, cheese, pretzels, corn, pineapple, green beans (most days), bananas, yogurt, MILK, water, JUICE, zucchini, goldfish, chicken nuggets, KETCHUP, sweet potatoes, brussels (only off mommy's plate), chips & queso, couscous, tilapia

Funnily enough both girls eat really well at day care every day.  They always clean their plates from what I'm told.  For instance, Lottie told me yesterday that she ate pork chop, rice, green beans, etc. for lunch.  It blew my mind!  As far as I know, she hates rice, pasta (unless it is mac and cheese), potatoes.  Lottie refuses to eat carbs unless it is bread or pizza.

Stella loves drinks!  If you leave a water bottle laying around the house, she will drink it.  She easily unscrews the lid and goes to town.  She loves milk and "special" water.  Instead of giving them juice, I buy flavored water.  They call it "special water".  It comes in these convenient kid-friendly small water bottles.  Unlike juice, it creates very little mess and it doesn't have any sugar!  A win win if you ask me.  The downside is her diaper becomes very full, very fast!  Stella never takes her time when drinking a drink.  She chugs it!

Sleep: Stella has and hopefully always will be my little rock star when it comes to sleeping at night.  In her two years of life so far, I can probably count on one hand the number of times she hasn't slept in her own bed at night.  Unlike the first time around with Lottie, we really dug our feet in and made sure we sleep trained Stella properly.  Stella brushes her teeth at night then immediately runs in her room with her arms raised ready to be picked up and put in her bed.  She begs for a pacifier and gets super excited (jumps up and down) when I get her one.  May 11th!!!!  It is officially the day we are taking the pacifier away!  Ugghhhh - pray for us this week!

Now, I know I've said how great Stella is at night.  She still hates to nap on the weekends.  Usually what I do is let her lay with me on the couch for a few minutes until she falls asleep, then I move her either on the other side of the couch or in her bed.  She sleeps great at daycare every day.  She normally has a 1.5 to 2 hour nap every day.  

Crying: I just had to throw this update in here.  I will never let Stella live down how much she cried the first 15 months of her life!  It literally was all day every day.  But boy have things changed, she is such a delightful, happy child.  There were times where I didn't think we would ever get to that point, but we did and the last 9 months have been nothing short of laughs, fun, cuddles, kisses, just pure joy!

Milestones: This kid is a little braniac!  She loves to read!  I quite often quiz her on colors, numbers, objects, etc. and she pretty much kills it every time.  She can count to 15 on a good day (after 11, it gets a little dodgy).  She can also count to 10 in Spanish if she is laser focused.  She speaks very clear and her vocabulary blows my mind.  Her teachers tell me all the time what a joy it is to have her in their class because she is the only child they can carry a full blown conversation with.  She speaks like a 3 year old.  I think there is something to be said about the second child.  They really do almost everything faster than the first.

Stella is super sweet and very polite.  She always says please and thank you and anytime she burps or toots, she says, "Excuse me" and laughs!

Stella is starting to become Miss Independent like her sister.  She has started telling me when getting dressed, "I pick it".  Ugghhhhh - I swear between the two of them dressing themselves, it looks like they are homeless every day.  But hey, pick your battles right???

Stella is a major mama's girl.  She gets very jealous when she sees Lottie and I having a cuddle or sitting with one another.  She immediately runs to me and shouts to Lottie, "My mommy!!!!"  I feel bad for Lottie at times because any time we go to lunch or dinner, Lottie never gets to sit beside me.  Stella is very territorial when it comes to her mama!  And oh my goodness, when Carter is in town and he and I have a cuddle, she really gets jealous then!

Sibling Love: WOW, Stella loves her sister - obsessed would be an understatement.  They play chase, hide and go seek, share snacks and cups of milk.  Stella constantly tries to jump on Lottie and wrestle her and anything Lottie does Stella thinks she can do as well.  I have to remind Lottie all the time that she can't jump off the couch and pounce on a pillow b/c everything she does, Stella does to.
Sisters - the fighting has already started.  I swear, I must say, "Leave Her Alone" a hundred times a day!  One minute Stella is biting Lottie and another minute Lottie is pushing Stella down.  And the tattle telling has really begun.  Most days, I don't know who to believe.  Lets just say the thinking chair is in constant rotation between the two of them!  I really might need to get Steve to make another chair!

Likes: Snacking, drinking, swinging, brushing her teeth, watching Peppa Pig, sliding down backwards on the slide, reading, drawing, rough housing with her sister.

Dislikes: Being told NO, brushing her hair, putting on socks and shoes, napping

Happy 2 years to my sweet and sassy Stella!  I could never put into words how much I love you!  I am absolutely soaking in every minute of the age you are now!  It seems like just yesterday your sister was getting ready to be your big sister!

**I tried to get a few photos of Stella outside after school, but she wasn't having it.  She wanted to take her Peppa Pig balloon from her party outside but within 5 seconds, it was gone! :)

Lottie - 2 Year Doctor Appointment / Growth Update

Weight: 25.8lbs (55%)

Height: 33 inches (25%)

Head circumference: 47.5 cm (60%)

Wednesday afternoon was Lottie's 2 year well visit.  It's hard to believe that this time two years ago, she was less than a month old.  My how time flies.  I don't think I'll ever stop saying it.  A couple of months before the appointment we were given a 5 page form to complete full of tests and questions regarding her development.  It involved communication skills, motor skills, etc.  I believe the test is performed because of the ever growing autism diagnoses every year.  Thankfully, Lottie excelled in all categories.  Feeling very blessed and thankful!

During this well visit we discussed potty training, nutrition, dental hygiene and safety.  Lottie also had her final Hepatitis A vaccine to complete the series.  I believe this particular vaccine is optional, but due to the fact that we travel overseas to England, the doctor felt that it would be beneficial for her to have it.  The great news is that Lottie is completely finished with getting vaccines / shots until she is 5 years old.  We also don't go back to see the doctor until Lottie is 3 years old.  I never thought I would see the day!!!!!  I felt like we were regulars there for awhile with all of the ear infections Lottie kept having around age 1.  On that note, after a look in her ears on Wednesday, she still has two beautiful tubes in her ears!  I don't think I can say enough about tubes other than they are lifesavers!

Updates:

Speech: Lottie is definitely becoming a chatty little thing!  Most of what comes out of her mouth I understand.  But sometimes she starts these long winded conversations where she shrugs her shoulders, tilts her head and looks to me like HELLO, did you not just hear me.  It's those times I feel like I need a translator.  Like I said though, her sentences have gone from basic stuff: "Sit down", "Thank You", "Please", etc. to "One more please mommy", "Daddy go bye bye in the car", "Where did the cow go?", etc.  Her sentences have definitely gone from two words upwards to 4, sometimes 5.  Our conversations home from day care every day are becoming more and more amusing.  It's truly amazing how that little brain of hers continues to grow.  She's also getting better and better at memorizing and learning more challenging words.  I bought these sticker books from Walmart ($1.00) that help kids learn their first words, pets, numbers, colors, etc. and they are wonderful.  She adores stickers and these books can keep her entertained upwards to 30 minutes.  And the great part about them is that she is learning.  It's almost like a matching game where she matches the sticker to the number, color, etc.  While she is matching, we discuss why she is putting the sticker there, how many of something there is, etc.  I could go on all day about how wonderful these sticker books are.  If you have a toddler, they are a must.  You can find them at Walmart where the children's books, coloring books, etc. are.  And you really can't beat it for $1.00 each. 

Nutrition: Honestly, I couldn't believe Lottie hit the 50% for weight when we went to the doctor.  Her appetite is the most unpredictable thing EVER!  One day, she'll sit down and eat like a little pig (well, finishing her meal), then the next 5 days, she won't eat but three bites of each meal.  The easiest meal is definitely breakfast.  It is the only meal where she seems to eat most of what she is given.  I guess if you are going to eat one meal, breakfast is the best.  Her usual go to is fruit oatmeal.  She's loved it since she was a baby.  At daycare, she usually gets a mid morning snack, lunch and an afternoon snack.  She normally eats both snacks but when it comes to lunch she never has an A (all) beside anything when I get her report in the afternoon.  It is always S or N (some / none).  And of course dinner is barely touched most days.  During the past few weeks, I've been getting aggravated with her eating patterns / concerned really that she isn't getting enough nutrition, calories down her.  But after speaking with the doctor, he said that you would be surprised at what they actually do get down them.  He said not to force foods as a reaction to my anxiety, but rather continue to provide her with snacks of cheese, fruits, veggies, and milk.  So, last night as my child refused dinner (not even a bite), she ended up eating two little chunks of cheddar cheese.  I tried reminded myself that if she gets hungry, she'll eat and she's definitely not afraid to ask.  Chill out T! 

Pacifier: Lottie has done amazing!!!!!!!  She has not had her paci since last Monday - almost two weeks.  I couldn't be more proud of her.  She has done great.  She still asks for it every now and again but doesn't get upset or angry when we tell her no.  I can't believe how easy it was.  Knock on wood!

Potty Training: This is our next big "thing".  Currently, we've got her Minnie Mouse tiny toilet set up and she sits down on it every day.  Granted, she is sitting down with her diaper still on, but is getting more and more used to the idea.  She starts in her new classroom at day care next week, so I am really going to start pushing the potty on her.  I am hoping that she will transition pretty easy, but I'm no fool, I know how hard potty training is going to be and am not looking forward to all of the upcoming "accidents" in our future.  I feel like I am going to have to put plastic over everything.  :)  After speaking with the doctor and picking his brain on how he did it with his young children, it sounds like a little bribery might be in our future.  He suggested using / putting up a chart in the bathroom along w/ a bag of m&ms.  For example, every time she goes #1, she gets two m&ms and every time she goes #2 she gets 4.  He also suggested going to the dollar store and buying $1 gifts and using that as bribery as well.  Hopefully soon after, she will get the gist of using the bathroom and gifts/candy will be a thing of the past. I am hoping by 2.5 years, Lottie will be full blown potty trained.  I am going to look into buying pull ups today when I go to Walmart for cleaning supplies, etc.  I am also going to look into some Minnie Mouse undies and princess undies for her to start wearing.  Wish us luck as I know this is going to be a process.  :)

Skin: Ever since we got tubes put in Lottie's ears, we've rarely had to see the doctor.  She's had a few issues with constipation for which we have a prescription to use as needed, but other than that, nothing major.  However, sweet girl has got Eczema.  She's got it on her legs, shoulders, hips and arms.  About a year ago we were given a very mild prescription cream to use but it is not cutting it anymore.  It just does not work.  Over the past couple of months, I have been rubbing Lottie down with Palmer's Stretch Mark cream.  It actually seems to help.  The doctor said the thicker and greasier the better.  So, every night, Lottie and I rub each other down with our cream.  Lottie calls is BOO BOO cream.  I find it hilarious that she and I are rubbing each other down with stretch mark cream especially since she is 2!  Never too soon to start right?  HA!  During our visit with the doctor, he gave me a stronger cream to use on the affected areas to hopefully clear it up before spring/summer where she'll be wearing less clothes.  I think with the weather being so cold, it really dries it up more than normal. 

Time Out: You best believe we've got a time out chair.  It sits against the wall in our living room.  I call it "THE CHAIR".  She hates it!  Over the last couple of months, Lottie's little attitude and tantrum throwing has become more and more frequent.  I mean some of the things she throws fits over really baffle me!  For instance, "I don't want to wear that shoe, so I am going to chuck it across the room" or "I don't want to wear my coat when it's 30 degrees out so I'm going to lay on the floor and cry and scream."  Oh and some of my favorites are, "I'm not going to sit in the high chair when we go out for dinner" and "I'm not going to sit in the shopping cart at the store".  This type of behavior is just unacceptable.  For one, it is straight up embarrassing!  I usually give her a stern warning, sometimes a pop on the hand or behind depending on where we are and most definitely time out when we are home.  I usually make her sit for up to 5 minutes.  I've become pretty good at not caving.   I try really hard to discipline her like she should be and always explain to her why it is that she has been disciplined.  I just feel that if we can nip this in the bud now, she will be a much more respectful, good hearted kid as she grows.  Disciplining her is no fun - it is times like these when guidance from my parents would really help.  But if you knew my dad, he would say wearing her little butt out would be the best way.  :) 

Favorites: Snacks (I know I said that she doesn't eat, but she loves to snack!) - goldfish, bananas, edemame, anything dipped in Ranch (she doesn't actually eat the veggie - she just sucks the Ranch off), crackers, york peppermint patties, oranges, peaches, cheerios, fruit snacks, yogurt, juice boxes, etc.  Her favorite food is probably pizza!  We don't have it very often, but when we do, she loves it!  It is probably one of the only meals that she ever finishes. 

Favorite Activities: Sticker books, reading, coloring, baby dolls, Minnie Mouse anything, watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Chuggington, dancing, kicking a soccer ball w/ Dad, playing catch, wearing mommy's shoes around the house, etc.

That about sums up our two year well visit with the doctor.  Now, if I can just start getting her to wear her hair up on a daily basis, that would be WONDERFUL!  If you see her with her hair up, you have to know that it was an act of congress to get it up!  :)

Here's a couple of quick photos of Lottie at the doctor's office.  She did wonderful with her shot and the visit all together.  She was such a big girl!  So proud!

Every time I say, "CHEESE", she squints her eyes to where they are almost closed. 

She decided to get really comfortable before the doctor came in and laid on her belly to do a puzzle.  This kid cracks me up!  I had to get a few pics!