Another Blasted Incident!!!

Since Lottie's hit the 18 month old mark, she has started transitioning into the Toddler II class.  She will usually hang out in that room for half the day.  Yesterday, as she was hanging in her new classroom, a BIG bully bit the living daylights out of her right wrist!  Afterwards, they applied ice and gave her lots of TLC.

While it pains me to see my babe's arm red and puffy, I have to remind myself that it is just a phase and a part of their development.  After all, Lottie has set her little chompers into another little girl's back before - OUCH.

Speaking of chompers, Lottie's 12th and 13th teeth are officially in!  Let's just hope she doesn't try to use them as weapons today at day care!

In case you were wondering, here is what a bite to the wrist looks like...............

18 Month Photo Shoot

As you've probably learned over the last year, I am a Milestone Photo Freak!  I love having the quintessential Milestone Photos taken of Lottie!  My mom did the same with my sister and I and it's always fun to go back and look at those photos. 

Per the usual, I took Lottie back to JC Penney where they have unbelievable deals on traditional portraits!  No shame in my game - this mama loves a good deal! 

This photo certainly showcases her little personality!!!

The "sweet" and "innocent" look

The "fake" flowers were for distraction purposes only!!!!!!!!!!  But in the end, she wouldn't part with them so in the photos they go! 

18 Months Old

Weight: 22 lbs, 12 oz (50%)

Height: 31 inches (25%)

Head Circumference: 46 cm

Shots: Flu, Pentacel

Let's just go ahead and get the obvious out of the way here..........."Why is this child so small?  I mean hey, look at her parents!"  If you have found yourself in the past asking the same question, don't worry, Steve and I ask that question all the time.  We are just not small people!  Steve and I both have big builds.  It just doesn't make sense!  :)

The doctor is in no way shape or form concerned about her growth.  He stated that she has continuously grown at a  steady pace since she was born.  In other words, she is a healthy 18 month old child - so don't start worrying about something that doesn't exist.

CLOTHING / SHOE SIZES

Tops: 24 months
Pants: 18 months
Shoes: Size 5

FAVORITE FOODS:

Peas, Chicken Nuggets, Zucchini, Pizza, Spaghetti, Roasted carrots, peaches, applesauce, Cheez-its, yogurt, oatmeal, blueberry nutri-grain breakfast bars, mac & cheese, tomatoes, dips (honey mustard, ranch, ketchup), chips and salsa, yellow rice, biscuits, muffins, chicken & dumplings, fish balls and Gerber fruit / veggie squeeze packs.

FAVORITE WORDS:

Shoes, Ball, Bear, Dog, Car, Fish, Up, Back, Amy, Bubbles, More (she signs and says it at the same time), No No No No No, Yes, Snack, Juice, Eyes and really most anything you say, she can copy back to you if she is in the right mood!

FAVORITE SENTENCES:

"What's That?", "Get Down", "Stop It", "Diaper, Diaper, Diaper"

FAVORITE ANIMAL NOISES SHE MAKES:

Dog, Cat, Tiger, Lion, Bear, Shark, Elephant, Giraffe, Cow, Pig

Let me just say that about two months ago, Lottie was actually saying the names of these animals, but since she has learned the noises they make, she refuses to call them by their names and instead only shouts the noises they make!  Example: Lottie will see a dog and start saying, "Ruff, Ruff" or a pig, "Oink, Oink" or a cat, "Meow, Meow" (the Meows are very drawn out so it sounds like someone just stepped on a cat)  - hilarious to say the least.

BODY PARTS SHE KNOWS AND POINTS TO:

Head, Hand, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Mouth, Belly, Toes, Knees

WHAT WE ARE CURRENTLY TEACHING:

We are working on Please and Thank You.  For the last 4 months or so, she has been signing and saying the word "More" which is pretty darn adorable.  But, it is definitely that time to start teaching manners and working towards being a polite little girl!  Yesterday, she said Please (sounds like Peeeaaaaassss) so we are getting there. 

"I Love You" is another phrase we are working on.  Steve and I must tell her that we love her 1,000 times a day.  She really is the best thing in this world.  She has got the "I" part down to a tee but the rest not so much.  We've been signing it quite a bit and have learned that helps her with saying the words out loud. 

"Potty Time" - during her last doctor's appointment, we discussed potty training.  He suggested we go ahead and buy the potty that you can attach to your own toilet.  He said that in the long run it helps them get accustomed to using the "big" toilet, plus it is less of a mess when it comes to cleaning up.  I think we are going to try and start introducing toilet behaviors.  I am hoping that with a little time and patience, we will have a potty trained little lady by the time she is 2.  Lottie already tells us when she's had a poop, she starts patting her bottom and we ask her if she needs her diaper changed.  If she does, she will usually take off to her room to be changed and we sing, "Diaper, Diaper, Diaper" - something my sister started with her.  :)

HAIR BOW / HAIR TIE STRIKE

You've probably noticed that in quite a few photos, Lottie never has anything in her wild, unkempt hair.  The girl has been on BOW strike since she was 12 months old.  I must have 100 different bows, hair ties, etc. at home that I am dying to put in her hair.  Every single time I put something in her hair, she pulls it out faster than I can get it in.  I am hoping this is just a phase because I don't know what I am going to do if she keeps this up for the next year!  I might cry!  Really!!!!!!!!!

CURRENT MOOD SWINGS / TANTRUMS:

It AMAZES me how quickly my child has developed her own little personality and the characteristics of a child who wants nothing more than to be independent.  I guess we are approaching what everyone refers to as the "terrible twos".  I'm talking tantrums, fake crying (she's a pro at that) and the attitude.  It seems though that 9 times out of 10, the tantrums, etc. stem from her not getting her way. 

Example: "Lottie, please come inside so that you can have your dinner. "No, No, No."  "Lottie, I'm only going to ask you one more time to please come inside."  (Fake crying ensues, which leads me to pick her up and physically take her inside.)  She then plops down at the door and continues to fake cry.  This is just one of many examples where she either wants it her way or no way. 

On the flip side, I've never seen a child more affectionate and loving than Lottie.  She is constantly laughing, smiling, giving kisses, blowing kisses, giving hugs and making faces that absolutely crack you up.  At the end of the day, these tantrums are only temporary and just a phase.  We will get through it just as we've done in the past.

*************************************************************************

Overall, Lottie is developing into such a sweet little girl with more personality than I think Steve and I know what to do with.  Maybe that comes with the territory of having a girl!  But hey - I wouldn't have it any other way!  :)

Up Next: 18 Month Photos

A Wedding Weekend in Charleston, SC

This past weekend we traveled to Charleston, SC for Kate & Allen's wedding.  I've known Kate since 2004/2005.  She went to law school w/ my BFF and after numerous trips to visit them in MA and a few trips to Charleston where she decided to settle, we've kept in touch through the years. 

One of the very first times she visited Waxhaw, my sister decided to sport a "jean" bikini.  How redneck right?  I don't think we've ever stopped talking about how ridiculous it was.  But hey, that's Waxhaw for ya!

Last Thursday, Steve, Lottie, Ashley and myself piled in the car to make the trek to Myrtle Beach to drop Lottie off for the weekend with her Aunt Amy and Uncle Anthony.  My sister has been begging me to let her keep Lottie all by herself for one weekend.  Since Charleston is only about an hour and a half from Myrtle, we decided this past weekend would be the perfect opportunity for a little Aunt / Niece bonding. 

On Friday morning, we all got up, hung out with Lottie for an hour, then headed to Charleston around 9:30 a.m.  My sister had to work a half day on Friday so Lottie hung with her Uncle Anthony for most of the day.  They went to the Garden City pier and arcade for most of the morning.  Anthony sent me the following timeline documenting their time together:

A morning workout on the elliptical machine

Followed by a golf lesson

Race car driving at the arcade

Ladies..... Start your Engine

A little snack - french fries and ketchup

Nap time!

Before checking into our hotel in Charleston, the three of us headed to Isle of Palms to enjoy a little beach time.  However, once we arrived, it was very, very cloudy!  We settled on Coconut Joes for a bite to eat to ride out the clouds and rain.  Finally, the sun broke through the clouds and we were able to get our tan on!  I even got into a beach volleyball game which made me VERY happy!

After our time on the beach, we headed to the Frances Marion to check in.  Kate and Allen had a welcome / rehearsal dinner BBQ planned at the Marina at 6:00 p.m. so we hustled to get ready for that. 

Let me just say the BBQ did not disappoint.  It was delicious!  I think I ate my weight in BBQ, mac and cheese and beans! 

Beautiful Marina

Jeanette and I

Jeanette and Steve

Adrienne, myself and Ashley

Me, the Bride to Be Kate, Jeanette and Jess

Charleston Beer Works following the BBQ

Ash & I - before we decided we needed PIZZA!

Saturday morning, I was definitely moving slower than normal!!!!!!!  I swear, after having a child, it does something to your body to where you just CAN NOT recover the following day.  We finally got the strength up to get moving so me, Steve, Reno and Ashley headed out for brunch and a day of walking around the town.

Brunch was fantastic - I had a fried green tomato topped with a crab cake and poached egg along w/ the best home fries I've ever had!  It was just what the doctor ordered.  Afterwards, we walked about a mile to the Battery.  I'm not sure what I was expecting (cool battleships maybe) but not what we got.  There was practically nothing to it.  A few cannons w/ cannon balls beside them and a few post signs with history on there.  Other than that, nothing!  Although, looking out onto the waterway, I did see a nice surprise - DOLPHINS!  They were so cute!  I tried to capture a couple of pictures, but those little rascals are fast!  :)

We also walked through the market across the street from our hotel which was really great.  At this point, I was starting to really miss Lottie.  Seeing all the kids running around the park, eating from various vendors really had me missing my baby bad!  She would have loved it there!

Wine infused candles - so neat!



After strolling through town all day, it was soon Wedding time.  The B&G got shuttle buses from the hotel to the venue for all the guests (they were real school buses!!)

Upon arrival, there was a table with fans, water and a food truck providing Vodka & Rum Slushies!  It was one of the cutest ideas I've ever seen at an outdoor wedding.  The greatest part was this was pre-ceremony drinks they were providing.  :)

The ceremony was short, sweet, perfect!  The bride wore a stunning gown, looked very vintage / antique like.  She looked like a doll!  We ate sliders, chicken pitas, crab cakes, apps, cake, etc.  It was a really great time and I'm so happy to have been a part of it. 

Adrienne, Ash, myself and Melissa

The husband and I

One More!

Reno, Jeanette and Me

Jeanette and I

Me and the Bride

The bus ride back from the reception - on to the bar!

Jim Finn - Coolest Yank I know!  He also went to law school w/ Jeanette and Kate

The D.C. Boys, David and Andy

After party

Yep, we ended the night at the Kabob shop!

We had such a great time in Charleston over the weekend.  However, going two whole days without my child almost killed me!  Not kidding - was having stomach pains on Saturday thinking about her and how much I wished she was with us!  This was only our second weekend away from her since she was born.  And by golly it is still tough to leave her! 

Although, to ask Lottie if she missed us might be a different story.  She had a ball with her Aunt Amy and Uncle Anthony.  Lottie and Amy went to the Waccatee Zoo on Saturday.  My sister said Lottie had a ball - she walked the whole time and would not let my sister hold the animal food.  She was insistent on carrying the food and making sure all the animals got fed.  Lottie adores animals!

Lottie feeding the cows

Blowing bubbles with unkempt hair!

A snack of bubbles - sounds yummy!

Well, that's all folks!  A great weekend had by all! 

Coming soon............. 18 Month Check Up!

Bath Time Belly Laughs

Last night as I was busying myself in the kitchen, I heard some of the best belly laughs coming from the bathroom!  Looks like instead of taking a bath, Lottie and her dad were playing ball!  Go figure!  :) 

It Happened.........

My little bugger successfully escaped from her crib last night!!!!!!!!  I wish I were joking!

She went down with ease around 8:15 p.m. - no problem.  Around 11:30 p.m., she started crying, so we let her cry for a good five minutes before going in to see if she had dropped her dummy (pacifier).  Steve gave her the dummy she had dropped and walked back into our bedroom.  Not five minutes later, we heard a soft "BOOM" like noise - not anything dramatic or loud, just a soft "BOOM".  Steve got back up and opened our bedroom door and what do you know?????  A little girl was standing at our door! 

UNREAL I tell ya!!!  18 Months Old!!  Thankfully she was okay and not injured during her latest stunt. 

On the agenda for tonight will be to remove the bumpers once again to prevent this from happening anymore. Well..........  hopefully prevent this from happening again.  We shall see........

Here's a look back at Lottie's crib on it's highest setting.  It is now on it's lowest setting and after tonight will be bumper free!  If I thought she was mature enough to convert the entire crib to a day bed, that is exactly would I would do, but I just don't think we are there yet!!!  Trust me, we are def. not there yet!!!  :)

Conversations over the Olympics...

The Olympics have pretty much taken over the Cooper household as I'm sure it has in  many of your households.  One of the great things about the Olympics at our house is we have two teams that we root for - GB (Great Britain) and USA. 

While the USA are AMAZING in almost every Olympic event (they are leading in the medal count), GB seem to have only a handful of events that they excel in such as rowing, equestrian, cycling and some track and field. 

With comments like the one above, it is fair to say there has been some serious trash talking going on in my house!  Poor Lottie, she's just been thrown in the mix of it with me teaching her to say, "GO USA" and Steve teaching her to say, "GO GB".  To hear her try and say both has been pretty amusing.

In any event, this past weekend was a pretty lazy one for the most part.  We cleaned out the garage, mowed grass and did the usual things you can't quite get to through the week.  Afterwards, we planted ourselves on the floor / couch to catch up on the Olympics. 

At one point in the day, Steve looked at me and said, "I'm seriously concerned about your stupidity!"  Wait, WHAT? 

Steve: I'm going to grab a drink.

Tonya: Okay, but you better hurry.

Steve: Why?

Tonya: Because the MARATHON is about to begin and you don't want to miss it!

Steve: Really, the MARATHON?

Tonya: Yes, hurry up!

Steve: I'm seriously concerned about your stupidity!  We are talking about a MARATHON here - I could take a drive to the mountains and NEWS FLASH, they would still be running the Marathon! 

Tonya: Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa, yeah okay!!  GAH!

Steve: I sure hope Lottie gets her brains from her Dad!  If not, I don't know what we are going to do!  :)



Pretty sure we've been laughing about this one for the last couple of days!  Needless to say, we have certainly had some laughs during the Olympic games!!!  It's such a shame they only come around every 4 years because I just love it!!!