Toddler and Preschooler Check-in (1/3/2017!)

[2redtulips]

I am back after about a month away. December was crazy busy, so I wasn't able to check in! I hope everyone is doing well.

Holidays: Our holidays were so nice. DH and I had a solstice sushi date night, we hosted Christmas Day at our house for our families, and we went to my sister's for NYE. Lots of good time with family.

R (age 2.42) is loving his new spaceship, Magic Tracks and battery-operated cars (that our dog keeps trying to kill - it's hilarious), and the big set of play food and pots/pans I gave him. I even made him a little cardboard stove and sink, which was fun. I am not crafty, so I was proud of myself.

Milestones: Christmas and the New Year are a reminder of just how fast kids grow. Wow! Bittersweet (mostly sweet, but the impact of "time" gets to me this time of year).

Resolutions: I don't do resolutions, but I choose words to guide my year. This year's words are "Center. Connect. Create."

[Smootiepie]

Holidays were great. We spent a week and a half at my parent's house, and it was just so awesome to see them get to spend time w/ DS. We pretty much just bummed around the whole time, so I feel surprisingly refreshed. DS did better than I thought he would w/ the whole opening gifts thing, and it was amazing to just watch him Christmas morning. He got an activity cube (different stuff on each side) from my parents, and he lurves it. Best moment was when DS started getting tired, so he laid down in front of the tree and all the gifts.

As for milestones, I feel like he learned eleventy words while we were there. I feel like I say this every week, but I love the look on his face when he realizes he can communicate what he's wanting w/ us.

No resolutions here, not my thing.

[eliz77]

I hope you all enjoyed the holidays!!!

LO LOVED Christmas. He was excited to see anything Santa or Christmas lights/trees/decoration related. He got a huge kick out of opening presents more so than the presents themselves. Everything got an,"OH WOW!" His only disappointment was his cousin got a lego set with trains and he got a construction site. But he got over that pretty quick! Loves Legos. My grandfather gave him a Little People firehouse and that got a huge smile and genuine,"Thank you, Poppy!" which my 94 year old ex-firefighter Grandfather thought was the best thing ever. Very sweet to see.

As for milestones...nothing really. .Just being two! He's so easy and entertaining and so very sweet! His cousin is 1 year old and he kept looking out for her-"Baby Grace, you gotta be careful!"

Resolutions: less technology obsession (especially work related drama after work hours...) and more enjoying the moment especially with my family.

[oldbaylover1024]

I'm glad to hear you guys enjoyed your holidays!

Ours was nice. J and I had the Friday before Christmas off just the two of us so it was nice to get some one-on-one time with her and run some errands. CE we spent at the IL's eating classic Italian food and watching the kids do their gift exchange. I love watching their excitement as their Secret Santa opens his/her gift. It's so sweet!

CD she was so adorable! At 3.5 (well, 3 years and 7 months) Santa is a big deal! She stared at the plate of cookies for about a minute before she even realized he brought presents. Her favorite gift was a tie between a jewelry box filled with play jewelry and a Paw Patrol rocket ship. She also got a Barbie case and princess barbies from family members that she loves. Kid had a great Christmas! We hosted a heavy day of appetizers, and my mom, sister, and sister's BF came over. It was nice and we ate and drank (well, they did lol) all day!

NYE was nice. MH and I had a date night and J had a sleepover with her cousins. It was a welcome date night since I know they'll be few and far between soon.

J's been using baby talk a lot lately, at home and school. We think it has to do with the baby coming in 6 (or fewer) weeks. Eek! I am sooo not ready!

Fave Me Gifts: Gift cards for shopping for ME!!! And MH got us a chest freezer which I've been begging for! Winning!

[2redtulips]

oldbaylover1024 , a chest freezer has been one of the best purchases we ever made. Freezer meals save me, and we freeze a lot of produce from our garden in the summer as well! Enjoy it.

[shandorfml2]

Hey everyone.

We had a good holiday. My 21month old loved his cars, books and car rug. He also got a toy vacuum cleaner from my Dad and he enjoys that. he is no longer scared of the real vacuum! He is also no longer afraid of the bath tub so we've been enjoying happy bath times.

I've been struggling with PgAL brain, (I'm 22 weeks with rainbow #2, a girl), and missing my angel DD. It all seems to be hitting at once...talking with my son about his new little sister, bringing out my angel DD's clothes (in a box the past three, almost four years).

It's been a bit overwhelming to say the least. But, when my son mentions angel DD (looks at her pic and says Ana!) or kisses my belly I feel better.

[2redtulips]

@boxerific, Staying on top of all the crazy piles is on my goals list as well. I just started purging my office, and I hope to get that project finished by month's-end!

shandorfml2, Big hugs to you! I am sure going through your DD's clothes is so hard, but your DS talking about her and the new baby is really sweet! :') Sending good thoughts your way.

[KMW08]

Saying hello! Been quite a while since I've posted / read over here :/

My lil guy is a handful! 26mos and full of it. He's so stinking smart, I'm amazed every day.

Holidays were good. His favorite items were a Daniel Tiger doll, microwave and a pink vacuum (we have a red/blue one) he was adamant he wanted from Santa.

Our sleep schedule is recovering from the holidays, I'm ready for that to be back to his normal