Fresh Air

We have been experiencing the exciting time of year when the birdies chirp, the bulbs begin to sprout and the temps start to climb. It appears Spring has Sprung and we have thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to get outside at every chance we can get! Teagan has loved getting back to the park, running around the backyard, going on walks and just being "side" as she calls it. I swear it helps improve the mood as well as makes her tired at the end of the day! Today she was outside at least 80% of the day. She was riding her big wheel (with several times down the stairs), collecting sticks, kicking the ball, searching for the neighbors woof woof and just marching all over the yard. When it came to dinner, we can only contribute her appetite to all of the fresh air. She ate corn, hamburger, rice, grapes, cucumber, pickle, lettuce and carrots.
This was an hour after she had a granola bar and apple as a snack! We can't wait for all of the warm weather activities to come. Teagan is at such a fun age and full of wonderment and the desire to explore!

XO,
EAT

Gymnastics

We have been going to toddler gymnastics for the past few weeks and man alive does Teagan love it. The room is completely padded with things to bounce on, dive in, balance on, climb on and just expend serious amounts of energy! The first couple classes Teagan didn't quite participate in the group activities. She ran out of the circle and turned the lights out on the class! Let's be real though, a fourth of the class is organized and the rest is just open play which is perfect. But today, we made big strides...the theme was balance and the coaches set up different balance beam challenges. Teagan actually waited in line and walked across the balance beam (holding my hand) and then kept going back for more. She walked across the low beam at least 12 times and by the end she was side stepping and not looking where she was going! We have so much fun and she never wants to leave! I want to ask the coaches of they ever have open gym because it is the perfect space for indoor play!

Are you smarter than a toddler?

Teagan has been teaching us a thing or two from school. She talks non stop but she has recently started signing to us as they encourage the use of and teach sign language in school. It was a bit of an eye opener for us as she was taking her pointer finger to the palm of her hand and we thought it meant she wanted to play on the iPad or iPhone! It turns out that is the sign they use for "more." She also rubs her belly when she says "please" which is the correct sign. It made us realize just how teachable she is and how the things she is learning are applicable in day to day life. Plus, we need her to teach us the signs she knows!!

XO,
EAT

Daily Reports

Teagan has been enrolled in daycare which is transitioning into school for 15 months now. They fill out a daily report of her diapers, naps, meals, hourly activities and general disposition each day she is there. They will attach printed photos or art work from that day. I would read the reports each night and file them away. Well, the folder was bulging at the seams and I realized I didn't need to save every single daily sheet and Incident report. As silly as it seems to write, it was not easy to go through and pick some of the favorites and discard the rest. She is now fully settled in the Toddler Room with the big kids. They still send daily reports but are veering towards more of a predetermined curriculum. We get a kick out of reading about some of her mannerisms while she is away from us. They always consist of her love for going outside, getting friendly with a particular classmate, playing on the climber and of course eating most of the snack and meals of the day!

It is never easy to leave her for the day but it is nice to know just how her time is being spent! And time for me to part with her 4 month daily reports!

XO,
EAT

Shapes and Puzzles

This girl...she started playing with puzzles several months ago. But it amazes me now to watch her do them from start to completion. She is starting to work on the shapes too. Each piece is carefully placed where it belongs and then a quick clap in celebration. The second time is faster and a bit more forceful. She is slowly mastering this toy that you put the shapes where they belong, celebrate and then bop the lady bug and they spit them back out! All 3 of us get so proud each time!!

Sicky

We are on the upswing on Teagan's first real sickness of her life. It must have been a flu bug with vomiting and diarrhea. It pulled at my heart strings because there were just moments that nothing we would do could make her feel better! I didn't mind the extra snuggles when she was willing. It was tough not to give her real food and milk for a few days. She is old enough to know how to ask and where we keep the goods! All in all, she was a great patient. Now, it is so nice to see her energy and mood levels on the rise!! She loved playing in her crib this afternoon. Dancing, reading a valentine from Grandma and Grandpa I, making a fort and jump jumpin!

XO,
EAT

Snow!

Wow so much has happened since I last wrote on here. But I miss documenting and don't want many gaps so time to get back at it. Lots to write about like trips trips and more trips! Holidays! But for now...we finally got some decent snow in the Chicagoland area. It has been a mild winter so we can't complain but it was nice to see some of the white fluffy stuff and let Teagan get out and play in it! She fell backwards several times because of all the layers but once she got moving, she was in full play and exploration mode! It was super dry snow so no snowballs or snow men just yet!