Twenty Four Months

Happy Birthday Braden!

**Hopefully a separate post to follow - all about his birthday festivities**

A little summary of the month:

* knows his whole bedtime routine: "brush teeph", pjs & "change diaper", picks one book, afterwards he will go turn on the sound machine, turn off the light & shut the door himself.  Then he will make his way back to the glider for snuggle time.

* has learned a few basic shapes: circle, square, triangle, star, heart

* LOVES books, "read book".  Caught him reading brown bear to himself and practicing signs with the baby signs book

* has discovered how fun it is to splash and jump around in puddles

* favorite book Goodnight, Goodnight Construction site and loves to name all types of construction vehicles

* will say the poem "round round the garden" to Sage and try to tickle her at the end

* first kayak adventure 6/15

* experienced his first really thunder/lightening storm, one boom really made him jump and he did not like that "under"

* Peaks Island trip with some of his friends on 6/25

* likes to play baseball and hit the ball using a water bottle for a tee

* first trip strawberry picking with Joanna, Olivia, Sarah & Carter

* really starting to put more words together and stating longer phrases and there are way too many new words to keep up with

* 24-month check-up stats:  36.25 inches (95%), 29.1 lbs (57%)

Twenty Three Months

One more month and I will officially have a two year old.  How did that happen?!

A little summary of the month:

* loves to sing and has learned a few more songs: itsy bitsy spider, happy birthday, and round & round the garden

* he loves to drop/fall onto pillows and/or blankets (from the couch to the floor or jumps on them while I am trying to make the bed)

* visited Kelly while she was in Littleton (5/10 - 5/19)

* visited Peaks Island with Dada & Grandpa

* went on a trip to Ferry Beach in Scarborough and had so much fun in the water, he went in much further than I thought he would.

* new phrases "I have" "No, mine"

* started saying his own name and refers to himself as Braden in pictures

* states "bless you" when someone coughs or sneezes.  

* during dinner will ask "grace?", will hold hands and say amen at the end

* went on a disc golf adventure with Kelly, Grandpa & Dada

* went on a little adventure at Mimi's house

* visited Smiling Hill Farm

* went pee on the potty for the first time 6/3 (two days in a row)

Twenty Two Months

This post is really late considering Braden will be Twenty Three months in just a few days.  Crazy!  So, I am sure that some of the developments for last month and this month may blend together a bit.  

A little summary of the month:

* can now get into the corner cupboards.  Loves playing with salad bowls & mixing pitchers

* will read along "Brown Bear Brown Bear See".  

* still picky and not eating much at meals

* LOVES going to the playground & going down the slide himself.

* back to a routine with the sleeping & will go down quietly unless in a new place

* singing all kinds of new songs & will say the words on his own.  Row Row Your Boat, ABC, Twinkle Twinkle, Ring Around the Rosy, Wheels on the Bus and Come.

* He loves to do the motions to songs as he is singing along.

* Started participating in a new music class Kindermusik

* Tried clam strips for the first time & really liked them 4/13

* Starting to work on his 2 year molars

* Enjoys skyping with family 

* Had his first splinter taken out 5/3

* Has major tantrums when it is time to go inside.  He just wants to stay outside and play.

* Can successfully count 1 - 10, although still needs reminders about starting with 1

* Knows his colors very well, still learning some: brown, black, white & pink

* Has been saying "dis" and pointing a great deal.  Trying to remind him to use his words or "show me" to find what he is asking for.

Pinterest Challenge: Week 6

My project for week 6 did not happen!  It was the sweatshirt makeover that I had been putting off and it just did not work out.  I did actually buy two sweatshirts, but just did not have time to complete the projects.

But there were some other really great projects that were completed!

Week 6 Projects:

Zucchini Crisps:

http://www.essentiallyeclectic.com/2013/03/parmesan-zucchini-crisps-easy-appetizer.html

Spinach & Artichocke Melts:

http://www.halfbakedharvest.com/spinach-and-artichoke-melts/

Fruit Wash:

https://sphotos-b.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/21241_330558780404896_562720774_n.jpg

Cauliflower Alfredo:

http://www.theskinnyfork.com/blog/guiltless-cauliflower-alfredo-sauce

Cardboard Playhouse:

http://www.sheknows.com/parenting/articles/967135/diy-collapsible-cardboard-playhouse

English Muffin Bread

Pinterest Challenge Round 2 begins Monday, May 27th!

Pinterest Challenge: Week 5

The end of the first Pinterest Challenge is near as we wrap up with week 5 projects.  For me I worked on the star mantle decor, which I plan to use for Memorial Day & the Fourth of July displays.  I knew that we were going to be away for part of the week (headed to Littleton), so I did all of the cutting & machine sewing beforehand.  Then I was able to finish the project by stuffing & hand sewing while were were away.  

I think it came out really well and I am pleased with how it looks all together with other items on the mantle.  

Week 5 Projects:

DIY Argyle Sweatshirt: http://mellysews.com/2012/02/argyle-hoody-tutorial.html
Turtle Brownies: http://www.unegaminedanslacuisine.com/2012/03/salty-turtle-brownies.html
Cotton Ball smashers: http://4herreras.blogspot.com/2012/02/smashing-balls-baked-cotton-balls.html?m=1
Desk Makeoever:

DIY No Sew Valance: http://inmyownstyle.com/2011/08/quick-and-easy-home-decorating-window-valance.html
Old MacDonald Puppets:http://zitzmanfam.blogspot.com/2010/09/old-macdonald-puppet-tutorial-and.html

Pinterest Challenge: Week 4

For the next three weeks I have some sewing projects to complete for the Pinterest Challenge.  For week 4 I successfully made a case/stand for my iTouch.  I wanted something that I could use for when I am laying down using it to read.  So, it is not really meant for everyday use/carrying it around. 

The directions were easy enough to follow and I liked that there was a video tutorial to go with it.  

Finished Product

Had to adjust holder pieces slightly because I wanted to keep the cover on it.
So, some of them slip off.  

Again I am putting off the sweatshirt project, because just not sure it is going to be successful.  It is either that or my mantle sewing project.  We'll see...

Week 4 Projects:

Crayon Art: 

Dairy Free Ice Cream:

http://theprimalhome.blogspot.com/2011/07/strawberry-ice-cream-non-dairy-sugar.html

Spaghetti Squash Alfredo:

http://www.thecomfortofcooking.com/2013/03/skinny-spaghetti-squash-alfredo.html

Front Door Makeover:

Lots of Organizing going on this week:

Manuals:

http://pinterest.com/pin/135600638752441668/

Outdoor Toys:

Embroidery Floss:

http://heatherjslife.blogspot.com/2011/08/organizing-embroidery-floss.html

Fabric:

http://www.iheartnaptime.net/organizing-fabric/

Laundry Baskets:

http://ana-white.com/2011/07/laundry-dresser

Baby Clothes:

http://www.typicalsuburbanfamily.com/2012/02/03/organize-baby-clothes/

Baked Fried Pickles:

Baked fried pickles. It was 2 eggs, Worcester sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, Cajun seasoning and pepper mixed together. Dill pickle chips are dipped in the mixture, covered in panko crumbs and broiled

Fried Rice: 

http://life-as-a-lofthouse.blogspot.com/2010/09/baked-sweet-and-sour-chicken-with-fried.html

Cauliflower Breadsticks:

http://mamagrubbsgrub.blogspot.com/2011/11/cauliflower-breadsticks.html?m=1

Hasselback Potatoes:

http://www.seasaltwithfood.com/2009/05/hasselback-potatoes.html?m=1

Raised Beds:

Homemade Salsa: 

http://www.myrecipes.com/m/recipe/spring-salsa-50400000112175/

Smoothies:

http://www.somethingswanky.com/0-points-delicious-summer-smoothie/

Pinterest Challenge: Week 3

Well, week 3 is complete (halfway there) and the group is still going strong!  This week for me wrapped up my recipes/food ideas and now on to the more difficult pins.  I have been putting the sweatshirt project off, because it intimidates me and I'm not confident that it will be a success.  We'll see in the weeks to come!

Week 3 for me was a white Chicken Alfredo Lasagna.  It was edible (although Braden wouldn't touch it), but it is not something that I would try again.  It was too bland, dry and honestly way more work than I wanted it to be (even with my mom here to help make it)!  

The Pinterest version looks much cheesier! 

Overall it was a successful week for others as well.  I had a few other recipes that we tried and really enjoyed.  There were also some great craft projects posted this week as well!  Very fun.

Little Tykes Makeover:

Cheesy Broccoli Quinoa:

http://whatsfordinner-momwhatsfordinner.blogspot.com/2012/12/cheesy-broccoli-quinoa-and-giveaway.html?m=1

Tooth Fairy Pillows:

http://pinterest.com/pin/239464905159311517/

http://pinterest.com/pin/239464905159311516/

Tooth Fairy Money:

http://pinterest.com/pin/142074563217461041/

Lemon Cookies (so easy):

http://www.gimmesomeoven.com/easy-lemon-cookies/

Philly Cheesesteak:

http://www.puffpastry.com/recipe/60947/Philly-Cheesesteak-Rolls

Avocado Salad:

http://shesveggingout.blogspot.com/2012/05/avocado-tomato-salad.html

Monterey Chicken:

http://kimmccrary.blogspot.com/2010/05/perfect-day.html

Great Tip on Cutting Watermelon:

http://pinksuedeshoe.com/2010/07/09/how-to-cut-a-perfect-watermelon/

Delicious Cupcake Brownie:

http://iheart2stamp.com/2010/06/