So last week, I was working on this post about how my generally sweet, easy-going baby girl had suddenly turned into a beast/monster/little hellion (fill in the blank, really). I questioned what could have possibly happened to cause my toddler to throw needless temper tantrums every two minutes.
We’d put her on the changing table. Tantrum.
We’d try to put her in her high chair. Tantrum.
Leave the house? Tantrum.
Strap her in her car seat? Tantrum.
Pick her up. Tantrum.
Put her down. Tantrum.
Pick her up from daycare? Epic meltdown. (This was, by far, the worst. Working mommy FOR THE WIN.)
It seemed that we really couldn’t win with her. No matter what we did, our little girl just wasn’t happy.
At first, I thought perhaps she was sick. Surely she must be sick, right? I kind of wanted her to be sick. But she was sleeping fine. Eating fine. No fevers. And, she seemed to be able to turn the crying/screaming/biting (oh, I didn’t mention the BITING yet?) fits off as quickly as she could turn them on.
Some of these tantrums were complete with throwing herself on the floor, kicking her legs, rolling around, looking over at us with big crocodile tears for dramatic effect. I was starting to think I should prepare myself to be the parent of a future Oscar winner. So, we were feeling pretty sure that this was just Nora, trying to assert her growing sense of independence. Or expressing her frustration at not yet being able to communicate very efficiently. A stage. This, too, shall pass.
We exercised as much patience as we could muster. And we were actually really patient. But we were also miserable. All of us. When you only really get to spend 2-3 hours a day with your kid (between morning and evening), you don’t want to spend that time fighting a kicking, screaming, crying mess of a child. It was hard.
And I found myself wondering, Isn’t she too young for this? Because seriously, if this is what tantrums and attitude are like at 14 months old, I’m terrified of the “Terrible Twos,” y’all.
It had been maybe 3-4 days of near constant misery. We were about to lose our ever-loving minds. But then something extraordinary happened. Nora flipped the switch back the other way, and she was suddenly back to her normal self. I picked her up from daycare, and once we were home… No tantrums. We had a pleasant evening at the dinner table together. We managed to get her through to bedtime without a single tear.
We were thanking our lucky stars.
Then, yesterday, I was riding in the backseat with her in the car, and playing peek-a-boo and other games with her. I had her laughing big belly laughs, squealing with glee, mimicking me, etc. And there, with her mouth wide open, in the bright light of day, I saw them.
Teeny tiny little white specks poking up out of her gums. And red, swollen marks in not one, not two, but three other spots in her mouth. And possibly two other swollen spots as well.
The girl is cutting 4-6 new teeth. Seemingly all at the same time.
Cue the feelings of being the worst mother in the entire world. I didn’t even consider that her antics last week could be teething. I never even gave her ibuprofen to experiment to see if it would make a difference. I just assumed attitude and did… nothing. Nothing, while my poor kid was probably in pain.
I’m just.so.awesome.
In my (half-hearted) defense, I have two points: 1) She only has four teeth–the ones in front, two top, two bottom. Those are supposedly the “easy” ones to cut, so we’ve never really gone through any sort of teething hell before. I had no idea that it could make them so completely irritable like 24/7, and that teething would manifest itself through constant crying and temper tantrums. And 2) If I hadn’t spotted those budding teeth, we probably still wouldn’t know what the problem was. But we noticed a drop-off in her appetite this weekend, too, and more hands-in-the-mouth activity.
Now, of course, it all makes perfect sense.
Hindsight is 20/20, you know.
Once I hit “publish” on the post about Nora’s Christmas list, I realized that I neglected to include some very important wish list items… like movies and BOOKS!
I’ve mentioned before that we don’t let Nora watch a lot of TV–although she is exposed to some daily in the background at daycare–but we’re still starting a collection of Disney and other animated movies for her (and any future siblings). We discovered on our recent roadtrip to Virginia that she enjoys movies far more than we thought she could at this age. Rio is her favorite thus far. She “dances” to the music, which is pretty much the most hilarious thing I’ve ever seen.
We’ve always read books to her on a daily basis, but now it’s even more fun, as she’s really “into” them. She’s actually choosy about which ones we read to her; we’ll pick a book from her rack for bedtime, and if she isn’t in the mood for that particular story, she’ll push it away. Who knew that she’d be so opinionated this early in life? And I don’t know if it gets any more cute than seeing her sitting on the floor by herself, quietly flipping through the pages of a book. MY HEART.
One of her current favorites is The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which is possibly a “boring” favorite, since it’s such a classic. But she can’t get enough of sticking her little pointer finger in each and every one of the holes in the board book.
Anyway, with all of this said, we couldn’t really pass up an opportunity to add to her growing movie and book collections. Here are some of the movies and books that made it on Nora’s list:
We’ve been buying the Disney classics as they’ve been made available again. Last year, Nora got Beauty & the Beast for Christmas. The Lion King was one of our favorites as kids so we wanted Nora to have this one as well. I’m REALLY looking forward to the re-release of The Little Mermaid, though. Get on it, Disney. My little girl needs some Ariel in her life. :)
We’ve also been taking advantage of some of the “new classics” from Disney as well. Nora received Toy Story 3 for Christmas last year, and this year, we asked her grammy to buy her Tangled. We haven’t even seen this one yet, but have only heard good things.
A Cyber Monday deal that couldn’t be refused. We’ve heard good things. :) We look at these movies not as an opportunity to plop Nora in front of the TV for some peace and quiet, but as something for us to enjoy together as a family as she grows.
Now, for books, you’ll notice a theme:
CLASSIC. A must-have for every child, I think. I’m surprised we didn’t end up buying this last year. I’ll give ourselves a pass since Nora was only three months old for Christmas 2010. :)
Another Christmas must-have. Just a beautiful, beautiful book. The story, the illustrations… love. We were lucky enough to have this one arrive in the mail the other day from Nora’s “Secret Santa” in a children’s book exchange I signed her up for. (Thanks again, baby Cooper!)
OK, as you can probably tell by now, we did an informal audit and determined that we didn’t think Nora has enough Christmas-themed books. We’re looking to make up for that. Anyway, I absolutely loved the Little Critter books when I was growing up, so we’ve been introducing Nora to them as well. We have a few that I took from my childhood book collection at my mom’s house, and we have a few that have been purchased new along the way. Nora seems to like them so far, too.
As I explained when I discussed the Little People Nativity Set, we want to be sure to make an effort to teach Nora the real reason for the season. These books (there is also a What is Thanksgiving? book) have good reviews for their message and teaching of the meaning behind these holidays.
I just really like Karen Katz. We have the “Counting Kisses” book, and it’s a regular read in our house. I think “Where is Baby’s Belly Button?” is her most popular, but oddly, we don’t have that one yet, either.
(All things Sandra Boynton, including this Boynton’s Greatest Hits, Volume I)
I was pretty unfamiliar with Sandra Boynton prior to having Nora. We received The Going to Bed Book as a gift after she was born, and it is one of our favorites to read to Nora, and one of Nora’s favorites to have read to her. Short, simple, soothing rhymes. (Although, I will never understand why they all take a bath–scrub scrub scrub–and find their pajamas–big and small– before going up to exercise? What the hell?) Once again, Nora was lucky to receive this set last week from her Secret Santa, Cooper. :)
So, that wraps up our movie and book wish lists for Christmas 2011. What classic (or new, or unusual) titles are on your children’s Christmas lists?
As Christmas approaches, we’ve been spending more and more time thinking about what to get for Nora. Our parents want to know what to get her, too, so we’ve had to put together a list.
It’s actually a little overwhelming, which sounds ridiculous when you’re talking about gifts for a 1-year-old kid. But there is just SO.MUCH out there in terms of toys, books, and necessities.
As of now, here are the things that are on Nora’s Christmas list:
A kiddie-sized table and chairs set. We’re still shopping around for this one. We’d ideally like to get something “nicer” looking (so, probably wooden), but it depends on size, price, and what we can get our hands on locally. Toys ‘R’ Us wants to charge like $25 in shipping for their sets, so… not going to happen.
This was something that I wanted to get Nora (and future children) to keep under the Christmas tree while they are young. We want to make sure to teach “the reason for the season,” and we think having a set like this will encourage play–and encourage conversation about it. I remember playing with my grandmother’s nativity set as I was growing up, and I want to be able to let Nora do the same–without worrying she’s going to break anything nice! And FYI, if you’re interested in this set, Family Christian (linked above) has it for $24.98 shipped–but only through tomorrow, Friday 12/2! This is a really good deal on this particular set, which can retail for as much as $50. There is a similar set sometimes found at Toys ‘R’ Us or Target (for a bit less $$), but apparently it doesn’t come with as many accessories and the manger doesn’t play the music. So if you’re in the market for this, just be aware of the differences.
Every toddler I ever babysat back in the day always loved these things. Build things up, knock them down–they’re fun all around. Nora really likes her little lego-like blocks, so we think she’d get a real kick out of these big ones.
This set is just too cute to pass up. I think she might still be kind of young for it, but seem to remember our nephew starting to “get” how to use these between 18-24 months, so we figured it wouldn’t hurt to have them on hand for a few months down the line. Love pretty much everything Melissa & Doug.
This is going to be a stocking stuffer. Now that Nora strictly feeds herself, it’s been a challenge when we’re at restaurants. We’ll wipe down the table as best we can before putting her food on it, but it’s still kind of gross to have her eat off of it (not to mention, messy). I’m not a total germaphobe, but this seems like it would be good to have.
I thought that launching sippy cups on the floor was supposed to be a phase, but Nora’s been doing it consistently for several months now. So.annoying. I recently found out that this little gadget existed, and we are so getting one. Even if she grows out of the “throwing” phase relatively soon, we figure we’ll still be able to use this in the stroller, in the car, etc. when we don’t want to deal with lost sippy cups, or “sippy cup overboard” incidents. This is one of those parent inventions where I wish *I* had thought of it. Man. I’d be rich.
Nora loves to manipulate objects and put them away. She enjoys a piggy bank toy at daycare with coins to put in the slot, so this seems like it would be right up her alley. I remember having and liking a similar toy when I was young. Plus, I think this is a toy that can grow with her, one which she will play with for a few years. And, we can perhaps even teach her about counting money… some day.
We gave the grandparents options with the Fisher-Price Little People. There are so many cute Little People sets, so you really can’t go wrong. Some of the ones we provided to the grandparents as suggestions are the farm (pictured and linked above), the airplane, the school bus, and the zoo.
Will Nora get all of this stuff? Not unless the grandparents go nuts. :) We plan to Santa will get her a few things (in addition to the nativity set, which we already ordered), but we figure we’ll try to keep it relatively light while we still can. In all actuality, she still has no clue what the heck is going on, so we might as well conserve our money a bit. She’ll for sure be getting some clothes while she has no choice but to tolerate it. :)
What’s on your child’s Christmas list this year? Any “must-have” things that you think we should add to our list? (We’ll be keeping additional things in mind for her next birthday!) Anything on our list that you have and found that your child doesn’t play with? We’re open to suggestions.
When we first decided to purchase life insurance, I never imagined that I’d still be talking about it nearly THREE MONTHS later. But alas, it looks like our fight is finally coming to an end.
If you’ll remember… First, I complained about the cost of it. Even when we were paying “normal” rates.
Then, they told me that my urinalysis showed elevated levels of protein, and made me question whether I had symptomless, hidden kidney disease. I visited my doctor, and had to bring home the jug for 24 hours.
Unfortunately, that test came back with elevated (although it was ever.so.slight) too, so my doctor referred me to a nephrologist (kidney specialist) to rule out everything bad–basically, just so I could contest the ruling of the insurance company.
I never updated you after that, but I went and saw the nephrologist. He took a health history, reviewed my lab results, and essentially laughed. He said that the levels of protein in my urinalysis were “insignificant,” said “You absolutely do not have proteinuria,” and told me that he believed the insurance company’s initial lab results to be erroneous. He deemed me perfectly healthy, with no signs of kidney disease, and promised a letter to explain all of this. He also told me that he’d talk to any physician at the insurance company, if necessary.
I was relieved, and went on my merry way. The next week, I was able to get a copy of the letter from the nephrologist, and I forwarded it to my insurance company right away.
And then I waited again.
And waited.
And waited.
Then, my phone rang yesterday and it was my insurance agent. He said that he had good news for me: The underwriters agreed to adjust my classification, and subsequently, my rate. Not only was I not considered “sub-standard” anymore, but I had been promoted to *SUPER PREFERRED.* In other words, I went from being given the highest rate possible to being given the lowest rate possible.
TAKE THAT, YOU INSURANCE BITCHES.
I might’ve done a little victory dance in my desk chair.
Our initial quote was at the “preferred” rate, which was about $25/month for me. When they decided I was supposedly at high risk for kidney disease, diabetes, or connective tissue disorders, they deemed me “sub-standard,” and jacked my rate up to $55/month. Now? $17/month.
It just goes to show what a racket this whole life insurance business is. Is it totally necessary? Yes. But are they assholes? Yes. Thankfully, I had supportive physicians who were willing to work with me to fight the insurance company and get the rate I deserved. So let this be a lesson to all of you: FIGHT THEM!
And now I shall step off of my soap box and go to bed.
It seems that for months, whenever someone has asked, “How old is [Nora]?” they follow my answer with, “Is she walking yet?”
This question gets old, people.
To help keep things lively, I tried to change up my answer. “Not yet,” I’d always start out, but I’d continue with things like, “She’s taking her time.” Or “She’s just not ready.” Or “We’re enjoying it while it lasts.”
Although she rolled over on time (perhaps even early), started sitting up at an average age, and even belted out an impressive “Tessa” for a first word at 10 months old, Nora has been slow to take on other things. She was late to the party when it came to standing. And crawling. She didn’t cut her first tooth until 10 months old, and still only has a total of four teeth now. As a result of the “no teeth” thing, she was late to tackle finger foods. She still really only has a handful of recognizable words, when other 14-month-olds are talking up a storm by now. And, well, as so many people remind me with that age old “Is she walking?” question–she’s late to learn how to walk.
Most of the time, I don’t worry about any of these things. I know that the “normal” range for milestones is large. Kids do things at their own rates. On their own time. When they’re ready. I know that it doesn’t make Nora “slow.” I know she’s not “dumb.” I have this mommy/spidey/sixth sense that tells me she’s just fine. Plus, our pediatrician has said she’s fine, so there’s professional backup. It also helps that at daycare, Amelia (the other baby girl, just two weeks younger than Nora) has been on the same “schedule” as Nora, and in some ways, Nora has been ahead of her.
Until Amelia started walking two weeks ago.
So, I admit it. Every once in a while, I will see blog posts or video or photos of kids Nora’s age doing things that Nora’s not doing. Or I’ll see these things in children in real life, like with Amelia. And worry tries to creep its way into my mind.
I am happy to say that as of yesterday, Nora is proving my instincts correct, and helping to ease my mind. The last week or two, she’s been taking steps. But just one, maybe two before collapsing into a heap on the floor. She’s been walking a lot more with assistance, but her balance? Pretty much atrocious. She’s kept trucking, though.
And now? Well, see for yourself.
(iPhone video, sorry for the quality.)
About
I'm Heather. I'm 33 and have been married to Michael for seven years. Together, we have two beautiful little girls we love more than anything, and a miniature dachshund who drives us crazy. I'm a full-time working mom who has very little time for my own "stuff" these days, like home improvement, cooking/baking, cake decorating, and photography. Despite the team not making the playoffs since 1999, I'm STILL a Buffalo Bills fan, which I think speaks to my loyalty AND sense of humor. I can't wait to pick up the pace with travel again some day... you know, when we're done being ruled by tiny fists. Welcome to my blog.
