Wordless{ish} Wednesday: Ruari's 19 months old! Whoa!

{Photos from 4th of July}

{Wow. I cannot believe how old you are now! I've already started planning some little birthday ditties for your 2 year bday! What? Yeah.}

{So... you are pretty much the silliest baby EVER! It's so crazy seeing your personality form! You are one funny girl (not too surprising since your mama and dada are super silly ;D). One thing I really need to stop doing... is giggling when you fart. It's so hard not to laugh (yeah, I'm 28 and think farts are funny :/). The thing is... you now laugh each time you burp or fart. Ooops! :D}

{You are talking up even more of a storm this month! You're pretty much a copy-cat (gotta watch my potty-mouth) and repeat almost anything we say. You can name pretty much all of your body parts, know the names of a few favorite people and animals, you know your fruits, and the list goes on....}

{Some favorite things you love right now: Doggies (always), Horses, pacifier (addicted), Bernie (your stuffed Bernese Mountain dog that you call, "Buh-bee"), strollers or anything you can push with wheels, Cozy's (aka blankets), going on walks, shoes, Dora the freakin' Explorer (REALLY addicted to this), meltdowns I mean... getting into things and then me telling you no, you're 2 cats and Angus, my mom's cat Inky, Water, Nana's (banana), CoCo (Kelsey's daughter: Coral) and more.}

{You're pretty tall for your age, average weight, and with sort of a big head (in measurement... you're not stuck-up. :D). We have made absolutely no progress into starting potty-training... I set you on the potty and you pretty much freaked out... keep practicing! You do know when you poop... I know this because you announce it to me every time (like you did before you pooped in the tub the other night).}

{As hard as being a mom can be sometimes... I'm absolutely in love with you. I tear up thinking of how much I love you. Love you boo head!}

{- Mama}

{And, if you all get a moment.... 

I'd LOVE a vote! :D}

{If you have a Wordless{ish} Wednesday, please feel free to link it up below. BY the way: Shawntae from A Little King and I now share our Wednesday Linky's. :D. And, feel free to link up to these blogs too... 5 Minutes For Mom, Parenting by Dummies, Project Alicia, Supermom, And Then She Snapped, and Live and Love Outloud.}

♡ Chelsey

You are 18 months old.

Hello my baby girl!
You are officially 18 months old... well, you were on the 18th. BUT, I didn't make it on the date... as usual. No matter! Here we are. I now have a one and a half year old baby. NO... toddler! I mean... you aren't really a baby anymore.

I can't even count how many words you are saying. The doctor asked me at your wellness check... and I told her over a million. Because... you say and know so many words! Sometimes it surprises me when you see something and you say what it is! How do you know? You're so little! You can name most of your body parts... But, you absolutely refuse to call your toes "toes". I say "toes" you repeat "tootsies"! Ha! I blame Coral (via Kelsey) for that one! It's cute. :)

You've renamed your stuffed dog, Bernie, "Buh-bee". <3 . You love your cats! Angus is just there... you love him, but he wont let you slap him like that cats do (they're sick and they love being slapped). You've recently decided that you love to watch Dora (yay! that gives mommy some time to get stuff done! :D). I like to put hats and other accessories on you and tell you to go look in the mirror or show your daddy... you smile and walk slowly (making sure not to drop what I put on you) to look at yourself or show Mike! Ha!

Well... you're even MORE addicted to your pacifier... I'm starting to worry that you wont ever want to give it up... especially since you've been walking around patting it like a baby and "shushing" it. Oh man. You absolutely love animals of all kind... except for Chickens. You were actually shaking when you saw your cousin's chickens. You would point at them and say, "No no no no no no." That's not going to work so well since I plan on getting chickens next year! :D

I could go ON and On and ON ON ON about everything your doing... but, I wont. It's all been documented on this here blog... bwa ha ha ha! :)

I love you SO much. Happy 1.5 year! Next up: Potty training? Hmmm....

Love,
Mama

Vote for our blog for Ruari's 1.5 year birthday? :D

♡ Chelsey

What would you do?

So, earlier today I was walking down memory lane (in my lovely head) and sort of wandered into the dirty mean alley of my memories. When I was younger I had a friend... she moved into a home 2 houses up from me when I was in 4th grade. We were the same age... so, of course we became friends.

I was a pretty shy kid. It was hard for me to put myself out there and meet/make friends. When this girl came a long and my parents introduced us... it was so easy. So... our friendship began.

With time she became very controlling... she was very jealous if I made other friends... I went into 7th grade with really only her as a friend. I was friendly with other people... but, really... she was it.

Long story short... she was very emotionally abusive. Some examples: I remember her seeing a "roll" on my belly and telling me I was fat (I was not). She talked about how her teeth were naturally straight and mine were crooked (I got braces later when I was 20). I would lie to her and tell her she looked good just so she wouldn't get mad at me... but, she would later get pissed at me because she thought I lied to her (which I did ;) ). I told her a girl at school was really mean in class... she told this girl what I said and the girl confronted me and pushed me against the locker (Yeah, this girl is still mean btw). She made me cry so many times I can't even count... she was, and probably still is, a horrible person (yes... my REAL friend worked with her for a couple of weeks this last year... and she was awful. She lied a lot.).

Eventually (when I was 16) I realized that I didn't have to be friends with her... to sit with her (and only her and her friends) at lunch... I could hang out with other people! So, one day... I just said f-this! I completely ditched her. That was THE best decision I made of my younger years. She was headed down the drain and dragging me with her.  I got out!

I began spending more time with my other friends (which... I am still completely best friends with... they are the most amazing girls ever. All 8 of them!)... and I was so happy! The old mean friend moved to another school and I haven't seen her since I was 17. Thank goodness... But, I had been a "friend" with her from 10 - 16.

So... this brings me to my questions... what would you do? How do you prepare your daughter (or son) for this? To be independent and stand up for themselves? I was so unhappy with this friendship I had... I cried so many times... but, I wasn't strong enough to say, "This is crap. I am worth more. This is abuse. I am a great person. I don't have to worry about her feelings and I don't have to be her friend." It took my amazing girlfriends to help me realize this.

How do you help your children realize their potential? Ruari is very quiet and cautious... She wont let go of me in big crowds. I make an effort to never say, "She's shy." or "She's just a little timid." But, it does pop out sometimes. I don't want to tell her this is what she is. I want her to be strong and believe in her self. I know I can't control how her future will go... but, I want her to know she is amazing and can choose her friends. She does not need to put up with that abuse.

Sorry about the downer post today... but, it was such a large part of my teenage years...

❤ Chelsey


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My baby girl.

Thanks to the makers of Pine-Sol® for sponsoring my writing. A study shows a clean smelling home can help children succeed, so Pine-Sol® is supporting Reading is Fundamental (RIF) this year. Click "Like" on Pine-Sol®’s Facebook page here and they will donate books to RIF!

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When you have a baby things change. Fast. I didn't immediately accept these changes when Ruari was first born... but, I do more and more each day. I accept (and truly enjoy) my role as her mother and what it takes to help her grow into a beautiful and lovely person.

As parents we really can feel pushed to do this and do that to make our kids #1 and to grow up to be child prodigy's or young geniuses. I can only imagine the push is even greater these days with the online world. I don't know about you... but, at almost every point during the day I am somehow connected to technology.

So, here I am... concerned that I'm not doing enough to help my baby progress to the next stages in her life... Do I read to her enough? Do we go for enough walks? Do I give her enough attention? Is she getting enough healthy food? All these questions have run through my head more than once. 

Even though I may not have the "correct" answers to the above questions... I know the best thing I can do to help Ruari achieve is to give her my love. To do this I need to take care of me (mind, body, and soul). Enjoy the moment I'm in. Cuddle. Kisses. Be silly. Take breaks when I need them.

I just need to love my baby. And, I do.

A vote for the blog? :D

❤ Chelsey

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Bottom of post: Don't forget to click over to Pine-Sol®'s Facebook page to support our children's success. I was selected for this Pine-Sol® sponsorship by the Clever Girls Collective, which endorses Blog With Integrity, as I do.

Whoops... my baby turns 14 months last Friday!

Hey Ruari!
     SOOoooo... I forgot to create a 14 month post for you! It's because I was WAY too busy having a ton of fun with you! That's right! Well, my dear... you have just turned 14 months old! What? I know! You are getting so old. I'm loving how crazy funny you've become! You seriously think you're a comedian! I swear your babbles are some hilarious joke that I just don't quite understand yet.

You love running (well... walking fast with lots of stumbles) around shaking your arms and hands and yelling crazy babbles (see below)! You tend to do this at night time... I think it's because you're so tired you lose your mind! I love you. You're so cute.




Things you've been up too... "where's your nose?" you point to your nose... "where's your teeth?" you point to your hair :D... I believe the word: "Bagum" is your word for pacifier... you understand the following words: Angus, Pistachio, Princess, Mommy/Mama, Daddy/Dada, eat, drink, milk, dance, push the button, Bernie, kitty, doggy, book, baby doll, banana... I'd like to believe you understand, "no no." But, I know you don't. OR, you pretend you don't...




You say a few words... all of the same from last month. I don't think there's anything new... You LOVE doggies! If you see them ANYWHERE you will scream with excitement! One time you scared two ladies with your scream who were walking a dog and they tripped and bumped into each other. :D

Your poop stinks. Like real bad. Eww... speaking of poop you love the following foods: curried lentils, broccoli, carrots, bananas, oranges, water, LOTS of water, you still have 4 bottles a day, dirt, cat hair, my hair, paper, chicken, mashed potatoes, cream of wheat, applesauce,lots of puffs, and I'm pretty sure you'll eat anything we give you. You eat non-stop...

Your hair is getting very long. So cute... 8 teeth are in with #9 soon to be here!!!... still wearing a size 5 diaper... you give many wet kisses (licks)... you hug a lot... you want me to hold you 24/7... you love our walks... when Daddy gets home you get really excited and are VERY offended if he doesn't pick you up right away... You think it's funny to chase the animals... still a little weary of new people... you've been laying on your tummy and pushing yourself backwards. You think it's hilarious...

I never thought it was possible for me to love something so much... yes, I do have many rough days where I just want to be with myself and not have to pick up a baby every couple of minutes... but, there is no way I would trade this for anything. I love you so much! Your Daddy loves you so much! Your family loves you so much! Happy 14 months!

Love,
Mama

Ruari wants to thank all of you for your daily votes at Top Baby Blogs! She told you're all totally awesome!
 You are welcome to Vote Here... or click below. Then one more click and you're done! Thanks!

❤ Chelsey

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Let's talk about poop.

I know the future 13-year-old Ruari will not like that I'm talking about her poop with the world... but...

I don't know when it happened exactly... but, Ruari's poops are no longer cute! Yes, they were a little cute before... and, they smelled like buttered popcorn... not anymore!!! It is over. They are gross little human poops. Why? When can I potty train her?

Now that she's eating more solids she poops SO much! I change a poopy diaper like 2-3 times a day... So stinky! AND: she's super wiggly when I change her... I'll let you imagine how messy that can get. :)

How can someone so cute be so stinky? That's today's question. :)

TODAY is the LAST day to enter the Valentines Photo Challenge! 

You have a chance to win a ton of awesome prizes!!!

Blogger Robber update: I emailed the guy and said: "...please remove these posts and please stop re posting my posts immediately. Remove any blog posts you have taken from this URL: http://www.thepapermama.blogspot.com.

Please do this as soon as possible. If this does not happen in a timely manner I will have to file a Digital Millennium Copyright Act notice. Thank you." I found the information here: Wordpress Content Theft

He was very nice about it and apologized. Yay!

A vote for my blog?

❤ Chelsey


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Nosy Neighbor.

We have a nosy neighbor. NO... not any of MY neighbors.... my daughter...

Our neighbors are awesome. Couldn't ask for better... but, here's my daughter... ALWAYS watching out the window... pointing and yelling at dogs and cats.... staring at any passerby's. Be careful little girl... You're getting known as the nosy neighbor! ;D

While eating she always prefers to face out the window... not face towards me (I'm boring)... Really only looking down to grab another banana. 

The best is when you see a doggy walk by... you smile real big... point... and yell real loud!

"Huh... I wonder where that person's headed?"

Announcements: Don't forget to enter my giveaway and take your Valentines photo for the Valentines Photo Challenge!

A vote for my nosy neighbor?

By the way.... I haven't really mentioned it... BUT... I am walking for babies. March of Babies that is! I've set a goal for myself: $200 before the end of April. UUUUUuuuuuuuuuuuuuuummmmmmmmmmmmmmm.... I've raised $5.... And, I'm the one that donated that. :D SO, if you have a couple of dollars and feel like donating it to something cool... click here or the button below. Some of you may recall that my baby girl was early and her's and my life were saved because of medical advancements.Thank you. :)

Wordless{ish} Wednesday: Ruari turns 13 months!

{Well.... she turned 13 months yesterday. BUT, I forgot to write up a post to have ready for Tuesday. So, I took a bunch of photos of her on her 13 months day!}

{What's up with you:

- You turned 1-year-old one month ago! Wow.
- You've taken 3-4 consecutive steps about 5 times.... :D
- You love to stand on your own.
- You "cruise" around the whole house.
- Crawl non-stop.
- Babble babble babble. Seriously. You hold whole conversations with anything. Even your hands!

- You weigh 21 pounds.
- Foods you love: Bananas, Greek yogurt, oranges, eggs, chicken, feta, kalamata olives, blue cheese, any cheese, apple sauce.. ok, you'll pretty much eat anything we give you now. :D Yes, you even like lemons!
- Your FAVORITE toy is Bernie the Bernese Mountain Dog
- You yell REALLY loud anytime you see a real doggy. Yesterday you scared two ladies when you yelled at their dog! It was funny. :D
- You'll stop what you're doing if you see a animal on TV.
- You love to lick give kisses to us.
- Dancing is a little hobby of yours.

- You give kisses to all your stuffed animals (these kisses seem more like bites...).
- You LOVE to lay your head down and hug your giant teddy bear!
- It's pretty hilarious when we chew on your toes. You've even started sticking your feet up to our mouths.
- Changing your diaper/changing your clothes is SO much more difficult since you hate it so much.
- Bathtime is pretty cool. You don't have any bath toys... I don't know why. But, you love to play with the was cloth.
- 10 Little Babies is your favorite book to read. You will sit and talk to that book for a good half hour. All the little pictures.
- We can ask "Where's the kitty?" or "Where's the doggy?" and you'll point them out.
- Words you are saying: Was da? (what's that), A dah? (also what's that), An-duh (Angus), Mamamamamam (Mama), Da da (daddy), Dongay (Doggie), Duguh (also Doggie), AND you make a ton of other noises that I don't quite know what they mean.

- There's a major addiction to that pacifier you have there... you have to sleep with it... or you'll wake up in the middle of the night. *sigh*
- You're getting better around other babies... not as shy.
- You've been resting your head against me. I love it.
- We actually sat and cuddled on your giant teddy bear yesterday. For 10 minutes! You never sit still that long. :D
- Pretty much you're turning into a pretty amazing girl.

Love,
Mama}

{Happy 13 months baby girl!}

{A vote for Ruari's 13

month celebration?}

{Have you entered your Valentine photo yet? Two more weeks to enter! AND, check out Six Cherries on Top's Funny Valentine photo challenge. Maybe you can combine the 2 for a DOUBLE chance at winning goodies?!}

{If you have a Wordless{ish} Wednesday, please feel free to link it below. And, feel free to link up to these blogs too... (Wordless Wednesday HQ, 5 Minutes For Mom, Parenting by Dummies, A Beautiful Mess, Go Graham Go, Supermom, Live and Love Outloud, and My Wee View.). Happy Wednesday to all of you! Don't forget to check the announcements above the posts. Giveaways and the photo challenges!}