Toddler Log: 2 Years and 13 Weeks

The week started off rough. The time adjustment (and maybe my growing bump too) seemed to throw Marlie into a weird place. Not only was she waking up too early, she continued to wake up several times in the middle of the night and then she decided to throw tantrums when you put her back to bed. I'm talking screams and cries so loud that I'm am sure the neighbors could hear. The whole episode would leave me frazzled because what mom wants to lay in bed and listen to her child sound like the girl from The Exorcist? I wanted to get up and comfort her or let her sleep with us. But I stuck to my guns and let her daddy escort her back to her own room every time because "it's for her own good." By mid-week she stopped the nightwaking and she's almost back to waking up at a reasonable time (6 am, I'll take it!). 

What else?

• It looks like Marlie has finally picked a lovie (besides me). She has been napping and sleeping with her dolly (it's a custom waldorf-inspired cloth doll that I won in a giveaway). She also likes to travel with her pink giraffe. I couldn't be more thrilled that she is seeking comfort and companionship in these stuffed toys and not always looking to me.
• She loves walking up to people and saying, "I two!" while holding up both of her index fingers. No peace sign for her. She always has to be different.
• I got her addicted to hot cocoa and now she wants "cucoo" all the time. My husband is giving us the side-eye because we are drinking the expensive stuff (no instant mix here!). Real cocoa powder, almond milk, and real brown sugar are pricey so he wants us to limit our cocoa consumption to the weekends. I tried cutting the milk with water, but it just doesn't taste the same! I have few niceties in my life. I don't go the the salon every week to get my hair and nails done. I don't buy new clothes at all. I don't have a daily lunch date with girlfriends or buy myself a grande mocha latte every morning. So, if I want to "treat" myself and my daughter with some bloody cocoa in the morning, I deserve that luxury.
• The giveaways gods think I deserve nice stuff too: I scored a HUGE win this week, a mamaRoo baby seat! I can check baby bouncy seat off my list of stuff I need to replace for the new baby since I sold or gave away all the infant gear we got for Marlie. Sweet. I also won a Seventh Generation prize pack that includes 4 bottles of dish soap, sponges and a Le Crueset baking dish.
• We took our Christmas photo on Saturday afternoon and then rushed over to the Markeys house for a delicious dinner. Marlie and Orlaith played so well together. It gave me hope that Marlie will get along with her sibling.