The Kids' Log: August 19-25, 2012

Marlie's Rock 'n Hula Splash Party was Saturday. She has two little friends over and they had a ball. They splashed around in the kiddie pool (until they got too cold. it was windy that day), made sand art necklaces, noshed on Hawaiian dishes, and ran around like monkeys on the loose. Her daddy and me feel like we've been run over by a Mack truck. Preparing for a party (cleaning, decorating, cooking, baking, setting up, hosting) with two little ones on your hands is not easy. I now understand why parents hire party planners, rent venues, and pay caterers. I will no longer judge. All in all, it was worth it. Marlie really needed this with all the changes she has been through recently. I'm a sucker for making her happy.


Toddler Log: 3 Years 1 Week Old 
We were very busy in the days leading up to the birthday party. I made the mistake of telling her about it so that's all she bugged me talked about. On Tuesday, she stayed with a babysitter while I took her brother to the pediatrician for his 4 month baby wellness exam. Then it was her turn on Wednesday for her annual check up. Girlfriend has sprouted! She is now 38 inches (75th percentile) and 31 pounds (50th percentile). She was not happy about getting shots and asked for several Band-Aids afterward. I talked to her doctor at length about our recent challenges in the behavior department and she told me that it was normal for Marlie to act out given the transitions. She suggested that we give her three months to adjust and things should settle down. She also recommended that we cut her some slack as in overlook some of her misbehaving (as long as it's not a threat to her health or safety). I tried doing that for the rest of the week, but it was not easy. I understand what the pediatrician is saying, but Marlie has always been the type of child who takes a mile if you give her an inch. I don't know if I can just let her get away with even the small stuff. 

She is using the potty again and she has been taking naps thanks to my mom hack: daily drives. I take the kids to run errands and she usually falls asleep on the way home. If not, I just drive up into the hilly areas and the curvy, bumpy ride puts her out. But she's wise to my trick. On Friday we went to the supermarket to pick up some items for the party and grab lunch. We had a impromptu picnic in hatch of my car while sitting in the parking lot. That was pretty cool. But she didn't fall asleep on the way home and then she had a meltdown when she realized that I had passed our block and was driving toward the hills. She passed out from crying after 10 minutes, but my nerves were shot.

Baby Log: 20 Weeks Old 
Magoo is a healthy baby boy! He weighs 15.5 lbs and is 26 inches tall. He was a trooper while getting his shots and had no reactions other than being really sleepy. The pediatrician described him as very strong and active. She said we could definitely start giving him some pureed solids, including meats! I know he is going to be thrilled. can't wait to get my baby food maker out of storage next week. He was fussy all day Friday and Saturday and was rubbing his gums with everything he could get his hands on, including his hands. A tooth must not be far behind.