Toddler Chores @ 20 Months

My parenting style is what I would call eclectic with a strong focus on behavior and what my husband might call chaotic! Lets just say I am a lot more interested in teaching my child through play than having a pristine home. That said, I'd love to share some about how we play!

Aiden has been asking to help with feeding the dogs for weeks now! He normally walks to the closet and sticks his hand in the bag of dog food, pulls out a few pieces and puts them in the dog bowl while proudly telling me "Help!" He loves to help! So today when I saw that he had the scoop in his hand and he was wanting to help I decided that today was the day to teach my eager student!

It has been fun to harness his desire to be independent and learn! I would have never thought at 20 months I would already be teaching my kid to contribute to the family!

So far Aiden's chores at 20 months consist of:

1. Carrying his tray to the high chair from the sink

2. Helping to clean up his toys

3. Feeding the dogs (with lots of assistance)

4. Helping to sort the laundry into darks and light piles

I'd love to know what other mommy's are doing with their kids for chores… Cause chores can just be another fun way for kids to learn and mommy to get something done!

4 months and 2 teeth!

My little boy is growing up so fast! I was thinking he was a bit more fussy than usual and then all of a sudden Grandma noticed tiny teeth buds in his mouth!

It is crazy how much teething changed our world! Aiden is now waking up once or twice a night. Most likely cause his mouth hurts, so I just nurse him and back to bed he goes! :) Also the 3 hour naps are a thing of the past, but maybe they will resurface once he is feeling more like himself again!

Even with all the slobber and teething he is the most smiley and happy baby! He loves everything in his mouth to chew on... From his fist to his fingers to random toys, it all looks to him like it should go in his mouth! And he is even able to grab toys on his own and find his mouth! Funny how the little things amaze a mommy! Like his laugh. My little man has the cutest laugh!

Until next month...

Aiden's Mommy

Three months old... How time flys!

Aiden,
I can't believe 3 months has passed! And boy have you changed a lot! I love how you smile at us when we talk to you and you even talk (coo) with us! You are such a happy baby!!!

In addition to all your smiles you also rolled over for the first time this month in front of both sets of grandparents and your parents! You are such a show off! And the the second time you rolled over I had turned my back on you while on the tummy time mat and all of a sudden you were on your back!

Your daddy put you in the swimming pool for the first time after your baptism! You love the water! Maybe you'll be on the swim team in college just like your daddy!

Regardless of what sports you play or don't play, or what career you choose we will love you simply because your our baby boy!

Finally, I can't tell you how much I appreciate that you are a great sleeper! You've been sleeping for 10+ hrs for a few weeks now! Thank you for letting mommy get her rest!

I love you tons!!!
Mommy

It's all about ME!!! (And baby...)

Goal: To look like ME again!

My first three months of being a mommy I was trying to do it all... Take care of baby, keep the house clean, have a hot meal ready when the hubby comes home ect!

I think I'm going to have to take a new approach if I ever want to feel happy and healthy again... The plan is IT'S ALL ABOUT ME!!! (And baby...)

The new approach will be:
1. Take care of little guy's needs
2. Take care of ME... Cook healthy meals, and make time for myself to exercise
3. Then if any time is left I will do housekeeping!!!

One of my biggest fears is being a fat mommy! So here I go, on my journey, "to look like ME again!"

Our First Two Months Together

Aiden,
You were just the sweetest and most content newborn! When we brought you home from the hospital you could sleep through any loud noise, you loved to be held, you slept constantly and you sneezed a lot! Also you had the strongest little hands that loved to hold our fingers as soon as you were born! Your favorite activity was to stretch! Grandpa Montgomery always said it was because you were so cramped in my tummy! Another observation of Grandpa's is how super gassy you are! You were most happy when you were swaddled and laying on someone's chest! Holding you while you slept on my chest was some of my favorite times with you!

Now you are almost 7 weeks old! You still love to stretch and hold our fingers but now you love to look at people's faces! Watching you stare at your daddy while he makes silly expressions at you is so precious! You are getting really strong now! Although, you were born with a strong neck, now you can hold your head up and turn it from side to side and you even push up sometimes with your arms! I love watching you grow!

I love you to the moon and back!
Your Mommy

Lets try this blog thing out...

With a new little baby boy... a dishwasher to unload, clothes to fold, sheets to put on the bed, OK YOU GET THE POINT!

I decided that I didn't have enough to do tonight, so I thought I should start blogging! 

The idea became a necessity when I realized that my memory is HORRIBLE and that photos and video just might not be enough to fully capture MY NEW LIFE as a mommy! And Aiden is so darn cute I don't want to forget even the little stuff! 

So feel free to follow me and my family on our NEW LIFE journey!