Happy second birthday!

Check out the difference just a year can make in a toddler. She does not even look like the same child. But gosh, she is a cutie.

We had a small tribe birthday celebration at Tim and Misty's on Sunday. She got way too many cool toys. In fact, a couple of them were retro toys that I owned when I was kid: Mrs. Potato Head and a Sit n' Spin. Some things never go out of style!

Here are her stats:

Weight:

18 months - 22 lbs and 14 oz.
24 months - 26 lbs
(The lil porker gains over 3 lbs!!)

Height:

18 months - 30 1/2 inches
24 months - 33 inches

(luckily she also gained a few inches)

Are PJ's allowed to be worn during the day?

Greta is breezing thru all of the usual two year old developmental milestones including wanting to pick out her own clothes. In fact, take a look at the good night outfit she chose last night - including socks! (sorry for the poor phone photo quality)

I should be happy she's exhibiting choice and independence so early on, right? But I'm stressed. Why?

Lately, she only picks out pajamas - for every change of clothes - day or night!

In fact, she absolutely refuses to be dressed in any daytime clothes without an all-out crying tantrum. Not even food and drink bribery can lure her into her shorts and tank top. This leads to morning stress and on top of that... I am beginning to think it is only a "mommy" problem.

Here's why:

Men seem much more lenient about the daytime PJ's issue. There have been more than one occasion when I picked up Greta at the sitters after a night at her Daddy's home and the PJ's are still on. Dudes are fine with it or they just don't want to take on the battle. Should I do the same and pick my battles too?

A lingering enigma that I have been trying to figure out is how exactly does a young toddler even know the difference between day time and night time clothes? There must be clever little aliens habitating in cute like toddler bodies....

Swiss Miss-ter!

Got 32 seconds?

That's all it will take for pure indulgence no matter if you prefer chocolate, truffles, tennis, Switzerland, clever humor or.... it's citizens.

Ahh, what a nice break in the day.

Back to baybe stuff tomorrow...

Addicted to Love(y)

What exactly is a lovey?

A lovey, also known as a transitional object, is something that a child uses to aid their feeling of security. A perfect example of a lovey is the Linus’ blanket in Peanuts. Not all children have a lovey, but studies show that more than half of all toddlers do have a special blanket, doll, or stuffed animal.

I can't remember exactly when Greta's lovey, we call "bookers", came into her life as a true crutch. But I look back at pictures and there it was with her at 15 months old. So it's been nearly a year.

In that time, she has gone thru no less than SIX loveys - all the same, of course. Some have been lost and others wore out. Right now we have two that we cycle out between Derek's, Ana's and home...

The BIG problem is that this particular lovey has been discontinued in the US and I can only order new ones from obscure overseas outlets - bookers is very hard to find and expensive to ship. Plus it takes weeks to get here in some cases...

So you can understand why I am asking all of you experienced folks out there just how long we will need to keep this transitional object around.

She has rejected similar books by the same manufacturer and even turns away a brand new bookers because it is not all tattered and worn. We need to break it by washing and distressing it for a week or two before she'll even touch it. She must have bloodhound in her....

So my advice to other parents out there: please make sure you choose a mainstream lovey that you can buy plenty of extras at the local Target and stock up! In the meantime, let's hope we can phase her off "bookers" before the last two are lost or simply disintegrate...

If I leave here tomorrow...

I'll never think of Free Bird the same after seeing Xena (4 1/2 years old) and Greta (almost 2) jam out to it.

Our weekend trip to see Maria in Minnesota over labor day was a 100% kiddie-friendly fest. It consisted of everything from walks to the tot lot, trampoline workouts and of course *monster* cookies at the pool party.

It was the first time all of our kiddies met each other and from the wild success of the visit, I am sure there will be more cross-country play dates in future... Greta and I are truly blessed to have such dear friends!

Thanks for having us Maria and Reed!!

Does your child need a BRAT diet?

Greta does and it's not because of her spunky 'tude

I won't get into the icky details but those of you who are "in the know" on why this diet is used understand what Miss Greta (and more importantly, her diaper changer) has been dealing with for the past four days.

I called the doc this a.m. and was elated to hear that unlike most times in the past, they did not want me to drop what I was doing, leave work early, and take her into the office for an hour long wait over nothing particularly earth-shattering. They suggested first that I try the BRAT diet on her.

Am I the only parent who has never heard of this?

As my wise boss (and father of two teenagers) says: "it's not what you know - it's what you don't know" :D

Snoop Dogg and children's television programs

How could these two have ANYTHING in common?

Read on..

There's a party in my City!

This is the name of the official 2010 Yo Gabba Gabba tour that Greta will be attending tomorrow as part of her early birthday present.

YGG is a popular kids show on Nick Jr. developed by two hip Dads in California with no writing or broadcast background. That's probably why they can get away with songs like: "Don't hit your friends!"

It has become a cult classic with toddlers, kids and adults alike especially since some of the show's guests are incredibly huge personalities that you would not think would perform on a kids show. Past guests who perform an exclusive "dancey dance" or song include:

• Jack Black
• Mos Def
• Tony Hawk
• Sean Kingston
• Sarah Silverman
• Anthony Bourdain
• Weezer
• Devo

On the tour, a mystery celebrity guest is featured in each city. A week ago when they were in LA on tour, Snoop Dogg was the surprise guest. No S*$#!!

Who will they feature from DC? Michelle Obama? General Patraeus?

Could I possibly be more excited to attend than my YGG obsessed child?

Are your children permitted to eat candy?

Mine is.

Since I work at the National Confectioners Association, wouldn't it look a little funny if I did not let Greta indulge in a treat every now and then?

In fact, studies have found that moderation is a much healthier lifestyle over restriction and/or elimination. As the saying in our office goes: there are no bad foods, just bad habits.

The fact that candy represents less than two percent of the calories Americans consume cannot be overlooked. It is a little pleasure that is part of a healthy, active lifestyle. And take my word that, if anything, Greta is fulfilling that "active" lifestyle (times 10).

All that said, aren't you ready to go out and indulge in your favorite treat? If so, take it a step further and share one of your most memorable candy moments with others on our NCA website.

Greta's current favorite:

She recently inherited one of Great Grandma Blanche's loves for DeMet's Turtles. They are milky, chewy, carmel-aly with just enough pecans to please your pallet. Sweet heaven indeed and so much fun to watch her eat!

Do the Hustle!

So Greta and I "were fam-i-ly" at the 9:30 Club BABY LOVES DISCO event on Sunday morning.


The vibe was absolutely positive charged with the best 70s and 80s dance music thoughtfully volumed at a level that made it easy to dance to or carry on a conversation. Bubbles streamed from all corners and kids in every type of party outfit "didn't stop til they had enough".

This is probably one of the best times I have ever had in a club and the strongest beverage I was drinking was Elmo-brand mini juice boxes :D

Greta even got to experience the long wait lines associated with entry to any popular club - the only difference was that these lines were polluted with strollers, binkies and sippy cups.

Greta jived to the "last dance" two hours past her nap time but it did not matter. She was "stayin' alive" while she "turned the beat around."

This is a must-see for anyone - not just parents. The 9:30 Club staff made sure everyone was having a "celebration" in "Funkytown" and for those of you who don't mind drinking before Noon on Sunday - the bar was open for business.

This enlightening mommy-daughter experience reminded that there "ain't nobody" like my little "dancing queen" and that "I will survive" the single mom lifestyle and in some cases, even embrace it.

Baby Loves Disco!

This Sunday at the 9:30 Club!

What is Baby Loves Disco?

70's and 80's music, bubble machines, egg shakers, drums, scarves, healthy snacks and LOTS of dancing.

Yes - the entry cost is $20 per person - including toddlers!

Yes - it happens smack dab in the middle of Greta's nap time!

Yes - even though it is at one of the hippiest night clubs in DC - there is NO alcohol for the parents.

But still, the concept intrigues me and my friend at work Karen, gave me an outfit (including tutu) a couple weeks ago that is just perfect for this event.

Should we go?

If anyone has ever gone to one of these kiddie hipster events - let me know what you thought.

Playdoh - the Devil's instrument!

How excited was I to bring out the multi-colored Playdoh kit Greta's great Aunt Cheryl got for her a few months back.

I was saving this childhood classic for a rainy day and this was it!

But how was I to know that Greta was going to have a full-on toddler-style panic attack when I took out the blue Doh and put it into the clunky garlic press-like tool. When the Doh started coming out the other end she went into a full out save-me the sky-is-falling wail and scurried into my arms like the playdoh would blind her if see looked at it.

It was a good 30 minutes before she calmed down...

Is Greta an anomaly or has anyone else's kids gone thru this?

I guess I can forget about a pottery class for her.

Greta has crush!

Have other parents found that often a child will feel more comfortable with one sex over another?

It is no mystery that Greta already loves to engage the "boys" after she gets over her shy period. In fact, at nearly 23 months, her flirting skills have far surpassed mine.

Her latest obsession is Ram (aka Poppa Bear). On Friday afternoon, we met Ram and his friend Shannon at Baked and Wired for cupcakes. It's the highly-acclaimed yet under publicized locals choice to the Georgetown Cupcakes monopolizing the tourist crowds on M Street.

Amazingly, Miss Shy-Girl was elated to let Ram walk her around the waterfront and see the boats and duckies. Ram quickly became her new best friend. I could learn a few quick tips from her!