Uh Oh

One morning, I woke up to the sounds of continuous uh-oh's coming from the baby monitor.  When I took a look to see what the uh-oh's were all about, this is what I saw:

 These are not one arm fashion pajamas--our little girl is learning how to take off her clothes.  The next night, Chloe had a hard time going to sleep--and now you see why.... She is getting better and took her arm out the right way. 

Elmo and Big Bird Move in.

The newest additions to Chloe's bathroom decor. 

Elmo and Big Bird. 

 I looked long and hard for a growth chart that would work for both kids and that went with my ABC/Elmo theme of the Bathroom to put on this big wall.  After countless hours searching the internet, I decided to do my own thing.  I purchased a Big Bird decal from Walmart.com and we will make marks to show how big Chloe (and soon her little brother) is compared to Big Bird.  

I couldn't resist the Elmo decal and had to get it.  This one is right across from the bathtub so Chloe can talk to him while she takes a bath.

A little Elmo dancing on her towel rack.

And Chloe just loves this little bird that is right next to her sink. 

There are still several blank area, such as the space above Big Bird and 2 areas in the toilet/shower area that could use some artwork--so I'm still on the search for items to finish the bathroom decor.  Maybe add some numbers to the alphabet theme, or a foreign language alphabet poster--maybe spanish, hebrew, or even sign language. 

Run run as fast as you can,

You can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread man!

With the help of Grandma T, Chloe did catch the gingerbread man.  

She wouldn't wear the cute gingerbread apron and chef's hat that Grandma T bought for her, but she did use her little rolling pin.

Time to cut out the gingerbread man.

 Chloe's favorite part of baking cookie was playing with the flour.  She discovered how to spread it all over the table and then clap her hands and wave her hands--you guessed it--flour was everywhere.

Latkes for Hanukkah

Nana and Grandpa Kron taught Chloe how to make Latkes during Hanukkah.

First you take a piece of cut up potato.

And then you put the potato into this grinder and spin the handle to shred it.

This is fun. More potatoes please!!!

The Next Food Network Star

Chloe hasn't quite decided her culinary personality yet, but with her new play kitchen that she got from Mom and Dad for Hanukkah, I'm sure she'll be creating delicious creations to share with everyone. 

We had planned on making her a kitchen out of an old nightstand. I have seen so many cute ones on the internet and even bought a nightstand at goodwill for $4.99, but when we saw this play kitchen at Costco for a great price--we decided that we really didn't think we were ever going to build the other one for her.

Chloe's kitchen is very interactive. It has a microwave, and oven with buttons to push that make noises.  It also has a cell phone and kitchen light and also a burner that works with the pots and pans.  When you but the pan on the burner it makes noises as if frying an egg and when the pot goes on, it makes bubble noises as if water is boiling. 

Bon Appetit!

Chloe's Thanksgiving Feast

Chloe's toddler class invited all the parents to participate in a Thanksgiving Feast.  Her classroom was decorated with all of the fall art projects the kids worked on all month. 

Here is Chloe's turkey placemat 

Before we sat down for the feast, the kids colored and played with Thanksgiving stickers.

It was fun to see all the kids and their parents.  Chloe stuck to her usual lunch and feasted on blueberries and chicken, she didn't even try the mashed potatoes, but they sure were good!

18 Months

Chloe celebrated her half birthday and turned 18 months the day after Thanksgiving.  We celebrated by going for her first ride in the wagon that she got from Grandma T and Grandpa Ken for her 1st birthday.  She loved the wagon ride.  There are two seats--one for her and one for her doggie.  Her doggie, who I think is officially named Ruff-Ruff, is definately her favorite--she sleeps with him, eats with him, even takes a bath with him sometimes.  When she doesn't have him in her arms, she walks around the house saying Ruff-Ruff, Ruff-Ruff and often remembers exactly where she last left him. She understands just about everything we say and for us, it is like a constant game of charades.  She still uses her sign language for milk, more, and all done, but it is often accompanied by short little versions of the words.  She has mastered saying Mommy, Daddy, up, more, ball, no, please (which she prounounced peas).  She knows animal sounds-Cow says Moo, and Sheep say Baa, Dogs say Ruff Ruff, Cats say Meow, and Pigs say Wee Wee Wee ( she hasn't mastered the oink oink yet).  She loves when her Daddy plays patty cake with her and often says more more. She also knows hand motions to several songs including "The Wheels on the Bus", "Itsy Bitsy Spider", "If Your Happy and You Know It".  Chloe loves to wake up in the morning and climb on Mommy and Daddy's bed and watch her morning cartoons.  She really likes all the Playhouse Disney shows including, Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Timmy Time, Chuggington, and Special Agent Oso.  We still think she may be a mail sorter when she grows up as she loves to put things into containers and then take them out and sort them and then put them back in.  Mommy has built up enough courage to let her color at home and not just at school.  So far the walls are ok, but we did find crayons stuffed into the couch cushions.  She has been eating better over the past few weeks and has even eaten a cheese quesadilla, peanut butter sandwhich.  She still loves her blueberries and chicken sausage, but grapes are a close second.  We are trying to get some vegetables in her and tonight she actually ate some sweet potato and even asked for more.  She ate them really well as an infant, but as a toddler it is been hard to get her to eat them.  I sneak them in her smoothies, but we are still trying and hopefully the sweet potato success is a sign of good veggie eating habits to come.  She is a great sleeper and often sleeps 11 or 12 hours at night with about a 2 hour nap in the afternoon.  We have the bedtime routine down pretty well now.  However, she no longer likes to sit on Mommy or Daddy's lap while reading her bedtime stories.  She likes to sit in the rocker all by herself and sometimes even "reads" the books herself.  She loves books and sometimes wants to read 10 before going to bed.  She turns the pages and points the pictures.  She even gets picky about what books she wants to read and which she does not.  Everyday is a new Chloe Adventure!

School Picture Daze

Lights, Camera, Action---Well, not so much this year.  Chloe was not excited about getting her picture taken at school.  They tried several times to get her to smile or laugh, but she was scared of those big umbrella lights that the photographer was using.  We even took re-takes and they couldn't even get her to sit in the chair to snap a few pics. 

Here is Chloe's 1 year old classroom with her teachers Miss Sonia, Miss Alicia, and Miss Dianna.

 Smile....maybe next year.

A look back:

I found these pictures on my work computer and just can't believe it is the same little girl who now tells us "No, No", watches cartoons, climbs up and down stairs on her own, and can even walk backwards.

Bathroom Fun!

Chloe now has a place to hang her towels. 

I'm so happy with my first etsy.com purchase.  The colors look great and go so well with the letter border and Elmo C.  Now...I must get that growth chart to hang on the other wall--I want to do her first measurement when she turns 18 months and that is about 20 days away.

Chloe also is using her stepstool to reach the sink.  She loves to climb up and down the steps.  She washes her face and hands and even brushes her teeth.  Speaking of teeth--there are more to report.  It seems as if she has been teething forever and now they are all starting to break through.  Her bottom right molar is in and the top one is breaking through as well.  The left bottom molar is peeking out a bit and I can't tell if there is anything on the top.  It is quite difficult to pry her mouth open to see them, but every once in a while she'll let me have a peek. 

Here is Chloe dancing with herself in the mirror. 

I'm really glad that we decided with a unisex theme for the bathroom as Chloe will have to share it with her baby brother.  I think we are wishing we would have put two sinks in the bathroom, but hindsight is 20/20 right.....it will be a lesson in sharing.   You can read all about how we are preparing for the next kronbaby at http://www.kronbaby2.blogspot.com/.  I've also added a link in the side bar. 

Lil' Lady Bug!

No mom, no more pictures.

Chloe may not have been all smiles on this day, but we still got some great shots that capture this 17 month old in action. 

I just love these little feet.

"I think I'll have one lick and then throw this on the ground"

"Better to see you with my dear"

"OMG, my parents locked the keys in the car.  I need my snacks, I need my doggie, and I need a clean diaper--text me later"

More little feet!

Chloe's Model Pout

Splish Splash, Taking a Bath

I am just so excited over my first Esty.com purchase.  I finally came to the realization that a working mom cannot do it all, so I paid a crafty person to make custom hooks for Chloe's Bathroom.  Each letter will have a peg to hang towels, robes, etc on.  The colors match the alphabet border around the top of the bathroom and I think the block style of lettering compliments the "ABC/Elmo" theme of the decor.  I can't wait to get them and hang them on the wall. 

There is still lots to do--Growth Chart (before she turns 18 months-better get moving on that), Shower curtain, and I have room for at least 2 or 3 pictures.  I'm debating on whether or not to add more alphabet decals in the shower/tub area, or if I should do a number border instead, or if I should spell out --Bathtime is fun over the tub.  What to do...what to do....

Little Red Riding Hood

Every week this month, Chloe's class is learning a new story.  So far they've done Old MacDonald had a farm, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstock.  Every day they read the story, and then have an activity.  They learned all the sounds of the animals on Old MacDonald's Farm, they planted magic beans for Jack and the Beanstock, and they do artwork to post on their classroom bulletin boards.

Here is Chloe's version of Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf. 

Do we have a little Picasso on our hands?