– Read all Talking With My Toddler posts here. –

But right around that time, we went from one kid to two and I quickly understood why moms lower their output expectations once they are outnumbered.

Here’s the thing though. I now feel terrible I haven’t blogged as much of Cole’s life as I did Lilly’s. I know it’s normal. Kind of like completing a baby book, or getting the nursery decorated before their first birthday. The odds of completion drastically decrease with each kid.

Well, it’s time I give this little guy his portion of the spotlight!

Cole had initially been slower to talk, but we have seen huge improvement in the last 8 months. He has always been very talkative and clearly had a great vocabulary, but no one could understand him except me. He officially started speech therapy last summer, which we opted to move forward with, since he still struggles with pronunciation. Plus, everyone told me it’s better to be proactive. I’d rather be working ahead on developing his speech now, than risk him struggling when he starts school.

Fast forward to now and he is mostly understood by many people around him. He occasionally still needs his Cole-to-English translator (me), but he can hold his own quite well. It’s been incredible to see his funny personality come alive.

I foresee many, many humorous additions in this round of Talking With My Toddler. For starters, I think he works the word penis into at least one conversation per day. More on that in the future

For this edition, I thought I would start off sweet. For out of all the things Cole has learned to say, this one is the most important. Last week, he and I had a little conversation in the car on our way back from speech therapy.

I mean, it is really hard to kick him out of bed when he’s this damn cute.

Prior info needed – Since December, I can almost count on one hand the number of times he has slept in his own bed all night. We thought it started as teething, then it was a cold, then more teeth and now? Well, who the hell knows. Either way, he starts off in his bed and winds up in ours hours later. So I decided to ask him why.

Me: “Hey, listen bubba, I wanted to ask you a question.”

Cole: “A keston?”

Me: “Yes, a question. Where are you supposed to sleep at night?”

Cole: “In my liten queen big boy bed” (Translation – Lightening McQueen bed, because we’re kick ass parents.)

Me: “That’s right. In your big boy bed. So bub, why have you been crawling into bed with mom and dad?”

Cole: (being sure to lock eyes with me in the rear view mirror to really drive home the melt…) “Because I miss mommy and daddy. I wuv mommy and daddy.”

He said this last line with such a sweet, sincere and almost sad tone. Tears immediately hit my eyes and I had to hold them back so I didn’t really upset him. Cole has said “I love you” in response to having it said to him, but this was the very first time he had said it on his own initiative and he used the right context.

Me: “Oh baby. We love you too. I love you so much.”

Cole: “I wuv you too much!” (his typical excited response to that statement)

With this conversation, he effectively melted away whatever parenting concerns I had about him crawling into bed with us. Once I repeated the chat to Adam, it did the same for him. I know the issue of independence and co sleeping can divide parents into one of two camps, but frankly, I don’t care. At this point, we are neither for or against it. Our toddler wants to cuddle for the last half of the night because he loves us. That’s all the information we need.

That being said, ideally speaking, he will grow out of his before he’s 18, or it might be a bit awkward. 

The post Talking With My Toddler. Round 2. #1. Learning the language of love. appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Our baby boy’s first official photo :)

Last Wednesday, we had our full scan ultrasound. I had been counting down the days for this one, since we were hoping to find out the sex of the baby. Spoiler alert – It’s a boy!!!

My husband and I are both very excited. We’ll have the “millionaires family” as they call it.

Lilly, however, is a bit of a different story. Next to hearing the news, she was the best part of the ultrasound…

Technicial: “So, do we want to find out the sex?”

Me: “Yes, if we can!” (she had mentioned the baby was on it’s tummy. I didn’t know if that impacted what she could see.)

Technician: (moving the wand to a different part of my belly) “Alright, well there are two leg bones there….and what does that look like in between?”

Me: (giggling) “Well, that looks like a penis.”

Technician: “That’s what that looks like to me as well.”

Adam: “Yeah!”

Lilly: (Throwing her hands up in the air triumphantly) “Yeah, it’s a baby girl!”

The technician, Adam and I all burst out laughing. Bless her little three year old heart. We’ve definitely had enough chats in the house about body parts that she knows the difference, but apparently her hope for a sister out weighed her ability to make the connection.

Me: “No sweetie. That means it’s a boy.”

Lilly: (staring down the technician as if this is her fault) “Uhhh. I wanted a girl!”

Adam: “Well honey, we told you we don’t get to decide. I think you will like having a baby brother.”

Her only response to this was to cross her arms and crinkle her nose. Obviously Daddy was wrong with his assumption in that moment.

About an hour later, after our visit with our obstetrician, Lilly and I are getting into the car to head home. I thought I would see if she felt any different after hearing his heart beat again and getting to look at his first official photos.

Me: “Well Lil, you’ve had time to think about it. Are you excited to have a baby brother yet?”

Lilly: (doing her best toddler eye-roll and heavy sigh) “Yeah. I guess a little bit.”

Ideally speaking, she will learn to accept the idea of a baby brother…and won’t try to treat him like a little girl. However, MY little brother has some traumatizing memories of being decked out in dresses with bows in his hair, so maybe I shouldn’t hold out too much hope for that one…

The post Talking With My Toddler #22: It’s a Boy! appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Lilly: “The baby can hear me now?”

Me: “Yes, the baby is just starting to hear. So you can say hi, or sing a song. Maybe teach the baby some words.”

Lilly: “Teach her (she’s insistent on a girl…) what kinds of words, Mama?”

Me: “Anything you like sweetie.”

Lilly takes a moment to contemplate this information, then after looking like she has decided on her contribution to the baby’s vocabulary, leans in close to my belly…

Lilly: (in a slightly singing tone) “Bum. Bum. Bum. Bum. Bum. Bum. Bum.”

Me: “That’s the first word you want to teach to the baby?! (rolling my eyes) Lovely Lilly.”

She takes this older sibling duty thing very seriously. Obviously.

The post Talking With My Toddler #21: Teaching the baby new words appeared first on Ideally speaking....

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If you’re a regular here, than you know I have recently blogged about the constant battle we are currently in with my daughter and her new found defiance. She’s just at that stage. The terrible 2s just seem to be spilling over a bit into the 3s…

One of her acts of rebellion is that she tries specifically not to look at us when she is being spoken to. I constantly have to say, “honey, please look at me,” in order to really get her attention when we’re having a discussion.

Recently, she fed it back to me in a way that had be struggling to keep my composure in check. This kid is funny, and in times of scolding, she knows how to work it.

She had put up a good solid fight leaving daycare, wouldn’t put on her shoes, wouldn’t collect her toys and just generally wouldn’t listen. When I finally got her outside, she bolted down the sidewalk. When I caught her, she was giggling, obviously pleased with herself.

At least one of us was.

Mama: “Lilly, you have to listen better to me. I don’t like having to get upset, or repeat myself or chase you. Ok?”

Lilly: (dazing off, away from me, completely ignoring me)

Mama: “Lilly, please look at me when I’m talking. Honey?”

Lilly: “What?” (looking in my general direction, but staring at the floor)

Mama: “No, please look me in the eyes. I would like to talk to you for a minute.”

Lilly: (looking up and smirking) “Look into my eyes…. look into my eyes….” (in her best Madame Mystery voice, waving her hands in front of her)

Mama: (trying and failing not to laugh at her) “You’re a funny kid you know that? Just please try to listen better to Mama, ok?”

Lilly: (still giggling and waving her hands) “Ok.”

And just like that our discussion was over. I have no idea where she even got that bit, but it was well played.

*Read more little musings with my funny lady with the rest of my Talking With My Toddler posts.

The post Talking With My Toddler #20: Look into my eyes. appeared first on Ideally speaking....

This week has been a hot one. Even with little bits of rain here and there, there really hasn’t been a break. We don’t have air in the house and as a result, our whole family wakes up every morning looking like one giant sweaty mess.

Early this morning, I looked over at Lilly sitting on the couch, trying to wake up. I just couldn’t get over just how adorable she was. She had slept in just an undershirt and pullup and woke up with the world’s messiest toddler hair but she was still the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

So I told her so.

Mama: “Did you know you’re the prettiest girl in the world?“

Lilly: “No I isn’t.“

Mama: “Well, I think you are.“

Daddy: “Who do you think is the prettiest girl in the world honey?“

Lilly: (pointing at me) “Mommy!“

Daddy: “Yeah! Good answer!“

Mama: (lifting her into a big hug) “Aww thank you sweetheart. For the record I think you’re prettier than Mama.“

Daddy: “Hey, who’s the prettiest boy in the world?“

Lilly: (pointing at daddy) “Daddy!“

Atta girl! She sure knows how to pick a handsome one

*Read more little musings with my funny lady with the rest of my Talking With My Toddler posts.

The post Talking With My Toddler #19: Who’s the prettiest girl in the world? appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Lilly is getting to an age where I can legitimately start involving her in some decision making processes. This is great. I love hearing her opinions on things. Granted, largely because they are often hilarious.

Case in point.

Mommy: “So honey, Father’s Day is coming up. That’s a special day for daddys. I think we should get Daddy a present.“

Lilly: “A present!?! Yeah! I get a present too?“

Mommy: “Well no, you and I just get a present for Daddy.“

Lilly: (now visibly less excited about said event) “Oh. Ok.“

Mommy: “What do you think that we should get Daddy?“

Lilly: “I dunno.“

Mommy: “Do you think he would like some new clothes?” (I say smiling, trying to be funny. Although we did get him a new suit a couple years ago)

Lilly: (giggling – she knows Daddy hates clothes shopping) “No!” (then, getting excited again) “I know! Um, how about we get Daddy beer!“

She knows her father so well.

And just like that, on the full advice of my 2 year old, we bought Daddy a home brewing kit.

To be honest, I had thought of this before. What with the new house coming with a keg fridge and all. But it was truly the perfect mix of funny and endearing to hear Lilly suggest it as the perfect present.

And as if that wasn’t funny enough, we decided to fill out a little questionnaire as part of Father’s Day as well. Daddy is 3. His favourite food is lunch. Obviously.

FYI – I take no credit for the two adorable Father’s Day printables above. The card came from the  Dreamsicle Sisters and the questionnaire from Kinzie’s Kreations. Thank you Pinterest

*Read more little musings with my funny lady with the rest of my Talking With My Toddler posts.

The post Talking With My Toddler #18: She knows her father well. appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Like so many toddlers before her, Lilly is completely fascinated with money. She doesn’t care so much for the paper money. The coins are where it’s at.

She’s already begun the regular scavenging, heading first for Daddy’s lunch pail when he gets home and then heading for his night stand next. He’s the sucker who leaves his money laying around and she knows it.

Lately I have been reminding her that she needs to ask Daddy before taking mitts full of his loose change. Once he says yes (as he always does – she is a daddy’s girl…) we take it to her room and add it to her savings. We’ve been using a little porcelain mug, so she can see her loot thus far.

Last weekend, after seeing just how full the mug had gotten, she ran out to tell Daddy she has lots of money.

Lilly: “I have lots of monies Daddy.“

Daddy: “Do you? Wow. What are you going to buy with your money?“

Lilly: (pondering for a moment) “I gonna buy my own house!“

The hubs shoots me a look and we smirk at each other. Not even 3 years old and wants to leave the nest. Not so sure I’m ready for this yet…

Daddy: “Your own house?! So you’re moving out?“

Lilly: “Yup. I get my own house with my toys.”

Mommy: “That’s such a big girl move honey. Who is going to make you breakfast at your new house?“

Lilly: “Daddy will make my beakfast!” (She says this so certainly & shoots me a look like I’ve lost my mind)

Daddy: “Oh but honey, I won’t be there.“

Lilly: (utterly shocked) “You won’t be at my house, Daddy?“

Daddy: “How about I make you breakfast now in this house & we can talk about your own house in a few years?“

Lilly: “Okay!” (as she goes running for the kitchen)

Part of me thought this conversation was adorable and hilarious. Part of me worries about a 20 year old Lilly who still thinks Daddy will make breakfast and Mommy will wash clothes…

Ideally speaking, she will buy her own house close enough that we can. Sometimes. Only sometimes

*Read more of my little musings with my monkey with the rest of my Talking With My Toddler posts. 

The post Talking With My Toddler #16: Buying her own house appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Our daycare provider has been on a mission to spruce up the backyard before summer. Yesterday they found a great deal online for the ultimate playset for the kids to enjoy. It was sitting in the back of their truck in the driveway when Lilly & I left last night and caught her eye.

Lilly: “Mama, what’s that?”

Mommy: “That’s a playset honey, for you guys to play with in the backyard.”

Lilly: “A payset?? With swings?”

Mommy: “Yep. And a slide. You guys are going to have a lot of fun in the backyard this summer.”

Lily: “Oh, sweet!”

Beg pardon?! 

Did I just hear that right? Did my 2 year old just used the word sweet in the same context as a 15 year old?

I could help but laugh as I asked for confirmation.

Mommy: “Did you just say “Oh, sweet?””

Lilly: “Uh huh. We get new payset. For the backyard. That sweet!”

Alright. So she really does understand how to use the word sweet for more than just desert.

This is not the first time that I’ve heard for use what I’m now calling teenage-toddler speak. It’s amazing how so much personality can fit into one tiny little human.

Ideally speaking, she will never lose this ability to surprise me with such funny little moments.

*Read more of my little musings with my monkey with the rest of my Talking With My Toddler posts.

The post Taking With My Toddler #15: Teenage Toddler Speak appeared first on Ideally speaking....

Just two weeks ago, I wrote about how our toddler daughter has been picking up our bad behaviour. At 2 and a half years old, she is at the prime age to start being a little sponge.

I have a very helpful toddler. She’s in that wonderful stage where little ones aim for approval and want to assist you with everything. Normally, when I ask her each night to put away her boots and hand me her coat, this is what I see.

So helpful & cute. Going to hold onto this image as long as I can.

Well apparently last night my beautiful helpful toddler temporarily morphed into a 15 year old who talks back.

Mommy: “Ok Lilly, please put your boots and coat away.“

Lilly: (big sigh) “Oh mom! My boots too heavy for me.“

Mommy: “Nice try. You manage to put them away every other night.“

Grudgingly, she picks up her boots & carries them to the closet as if they weigh 10 lbs each. Then promptly tries to make a break for it.

Mommy: “Hand me your coat please, honey. Then you can go off and play.“

Lilly: (much bigger sigh) “Ugh, come on Mom. You driving me crazy!“

Excuse me?!

I swear I have no idea where she heard that phrase. No. Idea.

I laughed. I know that’s likely not the best response when parenting a toddler who is testing limits, but I just couldn’t help it.

She grabs her coat and I reach for a hanger.

Lilly: “Here….here…here Mama!“

Clearly I’m not moving fast enough for my impatient toddler-teenager.

This is her “You driving me crazy Mom” face.

Ideally speaking, this was just a rare one off and I won’t see this much attitude again until she’s in high school…right??

*Read more of my little musings with my monkey with the rest of my Talking With My Toddler posts.

The post Talking With My Toddler #14: I only have myself to blame. appeared first on Ideally speaking....

This past weekend, after waking up from her nap, she asked me where daddy was. Without thinking much of it I told her that daddy was in the bathtub. Before I could stop her she was down the hall and bursting into the bathroom door.

Lilly: “Hi daddy!”

Daddy: “Hi honey. Daddy’s taking a bath right now. Can I have a little privacy?”

Lilly: “Oh. Yep.” (Though she makes no motion to actually leave.)

Mommy: “Ok honey. Daddy says he would like some privacy. Let’s leave him alone for a little bit.”

Lilly: (looking daddy up-and-down) “He’s taking a bath.”

I thought we’d established this already. She pauses for a moment and looks curiously a specific part of Daddy.

Lilly: (pointing) “What’s that?”

My husband shoots me a quick grin and we both silently acknowledge that we’re entering new territory as parents.

Daddy: “That’s my penis.”

Lilly: “You have a penis daddy??”

She says this as if a.) she knows what a penis at all and b.) she surprised that he has one. *Insert all the lame jokes from his guy friends here.*

Mommy: “Well honey you know how you and Mommy are girls and Daddy is a boy. Girls have vaginas and boys have penises.”

She takes a moment to process this info. She has understood for a while now that we are girls and Daddy is a boy. She can distinguish between girls and boys quite well, but this was a new piece of evidence!

Lilly: “I have gina.” (pointing at me) “You have gina.” (pointing at Daddy) “You no have gina!”

She says this as if he is severely missing out and that we are superior due to our vaginas.

Attagirl!

I finally convince her that we should let Daddy finish his bath in peace. It may or may not have taken the bribery of snacks and a movie to get her out of there…

I’m relieved this first little leg of the boys and girls chat is completed. Surprisingly, it was less awkward than I expected it to be.  

Ideally speaking, all of these types of talks will be this relaxed…but I’m not holding my breath. 

*Read more of my little musings with my monkey with the rest of my Talking With My Toddler posts.

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