I was looking through photos of last summer, and stumbled across this one, and couldn’t help but notice how much little miss has grown up in a mere nine months. The little rolls are disappearing…. the curls are growing…. and she’s turning into a little girl…. and the baby features are fading. And, as cliché as it all sounds, time really does go so fast. She’s rapidly turning into a little lady with opinions (that she has no problem voicing), intense likes (currently racing anyone and everyone) + dislikes…. and an ever budding independence (holding my hand is a thing of the past….). While a part of me can’t help but feel slightly sad that she’s growing up so quickly, a bigger part of me is so excited to watch as her little personality gets bigger…. and her interests start to take a more defined shape…. and I look forward to being there with her every step of the way….

And while TJ + I begin to have more reciprocal conversations with Harper… the saying “The way we talk to our children becomes our inner voice” comes to mind. I have found myself becoming increasingly intentional in the way that I speak to Harper…. both in encouragement + limit setting. I want her to feel encouraged, know that she can make mistakes without being labeled as “bad,” and that she is very capable… and that both TJ + I are there to help if she needs it…..

Eating/Sleeping: I’ve been asked about food options for Harper…. and so I thought I’d share with you a few of her favorite meals/snacks as of late…..

Simple Mills Crackers + String Cheese
Apple Slices with Peanut Butter
Toast with Peanut Butter + Banana Slices
Food Stirs Sweet Potato Pancakes
Turkey Slices with Avocado + Hilary’s Eat Well Bites
Dried Cranberries
Quesadilla (made with Siete Tortillas)
Mac N’ Cheese
Trader Joe’s Lentils
Hard Boiled Eggs
Purely Elizabeth Chocolate Granola
Love Grown O’s

The only shift we’ve had in sleeping is that I’ve started giving her a blanket to use at night… and it seems to really help her fall asleep, and stay asleep throughout the night. I think it has more to do with having a “comfort” item with her while she sleeps…. either way, she’s been loving it and requests it nightly.

Potty Training: I think it’s time to tackle this very soon. She for sure shows interest, and is able to tell me when she needs her diaper changed (although, she doesn’t always let me)…. I’ve heard that most people have had a lot of success with the 3-day method…. I haven’t done much research yet, but I’m thinking that’s the route we will be taking. If anyone has done something else and found is helpful, I’m all ears!

Favorite Things: My parents put together this playhouse in their backyard for Harper, and she’s been loving it… she eats her lunch in it…. and lets her imagination run wild. I think everyone is relieved she likes it… I mean it only took 7 hours to assemble! She’s also obsessed with this bubble gun….. creates bubbles much faster than I can! We also found her favorite jellie sandals back in stock at Old Navy and picked them up in the gold and pink. We gave her this little play camera and it comes with us everywhere….. We’re also heading to the desert this weekend and I picked up some of the cutest items for Harper from Old Navy…. this asymmetrical swimsuit, rainbow stripe dress, little bag, and I’ll be bringing her favorite little pink suit as well. Also bringing her flamingo float… but not sure she’ll actually sit in it #ICanDream.

Limit Setting: I think this should just be a reoccurring theme throughout all of toddlerhood…. and I guess her life in general. Whenever I think about setting limits with Harper, I always remember a male teenage client I had (male clients were not my strength… so, I remember most of them particularly well…). He had just been released from juvenile hall (I can’t remember exactly why he was there….), back into the care of his older grandmother (dad was in and out of the picture, but lived in the same home). We didn’t talk much…. and we typically played cards the entire time. Yet one day, he asked me why he had to do therapy? Why, after 16 years of his life, did the “adults” all of a sudden want to act like they cared? He went on to explain that for the majority of his life, all he ever wanted was for someone to show that they saw him, cared about him, and put some limits around him (those weren’t his exact words, but that was the essence of the conversation). He told me that he never felt that they cared about him, or loved him for that matter, since they let him do whatever he wanted. That has always stuck with me to this day…..

Whenever I see Harper pushing the limit, I remember that conversation…. and think to myself, she’s looking for some structure, for me to show her exactly how far she can go…. in essence, to keep her safe. So, while removing privileges (I use that term lightly, as right now that might mean crayons or a preferred toy) + time-outs might make me feel bad in the moment, I always remember that they’re a form of showing her that I love her, and care about her enough to say “this isn’t a good choice for you….”

And of course, with all limit setting I try to acknowledge a feeling, or give her words to say what she might not be able to communicate yet. I try to see these types of situations as teaching moments…. times when I can show her what the “right” way is (coloring on the wall is not where we use crayons…. we use them on paper, and sometimes we color on the sidewalk with chalk….), and avoid labeling her as “good” or “bad” when she makes certain choices. Instead, we try to separate her behavior from the person she is….. “Such a great choice….” or to the contrary “That was a really bad choice….” It’s not always seamless, or perfect, but we always come from a place of love, and hoping that we’re guiding her in the right direction. Annnnd, of course, sometimes it involves going into the other room, taking a few deep breaths, and then dealing with the behavior #ToddlerLifeIsntAJoke.

Hand-Mouth-Foot: Hoping this is one of the only times I’ll have to share this here! I mentioned last month that Harper contacted HMF…. and that was probably one of the worst sickness to date. She was incredibly uncomfortable…. which lent itself to several sleepless nights (up every hour) and a very tired toddler. A few things that we found helpful were little remedies (for the fever + pain), a combination of lavender, tea tree, and on guard essential oils (mixed together in coconut oil) which we placed on her rashes (helped to minimize spreading and discomfort), and an eczema bath as well. She appeared to be back to her regular self after about 4 days… back to sleeping regularly + with the same energy level!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!

(My Top | Shorts | Slides (c/o) | Harper’s Tee | Shorts | Sandals)