Must Have Toys for 18mth Toddlers

I had a friend text me the other day that her son, who is just a month younger than Leo, is happy as a clam outside, but gets bored when they are inside. 

Leo can totally relate, and honestly, if we could be outside 100% of the time, this sweet kid would be happy with a ball and space to roam 24/7.

But since that's not happening, I took stock in the toys that actually keep Leo's attention for more than a minute or two. The toys that I considered "Must Haves" are toys that Leo plays with day after day, toys that he can play with independently, learn from, and bonus points if they're not super ugly to look at. 

::: Fubbles Bubbles Machine, bought at Target for $10

We love this thing, only downside is that you need 3 batteries. Leo has learned how to turn it on and off himself, he can play with the bubbles for 20-30 minutes, and it's pretty spill proof. It does leak a little, but overall, I really enjoy not blowing the bubbles myself for 30 minutes. 

 
::: Little Tykes Water Table, Amazon $40

Our 2nd water table, I like this one better because the pieces stay where they are supposed to. Leo likes this table with water or without which is a nice plus! I've also found that Leo's favorite toys are one's that he can stand and play with, versus sitting on the ground. I have a feeling we will use this for years to come. 

 ::: Grocery Cart, TJ Maxx $10

 Leo loves his cart. He probably plays with this toy every single day and it's one of the toys that we keep in the living room. He loves pushing it around, placing toys inside and out, and racing it on the hardwood floors. 

::: Melissa and Doug Cleaning Set, amazon, gift

This is one of our newest toys and we both love it. It's so cute, it's the other toy that I keep in our living room. For the most part Leo sweeps the floors, but I've also been finding him dusting lately. My sister-in-law said that her 7 year old loves this toy too, so I think this is a nice toy that will grow with Leo.

::: Backpack, local toy store, gift

I had to include this backpack, because for whatever reason, Leo is obsessed. He will just run around the house with it on, but he must find it somewhat fun. I think this particular toy is probably a little child specific, but it makes for a great gift and it is possibly the cutest thing ever to see a toddler with a mini backpack on. Leo just started saying "backpack", and it pretty much melts me.

::: Shape Sorter, target 

In full disclosure, Leo isn't a master at playing with this toy by himself quite yet, but it's a great toy for learning, identifying shapes and developing fine motor skills. I also like that I can see him getting better at it each time we pull it out. This is a great gift for a one year old, and another gift that I can see him playing with for at least the next six months to a year.

::: Train Table, everywhere! 

The biggest investment, but by far our most used and loved "toy". Our table stands a little higher, which I like....my mom has one (I think hers is Kid Kraft) and it's a touch low (although it does have 2 drawers and ours doesn't)...but regardless...Leo loves his table. For now, he just has fun moving the trains around the table and up and down the simple track we have, but the older Leo gets, the more creative he can be. Plus, even if we're not playing with the table itself, we seem to have trains everywhere else. They make for the perfect small toy for dinners out and hes been playing with them independently in our living room a lot these last few weeks.

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I'm always trying to stay on top of the next phase of toys to keep Leo entertained, so please pass any of your favorites/must have to us! I'm trying hard to have quality over quantity!

May Flowers

......we better get some after all these dang showers!!

With this being our first house, we're just cutting our teeth on how to take care of it. Thankfully my mom and Joel's dad are both really, really handy gardeners - so we're learning from the experts.

The first order of business was to chop down this eyesore of a bush.

Well, actually, the first, first order of business was to get the exterior door painted black. When we first moved in, and all through the winter (Since it was too cold to paint), I was working with a tough orangy-red cracked door.



Finally, April arrived and I was able to get the door painted. 

The tree was overgrown and dying, so Joel's dad finally chopped it down and it made such a difference.

My mom and I are going to add some smaller bushes and flowers in the coming week, but in the interim, my mom helped me get my planters filled.

And now that the tree is gone, you can actually see them! 

I've got a long way to go, but my mom assures me that I'll soon become addicted.

 

Now, here's hoping I can keep these plants alive! 

Weekend Recap

I'm pretty sure it rained 99% of the entire weekend.....we've been spoiled as far as weather goes, but the multiple dreary, rainy, gross days are my absolute least favorite.

We decided to head into the city to hang with my cousin Liz and her kids Jack and Ella for a play date on Friday.

I tried to time Leo's nap for our hour ride home, but he really only slept for 25 minutes, so it kind of blew up in my face. Thankfully Joel was home early, so we ended up going to make a few returns at Nordstrom Rack before heading home for a really low key Friday night. 

Saturday morning I went to the gym, Leo hung with my parents while I worked out, and Joel and his dad laid fresh mulch outside until they got rained out.

Most of the day was spent doing crafts, running laps in the basement, and reading about 350 books. 

 

His parents stayed for dinners at our family friends/realtors came to see our house. They were really impressed with what we had done with it and gave us a few tips on what to do next (screened in porch vs. patio.......major plan changer!). We picked up Thai food, watched baseball, and went to bed before 10.

I think the gray rain brings out the lame in all of us.

Sunday was my sister Hannah's 27th birthday! 

My mom and I met my sisters downtown and my mom surprised Hannah with tickets to see the Broadway musical Aladdin.

Hannah was obsessed with the movie as a kid, so after brunch at 312 (a decent restaurant next to the theater) we went and saw the show.

 

It was actually a really fun, well done play, and it was a fun way to spend a gross Sunday celebrating my sweet, successful, and generous sister.

My mom and I were back home in the suburbs by 5pm which was perfect so I could spend a little time with Leo. It seriously is the truth that you spend all day waiting for your babies nap time, and then you miss them while they're asleep.

We have a pretty low key week - I'm going to try and cook healthy dinners at home all week long - since we're planning to splurge all weekend for my birthday! 

Five on Friday

 

::: 1 :::

Do you watch Southern Charm? It's by far my favorite Bravo show, and I think Cameron is just about the cutest/coolest girl ever...and she just announced that she is pregnant. Not sure why I find that so exciting, but most of the show she said she wasn't sure she ever wanted to have kids, so I basically squealed when she posted this a few days ago. I'm too invested, I know. 

::: 2 :::

My mom has started to clear out some of the stuff they aren't taking to their new house, and I'm happily the recipient of all of her rejects. She just passed along these pillow cases and I think they're like a perfect fit for the new couch. I may only use one, but clearly my entire house is going to be a gold/navy situation. 

I am also thinking about biting the bullet on this light fixture (to replace that awful chandelier), but I'm just worried about its trendiness which is why I've delayed, but the price is insane so I may just go for it....what do you think. 

::: 3 :::

I read Southernmost, the adorable sequel to Southern Solstice, and now I'm on the hunt for a new read. I'm leaning towards One True Love (based on Shay's recap) , but could easily be swayed if you have a fun, easy book you would reccomend. 

::: 4 ::: 

 

This big kid is registered for a 2 year pre-school program! I can't even stand it! Now, because of where Leo's birthday falls (September 24th), he will actually end up repeating this 2 year program since you need to be 3 by September 1st to be in the 3yr old class, but that's just fine by me. I think he will benefit from being the youngest and the oldest, and at just one day a week...I think we'll all get on just fine! 

::: 5 :::

Tonight, Leo and I are going to meet Joel after work to do a little shopping and then grab dinner on the way home. Saturday we're hoping to do yard work between the rain they're calling for, and then Sunday I'm heading downtown to celebrate my sister's birthday. We have a fun little activity up our sleeves, so it should make for a fun day. 

Birthday Wish-List

My birthday and Mother's day are right around the corner....so obviously my list of requests has been growing with each passing day. 

For my birthday, Joel and I are spending the day in the city, and I want to spend a few child free hours shopping. I have a few returns to make at Nordstrom and Bloomingdales, so I'm hoping to go easy on Joel's wallet. 

As far as clothes are concerned, I need to update my summer wardrobe a bit. I'm on the hunt for a few new cardigans and easy, breezy, summer tops, and a few updates to my workout wear.

I'm also on the hunt for a new pair of fun earrings since my turquoise Kendra Scott earrings recently broke (although I'm hoping Nordstrom will swap/fix them for me). 

I'm kind of thinking about splurging for a nice Tory Burch cardigan....

 

  and I love this cutie from Madewell

 

but I'd like to get 2 or 3 to wear with shorts, dresses, and jeans for the entire summer.  

Along with a little fashion upgrade, I'm also hoping to get a child carrier for my bike for this summer. Anyone have any favorites? I'm liking this one from Target, but I want to make sure that we get one that is somewhat roomy 

I'm not in love with any of the bikes we currently have, but I want to see how much we actually ride them before I go all out and get a new one. 

Both my Kiehls Ultra Face Moisturizer and Daily Reviving Serum are about done - so those need restocking I suppose. 

...By the way....Am I the only person who cannot stand buying makeup and face creams? They are just so expensive, run out so fast, and don't make that big of a difference! My sisters are all about it, but I just can't seem to get over it. 

I also really need to invest in some new makeup. I've been using the same old things for the last few years and I want a little update. Do you have a new product that has been life changing? I'm really like Nars Undereye cream, and I like my Bare Minerals Complexion rescue....along with Benefit's Gimmie Brow...but I could use to invest in some brightening things, better eye shadows, and new mascara.

So there you have it....if I keep typing this list is going to get really expensive. 

Leo - Month 19

 

 

::: 1 month recap ::: 2 month recap ::: 3 month recap ::: 4 month recap ::: 5 month recap :::

 ::: 6 month recap ::: 7 month recap ::: 8 month recap ::: 9 month recap ::: 10 month recap

::: 11 month recap ::: 12 month recap  ::: 13 month recap ::: 14 month recap

::: 15 month recap :::16 months :::17 months

  18 months

 

Weight: at 18mth2w - 23lbs 11oz (40%), 31.4" (13%)

Nicknames: Leeman, Lee-Lee, Wee-whoa

Clothes: 18 months clothes, and we have gotten away with a few 18-24 month shirts from Gap if I roll the sleeves once. Pants are 12-18mth, still a size 4 diaper and we started wearing size 5 shoes

Sleep:  You have been back to your normal, solid sleep schedule. I'm curious what it would look like if you skipped a nap. There have been a few times that we have been out and about, and I've flirted with the idea. You're getting to be such a big boy, that I think you could probably handle it. If we are 30/45 minutes late to bedtime, you seem to rally really well too, which is awesome!

Schedule: 

7:00am - Up and Bottle

8:00am Breakfast- you looove waffles!

9-12am play

11:30am/12pmish- lunch

1:00 pm nap

3:15pm snack & playtime

6:00pm dinner with a cup of milk

6:30 pm bath

7:15 pm  bed

Health: You and Coco got a little cold while your dad and I were in LA. You were sick with it for like 10 days, but nothing more serious than a congested cold and runny nose and a low grade fever for a day. It wasn't too bad, and I can tell I'm getting a little more mom cred because I'm not freaking out at every little sneeze.

Crying: You do love your mama...............

 

Feeding:  You are basically a vegetarian - but your shining foods include greek yogurt, hummus, pita, peanut butter, eggs, blueberries, oatmeal, avocado, and pasta. Getting new foods into you lately is tough - even sweet foods, like kiwi are impossible to get you to consume, but we're trying not to make a big deal of it. We'll see how it goes!

Likes:  You like a lot. You are a happy little tot. You love to "walk", be outside, you adore bubbles and chalk, playing with your new water table, and being around people. You are a social, loving little boy, and you light up our days.

Milestones: Watching you learn is pretty amazing. You mimic everything - in music class you can pat your legs, touch your toes, reach high to sky, etc. You love to play games and you are receptive to everyone around you. New words this month include ring, watch, chalk, geese, flower, avocado, and probably about 10 or 15 more. I would venture to guess your speaking somewhere over 75 words at this point.

Places You’ve Gone: You were home all month, but mom and dad left you for 3 nights in California. We had such a fun time visiting our friends in LA, and driving down to San Diego to see Uncle Andrew and Aunt Corie, Sulley, and new baby Evie. It was a great little trip away and you did awesome with Coco, Papa, Aunt Nana and Aunt Bird. 

Visitors: I almost have to take this off here because the list is long. Sara and Sean came out to our house from Chicago, you saw lots of cousins on both sides, and spent a lot of time with your grandparents too.

 

Roscoe: In the morning, after your bottle, Roscoe sits right above the chair that I feed you on in our living room. As soon as your down with the bottle, you start petting him sweetly, talking in this cute little voice saying "Roro", and you kiss him and cuddle him for like 5 or 10 minutes. It's one of my most favorite times of the day...it's absolutely precious.

Weekend Report

Another beautiful weekend in the books. We're getting spoiled over here! 

Joel was in Nashville all weekend for work and a bachelor party which left little Leo and I alone for the weekend - and I  have to say, I kind of loved it. He's at such a fun age, I didn't mind having him all to myself for the three days.

That, and I had tons of help and visitors! 

Saturday morning my cousins came out to visit and hang, so we had a little breakfast and kept the kids happy with lots of bubbles and chalk. 

 

My cousin back in LA, Erin, came out to Illinois for the weekend to celebrate her daughter's birthday. It was so fun having them in LA with us, and with Leo and Carter only 8 months apart, it's been really raising our babes at the same time. 

 

Leo misses his cousin Carter from LA, but it was like no time had passed for the two of them. Leo was holding her hand, giving her kisses, and keeping a verrry close eye on her at all times. It was absolutely precious. 

 

When we dropped them off at the train to go home, we met up with my Father in law and brother in law for a beer, and then had dinner at our favorite spot..yet again..Duke's. I think because I was solo-parenting I just didn't have as much free time to take pics, so I'm lacking a bit here for this post! 

Sunday morning we were up early to pick up Joel from the airport and then we headed straight to Carter's 1st birthday party! 

 

 

 

We had so much fun celebrating this little cutie....It's just wild to think about the day she came home from the hospital, and how much has changed since then. 

 

 

 

 

 Not only is it really fun to hang with all of my cousin's kids, and for Leo to have so many 2nd cousins, but it's really cool to see our parents turn into Grandparents.

 

A fun, family filled weekend that we capped off with lots of patio time, music, and windows open. I'm so excited for this summer I can't even stand it.

Kitchen Progress....and on deck project!

When we bought the house, this is what the darling little kitchen looked like.

Eek.

After painting, updating the floors, and changing out the light fixtures, this is where we were at.



 

Much better shape, but after only three months of wear and tear on the kitchen, the paint started to chip behind the sink, and I knew it was time to get a backsplash installed. We decided to go with subway tiles with a dark grout to pull in the dark granite counter tops - and while I felt like that way a touch risky, I absolutely love the way it turned out.

This isn't exactly the kitchen that I would have built from scratch if I had my own way, but with really affordable updates, we are going to make the kitchen look a lot more stylish and a little more updated.

The next, and last project of the year (!) [for the kitchen] is new hardware for the cabinets and drawers. The brassy/gold has gotta go, so in the next few weeks we are going to pull some samples from Home Depot, and then make the switch. These are the styles I'm leaning towards but I've found that you really can't tell the way it's going to look until you sample a few - so time will tell! 

 

refined rustic in black  

 

Richelieu Hardware

 

hickory hardware