baby

em’s first haircut

During our Disney vacation, we celebrated a milestone. Em’s first haircut.

em's first haircut

The Harmony Barber shop at Magic Kingdom isn’t just for show. It’s a real, old-timey barbershop and they offer first haircuts full of Disney magic. I booked an appointment for Em before we left for our vacation.

em's first haircut

For her first time, Em did great! Of course the slew of Mickey stickers and the spinning, light-up Minnie they let her play with helped, too! She was quite entertained.

em's first haircut

Before I could blink, Em’s haircut was done and she was topped off with her very own set of Mickey ears – her first! On the back of them, “My 1st Haircut” is embroidered.

em's first haircut

We were also given a commemorative first haircut certificate and a special little bag full of pixie dust and locks from her first haircut.

em's first haircut

This was such a great + fun experience. I’m glad we were able to celebrate it in Disney!

em approved // toddler favorites

The toddler stage brought a new set of changes + challenges. We began potty training. We moved Em out of her crib and into a toddler bed. She began day care.

These are the little things that helped us with the transition.

em approved // toddler favorites

1] Name Bubbles - Essential for day care. All of her clothes + shoes need to be labeled. These fabulous stickers go through the wash over and over and can be removed very easily when needed.

2] Crib rail – Em started climbing out of her crib very early. We decided to convert her crib to a toddler bed. However, although Em’s crib converted it wasn’t ideal at all. She was so young that we knew she would easily roll out of her converted crib. So, we put the mattress on the floor instead but she spent most of her nights on the carpet after she’d roll off the mattress. Finally, we discovered this crib rail. Now, she’s in her converted bed. This rail keeps her from falling out and helps her to climb into bed on her own.

3] Built-in toilet seat – There are a ton of potty options out there. We opted for a small floor potty to begin the training process. Then, we moved to this built-in seat. It’s made of wood so it’s very sturdy. It’s has a quiet + slow close lid. And it keeps our bathroom a little more clutter free.

4] Travel cot – Once Em outgrew her Arm’s Reach Co-sleeper, we looked for another alternative and found this travel cot. It’s awesome. Inexpensive. Lightweight. Folds up. Has a cover/sheet. And best of all? It’s very low to the ground in case she were to roll out.

5] Toddler pillow + pillowcase – Once in her toddler bed, we figured she was ready for a sheet + pillow. Finding a set was not easy. I stumbled upon this toddler pillow + case at Pottery Barn. It’s the perfect size.

6] Aden + Anais swaddlers – These muslin swaddlers are still getting lots of use. They make the perfect lightweight + breathable sheet/blanket for her toddler bed.

7] Aden + Anais bib – I love these bibs. They are big to catch the food mess. And, they snap instead of velco which means less hair tangling.

em approved // toddler shoes age 2

em's favorite shoes // age 2

A new year means new shoes. These are the ones that have been on Em’s feet this spring + summer.

1 / An everyday shoe - Em goes to day care twice a week and they require the kids to wear a full shoe with heels + toes covered. Since we loved the Pediped Originals, we moved up to these. At first, we were unsure which to go with – the Grip ‘n’ Go or the Flex. Technically, the Grip ‘n’ Go come after the Originals. However, after trying them on in the store, we quickly realized Em was ready to go straight to the Flex because she was such a confident walker. These shoes go with everything and have held up extremely well!

2 / Knock around shoes -  I resisted Crocs for a while. What made me come around? They are so easy to put on + clean. These were the first shoes Em could put on by herself. They also are the only shoes we found that she can wear without socks and not get blisters.

3 / Sandals - These are super cute sandals with interchangeable bows. As much as I adore them, we’ve realized that all the sandals we’ve tried – including these – give Em blisters. So, we stick with Crocs and use these for special times like pictures.

4 / Water shoes - With frequent trips to the lake house + swimming pools these were a must. They fit well and held up all summer.

In the fall, we plan to get a pair of black Pediped Flex shoes to finish out the school year and to use as her holiday shoes. We also plan to buy another pair of Crocs when she outgrows her current pair. We should be able to get by with just two pairs of shoes since it will soon be too cold for sandals + water shoes.

Previously – em approved // infant shoes age 1

em’s curls

em's curls

In a couple of weeks, Em will get her first haircut! It’s just a trim but I’m a little nervous and for a silly reason. Her hair is straight except for the ends which spiral into the sweetest curls. I just hope the curls get to stay and they don’t cut them all off. We shall see!

toy cameras

Every week until Em was two years old, I took her weekly picture. It’s been four months since those weekly pictures but Em is so accustomed to the routine that she often takes out her mat [where I'd take her picture] and we take turns taking pretend pictures. I was thinking a little toy camera would be something she might really enjoy. I rounded up these fun wooden options. Then, I read about my friend Kim giving her daughter [who is just a few months older than Em] her old camera. A real camera that her daughter uses to take real pictures. That might be fun, too!

onetwo / three

painted nails

painted nails

By the suggestion of her pediatrician, we painted Em’s nails to encourage her to keep her hands out of her mouth and stop biting her nails. I shopped around for a kid friendly polish. She loves her painted fingernails but like I figured, it’s not enough to deter her from biting them.

Any other suggestions?

em’s growth chart

em's growth chart

A while back, I blogged about my search for a keepsake growth chart for Em. I’ve been meaning to share with you the one we ended up getting. We ordered the The Brimfield Growth Chart from Etsy. It’s a canvas growth chart that’s printed with a reproduction of an old black + white wooden ruler found in Massachusetts.

em's growth chart

It’s over six feet tall, which I’m glad about because at Em’s 2 year appointment, they took her height, doubled it and estimated that she’ll be 5’8″ as an adult. That might sound normal to you. However, to a shortie like me [from a short family!] that seems really tall!

Have you tired that measurement trick? Did it work for your kids?

em approved // infant shoes age 1

Last year, once Em starting walking, shoes became a important decision for us. We looked for shoes that would support her well, have a very flexible sole and be comfortable for her. Last year, these are the three pairs of shoes that got her through spring + summer.

1 / An everyday shoe. We bought these in white and they went with everything! They also held up very well considering she wore them nearly everyday. These original Pediped shoes are super comfortable and very flexible. They are actually approved by the American Podiatric Medical Association to promote healthy foot development. I’m sad she’s outgrown this style as they stop offering them after size 24 months.

2 / A pair of sandals. These San-Sun sandals are awesome. They are leather and hold up to water because they are actually made to be used in + out of the water. We got these in white and in this specific style since both straps are adjustable. I’m loving them in gold, too.

3 / A pair of dressy shoes. We bought these in soft pink. They are leather + flexible. We saved these for special occasions like pictures + holidays.

In the fall, it was time for her to get new shoes thanks to her growing feet. We only needed two pairs of shoes since it was too cold to wear sandals. We ordered the same Pediped shoes in brown + black and they survived day care, Disney + the holidays.