Stubborn on the Fourth of July

Without question, the Fourth of July is the most challenging day to get your toddler to sleep through the night. Unless you live in Canada, of course. Prior to the town’s fireworks display and our neighbors’ attempt to duplicate the show outside our bedroom windows, we battled our own mighty firecracker. Olivia decided that today was the day she’d declare independence from her diapers. Throughout the morning, she cried incessantly whenever we tried to change her. She eventually agreed to wear a swim diaper and a bathing suit in return for a pool party in the backyard.

Taste of 'Cago

Olivia was excited to see her Aunt Liz up in ‘Cago (Chicago, for those untrained in Leela-speak) this weekend. We braved the crowds at the Taste, where Olivia devoured pad thai, frozen bananas, and other festival fare.

Small Creatures and Cuteness Go Hand in Hand

The Cuteness Multiplier Effect: When two cute entities partake in a cute activity such as holding hands, the collective cuteness is off the charts.

Morning Madness

This is what happens when you let your child pick out her outfit and do her own hair at the start of the day.

H2Olivia

Whether at the farmers’ markets or at cafes, our water-lugging and water-loving daughter beats the summer heat by maintaining proper levels of hydration.

Fun Run?

Is it still called a Fun Run if your child doesn’t run or have fun? Olivia was resistant to the whole idea from the minute we pinned her number to her shirt. She feigned heatstroke and ultimately had to be carried across the finish line because she refused to participate on her own accord. Immediately after the race, she found safety and consolation against her mom’s shoulder. Predictably, she joyfully scampered about the park shortly thereafter.

Pooped Partyer

On Sunday, Olivia suffered from party fatigue, having celebrated her birthday for the fourth time in a week. Rejuvenated by the falling rain, she bounced back in the end. She bypassed a table full of gifts to frolic in a puddle.

Eyes Wide Shut

Olivia closes her eyes during her guffaws. Here she’s laughing hysterically at her hilarious mommy.

Threecycling

As environmentalists, we’re big into threecycling. We found the combination of a tandem bike and restless toddler to be quite challenging, but fortunately we were on Mackinac Island, where the only things we had to dodge were fellow cyclists and horse manure.

Melts Your Heart, Not in Your Hands

Our sweetheart heartily enjoys the occasional sugary treat. Most parents are curious as to when their toddler’s teeth will come in; we wonder when they’ll all fall out from decay.

Bored Walk

Olivia made her aunt and uncle accompany her on a stroll made dull by her insistence that they repeatedly walk the planks. At least I had plenty of time to capture this image.

Leela's Happy Day

Our (not so) little one turned two today. All day long, she kept reminding us that it was “Leela’s happy day.” She got the same amount of parties today as years she’s graced this earth – she woke up to a birthday brunch with my side of the family and wound down (actually, she got wound up) with cake and ice cream in the company of her mama’s family at their summer lake house.