Traveling is a matter of timing, distraction and great toys. We spent 7 hours on the road including stops on our way to upstate NY. Just like at home: she lets us know when we need to help her out of a rut.

A nap is so much more pleasant when a child enjoys that nap. We've started to have Charlotte Dahlia pick the animals for bedtime (nap and night). SHe grabs a bunch (more than I'd prefer) and toddles in with her motherload of lovies. Not a peep or a tear. Charlotte Dahlia knows that when you're tired, it is good to take a nap. Why not?

Teething makes me sad. Teething makes Charlotte Dahlia cranky, clingy, huggy, weepy, drippy, drooly and oh so not herself. My heart aches for her. I've rubbed her gums with my fingers and she gently gnaws. Watch out for those real teeth! She has had some ambesol at bedtime. Poor kid. Power of distraction is harder but being more creative gets the job done. Bought her the Elmopalooza video. She has not sat down for much of it. She returns to the TV when she hears music and she boogies.

A happy child is harder to take when she is whiny than a whiny child who is always that way. Only my opinion but Charlotte Dahlia makes me nuts when she is exteremly whiny which she has been for two days. I feel sympathetic because she is gnawing on her hand due to teething in the back gums. Poor kid. Hugging, rolling on the floor and a tiny bit extra TV are helping.

New VOW: Once a day when I'm home and not on vacation...take the time to Blog!

Daily: Must be better at getting to this each day for myself and for my parenting skills/happiness. It does make me happy to be a skilled parent and to learn from others. Today's learning experience is sometime Charlotte Dahlia does best when I sit back and let her take charge of a new skill: eating. She does so well scooping yogurt onto her spoon and some cooked carrots onto her fork. I just get her messier by intruding. Just sit back, turn on the music and watch. Fun.

First multi-syllabic word: ELMO or more like "Emmo". How interesting, these little people with big brains that absorb EVERYTHING around them. Be sure that you realize that with whatever you say or do. Recognize that they are smarter than you think even if you think they are super smart...they're even smarter than that. Don't fill their heads with things that you don't want in there. If you say a word, comment, etc. that will stick especially when you meant not to create that knowledge. Be careful of what you feed them: food and thoughts.

Don't let YOUR phobias inhibit your child from venturing into their own personality. I'm afraid of heights and I'd like Charlotte Dahlia to figure it out on her own. David loves Rollercoasters and we'll give CD the opportunity to try them on for size. Also, labeling her this early on either side of those fences could hold her back. My doctor keeps saying that what she likes/dislikes this week may change the next (food, toys, people, etc).