2-Year Toddler Favorites

Two years and two months, but the doctor is two months behind and so are we, and that's fine, right? 

So! Beck had her two year appointment FINALLY yesterday, which resulted in good scores all over except in the "sitting still for shots" category, where she grabbed the needle (yes, I was holding her, tightly) and scratched it against herself. Baby's first accidental needle stick, I couldn't be more proud. She looked all kinds of baffled and then the nurse put the bubble machine on, and through just the most pitiful tears Beck was all "BUBBLES! Thank you for the bubbles!" So she survived, is my point. And yes, we still believe very strongly in vaccinating, which I assume is why Beck tried to do it herself. Because it's worth it. 

Vaccine opinions aside, Beck has gained good weight, knows a gazillion words, and loves going to the doctor even though she doesn't actually like the doctor to touch her. She DOES like telling him how to spell her name and repeating his name back to him over.and.over.and.over, so all was well. It's so different once kids hit two, there are new growth charts and new things to look for and new foods to consider, it's so much fun and nostalgic all at the same time. 

We've evolved in our gear a little bit too, mainly to the tune of every spare floor space being taken up by some kind of toddler item. We have very few rooms where kid stuff isn't present, which is just fine with me. I'm not trying to pretend like Beck only lives in one room any more than Jay and I do, and it means she's entertained in lots of spaces. 

Here are some of our favorite things!

• Stokke Tripp Trapp. This is new to us and I actually got it because I wanted a stool for Beck in the kitchen, and went with this one because it could serve as a chair for a little or big person, which is nice because we know so many toddlers. Since Beck is older we didn't get a tray or any seat attachments that are available, but I like that it can be configured for babies if we ever need that option. Beck uses it mostly backwards facing the counter to "help" me cook, and I love how sturdy it is. It's rated for adults up to 300 pounds, so unless things go terribly wrong we'll all be able to use it when we need to. 
• Matilda Jane Play Tent. This is another new one and I can't for the life of me find it online besides from ebay, but you can at least see pictures of it on Google. I won this in a silent auction for Beck and she LOVES it. Anything that becomes her own space is on heavy rotation for enjoyment around here, she loves curling up in there and reading by herself. We have the tent in my office area so we can "work" at the same time. 
• Picnic Table. Also in my office (see a theme?) is this plastic table. It's definitely suited for outside, but we've had it inside so far as a coloring station in the kitchen. When our addition/porch are done I think we'll move it outside, but it's great inside for the time being. I'm excited to set up the umbrella and have picnics this summer! I don't adore the generic plastic, but it's affordable and cleans super easily so we went with it. Unfancy is usually the most perfect for toddlers, I've found. 
• Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike. Our friends got together to get Beck this for her birthday, and she LOVES it. Of course, her birthday is in December so it's seen a ton of inside use so far, but the few times we have been taken it outside have been a massive hit, Beck loves it so much. 
• Frozen Car. Another in the "deal with the plastic" category, Beck actually got this LAST Christmas from Jay's sister and it's been a massive favorite for over a year. The sounds aren't overly annoying, and as she's gotten bigger Beck has started giving her baby rides around the house, which is so sweet. 
• 360 Cups. We have flat out not started trying to teach Beck to use a real cup yet, because I can't be bothered. She loves these cups, though, and drinks TONS of water from them at a time, which we like. She also has her own CamelBak which is fun because that's what I drink water out of all the time. 
• Gerber Spoons and Forks. Another basic, but of all the utensils we have for Beck these are always her favorites. They're cheap, go in the dishwasher, and are easy for her little hands to work on her scooping skills. 
• OXO Dishes. We have bowls, a plate, and a sectioned dish, and she loves them all. They don't look overly childish, which I love. We also have some of the EZPZ silicone mat/plate combos, which are super fun and clean up really easily in the dishwasher. We have the smaller ones which hold more than a full kid meal but fit easier on Beck's high chair tray and in the dishwasher. The food area is the same size as the larger version!
• BUCKLE PENGUIN. This is in all caps because Beck is so fully obsessed with it I just can't even. This came from Santa at Christmas as a plan distraction, and it worked really well. She loves practicing the buckles but the toy itself is super soft and cuddly even with all of the hardware. She's also gotten great pretty quickly at the different types of buckles, which is obviously the point. Also, the description of this toy says that buckling things is a "basic life skill," and I'm like NO, knowing how to manage money and how health insurance works is a basic life skill. Please invent a toy for that. I would manage better if I couldn't buckle things. 
• Play Kitchen. And STUFF to go in it that is literally all over the house at all times and it just is what it is. It means we can have tea at any time in any room, which is important. My grandparents got Beck this play kitchen for her birthday and it is by far our most used toy. We also have the Melissa and Doug cutting food and some random other kitchen stuff and Beck loves it all equally. This thrills me because I love food so much, but it's also so important for kids to understand about food at an early age, learn where it comes from, and participate in the preparation of meals, BOYS INCLUDED, so I love that this is a stepping stone to that. 
• Chicco Nextfit Convertible Carseats. I have recommended these to so many people and haven't had a single person come back with complaints, not that that means anything because they could just be being nice. BUT. We LOVE these carseats. They work rear-facing to 40 pounds which will be approximately when Beck turns 5, and forward-facing to 65 pounds, so Beck will take these with her to college. Give or take. They are comfy, install super tightly and easily, and Beck never complains about riding in the car. I'm sure that's part personality as well, but we have a different car seat in my mom's car that she vocally doesn't like nearly as well. I adore these, and recommend them so highly, even though they definitely are an investment. But, if it's a car seat that is super safe and can go with your kid for several years, I say worth it. 

So there we have it! Some current favorites. I (for once) don't actually have anything on the horizon that she needs, although I totally want to get a water table for the summer because we'll have a fun new patio area for playing outside. Eventually we will turn her carseats around (she's still forward-facing) and move her to a big girl bed, but I'm not rushing any of that - time flies fast enough as it is. 

Also, let these pictures prove the point that while kid gear can be super fun, really if I gave Beck a lens cap to play with every day she'd be more than happy and all of this is just consumerism bullshit. 

The end.