Mathilde's 7th Birthday

My baby is seven! 

This past Saturday was Mathilde's seventh birthday. We celebrated with a small party on Sunday with just our family and our neighbor. I had originally planned to hold the party on Mathilde's actual birthday but Ava came down with covid-like symptoms and we had to wait for her test results - which oddly came through at 11pm Friday. I guess those covid testers are working around the clock! Anyway, by then I had figured we wouldn't know Ava's test results until Saturday and pushed the party out to Sunday. It gave me an extra day to get everything ready, so that was a bonus.

Despite her party being small, Mathilde was still keen to pick a theme for her celebration. She went through quite a few (Minecraft, Slime Rancher, Among Us, bread (?)...) before she settled on bees as her theme. To go along with the theme I made a beehive piñata, honey crackles as treats, and decorated her cake (badly!) with a honeycomb pattern.  

Mathilde's Kiwi Bot

If you frequent Downtown Berkeley, or if you've been following along with my Instagram stories you're sure to be familiar with Kiwi Bots, the cute food delivery robots that zoom around Downtown and the Cal campus. If you don't frequent Downtown Berkeley or watch my IG stories, then you're probably wondering what on earth a food delivery robot is!

Kiwi Bots are super cute robots that have taken over the sidewalks of Berkeley. Created by the Kiwi Campus team at UC Berkeley, Kiwi Bots are the cutest way to get your meals delivered from local restaurants. You order through an app, chose a delivery location within the zone and the Kiwi Bot brings the meal to you in its insulated body that keeps food hot or cold. As you can probably imagine, Mathilde is obsessed with them! She loves seeing them on the street when we're out and about and always wants to stop to chat to them - or give them a hug.

In the lead up to Mathilde's birthday she kept asking for a pet Kiwi Bot as her present. While a delivery robot of our own would be amazing, they're not really something that's available to purchase - and if they were I imagine they'd be super pricey. What is available to purchase, however, is a plush Kiwi Bot! Perfect as a gift for Mathilde's birthday.

Now, there's only one way to get a plush Kiwi Bot, and that's to order it through the Kiwi app and have it delivered by a Kiwi Bot! How fun is that? 

Mathilde's First Day of Preschool

Last week I shared Ava and Lola's first day of school for the year. Yesterday we celebrated another back to school milestone with Mathilde's first ever day of preschool.

As of this week Mathilde is a big preschool girl and is attending the same preschool that Ava and Lola also went to when they were younger. She's only going two days a week for now, but if yesterday is anything to go by we just might have to increase it to three or more days because she absolutely loved it!

On a Mural Hunt with Mathilde

San Francisco is home to some pretty amazing street art, especially in the Mission District and neighboring areas. From alleys lined with murals to random graffiti on buildings, the whole city is pretty colorful and ever evolving. 

Every time we visit the Mission District we like to go on a mural walk to check out the street art that has appeared since our last visit. Last week Mathilde and I were in the neighborhood so we kept our eyes out for new (or new to us) and favorite murals that were just screaming out for fun photos. We were in luck and found lots of places to stop and pose.

Here's a look at some of my favorites, most of which are from Clarion Alley in the Mission District (like the tiger mural above), and a few from 16th Street in Potrero Hill...

A Freshly Picked Giveaway

This post is brought to you by Freshly Picked. All opinions are my own.

Ever since Mathilde was a little baby she's been wearing the same shoes. Well, not the same pair, of course, because, well... that would be weird! After all, her feet have grown just a bit since she was a baby! Rather, she's been wearing the same style and brand of shoes since she was a little baby. And guess what? I'm giving Little Hiccups readers a chance to win a pair for their own little one! Keep reading for details on how to enter.

Gerber Lil' Beanies

 
Summer vacation may mean a break from school for my big girls, but it doesn't mean a break from their regular activities which, for the most part, are running right through the Summer just as they do through the school year. This means that not only are we out and about a lot doing fun Summer Vacation type stuff, but we're also out a lot at Ava and Lola's (twice weekly) karate and swimming classes. While Ava and Lola practice their swim strokes or their sparring techniques, Mathilde and I get a little one on one time - much of which is spent eating!

When you spend a lot of time out and about with a toddler there a lot of things that you really need to have on hand with you. A change of clothes, spare underpants or diapers, baby wipes, small toys or activities to keep them occupied... But as any parent knows, the most important thing to have on hand when out and about with toddlers is snacks! A hungry toddler is not a happy toddler, and we all want happy toddlers, right?

Mathilde's 2nd Birthday Party

This past Sunday we celebrated Mathilde's second birthday with her much awaited DIGGER PARTY - which has to be written in all caps because it is always yelled! 

Happy 2nd Birthday Mathilde

Can you believe it? My baby turned two on Sunday!

An Outing With Mathilde

Things have been a little quiet here on Little Hiccups this past week. Almost our whole family (apart from Lola) has been knocked down by the flu and, man, did it hit us hard. I spent two full days pretty much unable to get out of bed, and if you know me personally, then you know that means I'm feeling super crap. I kind of lack the ability to sleep during the day no matter how tired or sick I feel! It's my super hero power. Well, actually, it's probably not such a good "skill" to have! I also couldn't eat for two and a half days - or drink coffee - and that's saying something. We're all still feeling sick with coughs, sore throats and runny noses, but I'm pleased to say that the fevers, body aches and that horrible dehydrated feeling are gone. And with those nasty symptoms gone, I feel a million times better. And I'll feel a billion times better once I can stop coughing.

Anyway, before the flu knocked me about completely, I tried to write a couple of posts to share. But my brain couldn't think of words. And then I'd forget what I was doing and move onto something else. Until I forget what I was doing there too. No matter what I was doing, I just couldn't concentrate. I guess my body was trying to tell me to slow down before I got really sick, but I wasn't listening to it. My brain is slowly starting to remember what words are (woo hoo!) but I thought it best I take it easy for a bit and share a post that doesn't require me to write much. You know, after I've already written half an essay above! Ha - I obviously don't have that whole concentration thing back yet!

So, instead of a post that requires much thinking (like my super intellectual regular posts!), here's a bunch of super cute photos I took of Mathilde a few weeks back. We had a tax appointment in North Berkeley and on our walk there I spotted a few great spots for photos, so we just had to stop on the way back for a little camera time.

Oh, and I just had to share Mathilde's cute Rags to Raches romper with you. I love it! It is one of my absolute favorite outfits to dress her in at the moment. It's super comfy, easy to get on and off (she can take it off herself for diaper change) and it features a design by one of my most favoritest illustrators ever, Dallas Clayton. Uh oh... my brain just made up a word there. Time to stop writing and look at pretty pictures.

Mathilde's First Haircut

For quite some time now Mathilde's hair has been a scruffy mess. It's cute, but it's always in her eyes - and nose! - and she hates wearing hair clips or a headband. The only way I've been able to keep it kind of neat is to tie the front back in her trademark "palm tree" pony tail!

Today I finally took the plunge and had Mathilde's fringe/bangs cut to tidy it up. I'd been putting it off as I was worried it might not suit her. Neither Ava nor Lola had a fringe when they were little so I wasn't sure what it would look like. I imagined a horrible 90s bowl cut reminiscent of Uncle Jesse and Aunt Becky's twin boys on Full House! Those kids sure did have bad hair!

Anyway, my other concern was that Mathilde would freak out at the hairdresser and would end up with her hair half done. Kind of like Lola's first haircut attempt (which you can see here).

As it turned out, both of my fears were unfounded. Mathilde sat in the chair like she'd been going to the hairdresser for years and her hair came out cute. Look at that little smile as she gets her hair cut!

52 Weeks: Week 31

Week 31: Mathilde's antics

This week's post is all about Mathilde and the crazy sort of stuff that she gets up to regularly.

First of all, this little one is a total daredevil. She's constantly climbing on things: the couch, the beds, chairs, tables, ladders, even the window sills if she can reach. Several times a day I catch her standing on an arm of the couch. She giggles and then dives face first onto the cushions.

Twelve Months Old

The last year has just flown by so fast. It feels so surreal to think that just over a year ago I was pregnant and now here we are with this little person who fills our days and keeps me on my toes. She's no longer a baby. She's a toddler. A little girl. And an independent one at that.

Mathilde has grown up so much in the past month. She is so much more confident with her physical abilities. She hardly crawls any more, opting to run most of the time - with her arms in the air to catch herself when she inevitably trips. She dances, she claps, she plays pat-a-cake, she throws balls, she chases birds, and she loves doing flips - with a little assistance from Mummy. She climbs higher, faster and on more items than a month ago. The playground has become Mathilde's favorite place and she tries out every piece of play equipment that she can reach. This girl has no fear and barely stays still for the slightest moment.

Mathilde's First Birthday Party

Can you believe it? My little baby is not a baby anymore.

On Friday Mathilde turned one year old. Overnight she seems so much more grown up already, but I'm sure that's all in my head! I'll have her twelve month update coming soon but for now I wanted to share her birthday party with you.

On Saturday we celebrated Mathilde's birthday with a circus themed party with friends up on our roof deck. I had been a little worried that we'd have to move the party into our apartment as the forecast was showing rain for Saturday, but luckily it all came Friday night and was gone by morning. It was still a little cool up on the roof but the sun was shining and the kids had a ball.

Eleven Months Old

Eleven months. Crazy, right? I can't believe that this little one with be celebrating her first birthday in just under a month. I am in total denial!

Last month I ended Mathilde's ten month post with "Hopefully next month I'll be sharing my roly-poly walking girl with a few more teeth!". Well, I'm pleased to say that I can tick two of those things of the list. Can you guess which two?

52 Weeks: Week 11

Week 11: Our new walker

This week saw a huge milestone for our family. Our little Mathilde is now walking!

Last Thursday, at ten months and sixteen days old, Mathilde decided she was ready to set off on her own and she has been walking ever since. Crawling is still her chosen mode of movement much of the time as it's faster, but every day she walks a little more, and crawls a little less. Oh, she looks so proud of herself as she toddles along. It's the most adorable thing! Just look how happy she is below. So happy, that little tongue can't stay in her mouth!

Both Ava and Lola started walking properly just after their first birthdays so it feels a little weird seeing Mathilde toddle around while she's still so small. Plus, didn't I just give birth to her yesterday?! I swear I did. She is certainly growing up way too fast.

52 Weeks: Week 10

Week 10: At the Salon

This week Ava and Lola went to the hairdresser for a trim. Little Miss Mathilde doesn't have quite enough hair to warrant a hair cut yet (although her fringe does get in her eyes) so she just watched - and pretended to get a haircut from Ava!

Ava and Lola both really enjoy going the hairdresser. I take them to my hairdresser rather than a kid's salon and they love pretending to be grown ups. I guess they feel like they're being pampered too. They always sit so still and never complain about the water splashing while their hair is being washed or the brush hurting when it snags on a knot. I wish they could be like that at home! Maybe I brush too hard and splash too much water on their faces!

Here's a look at our visit to the salon...

Ten Months Old

Ten months. We've hit double digits. Before we know it we'll be celebrating Mathilde's first birthday. I still can't believe my little baby will be one year old in just two months. I am in total denial!

Nine Months Old

Nine months old!

I know I say it every month, but I really can't believe how quickly the time has gone by. Nine months feels like such a milestone. In just three months time Mathilde will celebrate her first birthday. How is that even possible?

Eight Months Old

Due to our recent family vacation I'm a little late with Mathilde's latest update. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten.

For much of month number eight there wasn't a huge amount to report. Mathilde was growing and learning new things but nothing all that major. More just honing skills she'd already learned. And then about a week before she turned eight months old she pulled herself to standing against me (nothing new) and let go. And guess what? She didn't fall down! She just stood there, sturdy on her own two tiny feet. Since then Mathilde has been doing a lot of standing. Standing and clapping. The clapping is new too. I guess we applauded her standing so many times that she picked up on it. And now she applauds herself with a little clap too! I love how proud of herself she looks when she stands. Like she knows it's a big achievement. 

Mathilde refused to stand for me during her eight month photo shoot (I take the photos on my bed so it's a little squishy for standing) but you can see her here on Instagram. Are you following Little Hiccups on Instagram? If not, make sure to follow me to keep up with what we're doing when I'm too busy to blog.

Ok, back to Mathilde...

Peter Rabbit Organics Giveaway

Disclaimer: This post is sponsored by Peter Rabbit Organics. All opinions are my own.

Mathilde has been eating solids for over two months now. Twice a day, lunch and dinner, my hungry little piggy guzzles down a bowl of mushy food. Apples, custard, rice cereal, pumpkin, peas, kale... we're yet to find a single thing she won't eat!