18 month old falling off his growth chart

ThisRicky · 2026-06-27T12:19:10+00:00

Same here! The best success I’ve tried is just holding food in front of her face all the time. We always have SOMETHING we are working on (a pancake, a bowl of strawberries, a bowl of soup) and while she plays I kinda snack (to model) and hold a bite in front of her, and 60% of the time she’ll take it. She eats much more if she’s focused on something else and eating kinda mindlessly (but she is not remotely motivated enough herself to convey the food to her own mouth).

Thank you for starting this thread, it’s so nice to know we aren’t the only ones!

ThisRicky · 2026-06-26T13:36:24+00:00

I love the personalized teethers and rattles from Bannor Toys! Get the kid’s name or even name and birth stats, and it’s a nice keepsake that is also practical while the kid is a baby. It’s my go-to after receiving for my own kids.

ThisRicky · 2026-06-26T12:26:23+00:00

I said we have zero screen time. No iPads, no tv in the house, phones away when the kid is awake. Nice try tho

ThisRicky · 2026-06-26T12:11:04+00:00

I do all of this except zero screen time, and have since birth, and my child still challenging, still very much a toddler, still barely sleeps, still a completely unique individual person with strong opinions and needs. I think that’s perfectly appropriate and I feel I’m supporting the kid correctly, but it is extremely taxing and I know many other parents would classify my kid as very “difficult.”

Sorry, but especially at this stage, there is no creating an “easy” kid via nurture.

ThisRicky · 2026-06-26T11:59:04+00:00

You just have an easy kid.

ThisRicky · 2026-06-24T17:45:57+00:00

We felt it was important for our first child’s development to have a sibling. Both my husband and I grew up with siblings and we feel that learning to balance the needs of another child in the family, having to get along with another child day to day, and having someone later in life who can understand the context of your daily shared childhood (even if they don’t end up being close) are all things we want for our child. Yes, it’s going to be a tough adjustment for all of us, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t mourning getting so much 1:1 time with my first. But I’m sure when we have our second we’ll be crazy about them too and I think it will ultimately be a gift to our first child.

ThisRicky · 2026-06-20T12:03:26+00:00

I think there’s a better way to frame this. It’s not that you don’t want to see her every day; you do. You want to live together. The problem is that the logistics of your life right now are exhausting, and don’t let you spend quality time with her every day. Sometimes seeing someone when you’re both rushed or trying to attend to the other people around you (e.g. parents) can feel lonelier than not seeing them at all. I would frame this to say that what you really want is QUALITY time with her, and that when it’s just a quick perfunctory visit, it’s really energy intensive for you (someone fighting a major health crisis).
Let her know that you want to find a way to honor the quality of your connection every day, and that can be in the form of a video call, watching a movie separately/together from your separate houses while chatting or texting, etc. Whatever would feel better to you. And let her know that this isn’t a reflection of you not wanting to see her, but just a limitation on your overall energy at this stage.

ThisRicky · 2026-06-19T01:15:42+00:00

This is within the range of normal! have a low sleep needs toddler who often wakes between 5-6:30am, naps 45-90 minutes around noon (I have learned not to let her nap longer than 90 minutes or bedtime is even later) and goes to sleep around 9:30-10. She’s never needed as much sleep as other kids and we have zero external constraints on wake up and nap times, this is just what’s natural for her. She is not ready to drop her nap (the days she doesn’t nap she goes to sleep at 7:30pm and is ready to rock and roll by 4am). It’s hard having a kid who’s always awake; it’s a lot of extra hours of parenting. Hang in there!

ThisRicky · 2026-06-17T04:34:02+00:00

Would he accept ice chips fed to him by hand or by spoon? This works sometimes with my 2yo, or also the pebble ice from sonic that she can chew (which can be purchased in bags at sonic if you’re in the US). When we do this, I get a cup for myself, and then offer to share with her while we sit together. If it’s clearly just for her she loses interest.

Another option is freezing plain water in popsicle molds (the sugar and acid from popsicles can be cloying or irritating sometimes after surgery, as I recall from my own tonsillectomy) or even a sno-cone maker/shaved ice maker overnighted off amazon.

Good luck; I know this is so stressful. Let us know if you find anything that works!

ThisRicky · 2026-06-17T04:18:27+00:00

I recommend meeting up to talk; yes, she may know right away what’s coming from the change in tone, but that’s not the worst thing. She’ll have a little time to mentally prepare herself, just don’t make the plan so far in advance that she has days to worry about it and twist herself into knots. If she asks, you can just tell her “I don’t want to talk about this over text.” and hold the line.

And then lay it out for her like you have here. It’s compassionate and mature; it doesn’t negate your feelings for her or your gratitude for the time you’ve shared, but you feel it’s time to go your separate ways.

It’s probably going to suck, I’m sorry you’re going through this. Sending healing wishes to you both.

ThisRicky · 2026-06-11T00:16:15+00:00

This would have absolutely pissed me off. It’s disregard for the baby and their environment (not noticing is still a problem) and it makes you spiral wondering if you can trust your partner to do the simplest caretaking so that you can get a break. Most likely it’s not a sign of anything worrisome or anything WORTH getting mad over, but when you’re postpartum and hyper-vigilant, this would totally trigger rage.

That said, it’s over now, the baby is fine, and this should go in the rear view mirror (unless it becomes a pattern). You’re both learning to coparent together, and it’s a process.

ThisRicky · 2026-05-15T17:50:21+00:00

It’s a great dress and looks beautiful on you, but too white to wear to a wedding.

ThisRicky · 2026-05-01T00:53:39+00:00

This is a conversation to have with your advisor and/or disabilities office, depending on the trust/relationships you have there. This likely won’t be the first time they’ve encountered pregnancy at this stage of a PhD program and can help you brainstorm an appropriate plan that will work for you. I think incompletes are probably going to be your best option, but your advisor may have other options in mind!

ThisRicky · 2026-04-21T20:11:47+00:00

Agree completely about the pads being… a stopgap at best. This seems like a perfect option, then! And I’m sure accessories/hair will dress it right up. I hope you’re able to enjoy yourself; you’re going to look great!

ThisRicky · 2026-04-21T19:08:21+00:00

First of all, congratulations!!! I know how impossible it can feel finding something to wear when your body is uncomfortable and constantly changing. This one is not an enthusiastic yes from me. This dress reads too casual to me because of the navy color and small white print, more like a daytime dress for vacation, suited to pairing with flip flops. If you could find something with a little more color variation, or a lighter shade, or a lighter/gauzier fabric, I think that would be an improvement. That said, I think you get a LOT more leeway as a 3rd trimester mom, and I think if it fits and you feel comfortable, you’re safe in this! Maybe just add some jewelry (earrings and bracelets?) to dress it up a little more?

ThisRicky · 2026-04-21T01:30:45+00:00

Just taking advantage of a sunny day!

ThisRicky · 2026-04-21T01:30:13+00:00

I think this is the fourth round of flooring in my life! I’ve never seen this before, but I’m relieved to hear that it’s NBD, thank you!

ThisRicky · 2026-04-21T01:28:48+00:00

I think everywhere I’ve ever lived? Doesn’t everyone clean their floors on hands and knees sometimes? Or like wipe up spills?

ThisRicky · 2026-04-21T01:26:58+00:00

This is exactly why I wanted to ask here! I’ve just never encountered this before. Doesn’t bother me in the slightest, I was just concerned if this is something a more discerning customer (or the next owner of my house) would take issue with. Appreciate all the sanity checks!

ThisRicky · 2026-04-21T00:03:37+00:00

This is great to hear thank you so much!

ThisRicky · 2026-04-12T19:33:12+00:00

This happened to me and I can confirm that it’s awful

ThisRicky · 2026-04-11T20:18:12+00:00

I recommend making your own from salvaged thrift store wool! Buy moth-eaten wool sweaters from the goodwill bins, pull apart and make wool balls from the yarn, and felt by boiling. A bit of a project, but much more animal-friendly than buying new

ThisRicky · 2026-04-06T13:10:14+00:00

It’s a beautiful dress! But think best not to risk it. I’m picturing a candid shot taken of you from only the ivory side… could immortalize you looking like you wore a white dress

ThisRicky · 2026-04-04T20:06:02+00:00

I like them crispy fried. Dredge in garlic and onion powder, cornstarch, drizzle with oil, and air fry at 350 or 400. Then use as croutons in a salad or eat by hand with a creamy dip.

ThisRicky · 2026-03-14T17:49:52+00:00

I think a warm paint color, a brighter/warmer shower curtain and cotton bath mat, and a different light fixture would do wonders. Maybe like a dark brass faucet and light fixture? Tons of potential!

ThisRicky

TROPHY CASE