nugBlog #18: November 9, 2025

Hello my toddler girl,

My oh my you just keep growing up. You have become very independent, wanting to do most things yourself. From zippering up a jacket to cleaning your toes in the bath. And if Mom or Dad interrupt or try to help without your permission you get mad!

You had your first Halloween, and you did well with collecting treats. Though we don’t think you really understood what was happening. Some of the decorations and other costumes scared you, but you did like meeting a big orange T-Rex—becase there’s a book you like now that’s all about a T-Rex (“crunch crunch crunch” and “munch munch munch).” By the way, Mom and Dad set the candy tax to 100% this year. We can tell you what that means when you’re older. Oh yes—your own costume was a fire-breathing dragon! RAWR.

The big story since I last wrote is about potty training. In a few short weeks, you have learned how to pee right in the big toilet. You have also managed a few poops in there too! You are wearing pull-ups all the time now except for overnight. Mom and Dad are very proud of how fast and well you’re figuring this out. You love to flush after you use the toilet and enjoy reading books about the toilet while using the toilet.

Your screeching phase has stopped (thankfully). But the Age of the Tantrum has started we think. There seem to be more meltdowns as you get very frustrated with some things. This is all normal and pretty much every kid goes through it, so we’re not worried or upset. It can be tough sometimes, especially when you’re tired, but we always get through it and are laughing and happy in no time.

The weather is starting to get colder now, and we’ve been dealing with snow and snowsuits and mittens. Last time this year you were too little to resist or have big opinions about these things… but now you’re a big independent toddler so I’m guessing it will be an interesting time. So far you have mostly been unimpressed with the cold. I don’t blame you.

We are excited for the holidays: you should be old enough to start to find them interesting and fun. We already brought you to meet Santa… you were about as impressed with him as you were the cold so maybe things like presents, treats, and lights are more what you’d like to see.

I will report back with how that is going soon.

Much love as always,
Dad

This series of blogs is to catalog the memories, milestones, and reflections of parenthood. Perhaps one day you (the Nug) will be curious to read them! In the meantime, they’re a nice way for Dad to process this whole parenting thing. He’s a writer, so putting words out into the world is relaxing, therapeutic, and fun.

See all the nugBlogs here.

Images created with a Canva Pro License. Photography is my own.