Life of a busy bee

I have been neglecting my blog for a few months and it isn't that I don't have the intention but life with two active kids and work just exhausts me by evening.

So the big news of 2012 is that we are expecting #3 in mid July. It was a bit of a shock how it happened so easily but we welcome another blessing into our lives even though this means a new car and finally a double stroller that we never got when N was born. Having the kids are just 2 years apart is a crazy thought and one just wonders how anything is possible with 3 but I guess that becomes 'our norm' and we adjust to life with it. I have been enjoying my time with the kids at home and working PT as a Realtor. It seems to be a right mix for me now as I get these little breaks from the kids but not full 8 hrs away from them 5 days a week. I have really been cherishing my time with them with lots of hugs, fun and games and chitchats. I'm trying to enjoy every bit before they all grow up and start school. I can't believe that I'll have to think of kindergarten registration in a year's time!

SOFIA - 3 years and 3 months

-We are not over the terrible 3's and she continues to challenge boundaries everyday. Many times our struggles are around mealtimes and her defiance against rules (esp sharing with N) so on a daily basis, we'll get lots of whining and crying from her. I have to say that there have been times where I have triumphed and curbed the tantruming so we are making strides for sure. She's like a ticking time bomb; you never know what will be the trigger so we are always on the alert! Tacit I have been focusing on are reasoning, distractions, being consistent and most of all, being calm like a cucumber so not to attribute to negative attention given to her. I'm glad she is at an age where you can talk (aka bargain) your way with her, not like N who just has no clue and cries if he doesn't get what he wants.
-Sofia went skating a month for the first time. We were so impressed how comfortable she was in skates and she talks about going back for more =) I'm considering lessons in the near future but so many activities, so little time... She also got to try out her new run bike today during a beautiful sunny Vancouver day. Rob was brave to take her on the bike from the house all the way to the park which is a good 15-20 mins (one way) walk and back. She didn't last long on the bike but did have a successful first try. Looking forward to summer when both kids will be able to enjoy the outdoors!
-She enjoys reading much more advanced books now. We go to the library and some of the ones she picks are so long to read that our bedtime routine takes awhile to go though them. Poor mom and dad who have to do the reading =P Singing is still a fav of hers. Sometimes I hear her make up words to the song and we love to sing songs all the time.
-Her verbal skills have improved a lot and recently have been asking 'why'? to everything. Her fav phases lately are, "I miss you __________" and "___________, you are my best friend". I asked her how come baba is your best friend, what about me? Her response was, "Nolan is your best friend" hehe Of course this changes depending on who she's trying to gain favor from (sneaky gal I tell ya).
-She is a very helpful girl so I hope to take advantage of that and give her more chores around the house.

NOLAN - 1.5 years

-He is our little charmer and I think he is totally like Dad when he was a young lad. Still the cutest little guy around with his juicy, meaty thighs that I just want to eat everytime I see them =)
-Became a climber overnight and now he is climbing up chairs, stools and everything his big sis can do. It is freaking out the adults but he is enjoying his new height and what he can see.
-New words: gurt (feet), bei (nose), please, thank you, nana (banana), mama (yay!)
-separation anxiety: it's pretty bad with him. If he realizes that we are not there, the crying starts and does not end. I hope it's a phase and that he will grow out of it. I'm trying to take him out once a week to strongstart while S is at preschool so he can get a chance to be comfortable in public with me at a distance.
-Teeth #7 and maybe #8 are coming out but where are the rest?!?
-Fav book: Silly Sally. This is a wonderful book by Audrey Wood where the characters are tickled so to wake them up from a sleep. Once we get to that page, N would tilt his head to expose his neck in anticipation of a tickle from me, so cute!
-He is prob a normal eater but in our household, he is a great eater cuz when he's hungry, he eats and eats until he is full. There are days where he doesn't seem interested maybe due to being tired or teething but in general, he can eat and eat and eat. Still not a cheese lover but that's ok.
-A big eater = him doing #2 several times a day (2 or 3/day). It's the only thing we haven't quite mastered yet. There are days where he will go to the potty and others, where we'll miss them all. I never see any signs from him. He just likes to go after or during a meal so we have to keep asking and sometimes, he does go and sometimes, he just wants out of the seat. Quite different from Sofia who was regular and we rarely had to deal with poopy diapers at this age.

We are at a golden stage with sleep. I don't want to jinx it but let's hope it stays this way until #3 is here. Both sleep well on their own in the room together with no fuss and wake up around the same time most mornings. I am happy for the good sleep but it will chg very soon =P

They love to run and chase each other around. We have tent parties where they both run in and just horse around. S is sometimes not very nice to N esp when it comes to sharing toys but I think N likes to push her buttons by running away with a toy she is screaming after. It all makes for a noisy household. The funny thing is S likes to copy whatever N is doing. So sometimes this works in our favor if there's something we want her to do. Silly girl!

Other exciting news for 2012 is that we will be beginning plans to build our new house. The plans have been finalized and it's quite exciting to see drawings of it, much better than when we were envisioning it in our minds. We will probably submit plans to the City in March with the hopes to demolish our old home by April. It will be definitely stressful but we have been planning for this for awhile so hopefully, it will all come together smoothly. The fun part is looking at photos and picking out your style and what you want. The not fun part will be when we have to start opening our wallets to pay for it all =O

Hope 2012 is filled with much excitement and fun for everyone else as well!!