Year in Review...
Jan-Apr: Still having to deal with night wakings with Baby Alex and how to manage 3 kids but luckily we were living with my inlaws so extra hands to help out. The construction of the house was in its final stage which included many final decisions on colors, type of tiles/floors/cabinets. It is so hard to envision the end result just from a few sample pieces. We were surrounded by paint chips, tile and floor samples plus I must have spent hours browsing lighting and paint options! By April, we obtained our final occupancy permit and moved in!
May-Aug: Unpacking, settling in, getting used to driving kids to/from grandmas' place, enjoying our old neighbourhood again and starting to work part-time. So many adjustments! This summer went by just like that. Our Mr. Alex turned one in July and in a blink of an eye was a curious and active toddler. Then Nolan turned 3 in August and became Mr. Independent; dressing himself, no more diapers and being comfortable attending activities without mom or dad! We went on our very first family road trip to Portland and Lincoln City, OR. We survived it but just barely as Rob got very sick during the trip so it was hard for him and the trip was less of a vacation =P
Sept-Dec: What an intense time for our family. Sofia started French Immersion Kindergarten at Aubrey Elem. which is a 5 min. drive from home. Being a newbie to the school system, it was a bit intimidating but have met some nice families at the school so it's good. I started meal planning on a weekly basis and it totally helps with organizing lunches to pack for Sofia but getting her to school on time still needs improvement =) We enrolled her in skating lessons after school and we are so proud of how well she is doing (way better than mom!) She is now in Gliders 2 and will start skating again in Feb. Something I didn't expect her to be doing now but she asked for it is to take violin lessons. Sofia and us the parents have been learning how to play the violin for about a month now and it's very fun (she gets frustrated at times as violin is all about precision and form but we are surprised how well she has progressed from before). I'm enjoying it a lot too and am kind of tempted to pick it up myself. And of course, like many other CBC families, we also decided to keep her enrolled in learning Cantonese which is helpful with improving her writing form and penmanship.
Nolan started preschool at Brentwood Nursery School twice a week in the mornings and has connected with many friends. We enjoy going to duty days to see him interacting with his friends in a school environment. In January, he'll be doing Kindergym and swimming on his own. He still loves playing trains/cars and helping mommy with cooking, laundry (except for cleaning...)
Alex is 17 months old and I have to say he has already hit the terribe twos. Full on tantrums in public when he doesn't get his way and absolutely no regard for walking nicely alongside mom or dad, he likes to bolt in the opposite way. He is sleeping better and eats what we eat so say good bye to bottles and mushy food! he has such a vibrant personality, i would say a mixture of both his siblings but the one thing he is known for is his temper and loud voice/cry/scream. He is so verbal, lots of baby chit chat. I find him on a good morning, he wakes up and sits up and chats with his animal friends (stickers on the wall). I wish we had more time to spend with him but reality is he is towed here and there (same with Nolan). Oh well...the joys of being the middle and third child.
I hope to blog more often now that we are slightly more settled in life. Come visit my blog and keep in touch!
Love,
Rachel
2 comments:
Hey welcome back! All the best to the Chins in 2014!
Sounds like an amazing year! Glad to hear you are doing so well. Take care,
Terra
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