27 Months!

Summer is over and homeboy is 27 months old today! The terrible two's have started as "ah-no!" and tantrums come every other day. When there are no tantrums, the boy can be a total ham, and he knows how to work his charm. Since starting school, I haven't had as much time to hang out with Lucas, so now time at home is a bit more precious to me (us). Whenever Lucas is bored, he would say "go home". And he would say it repeatedly till we are actually home! The two biggest occurrences which happened this month (more like this past week) is that the Shinn kids are sharing a room. Lucas's old big boy room has been converted to their play room which they currently LOVE. Our living room has less toys and more space. You can actually see the fireplace now!

 Master of weird faces

 For some reason, he loves slapping his face...

 Finally utilizing the Cars road map I bought when he was 1!

 Hamming it up in the new play room

"Cheeeeesssseeeee"

Shared Room

Since our first family trip in July, I've been contemplating when I should make the move and switch the kids to one room. After nearly three months of debating, I decided to do it last night. Their first night together wasn't that bad... both slept a little later than usual, but they slept. However, it's nap time right now and it's a bit of a challenge... especially for Char, who's not used to hearing her brother playing before he goes to bed.

 Panoramic view

Lucas's side of the room - SW decor is back  up!

Charlotte's side of the room - all things girlie!

 Yup, I decorated while this girl was taking her morning nap

Speaking of naps, the afternoon nap was a bit of a disaster...

 Mr. Ham kept saying "cheese", which woke his sister up

It's nearly 2:30, all is calm... for now...

I spent hours looking up "shared rooms" on Pinterest and collected a whole board filled with ideas. In the end, I just went with my own room design. Now, time to convert Lucas's old room into a playroom. Wish me luck!

Happy Friday!

 

9:30am

 12:00pm

 12:30pm

QT with my cutie

Lately, the boy has been very sporadically needy and always wants Mommy. He's pretty independent when he wants to be, but when things don't work out, it's always "Mommy do". Today, after a pre-lunch meltdown (where he also caused his sister to have a meltdown too), after his sister was put down for her nap, I asked homeboy if he wanted some special time with Mommy. At first, I kind of regretted asking that since there seems to be a million things I could be doing instead - such as clean up the lunch mess and prepare dinner. On a regular day, after Char is put down, I go downstairs to clean and cook while Lucas entertains himself. I just wanted to be different today... and this change was awesome!

(Back story) Tuesdays and Thursdays are generally more hectic for me since Lucas goes to preschool in the morning. I aim to have some special time with Charlotte while he's in school, but that usually results in simply running one errand and putting her down for a quick nap. It kind of clicked today that maybe Lucas has been acting up because he doesn't get that special time that we used to have now that he's in school AND he has to share his Mommy time with Charlotte too. 

Anyway, when I asked him what he wanted to do, he said "sit Mommy". I was already lying on the couch when I asked him this and he just wanted to climb on my back (free back massage!) and lay there. Again, I asked what he wanted to do during special time. He got off the couch and got one of his many sticker books and said "sit Mommy". He gave me a kiss and hugged me, then started putting stickers all over my arm.

So, from 1:30 - 2:00, the two of us just sat there on the couch while he put stickers on me. The only verbal exchanges between  us were "thank you" and "Mommy don't know" (when he asked me what was on the sticker). I could've been cleaning and cooking, but that can wait. Sticker time with the boy was totally worth it!

 Our special time

 The result of special time

 Not from today, but Mommy + son couch love!

Today's take home -  spend your time wisely, especially with those you love. And my kids are growing up WAY. TOO. FAST! On a different note, yesterday was Back-to-School night, is it just me, or does my boy look like he's taking a mug shot? And yes, it does feel different being on the other side of Back-to-School night. Mommy's getting old...

Hello Fall!

Another summer has gone. I can't wait till next summer when BOTH kids will be walking/running around! However, I think I might regret saying this next year... Anyway, after a year of living in South SJ, we finally "discovered" Almaden Lake Park. It's a shame we discovered it so late since it looks like such a fun place to explore. We will definitely be back!

Charlotte's first time on the swing!

Teeter totter (did I just make that word up?) with the Easton girls

But before the park (on Sunday), we went on a Costco run on Saturday. Yup, life with two kids is exciting.

Char's first time sitting in a cart

Watching Cars 2 (this is what happens when Mommy's sick)

And now it's Monday! Happy Monday!

7 Months Old

Whoa whoa whoa... our little lady is seven months old!

As I was trying to snap her monthly picture on the couch, I started to remember how it gets harder and harder each month as she becomes more active and more aware of her surroundings. 

 First time at a library story time (un-Ergoed)

 Mommy's still taking these cheesy photos on the couch

 Such a happy little princess

This month's highlights include: 

- First time going to a library story time (without big bro). She was very interested in her surroundings. Poor girl, Lucas went to his first story time right when he hit 3 months.

- In the middle of transitioning both kids into having a shared room.

- Trying out more and more pureed foods (and also becoming more picky with food). 

 

- Rolling around and starting to "talk". 

Oh boy, this lady is growing up WAY. TOO. FAST!

Wrestling/Kissing Match

The good thing about having kids close in age when you're at home is that they can entertain each other while you snap pictures of them.

Aren't they precious?