Bobs & Lolo

Hey all parents of kids...check out Treehouse TV tomorrow (Friday) at 10am. My friends Robyn and Lorraine (of Bobs & Lolo) will be on. Kai's favourite songs are `Raindrop pop' ,`I love bugs!', and `Recycle with me'. This is super exciting and I'm so proud of them!

100 million bacteria

*there is a post about Kai after this one*
First off, I am just too frustrated with Koen's puking to talk about it but I will let you know how the BioGaia drops (I paid $36 for 5mL!) work once he's been on them for another day. Seemed strange putting 100 million bacteria into his mouth (I know, bacteria are in everything and everywhere). Koen was up screaming from 3-5am this morning, Gary took him from 4-5am. With Kai, I never asked him to help me during the nights, but this time around, I know that I have 2 kids to take care of during the day and need some sleep. I feel a little guilty. Gary is a person who really needs his sleep, at least 8 hours. I just feel like I cannot take the crying when he is inconsolable. I can't just let Koen cry because then Kai wakes up. Let's hope tonight is a good one!

2.5 years old!

Favourites

Game: Hide and Seek

Drink: Hot chocolate or chocolate milk

Sport: Soccer or volleyball with a balloon

Food: Hot dogs and grapes

PJ's: Flannel Clifford Pajamas

TV show: Diego

Song: Row, Row, Row your boat

Snack: Jelly beans or M+M's

Activity with mom: Marching around the house OR going for walks to Extra Foods

Activity with dad: Playing `pokes'. Gary pokes him with his fingers. He pretends the `pokes' (his fingers) are gone and Gary finds them behind Kai's ear or in his pocket and pokes him while he is giggling away.

Pretend play activity: Camping, Shopping (he gets a book and pretends to read a grocery list, gets his back pack and says he's off to Extra Foods), Going to work (grabs his back pack and puts daddy's wallet and keys in it)

Developments

Physically:

-can take off his shoes, coat, shirt
-can hop down the stairs (freaks me out...Gary taught him)

-pretty decent at catching balls

Mentally:

-counts to 15

-knows all his capital letters and half of the lower case ones

-can determine what words start with when you make the sound of the letter

-can count to 5 in spanish

-asks a billion questions....most common `Why?'

Socially:

-he generally appears to be a little more passive (ex. if someone wants his toy, he will give it up...as long as they are not younger than him!)

-loves playing with other kids his age

-not shy but needs a good explanation of what is going to happen before we go into a new situation

-really concerned when other kids (or Koen) are crying

(Koen was upset so I put him in the chair so I could get the bjorn on and Kai grabbed his two Bubi's and hopped up in the chair to share with him)

I love this big 35lb guy. He makes me laugh. Every night, he takes off his pj top so when I go in to check on him before bed, I put it back on. He keeps his eyes closed but has the biggest grin on his face because he thinks he such a monkey. I think he is def. getting back to `himself' as the whole transition to being a big brother AND having a terrible flu was a bit rough on him (understandably). It's amazing how much kids understand at this age, you can explain so much to them! Looking forward to what's to come:)

One Month

*there is another new post below this one*
I cannot believe how fast this month has gone! With Kai, it seemed to take forever. So, I would def. say that the second time around, things go much faster. So far, he is quite a content little guy and can be easily soothed by being held in the bjorn or anything that keeps him upright. I think once we can figure out what's causing all the gas pain, we will have one super happy camper. Getting Koen to sleep during the day takes a bit of work, but at night, generally he will fall back asleep right away after a feed (except last night when he was up from 3:30-6am). He's eating at least every 3 hours during the day but sometimes stretches it out at night. Two nights ago, he went 5 hours! Although, that was after eating off an on for 4 hour straight so was it worth it?!

(see the dimples?!)

He sleeps fabulously in the car seat and therefore enjoys car rides. He has smiled at me several times this last week and I cannot wait to see more of them!

(Kelly, copying your idea:))

Here he is at one month and I will take a picture each month on this blanket so you can see him grow. I probably should've laid him the other way...oh well. I weighed him this morning and he was 12 lbs 2oz (right after a feed so maybe give or take a few ounces!) I did it on our digital scale...weighed myself with and without him so should be accurate. He is a different kind of eater. He eats a lot but we don't work the best together. It's still a little painful for me and he takes a while to latch on which means anything but the `regular' position is a no go. The pain is because when he is having gas pains or if the milk is coming too fast, he clamps down on me and holds. Grrrrrrr.....

(Touching Koen's toesies)

Kai is a good big brother and knows that if he's crying, he needs milk. He often asks me to put Koen down so that I can play but is overall quite understanding. Kai understands I have an owie (he often asks to see it) so he knows I'm not strong enough to carry him or bounce him up the stairs yet.

Awwwww. Totally looking forward to these guys being buddies and all the fun times ahead!! Oh ya, as for more kids. We are almost positive that we are done but will wait 2 years to solidify that decision if you know what I mean:)

Superbowl

We had a bunch of my family over for the Superbowl. Had some good food. Good laughs. Good beer. Good times. The kids played fabulously together and entertained themselves. My lil sis commented that all I blog about these days is my baby so here are some non baby pictures.

Jackie and Trish (who currently has the virus we've been passing around our family)

Gary and his boys.

Our video camera wasn't charged but I could've gotten some sweet footage of Kai during a touchdown. He'll def. be the one starting the wave in a few years:)

Kai and Ani got into the dressup gear:)

Hey Gary, if you are checking the blog at work...here is a lil message from your family:)

Geocaching

This morning, after everyone was fed, bathed, and dressed, we went for a walk to Clayton Park to do our first family geocache. I have never done it before but I can see how it could be addicting! Kai was pumped to go on a treasure hunt. Koen does SO well in the bjorn. Seriously, within 5 minutes now, he is asleep. Love it. Wish I could take pics of it but with both of our hands full, its getting harder!

(Please note that I found an old pair of my jeans that are low rise and therefore fit fabulously..woohoo!!!!)

I find it easier to do stuff with Kai if I just carry Koen around with me. I don't know how long my back will allow me to do it, but I can't just leave Koen crying as he is so comforted just being held. Gary does not mind the sound of a crying baby, I am the complete opposite.

(I'm thinking the boys look quite different. Kai was chubbier/rounder and darker...)

Then, my friend Terri, Steve and their son Noah came by for a visit and met Koen. I think Noah and Kai could be good buddies, especially if they appreciate each others toys:) Last night, Sam, Torie and Bennett stopped by and Kai was pumped to play with Bennett too. Seems like everyone likes Kai's trucks and power tools.

Now, Gary has taken Kai to Costco. I didn't realize that we didn't have any eggs left so I have a double batch of double chocolate chip cookies ready to go, I just need 4 more eggs..hopefully they get home soon!

This afternoon I went for a walk by myself to the liquor store to get some beer for the Superbowl tomorrow...I think I'll have one and I think its okay? May have to google it. All together I walked 5km today no problem, I love being outside!!!

The BioGaia drops won't be in until Monday...I hope they do the trick! Our laid back baby just has some serious gas pain. I know it will pass (pun intended) but its just hard seeing him in pain in the meantime.

When I told Kai he was going to be 2.5 next week, he just said `No, I'm two. I don't want the half'. That is how he talks all the time now. What a punk.

I just love having Gary home because we can each take care of a kid AND I can run out of the house whenever I want. Yay for weekends! Yay for spring break! Yay for summer holidays!

I need Gary

*If something doesn't make sense in this post its because I started it on Thursday and finished it Friday*

Gary was gone Wednesday night on a winter camp out in Manning Park. They were able to build snow shelters and weren't too cold in the crazy snowy weather. I have to say that without Gary to take Koen for an hour at night, I was exhausted. Koen likes to be awake from 9pm-1am and it is so tiring, especially since I am unable to nap during the day. Yesterday I kept him up more during the day and it made for a MUCH better sleep.

Koen has a very ridiculous belly button. Apparently it will look normal in a few years? I'm not sure why it's weird, could it have to do with his huge umbilical cord? Kai didn't realize it was a belly button and i'll leave it at that:)

I put him in cute big people clothes yesterday but then decided that a sleeper is easier and better and that's what I'll keep doing for the next few weeks.

Gary's mom did take Kai on Wednesday and boy, life is a lot easier without a toddler! I didn't realize how much talking Kai does. It takes a lot of energy to talk with, change, feed, and entertain a 2.5 year old! I went shopping and it was so easy with just Koen asleep in the car seat!

BREASTFEEDING

I've looked into Koen's tummy troubles and it may have to do with my foremilk/hindmilk imbalance. Basically, he is getting too much of the first milk that is more watery and full of lactose and not enough of the fatty hindmilk. I've been feeding him, then burping and changing him, and then offering him more (from the same breast) so he gets more of the fat to balance out the lactose. If he wants to eat more than once in a 3 hour period, I give him the same breast (that appears empty but isn't I guess!). So far, no puking in 48 hours and he is also way less gassy. I have also cut dairy out so I don't know which one it is due to. I would love to have a bowl of cereal sometime soon!

*after this post, he vomitted. grrrrrr*

SLEEPING

Okay, so once he is asleep for the night, he will wake to feed and then goes back to sleep nicely. This is awesome. Seriously amazing. I know what the alternative is like so I def. appreciate it! During the daytime, its harder to get him to sleep. If I put him in the bjorn, he is asleep in 10 minutes. However, I don't know if I want to have to rely on `props' to get him to sleep as that was what we did for Kai for 4 months. I also don't want to carry a sleeping baby for 2 hours at a time. He is def. way more alert during the day so he isn't just falling asleep anywhere anymore. However, he still really likes sleeping on his belly so maybe I will do that for naps and continue to put him to sleep in his carseat at night. Hopefully in a month or so, I will feel more confident letting him sleep on his belly at night.

2.5 YEAR OLD

Kai is testing me. Wow. He is tiring. And annoying. I love him and am so proud of him but boy, thank goodness this stage won't last forever! For everything I ask, he says he doesn't want it but two seconds later he does. He doesn't want to go anywhere and just wants to stay home. He says he's too tired to go play with Ani and yet when I get him there, he has the best time of his life. I know he's just trying to have some control over what's going on in his life but wow...so exhausting! I am so sick of changing his diapers but the idea of potty training while breastfeeding half of the day worries me a bit. I had planned on starting next week but now I'm thinking that if we waited until the summer, Koen will be on some solids (I won't be breastfeeding all day long) and Gary will be home full time...hmmm...what to do. I'm very happy that he has adjusted to Koen well and treats him nicely. Besides trying to poke him in the eye today, he is very gentle. Unfortunately, taking care of Koen makes it hard for me to play with Kai. We have discovered that playing volleyball or soccer with a balloon works well while I am feeding Koen. Also, we can play hide and seek or march around the house when Koen is in the bjorn.

I am so excited to have Gary back tonight at a decent time AND he is home all weekend! Woohoo! Two more weeks til I attempt to run folks, two more weeks. Oh ya, Koen has smiled while sleeping but yesterday he looked at me and smiled. Awesome. Love the dimples. He is going to have a very cute smile:)

Snuggles

*I added a couple more pics at the bottom*

This guy could just snuggle all day, this is def. his favourite way to sleep.

He went to the doctor today for his one month check up (although he's not a month old til Tuesday) and his weight was 11lbs 4oz and his height is just 21.75 inches. What a shorty...oh boy, I hope he doesn't have my genes for his height! It's so hard not to compare the two boys in regards to temperment and size and milestones etc. I'm really trying not to HOWEVER, Koen is def. smaller than his big bro was. Although, Koen was born a week earlier than his brother and he hasn't really reached the one month mark yet:)

Brag moment here, the doctor said his neck strength was that of a 2 month old:) The doctor also suggested BioGaia drops for his digestive issues. Has anyone used this? Thoughts? It's basically probiotic drops that contain the bacteria that exist in our digestive systems.

Isn't he yummy?

Nap attempt time.

Potty Training Advice?

Next week, Koen will be one month old and Kai will be exactly 2.5 years old. Wowzers! Koen has been in my life for a month already? Time is flying! Koen slept so well last night. I fed him at 4,6 and 8pm (tanking up for those Baby Whisperer types) and then just fed him at 12:30 and 4am! We lay him on his tummy for naps and he gets all his farts out that way, glamorous I know. I have taken milk out of my diet and it may be helping (I love milk and miss my morning cereal). He still naps downstairs in front of the fireplace but I'm thinking I'll move him to his crib soon for his daytime naps. I just like having him in front of me so I can keep my eye on him, rotate him, make sure he hasn't puked etc. However, Kai's wildness is not allowing him to sleep soundly and I don't want Kai to have to be quiet all the time. He does not sleep flat on his back, he sleeps in his car seat, the swing, the bjorn, or on his stomach. He won't sleep on his back probably due to congestion or his tummy problems. I would like him to learn how to so maybe we'll work on that. His cold is just about gone so that should make it easier.

(Kai asked, `Mommy, can I lay down next to the baby?'. I can totally trust him around Koen and even left them unattended to have a shower yesterday! He also said yesterday that he wanted Koen back in my belly. I asked why and he said so that Koen could grow some more.)

It's snowing. I don't care. I know its just for today. I am SO looking forward to spring/summer. I want to wear flip flops, shorts and tank tops. I want to go for walks and runs. I've decided to join a running group in a month or two. That way I am forced to run certain distances and will be able to do it at night with a group. Gary will be done with bball in about 7 weeks so he'll be around to watch the kiddos. Football starts up mid March too. Love it.

(Yup, Kai in spiderman undies. He has asked to wear them several times so we have let him. We are starting the potty training in one week! I am so, so nervous about this. It's just a huge commitment that I don't know i will ever have the energy for. Any tips?)

Today, the RESP lady came by. It's hard to know what to do because for both Gary and I, our parents helped us out a bit but really, we had to pay for almost all of it. As kids in my family, we always had to put away half of our money for university. Regardless, when a new baby is born, my dad gives us some money for an RESP so we put that in and now we also are making little monthly payments towards both boys education. Two seconds before the lady came, Koen puked again. We made it all the way through Monday without an episode. It seems to happen when he eats and then eats again 2 hours later without sleeping. I will figure this guy out:)

(Gary should be the mom. He can nap whenever and wherever he wants. I cannot. Sometimes I can nap for about 20 minutes but otherwise, my mind is always going and doesn't let me sleep! Gary's brothers and dad are the exact same...must be nice!)

Melissa asked if we were done with 2 or gonna go for 3. I always wanted 3 kids but after Koen was born, I said that we were done. Why? I don't know how I would be with 3 hyper boys (assuming the next one was a boy too!) and the first few weeks of recovery/newborn/breastfeeding are so tough. I know its just a few weeks, but ya. Also, getting back to normal will take longer each time. I def. feel like a complete family right now but I do ask Gary every day if we are done or if we should have a third. I know that we have years to decide but in my head, I just want to know if I am going through this newborn stuff for the last time or not. Does that make sense? I like that Gary and I can each take care of a kid and it just seems very manageable. We will see....won't be selling my baby stuff yet:)

Now, I must attempt a nap!!!

So let the sunshine in...

Face it with a grin, smilers never lose and frowners never win. That song must've been on one of our records growing up:) I love this sun. Beautiful!!!

Check out the cute lil dimple below!

Yesterday I went to Maria's wedding shower and it's just so awesome to think about all the fun that is ahead for her and Mark as the embark on this wonderful journey of marriage! I had Koen with me and he decided to vomit up his entire feed from 2 hours before. Gross. He did it again last night. He's such a content guy but he def. has a lot of stomach pains/gas as most babies do. I actually got a little teary eyed with him last night because of his vomitting. I just feel bad for him and his lil belly pain. His next dr. appt is on Wed so we'll see if he's gaining weight appropriately etc. I feel like he is growing but we will see what the scale says. I wish there was more to do for their gas pain but I know this stage will pass. After my C-section, I had incredibly painful gas so I can relate:)

Yesterday we took a family walk to Extra Foods and I had Koen in the baby bjorn which he liked. I just love getting outside and hope the weather stays sunny and maybe gets a little warmer??

(This guy def. looks like Kai but has a narrower head than him. It will be interesting to see what he looks like as he gets older! I wonder if a girl would've looked like Kai too?)

This morning in church, the worship pastor was praying and Kai had his hands folded and eyes squeezed shut but he whispered to me `Mommy, I'm done praying' and then he yelled out, twice, `AMEN!!! AMEN!!'. People all around us were giggling. I guess it was a long prayer:) He LOVES sunday school and I love that he loves it. They have story time, snack, colouring and singing. On the way to church he said,`My name isn't Kai anymore. It's Ani. I start with an `A' now'.

I just came back from the community sports class that we have Kai signed up for. Basically its six 2.5 year olds running around collecting balls and running into walls. Kai spent most of his time shooting balls into the bball hoop and I have to say, he's not bad:) The one thing that is concerning is that if there is another boy that misbehaves, Kai will copy their behaviour. He did it at the park yesterday (throwing bark mulch around) and at the gym today.

I had a chance to go clothes shopping again today...yup, 3 weeks is still too early to buy clothes. I don't like this stage. Wear maternity clothes? Buy clothes a size too big? Try to squish into your regular clothes? So awkward. Okay, I've got one hour before the next feed...time to relax!