Tantrums

Whoever said the terrible twos are hard has never had a 3 year old. We are in the middle of the threes and tantrums at this age are more than I have ever experienced. All my friends with older kids warned me of this and wow I had no idea what they were talking about until we got there. My son Kai knows what he wants and if he does not get it he gets into a full blown tantrum than can last up to 20 minutes. I am at the point where I just leave him alone until he calms down because otherwise nothing works to settle him down. I have learned not to say we will do something unless we really will because otherwise it turns into a tantrum.

At 2 Kai was not aware of the world as much, he was not able to explain himself as well and was easily distracted but at 3 he knows too much and can articulate so well that he knows what he wants. If he does not get it then its tantrum time.

My advice - if you have a 2 year old or younger - enjoy it because it will only get harder before it gets easier again (at least I have been told there is light at the end of the tunnel).

I will have to go through this again 2 years from now - at least I will be prepared by then.

Who Knew?

3 1/2 years ago my husband and I were thrown into the whole baby shopping world completely clueless. I has know idea what a onesie was nor did I know what a travel system stroller meant.  My son Kai's dia[per was the first diaper I had ever changed. i was not even comfortable holding a baby. We had a steep learning curve and wow did we learn a lot. Who knew that 3 1/2 years later we are "experts" on baby advice. I don't meant experts in the academic sense but just experts because we have 2 kids so we know a little about baby things.

Recently i had a friend ask me which monitor to buy - well from my personal recommendation I told her to get a video monitor. A few of my friends are against video b/c they say it makes you more paranoid but I really like to see whats going on when my kids cry - do i need to go in or will they settle down? It makes it easier on us. The one we bought is this one:

I like being able to see my kids. We bought 2 cameras and so we can switch channels to see both kids in their respective rooms. They now came up with a fancier video monitor that scans between 2 cameras every 8 seconds. Its good if you really need to watch both kids at all times. I usually keep my monitor on my younger one b/c I know the older one is old enough to get out of his bed and get us if he needs. This is by far a fantastic video monitor and I high recommend video over just sound. 

The next thing that I was recently asked about is double strollers. There are so many out there and its so hard to decide but I really think it depends on your needs.  We got the Phil and Teds sports Buggy With Doubles Kit. I love the stroller because it can be a 1 seat stroller or you add the 2nd seat when you need it and it can be a double stroller. The seat reclines to flat for a newborn or sleeping baby. When the seat is flat then the second seat can be placed on the top so the older cihld can sit. Its so compact compared to all other double strollers out there. I love it!

Bay Area Recomendations

We have gone to some amazing kid places this summer:

1. Gilroy Gardens in Gilroy- an amusement park for little kids - if your kids love rides then they will love this place. The drawbacks are that its huge, expensive, you can't bring in food and you need a whole day to get your $ worth. 

2. Vasona Park in Los Gatos - huge park with a lake, train ride, carousel, many playgrounds - fantastic

3. Happy Hollow in San Jose - rides, petting zoo, zoo, playgrounds - everything in one - its great b/c the membership is so reasonable, you can bring in your own food and its not too big so you can go for a few hours and the kids are happy.

4. Pier 39 in SF - seals, food, carousel, street performers - my kids love going there.

5. Coyote Point County Park in San Mateo- zoo, indoor museum, huge park, ocean - you can bring in food from home.

6. Santa Cruz/Capitola - beach, food, sun, fun 

7. Children's Discovery Museum in San Jose - indoor museum with water area, bubbles, science, infant room etc

8. Bay Area Discovery Museum in Saulsalito - both indoor museum (art room, tech room, infant room etc) and outdoor fun (water area, playground, sand)

There are so many more things for kids to do but this is some of the fun my kids had this summer - lucky kids!

Halloween and August?

Why is it not even the middle of August and Halloween is everywhere you look. I have been receiving Halloween catalogs for a week and then the stores have all their Halloween deco out and for sale...I have to start thinking Halloween. 

I am going to stress about Halloween until my house is decorated and costumes are purchased. My older boy Kai has an opinion this year about his costume so I can't make an executive decision anymore...my power is gone. 

Ideally I want to sell my Kai's costume from previous years so I can buy a new one for my younger baby...it will be more fun to see him in something different than what his brother wore at the same age. Craigslist...you'll bee seeing a lot of me until those are sold. I hope its sooner than later.

Ok my last issue...so I usually love this online boutique store for children/baby clothing..."Chasing Fireflies." I received their catalog a few days go and was leafing through it today and you are never going to believe the costumes I saw in there:

These blew me away...first of all the prices for just the clothes (not jewelery, headpiece, accessories etc)...are $98 for the first one and $78 for the second one. Omg that is a lot of money for a Halloween costume and let alone for a sari (which is the second costume). I understand the first costume is more expensive because of the shirt with the extra arms but really who is going to buy the costumes? I cant see an Indian person buying either costume because they know they can buy a kids sari for way cheaper. I can't imagine a non-Indo little girl wanting to be an Indian goddess who has multiple arms? The whole thing flabbergasts...do any of you find this surprising?

A little of this and a little of that

If I could do my nursery over again there are so many changes I would make to it. I do love the room that I originally did but there are so many new and cute things out there. This mirror is the cutest thing ever...I want it but I am going to resist and not buy it....the hubby does not think I need to be buying things for a room that is done.



Its a mirror/growth chart all in one. I want 1 more baby and if by luck and hope its a girl then I will redo the nursery and get my chance to do things again. I would not get rid of the tree on the wall (if you are curious about the tree mural...contact me)...its amazing and I love it but I would make some changes. I am not going to share my secrets yet but I have ideas...hopefully one day I will be able to implement those ideas.






My new project is to expand my husband's facebook page for his business...Mowry Dental Group. See the page link ------------------------------>
I want to make it an active page with many followers so if you are not a fan or have not liked then page then please do so. I am not in the dental field so I can't do the postings but I can write what my husband tells me to write and I can maintain the page...my new project (in addition to making this blog a more active blog).


I am currently reading Tori Spellings new book and I am enjoying it. I know what you are thinking...Tori Spelling - yes the one who people say looks like a horse, daughter of Aaron Spelling and yes Donna from the original 90210. I never knew I liked her until I started reading her books. She is so open and honest and writes well. I give her major props for her ability to be so frank and give us a little insight into her life. I actually started her show Tori and Dean after I realized that I like her. Her creativity inspires me...she does what I wish I could do...plan weddings, decorate, style, create etc. I love all that stuff but I don't know how to make that my career...one day I will figure it out. Anyways if you are open to some new and light reading...check it out.

Best Gift Ever

The best toy we ever received for my kids is the "Fisher Price Learning Home." It has been a hit with both of my boys since they were able to sit up. A friend gave it to us (thanks Ash) at my first baby shower and its been played with for the past 2 1/2 years and still has more years of play left. Its not cheap but if you are looking for a gift for a baby then this is it. If you buy it now then you get a free toy so go for it now!

Yes I am a Slacker...

I had this ideal goal of writing a blog and its been 5 weeks since I last wrote. I have no excuse except that yes...I declare myself to be a slacker. I am usually pretty good about keeping up what I started but obviously not in this case...I can give a million excuses but please we all know they are excuses.

I promise that I will be better from now on...I want to get this going so no more laziness about blogging...if you don't hear from me...come on knocking!

Planning

I just learned today that I am hosting Mother's Day for 16 people at my house. That gives me 6 days to plan. I was going to get my house cleaned this week but do I really want to get my house cleaned a few days before I have 5 kids running around (not to mention the adults)...making a mess. Now my cleaners are coming next week...after the madness (I have to clean myself instead)!

Food prep for a party is a lot of work. Anyone have any ideas for a great recipe for appetizer? I need some good ones. Of course I can look up recipes online but I am not into cooking so its easier for me to get a recipe handed to me and someone say its good and easy to make.

Did I forget to mention that we have a really busy week and weekend:

1. I am hosting a Cinco de Mayo dinner at my house on Wednesday. I have to plan for that too. Well at least we are catering so all I have to worry about is the margaritas and guacamole.

2. Its Teacher Appreciation Week so my son and I have to make cards for his 2 teachers, make them brownies, buy them flowers. We love his teachers so of course we want to show our appreciation. 

3. We are leaving for Hawaii next week so I have to think about packing and buying what I need for our trip. 

4. I have to buy a birthday present and baby shower present for this coming weekend. My husband is in a class all day Saturday so he can't help me much this weekend. 

5. All of these things to do in addition to our normal busy week of school, doc appt, costco trip,  target trip etc...

What happened all of a sudden?

Anyone want to help?

Looooong Weekend

Wow its been a long weekend and its not even over yet. My husband went out of town to visit his family and I stayed home with the kids. Usually I get a break in the weekends when the hubby is home but not the case this weekend. I have not had a break from the same daily routine and I am exhausted. As attached as my kids are to mommy, I think they are even tired of me. It gets old. Our weekly routine continued through the weekend without any real change. We were not even social with friends so it was really just us and my mom came over on and off. I don't recommend it....if you are home with your kids for a full weekend and thats what you do during the week...don't do it...its not fun for anyone.

A Few Things I Learned...

1. Do not let your 10 month old play with markers when you are not watching.  My older son and I were coloring with markers and my 10 month old came to join in on the fun. I walked away for 2 minutes to take my son to the potty and I came back and my 10 month old had a green tongue and a green face. Somehow he got the lid off and decided to put the marker in his mouth...what a pretty sight!

2. In order to be a "Good Indian Wife" I need to give my hubby a massage every night (yea right), cook him a full Indian meal every day (haha...in his dreams), be dressed nicely in a sari when he comes home from work (no sweat pants?), have the house cleaned before he gets home (that I can do), have the kids showered, fed and quiet (umm...showered and fed is easy but quiet is not gonna happen)...

3. Do not stay up too late reading when you know you have to get up early the next morning. I am obsessed with this book:   Its so good that I can't put it down so of course I was up late last night reading knowing that I still have to get up 2 times in the middle of the night for my younger boy. Also my kids get up at 6am so going on a few hours of sleep is not fun. At least the book is worth it.

I'll add more to the list as they come to me!

Potty Trained

We reached a major milestone in our family...my big boy is finally potty trained. Its a very exciting time...no more diapers...well except pull ups at night and naps. I love the idea of not having to worry about diapers...the issue now is making sure we are accessible to a bathroom everywhere we go. When he tells me he has to go...it means we make a mad dash to the bathroom before he has an accident. He can hold it but not for very long.

Last night after putting him to bed he got out 2 times because he had to go potty...omg that was so tiring but then also exciting because he recognizes that he has to go and does not want to wear a wet diaper anymore. I love it!

I think this means reward time for him...

No more diapers, no more wipes, no more mommy's yucky looks.

A few cool sites

I had to share a few cool sites that I have used lately:

1. www.sendaball.com - Send an inflated ball anywhere in the US. They have standard messages printed on the ball or you can customize it. The ball is delivered without any packaging...just an inflated ball. A very cute way to send a fun gift that kids or adults would love to receive in the mail. I just sent to 2 different friends from my kids to their kids. I think it is a very coolest and inexpensive idea. Why didn't I come up with it?

2. www.photofetti.com - Confetti made with pictures and some color circles thrown in too. The pictures are the size of a nickel and then you get to pick 3 different colors to go with it. I ordered some to throw into the invitations I made for my son's 1st birthday. His birthday is in June and I am doing a carnival theme party and I thought it would be fun to have confetti with his pictures inside the invites. Super cute!

Photographer I LOVE!

So I took my little boy to an amazing photographer today. She was looking for some babies to shoot in her garden and Jaisen was one of them. This women...Monica Laipple...her business name...I Love White Rabbit is amazing. I have been seeing her work on fb for quite a while and have been so impressed by what she does. I went to her studio today and realized she has an fantastic eye for photography. She is not into studio portraits, she does more of the natural settings and scenes but she knows what she is looking for. Her settings are so cool...she finds places in public that are just the perfect background to photograph. A few months ago I told the hubby that I want to do family portraits with her and after today's session I am definitely going to do it. I can't say enough about her. I found a new photographer...woohoo!

Just as an fyi we had a great photographer in San Jose but she sold her studio and stopped doing photography so I was on the lookout for a new one and I am so happy I found her.

Thanks Monica!
http://www.monicamichelle.com
http://www.ilovewhiterabbit.com

All rights for this image go to Monica Laipple.

To study or not to study?

I have been out of the workforce for almost 3 years. I went on maternity leave in July 2007 and went back for 2 weeks when my son was 3 months (I was working from home and got a nanny thinking that is the perfect situation). I was so wrong! I realized I wanted to be with my little boy instead of working and having someone else take care of my son, so I quit. Here I am with my 2nd son and still not working. 

Now my husband wants me to get my health and life insurance license because someone he works with has his own business and he wants me to start helping him. I have my Masters in Public Health...therefore the connection. I was not enthused about doing it but I finally agreed. So 2 weeks ago I signed up for online courses - I have 15 chapters to learn/memorize. I know 15 does not sound like a lot but they are very long chapters...especially when the material is so dry. Now to add to it I have 3 months to finish...can we say pressure? On top of that I do not have time to study during the day so my only time is at night but I do not want to spend my evening studying. I have other things I want to do, not to mention relax a little. Anyway I got through chapter 1 and am stuck in chapter 2 - its so long and boring. Do I really want to do this? 

A fresh start

I thought i was going to start blogging long ago but I got lazy/busy so now here I am with my first blog. I know once I get into it I will love doing it...I love this sort of stuff but I have to get motivated. Maybe I need to have my friends start following so then I have a reason to write. I always have so much to say (my hubby can't keep me quiet) so I might as well write about it.

First of all let me say this...some people seem to think that being a stay at home mom I have all the time in the world. In reality I don't...my 2 boys (2 1/2 and 9 1/2 months) keep me very busy. They are both active and always want to be doing things...well...my older one likes to be on the go. Every morning he wakes up and says "Where are we going today?" Almost on a daily basis we go somewhere so he expects it now. I know its my fault...I get major cabin fever so I started it. My little guy is going to be the same way - I can see it all ready.

Ok back to not having all the time in the world. When I meet up with friends for playdates...its not like we are hanging out - we are so busy watching or kids that we get little time to talk. When we are not with friends then we are going to classes or doing something fun...so really how much time do I have to myself during the day. My kids don't even have their naps coordinated. Now that I am starting this blog I know that people are going to comment and say that I have time to write since I am home. Again, its not being at home that gives me the time...its making it a priority. I don't work out (I run after my kids)...instead I do my creative stuff.

My introduction to my blog...stay tuned and you will see a lot more...now that I started I can't stop.