A common myth

Before we had Norah, we heard from multiple couples that having two kids is more than twice the work of having one kid. We took note and now we understand.

From beginning of September, one or two or three of us have been sick. It started with Will's cold and then Norah's ear infection to Jackson's ear infection to Norah's fever from viral infection. Then it came to a stomach bug passed from Norah to Will to Jackson. Today Norah just got diagnosed with a massive ear infection in her left ear. She is beyond miserable and so are her sleep deprived parents.

We think that the two kids multiplies parents' workload is really about if one can take a break. And with two kids, it seems there is none for either of us. Our ex-neighbor Johnathan used to describe that going out alone with two kids at home is like pulling Lindsey's teeth. I chuckled at that saying but now it is like that for both of us. We will make plan month in advance if one has to leave the other with two kids. And we pretty much stopped hanging out with pre-kid friends.

We both know this (getting sick so frequent) phase will be over soon. (Hopefully! Fingers crossed.) And different phases will come. And now we are really prepared for them.

P.S. Another common myth is having three kids is the same work of having two kids. ;-) Who'd like to bust that myth?

From most stickers to least stickers

Today we had our first official parent-teacher's conference with Mrs. Sneeze. We showed up early and was thinking up questions to ask her about Jackson. When she left to get one more chair, we looked at the sticker board. We were shocked to find that Jackson only has one sticker!?? The next kid even has 6 stickers! What has happened?

We still looked surprised when she came back.

Mrs. Sneeze: That's what we are going to focus on this meeting.
Us : What happened?
She: He just got familiar with me...

So he is the same kid at home as at school after all. He is very independent and throws a tantrum if he doesn't get what he want. He refuses to play a game if he couldn't win. He doesn't eat well at lunch. He is very vocal about what he wants. etc...

We did talk about his academic performance and personal health and safety and he is pretty good in all categories.

Of course Mrs. Sneeze said it is pretty common for a three-year old to do all that. We are hoping with time and patience, he will grow into a star student again.

Fall in Texas

Snack time

Our favorite moment these days are after school snack time. Jackson feeds Norah and himself snack and talks to her. That's the quiet moment for us during their awake hours that I could cook and Will could take care of the house. And seeing them like that brings big smile on our faces. 

Sleep training of Norah

We were lucky with Jackson on sleeping habits. He has been sleeping through the night since 2 months old and only needs us during teething or having growing pain. So I didn't know what is sleep training and why every parent talks about it.

I hoped for same sleeping traits for Norah but alas, she is different. Despite a few random night she slept through which I always followed up with a celebration and memo of what might lead to it, she has been consistently woke up once a night till last week's sick episode.

She was up 3 to 4 times a night when she was sick. And I jumped up the first sound of her cry, fearing her temperature would rise again. Every time she would want some milk to calm her down and settle back to sleep. She recovered from her ear infection and some viral infection a couple of days ago, and I discovered in dismay that she got used to the comforts I provided in the middle of the night and still woke up 3 to 4 times a night!

I started to research in sleep training and decided to put a stop to this exhausting nonsense. Last night was my first sleeping training day of Norah. I am going by baby steps. First I am planning to substitute milk with water, so she doesn't count on a night diet and she could have good teeth cleaning habit. She wouldn't have it last night. Every time I fed her water, she would drink a few minutes and spit the nipple out and got screaming mad. I will let her cry 5 minutes and go back to comfort her and feed her water again. We did this iteration for a little over an hour until sleepy mommy finally won the battle and tired baby went to sleep.  I prided myself to persevere at the wee hour of 2 o'clock when usually my brain doesn't function.

My plan is to train her with water for a week and move on to just comforting her for another week. Then hopefully she would be trained by November at 14 months old. That probably means I plan to have exhausting nights for the next two weeks but it would be good for the long term. I have been too focused on the short-term gain by quieting her with a bottle that I am suffering at the long run. 

Earning His Keep

This morning Jackson and I headed outside to do some "hard work". 

This wagon was empty when Jackson started.

I tried to load some leaves in too, but Jackson wouldn't allow it. 

We can't wait till next weekend when we can do it again! 😉

Snapshot

Norah
Favorite things right now: Climb .. on benches, chairs, steps and stairs.
Struggles: Norah's doctor recommended us to move her from baby bottle to sippy cup and formula to cow's milk. She wants no part of either change.

Jackson:
He is in a copying phase. He tried to sound like a grown up and act like grown up. He even copies Will's coughs.
Food he likes: Yogurt, fruits, hot dog, waffle and eggs. Of course also cookie and milk. 

Selfie at neighborhood Oktoberfest

This year lake highland's Oktoberfest is at Flag Pole Hill. Four of us enjoyed beautiful walks, bounce houses and Kurby's bratwurst plus watermelon snow cones!