Last min Decisions...

well things always happen for a reason....I was offered this really nice job in January. I was so excited a move in the right direction financially for our family, I couldn't believe it. Well once offered the job I did tell them that I was pregnant and still able to work, but I would be off 6 weeks for maternity leave. I was going to cut time with my new bambino so that I could provide more financially. The contact person and owner were understanding and excited to move forward or so I thought and was given the impression. My start date came and went and an offer letter was never received. I had also taken my test that month for my certification and awaiting news on that. Well I continued work on the wknds and still sent out resumes for when I became certified I would update. Honestly it was a blessing in disguise, financially speaking it would have been great but family wise it would have been tough, working the last two months preggo. I enjoyed my pregnancy resting and hanging out with Gio. Oh about those test results yep I Failed!!! I remember taking that test and getting dizzy from sitting too long, my feet were swelling and I was just overwhelmed! I couldn't think straight! I walked out of the testing center to the car, buckled up and started crying knowing I had bombed it. I have never failed a national certification test before and I felt like such a failure and that I had let my family down, financially speaking! Yes hubby is working and supporting us but I wanted to add to that so bad after sacrificing all last year in the training program, felt like such a waste of time. Hubby was so supportive and refocused my crazy hormonal self on my pregnancy. He was right and I would take the test again when it was next offered in June, only hesitation would be is that my bambino would be two months old and I really did t know when I would study or focus with lack of sleep and care of two boys. Well when bambino turned a month I knew I had to buckle down and study. I slowly started reading and studying during naptimes. I went to review and left the boys with mom if she was available. I took the test and feel really good about it this time around, I really hope I passed! Ill find out in 4-6 weeks, if I don't pass well then I'm really not sure what else I can do , but go back to the drawing board. Last week a friend on fb asked if I was still looking for work and I said yes. He asked me to send my resume in, I got a call within an hour and had an interview set up after our family mini vacation. My friend spoke so highly of me that during my interview they gave me great reviews, I notified them that I was returning to my previous job in two weeks from maternity leave and I would need a reply soon. I was going to be firm this time and not wait around, well that evening I checked my email and found an offer letter. Woohoo! That was fast! Hubby and I discussed my new opportunity and felt that it is a right decision for our family. Previous to this opportunity I was conjuring ways to convince hubby to let me stay at home with the boys, lol! I contemplated working wknds forever and weekday FT SAHM. As great as my SAHM journey has been and let me tell you it is the hardest job I have ever had, and the most rewarding. Going to work outside the home will be a financial advancement towards the boys futures. Thankfully my boys are not going to daycare and will be with my mom. That has its pros&cons but it is the best choice for our kids. I start in a week...eeek...pumping as much as i can to leave bambino some food!!!!  Well with all that going on, our lease is also up in September and we have 45 days prior to give notice well that's in 2.5 weeks. What to do, what to do...space wise we r getting cramped. I actually love our home but traveling is going to be awful with my new job from here with an hour commute. So this weekend we are going to go view some spaces and then evaluate our choices. Stay/Move and we have 2.5 weeks to decide! Regardless we are blessed!

June is Daddy's month

Happy Birthday and Fathers Day to the best Daddy in town!!!! Daddy gets to celebrate two weekends back to back and we had a blast right along with him. For Daddy's bday we enjoyed dimsum with Bac hai and family time. The following wknd we celebrated by going down to Galveston for a mini vacation with the boys! My teacher let us borrow her beach house and we drove down after my test Saturday morning. Of course with 4 of us now, we packed light but still managed to take lots down with us. Our goal was to leave by 3 didn't leave till 4 and then we stopped to get coffee, traffic, Alexander was hungry, traffic and finally Galveston! We stopped to eat and then finally made it to a very cute beach house and walked into the smoldering heat bc the AC was not working! We opened all the windows and the breeze was so nice but not enough to cool the house down. We contacted the owner who called maintenance and they would stop by the next day to check on it. Not to end our family vacation mom  and umer who were joining us as well got hotel rooms and the night was saved. Father's Day mom, umer and Gio went for a drive bc they are early birds. We finally got ready and headed out. We all ate at Olympus Grill it was delicious!

Mom and umer headed home, as we're we until they called us that the AC unit was fixed woohoo! Another night in GTown as planned! Back to the beach house for naps then the boys went for drives in the golf cart! We had an awesome dinner at the local restaurant in the resort town called West End. Daddy and I both enjoyed a 20 oz steak with blue cheese crust and lump crabmeat omg delicious!

We had a nice view of the Marina and Gio loved watching the boats go in and out

. After dinner, we headed to the beach for an evening stroll, summer is here and its hot, so after 7ish, it finally gets pleasant enough outside for the kids. Alexander was ready for bed but we pushed through for a short evening stroll. Gio, Mr Clean, even enjoyed himself in the sand, he has previously been so finicky, we just went with the flow.

I had bought a kite, but we have had bad luck with kites, bc it broke before we can get it in the air, time to invest in a nice sturdy kite asap! The evening was gorgeous and all I wanted was a pic of the the family footsteps and I got it, so darn cute!

We headed home once it got dark and then showers, bedtime for Alexander, while we stayed up playing scrabble with Gio. I don't know if it was the fresh air, but I was exhausted and said good night to the boys! The next morning with all the shutters closed in the house, everyone slept in till 10. Alexander woke up around 7 cooing, i changed his diaper, took some selfies with him and played, then he nursed and was fast asleep till the big boys woke up.

Alexander and I chilled while Daddy took Gio to the beach. I wanted to go, but the rays are way too strong for lil man, we stayed inside. Gio enjoyed all the rides in the golf cart and asked for one at home, yea ok kiddo. When they got back we heated up all the leftovers and snacked. Daddy was so proud bc Gio played in the sand and got in the water, woohoo, small steps ppl..small steps. We then headed to ShyKatz Deli for brunch and i found a huge slice of strawberry cake that I had to take home, yummy! We went back to the beachhouse for naps and then packed up to head home but not before some last min drives in the golf cart with gio. What an amazing two day mini vacay. We mostly napped and hungout but that's life with a three year old and two month old! Daddy had a great weekend and well deserved! Thanks Love for all that you do!

Two Months Super Alexander!

Alexander slow it down! 8 weeks in the Nguyen household and I feel like I've known you forever! Ooh little bambino you are so loved, it's amazing!

Well at two months you are such a happy baby and recognize your name when mommy talks to you and I get a smile in response! Gummy smiles are the best!!! You are sleeping a 3-5 hr long nap at night and then ready to eat every two hours. At one point mommy had alot on her plate with studying so we resorted to. Cosleeping to survive and I do have to say you loves it! During the day your crib is not a fav, u like napping in the swing. We play when you wake up in your little gym or bouncer. Try to sneak in some tummy time, which you hate now but will love later! Giovanni reads to you from time to time and you follow along. He makes sure to kiss you several times a day like Mommy and daddy do because we can't help ourselves with your cuteness!!  You like music and "coo" as you kick your feet in the air. Car rides are not your friend especially when we stop, but Gio was like that and you will get used to it, because we travel alot!!! Mommys milk is your number one priority and when I'm not around you down it at 4-5 oz at a time, whoa! We are taking evening walks around 730 because its so hot anytime before that and you take a nice nap during our stroll. Afterwards we take a nice warm bath which you love. Your only complaint is when I'm dressing you afterwards, you have had enough and it's time to eat, bc your crib awaits you! Patience my love, mommy is always by your side. Love you zanzabar as daddy calls u!

Preschool-3 Gio

Well I have been bouncing back and forth whether Gio should go to pre-k 3 for a while now. I was very interested in a Mother's Day out program and had found several in close proximity to my moms house for convenience sake. Well I've been sitting on this since January due to financial constrains and also to spend some one on one with Gio before the baby came. Every time I tried to visit the schools something came up. So come June, Alexander is here my mom had taken care of both of them a handful of times and realized its not that easy. Especially Giovanni with his grandparents wants to be even more babied than before especially if Alexander is around. We had been going through a rough patch, but we went back to our old sleeping routine with him and that calmed some rough waves. We also have enforced timeout and consequences more than ever and calmed our own outbursts, talking one on one with him. Just a few minor tweaks and a major difference in attitude. Now do we have temper tantrums and fits here and there yes for god sakes he is three and those things rule for a bit, but better behaved and happy Gio who naps is on his way back. So with those issues going on mom stepped up and said find a school ASAP a summer program if available. Well guess what there are several but the summer and fall programs are all booked since February when registration starts, whoops!  After placing my name on several waiting lists, I felt bad for dragging my feet and worried that I wouldn't find a MDO program for Gio. Now people have been telling and asking when Gio was going to school for the last three years now. I personally have been fortunate to have my mom watch him and don't feel that he needed anything till now at three. He is able to communicate with us very well and can notify us of any issues. This is the perfect age. He is also getting very curious in regards to learning and I don't want to hinder that by keeping him home 24/7. He has a great passion for reading and puzzles now, he has memorized many of his books from story time with us and now "reads" to himself and recites passages in the car. It's amazing how much he knows and I hope he can keep that up for future learning. My only hesitation was that I was not going to put him in daycare and def not a 5 day a week program. He is three and as much as I want him to learn and engage with other kids, I still want him to enjoy being a kid. He is going to be in school permanently in two years so in the meantime lets just take it one step at a time. So I kept driving past a church in my neighborhood with a sign for MDO and told my mom about it, who was all for it. Have to run it by her bc she will be the one picking him up with Alexander from her house to my area of town. The program is at a Catholic Church, which is great, and only two days a week from 930-2pm. They are closed for the summer but were checking their messages, I probably left around five trying to get a spot for Gio. I finally got a hold of them and they had three openings in his age level and I stopped by to visit the classrooms and playground. It's a very small program, 14 kids in his class and two teachers. They answered all my questions and I felt confident that we had found a good place to lay roots for Gio's educational growth. As I walked thru the school, I imagined Gio going up and down the hallways, running through his classroom to explore and asking his teacher a million questions at once! It's going to be great, I hope she has a great attitude! And did I mention its affordable and in our budget bc some programs were close to 500+ for 2-3x a week. Yea no thanks, I want him to learn but not at a ridiculous expense this is prek3. They also have a tumbling program that is after hours that we will be signing him up for as well. I paid our registration fee and left content with our choice. I got in the car, called Luan and started crying my eyes out. As much as Gio tests us, he is and will always be my baby and he is growing up so fast. Last year at this time he was only talking a handful of words, he was walking and running around but his balance was still off....he had baby features and his hands were smaller. Now he is a rough and tumbling all over the place, reciting full books and singing in the car three and half year old with
barely any baby features left. He has stretched out so much and cuddle time is over unless he just woke up from his nap. I am trying to sneak in as much quality time with him as I can to strengthen his confidence and individuality. I am confident that he is will succeed and enjoy his new environment. I just hope I make it through the first week, lol :( 

Swim,swim,swim

Well Gio started swim class again today! We were all going to go but it was raining outside and decided that alex shouldn't make the trip this time. Daddy offered for me to go since I haven't been and I jumped at the opportunity. Gio was hesitant and I told him that we would get celebratory donuts afterwards, he said ok. He was more excited that I was carrying him under the big umbrella in the rain, lol. So he gets to his teacher who is awesome and doing great until another kid shows up who is crying and yelling, Gio feels uncomfortable one second looks at the kid and starts crying as well. Whose kid is screaming in the pool? Mine! When he catches my eye I give him thumbs up and a huge smile, he shakes his head no and cries more. The teacher is awesome in distracting him and focusing on swimming. Although he is upset he willingly does his exercises and shocks me at how easily he goes with his coach. The other kid continues crying and both of them won't stop. I'm in the waiting room when I finally hear Mommy!!! I walk over and take him to the showers to change, I keep talking about how good he did and I was so impressed, which by the way I was! He told me that he doesn't want to do that anymore and I said ok, but well be back next Sunday. He finally calms and talks about the rain outside. We say goodbye to coach and I tell him thank you. He tells am again that he doesn't want to go swimming and I talk about how cool it was. We pick up donuts and then lunch at cafe express. Gio picked out a table for us to sit at while we waited. I enjoy my outing with my big boy even if it was just for a little bit. Overall he did great! He hated floating on his back bc he felt the teacher let go and getting his face wet, go figure! Future Michel phelps?? Not yet, but maybe one day! As a parent that was hard not to go in and pick him up, but definitely keeping up his classes this summer!!!

Picture catchup

6 weeks

Once again falling behind on blogging. Keeping up with two boys is hard, hello, life has definitely become more interesting. Discovering parenthood of two boys has been a bumpy road for everyone but we will overcome this together as a unit! So Alexander and I went in for our 6 week checkup and Mr has def put on the pounds, way to go little champ! Alexander measured at 12 lbs 12 oz and 24 in. It probably is an indication that this little boy does not miss a meal, every two hours hello I'm ready!!! Or sooner than that sometimes. At nights he is sleeping a 4-5 hr stretch then maybe every 2-3hours till the am. The boys sometimes sleep in or not and then it's activity till naptime then playtime till bedtime, just like that the days are flying by. I would like to say I have alot of free time, but I can't. Just when I finish feeding, then I have to maneuver how to lay Alexander down without waking him up while excited big brother Gio runs around yelling and playing. Yep then when I get a free moment I try to pump, pick up, put a load in or eat! Lol, moms of two kids are my recent hero's!!!

Gio loves his little brother and can't wait to hold him and Ready for him to play with all the toys and cars. Although his attitude towards Alexander is great, his behavior towards mommy and daddy's time not spent with him, is definitely becoming a problem, Jealousy!!!! Just when we found our ground with sleeping, that went out the door. Mostly our fault! Remember Gio wanted to sleep in his own room then I kind of said good but come sleep with us. Then Alexander gets here and ok see ya later kid go back to your own room. At first it was great because Tita spent the night with him and daddy would end up sleeping with him. But naps became an issue combined with bad nighttime sleep=cranky Gio. Daddy tried to sleep train but could t keep up and it made everyone miserable. So we have decided to continue our co sleeping and let Gio make his own efforts to go to his own room when he wants. Everyone gets rest all around and hopefully extra cuddle time at night might help curb the  jealousy issue. I read thru many articles during my nighttime feedings that sleep training  at this age might make them more insecure and we definitely don't want that. I grew up insecure because of my weight and just feeling like an outsider and I don't want that for Gio.  I'm not sure what well do with Alexander. So far he nurses and sleeps well in his crib, by 5/6am feed he is in bed with us. I can't say well do anything different or same as of now. My anxiety self is trying to take it one day at a time and not fixate. June is here and this is my last month at home with the boys before I go back to work. I'm not sure if I am returning FT/PT, either way I'm trying to keep up a regular pump schedule. Alexander is now smiling and cooing on a regular basis, it just makes every stressful moment melt away. One day about two weeks ago, everything fell into place perfectly. Alexander nursed, slept, I pumped, played and ate with Gio. We all took a nap together and had a great family afternoon. It was a great balance all around with both boys. It is possible, and I have to remember that especially when I feel out of sorts. I have had some postpartum blues and thankfully Luan has been there every moment to listen and talk to, which has helped. This past Friday, we picked up Vietnamese sandwiches and fruit drinks then had a picnic at the park. Gio and daddy played while I exercised with Alexander. It was a great family afternoon. I do have to thank Alexander for slowing us down. We were always on the go or running around doing errands, now I can definitely say lots of good quality time together as a family is being enjoyed by all. Lots of afternoons at the park and getting back to our evening walks. When Gio was born till about 1.5 we were always walkIng but then I started working on the weekends and daddy got off of work late during the week and that stopped, it's def nice to get back to a slow lazy routine. I know once I go back to work, life will def pick up but in the meantime, the slow road is the one I'm taking .