October

I cannot believe October is over.

Our 2nd helper finally arrived on the 22nd of October, and to be honest I have mixed feelings.

She's been great really, and it's a load off my mind that when I go to work there's enough manpower to look after Liam and get the housework done. It's time I get more hours in at the clinic and I felt really bad that the poor boy was stuck on his bouncy chair while Warni rushed around trying to do the housework. Even though I kept telling her not to worry too much about the housework when I was working, somehow the message didn't seem to get through!

Funny thing though, is that sometimes having 2 doesn't mean things are done more efficiently or more quickly. Maybe it's also because Mylene is still new. And it's also a different stress, now that I have to manage 2 live-in staff. It's still a little treading on eggs trying to work out if they get along. I'm not quite sure.

But overall I think it's the right move... Weekends are much less stressful because Chris and I can actually leave the 3 kids at home and go out for a meal/shopping and spend some time together.  Prior to Mylene arriving the weekends were always revolving around the kids' activities and most times it was a 'divide and conquer' mentality. Going out as a family for meals usually meant Chris and I took turns eating.. not relaxing at all.

Liam is now 4 months old and he's at a really nice stage! He's such a happy child and so social. Much more than I remember with either girls. He coos and babbles ALOT, and recently decided he likes socializing more than eating or sleeping. I think he also recognises me and that makes me really happy! I think it really takes 3 to appreciate the baby stage more... and he makes me so happy.

Annika is finally starting to understand a little more, although she has her temper tantrums she can settle with timeouts. She's actually quite motivated to learn,  probably as a result of having 2 older girls to learn from. I think she's also accepted her brother, and although she's occasionally jealous that I spend time with him, she understands if I explain it to her. And then bribe her with something.. not neccessarily with a material object.. sometimes something as simple as promising to spend time with her alone.

Madison is already a 'tween'. She's started to negotiate over everything, but in general is still easy going and a really great help now. She has empathy and offers to help me carry things when she sees I have a thousand things to lug from the car to the apartment.  She's improving at piano and is really quite motivated as well. I was having trouble with her being unmotivated at tennis, but after sitting her down and talking to her about it she's much better.

And finally.. we are about to take our first holiday with the baby. And it's only because the girls had their annual flu shot and Chris told them they needed it if they wanted to travel. So Madison got it into her head that we were going away... and now we are.. just a short getaway to Phuket with another family. Let's see how that goes... the kids are so excited..