Trip to Toronto and back to work

Hi All,

So I'm back to work now (almost a month already).  I miss my boys a lot during the day - and especially when I have to work overnight - but I'm glad that I was able to have a wonderful nine months home with them.  We had a lot of fun together and I got the opportunity to work full time on my 'mom-skills' and to get to know my boys a whole lot better.  Being back to work has also made me appreciate the time that I have with them that much more. 

The boys have also handled the transition so well.  Nanny has been amazing with them and they are super happy to have her spend the days with them.

Crazy Hair Day at daycare - Stegosaurus hair

Ian seems to be growing up so fast!   He's becoming such a little helper around the house - he helps me wash the floors, do the dishes - even clean the toilets - and has a lot of fun with it - I'm really hoping it's a phase that lasts.  He's also becoming more independent in his playing - which is good in that it frees me up when I need to get other things done or hang out with Alex - but it also makes me a little sad because he's growing out of needing his mom there all the time.

Ian ready for floor hockey

Alex is now full-on hands and knees crawling -and has gotten pretty speedy at it.  He can also pull himself up and loves to climb and because he's so tall can actually manage pretty well.  He can get all the way up the stairs and tries to climb them at every opportunity.  He can also use Ian's chair to climb up onto the couch - can climb onto Ian's rocking chair and trampoline and almost climbed his way into the bathtub the other day - he's really keeping me on my toes.  He's also started eating solid finger foods and has taken to it like a maniac - some days it seems like all he does is eat!

Alex playing in his drawer

Ian and Alex have actually started really playing together now - which is so nice to see.  They will play 'chase' and 'peek-a-boo' and 'ball' and Ian is really good about trying to engage him and play games that Alex can handle.  Alex is doing his best to keep up with Ian - and tries to get into everything Ian is playing with - it's so cute to watch!

Alex the cruiser

As a last treat for me and the family before I started back at work we took a family trip by train to Toronto for a few days.  Ian was so excited to ride the train and Alex greatly preferred traveling in my arms as opposed to being trapped in the carseat.  We had a really fun and busy time (with the exception of Daddy getting a stomach bug and mommy getting a migraine on the last day).  It was a really nice treat before starting back into work.  The first day we went on an awesome train ride - Ian was so excited the whole time just looking out the window then went to the aquarium that night - such a cool place.  We also went to the Toronto Zoo, the Ontario Science Center, the CN tower, and the ROM.  I think Ian's favorite was the 'dinosaur bones' at the ROM but he seemed to have fun everywhere we went.

Waiting at the train station

Ian on the train

Daddy and Alex on the train

At the aquarium

Alex in the tunnel

The boys in the tunnel

Alex checking out another tunnel

Astronaut Alex at the science center

Alex at the science center

Astronaut Ian

The boys checking out the view at the CN tower

Ian looking all the way down

Ian at the ROM

Ian and the Dinosaur bones

We joined Matthew for Ian's first concert - to see Raffi - Matthew loved it and just wanted to sit there and watch - unfortunately Ian took a more active approach to the concert and wanted Matthew to get up and play with him.  But in the end I think they both had a great time.

Ian and Matthew at the Raffi concert

Two happy excited boys

 I've been off this past week and tried to give my boys (and me) a really fun time.   

Ian and Alex in the ball pit

Alex in the sand

Alex in the tunnel

Ian fishing

Alex watching Ian fish

Its only a month to Ian's 3rd birthday - and Alex's First Birthday just a few weeks later -  Ian is already waking up every morning and asking if its his birthday today.  We had Uncle Mike's birthday last weekend and I think Ian is just wanting to blow out candles on his own cake like Uncle Mike did...  I hope it will live up to his expectations...  Stay tuned!

Love Amanda