Where have i been?

There is a direct correlation between the number of blog posts and the departure of my coworker who moved back to New Zealand. Darn you Tessa - i'm still blaming you for not getting my stuff done :). We are adjusting workwise, but it's been a bit of a challenge. Even more challenging when Zach & Natalie's buddies are parading around in bathing suits. We've skyped a few times, but it's hard with the time difference. I'll also blame lack of blogging on the new computer which i haven't been able to "talk" to my other computer which houses the pictures...i'll add that to my list of things to do!

Yesterday, I had opportunity to go for a yoga retreat at my dear friend's yoga studio - Bainbridge Yoga House. It was 6 hours of yoga, relaxing, visiting, eating and having nobody ask me to get anything. I'm sore today - but that good sore. Getting to yoga usually twice a week has been such a blessing these past 2 years since she opened her studio. It's my chiropractor, counselor, exercise and sometimes social scene all wrapped into one!

Kids updates - Zach is still adjusting to life without our neighbors and his 24 hour/play date. They were forced to move out when the owners moved back in. We were pretty displeased about the whole situation - even more so when the teenagers had a party last weekend. UGH! Zach is getting ready for t-ball this spring, is in swimming lessons again, and really just enjoys riding his bike, being outside, playing legos, drawing, watching or thinking about Star Wars. He continues to be a really good big brother most of the time. We just signed him up for full day kindergarten for next fall! He's doing really pretty great with the glasses.

Natalie is 2 1/2 in a big way. She is tall, active and talks a ton! She has become picky about her clothes, but has learned that if she doesn't choose, mommy will choose for her and she probably won't like it so she better pick herself. She loves Curious George, running around the house and playing with friends. She is actively choosing princess dress up clothes these days. Sadly many of her regular clothes don't fit her for long - she's already wearing size 4 in most things. I'm hoping the growth will level off as I'm getting through hand-me-downs at too quick a pace. And she's already over-taken 2 of the girls that were giving her hand-me-downs! She still sleeps in the crib, has started to protest some of her naps but fortunately for all of us, she will still nap most days because we all need her to! Mommy learned after battling with Zach for a long time to stay in the bed that the crib for a longer period of time is a great, great thing! She continues to make great strides on potty training - i haven't bought diapers for months and she only needs them at night, not even every night. Accidents are more profuse than with Zach's potty training but he was 33 months and she's still only 31 months. Please note the batman costume which is adorable and Zach's last year. The boots she only will wear if she's bribed - she hates the feel of boots - and these are just so cute, it's a tragedy!

Zach adds glasses

Zach got glasses several weeks ago - turns out he is farsighted. They are very cute - he has done great with them - except for the occasional reminding to look through them rather than over them. On a sad note, our neighbors had to move because the owners moved back in to their house. So we have lost our 24/7 playdate options. We're making the effort and the kids get together once or twice a week - but it's definitely been an adjustment. Their youngest came over yesterday during Superbowl Sunday for nap and playtime. Zach did quite a job orchestrating "his band."

(This draft was forgotten when I tried to download the video of them playing "band" and realized that the cords and ports aren't "matching" so i need to figure out how to get the video downloaded).