Aki, Brendan, Joshua & Kyle: August 2012

The last couple of months have flown by with the summer season taking over. We've all been busy and many great changes have been happening! Since the summer came we have all been sleeping in the same room as it is the coolest room and when it gets really hot we can share the air-con. So far that has been going well, except for the very early wake-up time of one Kyle Trotter! He usually wakes about 6-6:30am, but has had the occasional 4:45-5:15am wake-up time!

Kyle has been great! He is getting a lot of modeling work from Akasugu magazine (he is very popular there!). About one month ago Kyle took his first steps....then he totally lost interest in walking until a few days ago when he started having a great time standing up and taking a few steps! He is always very happy (as long as mummy or daddy is close!) and loves playing with Joshua so much. He's babbling a lot and can let us know what he wants with a point accompanied by his special word, "Ata"!

Joshua has also been growing so much, figuratively as well as literally, as he has reached the milestone of being 100cm tall! Josh has been really interested in reading lately, and recognises many small words. He does a great job of trying to sound out words with his phonics skills. He also likes writing letters and is getting very good at drawing, especially cars and people (and he's starting to hold his pencil the correct way too). Best news of all - Joshua is finally toilet trained!!!! Well, he's about 90% there, but that's close enough! He can wear underwear all day and saves his pee and poo for the toilet. He's even stayed dry the last few nights, but I'm not ready to risk a nappy free night just yet!

Aki has been great and enjoying a bit more free time to spend with her friends.

As for me, I've been very well and making the most of the hot weather and more free time (the extra free time is due to it being easier for just one of us to look after the boys). Since the start of July I started running, playing more basketball, eating less and eating healthier. I've been quick to reap the rewards as my weight has dropped from an average of 82kg to 76kg. My jelly belly is slowly disappearing, but my arms and legs look super skinny now (after the summer I'll hit the weights). I've been running at least every second day and have even ran (with a bit of walking!) to or from work three times, getting faster each time (52mins, 47mins and 44mins for 6km!) Also, I'm running with a backpack and it is very hilly. If I could actually run all the way I hope to get down to 35 mins. So, a lot more stamina and an improved body shape is enough motivation to keep me going, hopefully I can reach 70 kg with a flat stomach!!!