Toddler pushing boundaries

and I'm interested in your advice and suggestions.

Blair is a headstrong wee lad at times, but lately I've been finding it harder to deal with him - especially as I get closer to due date. I'm trying to pick my battles, but am concerned about a)safety, and b) my sanity.

Rapid return technique - for those using this technique or something similar, do you wait for you little one to leave the room, or head in once you know they are out of bed? We've had a couple of rough nights, and for the 2nd time this week now afternoons as well - the problem is I know he's tired as he napped on me for 20 minutes well before lunch (it took me 10 minutes to figure out he was asleep) He normally sleeps for anywhere between 90mins and 3 hours of an afternoon, so I'm pretty sure that 20 mins won't get him thru till bedtime. Also at what stage do you 'give up' for an afternoon sleep - ie after you've returned them for as long as they normally sleep?

secondally - it's probably more related to not listening - ie standing on chairs, or climbing over the couch to get to the computer. Somedays all it seems like I'm doing is telling him 'Stop' and somehow lifting him over the couch back to the safer side of the lounge. We also have caged pets on the computer side which is blocked off, (and whom may attempt to nibble fingers if they think it's food if stuck in the side of the cage) and the only way I have avoided B climbing over a couch for the last day and a bit is to turn that couch around - which makes it not only look messier than normal, but nowhere for visitors to sit. We've tried time-out but he tends to think that climbing over the couch is a game - even if he falls...... any ideas....... I'm beginning to stress about trying to keep B in tow along with a newborn in the house

I am thinking that Blair and Jack may be twins! Jack seems to be doing alot of the same things that Blair is doing in regard to not listening etc. Most of the time I can get Jack to stop doing things like climbing on things he shouldn't by explaining that if he falls off it will be a big ouch, that often works as he then understands, however as he has a very short memory it doesn't always last long.

Other than that I am just trying to pick my battles. I kind of mentioned it to my mw in passing earlier this week. She said that often siblings seem to act up a bit as you get closer to you due date. I suppose that they just sence things happening. So it may not last (or be as bad) after baby is born

Not much advice for the second issue but as for the first, can he open his bedroom door? If our girls leave the bedroom having not had a sleep, they are put back to bed with the door shut that time. Minimum stay is 30-60 minutes (a bit shorter than their sleep time usually is).