MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Every year around this time, I look forward to creating our family Christmas card and this year was no exception. Normally I drive Ryan crazy with wardrobe, lighting and background changes (yes, I am that obsessed), but this year, I loosened up a bit and just snapped as many pictures as I could before the kids (and Ryan) started having meltdowns! I hope everyone has a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a wonderful new year. I hope 2010 brings nothing but good health, good friends, great memories and wonderful news for everyone. I am overwhelmed with emotion at just how incredibly blessed I am and I hope everyone shares the same fortune! Here is to an even better 2010!

**If you didn't receive a Christmas card it is because I do not have your address. If you want one, e-mail me (jrzikas@aol.com) and I will add you to the list for next year!!!

Work holiday party - December 4, 2009

I am not sure if I have mentioned this before or not, but I love the company I work for and I love the people I work with so a chance to spend time with them outside of work is a special treat! We had our annual holiday party at Vanessa's house this year (Vanessa is my boss) and the festivities kicked off at noon. There was good food, good wine and great conversation (especially once the alcohol started flowing). We did our gift exchange and then everyone migrated to the basement where we found ourselves playing Rock Band. I have a horrible voice, but with a few glasses of wine (and my co workers cheering me on) I found myself grabbing the microphone and belting out lyrics to a number of different songs. It was so much fun and it was great watching everyone let loose and channel their inner diva!

SaNtA cLaUs

As is customary this time of year, the daycare hosted 'Cocoa and Cookies' with Santa and this time I actually remembered to bring my camera. Last year Cael was hesitant, but didn't shed a single tear when placed on the lap of the jolly man in red. However, this year was a little different. One minute he wanted to see Santa and the next, when asked if he was ready, would shake his head and cling to anyone in the immediate vicinity. When it was his turn, he willingly walked up to Santa, but the minute the big man pulled him onto his lap and wrapped his arms around him and I stepped away to take pictures, he started crying for Mommy. I calmed him down enough to snap a couple of pictures, but he wasn't enjoying himself. Overall he handled the whole experience really well considering how traumatic it can be for kids. Aveyn, on the other hand, was a champ and was content to just lay there as I dealt with her brother and took as many pictures as I could. I do think she got a little offended when Santa kept referring to her as a 'he' rather than a 'she', but she handled herself like a true lady and let Mommy figure out a way to correct him!

Cutest Kids!!

I know every mom feels like her kids are the cutest and I am no exception. Some days it absolutely takes my breath away that Ryan and I created such two little perfect beings! I will be the first to admit that being a parent is a LOT of work and probably one of the toughest thing I have ever done, but it is also the most rewarding and what it all boils down to is that seeing them smile and watching their faces light up with joy when they see Ryan and I makes it all worth it in the end!! There is no particular reason for this post other than to share some cute pictures of the kids because they are the CUTEST KIDS IN THE WORLD!!!!!!!!!!!

Cael's Book - Years 1 to 2

Click here to view this photo book larger

ThAnKsGiViNg 2009

For Thanksgiving this year, my mom, Nana and Grandpa flew in from Palm Springs and Omaha. I am so happy it worked out because as it stood Ryan and I were going to be spending the holiday with ourselves and the kids. Even though there is nothing wrong with spending the holiday as a family, the more the merrier in my book! We ate lots of wonderful food cooked by mom, Nana and Grandpa (I am sure everyone contributed at some point, but they did the majority of it)! We played cards, stuffed ourselves silly and laughed A LOT.... my idea of a perfect Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! I hope your day was full of lots of good food and many reasons to be thankful and that you were surrounded by family and friends!

Update (Cael) - 2 years

Cael had his two year appointment today and I wanted to update everyone on his latest stats and overall progress.

Weight: 32 lbs 7.8 oz (29 lbs 15.8 oz at 18 months)

Height: 36 1/2 inches (34 1/4 inches at 18 months)

Head Circumference: 50 cm (49 cm at 18 months)

He is in the 91st percentile for weight, 95th percentile for height and 75th percentile for head circumference. We can stop giving him whole milk and switch to whatever the rest of the family drinks, she wanted us to make sure he wasn't watching a lot of television (which he isn't at this point) and he is right on track in terms of his development (language, etc.). We noticed he was limping a couple of days ago and x-rays didn't reveal anything so we are watching him closely and giving him ibuprofen in case he is in pain (although he acts like nothing is wrong and is as energetic as ever). If the limp does not disappear in the next week or so we will be taking him to an orthopedic specialist to do further tests. Other than that he is a normal, healthy two year old and we are having so much fun with him!!!

RIP Dodge

Tonight Ryan and I made the heart wrenching decision to say goodbye to a member of our family. At some point, when it doesn't hurt as much, I will do another post and give him the sending off that he deserves. He was the sweetest, most loyal dog and I can't believe he is gone. At times I miss him so much it hurts to breathe. I will miss him for the rest of my life. Rest in Peace sweet puppy. You are loved and will never EVER be forgotten.

Urinary Tract Infection - update

We took Aveyn into the hospital on Monday to have some tests done. She had an ultrasound to make sure all of her organs looked normal and were in the right place and then had a catheter. They injected a dye into her bladder to see if her urine was refluxing into the ureter (causing urinary tract infections and possible kidney damage if left untreated) and it was. On a scale of one to five (five being the worst), she was a two on her left side and a three on her right. Her pediatrician has decided to put her on a low dose antibiotic (to prevent future urinary tract infections) for the next year at which time they will perform the test again to see if she has outgrown the reflux. If she hasn't and it has gotten worse then it is likely that they will do surgery to correct the problem. If the reflux has gotten better then we will discuss our options at that time. I contemplated taking the camera, but to be honest wasn't sure I wanted to capture this memory on film. She was such a good little baby and hardly cried, but was content to grin and coo at her parents throughout the entire ordeal.

As much as I want Aveyn (and Cael) to be 100% healthy all of the time, after seeing some of the other kids at the hospital, I am just grateful that this is all we are dealing with and not something more serious.