The giggles

We bought very few things for Aveyn in terms of toys because we already had them for Cael, however, I did indulge and allow myself to register for a purple Bumbo (something girly amongst all the blue). I am so glad I did. From the moment, I opened Aveyn's Bumbo at the baby shower, Cael has been fascinated. When we got home, I pulled his out and now that we are starting to put Aveyn in hers it has been a wonderful thing to have two. When Cael saw Aveyn sitting in hers he pulled his up right in front of her and proceeded to make her laugh with his silly antics. I couldn't quite capture it on camera (she was really laughing), but I think you get the idea!

Pseudo 'Take your daughter to work' Day

Aveyn has been sick with RSV and an ear infection for over a week and Ryan and I have been juggling our schedules in order to keep her out of daycare. The burden of care has fallen to Ryan as I was needed at work, however, on Friday he had to go in so I took Aveyn to work with me. Not exactly an ideal situation, but given the extenuating circumstances, we didn't have much of a choice. There were plenty of people willing to watch her starting with Julie (a fellow RA). Julie fed her so I could approve a few things and then took her into her office to play. They must have played hard because Aveyn fell asleep on Julie's chest while she typed out e-mails with one hand.

My co-workers are amazing people and were so good with her. Alison closed her door and was content to put Aveyn on her lap where she cooed and talked to her until it was time to get back to work. Andy read her a story and Laura took her on a tour of the office and introduced her to everyone. She wanted to keep Aveyn in her office while she worked, but Aveyn started screaming and it was back to Mommy's office for a bottle and a cat nap.

She ended up spending 6 hours at work with me and overall it was a pretty good experience. She did so good and was such a good baby. Although it is not something I hope to do anytime soon, it is nice to know that it is an option should the need arise again.

Potty training

As I mentioned in previous posts, Cael has started the process of potty training at daycare, which at this point means that they put him on the toilet before they change his diaper. He has yet to actually go in the potty, but is becoming more and more interested in his 'big boy' potty that we have for him at home. We are taking it really slow and just trying to introduce the concept. I want him potty trained as soon as possible, but also realize that it is a process and that it will take time. I am just happy that he is starting to show an interest and hopefully the rest will fall into place. Whenever Ryan and I go into the restroom, Cael follows us in there, sits on his potty or decides he wants to stand on it or pick it up and move it someplace else (we are working on teaching him that it is not a toy and should only be used if he has to go to the restroom). The other night we were sitting in the living room and Cael went in and grabbed his potty and brought it out to where the rest of the family was gathered (I think he thinks it is more of a toy than anything) and I couldn't resist taking pictures of the whole ordeal. It paints a pretty funny picture!

Haiti

I don't think anyone has been able to turn on their TV or stand in line at the grocery store without hearing horror stories of what is going on in Haiti. It breaks my heart seeing and hearing about all of these children who are being sent to orphanages because their parents are either dead or missing. If it weren't for the fact that having another child would force me to stay at home, I would honestly consider adopting one of the orphans. It has touched me that much. Maybe it is because I am now a mom and pictures of their sweet little faces are just too much for me to bear. A co-worker (who was also thinking about adopting) and I were talking and she did some research and was told that rather than take these kids out of Haiti, their homeland and comfort zone, it would make more sense to donate money to make their country a better one. That makes perfect sense to me and I will be looking into the cause (Save the Children)!

Tummy time

I have been horrible about putting Aveyn on her tummy for 'tummy time'. The last two times I have gone to the doctor for her well baby check ups they have asked as to her tummy time progress and I have sheepishly admitted that I am not doing tummy time mainly because she hates it. Daycare has started doing modified tummy time by using a Boppy and also putting her in the Bumbo to increase her neck strength so I decided we could start there as well. Something, is after all, better than nothing! Outside of being asked by the doctor, I know that soon we will be starting her on baby food and I am not comfortable putting her in high chair and I think using the Boppy and Bumbo will help me get comfortable by enabling her to strengthen her neck muscles and head control.

When Cael saw me taking pictures of Aveyn in her Bumbo he had to get into the action.

Micka Mouse

While we were in Omaha, Cael developed a fascination with Mickey Mouse. When we got back to Denver, he kept asking for Micka Mouse so the next time I was at Target, I bought him a couple DVD's and he loves them. He still loves George, but it is nice to mix it up a little. Ryan and I absolutely LOVE the way he says Mickey (Micka with a bit of a Brooklyn or New York accent). Lately he has been waking up at 5:30 or 6:00 in the morning (I know, fun for us) and coming into our bed demanding Micka Mouse or George. I didn't realize my mistake in letting him do this until it was just a little too late. It isn't so much of a big deal during the week because we are up for work, but this morning at 5:30 I was not happy. At least he let us sleep for another hour and was content to watch Mickey!

His Curious George collection includes the following:

And lastly his Wiggles collection includes:

I have said it before and I will say it again, thank goodness for these dvd's and bless whoever created them as they are a wonderful babysitter when Ryan and I need to get something done, have to take a road trip or just need a little bit more sleep!

Workout time

So in my attempt to make this more of a family blog I thought I would do a post about yours truly. Nothing major, but I have made a commitment to get back into shape. We are going to Florida in April and I am in a wedding in August and my goal is to be 15 pounds lighter and to really tone up! I am also going to attempt to become a runner (i.e. someone who runs and likes it). I hate running, but I think it is a great way to get into shape so I am going to give it a shot. I was actually talking to a woman who is a personal trainer and when she found out that I really like to swim she suggested I do a triathalon. HA HA nooooo way! Not this girl. I think people who do triathoalons are amazing and also just slightly nuts!! So, for the next 6 months I am going to work out three times a week for sure and then try to squeeze in some type of workout at least once on the weekend! Wish me luck!!!! I'll post updates. Not so sure about pictures (unless I just look absolutely amazing), but I will find a way to at least make it semi-interesting for those of you who actually read the blog!

Family pictures

Go to this website http://www.hasselandfunk.com/sessions.html and type in 'Johnson' or 'Zikas' to see the family pictures we had taken while we were in Omaha over Christmas. The photographer was Jeff Funk and he did a great job (much better than Portrait Innovations or Picture People). I can't wait to get the updated portraits framed and hanging on our wall!! If you are interested in ordering, please let me know via e-mail (jrzikas@aol.com). Enjoy!!!

Update (Aveyn) - 4 months

Aveyn had her 4 month appointment today (1/14/10) and I wanted to update everyone on her latest stats and overall progress:

Weight: 13 lbs 3.2 oz (10 lbs 9 oz at two months)
Height: 25 inches (23 inches at two months)
Head Circumference: 42.3 cm (40 cm at two months)

She is in the 50th percentile for weight, 75th percentile for height and 80th percentile for head circumference. Long and lean - just the way we like it!!

Just because I like to compare, I have added Cael's stats from his four month appointment (3/17/08)
Weight: 16 lbs 4.6 oz
Height: 26.5 inches
Head Circumference (HC): 43 cm.
He was in the 80th percentile for weight, 90th percentile for height and 75th percentile for HC.

Our little peanut is getting so big. I love this age (stage) and remember feeling like the clouds had parted and the sun was shining when Cael hit the 4 month mark. Not so much because he was a difficult infant, but because I felt like I was finally getting the hang of things and that he was actually more of a little human being at that point. I love giving her kisses on her neck and hearing her laugh. It is the cutest thing and the most beautiful sound in the world. She coos, babbles and talks all the time and is the happiest, smiliest baby ever (even more so than Cael)! The doctor once again said she was the picture of perfect health. We discussed starting on solids and she said we could start whenever we felt comfortable. Aveyn has been drooling a TON and so I asked about teething. The doctor checked her mouth and gums and said we were still a good two months away from her first tooth! She also said that Aveyn's eyes will stay blue (same color as Cael's and Mommy's) and commented on how beautiful the color was. Other than that she got two more shots (boo) and an oral vaccination.

I was shaking a rattle above her head. She would move her arms and legs really fast and her eyes would get really big.