Update {Cael} - 3 years

Cael had his 3rd year appointment today and I wanted to update everyone on his stats and overall progress:

Weight: 36.5 lbs {32 lbs 7.8 oz at 2 years}

Height: 39 inches {36 1/2 inches at 2 years}

He is in the 90th percentile for weight and the 85th percentile for height. So funny story...I hadn't received a phone call reminding me of the date and time of his appointment so I called the doctor's office to find out when it was scheduled. The receptionist asked me for his date of birth and once she confirmed his name announced that his appointment was in approximately 30 minutes. Agghhhh, I quickly shut down my computer, informed my boss I was leaving and managed to make it to the appointment only 5 minutes late. The doctor asked Cael a series of questions (what is your dogs name, what do you do with a pencil, what color is the wall, etc) and for the most part, he answered them all correctly. However, when she asked him to wiggle his thumbs, he refused and when she asked him what he did with a cup he replied by saying 'you dip it in the toilet'.....I was embarrassed and naturally Dr. Chris wanted to know the toilet story. I informed her that there was no story, but now I was a little concerned about what Cael was doing with his sippy cups when I wasn't around! All in all the appointment went VERY well. He seems to be right on track with his growth and learning abilities (whew). I also got the usual spiel: make sure he gets plenty of dairy (definitely not a problem), limit how much TV he watches, use a car seat until 4 years and 40 lbs, don't use scented soaps because they can exacerbate his eczema (dry skin), brush his teeth at least once a day (check) and discipline properly! He got the flu mist and one shot and he WAS not a happy camper after the shot. He started screaming and would not stop until long after the nurse left the room. He talked about his 'shot' all the way home despite being given a pair of very cool sunglasses (green stars) for being so brave. Hopefully I will be able to better prepare him next year because I will be better prepared myself!!! I didn't have my camera on me because I wasn't planning on taking him to the doctor so no pictures of our latest adventure :(

{Aveyn} Quick Update - Bottles

Our little girl is growing up FAST....almost too fast (I now get why women 'miss' the baby phase - no, this does not mean we are having another - I don't miss it that much) for my liking. It seems like yesterday that Ryan and I were worried because she wasn't following the same time line as Cael and it now appears she is doing just fine....on her own time....line :) I am so happy to announce that Aveyn has been weaned from all but the night time bottle (woohoo) and my goal is to have her completely weaned by the end of the year. I would prefer sooner, but with the holidays and traveling, it is almost easier to give her a bottle than it is to deal with the aftermath of taking it away. She has taken to the sippy cup like a champ and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Happy Thanksgiving!?!

We hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year with my mom, Sheldon, Stefani, Barb, Tim, Erica, Nolan and Makenzi. Stefani and Sheldon arrived on Sunday and together with Barb offered to take care of Aveyn on Monday morning because she wasn't feeling well. They played with her and were even brave enough to administer, not one, but two nebulizer treatments, which she desperately needed and went a long way in making her feel better.

As usual, Nolan and Makenzi were SO good with the kids and kept them entertained much better than any of the adults could have dreamed of doing. The rest of us entertained ourselves by either playing cards, Catch Phrase and/or video games while also partaking in our alcoholic beverage of choice and stuffing ourselves full of delicious food. Everyone contributed in one way or another to the cooking, but the majority of the credit goes to Mom, Barb, Sheldon and Stefani.

It was a full house, but so absolutely wonderful to have everyone together for the holiday. Thank you to each and every one of you for making this a very memorable Thanksgiving and we hope you are seriously considering making the trip to Colorado next year for Christmas.

Happy Gram - Writing

I love happy grams and I love Primrose (the new school). Cael seems much happier and is showing a lot of improvement in terms of learning, listening, etc. So naturally I couldn't have been more thrilled with the latest happy gram....

'One of our goals is to help the children learn how to write their names. We've been practicing writing our letters by tracing and sand writing. Cael has shown a lot of interest in sand writing and with a little guidance we were excited to see him write the letters in his name'! ~Mrs. Sarah & Ms. Kristen

{Aveyn} Quick Update - Walking

Aveyn is SOOO close to walking. She takes about 4 to 5 steps on her own, stands up by herself and will actually push herself into a standing position (you know that cute thing they do when they stick their little butts in the air trying to get back onto their feet) - which to me is a definite indication that walking is not too far away for Miss Aveyn Jo! I CANNOT WAIT!

Happy Gram - Potty training

Although we decided to potty train Cael in late July, he still struggles with accidents at school. We have been working with his teachers to do our best to remedy the problem and apparently he has shown improvement because this is what his last happy gram had to say:

'He has been doing a lot better with always going in the potty, we have started using a sticker chart with him and he seems to respond and enjoy that the most. He is also very helpful to his teachers when we ask him to do things'! ~Ms Kristen

He might not be fully potty trained, but he is doing his best and it is comforting to know his teachers have a vested interest in seeing him succeed!

Nana and Grandma

As I mentioned in a previous post, Nana and Grandma flew into town to take care of the kids so that Ryan and I could take a much needed vacation. They were disciplinarians, nurses, entertainers, cuddlers and night watch-women - on duty for 24 hours a day - and we are eternally grateful to them for electing to take on those roles so that we could enjoy some time to ourselves in Mexico. We got back on Friday night and spent the weekend with them, which was the perfect way to end our vacation.

I can't stress how thankful Ryan and I are to the two of you for coming to Denver to take care of our kids. We know it is a lot to ask, but we are forever in your debt. Love you both!!!! Let's do it again next year ;) Hee hee!

Happy Gram - Singing and Learning

'Aveyn is the Queen of circle time!! She is so smart & has much willingness to learn. She tries all the signs to the picture cards & she knows every gesture to every song. Singing & learning sure makes her happy!!' -Ms. Kristina -Ms. Rachel

Happy 3rd Birthday Cael Ryan

On November 15, 2007 at 6:52 pm, Ryan and I welcomed Cael Ryan Zikas into this world (well, actually Ryan welcomed him and I just laid there and looked at him in shock)! It has been a wonderful three years filled with lots of new experiences as well as many life lessons, laughter and love (in addition to the occasional temper tantrum, potty training mishap, and battle of wills, but who's keeping track of that stuff?) We love this little boy so much and truly can't imagine life without him (he is eating a waffle with butter, syrup and COOL WHIP for his birthday breakfast)!

Nana and Grandma watched the kids while Ryan and I in Mexico so we threw a party for Cael on the Saturday after we got back. I asked him if he wanted to have a party and he said that he did. We discussed that the party was for him because it was his birthday and he that was going to be three and for the rest of the evening he kept talking about it and yelling how much he wanted to have a PARTY! It took us a while to get everything organized including the trip to Walmart to buy his presents and cake and King Soopers to buy his balloons, but in the end I think it was a hit!

He had SO much fun eating his cake, listening to us sing (we had to sing Happy Birthday 3 times) and opening his presents. Gifts this year included: cards and contributions to his checking account, clothes, games, a crane, a dancing SUV, a hula hoop and a horse on a stick. Thank you to Grandma and Nana for helping with the party and thank you to everyone who sent gifts, cards and/or well wishes. He is a very blessed little boy.