Adventures in Parenting

We have had some fabulous weather here the past week or so. Beautiful blue sky, sometimes a bit chilly still, but this weekend was definitely warmer! Spring is in the air (including tornado watches which we've been dealing with today. . .).

With the great weather, the kids have had some time to get outside and play on the bikes or just hang out. Here's Caleb working on riding his bicycle. Still needs a little work, but he's getting there! Aiden wanted to look like Daddy for the day so he's wearing his khaki's and polo shirt. :) I didn't get a picture of little Caleb, but he was wearing a polo shirt the same day and said, "I need to be tucked in like Daddy." We signed up Caleb for soccer this spring (starts next month). . .it'll be the first "real" activity he'll be in and we're not sure how he'll do. He and two of his little friends love to run around together (not just play, but physically run), but the other two are definitely more athletic at this point. One of the boys' mom told me the other day that every smart kid needs a dumb jock to protect him, so her son will be that for Caleb. Made me laugh. . .

So anyway, back to the soccer. We have an indoor sports facility right next door to our church (owned and operated by the church) and there is an indoor soccer field. On Thursdays, Caleb likes to take the kids over there because the soccer field is completely walled in, so he can just let the kids run back and forth to their hearts content. So, the other day he took the camera with to get some pictures.

Caleb, and the future soccer pose. . .

Caleb feeling a little happy.Abby taking a quick break from kicking the ball. . .Caleb attempting to take out Abby (full contact soccer. . .)But this is how Abby responds to that. "Take that big brother!" (Not really . . . not sure why he's laying there.)Abby almost caught in the act. . .she had taken a dry erase marker and wrote ALL OVER the refridgerator. Fortunately, dry erase marker comes off refridgerators easily.

Abby trying to pose for the camera. I would tell her to smile and she'd say cheese which would make her face look weird. . .this is one I caught mid-cheese so it doesn't look as bad.

Here's Abby and friend Joseph. I got the camera a minute too late as right before this they had both been sucking their thumbs and playing with their hair (opposite hands). Farmer Aiden. I only saved a SMALL handful of clothes from Caleb, but these overalls from Gran-pappy and GG were one of the items. The story behind the overalls is that when my family moved to Wisconsin (twenty years ago) my Pappy said that everyone is Wisconsin had to have a pair of Osh-Kosh B'Gosh. So he bought a pair for little Caleb when he was born. Now they fit Aiden!

Then one night Daddy decided to make pizzas with the kids. They stand on their chairs and did quite well!Of course, you cannot make pizza without taste testing as you go. Here's Abby. . .

And of course, Caleb had to try it too. :)

Spreading the sauce (a little out of order, sorry).

My most favorite story from the last few weeks was when little Caleb started talking to us in the van and proceeded to tell us basically the entire Resurrection story! It made me a little teary but I was quite impressed with what he was telling us. My prayer is that someday (sooner than later!) he truly understands what he was saying!! Oh, and he and Abby's favorite song is now "Mighty to Save." I LOVE to hear them sing!

That's all for now. . .we're headed to Georgia later this week to visit Gran-Pappy and GG along with Miss Kerry, Mr Rich and Miss Marissa. More pictures will surely follow!

Pictures

So my dad sends me an e-mail once again this morning that he needs more pics. . .well, I don't have any on the computer quite yet, but I will definitely try to get some on here today. For now, enjoy the chubs. :) Chris says he's going to call him "Brunswick" because he resembles a bowling ball.

Speaking of bowling balls, Caleb likes to "bowl" and is pretty good. . .he doesn't *look* very smooth, but he gets more spares than I do.

And here's Abby being a ham. Silly girl wouldn't sit still for a photo.

Snow!! (Finally. . .)

When we were moving down here a couple years ago, everyone was telling us the winters here were very similar to Chicago. We have yet to experience that! This year and even last winter, we keep hearing about snowfall, after snowfall, after snowfall. . .but nothing here. Until this week, when we FINALLY got some snow! We actually got around 8 or 9" which was quite a hit considering we had only had a dusting (and I truly mean barely a dusting) previously this year.

So, everything was basically closed on Wednesday (they don't have many snowplows around here!) so Caleb got to stay home and play in the snow with the kids. (Note: that's the one negative about working from home. . .no "I'm snowed in" excuse. :) That's ok though, I'll take the positives over the negatives!)

The kids did not get new snow pants this year (good thing we didn't spend money on something for only a couple uses!) but the ones from last year still fit (basically at least. . .a little short and getting pretty tight, but that's ok they still work!) The only reason I point that out is if you've remember pics from last winter. . .yes, they are wearing the same stuff. :)

Here is poor Abby. She had a hard time walking and ended up laying in the snow most of the time. Once Caleb was able to shovel the sidewalk and driveway a little, she was more mobile.

Here she is again. Assume the position.

Trying to decide if she should venture out from the door or not. This was prior to the sidewalk getting shoveled.

Caleb didn't seem to have much trouble. He just started walking out. . .kept getting stuck, but at least he could stand!

This is prior to actually getting outside. Abby still reminds me of the kid from "The Christmas Story" that can't walk in his suit.

And of course I need to include a picture of baby Aiden! He's doing very well (except for an ear infection in both ears. . .) and is now 13lbs and 23 1/2" long. He had his two month check up on Friday and the little chubber is doing fine. :)

Just this week he started smiling and it's very cute! He has a little dimple up close to his mouth (along with a normal cheeky dimple) and I hope he keeps them both! He also surprised us Friday night and slept from about 9pm until 5:30! That was nice! Saturday night wasn't as long, but he still went from 9pm until 3am (but now I can't get back to sleep, hence updating the blog at 4am!) which is not bad either. We'll keep at it!

Happy New Years Eve!

Happy New Years from the Worgess fam. . .The past couple days haven't been too fun as little Caleb had the flu. He seems to be on the upswing now, but we'll see (we thought the same thing last night but he surprised us again this morning). You can't read his shirt fully right here, but his shirt says "Say BOO to the Flu" which I thought an appropriate shirt to wear while having the flu! Guess we should have gotten him in for a flu shot. . .we're really, REALLY hoping Aiden doesn't catch anything! OH, and in case anyone was wondering (or cared. . .) this is actually the second time he's worn this shirt in the last couple days. . .it's already been through the wash. As have three other pairs of jammies. . .woo-hoo!! Fun times. I have to say though, it really made me giggle because this morning when I was on the phone, he came wandering into the kitchen, opened the cupboard where I keep the tupperware and he grabbed out a "puke bucket" for himself. I was impressed that he did it himself! Fortunately, he is MUCH better with the bucket than he used to be. Now he actually uses it. When he was little, he'd just push it away and throw up all over (just ask my mom about that one. . .I think she changed her shirt at least four times in one night). Anyway, enough sickie stories!

While Caleb has been sick, Abby has been happy as a clam! Poor thing has had to entertain herself quite a bit, which has made for MANY laughs for Momma listening to her. This afternoon she was talking to her Care Bear and Mr. Bear about changing their pants cuz they were stinky. She makes me laugh.

This picture below was Daddy's idea, but you have to imagine that Abby's been trying to figure out a way to get Aiden in this stroller since he came home from the hospital! Poor Aiden. . .he could be in for a lifetime of stuff like this. At least he only has one big sister. . .if he were the youngest AND the only boy, well then I'm sure we'd see him in her doll dresses too.
And last but not least, here are our two bums as they watch one of their movies. Grammy and Pappy got them these bean bag chairs for Christmas, and now they think they need their "blue and purple chairs" anytime they watch a movie. The bags are a little big to keep in our living room so this requires Mommy or Daddy to bring them up and down the stairs every so often. At least they're light!
We hope everyone has a very SAFE and Happy New Year!!

Five is the Loneliest Number. . .

Wow. . .once again a long time since a post, but as most of you know, I've been busy with other things. My dad has been very good about updating their blog with pics, so hopefully you've seen the pics of the kids while I've been "busy." My parents have been here (with a week or so off in the middle) since the day after Thanksgiving, and they just left yesterday morning (Christmas Eve) to head back south (just in time for us to have 60 degree weather this weekend!). So, the house is now down to five members, but it seems empty. :) We're SOOOOOOO thankful for all their help while they were here and they will be greatly missed! Not only for their help, but just cuz we'll miss them (especially the kids!).

So, since it's been so long, here are a ton of pictures to enjoy!

This is how the kids like to watch cartoons in the morning.

When they aren't fighting for space in mommy and daddy's bed at least.

Gee, isn't he cute? He takes after his father. . .

Our little musician. She also LOVES to sing and will just break into song wherever she is.

They both like to play with the Nativity set (or 'tivity as Abby calls it). Here, Abby had all the angels and wise men lined up. I guess they had to wait in line to get in to see baby Jesus.

Abby and new baby brother Aiden. She and Caleb both think he's kinda cool.

My mom unpacked all my old bridesmaid dresses. They are now for Abby to play dress up. This was actually the dress Mom wore for the "Culver's Prom" but she kept it with my stuff for future use. Abby sure liked it!

Caleb playing his game on Pappy's computer. He really liked his puzzle games. Of course he only wanted to play whenever Pappy would sit down to do something on the computer (which really was quite often).

Pappy asked Caleb if he wanted to help put this TV stand together. I was in the other room and this is what I kept hearing. . .Pappy: "Caleb hand me [insert part name]. Abby, you're in the way." I think Caleb was a good helper. . .Abby, not so much.

In the theme of dress up, Grammy made the kids costumes to be Mary and Joseph with Aiden as baby Jesus. It was ADORABLE!! She even taught them to sing "Away in a Manger" and they sat in their costumes and sang for us. The first picture was the dress rehearsal for Pappy and Mommy, but when it came time for the actual performance (in front of Daddy, Uncle Chris and Auntie Em) they didn't do as well. They sang the first line, then Caleb said, "my song has spots" (which means there are skips like on his DVD's). Nice.

As they were getting ready, Abby was dressed as Mary and said, "I'm Mary and you're Joseph," but Caleb said, "No, Abby, I don't have my costume on yet." After the "performance" Grammy was getting them into their clothes again, and little Caleb announced, "I'm a boy again!" Guess he knows the difference between being in character and being yourself. . .

The three kiddos together. Like I said. . .Caleb and Abby think he's kinda cool. Oh, and by the way, I promise we do comb Abby's hair everyday.

Christmas Time!!!

The first Christmas gifts were from Gran-Pappy, G-G (Great-Grammy), Uncle Rich, Miss Kerry, and Miss Marissa, Uncle Chris and Auntie Em, and Grammy and Pappy.

Miss Marissa got Caleb a sticky hand. He kept flinging it around the room and getting it stuck to packages. He thought it was pretty cool and we all got a kick out of watching him use it!And if there was ever any doubt that Abby is a princess. . .well, now those doubts will be taken care of. I present to you, Princess Abigail.And of course, every princess needs super cool sunglasses and a matching purse. Yes, this is definitely my child (at least in the way of purses. . .not the princess thing!). She received no less than four purses this year. . .and I may be missing some. :)And here they are with Auntie Em and Uncle Chris. Grammy made them matching Elmo jammies. Too cute!Grammy also made them both a pair of Michigan pants. Abby of course had to try on everything as she opened it. Here she is modeling her new Michigan pants, the purse Grammy made her (which matches Mommy's!) and the wings and headband that came with her fairy costume. She is one stylin' chic! (You can't see it, but Daddy french rolled her pants too. Tres '80's!)And here, Abby is modeling her new "jingle bell" hair thingys. These are actually perfect for her because when she sings "Jingle Bells" she shakes her whole body back and forth! Thanks Grammy for these, she loves 'em! (And see? I told you we comb her hair. . .) There were MANY more gifts from everyone listed above, but this post is long enough already without going into more!! Thank you sooooo very much to all for the fabulous gifts! The kids had a great Christmas!Three weeks and two days old. . .already found his fingers. The other two moved from finger to finger before settling on their specifics (Caleb's first two and Abby's thumb) so we're not sure if this is where he'll end up or if he'll move to other fingers/thumb. And for those that recall pictures of Caleb when he was born. . .yes, this is almost an exact replica.

Christmas Part 2: Mommy and Daddy gifts. Since Grammy, Pappy, Uncle Chris and Auntie Em left Christmas Eve morning, we were actually alone as a family for Christmas Day!!! So, we woke up (slowly) this morning and came downstairs for the kids to open their gifts from us.

Abby got this doll house, which Caleb also likes to play with. Here's another set of matching jammies made by Grammy. (And yes, I know Abby looks like a homeless street urchin.)Daddy's caption for this one. . ."Bah Humbug."Caleb got this basketball hoop that will grow with him. He's no Michael Jordan, but he's only three. . .at one point he thought he should try kicking the ball instead. Maybe sports won't be his thing. We'll see. He really likes the hoop. He especially liked it when Daddy put it up to six feet tall and lifted him up to "dunk" the ball. After they opened their gifts and played for awhile, they came in to watch "Milo and Otis" (or the cat and dog movie as Caleb calls it). Of course, Abby can be seen in yet another new outfit that she had to try on right away. Yes, it's another Michigan outfit.And last but not least, the littlest munchkin. I need to get better at labeling "Caleb" and "Aiden" in their pictures. 10 years from now it will be difficult to remember which one is which because they really do look identical at this age. The only difference, Aiden has the chicken legs while Caleb had a few more rolls. :)

We still have one more Christmas to go with the Worgess family up in Illinois (hopefully in the next week or two. . .depending on when we go up there). Phew! Christmas celebrations everywhere!!

I always say that I will post more often, but it doesn't happen. Since my parents won't be back in the area for a few months, I'm sure I'll be hearing from Dad to post sooner. . .and I will try! I'm off work for another few weeks so maybe during this time I'll have a few extra minutes. :)

We hope everyone has a VERY Merry Christmas!!!

Fall Fun

Caleb and the kids played out in the yard this afternoon, and he was able to get some cute pics of the kids in the leaves. Here you go!We've been loving this fall (?) weather but it looks like it might turn in the next day or so. Still warmer than up north in Chicago though! I'm ready for the cooler weather personally, but I know most people don't share that sentiment. OH, and with all that fresh air the kids got. . .little Caleb just got up from a FOUR hour nap! Wow! That's actually the third time this week since they've been going to the park during the day as well. Phew! Maybe the li'l guy's gonna have a growth spurt soon. Maybe not. :)

Oh, and here's what happens when you get to go to Target with Daddy. Funky Moose ears!