I finally finished Natalee's Christmas stocking! I have had it ready to sew for well over a month already! Here's our pile of stockings.
Lots has been happening here, so that's why there have been no recent posts. Last Sunday, November 25th, we set up our Christmas tree. The boys did most of the decorations, and Andrew also helped as much as he could. So far, he hasn't played with any of the ornaments (Joshua has been more into the ornaments, rearranging "his" ornaments in different places on the tree) and the boys have been playing with the Nativity scene I made last year. Caleb was "very sad" that the Bombers didn't win the Grey Cup. We don't remind him very often about the big loss.
On Tuesday, I finally brought Andrew into the Doctor because he was working so hard to breathe and he was lying around with a mild fever. At the end of the day (after another visit to the ER - that's 3 this year!), the diagnosis is pneumonia, and he's on antibiotics, one puffer (the Doctor doesn't know if the wheezing is from - so far - undiagnosed asthma), and another medicine that's supposed to help him keep his lungs clear. He's doing really well, and we've had to bribe him with grapes to take his medicine. He LOVES grapes! Here he is on Wednesday, back to playing with trucks and cars...and the shepherds too.
Now Caleb is sick with a bad cold, which has caused his asthma to bother him. Fortunately, the puffer has helped him ease his chest tightness.
Natalee was also at the Doctor for an early 9 month check-up. In the last two and a half months, she gained two pounds and grew one and a half inches. Despite her good growth, she remains the smallest Bergmann baby at this age, no surprise there. She is trying hard to crawl, rolling onto her belly and pushing up with straight arms. At times, she's getting her bum up into the air, but usually not at the same time as her head is up. She didn't sleep well last night, so maybe this is a sign that crawling is just around the corner?!?! It's hard to believe she's at this point already!
Fortunately, Joshua has remained relatively healthy, despite a minor cold and a lingering cough. I took Caleb and Joshua swimming to the Y last week Friday when they had the day off, and he's already trying somersaults in the water. I also put them in life jackets and we jumped into the "big" pool and swam into the deep end several times, until Joshua was too cold to continue! They both loved it!
Yesterday, we had Parent/Teacher Interviews at school. Mike stayed home with the sick and healthy children while I braved the elements and walked to school (-31 with the windchill). I first saw Caleb's teachers and they are very pleased with how hard he works and his attention to detail. He's doing well with learning to read & LOVES art! He has learned quickly to verbalize his problems and works with his classmates to come to a solution when there's a disagreement.
He needs to work on his fine motor skills to improve his printing, but I am really pleased that he is working hard and enjoying school!
Caleb drew a picture of himself in his Halloween costume.
Joshua also got a good report from his teacher. On the Assessment Report the teacher's evaluate them on, Joshua is achieving at least a grade one level in most every area. He is one of the few children in the class that is reading (a few words, not actual books) but his favourite thing to do is play with the dinosaurs! This is one of the three books Joshua has brought home that he can read.
Christmas morning at our house. The boys dumped their stockings before Mike & Natalee were out of bed.
Natalee and the doll Caleb picked out for her.
Unfortunately, due to illness, we ended up staying at home on Christmas Day. Mike was very proud of the impromptu CHRISTMAS DINNER (chicken, potatoes, salad & veggies) he whipped together in under 40 minutes (as I was not in any shape to make anything). He asked me to take a picture and blog it so you can all congratulate him on a job well done! It was nice to spend Christmas Day at home, but I wish it had been because of a snow storm instead of me being sick. Oh well, maybe next year?
The 1000 piece puzzle I finally finished today! Caleb was running around the house with the camera, and this is one of the better pictures he took.
THIS is a "Tech Deck". A small skateboard that you do tricks with...with your fingers, that is! Joshua has his full of stickers.
Yesterday we were in Morden for a family gathering. This is Natalee and her second cousin, Taylor, who is just a couple of weeks older than Natalee. Taylor is crawling all over and furniture walking. I was hoping Natalee would be motivated by watching her move, so we'll see if she too will start crawling in the next couple of days.
