New haircuts, Sock Hops and life at the Calhouns

We have a had a busy last two weeks as I have tried to cram in everything I can before starting work tomorrow. I have mixed feelings about returning. I am glad to get back into the mix of things at work. I have missed the people and the kids, but I will also miss my little man who I have spent the last three months attached to. He has been such a blessing to our family and is the sweetest little guy. To ease the transition, I have a wonderful husband who is taking 2 weeks of paternity leave to stay home with Owen while I go back to work. Owen will then join Ellie at the JCC at the beginning of March.

So here goes a recap of the last two weeks.

Both girls got haircuts. Ellie wanted hers short like her mom's and Aunt Sherry's. We were going to go with shoulder length, but she kept saying shorter, shorter. It turned out to be very cute. She is growing bigger every day and has pretty much lost her baby look. I am not sure what happened to my Baby Ellie, but she has been replaced by a tall, slender, little girl.

With all of the snow and ice, the Father/Daughter sock hop scheduled for the end of January was moved to this weekend. Katelyn was so excited and spoke of it every day for the last three weeks. Alan was a trooper and greased his hair back, taking his oldest daughter out for a date to CPA. Thanks to Chuck for the greaser jacket. It made the outfit.

My sister, the lovely Aunt Sherry, moved out this weekend. After driving across town to work every day, she decided to move closer to her school. We are all sad that she is gone. The guest room looks so empty tonight. Mom and Larry came in for the weekend to bring all her stuff out of storage. Saturday was moving day. Even Ellie helped out by washing all her dishes. I must remember this for when I need help at my  house with dishes. While moving her things, we discovered to brand new Christmas dresses in the closet. I bought them after last Christmas and must have put them in the closet so the kids wouldn't see them. Unfortunately, I hid them from myself and forgot them, so they were not used for Christmas. Therefore, they became VALENTINES dresses. The kids dressed up for church today in their new dresses and had a ball.

Owen continues to be my incredibly sweet little boy. He gets all kinds of love from his mommy and daddy, along with his two big sisters. There is often a fight over who gets to hold Owen in the evenings. On Tuesday, he will be three months old. The last three months have flown by and we have loved every minute.

Sledding and penguins

After a VERY long weekend, the kids went back to school today. But they had blast in the snow while it lasted. I'm posting a couple of their sledding videos along with Katelyn posing as a penguin. Don't laugh. It is my first attempt at costume making. You always hear about those moms who lack any sort of sewing, crafty, etc talent staying up all night making a last minute costume for their kids. Well that is ME. OK I didn't wait until the last minute, but I am woefully inadequate in the creative costume making department. So thanks to Sherry for her ideas, we have put together Katelyn's Penguin attire for Penguin Day on Thursday. We hear that there will be a special guest. . . . could it be Snow Bird. We'll have to wait and see.

Amy and Ellie sledding

           Katelyn sledding in front of our house

Ellie and her daddy sledding video

                                                                                 Katelyn sledding video

Ellie was sledding down the hill with her big sister following, giving directions all the way.

Katelyn loving on her brother

She really takes her role as big sister seriously. 

Cheer Girl and Snow

Katelyn's basketball cheer girl debut was moved to Thursday with the threat of snow on Friday. She had a blast, cheering on the basketball court with the other elementary girls as well as the "Big" girls. She was in heaven. Even after their cheer girl job was over, Katelyn hung out down on the sideline with the real cheerleaders and kept cheering. She loved it. 

Snow fell all day Friday, so the kids were home with their mommy and Aunt Sherry for an official snow day. We got about 4 inches of snow--the most the kids have really ever seen. After about 40 minutes of dressing, we were ready to head outside. The snow was not wet enough so our attempts at making a snow man were in vain, but the girls enjoyed making snow angels, throwing snow balls and sledding down one of our neighbor's driveways. Ellie lasted about 20 minutes before she was too cold. (That is less time than it took her to get dressed.) Katelyn, on the other hand, had to be drug in she was having so much fun. Her poor toes had to be unthawed, but she survived with a warm bath and some hot cocoa. 

Owen didn't venture out into the cold. I didn't want to freeze his little cheeks off, but he got to pose for the camera just anyway.

The kids ventured out today for Day 2 of the snow with their daddy. The hill out front of our house turned out to be an excellent hill for sledding. All the neighborhood kids took a turn. It is 9:30 pm and I can still hear people outside squealing as they play and sled in the snow. We are hoping to get out of the house tomorrow. I am beginning to feel a little closed in. Hoping that the roads clear up a bit first. 

My chunky monkey

Owen had his two month appointment yesterday. He is a healthy little boy weighing in at 14 pounds (95th percentile) and 23 inches long (75th percentile). The doctor said his color looked good and he looked healthy. He is a beautiful little boy (I know I am biased), but he has so far managed to avoid the cradle cap crud and the baby acne. I have less than a month of maternity leave left, so I am taking all the time I can to love on this little guy.  He is such a sweetie. I can't believe how fast the time is going.

Owen turns 2 months during 1st trip to DC

Owen took his first plane trip over the weekend when we went to visit the Calhoun grandparents in Washington, DC.

While in DC (actually Bethesda, Maryland), Owen turned 2 months old. Wow how time flies. I can't believe we have had this little cherub for two months already.

The girls had a great time. We spent one day at the mall, going to the museums. The girls especially loved the Museum of Natural History where they got to spend some time in the butterfly garden. Katelyn could have spent hours in there. There was a moth as big as her face.

We saw the Washington monument (from afar) and the girls got to ride the carousel.

And on Sunday when it rained, the whole family came together as engineers to build a marble contraption. Surprisingly, it occupied the kids for a good hour.

Overall, it was a great visit. We were so glad that Owen got to meet his Granddad Tom, Thelma and Uncle Geoff. Geoff was a great sport and played the punching bag for the girls who thought he was just a big kid. Thanks Uncle Geoff.

Snow!!!! What Snow????

We went to bed excited about the snow we were suppose to have today. Unfortunately, when we woke up, there was nada, none, zilch on the ground and the girls were slated to be home all day for a SNOW DAY. Luckily, by lunch time a few flakes had landed so we got about .5 inches if that--not enough to cover the grass, but enough for a little sledding. We don't have a big hill near us and even if we did, there wasn't enough snow to cover the grass, so we improvised. Fortunately, there is a driveway across the street from us that has a pretty hefty slant to it, so the girls, along with the neighborhood boys, were able to do some short sledding down the driveway. They actually had a blast. Hopefully we will be in Pennsylvania or Boston one Christmas for a real snow, but for now, this will do. And. . . we just found out school is closed tomorrow. Apparently, it is due to black ice on the roads because it is certainly not due to snow.

Family exercise

In an effort to get this baby fat off, I have been trying to exercise most days. Surprisingly, my kids are also enjoying it, especially Ellie. Wednesday night the whole family was working out. Ellie likes to repeat what the instructor says and is very cute saying up, down, up, down and then stops for a million water breaks. We ended up having to take the weight away from Katelyn out of fear she was going to throw it straight through the TV.

Notice the kids with weights in hand--probably not recommended.

Delayed holiday singing

We had a girls night at my mom's house during Christmas break. Katelyn, Ellie and their cousin Katie decided to perform Christmas songs for us along with a couple of Hanukkah songs. Turn the music off down on the right in my playlist before playing the videos.

Ellie's rendition of "We Wish You and Merry Christmas"

Katelyn's "Jingle Bells"

Late Christmas pics

The not so glamorous photos pics are below along with a brief recap of our holidays. I know I am way late, but am hoping the newborn excuse still works. We had a wonderful week in Louisville visiting lots of family. We attended Grandma Karen's annual Christmas party. The girls had an exciting sleepover with Aunt Joyce and Allison, took a trip to the Puzzle Fundom, visited with lots of cousins, spent time with the grandparents and the GREAT grandparents and were simply spoiled rotten. We love you guys!

Christmas Eve at the Bibelhauser's with 20+ relatives

Opening their first Christmas gifts of the season--Red sparkly shoes which they LOVED from Aunt Stacy.

Christmas morning after Daddy received an invitation inviting him and his guests to dine with Cinderella at her Castle over spring break.

Owen's first Christmas--taking it all in

Christmas Day at Grandma Libby's, wearing some of Rebekah's belly dancing attire.

A surprise visit by Santa Claus at Grandma Libby's

Learning to play the drums at Grandma Libby's

Christmas and Baby photos

I am very late in posting these, but I wanted to share some of the amazing photos that a neighbor down the street took of the kids and Owen. He was about 3 weeks old in these. Of course, I am biased, but I think they turned out awesome. I just love them. So thank you Christy!

Holiday Festivities

This month has been busy with Holiday events and festivities.  

First Ellie's class performed at the JCC's Latke Dinner. They sang a song about lighting the menorah. She was the most on task and knew all of the words.

To usher in the Christmas Holidays, we walked through the town of Bethlehem. For those who have not been through it, it is an awesome rendition of an authentic Bethlehem during the times. The girls made dolls and candle holders and rope. They tried some bread, mashed some olives for oil and met Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus. I encourage you all to go next year. We are making it an annual event.

Then Owen turned 1 month old. I can't believe it. Time is flying. He is getting so big and handsome. We all just love on him all the time. He has these great chubby cheeks and eats all the time. I am grooming him to be a lineman at CPA one day.

Katelyn had her elementary Christmas program on Thursday night. The kindergarten did an excellent job singing their two songs, including a handbell song, and contributed on most of the songs. Katelyn looked stunning in her Christmas dress. It really got us all in the Christmas spirit.

The girls and I are heading to Louisville today to visit family and start the Louisville festivities off at a party at mom's tonight. In case I don't get back on here, I hope everyone has a wonderful, peaceful, spirit-filled Christmas.

Deck the Halls

This weekend was a time of Christmas joy. We were originally planning to go to the Christmas parade, but it was way too COLD. Yes I am a wimp. Instead, we talked the kids into going to Sweet CeCe's (I think that is what it is called) for some ice cream. For those who have not been there, you get to pick your own ice cream, serve yourself, and then add all kinds of stuff to your bowl. It can get quite disgusting, but is oh so tasty.

Saturday we put up the Christmas tree and decorations. The kids loved it and tried to be helpful. We were also blessed to get to spend the weekend with family. Alan's parents came in to meet Baby Owen and love on Katelyn and Ellie. They were such a help as playmates and it was nice to have an extra two pairs of hands on board. Today, we all ventured down to CPA to have lunch with Katelyn. We even let Ellie play hookie to go with us, followed by a trip to the Frist museum. It was a first for me, but I was very impressed by their Artquest area for kids. Ellie had a ball and entertained herself for a good hour creating art.

We will be sad to see them leave tomorrow :(

Doesn't this one look like Owen is smiling. Guess he loves his grandparents!!!!

Video not working on Blogger--Try this link

Diaper Changing video

Family diaper change

My creative Aunt Vicki sent the girls a care package to assist with diaper changing. It came complete with gloves to keep their hands clean and goggles in case Owen decided to spray them. They assisted their daddy last night with a dirty. The blogger video is not working, so I am posting a photo. I'll add the video later.

Already 2 weeks old--what a chunker

Owen had his two week checkup today. He is 9 lbs and 6 ounces and healthy. While he was 8 lbs 9 oz at birth, he had dropped to 8 lbs 1 oz when we left the hospital. The doctor says he likes to see them back up to birth weight at 2 weeks. Well Owen way surpassed that. Dr. said on average most babies gain about .5 to 1 oz a day the first few weeks. Well Owen gained 21 ounces in 14 days. The boy knows how to eat.

Owen continues to be my sweet little snuggler. He rarely cries or makes a fuss unless he is hungry or needs to be changed and even then it is not usually much of a cry. I took him up to my school today. Katelyn was his tour guide, taking him to see her teachers and to see my co-workers. She was very protective and made sure they knew how to hold him and to watch for his neck. She has taken on the protective mother role for him and takes it very seriously. It has been such a joy to watch the way she exhibits such love for her new little brother. The only jealousy I have seen is when he gets gifts and she wants one too. Otherwise, she is often glued to me when I have him--not jealous of the time that I spend with him, but rather wanting to hold him herself.

Thanksgiving 2009

With Baby Owen only 10 days old, we decided to stay in Nashville this year for Thanksgiving. I had mixed emotions about it. It is the first time that I have spent a major holiday away from any family with the exception of a ski trip in college. However, we wanted to give Owen a little more time to get his immune system up before getting slathered with hugs and kisses from all the relatives.

The girls played dress-up with real make up. Luckily, Owen did not have to participate, although I am sure it is only a matter of time before they have him in dresses and heels.

We took a morning trek to the neighborhood playground so the girls could run off some energy, which they followed with some nice naps.

Then my wonderful hubby cooked Thanksgiving dinner. I contributed the green bean casserole, but he did everything else. As you can see below, Owen stretched out and took a nice nap after his Thanksgiving dinner.

We took the day to reflect back on the year and the many blessings for which we are thankful. We are especially thankful that Owen joined our family this year. He is the sweetest, cuddliest baby who rarely fusses and just likes to snuggle up with you. He is already blessed with his two sisters who just adore him and fight over who gets to hold him. We are thankful for our families who offer us all such love and support. We really missed them this Thanksgiving, but know that we were on their minds and in their hearts even though were were not there. We are thankful that we have a nice roof over our heads and have never had to experience a truly hungry belly. We give thanks for jobs that we love when there are many who have no jobs at all. And we are thankful for our friends. I am especially thankful for a husband who is a true partner in my life and is with me every step of the way on the adventure of parenthood. 

First Bath and other pics from today

Bathing is not Owen's favorite activity.

We also took some pictures of Owen in his new room. For now he is bunking with mom and dad, but he likes his own Boy room too. Glad they were right about him being a boy or we would have been in trouble.