Haiti

Last week I went to a fundraiser for a group of my co-workers that go to Haiti every year (Healing Hands for Haiti) to provide Haitians with prosthetic limbs, rehabilitation for strokes and other injuries, wound care, and education. The rehabilitation center crumbled in the earthquake, so they had a fundraiser and they raised $25,000 in one night! It was incredible! Here is part of my contribution: a Haitian Jungle canvas painting which goes perfectly in Cael's room!!

This and That

Here are some pictures of Cael enjoying his swimming lessons. Last weekend, Jonathan went in the water with him so I could take some pictures. This week it was my turn in the water with Cael!! We are done with the swimming lessons for now, but hope to get him in the next session lessons later in spring.



Last week (Jan 23-24) we made the journey down to La Crosse on Saturday for a "quick getaway". Jordan and Erin were excellent hosts (as always), and we had a lot of fun activities we did with the boys!

Playing with Flynn's kitchen (they played so well together)...to explain...Cael's pants were in the laundry since they were very dirty after lunch!

We may be in the market for a Cozy Coup as Cael played with it for hours...
They both love their milk!!


Going to the Children's museum and the YMCA!

Saturday we went and got Cael's 12 month pictures taken (ok, almost a month late) but they were still taken within the 12th month!

Click here (or copy and paste) and enter your Customer Name (Jenny Rixen):
https://www.smilesbywire.com/home.asp?AC=LTPP0232131673JCP

Cael is doing well otherwise. Still on antibiotics for those darn ears. We have an appointment with the pediatrician on Thursday with an appointment scheduled with the ENT next Tuesday (just in case we need it). We will keep you updated.

Have a great week!

And so it begins...

On Monday, January 18th Cael began to explore using his feet to get around instead of his hands and knees...he seems to think it is fun since he smiles and laughs while he is trying to walk.

Our house is suddenly going to become more busy!!!

Cael has his follow up appointment on his ears tomorrow...we will see how that goes! Hopefully the ear infection is gone!

You may be wondering how the night went when Cael went to bed at 6:45 pm...let's just say he was up at midnight ready to play! We finally got him back to bed around 2:30 am, after a bath with the shower running to help him with his congestion. On Tuesday, Cael was feeling better, but I was beginning to get his cold! I didn't miss any work, but I did have to go wearing a mask at the hospital for the day! That wasn't the most fun day I had at work. I am feeling better today, so it should be a good week!

Yesterday, we began "Parent/Child" swim lessons, which Cael thinks is the greatest! We get to spend time in the water with other kids, play with lots of toys, jump into the pool from the deck, and dunk under water!

Things Cael has been up to lately:

Reading one of his new favorite books

Cheering on the Cyclones

Brushing his teeth (or should I say chew on the toothbrush)

Learning to play the keyboard

Playing with his new tunnels

Have a great week!!

1 year statistics

We had Cael's 12 month appointment yesterday, and found out that he has yet another double ear infection! Back to the antibiotics we go! Fortunately Cael doesn't mind taking it!

Cael weighed in at 23.1 pounds and his height is 29.5 inches. He is certainly growing, and in relatively perfect health!

I say relative good health because he has a horrible cold right now to go along with his ear infection and teething! The past 2 days at daycare he has taken a 5 hour nap...yes...that is 1 nap for 5 hours! And...he has been sleeping through the night 11 hours! We will see how tonight goes...he went to bed at 6:45 pm!!! He is certainly trying to fight something! We will keep our eyes on him!

Hope you have a great weekend!

Cael turns 1!!

New Years Day evening we had a little birthday party for Cael...hard to believe it has been a year! People tell you that, but it really is true!! The time has gone so fast!!



He was more timid with the cake than I thought he would be, but he did eventually dig in....


ALL DONE! (He wasn't nearly as dirty as I thought he would be)

Cupcakes we all shared!

The next day we went to the Mall of America to Underwater Adventures to watch the fish and the sharks. Cael, Hannah, and Flynn thought it was great! We could have spent all day watching them!!

Cael finally fell asleep while watching the big fish!

On Cael's actual birthday, daycare celebrated with cake! They sang to him and everything! Then, Jonathan and I took Cael out to eat at a local restaurant for pasta and pizza! (ok, so this was probably more for me so I wouldn't have to cook or clean, but hey...I thought I deserved a little treat for what we went through 1 year ago!)

Who knew that Cael would learn how to use a spoon on his birthday when you put Gelato on the other end!! (He has a sweet tooth like is mom!)

Special Day today!!!

Today is our nephew/cousin Kjetil's 1st birthday!!! We wish we could be with you, but know we are thinking of you!!! Can't wait to see pictures of you devouring your cake Kjetil!! You have to try to keep up with cousin Cael in the eating department!!! (Don't worry...most adults can't keep up with him)! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KJETIL!!!!

Also, a very Happy Anniversary to Grandma and Grandpa Strike! We are thinking of you as well, and wish we could be in either warm location celebrating the big day! Hopefully you find time to go out to eat or spend time with friends at the park!! HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!

Love,
Jenny, Jonathan, and Cael