After returning from Olathe, (It was great seeing so many friends!) Caleb and Ella went to their new pediatrician for check-ups.  I have to say that he is THE best doctor I have ever met with kids.  He made them feel very comfortable and spent  a lot of time with us.  The kids didn't like their flu shots, but they did get neat band-aids! 

Caleb loves to do all kinds of big boy things, like clap, pound on any surface in front of him, make all kinds of noises, (some sound like words, but we don't know for sure,)  and eat table food.  Peas are one of his favorites.  He definitely has a sweet tooth and can be bribed into eating his less desirable food options (meat) with pudding or yogurt.  Caleb is fully on the go now, in all of his waking moments.  He isn't too far from walking and loves to go for walks while a grown-up holds his hands.  Ella loves that she and her brother can play "chase." Although, Caleb usually is trying to keep up with Ella.  Ella loves preschool and continues to excel at art, dance, and language arts.  She doesn't read the words in the books, but she makes up the best stories!  She drew a picture of our family today on the doctor's paper that was on the table, (it's OK, he asked her to do that.)  It was wonderful!  Mom was black, Ella was purple, Caleb was green, Grandma was yellow, Dad was blue, and the cats were white.  I should have torn it off and kept it, but we were going to be late for preschool and had to go.

We are finding a new normal here in Newton.  Everyone has been super friendly and Ella and Caleb enjoy their new home.   Caleb is on the move now constantly and Ella loves playing "chase," peek-a-boo, and any other game she can get him interested in to somewhat play.  We take lots of walks.  Caleb just loves being outside.  Ella loves walking down the ally or "bumpy road."  We've never lived by an ally so she is fascinated by them.  :-) 

What an exciting summer!  We traveled to ND to see family in June.  We traveled to Branson for vacation in July.   In August, we will be moving to Newton, Kansas.  The Lord called Aaron to Zion Lutheran Church and off we go!  We are still in the process of figuring things out (where to live, when to move, etc.) but we should be clearing up the details within the week.  Until then, Caleb and Ella are having a great summer with lots of fun.  I found out today that Caleb LOVES the pool.  He splashed from the moment he got in until he got out.  I should have put my suit on too, because I was just as wet!  Ella has such a great time trying to make him laugh, which she usually does.  She spends her time playing dolls, dancing around the house, or looking at books.  Caleb is almost crawling.  He was doing the army crawl yesterday to get to the kitty.  Once he got a hold  of Solomon, he didn't let go.  Oh was he proud!  Kitty tails are the most fascinating and sought after thing to grab and if Annie or Solly get too close, Caleb will not hesitate to pull!  Luckily, we have very patient cats who tolerate a lot.  We come to their rescue as soon as we can, but hopefully they will get wise or get faster.

We have been busy!!  Ella had her first dance classes this past week and loved them.  They were a Cinderella theme class and Princess Ballerinas.  Check out the pictures.  Caleb continues to grow and gain new skills every day.  He and Ella often entertain us with their antics.  Ella will do something silly and Caleb will do a belly-laugh, which only encourages Ella, and the two are soon in hysterics laughing at each other.  I didn't think this would happen until later, but hey, at least they get along, for now.  :-)

Caleb prefers rice and wheat cereal to oatmeal.  He tried sweet potatoes for the first time today and loved them.  I could not feed him fast enough!

I will try to be better about pictures in the future, but we have a very busy summer ahead of us. 

What an exciting day!  Ella had her first dental check-up this morning and was found cavity free.   She did a great job at her visit and the hygenist and dentist were so kind:  they explained everything that they were going to do.  She got to see how the chair worked and all the neat tools they used.  When she got home, her stuffed dog was the dentist and her baby doll sat in the chair to get her teeth checked.  This is where the analogy breaks down however, because then the dog tackled the baby and started bouncing on her.  Good thing that doesn't really happen when we go to the dentist!

Caleb also went to the doctor for his 2-month visit.  He is gaining weight and growing like a weed.  Unfortunately, he also got his shots and does have some issues with anger.  (We'll have to work on that later.)  He was very brave though and has two bandages on his legs to prove it.  Caleb is doing great though, except for the usual trials of vaccinations.

We have been battling a stomach bug at our house for almost a week now.  Ella brought it home from preschool, then I got it, then Caleb had a minor bought.  Just when we think it's gone, it comes back again.  Hopefully we can get rid of it once and for all, soon!

Everyday gets a little bit easier.  Caleb is more and more alert each day.  We love to see him stretch and hear his grunts and coos.  He is definitely a people person and likes to be where the action is!  Caleb tried out his swing the first time yesterday and he loved it.  Ella was 6 wks old when she tried the swing the first time and her head was a little floppy yet.  Caleb is a strong little boy because he has no trouble at all in the swing and he is 5 wks old.  (We have to take him out once he falls asleep because then his head will flop.)

Ella is doing great!  She loves to hold and feed her brother and never minds helping out.  In fact, the other morning she was up at 6 AM helping Dad with chores.  Now she asks us if we have any chores for her to do!  I'm sure it won't last long, but we'll enjoy every minute!  She has had many social gatherings as well.  Between birthday parties and play-dates, Ella is quite a popular girl.  Tea parties have become a regular at our house with peppermint tea, of course.  Most of the time she is dressed as a princess or as a ballerina.  Grandma Dahl has purchased a pair of ballet slippers for Ella and they are one of her most prized possessions!  I think everyone in this house will be sad the day Grandma goes home:  we are all getting spoiled.

Life at the Filipek household is attempting to find some semblance of a routine.  This past weekend, Caleb was baptized.  We had a great time with family and friends from St. Louis.  Uncle Adam, Aunt Becky, Beth, and Mark are Godparents to Caleb.  It was a very special service because Dad baptized his son.  And Aaron didn't completely break down during the service.  There were some wonderful, emotional parts, but Dad made it through!

Merry Christmas and happy New Year!  We have had a wonderful Christmas with our two wonderful kids.  Ella loved all Christmas decorations, food, and especially presents.  I think our favorite present was Mr. Caleb Matthew.  He is such a sweet boy who loves to eat and sleep.  He has an eye infection in his left eye, but we have medicine for it, so it will hopefully clear up soon.  Other than that, he is doing great.  We go in to the Dr. on the 2nd to check his weight gain and hopefully the infection will have cleared up by then.  Caleb will be baptized this Sunday so I will post pictures as soon as I am able to do so.