New Year's Letter

Dear Friends and Family,

Happy New Year!  This last year has been filled with no end to the new accomplishments and additions to our family, and we would love to share them with you.

NEW SKILLS: BJ is growing in leaps and bounds.  In January, we decided to undertake what has been called one of the most difficult parts of parenting- potty training.  It took us a few weeks, but he quickly mastered the skill and loved his new independence.  In July, he asked if he could wear underwear to bed and proved he was able to stay “clean and dry” at night.  He turned 3 this last October, and has been showing off, riding his bike with pedals, playing with his soccer ball, and saying all kinds of words in “Spansh”

NEW FOODS: BJ’s allergies have improved dramatically this year- passing his milk challenge- thus opening him up to a world of cheese, milk, and ICE CREAM! He also passed his egg in baked goods challenge and will hopefully pass unbaked (but cooked) eggs this spring!

NEW JOB: Brandon found an amazing job this year that he feels he can stay with for the long haul.  He loves his new position- finally being able to use his engineering degree with Hoerbiger, working on one of his great loves- large engines!  He is traveling quite a lot, but enjoys the new challenge!

NEW BABY: Anika Mikaela Workman joined us August 13^th, a Saturday morning, and big brother BJ came to meet her Saturday afternoon just as he predicted!  She loves to eat, sleep (9-10 hours nightly plus great naps), and watch her doting big brother.  She has recently discovered her toes and rolling over.  She definitely is laid back in personality (and easy health-wise) and is such a blessing to all of us!

NEW HOUSE: 10 days after Anika joined our family, we closed on our dream house in Highlands Ranch, CO.  It is closer to Cassi’s work, has plenty of space to grow, and has Brandon’s dream garage!!  There is very little work to do (which is a nice change after the projects at our last 2 houses), and we are truly enjoying the house we plan to be in indefinitely.  Thanks to all our family and friends for the help and support moving!

NEW AU PAIR: With the addition of Anika and moving, we sadly needed to change childcare providers. Our friend Stefanie has cared for BJ the last 1.5 years, and it was hard to make an adjustment.  We chose to invite a 21 year old Mexican girl, Angie to live with us and help us care for the kids.  She is a hard worker; always willing to do extra with the kids and around the house.  Her presence has given us opportunity to work without rushing to daycare for the kids and the occasional date night out.  She is working with BJ on his Spanish, while taking English classes twice a week.

Cassi continues to work at Aspen Family Care as a family physician and is trying to juggle everything including all the “new” changes.

Throughout the last year, we continue to be thankful for God’s unchanging love for us.  Our hope is that you too can experience His love and grace in this New Year!

Our new address is 2627 Baneberry Lane, Highlands Ranch, CO 80129. 

Wishing you the best this New Year!

The Workmans

Catch up

Somehow between having a baby, adjusting to life with 2, moving houses, unpacking, 2 full time jobs (one with frequent travel), and planning for the holidays, I haven't had time to blog (and I haven't started our Christmas letter either).  Sorry.  So catching up. . . we've settled into somewhat of a routine here at home- although it does continually change- we have our routine when Brandon is home and another when he is traveling.  (I personally prefer it when he is home!!)

BJ is at such a fun age, although challenging at times.  He loves his baby sister and is super helpful.  He says the funniest things- and Christmas was a blast with him.  He was completely spoiled, but was appreciative of all of his new things!!

Some of his fun comments this Christmas were:
-Talking with Mommy about Jesus's birth- he was born in a stinky barn! (How else do you describe a stable?)
-Fun changes in songs: "Then one froggy Christmas Eve, Santa came to say", "We wish you were a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New You!", "Baby said it's cold outside" (thinking about Anika), "Police Mamidad (Feliz Navidad), "Roo-Dawg the red nosed reindeer"
-Mom or Dad: "BJ, you have 10 more minutes until bedtime" BJ: "No, 5 more minutes!"
AND, he loves to make plans. . . "After breakfast, let's go to the museum, how 'bout? And let's take Nicholas to the musem too, how 'bout? Yeah, let's do that"
-When he gets hurt: "Mommy's kisses are the best!

Anika is growing- she's smiling, and remains the sweet happy baby.  She does great sleeping- most nights around 9 hours.  She loves to watch her brother, but isn't a fan of his "tough" love- the tight hugs, "helping" her stand up, etc.

I'm going to work on our New Year's letter later this week- so you'll get to hear more about the boring adults too. . .  here are some pics. (Oh, and I updated the pics on the side bar (and some below)- all pics from Bryndi Shult, an amazing photographer. Check her out at http://brynmarae.com)

The fam, complete with Angie

 Love laughing time

 Angie and the kids

 Anika 3 months

 BJ coloring pics for Daddy's birthday

 BJ loves Anika

 Anika 4 months

 Kisses

 Big smiles snuggling with Dad!

 Dad and his kiddos

 The fam again

 Mommy's kisses are the best!!

3 year old pics

Typical pic in our house- BJ giggling at having a pic with Anika, Anika screaming because he scared her!

Anika at 2 months of ge

 BJ and Daddy playing with his grill

 Status post cupcake

 Enjoying another cupcake!!

 Snow!!

 Anika and Daddy at Halloween party! (Our little sweet pea!)

 And the little stinker trick or treating!

BJ 3 years old!!

Happy Birthday (only 10 days late) to my sweet BJ!! We were able to celebrate last weekend with Grandma, Grammy, Papa, Clinefelters, and Matt and Maria and crew. BJ had a great time and loved all his gifts!! So spoiled.  Plus, he liked the chocolate "muffins" (cupcakes) Mommy made, he is still asking for them.

Nicknames: Beej, little man, stinker, lovebug, bug, Captain, bud, Stink, Little stink,

Weight & Height: 32 lb (50%) 36" (25%)

Hair: Blonde

Favorite foods: chocolate chips, hot dogs, bread, fruit, berries, cookies (Oreos), "bark" - granola bars, hummus and veggies, muffins, cheese, grilled chicken nuggets at Chick-fil-A, french fries

Favorite toys: cars, trucks, trains, balls, his stomp rocket, his play grill and food, play wheelbarrow

Favorite stuffed animal:baby (a doll who is filthy- anyone know how to clean off the plastic doll skin?)
Bedtime: 7-7:30 p.m.

Wake-up time: 7:45 a.m.- thanks to maternity leave with Mommy and now having an au pair, so he doesn't have to wake up early!!.

Naps: mostly one nap a day for 2-3 hours- but we are struggling lately with this

Favorite person: Mommy and Daddy- depends on the day, Anika, Nicholas, and now Angie- our new au pair

Latest Accomplishment: I'd say I was very impressed with his adaptability with all the changes here and his love for his sister!  Also, he's pretty proud of all the things he can do by himself- go potty, climb the cabinets, stay clean and dry all night long, 
Likes: eating, playing, his husker room, his new house, the park, the Children's museum, "playing" with Anika, helping Daddy work on the cars, helping Mommy cook/bake, running around the circle to get the mail, Chick-fil-A,

Dislikes: having to come inside, green beans, black beans, not getting to choose, having to take a nap

What he is saying: everything!  He talks so much.  Especially, asking questions- I answer a million "why" questions a day!!

What gets said about BJ most often: how well mannered he is (for everyone else!!)

Fears: people leaving him, dogs getting to him without someone else around

Health: doing better much better, he has passed his milk challenge so can have all types of dairy, and has passed his egg-baked in goods so can have eggs if they are baked in 

How he's like Daddy: he likes Mommy, has a mischevious grin at times, loves to "drive the car", wants to do EVERYTHING Daddy does
How he's like Mommy: his coloring, his hugs, love of cuddling, short fuse for frustration

Funny things he's done lately: wanting to say hi to everyone I talk to on the phone, attacking his sister with hugs, laughing at himself, running around like a crazy person at home

I'll get some pics maybe tomorrow. . .

Anika's 1st 6 weeks

Crazy to think Anika is already 6 weeks old- and that I haven't blogged at all during that time!! Here is a quick update on our lives. Anika is growing well- gotta love good ole breastmilk!! Last I checked- 2 weeks ago, she was 8 lb 9 oz (only 2 oz under BJ's birth weight) but had gained 26 oz in 2 weeks (for those who don't remember, you want about an ounce a day). She loves to eat- although the last few nights hasn't loved her bottle with her Daddy. She sleeps well and at night varies a lot- anywhere from 4- 7.5 hours (only once did she go that long)- yay for Babywise!

BJ is still loving being a big brother and really hasn't acted jealous at all (maybe I'm just oblivious to it). He is constantly asking about her, hugging, kissing, asking her questions- "You want your door open Anika? . . . Okay" It is super cute. He calls her sweetums, and silly goose, and sister, most of the time, but will use whatever term of endearment we have used lately. In non big brother news, he has become quite the climber- scaling all sorts of things to give me a heart attack, and has started asking upteen questions a day. He loves his new house- and is constantly asking if he can show someone- anyone, his new sister and new home. I think he has loved maternity leave- hanging out with mom all the time. We've tried not to be too boring- countless trips to the park, and we've done playdates, Bible study, Children's museum, Monkey Bizness, etc.

We moved and survived having all life's changes at once!! We had amazing help and have most of the important things unpacked and put away. We love the house- Brandon commented the other day about how great it is to have the garage he has always dreamed of. :) He took a break from traveling, but has started up again and has been loving his job. His hard work has paid off, his boss keeps giving him more responsibility!

I'm back to work parttime- starting this last Monday. I work in the evenings after Brandon gets home (for the next 7 weeks). It's an adjustment- trying to figure out how to be somewhat entertaining to our almost 3 year old, feed the baby, get the housework done, try to unpack, and then get to work with a functioning brain, but we're getting there. I've enjoyed being home, but I'm ready to be back even if just parttime. We've had some changes in childcare, we were so thankful for Stefanie and her amazing care the last year and a half. But starting end of October, we'll have an au pair to help us out. Angie is 20, from Mexico, and we're so excited to have her come! Once she is here and a bit comfortable, I'll head back to work full time in November. Anyway, I'll try to be better blogging more frequently :) Here's the pics!

Sweet sis!

BJ and Grammy and Papa

Pretty typical pic at our house- BJ trying to cuddle, you can see how well it is going over :)

Smiling in her sleep

BJ "riding the motorcycle" at the park near our house

Introducing Anika!

Anika (pronounced Ah-nik-ka, long A, not Anne) Mikaela Workman was born August 13th, 2011 at 10:12 a.m. weighing 6 # 15 oz and 19 inches long, with a 13 inch head. We are so pumped that she has been entrusted to us and can't wait to see what God has in store for her life!! She arrived via VBAC (vaginal birth after cesarean), and we are so thankful for the relatively uneventful birth. My water broke at a friends house when I was putting BJ down (I had had contractions most of the day and had a hunch we would be doing more exciting things that night). We headed to the hospital (after a quick snack), got checked in, and got an epidural- those things are amazing!! I was able to doze most the night and have the strength to push in the morning! We are all doing well with the adjustment. BJ is loving his role as a big brother, almost too much- at times almost smothering her with love. I'm trying currently to remind myself to speak the positive to him (not "Don't crush your sister" but "We are gentle with Anika") since he truly just wants to love on her. He does have a strong feeling of responsibility and recently has decided he is the only one allowed to burp her. If you try to pat her back he will run over and say "She's not your sister, she's my sister" and move your hand away so he can burp her. He has had a huge milestone amongst this whole addition, and has started wearing underwear to bed and naptimes- and staying dry- and has secured his position as a big boy. We close on both houses a week from today, and have 4 days to be out of the old house. We have been so blessed by friends and family feeding us the last few days, and with all the offers to help us move. It will be crazy, but I think we may just pull it off! In the meantime, we are trying to focus a lot of our energy on BJ, and napping whenever possible (even Brandon took a nap at work in his truck over lunch yesterday!) Now for some quick pics before feeding time again.

Last few belly shots- I think this was 35 or 36 weeks

Then maybe 38?

The boys and Anika

Not sure why this didn't rotate. . .

The doting big brother. . .

Just some quick pics

Setting up blanket time for baby and himself.

Snuggling with baby while he sleeps

Licking the beaters.
Hitting balls with Daddy.

Helping Daddy "fix doors"

"Hi Mommy"