Dentist in 12 Months

• Mica wouldn't open his mouth up for the dentist. We have to go back in 12 months. I think I'll go buy a few books on going to the dentist. I have ones on going to school and all other kinds of books, but none on going to the dentist.

Preschool Program

• Mica did great at his Preschool Program! He sang and did the actions. They were up on stage for 20 min. It was fun seeing them, and hearing the songs that I've heard bits and pieces of in our house. I was really proud of him.

Team Geotrax - All Aboard!

Mica keeps pretending to be a train. The guys I work with warned me that boys are full of sound effects, and now I'm hearing them over and over again. His favorite movie right now is the Polar Express and he's been asking to watch Geotrax. He recites bits and pieces of them, then runs around the house going, "Chugga, chugga, choo, choo". I'm not quite sure how to spell his sound effects, but it sounds just like a train. He even makes the stopping sound.

Now when I ask him what he wants for Christmas, he tells me, "Geotrax Grand Central Station" - $55. I got him everything I'm going to get him, so I hope he's not too disappointed. He already has tons of Thomas stuff past down from my nephew. We got Mica a toy guitar, Isaak a baby guitar, Mica a peacock puppet, Isaak a toy peacock from Lamaze and other random stuff. He's getting more Thomas stuff from my mom as well.

Peacock?

• Mica's preschool teacher told my sister Terra that Mica tells everybody else to stop singing during their practice rehearsal. He's a star in the program, and tells everyone he's not a star, he's a peacock. What a strange child I have. I do have to admit, it's something we can laugh about later. I just hope he does fine in the program tonight.

Stomach Flu

• It turns out my mom threw up last night too. Mica must really have the stomach flu this time. Now we've exposed my sister's whole family. Wonderful! Not really! We've been hit hard with stomach issues this year!

Preschool Program

• Evidently Mica hasn't been a good sport about practicing for his preschool program. My sister called the teacher to ask about something in regards to her own son, and asked about Mica too. Mica gets mad when others sing because he wants to sing. He doesn't follow orders either.

• Mica hasn't had stomach problems since before Thanksgiving, and yesterday he threw up all over Terra's carpet after preschool. His stomach issues are always on preschool days, so part of me wonders if he gets worked up when going. Then I get worked up because he's worked up. No one likes the idea of their kid throwing up or having diarrhea at someone elses' house. I have taken him off cow's milk, mixed fiber in his oat meal or juice and give him Activia Yogurt.

• There are stresses at home too. Isaak is fairly new into his life, then him getting sick didn't help.

• Terra says he gets excited every time to go to preschool, so I don't know what to think. He's one of the youngest in the class, I hope I didn't send him too early.

• He needs to work on being able to be in groups, cognitive skills and listening while in groups. All of which preschool I would think would help him. It's always hard knowing what to do as a parent. You question yourself all the time with little things. I understand what my parents went through now.

Scary

• Mica has been pulling this thing where he gets up ever so quiet, and comes to find us. All the sudden I look up and there is Mica. Last night after the kids were in bed, I was wrapping Christmas gifts (I don't think he saw anything), and I looked up and there is Mica. He did this to me 2 other times: 1. I was awake, feeding Isaak one morning. I look over to the side of the bed, and there's Mica. 2. I was in the kitchen doing dishes, Mica was down for a nap, poof, there's Mica. He scares the crap out of me. The boy is usually loud, so it throws me for a loop.

Busy Bee's

• We've been extremely busy at our house lately. I've been baking cookies, making almond bark candy, and getting ready for all the holiday events.

• I finally got a holiday photo of the boys I like. I had to do a little Photoshop work. Mica was cut out and placed into a photo with Isaak (who was already smiling). Mica is at such a hard age to get to smile. He has his tongue hanging out of about half the photo's. On the back of the cards this is what it says:

• Apel Family of 4, Case Study

• Travis Ray Apel is a 33 year old father

• Works at Larson Dental Lab

• Likes to work on sculpture and custom jewelry

• Alissa Ann Apel is a 32 year old mother

• Works at The Creative Center

• Enjoys working on her computer and baking

• Mica Zachary Apel is a 3 year old male

• He started preschool in the fall

• Knows the essentials (letters, shapes and colors)

• Likes to play with trains

• Favorite animal is a peacock

• Is hardly quiet and most always on the go

• Isaak Jaxon Apel is a 6 month old male

• Had Meningitis at 2 months

• Passed his last hearing test

• Pulls hair on a regular basis

• Is a good eater and spitter

• Sits up on his own with a smile on his face

• The Apel family wants to wish you A Happy Holiday!

You Rock Baby

• Isaak is rocking out with his Baby Legs, leg warmers.

Christmas Photos

• We're trying to get the perfect Christmas picture. We decided to go with Isaak being in a package because he's our BEST present this year. We still need to take another round of photo's. Isaak either has his hands in his mouth, grumpy, or Mica won't smile.