A Sweet Baby, a Kid and a Dog

Here are some pictures of Chloe from today:

In the corner of Daddy's chair:


Swinging:


And here is what I caught Caleb and Camille playing on Saturday - doggie. I replaced the ribbon he had looped around her neck as a leash with one of those kid harness/leash things I just happened to have. I was surprised she was willing to play this, but I guess if I was willing to play Toto for my sister so she could be Dorothy, I shouldn't be too surprised at this!



(Yes, Caleb is wearing a skirt. It's the Cinderella skirt from Camille's dress up set. I sent the kids in to pick up dress up clothes and this is how he looked when they came out. I shouldn't complain - he spent the rest of the day in his pajama shirt and underpants (I suppose he thought real pants were optional that day and I just didn't have the energy to argue!). Camille was in her nightgown all day too. Good thing we didn't have unexpected company!

Caleb and Camille love to hold Baby Chloe.



Chloe enjoyed some more tummy time today. She's so strong - look how well she can lift her head!


Chloe had a doctor appointment yesterday. She has finally gained her birth weight back (8 lbs, 11 oz) and is healthy and beautiful. Her cord has finally fallen off and she now has a cute little belly button!

The adventures of Super Dad

So we went for a family walk today and Rob decided to carry Chloe in the wrap. Here is is looking very excited about it. Chloe loves to be carried - she slept the whole time we were out and about and continued to sleep even after we got home!

The thinker

Here's Chloe looking pensive...


All that thinking must have made her head hurt - have you ever seen a cross-eyed baby look so cute??

Mama in her kerchief and I in my cap

Okay, so it's not the Night Before Christmas and there is no Mama, but here is what I found when I checked on Caleb tonight...



(It's an old Christmas hat that came with a baby outfit when he was little. For some reason it keeps appearing, even when I keep trying to make it disappear!)

The big cool down

What do you do to cool off when it's hot outside? Pull out the slip and slide of course! Here are some action shots of yesterday's fun.

Kids in suits ready to play:


Caleb slam dunks (almost):


Camille's turn:


A good way to quench your thirst:


Washing hair???


Here's Chloe enjoying some time outside in the stroller:

Surviving (but sometimes just barely!)

Monday was my first day alone with all three kids. I made it through. Barely. It all started well (although much earlier than I would have liked). We ate breakfast, got everyone dressed, made two of three beds and I even got a shower - all before 9:00. We were doing great. I let Caleb and Camille get out some art supplies and draw pictures and write letters for a while and I think we even read some stories. By then it was 9:30. We went outside for a while (although that was interrupted by four trips to the potty for Camille - mostly false alarms). We had lunch and rest time. I fed the baby about a half dozen times, but fortunately she took some sizable naps in between.

After lunch is when things got a little hairy. We watched a movie and by then the kids were ready for someone to play with them. Fortunately we had one of the young women from church come over after school and play with the kids. What a HUGE help that was! I was able to rest for a little while, snatch a few minutes of peace of quiet, and even make a trip to the bathroom by myself (a huge achievement!).

Rob has been home the last three days, but is back to work tomorrow. Amanda and all three kids - take two!

Here's what we've been up to this week:

Playing in the rain:


Playing dress up:


Having tummy time:


Sleeping:


Chloe is getting bigger! We don't take her back to the doctor until Monday, but I can tell she's chunking up. The other day I put her in her coming home outfit from the hospital and it just about fit her. It was huge just a few weeks ago! And she's finally outgrowing newborn size diapers. I never thought I'd have a kid that had to be in them for nearly three weeks! She is still a delightful baby and Caleb and Camille just adore her. They are remarkably good with her, although they sometimes need to be reminded to be gentle (and to get out of the baby swing and leave the baby toys alone...)