Our week

I already talked about our Monday on Chloe's first day of daycare post.

Tuesday morning Chloe woke up at 3:30 to eat so I figured she didn't want to get up at 5:00 to eat. I let her sleep until it was time to leave and took her to school in her pjs. I thought they would change her clothes but nope, she came home in those same pjs.  My morning was a bit easier than Monday since she slept while I got everyone else ready. 

Tuesday Cooper brought home his spring school picture. Confession- I forgot it was picture day so this was just what he picked out that day. But he had a good fall picture so I wasn't too worried about it. And Melisa said he looks like Danny Zuko (sp?) from Grease with his hair fallen in front like that. Ha! 

I think Coop looks about 10 in this picture. Where did my baby go?

Wednesday morning I found this. These boys are so smitten with sister. However, in this picture Cooper had just blown raspberries on her tummy and ticked her off. Oh well!

Then Casen said he wanted to take a picture of Chloe and I and Cooper literally came running (see the blur) in to be a part of the picture.

Tuesday night I posted this on Instagram. 

So the entire 2nd grade did a research project where they chose two animals to research and the 'winning' one they were supposed to dress up as for a wax museum and then the younger grades would visit them and learn about the animals. We found out the Thursday before spring break so right away on got on Amazon and found nothing. So then I hit Pinterest and found some ideas. Kyle saw one and was all excited to make it. We had planned to tackle it over spring break and I considered having my granny help me but Kyle wanted to do it so I let him. Well finally Saturday of Spring Break he ordered a shirt, beanie, and gloves off of Amazon because Walmart was a bust. We got other supplies from Joann's and Kyle attempted the costume on Monday evening.  He quit so I attempted Tuesday evening. It was 10pm before I finished all of my other chores to attempt it and it just wasn't happening easily. Yes, we could have made something work but instead I called in reinforcements. Babi was coming with her sewing and craft skills on Wednesday night....All future costumes will be outsourced to Babi, Granny, or Amazon. Kyle and I know our limits and accept them.  It helps that on my facebook post several other 2nd grade moms chimed in and they too had resorted to Amazon.

Wednesday morning home girl was up at 5 and fell back to sleep on the way to daycare (5 minutes away)

She was soooo excited to see me when I got home and the feeling was mutual!

Kyle took Cooper to RE and Babi arrived to help us out.

Her compensation was Chloe snuggles and she didn't mind

Chloe was excited to see Telo on Thursday morning at daycare.

That evening I made the finishing touches to his costume and here is our scorpion

The next two pics were our inspiration/goals from Pinterest... Ha!

My evenings are so short with Chloe. This was 6:55 and she was done! Ready for bath and bed.

My sweet clean girl

is ready for bed!

Friday morning she was asleep until time to go so I hurry and changed her. This look says 'I thought it was Saturday'. Me too girl. I was ready for the weekend. Lazy hair in a bun

She perked up at school. Daycare doesn't like to mess with bows but I realized if she goes all week without one then she will probably pull them off on the weekends. So I am at least starting her day with a bow.

Here is a picture of Cooper with his classmates.

In some ways the week flew by but really that was just the evenings. I was very happy for the weekend.

The boys with Chloe

I want to talk about (and remember) the boys' relationship with Chloe.

When Chloe first arrived Casen was obsessed with her, wanted to hold her constantly and was a natural with her.  Cooper didn't hold her for the first time until she was 2.5 weeks old.  After that he was a lot more comfortable and enjoyed holding her.

Now that Chloe is 3.5 months old things are different. They have realized she isn't as easy to hold now. She doesn't want to be cradled, she weighs more, and is longer.

Cooper is now the one obsessed with his sister. He calls her cute about 10 times a day. He often wants to hold her but she isn't a fan. He is almost always willing to help with her when I am busy. He will play with her, give her the pacifier, wipe spit up, tickle her, and distract her. Cooper talks baby talk to her, calls her my girl, tells me how cute and sweet she is, asks how she slept that night, tells me what the teacher told Kyle about her day at daycare. During maternity leave he would come see Chloe as soon as he got home.  He would say things like 'how was my Chloe today? Were you a good girl? Were you good for mommy?'

Last week Cooper said 'she is just soooo cute! I didn't know baby girls could be this cute! I am so glad we had a sister.....do you remember at the firework party I wanted it to be blue and be a baby brother?  I am sooo glad it was pink. I just love her!'  He really is totally smitten with her.  He is calm and gentle and rarely gets annoyed with her crying (when he can't hear is show during his electronic time)

Casen loves Chloe too. He calls her Chloe Girl and says it in a sweet voice. He often looks for her in the mornings in my bed. And is willing to help with her. But Casen is different with her now and I think some of it has to do with his age.  He is a little too forceful with putting her paci in. He doesn't ask to hold her much. He gets annoyed with her a little more, but not too much. He will talk to her and help her in the car. He sings to her sometimes to help soothe or distract her. He is willing to help with diapers or getting her dressed.

This morning after getting dressed they came to my bathroom to brush their teeth (so I can supervise, they used to do it in their bathroom but that wasn't cutting it) and they stopped by my bed to see their girl. They both wanted to blow raspberries on her tummy. She wasn't thrilled with it, but whatever.

A few minutes later Casen said 'I want to take a picture of you and baby sister.'  Cooper literally came running to be in the pic.

They aren't jealous. Sometimes they get annoyed with her crying in the evenings when they get home but I understand that. Sure sometimes they wish I could help them sooner when I am nursing her or doing something else. But I have tried really hard not to say 'we can't do that because of Chloe' or 'no I am with your sister.' I have to sometimes but I try to balance it. I have been known to make Chloe stop mid nursing session to pour milk or give seconds at dinner. I have played many games of uno with her in my lap or on the floor next to me. Sometimes she cries on the floor because I am in the middle of doing something with them.  Everyone needs some attention and love.

It isn't always easy but they are really great with her and patient with the both of us for the most part. I know this is temporary. I love seeing them with her and I try to let them help and enjoy her as much as possible. I am so grateful for our 3rd blessing and the unique relationship she is creating with her big brothers. It is so much fun to watch.

Chloe’s first day

I wanted to take lots of pics of my morning but it was crazy and mommy needed to hurry.

So that night she woke up at 1 and again at 4:30 to eat. After that feeding my alarm went off at 5 and I needed to pump. I thought she would fall back asleep on my bed but instead she squirmed and played.

Then as I was doing my hair she was tired of playing by herself so I brought her in the bathroom to hangout with me.

She filled her diaper up so we got her dressed and woke up the boys a little after 6. This was a rude awakening for them. They have slept until about 6:30 the past 3 months and until 7:30 or 8 the week of Spring break.

My soft goal was to leave the house by 6:30....it was 6:55

But we made it to daycare looking adorable

The boys were excited to take her to her room and pose for a picture.

My 3 kiddos all together at daycare. Coop is just there before and after school. Can you say $$$? Yeah I am looking forward to Casen starting school in the fall.

Me and my girl

Chloe and Telo. Ms. Telo has been so excited for Chloe to start. She is only with her for about 30 minutes until Ms. Coker gets there but I love knowing she is watching out for my girl and loving on her. I really miss the webcam our old daycare had when the boys were babies.

I left day-care about 7:15. My goal was to get to work by 8....it was 8:01.  So if you did the math it took 3 hours from alarm to work...That is a long freaking time!

I got to work and found a spot until someone told me where my cubicle was.

I sent Ms. Telo a quick text mid morning to check on Chloe

By mid day my feet were already ready to go home.

I raced out of work at 4:30 to get home to my girl. Below is the information sheet of her first day. She only catnapped which I expected because she is adjusting to a room of other babies with lots of noise plus being away from me. The ate often.

I was so excited to be reunited with her. She had just eaten before Kyle picked her up so she wasn't too interested in nursing and she was pretty tired.

Coop wanted in on the picture

Sweet girl cuddling in my arms for a little catnap before bed.

Honesty hour- I cried when I said bye and left her room. Only a few tears because I didn't want my makeup to look crazy. I am allergic to waterproof mascara...

The day went by so slow because I am waiting on access to things so just spent the time checking my email.

I pumped at 8:00 before people were really there knowing that I might be training. Again at 11:30 during my lunch and at 2:30.  If I wasn't so stubborn I would quit breastfeeding because I HATE pumping. But I will do for her what I did for the boys...and it is free compared to milk (though I have bought a few replacement bottles and pump supplies)

The evening was pretty bad. I had so much to do but all I wanted to do was hold Chloe. And it wasn't just Chloe. I wanted to enjoy time with the kids. Work on Cooper's costume, play a game with Casen, whatever. I also needed to finish dinner. I planned for leftovers (Baked Tacos), but I still had to assemble them and get them in the oven, make green stuff, wash fruit, pour milk, etc in order to actually eat. I needed to start a load of laundry for Chloe. I needed to wash bottles and pump supplies, prep/measure bottles for the next day, and repack my pump supplies. And there were about 10 other things on my list. I finally decided to only do what HAD to be done until Chloe was asleep. That meant staying up until 10 because I also wanted to help get the boys in bed.

It really sucked. I was emotional, stressed, and short tempered. I know it will get better as we find our groove, but it was completely overwhelming. It was so nice on maternity leave being able to start dinner before the boys ever got home, no bottles to mess with, laundry done during the day, etc. But I have done this before and will do it again along with a million other working moms trying to do it all. I never thought I wanted to be a stay at home mom but this time I wish I could.

Weekend

On Friday at 11 I met Babi for the hand off. Chloe went to spend 24 hours with Babi and Grandaddy so a slumber party and trial run. It gave me a chance to see how she did with bottles, how much she drank, and how often.

Someone was excited

They went to visit Granny and Papa

Then home to play dress up. My dad bought these homemade dresses from a fundraiser (because he felt bad) so mom tried one on her to see how it fit.

They did lots of cuddling

Watching the stars game before bed

Snuggled up for the night

Awake in the morning but the flash made her close her eyes.  She only woke up once to eat.

Waiting for her morning bottle and looking like Cooper

Some more snuggles. She just cat napped for Babi.

And then headed back to Mommy and Daddy Saturday morning.

After getting Chloe back we met Mimi and Grandpa for lunch at Palio's. Then they came over to get Chloe's bookcase (they are going to strip the paint so we can re-paint it), watch the boys play, and hold Chloe. It was nice having them there but somehow I didn't take a single picture. #fail

Sunday morning I was pumping and Chloe was on the floor next to me. She has figured out how to scoot on her back by kicking her legs and scooting her head. Her bald spot is going to get worse if she don't stop that.  In this picture she turned herself 90 degrees while playing.

Then she was so tired she fell asleep while we were getting ready for church. Don't worry she could breath.  Doesn't she look big in this picture?

All dressed for church. That sweet face and those cute little fists.

After church I wanted a picture of her dress

Oh those cheeks!! I could just eat them.

We also tried on Cooper's suit for First Communion. Don't be fooled by this picture. He was LOVING his outfit. Flashbacks from Uncle T's wedding.

Susan sent me this picture of the rock Kyle made for Nana and Papa for Christmas. We forgot to take a picture of it then. I just love how it turned out! I love this tradition. I need a new rock this year too :) And so will Mimi and Grandpa.

Sunday was spent getting things ready for our week and enjoying the weather. We spent a lot of time outside. Chloe took a nice long nap and was in such a good mood. I was trying not to cry about leaving my girl at day-care on Monday. Oh that sweet face!