Cape trip

This past weekend we ventured south for a Cape visit. It felt like a huge accomplishment to get down there so soon after Callin's arrival. On Saturday, Rich drove to RI to help our friends Joe and Jillian Connor launch their new boat, while Zoe, Callin, and I visited first with our friends Caty, Schuyler, and Griffin McMahon and then with cousin Nicole and her daughter, Lila. All this was very exciting for Zoe. She and Schuyler are great friends, and visiting with Baby Lila is always a special treat for her (in months past, Zoe has spent time wrapping "presents" all over the house for Baby Lila).

On Sunday, we made our way to Plymouth for a visit with Nana Noonan and George (or Nina and Papa George, as Zoe calls them). This is the first time we've visited them since they moved into their new digs, and Zoe was on her best behavior. Nana and Zoe took a walk on their own, and Zoe got to meet some of Nana's new friends down the hall. We also made sure that Nana got to spend some time holding Callin.

On Sunday afternoon, we headed to Walpole for some dinner and social time with the Carr siblings. We were so happy to get to introduce Cal to some of his family members before he got too big. However, Rich and I were so exhausted by the time we got home we couldn't see straight. We've been doing okay on sleep this week so far, though. 

Weekend at home

We had a nice, mellow weekend at home and got some errands done with both kids. (Cal has been very easygoing about being out in the world. He mainly just sleeps.) We did have a breakthrough on Friday night: Callin slept for FOUR STRAIGHT HOURS! Rich was kind enough to take a nighttime feeding shift while I got a little sleep in the guest room,  and he was rewarded with some good sleeping from the baby. Last night Cal slept for almost four hours again, so we are making progress. Rich also took BOTH kids out for brunch with a friend on Sunday, so I was able to get some things done on my own. And he even made dinner on Sunday night. 

On Sunday after our naps (we ALL sleep in the afternoon in this house), Zoe and I took a walk and then did a little raking in the yard. Here we are with Mommy- and Zoe-size rakes. 

This is our first week without any extra hands, and so far it is going well. Zoe has been a big helper, fetching diapers and burp cloths and even cleaning her room without being asked! She has also been very kind to her baby brother, giving him gentle kisses and telling him, "Eat up, little guy," when I sit down to nurse.

One of the gifts we received recently from a family friend was a ballerina tutu for Zoe. She doesn't want to take it off! Here she is singing to herself and riding her rocking horse.

Visiting

Callin is getting bigger by the day, although he is still a peanut. Last night he slept for three hours in a row--and so did I!

My mom was here helping out for most of this week, but somehow I didn't end up taking a single picture of her. She and Zoe had so much fun hanging out together and doing kid stuff. Mom also cooked and shopped for us and allowed me the time to try to sleep.

Tuesday was the home opener at Fenway. Rich came home on Monday night with a Red Sox hat for Zoe (or "Go Sox hack," as she calls it). 

 

On Wednesday, April 9th--my due date--Amy and Henry came for a visit. They brought us some food and baby clothes, toys and a book for Callin, and some Play-Doh for Zoe. We had a lunch that my mom made us, and then we all took a walk around our neighborhood. Spring is finally here! The visit with Amy and cutie Henry was wonderful. How special that our boys are only a few months apart! I know our kids will be great friends. 

Family time

Even though we were tired, we had such a wonderful two weeks with Rich at home with us after Callin's birth. This past week he returned to work. Fortunately, we had Rich's mom (aka Nana) here with us for the week. She was a huge help--cooking, cleaning, and shopping for us, doing everything with Zoe, and generally lending a lot of support.

 

Here's a picture of Zoe with her Nana (that's Callin in the new stroller) on a springtime walk. Zoe spotted a white-tailed deer in a nearby field and some crocuses peeking up through the leaves, and she got to hear some little frogs (not spring peepers) croaking in a pond. 

Last night Jess and Joe brought us a delicious homemade beef curry dinner, complete with wine. They even did the dishes! We are so glad they live close by now and can visit with us so often. (By the way--Jess was a hero on the night Callin was born . . . we woke her up at 5 am, and she rushed to the hospital to pick up Zoe. Jess took time off from work to watch Zoe while we were in the hospital and was such a big help.)

Rich is really getting the hang of being dad to two kids. Doesn't he look like a natural?

Big sister Zoe

Zoe has been going through some changes since we brought Callin home. While she has been very sweet to her little brother, she has also been aware of the fact that there may not be quite as much time in Mommy and Dada's schedule for her as there once was. One day she told us, "Mama Zoe's Mama, not baby's. Dada Zoe's Dada, not baby's." 

This week, Rich's mom is here helping out, and Zoe has been very possessive of her Nana. She keeps wanting to take Nana into Zoe's room and close the door (or "clot doot") to play. Zoe has also been having more than her usual share of tantrums and whining. We are trying to give her extra love and patience (but it's hard when you're not sleeping!). We are very lucky to have Nancy here with us. My mom comes next week for a few days. Hopefully the extra help will make the transition (to two kids alone with mom) a bit easier.