4th of July with Friends

We spent the 4th with our friends Jennifer & John Rob at his parents' house in South Austin. Chloe & I slept in a little so we missed the parade, but had great food with great people while the kids--Elliot, Davis and Elaine--all played with toys and the bubble machine. Elliot wanted to know how it worked. JR's mom Rosemary made delicious lunch for everyone complete with homemade ice cream and cookies. Chloe slept through all of it, but she was cute wrapped up in her blankie in her car seat. Elliot had so much fun and zonked out about 1 block from their house on our way home and slept another few hours in his crib when we got back. Playing with friends is hard work!

Elliot is doing a few new cute things these days. He likes to peek into Chloe's bassinet to see if she is in there. He loves to run through the hose in the front yard to cool off, or be outside when it's raining. He puts his arms above his head for "touchdown!" and gives us five. Also likes to give kisses. Still loves walking to the mailbox, and he will grab our hands without our asking, knowing he has to hold hands to cross the street. That melts our hearts. His absolute favorite toy right now is the mobile that was over his crib as a baby and is now in Chloe's room. He will spend hours just watching it. Literally, hours. He needs a haircut, and hopefully in the next week we can get one for him.

Chloe is a total sweetie. She is a very good and efficient eater. She usually eats in about 20 minutes every 2-1/2 to 3 hours during the day and sometimes goes for 4+ hour stretches at night. She wakes 2-3 times to eat during the night, but usually goes back to sleep very quickly. It's sort of tricky to get burps out of her but we're mastering the technique. She loves to sleep in her bassinet. The past two nights she has adopted a fussy time just like Elliot did. She is soothed with some white noise, her binkie and a ride in the rocking chair. Chloe's not so fond of the swing yet, or the bouncy seat. She isn't a big pooper like Elliot was which is nice and cuts down on the nighttime diaper changes. Her little belly button cord is still attached but hopefully will fall off soon so she can start wearing her fuzzi bunz and onesies.

She had her two-week appointment on Tuesday. She is now 8 lbs 14 oz so has gained a pound since her lowest weight last week. She is in the 50-75th percentile for weight and head circumference, and 25-50% for height. She was measuring 19-3/4 inches at her two week appointment but measured 20 inches at birth so go figure. It's hard to stretch her legs out for measuring because she likes to keep them tucked up.

Drew is back to work after taking about a week off after Chloe was born. As for me, I am feeling good but tired like any new mom. I live in my boxers and tee shirts since it's too hot and humid to think about wearing anything else, and because my main destination most days is the mailbox down the block. But I do manage to shower every morning so I consider that a success in the self-care department. Even though I'm tired I'm really enjoying Chloe being so tiny. Soon enough I will be getting more sleep, but she will no longer be a newborn.

Stacey comes to take Elliot to his Gymboree class on Tuesdays. It's good for him to get to see her during my maternity leave, and he needs to get out to his regular activities. It's hard for me to take him to classes or places other than small play dates because we are being careful about exposing Chloe to crowded public places this early.