Grandpa and Nana's visit

We have been so fortunate to have constant backup here these past few weeks: first Peggy, then Jeff arrived, closely followed by my dad and Dotty.  Well, today is the last day of reinforcements as my parents head back to Tucson tomorrow.  It has been wonderful to have so much help.  Now "real life" begins!

We've had a wonderful time with Grandpa and Nana.  They have been a huge help, as always - cooking meals, and meals for the freezer, hanging pictures, water-proofing our cabinets, grocery shopping, holding Clara, entertaining Grady, etc.

They also got to bear witness to Clara's first bath.  I won't say it was her favorite thing in the world, but she did reach some level of quiet acceptance by the end. 

What the...

This is awful!  Why?!?

I don't know about this place.

I don't like it, but I'll sit through it.

And check out how much she looks like Grady!

From one of Grady's first baths

We also had Clara's "2-week" doctor's appointment at 11 days.  Thanks to her frenetic eating pace, she is up above birth weight - at 8 pounds, 14 ounces - and otherwise seems healthy.  We have an ultrasound for her tomorrow just to make sure her kidneys are okay.  Grady's is on Friday, and that will likely inform how much surgery he will need for his reflux and other kidney issues, and when.  The follow-up appointment isn't until May, so there won't be any answers for a while yet.  I'm nervous about this appointment anyway because he will have to be sedated for the VCUG, which involves inserting a tube through the ureter and injecting dye.  He has had these before and hasn't had to be sedated, but I guess a 6 month old is more easily restrained than a 2 year old.  

Grady continues to alternate between being a very sweet, loving brother and being a bit jealous by all the attention she's getting, especially from Mommy.  Things have been especially tough for him because he came down with hand, foot, mouth disease - low fever, no appetite, mouth sores, rash, and just generally feeling crummy.   So it's been especially great for him to have some special activities with the grandparents - like making a cookie out of pie dough.  So careful!

We also attempted a walk on Mt. Tabor, which Grady braved pretty well despite not feeling well, and Clara slept through (her general M.O.).

Yesterday, with Grady out of daycare with hand, foot, mouth, Grandpa, Nana, Grady, Clara and I went on an expedition to the zoo.  It was pretty crowded and chilly, but we still had a lot of fun seeing otters, beavers, bears, a tiger, and - Grady's favorite - the elephants.  Grady was especially impressed by how big the elephants' poop was!  

Eagles in the background

He ran most of the time!

Oh, and of course, he loved the tractor.

Despite all the reinforcements, I have had a little bit of "practice" time for what things might be like once everyone is gone.  With Clara strapped to my chest and Grady in the stroller, we had a nice outing to a local playground and then to library storytime.  It went off pretty well.  It's the time indoors which is a little harder to manage.  Here are some photos from the park - playing some "basketball" and testing out the puddles.

Imaginary balls always go in!

THAT puddle is even bigger!

And I've found a little time to take some pictures of Clara, although she is already severely under-photographed compared to her brother.

I think that's about it on this end.  Wish us luck!