3rd Week on Earth

Evelyn did a lot last week, and I have not been near my computer often. It has been a big week for eating, and she is a champ at that! The week started off with a memorable bath on Sunday, with pictures taken by her daddy. Everyone got in on the action; Paige and Graham washed her feet. Nana slathered on the delicious Mustela lotion.

Tuesday all three children had their doctor's appointments. Paige and Graham had the dreaded four-year-old booster shots. Ugh. We prepped them for the pain and gave them rewards to look forward to on the horizon (smoothies later that morning and shakes in the afternoon!) They handled the innoculations with typical differing styles. Paige first. Gritted her way through and fell to pieces as it was nearing the end -- as the third shot was administered. Graham up next (Paige sobbing and wailing in her Daddy's arms) Graham was screaming, crying with the sweetest, most pathetic looking face while the shots were going in. Once they were over, he was quiet and already considering what color lollipop he would chose. Paige was still sobbing as she sipped her smoothie an hour later. Pictured here, Paige with her war wounds, playing Hullabaloo, her birthday pressie from Henry! She LOVES this game.

Evelyn did well for the checkup too. Just before we loaded up this family of five in the car, her umbilical stump fell off. She was very calm and hungry the whole way through the appointment. She weighed 1/2 lb over her birth weight. She's much less jaundiced, but still slightly (typical for bf'ed babies). The only blip was that the panel from her newborn screen came back with an irregularity in thyroid, so we took her to Texas Children's to run a full workup on that. Doc says nine times out of ten it is nothing to worry about. We'll see.

Bevie has been here most of this week. She's a great help. A couple of evenings she has helped me by doing this tough duty: Evelyn rests on her warm skin in lieu of mine while I get in a much needed hot shower. She has also helped us do our daily stuff, and I am most impressed by her ability to mirror my parenting style -- which I would characterize as loving but VERY firm -- with the older two. Her departure always comes too quickly, and we wish she'd stay "forever and ever" says Graham.

One of the most memorable things we did this week could not be captured on film. All the children, Bevie and I did a yoga class together. Evie nursed through half of it, but I was able to watch in wonder as Bev's long lanky legs and adorable four-year-old limbs alike defty moved through downward dog and sun salutations with sweet sighs and deep breathing as instructed by the teacher, my friend Erika. Then Evie slept and I joined in and it was magical. The kids made it through a one hour class with dedication and intent, no whining and no complaining. It was fascinating and natural. So cool! Of course their limber little bodies were perfectly suited to any pose from warrior to corpse -- they were excellent mimics.

post script: Graham didn't feel like having his picture taken much this week.