Our Saving Grace

Daddy enjoyed his first night home with Genevieve and gave her lots of snuggles at dawn before he had to leave for a trip.

It was hard for Daddy to go on our first full day home but he knew we were all in good hands with Mimi and Pappy. I wouldn't have survived the week without them!

Mimi woke up with Colin every single day and took Colin to and from school (oh yea and introduced him to animal "cookies").  Colin loves spending time with his Mimi who spoils him like crazy.  Check out the snazzy shades she bought him.

Looking back, I realize I don't have any photos of Mimi with Colin or Genevieve. This is probably because I am always sleeping or away when she is taking care of one or both of them.  I know she's got it covered and that I can relax!  Speaking of Mimi, I feel like I'm taking a photo of her whenever I take one of Genevieve.  I can't get over the resemblance! 

This photo looks just like baby photos of Mimi.

While Colin was at school on day, Mimi attended Genevieve's first doctor's appointment with Mommy where we found out she was already well on her way to her birth weight.  Afterwards, we enjoyed a yummy lunch with Genevieve in tow.  

 

It was really sunny so she spent her first restaurant experience covered up.

"Cover me back up! It's too bright!"

After lunch we picked up Colin from school.  He was so excited to have Mommy come and get him and even more excited to have sissy riding next to him for the first time. 

Besides fixing our sink cabinet (thank you, thank you!), Pappy took on the role of master cuddler for the week.  Genevieve loves her cuddles and Pappy soaked in all the time spent with his lil girl.

Genevieve practicing her head control on Pappy.  It's really quite amazing the strength she already has!

Pappy made sure to spend some quality time with C-note as well.

Paps sitting in the house he built for Colin.

Colin is always looking for Pappy to read him a story.

At the end of the week, I started to become adventurous and set out to take both kids to the park by myself.  Mimi and Pappy were out to lunch and planned to meet us there.  We were doing great at first.  I had both kids dressed and ready to go, a wrap and diaper supplies, a drink for Colin, and we were out the door.  Just as we were getting into the car I smelled a poopy diaper on Genevieve.  I thought, no problem, we'll just go back onto the porch and do a quick change then off we'll go.  As I began pulling down Genevieve's white pants I quickly realized this was a blow out and would require an entire outfit change.  Trying to get Colin back inside at this point was next to impossible.  Once I did get him inside and began changing Genevieve, Colin found a spray bottle of dawn soap and vinegar and sprayed it in his eyes, hysterics followed.  Once all was calm, I gave Genevieve a bath (the diaper was that bad) and called Mimi and Pappy to let them know we won't be making it to the park.  Instead, we decided to have an easter egg hunt out back...probably more fun than the park anyways!

Colin was super excited about finding his eggs.  He spent a good half hour doing it, which is an eternity for Colin to do anything but read.

He was too cute about squatting down to get this one.

Success!

Meanwhile, Mimi and Pappy returned home and enjoyed sitting in the sun.  Mimi looked up houses to buy in Charleston (they love this place!) while Pappy got in even more cuddles with Genevieve.

Precious!

Genevieve's nap continued on Pappy even after we came inside.  What could be more sweet than this?

That evening, after five days away, Daddy came home!  He was so happy to have his baby girl back in his arms again.

Daddy brought home the little man a special present from his trip.  It's a little big right now (as it was the smallest size they had) but I'm sure he'll grow into it in no time.  Don't mind the blurriness of this photo. It is impossible to actually take a photo of Colin anymore since he insists on running up and looking to see the picture, before you even take it. Oh, the woes of the digital age!

Mimi and Pappy offered to watch the kids that night so Daddy and I could have a night out since who knows when we'll get free babysitting again in the next few months.  After a quick stop at the children's consignment shop sale (I couldn't resist buying Genevieve some cheap clothes), we had dinner at The Wreck of Richard and Charlene, a unique fried seafood place in Mount Pleasant that was on our Charleston Bucket List.  It was really nice to catch up with each other after a week apart.

Thank you Mimi and Pappy for all that you do for us!  We truly wouldn't survive this military lifestyle without you.