Category: Family Fun

Baby Caroline at 1 month old

Post author By Joy
Post date October 6, 2011

This is what our sweet baby looks like right now.

Yes, she still sleeps all the time! It is amazing to me. When she’s awake, she calmly looks around and I just love gazing at her. But really, she’s the sleepiest newborn I’ve ever had. And the easiest newborn I’ve ever had. Not that I think newborns are easy… But really, Caroline has been fussy like maybe once so far. And she doesn’t spit up. Well, she DID have a few random projectile episodes at first. Once, she projectile vomited all over Charlotte from head to toe which made Big Sister start to cry… But that hasn’t happened in a couple weeks now.

Caroline weighed 9 lbs. at her 2-week appointment, so she’s doing well in her weight gain.

Look how tiny this bundle looks in her crib. Before we know it, she’ll be as long as this crib! I don’t remember what my other 2 newborns were REALLY like. That might be a good thing. But it just goes by too quickly and I know it! I wish I could bottle up all the (good) newborn memories so I could really remember it all a few years from now.

My mom had to leave a week ago. It was hard to say goodbye. It was crucial to have my mom here to help ease us into the newborn lifestyle. She hung out with us, spoiled us, folded laundry, did our dishes, & helped tremendously with Caroline. I especially appreciated sharing the “load” when it came to the diaper changes! haha, get it??

Charlotte is great with her little sister. She likes to get really close to Caroline’s face and talk in a high-pitched voice. Charlotte HAS been more defiant/opinionated & crying more lately, but she’s been doing alright overall. I try to make time to spend with just her.

Chase is very tender and helpful with his baby sister, also. He goes & gets things when I ask him to. I still have to remind him not to carry Caroline around. He doesn’t seem as affected by this whole situation as Charlotte, maybe because he’s older & more independent.

Here’s my little family, all holding each other on their laps!

Pace has been great, too. He has been patient with me having baby gifts everywhere, dinner NOT ready when he gets home, & my boxes of regular clothes all over the bedroom as I transition to my normal clothes. I am grateful for my wonderful husband. Even if he’s a little crazy (see picture below).

That pic was taken after a bath time. Caroline really loves her baths! And I love when she’s all fresh & clean & snuggly.

Caroline Family Fun

Family of Five!

Post author By Joy
Post date September 17, 2011

Here we are! We haven’t fallen off the face of the earth, just adjusting and enjoying the Little Bundle. We’re so grateful to our friends, family, neighbors, & ward members, who have been showering us with love, food, & gifts!

It feels good to have our baby here (& not in my belly anymore… although Chase tapped on my flabby belly the other day & said, “Oh good, you still have a drum”).

Caroline is a regular part of the family! She’s so snuggly, relaxed, & good-natured so far, crying just when something is up. To me, she doesn’t look much like Chase or Charlotte did as newborns– maybe the head of hair throws me off. She also sleeps a TON, especially during the day… a lot more than my other two did as newborns. Maybe that’s a sign of good night sleep to come in the future! Maybe!!

I’m happy to say that Chase & Charlotte love baby Caroline. She gets lots of kisses & adoration from them. Charlotte likes to say our baby’s full name every time (she pronounces it: “Keh-line Jean Mc-Call-law). The older two are helpful & somehow understand that Mommy just has to sit & nurse our baby a lot! It’s a challenge for me to balance everything & make sure I’m spending time with each of them. But I know we’ll all be okay.

Chase is pictured below wearing his all-time favorite outfit: Camouflage shirt & shorts (he’d wear camo underwear too, but that pair of underwear is too small now).

This proud big brother loves holding Caroline & always wants to carry her. He goes & gets her & then I have to confiscate her as soon as I catch him carrying her around. What age do you usually let kids do that? This seems too young. I’m just afraid he’s going to trip & fall on her!

I am very glad that my mom has been here to help with all the things that need to be done. Namely laundry & dishes, & just extra hands in general! & she also helps with diaper changes in the night, which helps me get a little extra sleep. I’ll have to get some photos of her & Caroline so I can post some of those! GG (Pace’s mom) has also taken the kids out a couple of times to run around & have fun. I SO appreciate the help!

Charlotte Chase Family Fun

Whatta Melon Pops!

Post author By Joy
Post date August 7, 2011

Tonight we enjoyed some homemade watermelon popsicles in our backyard with Jessica (my sis) & her husband, Casey.

Summertime at its best! (Especially with the kids in pajamas even though it practically looks like it’s still noon outside!)

Chase saw the idea for these “Whatta Melon Pops” in a Disney Family Fun magazine during one of my dr. appointments a couple weeks ago & was dying to make them. I found the recipe online, & we finally made the popsicles today.

Chase is always thrilled when we do projects, crafts, or recipes… Especially anything that was his own brilliant idea!

…And here are a couple of cheesy family pics. Jess made me get in some of the pictures, too. Smile

We love summertime!

Charlotte Chase Chase Adventures Family Fun

Beach Day

Post author By Joy
Post date August 3, 2011

This is my last California post!

Our beach outing was wonderful! It wasn’t cold or windy, so it was just perfect. And the overcast skies made the shadow-free pictures so easy & fun to take. I love the photos I was able to get (despite not having the skills)!

Chase & Charlotte were so very busy & happy at the beach (until the very end, when Chase had some sort of awful stomach cramp & tantrum rolled into one & we just had to book it outta there… But we won’t dwell on that).

The huge pile of seaweed was disgustingly fascinating.

Chase constructed a “water obstacle course” in the sand.

Charlotte collected treasures.

Grandma had a cold, but was a good sport & still had fun!

Quite the collection of beach treasures.

I love these two photos of Charlotte.

Afterwards, we stopped by the notorious pink & white striped shop. I’d never been inside! Chase was still throwing a wild fit & screaming in the car, so I left my long-suffering mother with him while Charlotte & I went in to check out the whimsical little shop.

I was amazed by the variety of unique salt water taffy flavors they had there: Buttered Popcorn, Pomegranate, Birthday Cake, & Root Beer Float, to name a few! I bought salt water taffy, some little polished rocks, shark teeth for Chase, & a bracelet/necklace thing for Charlotte. Yes, my kids are spoiled. I’m working on it…

Charlotte wouldn’t take her eyes off of her bracelet for a quick photo! You just can’t separate this girl from her jewelry.

Family Fun

Visiting with Family & Friends “Back Home”

Post author By Joy
Post date August 1, 2011

During our stay, I got to meet up with Elisa, my running buddy from high school! We kept each other in line & motivated during our years of track & cross-country. On those long runs we’d chat about boys, teachers, & school… & we’d also make up some really awesome songs to pass the time.

Charlotte kept us all entertained while we were out at the park (Chase was at his friends’ house). Charlotte really loves to run, and it looks so cute & funny to me when she does. Maybe she’ll be a runner someday!

Cousin Sarah’s bridal shower (below: sister Rachel, cousin Sarah, & friend Kaitlin)

Visiting my Grandma T. at her place. This woman is the Rummikub Master—don’t even TRY to pull anything during that game when Grandma’s around! Chase & Charlotte liked to go & eat Jelly Bellies at her place. They also got to play with her old classic toys & draw on the huge chalkboard in the hallway.

My sister Rachel & brother Ryan’s birthday dinner at a little restaurant called Flavor (they turned ages 23 & 33, respectively).

…And I’m some sort of tall Matriarchal figure here. What a goofy pic!

Charlotte Family Fun

Candy Run & Uncle Gino

Post author By Joy
Post date July 30, 2011

On an outing with Grandma (while Chase was at a day camp), we stopped to get some donkey food for Pepper. Charlotte liked the little horses outside the shop.

We went to Powell’s Sweet Shoppe in Petaluma. I was in heaven! cAnDy EvErYwHeRe! Old fashioned candy, sour gummy candy, foreign candy, unique candy, etc.! Why didn’t I take any pictures? Maybe because I was busy drooling all over everything!

Here’s Charlotte sprinting up & down the walkway afterwards. Sugar high! It’s delightful to take her places because she’s quite easygoing in the car & in stores.

We went home to have lunch & she pretended to nap (I think she crashed after her sugar high)

Uncle Gino came for a day! The kids adore him & have a lot of fun with him. What dedication to drive up from So. Cal for just a day before heading back again to work! Thanks, Gino!

Charlotte Chase Family Fun

Backyard Fun

Post author By Joy
Post date July 25, 2011

This is another California post, and yes, there will be a few more to come.

Below, Chase & Charlotte race each other on a beautiful evening (guess who won the race)!

Rachel tried to take some sentimental Mother + Children pics of us. Look how peaceful and loving we look (Chase & Charlotte were actually both struggling to get away so they could keep racing across the lawn).

Funny blonde kids

The next day, we had some of Chase’s friends over to swim.

Charlotte suddenly spotted a swimmer in trouble…

So without hesitation, she grabbed hold of a sturdy pink pool noodle…

And risked her life to rescue Grandpa & one of the friends!

(ok not really, but it makes a good story. I love Grandpa’s facial expression!)

What a brave girl.

Charlotte Chase Chase Adventures Family Fun

Fire Station & Jaws of Life

Post author By Joy
Post date July 22, 2011

We went to a 4th of July Firemen’s Breakfast at my grandma’s local fire station. It was bright & early, & a fun way to start the day!

After breakfast, we watched a demonstration of how the Jaws of Life are used to slice open a wrecked car with a victim trapped inside (in this case a dummy was used). It was very sobering to imagine experiencing that severe of a car accident.

This fireman recommended against keeping lots of junk in the car, because if you’re in an accident, all that stuff will be thrown around & can injure you. Pace will be glad to know that I’m going to try to keep extra junk out of our minivan! At least I’ll try…

Pretend that the boy below that’s holding the Jaws of Life is Chase. Chase had a turn holding those heavy Jaws of Life, but I missed the photo op. Smile

Charlotte Chase Family Fun

Marin County Fair

Post author By Joy
Post date July 16, 2011

My kids & I just returned from a 2-week Northern California trip. We enjoyed the change of scenery, all the beloved family & friends, & being spoiled (even though we really missed Daddy).

The first big outing was going to the Marin County Fair. What a blast! Grandma was proud of Chase’s interest in the Compost Workshop for kids.

Chase is like his Grandma in that he’s intrigued by such topics as compost, recycling, & identification of plants & birds. From time to time, he’ll ask me what the name of a particular tree is, and I respond, “Um, ask Grandma…”

Chase also enjoyed the petting zoo. He’s always drawn to the goats! I didn’t enjoy the goats as much as he did, because one of them kept sneaking up to get a taste of my “grass green” skirt & I ended up with goat snot & saliva all over me.

Meanwhile, Charlotte kept her distance from the creatures & simply smiled her cheesy “camera smile” for me.

Sporting their cool shades while waiting for the pig races to start. Rachel & Mom were gracious enough to ride some of the carnival rides with Chase & Charlotte, as I wasn’t allowed to with my pregnant belly!

What a beautiful backdrop for the fair! And perfect weather, too. Too bad a mother nearby allowed her little boy to pee right smack in the middle of the grass, where people were sitting on their picnic blankets… People never cease to amaze me.

Sorry about the blinking picture, Mom! Below is a cuter one. And this one’s funny because Charlotte is too busy with her cotton candy to smile for the camera. We were in the kids’ area where there were free crafts to do (after we saw the AMAZING Chinese Acrobats perform in the auditorium).

And I LOVE these “trash cans”!!!! Notice how the black “Landfill” one & makes you feel guilty & evil for tossing anything in there.

Only in California (or the Pacific Northwest area) would one find compost bins right along with the trash bins.

I always enjoy the earth-conscious, laid-back nature of Northern California. I didn’t see one person ratting their big blonde hair in the bathrooms… but something I did see in the bathrooms were garbage cans labeled “Compost Only.” (Utah, you really need to get on the “earth-conscious” bandwagon!)

Family Fun

Surprise!

Post author By McAdmin
Post date July 14, 2011

While Joy has been out of town, I’ve been very busy. Both at work and at home. You see it all started when we started discussing where to fit three kids with two rooms. A few months ago we had Charlotte start sleeping in Chase’s room to see how it went and if that would work when #3 comes. Well, it had pros and cons. They did talk a lot more at bedtime but they did grow closer and help each other. There was also the problem that Chase still considered it his room, as he should since none of her stuff was in there, and he liked his privacy when getting dressed etc. So the craziest thing happened. Saturday before the family left I had this idea pop into my head. I immediately texted my buddy who builds stuff and asked for an estimate.

I had the idea to separate the girls and the boys! I figured Charlotte likes to stay awake and talk anyways so she probably won’t mind that cute little baby sister crying all night. And Chase is too old to be showing his privates to his sister, he might start to like it… so they need to be in separate rooms. There isn’t room for bulky bunk beds and a crib or vice versa. *BING* (not the search engine) IDEA! I’ll mount a bed up on the wall so there is more room underneath! Yeah that’s a great idea!

Joy is getting home now and she has NO idea I’ve done this. Am I crazy or crazy smart?

Here is the final product! Chase’s Superhero Makeover

And now, Charlotte needs something really nice and girly.

More high res photos & video coming after the reveal. Stay tuned for Joy’s reaction, make a comment to vote if she’ll love it or hate it!