Last Week...Now Real Life Begins

Last week Paula and Asa were here to take care of us. It was also Brad's last week off of work. (He got a new job as the manager of the Red Lion in Twin. Huge promotion, no move required, enormous blessing. The best part of it all was the timing, God really knows what he's doing. His old job gave him his two weeks of paid vacation to quit, so he got two weeks off work right when Claire, my mom and his parents all came. It was bliss.) So today is Brad's first day at the Red Lion and my first day alone as a mom of 3. We were nervous. But today has been really fun for me and the kids. We've had all the normal squabbles, but some really pleasant time sitting on the porch under our umbrella picnic table (thanks Paula).

Here are some pics from last weeks adventures, we had a wonderful time with Paula and Asa.

 The boy and his dog. They had so much fun playing in the mud...not so much fun when they got hosed down!

 I'm down to pre-pregnancy weight and relying heavily on breast feeding to help me get down 20 or 30 more pounds to my desired weight.

 My wonderful kiddos, I love my little family!

 Cute in-laws

 We ate so much amazing food thanks to Brad, this was dinner one night

Sleeping champ. 11pm to 4am, big meal, back to sleep 4 to 8 

loving time with grandpa!

Playing in the fountain up in Sun Valley

After we watched a movie in the basement we came upstairs to find these critters in our bed!

We pulled out the waterslide, it was a huge hit

Grandma showing off Ruth's fashion sense

Baby Claire

 Claire Reinette Laws was born on June 1st at 9:38am. Labor started Thursday night (her due date) around 9 pm. I was scheduled to be induced on the first because I had really high amniotic fluid. Surprisingly, this time around the doctor had to break my water for me while at the hospital, but happily she decided to come without needing to be induced. Brad and I walked the halls of labor and delivery all night long until I got my epidural around 5am. Ruth and Will stayed at home with Grandma Lents. We came home Saturday evening and we've been loving our little addition. We've already fallen into a great eating and sleeping pattern and I've recovered very quickly thanks to the fact that Brad has been able to stay home and take care of the "big" kids.

My mom was able to be here several days before Claire's birth which was a huge help. I was getting so run down and exhausted that it was wonderful to have help with Ruth and Will. We got to get a pedicure, take the kids to get happy meals and do lots of crafts with Ruth.

Ruth and Will love to spend time with me while I'm taking care of our little squeaker. And below she's wearing an outfit picked out by Ruth.