We're home!

Last night we finally left the hospital. It's so nice being home, although I did miss my sleep last night. Zoe was up most the night eating. There is something about breastfeeding that puts me to sleep. I can be wide awake before I start but I'm nodding off by the time she's done. I don't remember feeling this way with Maeley. Zoe is just so darn cute! I can't wait until Maeley and Chase come home so they can enjoy their little sister. She doesn't cry much and loves to snuggle. As much as I love to snuggle with her I'm trying to restrain myself a little so she doesn't get used to being held all day. Chase was like that and it was difficult to get anything done.

Pretty in pink

oh so cute

One proud daddy

Zoe Paige!

Baby Zoe is here finally! I am a little tired (though not nearly as much as Melanie) so I will keep my typing brief and just get some pictures up. (For some reason this posted up in reverse order of what I had selected). Zoe Paige Jones was born at 10:04 am, weighed 7 pounds 1 ounce officially and is 19 1/4" long. She has hardly cried at all (at least today) and has taken to feeding very well (thank goodness). She likes to look around and snuggle up to sleep. And her big sister Maeley really enjoyed seeing her and had to sit with her and give her hugs and kisses. I think Chase was too tired to realize what was going on. Melanie is doing well and hopefully she can leave Thursday and earlier. Thanks again to our parents for watching Maeley and Chase for the next week.

What have I created?

Earlier this week in the mail we got the Toys R Us 'Our Biggest Toy Book Ever' catalog. I knew Maeley would love to look through it. Boy was I right. She even took it to my doctor appointment Thursday. I can't tell you how many times she has flipped through page by page slowly looking at each item. It amazes me what she remembers. She would point to a toy and say "that's at Target" (my favorite store) or "I saw that on TV". Seriously Derek and I are in big trouble with this girl. I admit she does get this from me. I love getting catalogs in the mail. Growing up I looked forward to the Sunday paper just to look at the weekly ads. When Maeley was really young I think she would get sick of being at home. She could be a cranky as could be and as soon as we left the house she was pleasant again. I remember on several occasions we would just stroll the Super Target near us, sometimes roaming for an hour not even needing anything. She has always been such a good little shopping buddy.

Maeley looking through the catalog.

Maeley's 3rd birthday party

This past Saturday we had some of Derek's side of the family over for Maeley's birthday party. Those who were able to make it were: Grandad and Grandma (as Maeley calls them Papa and Tama), Great Grandma Clawson, Aunt Kari, Aunt Stephanie, and cousins Parker and Braden. Maeley is so funny because she's been so excited for her party and for family to come visit but as soon as everyone showed up she was a little shy. She quickly snapped out of it and had a great time.

Maeley being shy as we sang "Happy Birthday" to her

Blowing out the candle. This is the best shot I took of the finished cake. This is the second time I've made this cake and both times I don't have a decent picture of it.

Chase riding Papa, Maeley riding Tama, and Parker riding Aunt Kari

Maeley opening another present as Chase and Parker watch closely

Maeley and her Princess Aurora doll

The kiddos playing "Let's go fishin"
Thanks Parker & Braden, Maeley and Chase love it!

"I got her!"

Wednesday afternoon while Chase was napping Maeley and I were just hanging out. She loves to give my big prego belly hugs and kisses. This time the baby was moving quite a bit and Maeley was getting pretty excited. When the baby would move Maeley would grab at my stomach and "catch" the baby and say, "I got her!" Similar to playing 'I got your nose'. She has continued doing this over the past couple days and it still cracks me up. Maeley is such a cutie, I love her! She is so excited for her baby sister to come. Only 10 more days! Wahoo!

Doctor appointments

So today I had the pleasure of taking both Maeley and Chase to the doctor for well check-ups. Not such a big deal right? Well I should know better. Maeley was really excited to go to the doctor until the nurse asked for me to take her shoes off and lie her on the table to be measured and then to sit her on the scale. Such a simple task had to be a difficult one to accomplish. Chase did far better than Maeley at those things but doesn't like staying in the examination room while we wait for the doctor, he cries at the door. Then while Maeley was being examined a nurse had to come and get Chase because he was crying and I needed to hold down Maeley. It completely makes me feel like I'm incompetent for handling my own kids. Then when it came time to the kids getting shots I knew Maeley had to be given hers first or else there would be no way she'd let us. Again more reinforcement came to help. One nurse held down Maeley while the other gave the shot and I held Chase, then I held Maeley to comfort her while Chase was held by a nurse while the other gave him the shots. Seriously it's not fun having two screaming kids. When we got home it was time for lunch, while eating Maeley was talking to me how the doctor and the nurses were really nice. I asked her why she was rude to them by being a naughty girl. She just gave me a dirty look (similar to those she was giving the doctor & nurses).

Maeley's current stats at age 3:

weight: 27lbs 8oz---25th percentile

height: 36.5" ---between the 25-50th percentile

Chase's current stats at 15 months:

weight: 23lb 6 oz---between the 25-50 percentile

height: 31.25"--- 50th percentile

head: 45.5cm--- 10th percentile

Weekend events

For the past 2+ years Maeley has been attached to an old blanket of mine. I've had the blanket since I was 2 and used it even after getting married. Yes I know I am strange. It was just the right size to snuggle with and it became so comfortable over the years that I just couldn't part from it. Maeley attached herself to it all because of me. When she was really young and she was having a hard night I would put that blanket in her crib in hopes that it would settle her down. It worked and soon the blanket became hers. Now she has a new blanket.

Maeley with the Strawberry Shortcake blanket at 5 months.

Yesterday we went to St. David for Grant's baby blessing. That is my sister Marie's 2 month old. My mom made the 3 birthday girls each a blanket. Mayla turned 3 on Oct. 3rd, Maeley turns 3 on Oct. 28th, and Kyla turns 7 on Nov. 7th. Maeley got a Tinker Bell blanket as she requested and hasn't even asked for the old strawberry shortcake blanket. She's one happy kid.

We had a great time this weekend. My brother came down Saturday afternoon and stayed until this morning. He wanted some help from Derek to study for the math section for the ACT test he will be taking soon. Well all went to St. David yesterday and had a fun time. Maeley and Mayla even made a "chocolate cake". This cake was really dirt they piled on top of a picnic table. Chase loves his baby cousin Grant. It's amazing how gentle he is with him and gives him plenty of hugs. I can't wait until he's a little older so Chase has a buddy to play with.

Long days

It seems lately that the days are getting longer and longer. I'm finally coming to the end of my pregnancy and 24 days from now (Oct. 27th) just seems like it will ever come. Sleeping through the night has become something of the past and our cute little Chase has been waking up about 6 each morning. I think he just wants to see his dad before he leaves for work around 6:15.

This picture shows how well he can feed himself oatmeal. Recently he has decided he doesn't need help anymore. There's just some foods that are as easy as others.

I was planning on changing his nap schedule in hopes that he would sleep in later in the morning however he had a different idea today. He fell asleep on the floor about 9:30.

After only an hour nap he came running into my room where I was getting ready for the day. I decided to make the kids a fort to entertain them for awhile. It worked! They played with it until about noon when Maeley caused it to collapse.

They really did have a great time.
(Doesn't Chase have such a cute smile?)


Later in the afternoon I let Maeley "wash" her bike. I put the kids swimsuits on and let them play.

Chase enjoying getting wet.

Now Chase is taking another nap and I get to relax while Maeley watches a movie.