Mama’s Week Out; or, Best Auntie Ever

Little Taryn was born Feb. 23rd, and Gramma went down to Oregon to help the first week.  I was able to cancel or reschedule my family’s calendar so that I was able to join Taryn for her second week in this world!

Auntie Denise spent time teaching Amber to climb…,

and taking her on as many outings as we could fit in, including a few parks, story time at the library, the children’s museum, and the zoo.

I also think I got to witness the day she realized that Baby was staying…permanently.

But this was all preparation for Camp Denise when she gets older and can spend time at the cabin with all her other cousins, doing and eating things that we don’t have to tell Mom&Dad about.  Right, kids?  Cecily and Parker haven’t completely ratted me out yet.  Taryn, you’re up next!

[This was a fun zoo sign that applied to both lions and babies.]

My family did amazing!  I am so proud of the kids.  They got themselves up and out every day with no parent there, and took care of things in the afternoon.  Dwayne had to do homework and dinner duty all week, leaving work early each day.  I think this week apart really made us appreciate each other even more.  I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE how independent and capable ages 8, 10, and 11 are, even if they don’t smell like yummy newborns anymore.

Oh, and here are a few more shots of the newbie, decked out in a special blanket Piper knitted for her, as well as well as the dolly Piper also designed and sewed.