Gone Fishin'

Pops squeezed in five days of fishing while he was here, catching mostly rainbow and tiger trout, and having a couple of really successful days (including the BIG one that got away...  three times!).  Mom and I went a couple of times to take pictures...  and he even got some with Charley!

Charley is one month old today!

She had her second bath today...  she liked it maybe just a smidge better, but not much...  these were taken before she remembered she didn't like this, and decided to cry her head off.

The Many Faces of Charley

It's one thing when Mom is taking 1300 photos of you...  it's quite another when it is of Charley, I was much more appreciative of it!  :)  I am SO glad to have many great photos of her from the past 2 weeks, and wanted to share some of my favorites of her expressions here!  While most are just candids, the first has a story attached...

Charley had not pooped in 5 days.  We'd called 3 pediatricians offices and were told not to WORRY until 7 days, but in the meantime were given remedies to try (including feeding her prune juice - not pretty with a spitty baby!).  Right after we got this HUGE smile out of her, we realized she'd pooped her pants!  Yeay, Charley!  She was happy about it too!

Nana and Pops Meet Charley

 Well, it killed them to wait, but Mom and Dad finally made it to Ruby Valley on November 6 (16 days after Charley was born).  They were able to stay for two whole weeks, and just left last night.  IT WAS WONDERFUL!!!

Charley and I are thoroughly spoiled, and it will take some adjusting to get used to having them gone!  Mom cleaned the whole house and cooked all the meals, and Dad did handyman work around the house and took the dogs for a daily walk (which was necessary for them to burn off energy to be able to tolerate them!).  And they both loved on Charley a TON, which allowed me to get much needed rest!  How I'll miss them!  They were going to leave at like 4:30 this morning, but due to a huge storm that blew in this morning they headed on out last night, which was very sad.  Good thing though, as the snow is blowing out there like a blizzard, and at 11:20 am the grass is almost invisible!  They're forecasting up to 7 inches...  my LEAST favorite thing about living in Ruby Valley.

I want to highlight some of their visit - we had a blast!

Mom and Dad's arrival, and first look at their new granddaughter!

Nana was so ecstatic, she cried!

The proud grandparents

Pops gave Charley two of his watercolor prints - they're hanging over her changing table. 

"Daddy Kisses, Baby Kisses"

Pops carried Charley on her first walk on the refuge

Rod and Dad were careful to make sure the dogs didn't feel left out!

Charley and Pops, showing off their muscles

Nana, pleading with Charley to let her take 500 MORE photos...

...and it paid off!

Nana carrying Charley in a sling she made for her out of fabric she brought back from her Africa trip!

Pops and Charley - vegging...

... watching football...

... and napping!

Charley in her swing (which she's not decided if she likes yet) with her new sock monkey from Donna and John Cotten.

On the original Pony Express trail - we were going to take a pic with Charley, but the wind was ferocious!

We had fun watching this little Peromyscus mouse, hanging out in the woodpile...

... then getting brave and deciding to go for it...

Jackpot!  Peanut butter that Dad put out for him.

Mom and I took Charley down to the office to weigh her on the postal scale - Rod helped.  On the day she was 4 weeks old, she'd increased her weight from 6'15'' at birth to 8'10''!  That's more than the projected ounce/day - we must be doing something right!

Does this even need a caption?  :)

Me and my girl

Stephanie Dahl, Sandy Neff and Mia Krenka were kind enough to host a baby shower in my and Charley's honor, and many people came - we were in awe!  Mom was able to come along before they left last night, it was so nice!

Happy Halloween!

I'm sure as she gets older I'll become more discerning with pictures that I post, but right now - she's just so darn cute, I'm posting several (even though they mostly look alike!).

Ambre (well, actually Owen and Addyson) sent her this bib - too cute!!!  Plus, maybe now she'll keep her clothes dry for a day - she likes to spit up!

Charley's first Halloween costume!