Foster Fun House: Elston Clan to the Rescue

My parents arrived the Sunday before Addison was born, and I felt immediate relief knowing they were here. I wasn't just relieved to now have their help with cooking and cleaning in the last couple days of a long pregnancy... but I was also relieved to know that Andrew would be in their capable hands while his world was being turned upside down. Also, there's nothing like having your Mommy to take care of you when you're not feeling well - even at 34 years old (and I was so glad to have her there during my first few days home)! Unfortunately, my parents got more than they bargained for when, as I mentioned in the last post, Andrew was diagnosed with Hand, Foot and Mouth the day Addison was born. So, in addition to the original plan of helping out around the house and babysitting Andrew while we were in the hospital, my parents also had a sick, highly contagious and yet still very active toddler to care for - not an easy task. But, they came out of retirement well and stepped up to the task - doing countless loads of laundry, making meals, doing grocery runs, getting up with Andrew in the night, providing emotional support to me, and most importantly, helping to keep Andrew a happy boy. Mike and I are truly grateful for everything they did for us.

One of the many ways Pop entertained Andrew - watching "bideos" of trucks and tractors on the iPad.

After the house was no longer contagious, I had gotten through the roughest patch of my recovery, and my parents were ready to high tail it out of CA and back to retirement, Awesome Aunt Amanda came in to the rescue. Andrew was beyond thrilled to have his favorite Aunt to play with!

Above: Taking pics of her niece!
Below pics: Andrew seeing Amanda for the first time... so sweet.

Above: Aunt Amanda helping out at bath time while Mike and I tried to remember how to bathe a slippery infant (below)!

Addison's First Bath!

Andrew wanted to watch Addison's bath... he looks very concerned here.

Showing Addison how he brushes his teeth.

At the "construction site" in the backyard.

More entertainment for the adults then Andrew, but we tie dyed some of Andrew's old onesies to "girl-ify" them.
They turned out cute!

And, no Elston family visit to CA would be complete without at least one trip to the winery. So, we headed to our favorite - Bent Creek - for a little sunshine and a glass of wine or two.

Yeah, I'm nursing at a winery... at least I put the wine glass down first. ;)

The pics below are from the night the Elston clan left... I really had a rough time with this goodbye, and so did Andrew - you'll notice he wasn't cooperating and I am fake smiling in the group shots. Guess we'll have to try the family portrait again in a couple months in Florida. :)