Helping Sisters

This morning I needed to give Carlyle a bath and Camden and Claire were excited to help. They each washed her face very gently and helped me get Carlyle all clean. After her bath, both girls wanted to hold Carlyle. Check out these sweet pics.

1 week old

I can't believe that Carlyle is already a week old. This past week has been such a whirlwind. The lack of sleep is catching up with me and it's hard to function at times. This too shall pass...but I am definitely not complaining. I LOVE getting up with her, feeding her, changing her many poopy diapers, but my favorite...SNUGGLING! She is such a snuggler and I am eating it up!

I think we've finally got this feeding thing down. I was nursing, but after some discomfort (I will spare you all the details), I decided to go strictly to formula. Carlyle was taking it fine, but would have the hardest time sleeping and getting comfortable. After consulting the doctor, we switched her formula to Enfamil AR, which is for acid reflux, and it has been great. She is much more content and happy and is sleeping at night...YEAH! There were a couple of nights at first where I only got about an hour of sleep. I didnt realize how much that can wear you down. Now, I am so thankful to be getting more sleep, even if it is broken up by feedings every 3 hours. Such a relief!!

Carlyle is already changing so much and I know that I'm going to miss this newborn stage! I love it that they are so little and so needy. Camden and Claire are doing great with Carlyle. Camden is still a little mommy, which is nice because she loves to hold her. She does great with her, trying to console her, talking to her, giving her a paci. I feel comfortable letting her hold her if I need to get a bottle or do whatever. Claire is getting adjusted to having a little sister. She wants to hold her, but not for very long. But, she is very sweet to her and will give her kisses and hugs.

We have been so blessed by great friends and family who have been bringing us dinner. I can't imagine having to cook with a newborn and 2 other kids this week. Thank you to all my friends and family who have been so thoughtful. We greatly appreciate your kindness.

Mommy's little helper with Carlyle


1 week old

Carlyle Reeves Chilek

After a rather quick labor, Carlyle Reeves Chilek is here! What a blessing she is! She was born September 18, 2009 at 11:59am and was 6lb 15oz, 19 1/2 inches. She is such a great addition to our family. Camden is SO entralled with her and wants to hold her all the time. She is getting better about sharing her, but still wants to be around her as much as we let her. Claire loves Carlyle, too. She's just not as hands on right now. She will hold her, but after a few seconds she is done. I think she may need some time to adjust to her new role and some extra TLC right now. Going from the baby to the middle child is a big transition. Right now, I'm just trying to get her to help me do things around the house and for the baby and she seems to like that extra attention. Carlyle is a good baby. If she gets to sleep, she will sleep good, but it's been hard to get her in that deep sleep. After feedings, she will burp, but seems to be having trouble digesting it and will wake up needing to burp more. We're still learning and right now Carlyle is the BOSS. Other than that, she's perfect. Thanks for all your thoughts and prayers for our family. Here are quite a few pics, so just get ready. However, these are just a few compared to what we took. If you want to see them all, visit our online photo album at www.jjchilek.smugmug.com

38 weeks...

and counting down until Friday when I will be induced. We are so excited to meet Carlyle. Camden asks me everyday when Carlyle is coming out. She (and Claire) can't wait to meet their little sister. Camden is going to be a little mommy, which should be some great help. I can't wait to see how they interact with their new sibling. Please keep us in your prayers on Friday for a safe delivery and healthy baby girl.

37 weeks

Birthdays x 3

Today we celebrated birthdays at Marme' and Pops' house. Aunt Rachel and Jeremy's birthdays are both in August and David's birthday is in September, so we celebrated all 3 birthdays today. Camden and Claire enjoyed helping Daddy open his cards, presents and blow out his candles. The best part about having 3 birthdays on one day is getting 3 desserts...cupcakes, strawberry cake and a cookie cake. Yummy!

Baby Callen is here!

We waited ALL day long for Miss Callen Reese Mcneal to arrive, and she finally did this afternoon at 3:42pm. Charley is the big sister, and Camden and Claire's good friend from church. Mrs. Caren got induced today and both girls were so anxious about seeing baby Callen. We headed up to the hospital and stayed only a short time because we had our second football game tonight. But, we stayed long enough for all three of us to get to hold her, at least for a few minutes. Callen was so alert and so content. What a precious baby! We are so happy for Charley, her mommy and her daddy! Congratulations!!