Weeks 1-4: Visits from the Chalkers

The month of August was the month of Chalker’s visiting us!  Kelli’s parents were able to be in Orlando for Erik’s arrival; Kelli’s Mom actually flew in just a few hours before her labor started.  Kelli’s parents (hereafter known as Pops & Nana) helped us unpack and organize the kitchen, linen closet, guest room and move boxes around the house.  Kelli’s sister, Kirstin Elliott, and one of her brothers, Kalvin Chalker, also were able to come spend a week with Kelli.  This was especially helpful since they timed their visits to coincide with Kent’s business trip to Lake Tahoe (yeah, I know - was it really a business trip and not just an excuse to get a complete night’s sleep?!).  Kirstin & Kalvin helped to organize the craft/all purpose room and office as well as keep up with yard work  Our new yard has a tall shrub all along the back boundary; it took Kalvin several hours to trim the hedge and mow the yard.  Any guesses on how long it will take Kent to decide to hire a yard service?

This month passed in a bleary-eyed haze of sleeplessness.  Learn from us - do not EVER move and have a newborn at the same time.  It is sheer foolishness.  We only made it through this month due to the generosity of those who cooked, cleaned and helped us unpack.

We had a lot of visitors this month - Kelli’s Aunt Margaret and one of her cousins, Danielle Beaudette, visited the day we got home from the hospital (Aunt Margaret’s husband, Guy Robert, came by later in the week).  Rosalie Oliver came up to spend Sabbath, August 5, with us. We’ve also had visits from the Cochrans, Deiningers, Isidros and Zbaraschuks.  I haven’t been very good about taking pictures of everyone that has come by, but I have included some photos below.

Erik with Uncle Kalvin & Auntie Kirstin

Erik with "Auntie" Rosalie

Taking a nap with Nana

Allen & Tangie brought us an Italian feast from Positano's

Erik doesn't want Uncle Kal to leave!

Erik has periods of longer wakefulness and interaction with everyone.  He also cries A LOT at night - Kelli calls the time from about 7PM to 11PM the “witching hours”.  We are also certain that Erik is starting to smile socially rather than just from gas.  He also rolled himself over from his back to his stomach one day - it was a fluke, but it certainly startled us!  Erik is such a precious little guy and we are thrilled with him, even with the sleep deprivation. :)

1 month old: 8 lbs 9 oz, 21 inches