Beanie Baby

Hayley's friend Bailey (aka Bayward) made this beanie for Chloe when she was first born. It was a little bit big for her (just a teeny tiny bit big...) when she was younger, but now it fits just great and looks so cute. She'll leave it on for about 2.5 seconds, and then she wants it OFF. Check out that double-chin...
Chloe's friend, Kyler, and his mom, Nicole, came over this week to hang out. It was so good to see Kyler's mom and talk to someone who understands the whole 'preemie' thing. Kyler is a little longer than Chloe but I think she outweighs him and she's shorter, so she looks a little chunky next to him (Chloe is almost 2 months older than Kyler). When we were in the NICU I remember when Kyler was born and his sweet mom and dad coming in to see him. I also remember thinking what a long road ahead they had -- as Chloe had already been there for almost 2 months and had endured quite a few things (surgery, infections, etc.) and it seemed like she had been there F O R E V E R. Chloe was probably at her worst point the weekend Kyler was admitted... I think Kyler was in the NICU for almost as long as Chloe and luckily got to come home with just an apnea monitor. He's looking really great and I'm looking forward to getting them together again soon.

Nurse Nicole also got to come over and hang out and she saw both Kyler and Chloe. Since both babies were in C-Pod for almost the whole time they were in the NICU, and Nicole was one of Chloe's 'primary' nurses, she also got to care for Kyler a bit, so she remembers back when he was born in November and was a whopping 1 pound 15 oz. We love nurse Nicole and I'm pretty sure Chloe will call her aunt Nicole once she can talk. I can't wait until Nicole has a son so that Chloe can marry him (and then she will be mommy-in-law-nurse-Nicole). Although, how weird would it be for your mother-in-law to say to you "I used to change your diapers"...

The early intervention girl ("EI Girl") came today to check out Chloe and review her progress. She is very pleased and gave Chloe gold stars all around. She thinks that Chloe looks great (head shape, her size, her alertness, etc). Chloe's starting to put everything she can grasp into her mouth. She can almost roll over on to her back from her tummy. She's starting to talk quite a bit and the giggling is becoming a little louder (but still sounds like the video I posted, which is pretty raspy and funny). The EI Girl asked if Chloe has been displaying any attitude and I was like...."Um, yeah".... and she said that's normal for her age. Chloe has just started throwing little tantrums here and there (like when I try to put her into her carseat, etc) and also when she gets lonely she yells so that we'll give her attention. It's pretty funny for now, but I'm sure that once she's 2 and yelling at me in the supermarket to buy her a candy bar, I'll think it's not all that cute.