Home With Zoé (Photostory)

Zoé has been home for almost a week.  The family is trying to get back into a routine that works.  Rod was home the first few days, but he was called in to work to take care of a few emergencies.  

Rod arrives home with the boys after picking them up from school and daycare.  He made a relatively quick stop at McDonalds to feed them and grab something for Danielle.

His eyes are drawn to the sink full of dishes that he forgot to wash before leaving for work.  That must also mean that Roberta (Danielle's mom) didn't stop by today.   Surely she would have washed the dishes if she had.

"I'm going to see Mommy and Zoé"  (Julian)

"Do it quietly.  The baby might be sleep."  (Rod)

Hmmm.  Looks like they are both sleep.

Zoé Noelle is sleeping peacefully on her new blanket, grandma Roberta crocheted for her.  

Julian enters the bedroom.  He stands at the foot of the bed and whispers "Mommy?"  several times before Danielle finally awakens.  

Once alert, she sees Julian.

"Hi.  I must have fallen asleep.  How long have you guys been here?"  (Danielle)

"We just got home.  Daddy took us to McDonald's."  (Julian)

"Oh he did, did he?"  (Danielle)

Rod enters the room with Jacob.

"Hey, honey.  How did the day go?"  (Rod)

"Just fine.  Lots of eating and sleeping."  (Danielle)

"Speaking of eating, I brought you some food from McDonald's."  (Rod)

"Hi Mommy."  (Jacob)

"Hey pumpkin."  (Danielle)

"Wait a minute Jacob."  (Rod)

"Don't let him on the bed with those dirty shoes."  (Danielle)

"I'm not sure I can stop him."  (Rod)

"Oh honey."  (Danielle)

"That's okay.  A little dirt never hurt anybody."  (Rod)

"Come on over so I can take those shoes off."  (Danielle)

"I thought your mom was coming over today?"  (Rod)

"She had some things to do today, so I told her Zoé and I would be fine by ourselves."  (Danielle)

"Are you really going to wake her up?"  (Danielle)

"I've been waiting all day to hold her.  She'll fall back to sleep." (Rod)

"Are your hands clean?"  (Julian)

Danielle starts laughing.  Ever since Zoé came home, Julian has been constantly asked to wash his hands before getting close to Zoé.  Looks like he is turning the table on Rod.

"Yes, my hands are clean.  Thank you very much."  (Rod)

"So what did you do at daycare, today?"  (Danielle, as she removes his shoes)

"I played with the trains, then we played outside."  (Jacob)

"I don't remember seeing a train set.  Is is new?"  (Danielle)

"Uh huh."  (Jacob)

Zoé stirred a little as Rod was picking her up, but once in daddy's arms, she fell right back to sleep.

"Hey angel.  Daddy missed you today.  Did you miss daddy?"  (Rod)

"I missed you, too.  I told all my friends about you."  (Julian)

McDonald's wouldn't have been Danielle's first or second choice, but all of a sudden she realizes she is starving.  

"Bring Mommy the bag, Jacob."  (Danielle)

Looks like Rod brought her a Big Mac, fries and an apple pie.

"I thought you already ate, Jacob.  You are getting awfully cozy with my food."  (Danielle)

"I want fries."  (Jacob)

"By the way, honey, this is my last junk meal.  Tomorrow I start my diet and as soon as I get the doctor's approval, I'm hitting the gym. (Danielle)

"You look fine just the way you are. No need for drastic measures.  Besides the ladies at work said with you breastfeeding, your baby weight is going to fall off in no time."  (Rod)

"You were discussing my weight at work with your coworkers???"  (Danielle)

"No it's not like that."  (Rod)

"How is it, exactly?"  (Danielle)

"One of them asked if you had gained a lot of weight.  I said, I didn't think the amount of weight you had gained was out of the ordinary.  Then someone else mentioned the whole breastfeeding thing."  (Rod)

Julian is busy trying to get Zoé to open her eyes.  He's not paying too much attention to his parents.

"Please don't discuss me and my weight with anyone."  (Danielle)

"Yes, dear.  I'm sorry.  I still think you shouldn't be worried about weight right now.  It's been a week and you are still eating for two."  (Rod)

"Yes, but she needs me to eat as healthy as possible, for her sake, too."  (Danielle)

"I hadn't thought of it like that, but it makes sense.  Healthy foods from now on.  Got it."  (Rod)

Later on that evening, Zoé is sleeping in her still unfinished nursery.  The curtains Danielle ordered were backordered and still have not arrived.  Grandma Roberta has offered to make some curtains.

The new crib bedding was another gift from grandma.  I think we better leave now, so we won't wake the baby.   Thanks for stopping by.