We're sad to say that our first set of "helpers" are leaving us this coming Saturday.  My parents will be heading back home to the east coast.  My mom has been out here since mid-February when I went on strict bed rest and has been such an amazing help.  She and Chloë have really bonded and I know Chloë especially will have a hard time and wonder "where Gramma go?".  My dad has been out here for 3 weeks now as well.  One of his main "jobs" has been to walk the dog so I know Kyla will be sulking after he leaves as well!  With three small children it is sometimes impossible to get the dog walked!  We have four adults in the house and it's still challenging to get everything done that needs to be done.   Myke and I would be in a tough place if we didn't have the help that we have!  They have let us nap during the day after we've had little sleep the night before, they have done all the laundry and folding for months, they do all the grocery store runs, get Chloë up, dressed, teeth and hair brushed, take Chloë to preschool, run errands we need done, make or pick up meals, occasionally take the babies overnight so Myke and I can get a solid stretch of sleep (thank you MOM for this one!  This was the best gift ever!!) and most challengingly, entertain a strong-minded two year old who wants life to go her way or the highway a majority of the time!  Of all the jobs I know that has been the most tiring!

We'll definitely be sad to see them go, but I know they are ready to get back to their own lives.  They actually ended up buying our other car (we purchases a minivan and decided to sell the Hyundai Veracruz) so they are going to drive it across country to get home.  So that will be a fun adventure for them!

Checking out a may to plan their cross-country route

Evening stroll on the boardwalk

Me & Eli by the beach 

Luckily, we won't be completely on our own just yet-- Myke's mom will be arriving the same day my parents leave!  So, while we will be one-man-down until his dad comes out a bit later, we will still have help--and fresh energy!   We are so blessed to have the family we do--they have really dropped everything when we have needed them this past year.  We honestly couldn't have done it without them!