hanging out

Here are a few pictures of my punkins. We're trying to soak up every last minute of leave before I go back to work on Monday :( We hired an awesome nanny (prayer works) so it will make things a little bit easier. We've been loving the mild weather as its allowed us to get outside once in a while.

Kate is growing and changing right before our eyes. She's a lot of fun. Unfortunately, she got her mother's eating habits and gulps her foods, which frequently results in a tummyache and some crying/squirming/screaming. She always settles down, although I did try to trade her for ice cream last week. Luckily Rick, the Dairy Queen owner wasn't looking to barter that night.

Logan Dale sprouted another tooth the other day (he now has seven) which I think has only accelerated his appetite. this. kid. can. eat. I'm excited to take him in for his 15 month visit (15 months!! are you kidding me?!) to see how he's continued to march up the growth curve. He's still very good-natured, keeps a close eye on his little sister, and likes to "help" in the kitchen.

This last picture is from my birthday. If we look a little tired its because we are (and I have no idea what's going on with my hair here; I actually got it cut that day--so it was salon styled!) We decided to run some errands and try to grab dinner out. . .at a restaurant. . . that serves other people. . . in public. We knew it was a bit of a gamble with two kiddos, and we didn't exactly come out on top. I spent a significant amount of time in the restroom with Kate. She decided she couldn't settle down at the table, so I spent the rest of the meal in the car while Logan and Dale enjoyed awesome food (don't worry, I inhaled my burrito as I walked by). After Kate ate for the third time, we were ready to head home only to discover that the battery was dead. Thank heavens for good Samaritans (and the lady from the next table with whom Logan flirted the whole time) as they were nice enough to help us out. Certainly a birthday to remember, but seriously who could ask for anything more than these two gremlins?

From Across the Street

We had a great weekend. We crazy busy, full of cuddles and hugs and great food and crying and giggling and screaming and great friends and awesome family kind of weekend. To say that there's a lot going on in my brain and in my heart would be an understatement. Kate will be a month old this week-can you believe it? I can't believe how incredibly our lives have been enriched in just a few short weeks. Although he doesn't realize it, Logan has become a loving, protective (adorable, I might add. . . but I'm biased) big brother. I'm at the half-way mark of my maternity leave. To think about returning to work and functioning on all cylinders seems an impossible task. Not to mention, some days its 1030 in the morning before I don a clean shirt and brush my teeth (I'm sorry. . . shower? what's that?). To think about walking out the door and leaving my muchkins also seems an impossible task. Not to mention, the nanny search continues, although I'd say we're closer to a decision. Its no simple task to identify someone to come into your home, love your kids like crazy, keep them clean, fed, and watered, and ask them to be somewhat consistent with our parenting styles (just as soon as we figure out what those are) Add to the mix that Kate had a not-so-great weekend. We didn't sleep a lot on Friday and Saturday nights. She was out-of-sorts fussy and again, the physician in me clicked down the list of potential etiologies, the mother in me clicked down the list of potential solutions. The answer came from across the street. We have a couple of great neighbors across the street, who happened to be available to watch the Nebraska game with us on Saturday (Go Big Red!) I was talking about Kate's rough nights, and that the only thing that seemed to settle her was to hold her. . . even if it meant most of the night. My neighbor (who has successful raised great kids and subsequently has some pretty great grandchildren) gave me sound advice, "Well then I guess I'd hold her just as long as she needs to be held. Remember that you can't do this for very long." and I looked at Logan, busying himself on the floor, babbling, and tearing through his toys and I was reminded how very briefly this period lasts. Quiet the background noise Michelle, quit trying to solve the problem, and just give her what she needs. Subsequently, Kate had a great night last night; she was up twice, ate and went sweetly back to sleep. So with all things, I need to reset anad get back to the basics and the things I know: settle down, God will provide, and we are loved and others want to helpwhen able. I'm trying to relax as we enter this week, believe that God will in fact, provide, and we'll identify just the right person to care for our children.

On another note, yesterday we celebrated my parents' 40th wedding anniversary! How lucky am I to have such a great example of love and family? We were all together, pulled off an awesome meal (the Choutka kids might just have to take our catering business on the road!) and spent some great time together. My only regret is that the day went entirely too quickly. So congratulations Duane and Elaine--we hope you enjoyed your small party and hope that you enjoyed some time with your grandchildren (because the mommies and daddies sure enjoyed a brief period of time away from them : )

So we enter another week, survival tactics in full force, and have faith that things will fall into place (and that when I return to work I'll have time to take showers :) Have a wonderful week!

PICTURES! (as promised)

Not a lot to write today; I'll just post a few pics of my kiddos. They're getting so big so fast!

after my bath

dressed up for my first wedding (Congrats Nate and Rachel!)

My first NE State Fair (maybe next year we'll get a little more excited).

good morning!

Send good childcare vibes our way--we're staring to interview nannies tomorrow. Pray that the right person comes along to love our kids!