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!