Babysitter paradise

Grandma Crawford has been here just over a month. She is obviously much, much more than a babysitter! But, a small benefit of her visit is the easy childcare situtation that has allowed Libby and I several adventures in the last few weeks. Btw, I suppose it is possible to find babysitters here...there are a few fellow Americans we could ask and a few Indians who understand our culture well enough to come over for an evening. But it is difficult and the culture generally doesn't have a tradition of babysitters...it is almost always relatives who live with you and help out (or a maid that you hire to live with you).

Anyway, I've really enjoyed: an anniversary dinner with Libby at the new, funky, five-star The Park hotel on the edge of the lake; an anniversary breakfast at a new Indian restaurant nearby (yes, we celebrated our 7th anniversary twice); going with Libby to her last doctor(s) appointments; and several other outtings.

These outings...and the fact that there have been so many of them (almost weekly) has been a huge treat for us. They couldn't have come at a better time since life has been draining with hot climate, civil unrest worries, challenges for me at work, and, in general, trying to keep up with three little kids while preparing for a fourth. So, thanks Grandma!

Burgers, big boy beds, and other random news

It's been two weeks since the surgery on my right knee. Got the staples out last Thursday, had the courage to watch the DVD (recorded from arthroscopic camera), and still have some achy-ness. Today I tried driving to work...a challenge with the leg brace, but possible.

There's been some big family news. Libby took her last TB pills on Friday then saw doctors on Saturday who think baby #4 will join us in the next two weeks. Then Saturday afternoon we borrowed another bed and moved furniture in all the bedrooms. Lukas is now sleeping in a 'big boy bed' with siderails and he's quite proud. He's done good during the first two nights, using his pillow and "blanket" (a sheet) and not coming out until 6:30am. Asha likes the cot she inherited from Lukas although she's clearly noticed the change and mumbles for a few minutes before falling asleep.

The weather is finally hot. Was nice that this year, for some reason, it stayed cool through February. No deep thoughts today. Just happy to have a healthy family...and the help of my mother-in-law at our house. In fact, she did child care on Sunday which allowed Libby and I to go on a date to a shopping mall and get a great lunch at Hard Rock Cafe! I had my second REAL BEEF burger in the space of a week. Yeah!! A real treat since I only eat beef about once every six months.