Date

P. and I went on a date Monday night. It was our first time alone since Jamie was born. Actually it has been much longer than that. I don't even know if we were ever alone all summer. Our friend Karen offered to watch the kids for us and it couldn't have come at a better time. I admit, I was nervous to leave both of them with one person. Jamie is fussy at night and Pete feeds off of that and joins in. Pete is also tired and needy at night so put them together and it makes for a long night. But Karen was willing and I was willing to let her try. P. and I decided to go grill at the park instead of going to a restaurant. I marinated a steak, baked a potato, cut up some fruit and brought some green peppers to grill on the side. Karen brought us some caramel corn that her husband made and we had a load of it before and after our dinner. We had dinner, went on a walk, took some pictures, drove a bit through the country then went to Rockford for some ice-cream. It was a great night. Yes, I was worried about Karen and the kids the whole time. I know what my nights are like so I knew how hers was going. When we got home Pete was asleep and Jamie was taking a bottle. Seemed under control. And it was, for the most part. Karen did amazingly well though I knew she would. She is the one that watched Pete and Katie for us when we were in the hospital so she knew the game plan. She said Pete did awesome. Played all night, not a fuss except for right when we left and when she put him to bed. Jamie was another story. She slept for the first 15 min we were gone then was up the rest of the night crying. Well, crying if you didn't hold her and we all know it isn't possible to hold her constantly with another kid in the picture. Just like today, if I am not holding her, she is crying. So I hold her, and hold her and hold her.....put her down to eat and pee then hold her again. Right now, I am not holding her, and she is crying....

Our date was wonderful. Karen blessed us with some time alone and we appreciated it so much. She and her family are wonderful friends. I hope she still likes us after her babysitting experience but next time, if there is a next time, she will probably bring back up. :) Here are some pictures from our date. Thanks Karen.Better go get Jamie.......