the new age of entertainment

Shortly after McKenna was born, my friend, Gina, and I were having a conversation about parents who use DVD players to entertain their kids on long road trips. "I'll never do that!", I told her. "After all, what ever happened to the good ole-fashioned games we used to play in the car when we were growing up? The alphabet game... I spy?" Gina assured me that with all the trips we make to Manhattan and Concordia I would soon change my mind. "Whatever!"

Our first "real" road trip with McKenna was to Denver last Christmas. We took off armed with an arsenol of toys and books to keep her entertained for our 10-hour drive. She was golden! She MAYBE fussed for the last hour, but who could blame her. "See, Gina!"

Lately, things have changed. Our trips home from Manhattan this football season have been (near) unbearable. I spend two hours, sandwiched in the backseat between McKenna and Rhett's car seats going through toy after toy and book after book trying to keep McKenna entertained for the drive home. Toy after toy and book after book gets tossed on the floor without so much as a glance. Who can blame her? The drives home have been at night when there isn't much else you can do but sit there. Of course she's going to get bored!

I was discussing these unbearable car rides with the Hutchinson family at large this past weekend. It feels so much like we can't even go anywhere because it seems cruel to pack the kids in the car for that long. It wasn't long before my brother-in-law, Brandt, asked if we would like a portable DVD player for Christmas.

"Yes, please."

...I can already hear Gina laughing. One of these days I'll learn to take the advice of more seasoned parents instead of trying to figure this stuff out on my own. Although I will say, I still can't go with the whole "there's no shame in giving your kids Benadryl" one. (That one is between me and Gina)

who does he/she look like?

I came across some of Duke's and my baby pictures this week. I think the frequently-asked question "Who does McKenna or Rhett look like?" has been answered. If you can't read the captions, the top left is me and the bottom left is Duke; the top right is Rhett and the bottom right is McKenna.

3-1/2 weeks and counting...

It's hard to believe that 6-1/2 weeks of my maternity leave (referred to by some as a 10-week vacation) is already over! I don't know where the time has gone. I started my leave with one goal - enjoy every second possible with Rhett and don't stress out about stuff around the house. Having learned with McKenna that what they say about "they grow up so fast" is true, I decided to just cherish this baby stage whether he's happy or fussy. Fortunately, he's been mostly happy. But let's be honest. Those of you that know me, know that I can't not stress out about stuff around the house. So, I had a secret "honey-do" list for myself that remains untouched. Oh well. Like I said, I don't know where the time has gone. I spend most of my days feeding Rhett, washing bottles, doing laundry, getting dinner ready, running an errand here or there, and maybe finding time for a shower (just kidding). It doesn't matter... I've accomplished my goal. I'm enjoying my time with Rhett because I know before long he'll be toddling around independently just like McBre. :(

post-bath hair

Kids are just so darn cute after their baths.

kisses for rhett

We'll show this to Rhett and McKenna in 15 years from now when they swear they have always hated each other.

happy halloween

go cats!