Caution: Under Construction

Our eco-system is in an upheaval due to the renovation of our kitchen.  Demolition started last Monday, so as I posted last week, the Baranko's (that's us) got out of dodge to avoid the dust and harmful lead that could invade the air during the process.  We stayed with Donna and Emil for the week, which was great.  Isolene was kind enough to make the drive to Downers Grove every day to watch the Lukers.  Emil has been at our house everyday though, overseeing demolition and construction.  It sure comes in handy to have a retired contractor in the family!  Thanks!

So get a load of the shell of our old kitchen.  Tearing down three walls really opens a place up!  We're so excited that this is actually happening!  The kitchen is going to look amazing.  I've posted renderings of how it will hopefully look one day soon.

We "moved" back home from Downers Grove on Friday after work.  While it is wonderful being back in our own beds, the challenge of living without a kitchen has begun.  We have stations sprawled out all over the house for cooking/dishwashing.  We are all set though - we have a mini-fridge, microwave, Crock Pot, electric skillet, electric stovetop and NuWave oven.  We can feast!  It's the cleaning up part that is a little trickier.

On Saturday Luke and I headed up to Kristin and Cory's for a visit.  They hosted a wonderful lunch with my parents, Aunt Susan and Grandma.  PJ was super cute, as always, and I got a bunch of adorable shots.  She is riding her little trike now - what a big girl!  I had a bad cold all week, and lost my voice completely by Friday.  I spent the  next 3 days whispering to everyone, including catching up with family in hushed tones all Saturday. Thanks everyone for your patience with me!

Valentine's Day couple

Sharing Valentine's Day cookies from Grandma Mary

As many of you know, for a while now Matt and I have been considering beginning Luke on a little rice cereal at night.  His regression on sleep has caused us to question whether or not he is getting enough food at night to keep him full.  So we finally took the plunge!  Sunday Lukers had his first "solid food", which basically was ever so slightly thickened breast milk.  We started him with just one tablespoon the first night, and he slept for a little bit longer than he had been.  But the second night we gave him 3 tablespoons in a bottle, and he only woke up ONCE during the night.  Eureka!  Now that's what I'm talking about!  Let's hope it sticks.  Wish us luck for night 3 tonight.  

Sunday was a nice mild weather day, so we got to go on one of our first family outings together to Lake Forest Open Lands.  Luke LOVED it.  Here is a little video of him shrieking with delight.

Sporting my new shades

Yay!  Out of the house and free to run!

Monday was Valentine's Day.  Matt gave me beautiful roses and a sweet card.  Luke gave me my first Valentine's Day Mommy card, and my favorite gummy worms (thanks Daddy).  Matt was the lucky recipient of many wonderful Walgreens Valentine's Day gift items, including the giant heart of chocolates you see below.  It was a nice night with my two main squeezes.

 Finally, Matt had a little photo shoot of Luke and a friend's Packer hard hat.  As painful as it was for him, as a Bears fan, he thought Grandpa Mackus would get a kick out of the littlest Packer fan.  He did:)