Meet The Stefanski's!

Last March, I received a phone call at work from a member of the congregation looking for a referral for a babysitter. Unfortunately, for liability reasons, I cannot suggest people to offer private childcare. Just because I think someone seems like a nice person and they hang around St. Matthew's, doesn't mean they aren't a child molester in their spare time; a sad, sad truth. The caller was Leya Stefanski. She and her husband Jason were looking to hire someone a few hours a week to act as a mother's helper and occasionally babysit their children, which include Andre who is now 3 years old and identical twin baby girls, Jenna and Kaitlyn, who are 18 months. Leya who was staying at home alone with her kids everyday was looking for some extra support and someone who would give her a little extra time to devote to her (amazing!) family photography business, Little Monkey Photography. She wanted someone experienced and competant, but also someone who wouldn't judge her parenting style or her messy house.

With moving debt and wedding expenses beginning to pile up at this point, I decided that although I couldn't refer anyone to Leya, that maybe I would be a good addition at the "Ski's" house a few hours a week. I would help her, get my baby fix, and make a little extra money. The rest is history! Ever since, I have spent Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoon falling in love with the Stefanski children. Jason, Leya, and their extended family and friends have warmly welcomed both Jon and I including us in family birthday parties, summer bbqs, and even the kids' baptism. Leya even took some fantastic pictures of Jon and I for Christmas. Watch for your card in the mail, and we'll reveal more of her shots after the holidays!

On two occasions, Jon has helped me babysit for the family overnight. The last of which occurred last Saturday night. I'm so lucky to have married a man who is both skilled and passionate when it comes to little ones. Doesn't he look like he's having a great time? Despite the look on Jon's face, he really does enjoy it. We're playing parents for the evening again this Sunday, while Jason and Leya go to the ballet! The baby girls, Kaitlyn and Jenna, especially love to bat their beautiful blue eyes at Jon and cuddle in his lap. They are very identical and Jon struggles to tell them apart. Jenna wears gold earrings and Kaitlyn has silver, but he says he can't tell the difference! Luckily for him, they weren't dressed identically last weekend and Jenna had the barette in her hair. Andre also reported that, "Jon smells good". My hubby even tackled caring for the three kids on his own Sunday morning for a few hours after I left for work at church. From what I heard, he reasoned with a difficult three year old, made oatmeal, and changed diapers like a pro!

The Stefanski family is has become our family, and they are truly one of the things about Seattle that we enjoy the most. You will most definitely be hearing more about them!

The only downside is that both times we have babysat overnight, we seem to both catch horrible colds that leave us under the weather for the next week. Thus, we have gone through boxes and boxes of kleenex and spent the past week looking like this most evenings... Great birthcontrol, RIGHT!?!?!