Back to Work...Again

The time has come again. My second extended child care leave is coming to an end and I am about to transition from the world of Stay At Home Moms into that of the Working Mom. Times two.

I am so gratfeul to have been able to spend seven months at home with our little guy. The same amount of time that I had with Stella. I could not enjoy my time with my little ones any more than I have been and I am so fortunate to have a job where I am able to do this.

Of course, I am mixed with excitement and anxiety as I spend one last week at home. Going back to work means having a full time job as well as a part time job, but now with two little babes instead of one. I worry about the house, cooking dinner, and being able to have enough energy to be a good mom and wife.

This time, instead of having to find a nanny, the hubby will be staying at home with little Carter as he has been out of work since January. I am comforted knowing that the kids will have one parent around even though I know that eventhough one parent is home, the laundry and the cleaning is no more likely to be done (you all know what I mean.)

We took Stella out of day care last week to take advantage of a rare, end of winter, amazingly warm day. It was declared family time at the beach and aside from being Carter's first time there, we had a blast.

This maked me so thankful for my family and the time that we do have together. Remind me that next week when my alarm goes off at 5:30 a.m.

The Dreaded "Take Home" Project

It has begun. Stella’s first “take home” project was sent home from day care. My inner most type-A, strive to make things perfect personality has been challenged.

As a teacher, I am strongly against projects that are obviously parent made and not student created. It is important to help children develop their skills and this cannot be done when parents step in and do things for them. A second grade project, for example, is supposed to look like a second grader made it, however that may be.

When a heart came home for Valentine’s Day accompanied with instructions to encourage our children to use arts and crafts, I knew I was in trouble. I am no artist but I definitely have a strong urge to make things as perfect as they can possibly be. I set out in search of arts and crafts reminding myself that this was Stella’s project, not mine.

As we sat down together to decorate her heart, I allowed her to choose what colors she wanted, and where she wanted to stick things. I assisted her with gluing things down and holding the glitter, but I really let Stella decide what went where. This was hard for me. And when she was all done, I wanted to fix it. It is such a surreal experience to now be on the other side of the situation. As I once found myself frustrated with student projects that were clearly done by parents, I now found myself wanting to take over and fix up Stella’s precious little Valentine’s Day heart. She is months shy of being two-years-old and any artwork of hers is going to be chaotic and random, but I wanted it to be “pretty.” I wanted more colors, decorations spread more evenly, etc.

I was proud of her when she finished her heart project. I gave her a big hug and told her how beautiful it was. I am proud that I did nothing (I swear, not a single thing) to change what she chose to do. Following her direction, I glued and stuck things where she told me to. I took a picture of the heart before I brought it to day care. The first at-home art project that she completed. More importantly, the first of many projects that will require my support and assistance but not my doing. I can help her do her best, but I cannot make things better for her. This was a learning moment in parenting, more so for me than for Stella. I am happy to report, I can graduate to the next level.

The finished project

Haute Mom Dilemma #56 - Treating the Patient

'Tis the season, Stella is sick. I have to say that (knock on wood) she doesn't get sick too often but since she has been in day care, the illness rates have definitely increased. Everyone warned me so I can't say that I am surprised, not that it makes it any easier. Our warning that croup was going around was received on Halloween and by Wednesday, Stella was sent home mid-morning with a fever. She has been sick going on four days now with a high fever (over 104) for at least two of those days.

The little patient while on a walk today
 to get some fresh air. 

The nights have been long lately because all the sick patient wants is "mama". My hubby thinks it's sweet that she want to cling to me when she doesn't feel well but I haven't felt this suffocated since one of my high school boyfriends turned into a "stage 5 clinger" as they put it. I feel bad admitting this but it is so tough for me to be loving and nurturing and put that frustration of not being able to even use the restroom without your little one screaming bloody murder aside. With hubby sleeping on the couch and Stella and I in bed, little sleep has been achieved and so my already thin patience is in the danger zone.

I just have to remember that Stella isn't feeling well, in fact, I have made that my mantra in attempts to not be grumpy with her during her cling-on moments. We have all gone through having sick little ones and if parenting wasn't hard enough, a croup-coughing 18 month old always shakes things up a bit. Fortunately for me, she's in her crib napping and I am going to take advantage by napping (well, when I am done blogging.)

The hubby is taking me out for dinner tonight because he sees the boiling point coming close to steaming out of my ears while grandma comes over to hang with Stella. When I warned her that she might need to be held a lot all she said was, "Like that is a bad thing?" Ha. Tap, tap, it's her turn.

First Days at Daycare

Stella had her first week at daycare this past week (Tues. -Thurs.) and she loved it more than I could have imagined!  Moving her from a fantastic nanny, with one-on-one care, to an in-home daycare where the kids vary from three to six on any given day was a difficult decision.  The saving graces were that my friend from college had her two kids there and Stella had a blast each time we brought her to visit.

I have to say, the first day was nerve-wracking.  I am sure it was harder on me than it was on her.  Stacy, the owner of the daycare was not only nurturing of Stella,but also of me.  She called twice on the first day to give me little check-ups and even sent pictures of Stella.  When I picked Stella up she was all smiles, and had nothing but a good report. She played well, napped well, and ate like a champ.  Apparently she loves swiss chard!  How fabulous is a daycare that cooks swiss chard for lunch!?  Even better is the afternoon email all the parents get titled "Today we..." letting us all know what the menu and the activities for the day were.  I find myself looking forward to them!

I was very lucky to have such a good nanny and even more so to have this amazing daycare.  I love the fact that Stella is happy and having fun.  I know that this is the best place for her to learn and to develop her social skills.  It is often very hard to be a working mom and feel especially forutnate that if I have to work, I have a place where Stella is safe and happy.

Taking charge!

Worked up an appetitie!

Mmmm!  Swiss chard!

Playing on day 2

Haute Mom Dilemma #46 - All On Her Own

Wow time flies when your having fun, or rather changing diapers and slinging baby food. We will be hitting another stage of mommyhood next week when Stella starts home day care!

After much thought, we have decided to place Stella in a home day care program that was recommended by a friend of mine. It is a little scary but I will be working three days a week for most of the summer and there just happened to be an opening for the same three days. I guess you gotta take little signs as hints once in awhile.

There are a few things that scare me about day care like germs, sickness, and well, germs. I guess we will take all the advice we can get and learn as we go just like everything else. The place is fantastic and Stella's eyes light up every time we visit so that's all that matters...as for everything else, only time will tell!

Maybe I should not let her accessorize on her first day.

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Haute Mom Dilemma #44 ~ How Time Flies

It is so amazing how things seems to be full speed ahead now that Stella is 1 year old. Her speech is developing more and more, steps coming with more confidence, and actions becoming more daring. What wasn't babyproofed before definitely must be now. I feel like my little girl is 1 going on 10.

We have been lucky enough to have a fantastic babysitter for Stella who will be starting to work towards her own career goals on the days that she is not with Stella. Her main goal is to be employed at the end of her six month internship which puts us at November. She has watched Stella full time since Stella was 7 months old.

For us this means finding another person to watch Stella or put her in day care. Day care would obviously have to start before November so that Stella could have some transition time, right? Is Stella too young for day care at 15 months? If we found a place we loved and had to put her there now to hold a spot, is she too young? What do all you haute moms think, especially those of you with older ones? I have some great recommendations and know that many of these places have waiting lists so I am feeling a little pressure but want to be sure Stella is not too young. Can you tell I'm a nervous mommy? Any input would be wonderful! Now off to finish my list of questions for the doctor today for her 12 month wellness visit...

Where oh where has my little girl gone?

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