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 Needs a Nap

For anyone who told me once your babies sleep through the night its smooth sailing, you lied. We are back in the up at 3 a.m. pattern thanks to a thing we bitterly refer to as teething. And, my darling little monkey has 5 teeth coming in, some of which are molars.

The only thing that Stella wants to do is nurse. I have done the baby Tylenol, the Orajel, the Orajel swabs, and even tried baby Ibuprofen last night. Nothing works except mommy and uh...some mommy soothing otherwise she is up for at least an hour before she settles back down. I guess Stella didn't get the memo that I have to get up at 5:30 because some of us in the household have to work.

So a very tired mommy is trying to figure out not only how to help sooth her little gums but also how to keep her sleeping. For any of you who have gone through this, you know how angry they are when they wake up in pain. Not fun for any of us. I will keep trying different things and until then will probably need to stay off any freeways in case I fall asleep at the wheel.

Sleep?! Who needs sleep?

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

WELCOME WEDNESDAY BLOG HOP

Happy Hump Day! It is officially summer! The sun is here, school is out, and well...I am ready for the sun! I am in serious need for some hoppin' so I hope you join in! What better way to get over the midweek hump then to kick off your heels and do a little blog hopping!






I would like to welcome this week's guest hostess, Sounds Like Crazy. She knows the life of being a mom, and her blog is proof! There are tons of great things to see, so be sure to pay her a visit today.



Blog Hop Rules: This is a low key hop. After all...it is Welcome Wednesday, here to get the inspirational juices flowing and find other blogs we can stalk! Put those feet up, relax, and join the bloggy fun. There are a few rules though:

1. Follow the hostesses, Haute Mom! Be sure to leave a comment so that I can follow you back.
2. Follow the guest hostess, Sounds Like Crazy.
3. Link up your blog for all of us to love.
4. Make an attempt to check out at least two new blogs. Don't know where to start? How about the two blogs above you? If you love the blog, become a follower and leave them a comment letting them know.


So link up! You don't have to post about the hop...but you know how we ladies work, the more the merrier. We would love it if you would help us spread the word and help Welcome Wednesday grow! One of you could be next week's spotlight guest hostess!

Huggies PullUps and $100 Target Giveaway

Are any of you haute moms potty training your little ones?  Are you a fan of Disney, Pullups, or Target?  If you answered "yes" to any of these then this giveaway is for you!  My fellow mommy blogger and friend is hosting a fun and fabulous giveaway over at Babes In Disneyland!  The winner will receive one month's supply of Pullups and a GC to Target for $100!  I am no where near potty training but I thought I would pass it on!  Good luck!

Happy Father's Day

I just wanted to take a quick moment to wish all the fathers out there a wonderful day.  I am who I am partly because of my father, and the role model that he was for me.  He taught me many of the things that give me my drive today, as a career woman, a wife, and a mother.  I know the importance of a father figure and love watching Stella and my husband together.  I am so forutnate that some of my husband's best qualities

 like loyalty, patience, and compassion are being modeled to my daughter.  (Mostly because I seem to lack some of these things such a patience.)  I wish everyone who is a father or who has taken on the role of one an amazing day!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!

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.

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8

Wonder Dads Make-A-Wish Contest

Instead of a haute shopping deal today, I wanted to share a fantastic contest sponsored by Wonder Dads.

For those of you who do not know about Wonder Dads, they are a leading publisher of dad/child books committed to "helping dads be heroes". They have recently approached Haute Mom to host a giveaway for one of their fantastic books and shared this contest that I just had to pass on! We haute moms sure love a good competition, eh?

You can get WonderDads to donate $1 to the Make-a-Wish Foundation on your behalf! Simply register for their free weekly email featuring the best dad/child activities in your city at www.WonderDads.com. Whatever city has the most sign-ups, WonderDads will donate $1 for each person that signed up from that city to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.

So share this on your pages, get your friends to sign up and let's make some dreams come true! And all you Long Beach moms, get on this. I want to win! Head on over to Wonder Dads!

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.8