Today begins Day One of our new nanny, Gaynell. She did a trial day on Friday and so far, all went well. Hopefully as each day goes by, she'll get more comfortable with Abby and with us and we'll feel more at ease with her. It's just such a strange thing to let a stranger into your house to take care of your most precious goods and to trust them with your child, house and car. I really hope she works out because I can't take another nanny interview at this point! Good luck, Gaynell!
And as for Abby, she turned 16 months yesterday and she is a full-fledged walker and talker. She repeats everything and says so many words, it's crazy. She really has developed so much in the last 2-3 months, it's unbelievable. I cannot believe she'll be 1.5 years in just 2 months! Each day is something new and more fun with her. We're so lucky!!!
Monday, October 20, 2008
Monday, October 13, 2008
Happy Birthday to ME!
I am so not one to tout my own birthday - after all, who really wants to announce that they are a year older?? But today is my birthday and it's been quite a lovely day so far. It started with a box of Munchkins from my neighbors on the train ride to work, then I received a cake, a necklace, flowers, a gift card and a bracelet from work people, and numerous calls/emails from friends. Tonight Jason has arranged for a mint chip ice cream cake to be shared at our house, so I'm looking forward to that - mostly to seeing what Abby thinks of mint chip ice cream, which I'm sure she'll love as much as her parents do!
On the nanny front (aka "saga"), we didn't have to worry about firing our temporary nanny who we increasingly hate each day because she did it herself! She told us she was going back to school 2 days/week and could work for us 3 days/week. Sorry but it's a full-time job! And unfortunately things didn't work out financially with Rebecca (the nanny from last week who I was excited about), so we placed another ad on Craigslist.
We (ok, I) interviewed 4 more people in person and spoke to countless others. We made an offer to one woman on Saturday and she is going to do a trial day with us this week and pending all goes well, she'll start with us next week. Please cross your fingers for us that she is great! I know that's one thing I'll be wishing for over my ice cream cake tonight!
On the nanny front (aka "saga"), we didn't have to worry about firing our temporary nanny who we increasingly hate each day because she did it herself! She told us she was going back to school 2 days/week and could work for us 3 days/week. Sorry but it's a full-time job! And unfortunately things didn't work out financially with Rebecca (the nanny from last week who I was excited about), so we placed another ad on Craigslist.
We (ok, I) interviewed 4 more people in person and spoke to countless others. We made an offer to one woman on Saturday and she is going to do a trial day with us this week and pending all goes well, she'll start with us next week. Please cross your fingers for us that she is great! I know that's one thing I'll be wishing for over my ice cream cake tonight!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Thank you, Susan!
It's been 3 weeks, 13 interviews, plus numerous phone calls since the new nanny search has begun and I think I might actually have found a gem of a nanny. My friend Susan told me about Rebecca (a friend of her friend's nanny) who I met with over the weekend. She was so nice, had great references and was eager to work with us. She officially accepted our offer today, but still has to resign from her current employer. Assuming they let her go, she'll hopefully start with us in 1-2 weeks. And that day, my friends, cannot come soon enough!
We have a temporary nanny right now (a friend of the nanny next door to us) but we're really not loving her. We liked her when we met her but we've noticed a few issues (nothing terrible, just things we didn't love) and it's only her 2nd day with us. So we need to find a way to gently say goodbye to her once we know when Rebecca can start.
I have to say, this process has been challenging at best - but I hope for our sake and Abby's sake that it gives us a new, more responsible and reliable person who will be with our family for years to come! Or at least until I decide I've had enough of my job and become a SAHM one day....
We have a temporary nanny right now (a friend of the nanny next door to us) but we're really not loving her. We liked her when we met her but we've noticed a few issues (nothing terrible, just things we didn't love) and it's only her 2nd day with us. So we need to find a way to gently say goodbye to her once we know when Rebecca can start.
I have to say, this process has been challenging at best - but I hope for our sake and Abby's sake that it gives us a new, more responsible and reliable person who will be with our family for years to come! Or at least until I decide I've had enough of my job and become a SAHM one day....
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Try again
So, unfortunately the person we made an offer to yesterday (who, by the way, accepted our offer and told us she would start on 10/6) apparently also accepted an offer with another family who lives in the neighboring town. Nice, huh? Clearly we aren't dealing with the most rational, professional people here, but it's SO frustrating.
How did I find out, you ask? Well, my friends, this IS the information age and through a little savvy networking & asking the right questions, a totally random stranger and I found that we had a very disturbing connection!
This stranger happens to live a few minutes away from me, has a daughter 3 months older than Abby, works a few blocks from my office and also had her nanny not show up one day (after her paid vacation). We agreed that once we both have new nannies, we'll be meeting for a drink! Let's hope that's sooner rather than later....
How did I find out, you ask? Well, my friends, this IS the information age and through a little savvy networking & asking the right questions, a totally random stranger and I found that we had a very disturbing connection!
This stranger happens to live a few minutes away from me, has a daughter 3 months older than Abby, works a few blocks from my office and also had her nanny not show up one day (after her paid vacation). We agreed that once we both have new nannies, we'll be meeting for a drink! Let's hope that's sooner rather than later....
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Updates!
Well, I have a few things to report. I'll start with the good news:
I am proud to announce that I am FINALLY the mother of a walking child! Yes, folks, that is right, Abby has been taking about 6-8 unassisted steps as of this past weekend! She stands up by herself, walks a few steps and then falls down but does it all over again! It's so cute and I'm so excited and proud! I'm sure she'll be running around like crazy and I'll be missing the crawling days soon enough, but for now I love watching the joy on her face as she walks like a drunken sailor around the house.
We went for her 15-month dr app't yesterday and she weighs in at around 21 lbs (she was moving a bit on the scale, but it was just around 21) and she grew an inch to 29 1/4"! My little petite princess....
On a slightly disturbing note, our nanny Nicole didn't show up to work last Monday, leaving us confused, upset and clearly angry. We don't know what happened or why she decided to not come back - a call or email from her would have been helpful with that regard - but we're currently looking for a new nanny. It's upsetting because we thought we treated her very well, giving her tons of vacation days, buying anything she wanted, etc... but apparently she either found a new/better job or decided she'd had enough of us. Sad since Abby adored her and I know she felt the same - a few weeks ago, she told me that Abby was the best baby she's ever taken care of. Who knows....it might always be a mystery.
The good news is that we've been interviewing like crazy and have found some good people who also drive - hooray!! We made an offer to one person and we're supposed to hear from her tonight - hopefully it will work out because Jason and I both loved her the minute we met her. Stay tuned!!!
I am proud to announce that I am FINALLY the mother of a walking child! Yes, folks, that is right, Abby has been taking about 6-8 unassisted steps as of this past weekend! She stands up by herself, walks a few steps and then falls down but does it all over again! It's so cute and I'm so excited and proud! I'm sure she'll be running around like crazy and I'll be missing the crawling days soon enough, but for now I love watching the joy on her face as she walks like a drunken sailor around the house.
We went for her 15-month dr app't yesterday and she weighs in at around 21 lbs (she was moving a bit on the scale, but it was just around 21) and she grew an inch to 29 1/4"! My little petite princess....
On a slightly disturbing note, our nanny Nicole didn't show up to work last Monday, leaving us confused, upset and clearly angry. We don't know what happened or why she decided to not come back - a call or email from her would have been helpful with that regard - but we're currently looking for a new nanny. It's upsetting because we thought we treated her very well, giving her tons of vacation days, buying anything she wanted, etc... but apparently she either found a new/better job or decided she'd had enough of us. Sad since Abby adored her and I know she felt the same - a few weeks ago, she told me that Abby was the best baby she's ever taken care of. Who knows....it might always be a mystery.
The good news is that we've been interviewing like crazy and have found some good people who also drive - hooray!! We made an offer to one person and we're supposed to hear from her tonight - hopefully it will work out because Jason and I both loved her the minute we met her. Stay tuned!!!
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Just let go
As Abby nears the 15-month mark, it is becoming quite clear to me that she is an early "talker," not an early "walker." Every day it seems she says new words - lately, aside from my favorite word (MAMA - which is now said in a wonderful way, not in a 'help me' sort of way), she's saying all sorts of things, like cheese, Nicole (our nanny - "cole"), blueberry and tree, among them.
But she still won't let go and walk by herself! She can walk holding on to anything (our bar stools, mommy's hand, the wall, her baby doll stroller, etc.) but the minute she lets go, she plops down and crawls. Is it laziness or is she just scared? I have no idea but I'm ready for her to walk already. A park is much more fun when you can walk! So is a zoo, museum and a mall! We know she'll get there at some point - but WHEN?!?! It's painful to watch all of Abby's younger friends start walking and she's still hanging out on her knees on the floor.
Any suggestions for helping her to let go already are welcome!
But she still won't let go and walk by herself! She can walk holding on to anything (our bar stools, mommy's hand, the wall, her baby doll stroller, etc.) but the minute she lets go, she plops down and crawls. Is it laziness or is she just scared? I have no idea but I'm ready for her to walk already. A park is much more fun when you can walk! So is a zoo, museum and a mall! We know she'll get there at some point - but WHEN?!?! It's painful to watch all of Abby's younger friends start walking and she's still hanging out on her knees on the floor.
Any suggestions for helping her to let go already are welcome!
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Updates
Well, the inevitable happened following my last post. I caught what Abby/Nicole had - a yucky flu-type bug that had me doing all sorts of gross things I'd rather not share publicly. Luckily, it lasted only 24 hours (Labor Day) and it even helped me lose 4 lbs! Jason was a lifesaver and took great care of me and Abby. Thank goodness, since if I was home alone with Abby, she would have been taken care of by Sadie (our dog) all day.
But in other good news, this weekend Abby FINALLY said MAMA!!!! Full disclosure - it was and since has been said only in duress (as in mid-cry), but I'll take it! Hopefully she'll discover that she can use it for other instances as well (as in "Hi Mama!" or "Mama, look what I did!").
Abby has also been a bit of a cranky pants lately - we figure another tooth is on its way in, but she has definitely not been her normal, happy self the past few days. Between her and I being sick, going away for a few days and not having Nicole around to help out, Jason and I are a bit tired, to say the least!! We hope the next week proves to be a bit easier in our household!
But in other good news, this weekend Abby FINALLY said MAMA!!!! Full disclosure - it was and since has been said only in duress (as in mid-cry), but I'll take it! Hopefully she'll discover that she can use it for other instances as well (as in "Hi Mama!" or "Mama, look what I did!").
Abby has also been a bit of a cranky pants lately - we figure another tooth is on its way in, but she has definitely not been her normal, happy self the past few days. Between her and I being sick, going away for a few days and not having Nicole around to help out, Jason and I are a bit tired, to say the least!! We hope the next week proves to be a bit easier in our household!
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