Nanny 911

So, we have switched from having a daycare provider at a daycare center to the children being at home with a "Nanny" for lack of a better term.  They seem happier (the children that is) and it makes my morning less stressful, so that makes me happier.

Our Nanny doesn't live with us, she arrives in the morning while I am getting ready and gets the children breakfast.  They are usually sitting at the table happy as can be when I leave.  I get kisses from them and off I go.

At daycare there would be days I would be LUCKY to even get a wave goodbye, never mind a kiss!  There were fits and tantrums getting dressed in the morning, there were fits depending on which daycare teacher was in the classroom at drop off.

The only thing that hasn't changed, is super excited children when I walk in the door from work... "MOMMY MOMMY!! You look pretty Mommy!!" or "Up, Up!! Up Peace"  How can resist?  I scoop up "A"arron and get a nice big hug and wet kiss!  Even our Furbabies are happy.. they get the privelage of not being a crate for 9 hours a day!

Do any of you have a Nanny or in home caregiver?  What are your likes and dislikes? AND.. what do you do about taxes?

Pre-K and Parenting

I am not sure how many of you have taught a child their alphabet, numbers, colors, how to read even.. but I can assure it isn't the simplest of tasks, especially for a parent who works fulltime (not that parenting isn't a fulltime job, but when you are a SAHM, you have more than an hour an evening to work on these areas).

For me, my only source of help (other than daycare and P.) is my computer.  We have an old laptop that I have created links to various educational gaming websites and I thankfully have a SAHM for a mother who is willing to Skype with our little Pre-K'er, "C"indy and work with her on those things she is having difficulty with while I get dinner ready and P. helps with the other two.  "C"indy LOVES the one on one she is getting and it, thankfully, takes some pressure off of me.  I mean how many times can you go over the number 6 without getting bored?   A friend suggested UNO, and I think its a great idea!  He said that it will help with colors and numbers, which is ABSOLUTELY PERFECT!!  "B"ella needs some serious work on her colors.. everything is "Boo" or "Wed".. I don't who she thinks she is marrying and why she needs to scare them, but .. just but.

Anyway, here are some of the websites we are utilizing:

• Starfall
• ABC Ya!
• FisherPrice Games
• JumpStart Games
• PBS Kids
• FunSchool Kaboose
• Sheppard's Software
• Internet 4 Classrooms

If you have any that you know of you or tricks that might be helpful.. I'd LOVE your input!

Superglue

Well, after living with us for what  5 1/2 months (he's 8 months old now) Baby "A"arron has formed a bond.. he is definitely attached to us and more specifically to me.. like glue!

If P. is holding him and he is content and giggly, that changes in an instant when he sees me.. arms stretched out tears and all... he wants "Momma".  I pick him up, give him a kiss on the cheek, and he turns back looks at P. and smiles!  Yes, he smiles.. he got what he wanted and it wasn't P... yes he was content with P. while I wasn't around, but if I am there.. we have our very own Baby Sinclair from Dinosaurs: 

I know that its normal, that Seperation Anxiety sets in around this age, so it isn't anything to worry about, and dropping him off at daycare he is fine.  But lately at home.. he just freaks out if I leave the room even for a minute.  Last night I put him in his walker, brought him in the kitchen with me and was able to cook dinner, granted there were tears and screams, but he calmed down.

We are also going through the lovely stage of teething (those two bottom teeth will poking through soon!), so he is in pain and only wants me. Luckily, neither are affecting his sleep.

Ahhh.. at least I know he loves me!

School House RockS

Countdown: Full Day 7 of a 14 day Respite Placement

So the School House ROCKS (aka Day Care).. I told you all that I know he is LOVING it there!!  I dropped off Aarron at day care this morning and was pleasantly informed that yesterday he.... rolled over.. from front to bak.. and from back to front (not at the same time).  Apparently he was doing some tummy time and just pushed himself right over onto his back.. and was schocked by the movement!!  I know that he gets close to rolling from back to front (he does this rocking motion to calm himself down), but hadn't actually seen him roll over.  Oh well, I missed that first, but it still nice to know he can do it!  He's just checking them off as each day passes!!

As for the length of this placement it seems like it might a little longer than the original estimate of two weeks (happy dance for me!!).  I have scheduled a well baby visit for him on Tuesday and he also has a hearing appointment at Children's Hospital next week.  I don't think there is a problem with his hearing, because the dogs barking wake him up during his naps (unless he is totally passed out!).

I We are really enjoying having him around.  He is really such an easy going little guy.