So..... Eric and I are completely busy and overwhelmed, ALL the time. Two kids under two is no joke. Especially when it's combined with working full time. And even more so when your husband works 80-100 hour weeks. Now let me be clear, and say that I'm thrilled my husband is working so hard; his business is going quite well. However, arranging childcare is a JOB in itself for me. Every day, I have to think...is it me, Eric, the nanny, my neighbor, or my Mom that will be taking care of the boys. Planning each month is so stressful. And just when I get it figured out, Eric changes something. Which means I have to scramble to rearrange. I am TIRED OF IT. Plus, when I am here, I feel like I do nothing put pick up and clean up. Having two kids in cloth diapers puts an enormous strain on laundry. I want more time to enjoy my children- I want to rock Eli and play on the floor with Drake.
Okay, I'm finished whining.
Eric and I have taken into account all the above factors, and decided that we need to do something before we (meaning I) lose our sanity. It was time to reevaluate childcare. Daycare is out. None
accommodate the hours we work. It would be nice and simple if there was a place that opened at 6am, and allowed only three days a week. But none do.
We love our nanny, but for the hours we want/need someone a week, the cost is out of control.
We considered just paying an agency to find us a fulltime nanny that we'd pay by the week, but it didn't compare to our last option.
An au pair!!! I had honestly never considered this, because I've never felt like we've need so much help to warrant having someone live with us. Well let me just tell you, we definitely could use that help now. Since I'm just back to work, everyone is of course asking about the boys/how they are/who's watching them/etc. When chatting with one coworker this past week, she mentioned that her family had au pairs when her children were young. Then after further conversation, it turns out that quite a few of my coworkers have had au pairs. I heard lots of positive things, and decided to investigate. And I liked what I read.
I always thought it would be cool (as a high school student) to either be an exchange student, or have my family host one. That didn't happen, but I always thought it would be fun and interesting. See, an au pair is essentially an exchange student, but they take care of your kids for room & board, plus a weekly stipend. There are pretty strict guidelines regarding their duties and hours, all mandated by the Department of State. They have to be between 18-26, and they have to take 6 hours of college credit while they are here. They can't work more than 45 hours a week or ten hours a day. They come for one year, and you have the option to extend up to one year after that. Au pair is French for "on par", meaning you bring this young woman into your home and treat her as a member of the family. Kinda like a much older sister or aunt for your kids. They are not a maid, and they are not slave labor.
Eric and I are really excited. I'm actually super pumped. I never thought I'd be keen on someone living in our house, but our guest room is quite tucked away and private in the basement. Our family room and office are also down there, but everything else is upstairs. I'm optimistic and hopeful about this process, and I hope it's a positive one for us. I've spent LOTS of time this week reviewing files. I've narrowed it down to two girls- one from Mexico and one from Peru. We hope to do some phone and skype interviews soon. Once we match with someone, it takes about 4-6 weeks to get them here. Apparently it totally depends on how slow the embassy is in their country. I'm ready for someone to get here tomorrow!!! But, we'll muddle through July, and look forward to having an extra pair of hands around here soon.
We got a sit and stand off craigslist. And Drake loves it. I knew he would, and we've gotten lots of use out of it.
We found a caterpillar!
He would NOT touch it.
Eli was pointing the ducks out to us, just to make sure we didn't miss them!
Such a pretty park and bridge.
We fed the ducks. Or at least I hope they were ducks. There is fine for feeding the geese.
I don't even remember what this fuss was about. I guess it couldn't have been too important. Someone is always melting down about something.
He uses that finger ALL.THE.TIME. He is constantly pointing and whining. Yep, we are working on that. At least the whining part.
Yoli and Drake during our walk around the lake.
Play time! Being at a place like this makes me realize how grown up Drake is. There is nothing he won't try to do. He even has me hold his body up so he can cross all the monkey bars!
Time to examine the wood chips
My lil' stink. Sure do love my big boy. He is talking a lot more now. Saying "thank you" and "all done". I don't know where the last 17 months have gone.
