Dawn's Diary Entries Diary Navigation: Choose A Diary Entry -------------------- Latest Entry: 7/31/04 -------------------- 6/20/04 5/5/04 4/25/04 3/28/04 3/13/04 2/20/04 2/3/04 1/15/04 12/7/03 10/31/03 10/26/03 10/17/03 10/11/03 9/22/03 9/15/03 9/1/03 8/19/03 7/30/03 7/14/03 7/11/03 7/3/03 6/27/03 6/23/03 6/12/03 6/3/03 6/2/03 5/26/03 5/1/03 4/26/03 4/14/03 3/31/03 3/21/03 3/12/03 2/28/03 2/19/03 2/15/03 2/9/03 1/28/03 -------------------- Dawn's Introduction

September 15, 2003

Only four days until William turns two! I can hardly believe that two years has gone by already. When I think back to things that happened when he was a baby I assume that they occured just last year, and then I remember that two years have passed and I am really wondering where has my baby gone? We are at my mother's house now, Will is away in Regina for some training for work, and we will be having a family party on Saturday. I had bought things for a Bob the Builder party, had my present for William all wrapped up, and left it all at home...silly me. The only thing I remembered were the construction hats for all the kids, good thing too cuase there are none to be found in this town. Last night I finished assemblying the Little Tykes Workshop for William's birthday. My mother got it for him with her club Z points, and we were having a little discussion and a laugh as to who the gift should be from. It was her points, but she gave them to me to do as I chose... Maybe it should be considered a joint gift!

Back to work already...

I have been sort of stressed out as to what I should do about childcare for William for a little while now. His former babysitter, Lisa has moved out of our basement apartment, and of course, went back to work in May. There were a few days that month where Will had to come home from work so she could go to her job, and although it wasn't a big deal for one month, we just can't see having to do that all year. I asked her on three occasions what her hours were going to be like and she continues to tell me evenings and weekends, but I am sure that there will be a few days mixed in there. In May I had to ask one of my newly found friends to look after William for a day. She has two kids (ages 1 and 2) and I hated to saddle her with an extra babe to care for, but she didnt seem to mind. I had been planning to ask her if she had been willing to do it again but she was away fro two months this summer and just got back in early September. We did get together one day last week, giving our kids a chance to get reaquainted, which turned out to be a blessing in disguise. I hadn't asked that day about her willingness to take William on occasion, but thought I'd have lots of time before I had to worry about that, boy was I wrong... On Tuesday I got my first call from a school (not even two full weeks into the school year). They wanted me to work Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Three whole days in a row, I hardly ever got three days in a week last year! I immediatly called Lisa who had to work on Wednesday (day not night), and Will said he couldn't stay home casue he had meetings with his boss who was coming in from out of town. Now what... I had to call Angie without any mention of this to her...and if you know me I hate asking things of people without knowing how they feel about it. But I had no choice. I called, and at first she was willing, but said they had intended to go out of town on Wednesday. I told her not to change her plans, but she called back and said that her husband was leaving too early in the morning anyway, and that William could join them for the day! I was very releived. He had a great day there last year, and we had just visited there on Monday, plus he hadn't really seen Lisa in two months, and he had never been to her new place so I was afraid how he would react to suddenly being away from mom for three days.

I was prepared on Wednesday to leave a crying baby.. but was pleasantly surprised to see that he set in right away playing with Ben. Angie says the two of them are like two peas in a pod. They play very well together, share everything, and dote on baby Emma, showering her with hugs and kisses. They even make up their own games that they play repeatedly. It is such a comfort knowing that William is enjoying his day. I got there at 3 to pick him up and he was asleep and didn't wake up for another half hour. I was able to ask if she was willing to take William on a somewhat regular basis, and she siad she didn't really want to do it everyday as she has her own family to look after, which is totally understandable, but if I needed someone to give her a call. t least that was a bit of a weight off my shoulders. I at least had a back up. When I got home there was a message on the phone from Lisa. She now had to work Thursday and Friday, so now I had to call Angie again! Firday was of great concern to me as Will was going to Regina that day and I really needed someone for that day. Luckily Angie was available for both days. And they went smoothly as well. She said they are all so quiet, there is no fussing, crying or fighting and she is still able to do things like make supper, and lemon pie, laundry, and tidy up while they are all sleeping. She brought all three kids for a walk in the wagon on Firday to another house, where there was a total of 9 children playing. Apparently everyone commented on how well behaved William was, and how he shared with everyone. Why does he not do this for me? Oh and I can't forget how on Thursday she made enough soup to send some home for our supper!!! That really made my day. I think she is my new role model mother.

Home for a week

I was really nervous about making the three hour drive to mom's house all by myself, and had originally arranged for my brother to come out and drive me home on Friday. However after working all week, I didn't want to rush after work to leave and get home before dark. SO I decided to leave Saturday. That meant that I would have to go by myself, as moose hunting plans were already set for Saturday. I ahve enver driven anywhere except in town with William, and was panicing at the thought of him crying for an hour straight. But he slept for the first two hours (even though I left at 10 and he doesn't usually nap until 2), we then stopped and had lunch at a restaurant, then sang to his Sharon Lois and Bram tape the rest of the way. He did start to get a little frustrated at one point as he couldn't reach something and I pulled over by a lake and we had a break, throwing rocks in the water (it was a real warm 25 degrees for a mid september day). It was quite enjoyable, and much easir than I had anticipated. Hope the drive back goes as well.

William said the cutest thing when we were here that first night. He looked up at my brother's graduation picture on the wall, and said "Oh, King John". My mother and I were both surprised, asking each other who told him about kings. I asked William why he thought John was a king and he said, "crown" (the graduation hat!). The only thing I can figure is that he learned it from Dora. There was a new show on the other day where Dora had to help the king get his crown. I asked where his crown was to see what he remembered about the show, and he pointed up in the sky, and I asked what she had to do to get the crown and he said, "por favor"!!! I am truly amazed at the memory this child has. Even after seeing something once he can recall details very clearly. I think he is like his mother in that respect!

I forgot to mention that I also looked into putting William into the daycare at the YMCA for a couple of days per week. It's only $20 a day (I pay $40 for home care) and it's a great facitilty. The only trouble is it has to be two set days a week (like Tuesday and Thursday). Not just when I need it. But I am hoping that with three options I can have all days covered if and when I have to work - but then of course there is the concern that too many options may be overwhelming for William who mayneed consistency.

Day care poll
I would love to hear from other working moms about your daycare situations. What you like/don't like about it, what options you prefer to use and why? what difficulties you encountered when first making arrangements for your child's care. etc etc etc

Thanks for reading
Dawn