House Hunting

Mike and I began the long process of house hunting this past weekend. We did our own house search on the internet, mapped out the open houses and picked 7 open houses to attend. We were searching for a realtor as much as a house. House wise, we didn't find too much that we liked. We figured out some things that are important to us though like a large master bedroom (so our new bedroom set will actually fit), a backyard, and I really want a formal dining room so I can entertain. We are looking in the Franklin area since they have the best schools. That's years down the road but hopefully we will be in this house for years. 

We did find a realtor we really like. We are meeting with her tonight. We also met some realtors that were not so great. One guy, who was no joke 7 feet tall, shook Mike's hand first on the way in and the way out even though I was closer. It was just so clearly a "man is more important" move. 

It's very exciting. It's very scary too, though. It's crazy to be this grown-up, I'm not sure when that happened. I'm excited but I know it takes some people a really long time to find a house... 

For Isabella and Maya...

This is Duchess in her Mardi Gras Dress...
This is a picture of the Mardi Gras Doxie Meet-up in Chicago. This gives an idea of what a ton of little Doxies running around look like. There is a whole other section to the room too!

This is Baron as a crawfish for Mardi Gras and Duchess in her pretty dress!

Duchess in her favorite coat!

Easter Weekend

Easter was interesting. It's so much more complicated to celebrate holidays with both families. It's so busy and his family frustrates me and I'm sure my family frustrates him... Oh well.

This weekend my mom had a bad headache. It's been awhile since I've seen her that bad, with the confusion and stuttering. It was very hard and I think that was the first time Mike had seen her like that. Thats what so much of high school was like, it was very hard to be back at that place. By the end of the night I had the worst migraine I'd had in a long time. I don't know if whatever triggered hers, also triggered mine or if it was more of a sympathetic headache and was caused by the emotions of seeing her that way. 

I don't know. It's tough. 

I'm also incredibly homesick except the home I'm missing isn't around anymore. I'm missing old friends and remembering good times. High school friends and hanging out, pranks and concerts, going for drives, and hanging out. I miss them so much but we aren't the same people anymore so where does that leave this idea of home? I miss college and the good times I had there, thursdays at murphys, hanging on the quad but those friends have graduated too. That time has passed. I am not sure what to do about all this...

Junior League

So, in an effort to meet new people and learn more about the city and community, I'm thinking of joining the Junior League. There's an information session in 2 weeks so we'll see how that goes...

Baron's 1st Birthday!

Today is Baron's 1st Birthday. Boy, does time fly. It has been a very busy year though, moving back to Palatine and then to Milwaukee, getting married, adopting Duchess, our first married Christmas, new jobs...

We woke up and he and Duchess came into the big bed to sleep in. The they finished the milk from my cereal and we took them to the puppy store to pick out a new toy and treats. They played with the owner's Chihuahua Ti. Baron thought she was so pretty and loved chasing her around the store (we're regulars and they love our pups). Baron has a new shirt that says Mama's boy and Duchess has a new yellow spring dress. They also got new bones and a new rubber toy. Baron got Bacon flavored popcorn as a special treat for tonight. He loves regular popcorn so I'm sure he'll go nuts for Bacon flavored popcorn. After the store, we went for a walk by the lake and drove around enjoying the beautiful day. 

This is my kind of day. Casual and laid back and spent doing things together. The pups are exhausted after the long walk and we pulled out the sofa bed so we can all snuggle and watch movies for the rest of the night.

This truly is the best kind of day....

A Real Job

I started my new job. It's a good fit. The part that got me thinking was that this is the first job that I've started with the intention of it being long-term. It's not just for a semester or two at school, it's not just a summer job. This is a job I could be at for years. That's a little daunting...

Dachshunds

We have two beautiful doxie puppies. Baron is chocolate standard smooth coat. He's 11 months and he is a little guard dog or so he thinks. He is very protective of us and of his sister. Duchess is our little princess. She is a black and tan mini smooth coat and almost 9 months old. She was a fierce little bark but nothing to follow it up. She is Dad's little angel. She just adores him and loves to shower him with kisses.

We love them very much and probably spoil them a bit. The past three weekends we have had doggy play dates. The first was Pawty Gras and included musical mats and a costume contest for the pooches. Last week was the Suburban Chicago Luck of the Irish. It benefited All American Dachshund Rescue. We won a raffle basket and they love all the new toys and treats. This weekend was the Milwaukee Luck of the Irish play date. The Milwaukee group is much smaller but so much closer and easier to get to. There also seemed to be some younger dogs and younger couples and definitely more men for Mike to talk with. The play dates are great, especially in cold weather. Both dogs are snoozing on my lap right now. They get to run and chase their friends and it really wears them out. 

Baron's new favorite activity is eating dust. He loves to sit near a window where there a stream of light and catch the dust particles he sees floating in the air. At first I couldn't figure out what he was watching and trying to eat but when I changed my view I saw it. It's pretty hilarious to watch.

I don't know if there was a purpose to this post, I guess it's just about how much I love my doxies. 

Books...

So I just finished reading "A Wedding in December" by Anita Shreve. This is the type of book that I would have loved just a few short months ago. Now, I hated it. I love romances but now that I'm married so many of the books I once loved seem horrible. They contain romantic love affairs. I used to love "Bridges of Madison County" but all that book does is romanticize an affair.  The idea of an affair seems horrible and disgusting. I can't cheer on the main couple if it is leading to an affair. How could I once view that as romantic? I feel disgusted that I once found such books to be so sweet and romantic. I think I need to find a new genre since affairs are so common in romance novels...

Married Life...

So people keep asking me "How is married life?" or "How's married life treating you?" I usually respond with "Great" or "It's not that different except you live together."

In truth, though, it is very different. One of the biggest differences for me is that when you fight you can't just retreat to your own place or even to your own bedroom. All of your space is common space, the best you can do is lock yourself in a bathroom. Now, don't get me wrong, we haven't been in tons of fights. It's just one of the main "issues" that has come up in "married life."

I think it's harder for me too since I'm in a new town. I haven't made many friends, none that I could run to in a fight. I also don't know my way around yet. I haven't found that "safe spot." In college, I would sit on the amphitheatre at Krannert to collect my thoughts. I could take a walk and people watch. 

There are things that I didn't expect too. I didn't know we would have to file our taxes jointly to claim our tuition (I don't understand this but even a tax consultant told us it's true). We both have been very private with our finances and this forced us to open up about them. I didn't feel ready for that, I don't really like it, and I'm still not very comfortable with it. But, it is was it is.

There's also the little things. Clearly, when there are two of you, if you didn't do it, you know who did. I am driven crazy by the clutter on the counter. Mike hates that I have a tendency to leave glasses out. I've never had a TV in the bedroom and now we do and I still don't think it's a good thing. There are little differences in our routines and figuring out how we can both settle into new morning and nighttime routines has been interesting. 

Don't get me wrong, I love Mike and I love married life but it is a change. I love waking up next to him every morning and cooking meals together. I love our late night conversations. 

Working as a Nanny

Working as a nanny is a difficult job. It requires a bond with the child and as all mothers now, caring for a child is not always easy but can be very rewarding. I've learned that the correct fit with a family can make all the difference in the world. When you are with the right family there is a bond with the parents and the child, open communication and respect.

 I think respect is a big issue, yes a nanny is technically an employee, but that's not a good attitude. A nanny is an employee responsible for the care of your child. She has a huge impact on your child's development. It is important that the nanny feel her time is valued. Be home when you say you will be, do not expect her to be on call for you anytime. It is also important that her opinions and concerns are addressed and her personal privacy respected. 

I know that most nannies don't like nanny cams but I actually think they are a good idea. Any good nanny should not mind a nanny cam and if you have a good nanny the camera won;t find anything concerning. However, if you allow your nanny to use your computer when the child naps than respect that and don't monitor what sites she visits. 

I also think it's important to honor your promises. You trust her to care for your child so be respectful and do as you say you would. 

I feel that I am a good nanny, going above and beyond. I made a care book with a form for Emergency Contact Info for the Children, Daily Care Forms with information about the child's appetite, sleep patterns, activities and mood. (If you are interested in these forms I can e-mail them to you).  I also included information about local activities and museums for children, activities to do at home with the kids and product recall information. It is important that the parents appreciate when nannies go above and beyond. They need praise and to feel the effort is valued.

Those are my random thoughts about childcare. It has been a frustrating few weeks with a family that was not a good fit and I felt the need to release all those thoughts into the world.