Random News

 
Well, I don't really have anything interesting to write about today...just some random mom stuff. We are in the process of interviewing nannies for the fall. So far, it has been kind of a discouraging process. I've talked to a lot of people who run home daycares, but that just doesn't seem to be the right option for us. The thought of bundling them all up in the winter and dropping them off someplace and having to pack all their stuff is just crazy. Also, in a home daycare, you just have absolutely no control over their environment or how many other kids there are. I know I can't protect my kids from everything, but the less runny-nosed little children they're exposed to, the better. I was shocked in talking to some of these people because a lot of them were taking care of 10-12 children! I just can't see how that is safe. I can barely take care of 3...how are they possibly watching all 12 at once? There is a lady from our church that responded to the add we posted and she seems promising so far. She is 63, retired, and is looking for a part time job with children. She has been babysitting and working with kids in the church for a while. She seems energetic enough (she is going to Australia in October)and I think would be very structured and safety-focused. She also has a lot of experience with the 3-4 year old age group, so I think that would be good for Hannah. My only concern is if she can handle all three at once. Their very different needs can be overwhelming at times, even for me, and I'm only 29. So, she is coming over this week to try it out for a while. She seems very confident and I like that about her...so we'll see.
What else? Oh yeah...I'm scared to say this out loud or even write about it for fear of jinxing myself, but...Jacob has been doing AMAZING at the whole sleeping thing. The past couple weeks he has been sleeping 8pm-6am with no feedings and is taking 2-3 solid 1-2 hour naps during the day. Alone. In his bed. WITH NO PACIFIER. When I think back to the first 4-6 weeks and how challenging of a baby he was and then now...it's a world of difference. He is so smiley and he "talks" all the time...even more than Hannah (uh-oh). :) The first three months with a newborn is so hard. Even the third time around. It is just so exhausting because you somehow have to care for the needs of 3 children on top of the fact that your own basic need for sleep is not being met. It really is the hardest thing I've ever had to do..and that part never gets easier no matter how many you have. But, I think the difference with him was that there were a lot of times where I simply could not get to him when he was crying...so I think he learned how to self-soothe pretty early. I feel bad, but I really let him cry a lot more than the girls...and by the time I'd get to him, he'd be sleeping. With Hannah, the second she would whimper, I'd race to her side and I don't think she learned to go to sleep alone until she was 9 mos-1year...but, you live and learn I guess.