Siblings

Growing up with a younger brother made me always wish I had a sister. I didn't care if she was older or younger, I just wanted someone who I could share clothes mainly. It's not that I didn't love my brother, but we just never got along doing ANYTHING. We would argue and fight non stop and as stubborn as we are nothing ever got solved. My brother was/is sneaky, he knows how to push ones buttons and he also knows how to talk himself out of trouble. So yeah, I wanted a sister.

In case you missed my message, I said WANTED. After being with Jules, Shay, and Corinne for a year I've learned that sisters aren't any better than brothers. Corinne being 14 dignifies attitude and sass, I know what to expect as I was a 14 year old once and let me tell ya, I feel SO bad for my parents. It's not easy to talk sense into them or really get them to listen to ANYTHING you tell them. I've had very little success making sure Jules doesn't pick up on Corinne's attitude sometimes but it's inevitable, they live together. I've also seen Shay develop quite the personality and she's only 1. I didn't think she would be so attention seeking and fake cry when she doesn't get her way...but she does!

I've witnessed that having a sister means constant fighting/arguing. I think I expected to see this between Corinne and Jules but I certainly didn't expect to see it between Jules and Shay. How does a 1 year old know that if she fake cries she will get her way? Did Jules do this one time in front of her and she picked up on it? I've given up trying to figure it out because I'm busy dealing with trying to figure out how to make this stop. So I did a few Google searches and liked this one best and tried to make this happen.

For example, Shay would be playing with one of her toys and a few minutes later, Jules would stop whatever she was playing with and go up to Shay and take whatever it was in her hand, out. I would ask Jules why she did that and her answer is always..."I don't know". Well, I've gotten tired of her giving that excuse so we've been working on answers being given like, "What color is the sky Jules?'.. and she would reply, "Blue?". I would tell her that THAT was an answer, not, "I don't know." She's been getting better but today she came back with a smarty excuse as to why she took the toy from Shay. She says, "Shay doesn't know what she's doing and I do." Well, needless to say Shay looked at me and started fake crying because she no longer had her toy. Okay, that was justified so I didn't make a big deal of it so I picked her up and walked over to Jules and took her toy she was playing with. I know I know a little harsh, but it worked because she asked me why I did that and I said, "You took Shay's toy and she doesn't know any better to take it back, but I do, so now you know what it feels like when something is taken away from you." She was shocked I did such a thing and went right back to Shay with her toy and said, "I'm sorry I took your toy Shay, I won't do it again." BAM that was easy!

But then a few minutes later, Shay went up to Jules and tried taking her toy and Jules held on tight and didn't let go. Shay looks at me and starts wailing and boy, did it break my heart but I didn't cave. I looked and Jules and said, "Maybe we can give her a similar toy and let her play with you that way she doesn't feel left out?" And Jules agreed and ended up giving Shay an identical toy and she was satisfied.

My point is, I don't think it matters what gender sibling you have because no matter what, they're going to make you angry sometimes and make you wish you had a different sibling. But now that I'm older, I'm just glad I was able to grow up with a sibling at all because my brother has taught me a lot about myself and has also surprised and made me proud to be his big sister.

My Week With Sick Kids

Such a trooper

Last weekend the girls went on a mini vacation to Mackinac Island with their family and Juliette had gotten sick the morning they were leaving. I had received a call from their mom Monday morning saying that she was staying home the rest of the day because Jules was sick. I figured after a whole weekend plus Monday that by Tuesday morning she would be fine. Boy was I wrong.

I've learned that taking care of a 4 year old when she's throwing up for the first time she can actually remember, it's kind of like taking care of a drunk person who doesn't know how to hold their head up. I mean she was a trooper I will admit that, but for the life of her she just didn't know HOW to throw up. That being said, she performed on the couch (which was disgusting). Now let's add in a 14 month old who wants to go investigate what just happened on the couch while I am busy in the bathroom with the 4 year old. HELP!

This picture of Jules was taken on Wednesday morning on our way to school and she was just so tired and happy that I was surprised we were sending her to school. She didn't have a fever and wasn't throwing up anymore but you could tell she just wasn't feeling herself. This whole last week has consisted of us staying indoors and not really doing anything other than school in the morning and games, reading, and movies in the afternoon. She just wanted to lay around all day which I wasn't complaining about until Friday when I was feeling a little cooped up in the house. She was finally feeling better and we actually got out of the house and played outside for a little bit and boy was that refreshing!

She actually fell asleep just like this

Now let's move on to Shay. She has been teething this whole week and was so cranky in the morning until after her naps around noon. There just wasn't a moment of silence from these girls in the 9-10 hours I was there each day and it finally hit me on Friday that I was exhausted. I can't imagine what our mothers had to go through with us and never having the choice to go home at the end of the day like I do with being a nanny. Being this has made me realize that I should just get used to it and find ways to make it "fun". This video clip is of moms who have to stay strong for their sick children and it just made me think that having kids with the flu or cold or even teething isn't something to get stressed or angry about. Be grateful that they are here with you.
With Shay it was natural to hold and cuddle her, which come on let's be honest, cuddling babies are comforting to ourselves if anything. She is such a cuddle bug that I didn't mind her not feeling her best... up until I have to take care of a sick 4 year old and have to put her down and she starts screaming and whining and clinging to me feet.

After this exhausting week of sick babies, I was just so excited to go home and get takeout with my boyfriend and just relax until Monday. HA - joke was on me. I was just taking care of sick babies all week, why did I think I could get away with no getting sick too?
By Saturday morning my boyfriend and I were both in and out of the bathroom and then in bed the whole day. Sure I "relaxed" a bit but not the way I had planned. Nothing got done that needed to and on top of all of that, my endless amount of homework just kept piling. I'm glad we are all feeling better and I hope this next week is filled with laughter and activities outside or anywhere OTHER than the girls' house! Wish me luck :)

Oh and here is a few more photos I took this week of the girls either being silly, happy, or bundled on the couch!

My Worst Nightmare Happened

We call her, "Shay the baby".

 This is the face of an almost 14 month old after she gets locked in the car. Yep, it happened, my worst nightmare. It was a regular Wednesday morning where Juliette had school at 9:00 am. Unfortunately, the car the family lets me drive needed gas (we were on E). So I had to rush our morning routine a little faster than normal so we could leave earlier to be able to get gas AND make it to school by 9:00 am. We left the house at 8:25 am and I thought to myself, "Well, that should give me MORE than enough time". You see, the Acadia I drive has a small issue with the gas tank. It does this thing when you pull the fuel level too far (to make the gas go faster), it stops as if the tank is full, except it's not. So you have to sit there and slowly pull the level and to fill the take completely from E, it will take around 14 minutes. I've got this down to a science now so I was more than prepared to pump the gas on Wednesday.

Once we left the house I noticed there was a lot more traffic than I had anticipated but I still figured, "no biggie I can make it". Except, by the time I got to my preferred gas station, it was already 8:45 am and I knew that would be cutting it too close for Juliette. So I chose not to get gas before school.

Instead, I chose to get gas after I dropped Juliette off. I pulled into the gas station at 9:15 am and decided to pay cash (which I NEVER do). So, I took Shay out of her car seat and brought her inside with me - obviously. I paid $10 cash and went back to the car and put Shay back IN her car seat. Now, my brain was a little scattered because I felt as if something was "off" about the gas station. There were so many people going in and out and walking past the car so I knew to lock the car doors because that's what your supposed to do, right? I left Shay's door open while I was slowly pulling the fuel lever all while trying to buckle her in with one hand. Sure, that wasn't the brightest idea but I wanted to multitask and make sure she was covered with the blanket, buckled in, and also wanting to put the gas in the tank. After I put the $10 in the car I put the fuel nozzle back where it belongs and finished buckling Shay in, but my one hand had the keys in them, so I threw them in the right side of the car seat. After I checked everything twice, I did what I always do, shut the door and open the driver side door. But guess what, I LOCKED THE CAR AND FORGOT TO UNLOCK IT... Let's just say that my next few words were not kid friendly and I'm glad Shay is only 14 months old. 

So how was I feeling? You could say I was overwhelmed, scared, shaking, and almost hyperventilating. Oh, I also left my phone in the car so I obviously had to go find one. Luckily, nobody was left at the gas station so I quickly ran inside to ask the clerk to borrow her phone (also not my best move). I called my boyfriend first because he always knows how to calm me down and he told me what to do. He called 911 for me because I was a mess and he also drove to the gas station to stay with me - luckily he works only a few miles away.

You might be wondering what Shay was doing and how she was feeling. Well, after I called for help I went back to the car and stood in front of her door just watching her. I can tell you, she was a lot calmer than me. In fact, she was LAUGHING at me. Little does she know what just happened or how long she could be in there by herself, but still she was a champ. Sure, she cried a few times only for a minute each and I knew I had to distract her but not too much so she wanted out of the car. We played peek-a-boo for a good 5 minutes and then Nick (my boyfriend) arrived. She recognized him and was once again, calm, where I was opposite...sobbing and shaking. I don't remember how much time passed but finally a kind police man arrived just in time.

A few things crossed my mind once he showed up:
1) Am I going to get a ticket?
2) Is he going to have to break the window? "I can't afford that!" "The family leaves for vacation TOMORROW, this window has to stay in tact!"
3) Is he going to think I stole the car and the baby because they're NOT mine?!
3) Oh my gosh, the parents are going to KILL me or worse, FIRE me.
4) I really wish Juliette was here right now, she could unlock this door and we could go home.
5) I hope Shay doesn't hate me.

The police man got out of his vehicle and could probably see I was distraught and I just see him give a smirk. I ask myself, "Why is he smiling? This is not funny! Hurry up walk faster!".

And this is the conversation that we had in the three minutes he was there:
Police Man: "I see you locked yourself out of the car"
Me: "Yes officer, I also have a baby in there, I'm her nanny. Are you going to have to break the window?"
Police Man: Smiling and laughing once again, "No, you'll see"
Me: At this point I'm confused why he is laughing and smiling. I am not doing either of those things and just want Shay out of the car. So I asked him, "Are you any good at this?"
Police Man: "I get about three calls a day for this, you could say I have experience."
Me: "This really happens THAT often? I feel like a dummy as well as a terrible nanny right now."
Police Man: Rigs up his tools in the door, "Have you had to do this before in this vehicle?"
Me: "Personally not me, this is the first time, but I sure as sh*t hope the family has done this before because I feel awful right now!"
Police Man: Pumps whatever tool it's called, uses the hook, and BAM, the door is unlocked. He looks at me and says, "And you doubted me".
Me: "No, I doubted myself and will never do this again."
Police Man: "I'm just going to need to see your drivers license."
Me: Thinking, "Oh sh*t. Am I in trouble? I knew it. I'm screwed. It was nice knowing you Shay."

Turns out he just wanted to make sure I had my license on me. I didn't get a ticket, he didn't call the parents, and Shay was out of the car in my arms. My morning was traumatizing for what seemed like only me because Shay was fine. I  stood outside the car with her wrapped in her blanket in my arms for another ten minutes, I wasn't letting her go.

I was a wreck all day long and knew when their mom got home I had to tell her what happened. I said to her, "There was an incident today, I kind of locked Shay in the car at the gas station." She looks at me and she too was smiling and laughing. I'm kind of standing there thinking, "What the hell is going on? Why does everyone think this is funny. This is NOT funny. I should be getting yelled at." She says to me, "HAHA I've done that before."
I wasn't fired thankfully but I learned to keep the keys on me at ALL times as well as to slow down at times.
Thankfully the mom has a sense of humor because the next day I offer to fill the tank completely for her so she doesn't have to do it herself that night before vacation and she texted me back saying, "That would be great! Just don't lock the kids in the car ;)".

Time Flies

After six years of working behind a computer for an automotive supplier, I took a leap of faith and looked for opportunities to become a nanny. I chose this switch because I was unhappy where I was at and felt like I wasn't going anywhere with the company and also couldn't see myself working there another year. I chose to become a nanny because I wanted to work with kids and see them grow up. The only experience I had to offer was babysitting over the years through middle and high school and I thought that would be enough. After 5 months of searching and interviewing with families, I found a family that I really enjoyed and wanted to work with but didn't hear back from them for another two months. I kept looking despite not hearing back from them right away and found another family that I adored. Once I got the call from my top family that I wanted to work for I was ecstatic (actually, that's a understatement). I trained with their mom for a whole week to get the hang of how they went about their days and I was more than ready and excited to start. 

I officially started full time working for them a week before Thanksgiving of 2016. It's crazy to think that I've almost been with them a whole year because I've seen firsthand that, time really does fly by with kids, they grow up in a blink of an eye. There are three girls that I watch daily - Corinne who is 14, Juliette who is 4, and Shay who just turned 1 this August. Corinne doesn't really need "watching" but I occasionally become her chauffeur for Color Guard practice or singing lessons. Juliette goes to preschool four days a week in the mornings now so that leaves me and Shay to play together for the time while Juliette is away. Once I pick up Jules from school we fill the rest of our days with games, reading, and trips to the parks or Rochester Play. I love having days where I am also going because I don't feel like the girls get bored as easily as I would just watching them play. 

Before I became a nanny I didn't think I could become attached to these girls as much as I am. I don't mean the creepy attached, but the kind of attached as if they were my own. After I leave the girls for the day (anywhere between 4-5:30), I often find myself wondering what they are doing, what are they eating, how cranky Shay is being, or how crazy and loud Jules is. If you would have told me two years ago that I would love what I am doing, I would have told you that you were crazy. Before last year, I told myself I didn't want to have kids because I knew I was too selfish. Today, that thought has done a 180 and I'm so excited for my future. I'm excited to see my own kids grow up. But this job also showed me that I want to be in my children's lives on a daily basis, I don't want someone else to help raise them (that part is selfish, I know), but I also know that in order to have kids nowadays, you need to have a mother and father to both work because let's face it, kids are EXPENSIVE. As much as I would love to stay home with the kids all day, I don't think it would be financially smart, which is where my uneasy for kids comes back into play. 

I hope you all keep following the girls' and I on our journey of growing up because let me tell ya', these girls have a sense of humor!