Moving Forward

Well, my convo with the landlord was today and it went well. They're okay with the daycare thing. So now it's a matter of figuring my timeline, writing policies/contracts/handbooks/etc..., setting up business accounts/cards/etc..., scrubbing the house from top to bottom, rearranging the house, fixing things around the house, choosing curriculum...well, the list could go on and on. Anyways, there's a lot to do. While I have no desire to drag this out forever, I don't want to rush at this point either. I want to make sure we have all of our ducks in a row. Anyways, just thought I would update.

My Favorite Toy

Boo has a large assortment of toys courtesy of mommy and daddy as well as papa and grandma. He's got some toys made from natural materials (my favorite) and some light up, make noise, plasticy toys (not my favorite). I prefer open ended toys that encourage imagination as opposed to toys that "do something". Also, I like things that are made from natural materials as I don't have to worry so much about the toxins that might be in those toys. One of the presents we got Boo for Christmas was a playsilk. You can view this product, entitled Baby Boo silk, by clicking on the following link

Baby Boo Silk

I bought this on a whim actually as I was already purchasing a different gift from this website. Here's what I love about this. It begs to be interactive. Boo and I play peekaboo with this, "where's mommy", "tickle the baby", etc...There's so many things to do with this. It's much easier to veg out and not engage with your child when your child has a toy that "does something". I've definitely caught myself doing just that more times than I'd like to admit.

Why this and not just a piece of scrap fabric? Well, I think scrap fabric has its place in a toy collection and I plan to make Boo a basket of scrap fabrics. However, I definitely think silk needs to be included because its so soft and babies love soft things!

A biking we will go

I'm excited. We finally got our stimulus check and we're going to do the irresponsible thing and spend a portion of it. We're going to get our bicycles fixed (they need some minor repairs) and get a bike trailor for Boo. How exciting! I LOVE being outdoors and really enjoy biking. I hope that we can make time for this in our busy life. And it is soooo busy. I need to shop around and see what kind of bike trailer to get. It doesn't need to be fancy, just safe. Woo hoo - here we come!

Walking a Thin Line

I feel very much a lot of days that I'm missing out. I feel that Boo is missing out. It grieves my heart to drop him off with grandma and papa every Monday through Friday to go to work. I'm sure every working mom knows the feeling I'm talking about. As though your heart is being ripped from your body every single workday. Granted, the pain dulls and some days I don't feel it at all. But it's one of those things if you think about it, it's there. Still residing inside...every day. I feel such incredible love for time with my Boo that I feel someone should be paying me for the privilege of spending time with him and not the other way around. Of course that's nonsense - but sometimes the injustice of it all threatens to come crashing down on me. I could easily give way to bitterness if I allowed myself to dwell on it too long.

I've started reading The Creative Family. She talks about being frugal with everything, throwing away few things, reinventing old clothing,etc...And it makes me wonder if I was just ambitious and creative enough, could I find a way to be with my Boo? Is it my material, very American capitalistic personality that moves me to work every day? The answer is not a simple black and white. Prior to getting this full-time job there were days that I didn't know if we'd have enough money to pay the power company before they'd shut the power off. But is that because there's truly a lack of funds or because I'm not being creative enough to stretch the little that we have? So that line I mentioned is hard to fine. The one where creativity turns into irresponsibility. It's nothing that anyone else can answer for us. We have to do some major soul searching inside of ourselves to find the answer. My husband and I prayed together last night...for peace and knowledge. I hope that searching for inner peace can lead me to the path that's right for us. And perhaps I'm being impatient as we are on the verge of getting licensed to do home daycare. Then I can be with Boo and make money. But even then, how will I spend those dollars? Will I be creative or take the lazy route and buy rather than reinvent? Not to say that there's anything wrong with buying new. There's times where it's definitely the way to go, but probably a lot less than the times that I do actually buy new.

So tommorrow I go to the official DCFS (Department of Children and Family Services) orientation on Home Daycare licensing. Then, provided I don't hear something that completely turns me off, I need to get approval from our landlord. So I've picked this weekend to have this conversation. And I'm nervous. What if they say no? What will I do? I don't know that I have any clear answers for those questions. I don't think I can continue on the path that I'm currently on though. So, if you think of it, send positive thoughts, energy, and/or prayers my way!