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!

The Creative Family

I got a new book today. It's one that I've been wanting to read called "The Creative Family" by Amanda Blake Soule. She has a blog that I read from time to time:

SouleMama blog

It's a great blog. She's one creative mom and truly inspirational. I haven't read much of the book yet, but the introduction left me feeling really inspired. The intro. talked about that feeling of needing to create in order to feel fulfilled, whole, complete. I guess you'll probably either know what I'm talking about or think I'm speaking complete gibberish, but if you've ever felt it you know what I mean. That longing inside to create and express yourself. I feel this way when I sew, knit, scrapbook, etc...Since going back to work I feel very much that I've lost this piece of myself. I'm trying so hard to keep this part of myself going, but I find that with all the time constraints of working full-time as a mother it's very difficult. So Boo is in bed. My goal tonight is to work on the scrapbook. So we'll see how I do with this. Scrapbooking is one of the creative endeavors that I really enjoy. I actually have a goal to have Boo's one year scrapbook pretty much done by the time his 1st birthday rolls around so that I can put the book on display. So far the book hasn't made it out of the hospital. But I have hope. Surely I can climb this mountain if I set my mind to it. At the very least I can get close to finishing. So we'll see.

Anyways, I would recommend reading this book. I haven't finished it, so I can't speak to the entire book, but I can definitely say that it looks promising so far.

Aromatherapy

Some of you may know that I've been "flirting" with aromatherapy for some time now. I got a new book that's pretty comprehensive and I've been making more things lately. My current concoction of lemon, clary-sage, and lavendar is supposed to combat stress. I've found that peppermint and lavendar in my clay pot diffuser is nice to freshen up the air in the house. I've taken a bottle of my current concoction to work and keep it on my desk. It's nice even just to open the bottle and sniff when my head hurts from staring at my computer and doing paperwork all day. Also, to combat the stress of working in the first place!

I didn't realize how connected to scent I was until after the birth of my son. I used aromatherapy during birth. I took my lavendar essential oil with me and had T put drops of it on a wet washcloth every once in awhile and put that on my forehead. Now everytime I smell pure lavendar I think of giving birth to Boo. It's actually really great to be brought back to that experience through scent. I'm thinking I'll have to use a different scent for the next birth. Perhaps each child can have their own scent. Although, I must admit, I don't know that I can find a better one than lavendar for labor. Lavendar is known for it's calming effect. Although, did you know in a higher amount it's actually a stimulant? Interesting. There's a few essential oils that are both relaxants and stimulants depending on the amount used. Lavendar is one of them.

Anyways, I highly recommend aromatherapy. It can be used for relaxation, home fragrancing, diaper wipe solution, cleaners, beauty products, and the list goes on and on. Anyways, time to get back to work!

May Update - daycare here I come!

Well, I just realized that I haven't posted since April. It was so much easier to keep up with this blog when I didn't work outside of the home!

Well, I'm working on opening a home daycare. I'm attending a DCFS licensing orientation next week. I'm looking forward to jumping through the hoops and getting the license. I love working with children and am excited about this next journey. Believe it or not, I'll actually have more take home pay doing this than working outside of the home. And money is what we need if T is ever going to get through school! Plus, I'm looking forward to being back in the home with Boo. I've been looking at curriculum, researching policies, figuring rates, etc...It's a lot of work and it will be a lot harder than my current job, but I think it will be extremely rewarding. The home we're renting really has a great set up for a daycare. There's some things that need to be moved/fixed and that's what we're working on right now.

Boo is all over the place. He's a little hurricane, throwing everything in his path. He's very quick. He's got such a great personality. He's soooo incredibly happy all the time. I love it! Being a mom is the most wonderful thing I've ever done. As much as there's other stress in my life right now I think that some day I'll look back on this as "the good days." I was lucky enough to reconnect with a friend yesterday that I hadn't seen in awhile and I think that our conversation reminded me of that point. As much as life can be stressful, what's the point if I don't enjoy the good things that each day brings. And Boo is good and pure joy in a cute little package. He doesn't ask for much to be happy...just fed, napped, and cuddled. Isn't that what we all require? Food, rest, and plenty of attention!

I watched the documentary, The Business of Being Born. I recommend it for everyone about to have a baby, thinking about having a baby, or just interested in maternal care in America. Some of it was stuff that I've already heard, but it was very enlightening. For some people it may not be something that sits well with them as it really goes into a lot of the advantages of a home birth, but I found it fascinating. So enough said about that.

Anyways, I'll update as life continues to change and as the daycare becomes more of a reality.