Babysitting Sunday: Gender Edition

Just got home from a short stint with my occasional kiddos (ages "almost three" and one-and-a-half). So fun! The wee one was under the weather, so he went down around 6:30 but "almost three" and I set up furniture in her dollhouse and made a sticker animal farm for about an hour. All in all a great Sunday night!

Being with kids so much really makes me wonder: is it worth it to fight the gender line? Have one 14-month-old who has a kickin' wooden kitchen and baby dolls, but you can't tear him away from his little McDonald's Happy Meals toy cars. My "almost three" lady? Spending time with her reminds me of what I was like when I was little-- I could decorate my Barbie playhouse for hours and hours on end (furniture in, furniture arranged, furniture out, rinse, repeat). I had zero interest in Nerf toys, especially as I was often on the business end of those bad boys during play fights with Todd.

So what's the deal-- do you give in and go with the gender stereotypes? Firetrucks, police cars, robots; dolls, play houses, and all things pink. I'm sure there's some balance, I'm just thankful I don't have to find it yet.

B's out at the gym playing basketball, quite the accomplishment as we were snowed in only hours ago. Turns out only the third-ary roads are bad (primary and secondary are pretty solid). Here's hoping it doesn't freeze too badly tonight and that B gets home safe soon! PS-- the house smells amazing from the pork fried rice he made tonight. Did I hit the jackpot or what?

Newlywed Moment of the Day

Pharmacist Asst: Did you have any questions about your antibiotic?

Me: One.

PA: What's that?

Me: Word is that these can interfere with birth control, but my Dr says that's not true.

PA: Antibiotics do make some forms of birth control less effective.

Me: Are we talking 99% down to 86% or more like 99% down to 50%?

PA: Let's just say it's not a risk worth taking.

Me: So you're saying you won't sign on for 18 years of child support if the meds to clash?

PA: Exactly. We support back-up methods.

Warmth, Defined

What B Wore to Play in the Snow:tshirt

sweatshirt

waterproof gloves

running pants

socks

sneakers

What I Wore to Play in the Snow:

long sleeve shirt

fleece vest

hooded sweatshirt

B's red windproof fleece jacket

B's hooded sweatshirt

Raincoat shell

yoga pants

sweat pants

fleece socks

sneakers

two hats

scarf

nonwaterproof gloves

And yes, before you ask, we did end up trading gloves. My husband is the best!

Snow Day!

Last night, B & I were suppose to go into Raleigh with a few friends to have dinner at a legendary bbq place. With our end of our time in Durham no longer "next year" or "after the holidays," we're feeling like we need to tick off our to-do list by putting forth some sort of real effort. Enter, bbq.

Alas, the 'cue was not to be. Instead we got seven inches of snow (and counting!). It's amazing and beautiful and wonderful and we relished laying in bed watching it knowing that someday we'll be laying in bed and having to tell lies to the little people stealing our covers that you're not allowed to play in snow until 9am or 32 degrees, whichever comes second.

That said, we're getting bundled to go play. Love it!

I Love My Nieces

I got a chance to hang with the Smith sisters last night for a few hours. We made and decorated sugar cookies for our snack, which turned out to be really tough (Note to Self: Give kids snack before bringing out the cookie dough.).

E&S: Can we have another piece of the dough part?

Me: We don't need to eat anymore or we won't have any cookies to bake.

E: I like the dough better.

S: Can I eat this piece?

Me: Well, too much dough can hurt your tummy.

S: Can I eat this piece?

Me: Yes, but then decorate. Put some sprinkles on! Are you done?

E: No, I'm still working. And I want more of the dough part.

S: Can I eat this piece?

Me: Yes, but let's make that the last piece or we won't be able to eat any cookies.

E: Why?

S: Can I eat this piece?

Me: Fine. Because you won't be hungry for cookies.

E: I'm always hungry for cookies.

S: Can I eat this piece?

Me: Yes, one last bite for everyone. You need to have room for dinner.

S: Can I eat this piece?

Me: Ok! Time to put them in the oven!

Nanny Tidbit of the Day

Me: The only bad part is the dog. He attacks me as soon as I come in and doesn't let go of my leg until the owner leaves.

C: Maybe you should tell the parents that you have a rate for babysitting and that rate doesn't include anything remotely sexual that their dog might be doing to your leg.

Me: Oh that's excellent. A rate scale. It just might work...

Nanny Vs Babysitter

I've been going round and round about the difference in a nanny and a babysitter and, as best I can figure, a babysitter is a random, occasional sitter while a nanny is a routine, scheduled sitter. By this definition, I am both.

That's right friends, when I realized I'd have lots of time on my hands this semester, I knew I'd have to do something. I applied to be a cake decorator (no word yet and, um, no experience to speak of) and I also went back to my old roots from when I lived in Durham before: hanging with the babies. I could've stayed home and simply planned elaborate dinners for B & myself, but then we would've been overweight and Vitamin D deprived, which isn't good for anybody.

I decided to put myself out there and asked my sweet sister to let her friends know. She did me one better, letting her classmates at UNC as well as her parenting group at church know that I was around and available to hang out with the kiddos if anyone needed some help.

Boy, did they.

By the end of the week, I'd booked a few people to meet with. By the end of two weeks, I had a full schedule:

Mondays- 7:30-1:30 (10 month old); 3-5 ( 7 month old)

Tuesdays- 2-6 (4th & 7th grader)

Wednesdays- 7:30-1:30 (10 month old); 3-5 ( 7 month old)

Thursdays- free!

Fridays- 9:45-12:15 (14 month old)

Plus I'm sitting for a family with a 4 month old and another with two kids, ages "almost three" and one-and-a-half. It's nuts! I've told B that, for better or worse, I'm working harder than I have in years. Granted, this is a very very different kind of work. Instead of being creative with my writing and finding fun stories to feature, I'm finding fun books to read, making up stories and dances, making lunches, doing the happy baby bouncing dance, enjoying naps, singing songs, and counting, naming, and identifying color for everything under the moon.

You know what? I love it. I love hanging on the floor with them, building towers, playing cars, decorating doll houses, coloring pictures, and being covered with goldfish dust and puffs.

That said, I'm also thrilled to come home. It's the best job I've had yet. I go on walks (which makes everybody happy), hang with kids, watch bad TV during nap time, then come home with a little extra cash, a little exercise completed, and a true excited happiness to see B.

I'm still getting settled into the new routine (as those of you who know me might imagine-- 7:30 AM!!) and finding the kinks (favorite blankies and insane animals). So far my tips for parents with sitters are few but firm.

1- Tell me if you have pets. I love dogs but was still surprised to find them at two of the houses I visit.

2- Tell me how I can help you. Want texts? Photo texts? Updates? Let me know. I can do them!

It's been fun and I'm learning, and also doing more laundry. "Work clothes" are now clearly defined and relegated to the laundry basket as soon as I get home!