The Childcare Conundrum

I've entered the next phase of finding childcare for Clare. We've been on 5 waiting lists since August 2007. The thing is, it seems like it doesn't really matter. We need a spot to open up in January or February 2009. It seems like spots don't open that often. In the winter months it's only happens if someone is moving or relocating.. something like that. Then, as it turns out, other people who've been waiting for a spot get priority. For example, siblings of children who are already in that daycare or children who's parents work for nearby government agencies.

I called around today and it looks like we're about 3rd - 5th on the waiting list at the various daycares. Regardless, most of the daycare centres have a 3-4 week time frame for parents to 'give notice' if they are moving/leaving. That means that the earliest they would know if a spot was available is sometime in December. Most of the people I talked to today seemed skeptical about a spot even coming available.

So, now what? I can keep waiting, I guess, and just see what happens. I'd like to know I have a back-up plan. I'm not so good at just leaving it alone though. I'd like to do something. I guess this is why almost everyone I know has a nanny or family members for childcare. It feels like an impossible situation.

I know that there are children in daycare in Toronto. But seriously, how did they get there?

Talk to you soon,
B.

Pumpkin Patch

We went to the Southbrook Pumpkin Patch on Saturday. It was loads of fun! Clare, Rob, and I went with Karen, Dion, and Adam, Ann, Steve, Sophia, and Nathan. We picked out two lovely pumpkins, drank some cider, and then all went out for lunch afterward. Since the weather was so rainy the place was a bit of a mud puddle but we let Clare tromp all around anyway. She managed to stay somewhat clean, despite the circumstances. We're definitely going to need to get her some boots this Spring.

One thing that was really great was how much fun Clare was having. She walked/ran around the whole farm squealing and excited. I'm not sure what it was that made it so much fun for her. Maybe all the friends and fresh air? Maybe all the space to walk around? Maybe that the pumpkins were just the right height for her to walk around while holding on? Can't wait to check it out again next year. You can see more pictures from our adventure here.

9 months

Clare turned 9 months old two weeks ago. Though we're a little late with this post.. well.. you know the adage. Here's what Clare is doing now that she's 9 months od:

• She has 5 teeth and a 6th well on its way.
  
• She's crawling and cruising quite a bit. She's very mobile - sitting to standing, tummy to sitting and all those other combinations. She's also starting to get the idea of climbing in her head. I've caught her a couple of times, up on her tip toes with one knee raised. So far, her legs are too short to really get her into any trouble.
  
• Playing with her own toys is getting a bit passe. She looks for just about any item in a room that she shouldn't be playing with and tries to play with that instead.
• She's still walking with the assistance of adult hands wherever and whenever she can. She can even walk while holding on to only one hand and she walks along with the little push toy we bought her.
  
• We're pretty sure that she says "Hi" and "Dada" it's just not entirely clear yet whether she knows what she's saying or if she's just making the right sounds.
• She's standing in her crib now. She often throws Mr. Bun to freedom and then stands up to look at him lying there on the floor.
  
• She's starting to eat meat and fish and absolutely loves it. We can barely keep up with her at mealtime, most days. She loves to eat. As Rob points out though, not AT ALL like her Mummy, Clare likes to eat entirely mixed up. She's a parallel eater - without question.
  
• She's getting pretty expressive. She has lots of ways of telling us what she wants and more importantly what she doesn't want (she raspberries us)
• One thing she definitely doesn't want these days is to sit still for diaper changes. It's getting a little out of hand. The usual bit of entertainment we give her isn't enough to keep her still anymore.
  

OK - talk to you soon!

B.

Back to Work

Yesterday was my first day back to work and Rob's first day on parental leave. When I got on the streetcar, I realized that one of my knitting needles was broken; I forgot my work keys at home; I forgot the spoon for my lunch; my boss forgot that it was my first day back; I didn't feel well; and somehow none of that really seemed all that bad. Not when compared to leaving my girl!

To be honest, coming back to work felt a lot like what I thought it would feel like. As a friend pointed out to me before, it's very easy to jump back into work and the old routine. I've been doing 'this' for much longer than I've been a Mum. It almost felt seamless, like slipping back into a comfy but old pair of shoes or going back to a favorite vacation spot. It was like that and yet at the same time, there was this nearly constant sense of loss that lingered in the background. I had that tight, almost painful feeling in the core of my chest. The kind of feeling that followed the 'break-ups' in my younger days. Or kind of like the feeling I have when mourning. And yet, it wasn't a bad day.

Though my eyes have gotten a bit damp, I know too, that I have it pretty good. I'm leaving Clare with her Dad and not with a stranger. I know the two of them are having a lot of fun and so that makes me happy too. I don't have to worry about how the chores will get done or the dinner cooked while I'm at work because I know that they're being taken care of. This is really the nicest possible transition back to work. I don't know how women do it when they don't have the support of their spouses - or worse, the unfortunate women who don't even get the glorious 9 months that I've had because they don't qualify for EI!

Talk to you soon,

B

My Life's Little Pleasures

(if you haven't been checking in lately, there are likely a few posts for you to read. Scroll down!)

In light of the fact that yesterday was Rob's and my anniversary and today I'm staring going back to work in the face, I have been indulging in some of my favourite things.

Last night we went out on a date to see a movie. We stopped at a bulk candy store on our way and got a soda at the theatre. We watched "Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" which totally counts as both an indulgence for the eyes, ears, and heart. I rustled my candy bag sufficiently to get scolded by an older woman sitting down the row from me. Then we went out for 'drinks' afterward. I had a steamed milk with honey and Rob had an Americano while we sat and talked in an entirely cozy and slightly glamourous local coffee hideout.

Today, I caught up on some online 'chores' while Clare napped. After her lunch, we went for a long walk. I ate a $7 grilled cheese from the Leslieville Cheese Market (Smoked Cheddar and all beef summer sausage on rosemary and olive oil Italian Bread) followed by an Eccles cake from Brick Street Bakery and an Americano from Mercury Espresso Bar. We shopped at the VV boutique (didn't find anything, though), SDM, and Baby on the Hip. Then we walked to a local playground that was in a school yard. Clare played on the slide and walked through the leaves - until recess, when she started following around the other kids.

What a wonderful end to the week.

Talk to you soon,
B.

Updated Picasa Album

I've been updating my Picasa albums this morning, while Clare was napping. They are ready for viewing. This picture was meant for evidenciary purposes: she does indeed have 4 teeth.

I haven't been great these past few months at getting pictures of her in all the outfits given to us as gifts but I think I've captured a lot of them. The most disappointing one is that we had a favorite dress that Goo Ma bought Clare that she wore all the time and I forgot to get a picture other than with my cell phone.

Also - I've been a bit lax about updating the Picasa album. It's been a busy few months. Hopefully, Rob will be willing to step it up when he takes over the parental leave on October 20th. Yep, that soon and I'm back to work. I'm trying not to think about it today.

Talk to you soon,

B.

Guess What Else I Did ..

I voted today. Rob and I are going to be away on Election Day. Not out of the country but out of our riding. So - we got to do advance voting. I won't tell you what we voted but I'll say that I really like voting. Few things make me feel really nationalistic as voting. Gotta do it. It's such an honor for it to be a right that I just don't like to throw it away - despite what one might say about the candidates.

Talk to you soon,

B.

You won't believe what I've been up to

I spent the better part of yesterday shooting an audition tape. It's for the W Network Expert Search. I'll let you know when I post a final product. Kevin and Su helped tonnes in getting it to look and sound good. Today, I'm doing the editing. The whole thing has been soooo fun!!!

Talk to you soon,

B.

Ready for October

A friend of mine has lent me a costume for Clare to wear this Halloween. I'm thinking of dressing her up and having her handout candy with me. This costume is technically a "Frog Prince". What do you think about this? Should I try to make it a "Frog Princess"? Should I get rid of the crown and just make her a froggie? Pretty cute though, eh? And it fits her just right!


Talk to you soon,

B.