Win the lottery and quit working, or....

Jeremy and I visited a daycare in our neighborhood this weekend –Tutor Time. So not an in-home but more of a facility. I’ll admit I’m a little apprehensive of those types of places (Kindercare, New Horizon, etc) due to bad press….but I was thoroughly impressed with this place.

First, their ‘programs’ seem right on track with what I would want: a daily/routine schedule that focuses on development. The infants are kept separate from the toddlers who are kept separate from the ‘older kids’. So the people looking after my baby are only interested in babies – not toddlers or school age kids. They’ll even teach baby sign language – which we definitely want to do at home. Basically, I want to ensure that wherever we drop our kid off for 9-10 hours a day will continue the same routine, values, expectations that we do at home.

Also, just the flexibly of the center is appealing. If someone is sick or needs a vacation, my child isn’t left without a day care provider. That is THEIR problem (hence, why I pay them), not mine (unlike with in-home where I would have to figure out a back up plan/provider).

However, as to be expected it is ridiculously expensive - $285 PER WEEK. So I will be talking to some in-home providers in my area…I have a referral for one that would only be $165 per week. But if I don’t find someone who makes me feel as comfortable as I felt with the Tutor Time program then I’ll figure out a way to make the extra $120 a week to supplement the difference!

And either way, bottom line… I already don’t want to give my baby up to daycare. I can’t imagine how hard it’ll be when I actually have to leave her. Although, I also have to admit that I think the interaction will be good for her. Either way, I'm still going to count on winning the lottery (but I guess I'll have to play it first).

Who you gonna call?

Well, I've "popped"! Just two weeks ago on New Years Eve my friends said I didn't look preggo - just like I'd had a big lunch and was bloated.

Well, look at me now!

Seperated at birth?

&

Ha! I kid, I kid! I know I'm pregnant and am supposed to get bigger. I know I'll lose the weight quickly. I just can't help but feel like the Marshmellow Man sometimes! It doesn't have to be a bad thing, right?

Question of the day:

If baby kicks during/after eating something...do you think that means she likes it or doesn't like it?

The past few weeks flew by!

I survived my first sober New Years Eve in 11 years (sorry, Mom). It was fun! I was able to stay up until 3:00am!

I’ve started to ‘pop’. I still don’t look 6 months pregnant according to people at work – but I think I do. I sure feel like it, anyway! Baby T is kicking more. JT felt her once and I feel her a few times a day. It’s still pretty random, but I know I’ve got a long time to go for it to get stronger. I’m also out of breath all the freakin’ time. As Sarah put it, at least it’s because I’m pregnant.

Otherwise, life in the Trafton house is getting back to normal…just with a new, 46” HDTV to plop ourselves in at night. Although, we don’t get to relax as much as it may sound like. I started classes again and JT is back in full gear on the house. He is SO CLOSE to finishing the living room…just some paint needed! Then onto the baby room!

Is it crazy that we don’t have anything really picked out for baby yet? I know people who have their nursery planned and decorated before they even know they are pregnant (okay, exaggeration)…but it just seemed silly to start too soon. There are so many other things to do, and we have plenty of time! right? RIGHT?? How long can it take to buy/set up a crib and hang up some baby clothes? Or am I drastically underestimating the time I’ll need to do this stuff?

At any rate, I know it’ll all get done – so I’m taking my time and making sure there is as little stress as possible!







“Q: Why you breathin’ so hard??” “A:To live!” Wat kind of stupid question is that?

Christmas this year was fun - Baby T got lots of pretty pink stuff. And a cool caterpillar that plays classical music. I already like to put it up to my belly.

JT has been working really hard on the house this week. He’s almost done with the main rooms and then will move onto the office/Scrappy’s room that will turn into baby’s room (sorry Scrappy!)! I’m thinking light green for the walls (I just can’t give my girl TOO girly of a room!) and maybe purple stars. I haven’t run this by JT to see what he thinks – but from what I hear green and purple do go together. Now that it’s almost the new year, it’s time to really get in gear with all the baby stuff. We’ve had a good 5 months to let the idea sink in, and it’s time to really get prepared!

Happy New Years all!

Couple of sickies...

JT has been sick with a cold for about a week, and I just picked it up a few days ago. It's rare that we'll both be sick at the same time, and rare that JT gets this sick in general. Usually his colds last a few days and then he's fine.

So, due to this not much has gotten done around the Trafton house. JT feels miserable with medicine and I feel miserable without being able to take anything (granted, there are probably a few things I COULD take...but I haven't had the energy to look it up yet).

The good news is we both have some time off work. The bad news is we still have to go Christmas shopping this weekend.

Unless we decide to get everyone GiftCards to http://www.freshtrend.com/.

One tired mama...

The weekend was busy. On Sat morning Jeremy and I took a 'Healthy Pregnancy' class at Mercy Hospital. It is the first of 4 classes we are taking - next up is 'All About Babies'. The Healthy Pregnancy class was okay. It was pretty basic stuff that we had already read about, but it was nice to listen to someone talk about it and hear other couples ask questions.

Sat night we went to two holiday parties - and again I made it out until 1am! The first party was with Jeremy’s Dad’s side of the family – who we don’t see much. There were two little girls running around, and it was fun to watch them and watch Jeremy interact with them. He actually did – even though he claimed he didn’t know what to say/do!

The second party was the neighborhood holiday party....and boy, can our neighbors party! It was one of the first times that I actually was really disappointed I couldn't fully participate....the sake bombs were flowing but not for the preggo lady.

So Jeremy left with a bit of a stumble (sake bombs were flowing for him) and I left with a recommendation for daycare in the area.

Today we went shopping at the Mall of America. Not extremely successful…but at least we didn’t wait until next weekend! Yes, we hadn’t even started Christmas shopping before today. I’ve taken on Jeremy’s habit of waiting until the week before – but it’s always worked out in the past and it’ll work out again.

A couple of long days have left me pretty worn out. JT thinks he’s getting a cold so I’m trying to do what I can not to follow suit.

Happy week before Christmas/time off from work!