Diaries of a Home Daycare Mommy...

Welcome Spring

2010-05-07T08:23:00.002-04:00

So I can't believe I haven't posted anything in so long. Welcome Spring & in VA that means welcome allergies. The pollen, the mold, so on & so on have really hit us hard here in my house. As for the daycare well it's still going strong. Some days are good & some days are crazy hectic, but it is rewarding in it's own way.
I have decided to go back to school for nursing. I am working on my RN and so far it's going well. I just finished a chemistry class and an anatomy class - got an A in both - Woo Hoo! This summer I am going to take the second half of anatomy & medical terminology. Wish me luck!

New Year, New Me

2010-01-06T13:01:00.003-05:00

Wow, it has been a LONG time since I posted, sorry! The holidays were hectic but good. Thanksgiving marked the 1 year mark for having my Novasure Endometrial Ablation - & all is good. I do still get pms, and cravings once a month, but other than a little spotting, NO periods! Woo Hoo - taking my vitamins every day & the iron count is staying good. I am mainting around a 10/11 which is low for normal people but good for me. My iron count was a 7 before the transfusion & surgery. The spotting has gotten a little bit heavier & I am just hoping & praying that the surgery will continue to be a success. I have read that it worked for some people for only a month or two & their periods came back. I have my fingers crossed.
Now, it's a new year & I am deteremined to make a new me! I put on about 20lbs over the summer/fall - thanks to a med my dr had me try for my back pain - gee THANKS doc! I have started keeping a food journal & wow am I amazed at what I put in my mouth when I have to write it down & write down the calories - I have never been one to count calories, so we will see how this goes - wish me luck. Also on the note of a new me ... I have enlisted back in school. I was only 3 classes away from my Associates Degree when I had my daughter - so I have changed my degree & will be back in classes starting next week. I will be taking Chemistry & Anatomy - nothing like jumping right back into the fire. I hope to finish the nursing program within a year -two. I will keep ya updated on how my crazy new me life is going! Happy New Year Everyone!

Wordless Wednesday

2009-10-07T16:47:00.002-04:00

Hmmm, let me think about it...

Wordless Wednesday

2009-08-19T07:43:00.001-04:00

I can cry if I want to....

Pacies and Potties

2009-08-13T07:36:00.003-04:00

Well, we survived the ever dreaded "taking of the paci". There were a couple of rough days with about an hour of crying at nap time & not wanting to go to bed. But, throughout all the crying she never once asked for her paci - so that was a plus! It just took her a little while to find other ways to "soothe" herself to sleep. We have our bedtime routine of reading a couple of books and then we sing "Rock a bye Baby" and "Lullabye" while rocking in the chair & then she will lay right on down, but now, and I guess to replace the paci so to say, she has to have a pile of stuff in bed with her, about 10 of her books, a baby doll, a stuffed animal, or whatever her eyes spot before climbing into bed. The pediatrician says she beyond being old enough to have things in her bed & not suffocating on them so let her have what ever she needs to soothe herself to sleep. Once she is out I go in & take all the toys out & make sure she's covered up for the night. So far so good.
As for the "potty training" well that just sort of happened on it's own. Since about 20 months she's been asking every so often so sit on the potty & we were thinking yeah, this should potty training a breeze - WRONG! She refuses to wear pull ups, literally will breakdown & cry - so we keep her in diapers & don't force the issue & then one Saturday she just started asking to use the potty. We do it all - the sticker chart, M&M's as a reward (this seemed to be the best motivation), and all is going well. YEAH!!!! She asks to go pee pee in the potty all throughout the day & all the time we are out in public - but still won't let us put pull ups or "big girl undies" on her yet. Guess I just have to be a little more patient there.

The Paci Fairy

2009-07-17T23:28:00.003-04:00

So, it's been awhile since I posted anything - sorry! Life's been busy. My little angel just turned 3 and we had been prepping her that the paci must go at 3. Anyone that knows her knows how "addicted" she is to her paci. At one point she had 6 at a time. She would have to go to sleep with one in her mouth, one in each hand, one in the bed with her & we always had backups in the car, in my purse, etc. Through out the month or so before her birthday she started throwing them away on her own - all except the one purple pooh paci - I don't know this one must have magical powers or something that us adults just can't understand. So, the morning of her 3rd bday my husband said "you know what you have to do today?" And she looks up at him with her big blue sad puppy dog eyes & says "no, daddy, you just do it". And he DOESN'T - he gives in & tells her she can hang on to it for a little while longer and throw it away when she's ready, but it has to stay in her bed & she can only have it for night night time. Now let me tell you, this came from the man who has been telling me her paci addiction is my fault & I should have thrown them away before she was 6months old when she didn't really care about them. HA HA HA!!!!! Well the only at night night rule didn't last long. So yesterday all day I told her a story about the Paci Fairy & how just like the tooth fairy comes to visit her brother & take the tooth that fell out & leaves him money, paci fairy comes & takes the paci once you turn 3 and leaves you money. (I know what you are thinking, but it doesn't hurt to bribe your kid with a little bit of spare change). She was a little hesitant & didn't want the fairy to "fly" into her room, I told her not to worry she wouldn't even know it, I kissed her goodnight & tucked her in. This morning my bright eyed & bushy tailed little angel comes bopping down the steps and smiles & says to me "mommy did the fairy get my paci?" I asked her if anything was under her pillow & she runs up stairs & runs back down & is so excicted that the fairy left her monnies (about 4 quarters in a little baggy). I said wow, the fairy came & got your paci. She said, "yep, she probably took it to a new baby at the hospital." Awww, how sweet. Well today was a great day, she never even so much as asked for it. She did however, cry for about an hour at nap time, and even though she was crying & fighting her nap, she never asked for the paci!! So, THANK YOU PACI FAIRY!!!

Daily Candy 100 Day Giveaway

2009-07-17T23:20:00.001-04:00

Daily Candy 100 Day Giveaway

Shared via AddThis

Do you take your sick child to daycare?

2009-04-08T09:14:00.003-04:00

Good morning - wow, it's been a crazy morning. I have 2 little ones (2 and under) that have been crying for about an hour, they are finally laying down & almost asleep. I love keeping kids, don't get me wrong - but not when they are sick & wanting their mommies. So mom's out there I have a question for you.....do you take your child to daycare when you KNOW they are sick? One mom dropped her child off this morning with tylenol in hand & said he's a "little" sick, but he's going to the doctor today, he woke up at 2am cyring & wanting to be held. WELL HELLO??? Then, it puts me in a bind....I can't turn her away when she's on my doorstep or can I? I have hard time putting my "feelings" aside for the sake of business. Guess I will have to put a letter together & send home to the parents, that I am a registered daycare provider & have to abide by the State of VA policies, & if your child is sick or has a fever they cannot come unless they have been fever free for 24 hours!! And not too mention, I can't hold a crying child who doesn't feel good all day & care for the other children I watch properly. And, you are bringing your kids germs into my home & if I have to close because my child now becomes sick, it then becomes a chain reaction on everyone and I don't get paid for days I close. Most working parents get paid sick time or family leave time - I DON'T. Ok - - sorry, I just had to vent a little.

Update on us

2009-03-11T08:01:00.002-04:00

Gee, sorry I haven't updated in AWHILE!! Life's been crazy. We had a great Christmas. We moved the first week of February. The new house is great - still unpacking & trying to get organized. The family is doing great. It took Amber a little while to get used to the new house. She kept telling us the first few days here that she was ready to go home now.
The daycare has slowed down a little, but I hope it will pick back up. I have 1 little boy full time & 3 part-time kids. Times are just tough for everyone.
Well, I just wanted to touch base - I will try to be better about updating my blog more often.

Ready for Christmas?????

2008-12-23T07:41:00.002-05:00

WOW - I can't believe Christmas is in 2 days. AAAGGGHHHH!!!!! Am I ready?? Hmmm, I think so for the most part. Santa has hidden all his presents in my upstairs closet, so the kids are done. My hubby is done as is most of the extended family. I just have lots of cookies still to make for everyone! For whatever reason, baking is the last thing on my list every year. And then I am running around like a chicken with my head cut off to get it all done in time. Oh well - what can I say...I reallyl don't like making cookies.
A few of the older daycare kids (ages 5 & 6) and I made some cut out sugar cookies yesterday while the babies were napping. They really enjoyed cutting them out & putting the sprinkles on them & then icing them once they were cooled. Today we will make some ornaments & a picture frame that they can take home with them.
Well gotta run & go make some breakfast!!

NovaSure Done!

2008-11-28T17:15:00.003-05:00

Well, I had the Novasure procedure done on Wednesday. It wasn't too bad. They had to bring me in on the night before to give me two units of blood. I will follow up in a couple of weeks to have the iron level checked again. But we won't know for a couple of months is the ablation worked. I have my fingers crossed that it does work. After getting the blood, I have to say that I did feel better, for once I didn't feel as tired as I had been. I actually felt like I had energy & was alert & awake and then the wave of cramps would hit. Today's been a so-so day. I felt the best on Wednesday evening & Thursday (guess I still have some of the drugs from the hospital in me). It's been nice just kind of laying around not really doing much. Ever since having kids, I have forgotten what that feels like. Well, just wanted to touch base & update on the ablation procedure. I hope everyone has a good weekend!

Novasure Update

2008-11-04T08:06:00.003-05:00

Wow - sorry it's been so long since my last post. Life's been crazy. So, it's official...my NovaSure procedure is scheduled for 7am the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I am a little nervous, but looking forward to hopefully feeling better & not so darn tired all the time.
As for the daycare - one of the little girls that I keep is longer in my care. She was about 19months old & I have been keeping her since she was 8 weeks old. Her mom decided to move her to a daycare center that was cheaper than me. It's sad but understandable. As much as I try to stay compatible with rates in my area, it can be hard at times. I am only licensed to keep 5 children at a time, so I can't go as cheap as these centers that keep tons of kids. But, I am a lot lower in rates than a lot of the centers around & I am still reasonable, I think. Oh well - I hope she does well and she will be greatly missed.
So, besides my own daughter, I am now keeping all boys!! As for the little boy that wouldn't eat, we have made great progress. If I hold a chicken nugget he will bite it, he loves mandarin oranges & green beans. So, each week he's starting to eat a little more. But he doesn't want to touch the food. I guess on the one hand that's good that he doesn't want to use his hands, but I cannot see myself spoon feeding a toddler. I put his food on his plate & give him one of the toddler forks or spoons and he does pretty good!
BIG REMINDER - please go vote today - Every vote counts!!!

Thursday Thirteen #3

2008-10-23T09:58:00.003-04:00

Third edition....ok, so I cheated this week & copied this from - http://ourhappyhappenings.com/2008/10/thursday-thirteen-35/ - but it was too cute not to post. These are my 2 year old to a T. I will have to google the list to find the whole list.

I wish I knew who had written this list as I would surely give them credit. But here is a partial list of some rules that toddlers live by. This actual list has quite a few more on it, these are just some of my favorites that apply most to my life.
Toddler Rules
If Mommy’s hands are full, I must be carried.
If Mommy is in a hurry and wants to carry me, I must walk alone.
If it has a tail, I must yank it.
If it’s not trash, it must be thrown away.
If it’s in the trash, it must be removed, inspected, and thrown on the floor.
If Mommy wants me to come, I must run away.
If Mommy wants me to go away, I must cling on for dear life.
If it’s a pencil, it must write on the refrigerator, computer monitor, or table.
If it’s full, it will be more interesting emptied.
If it’s empty, it will be more interesting full.
If it has buttons, they must be pressed.
If it’s a stroller, it must under no circumstances be ridden in without protest and must be pushed by me instead.
If it’s bath time, I must run around naked until I’m caught.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-22T09:05:00.004-04:00

In loving memory of PaPa Mac

Desperate Housewives & A Sad Note

2008-10-20T08:43:00.005-04:00

For those of you that follow - please let me know how you feel about this season. I am really not too sure what to think. I only started watching last year and I did catch some past episodes. So really, I have only been following for about 3 seasons now. But I really don't know what think about this whole skip 5 years thing. And what is the deal with Gabby??? Sometimes I feel "frumpy" but come on - I don't think any of us "housewives" really look that frumpy. They say next week's episode will show us some flashbacks to give us insight as to what has happened over the last five years. Even though I don't know what to think, I still keep watching. It really is a GREAT show & it's almost addicting. I know on Sunday evenings, I am in a rush to get dinner done, cleaned up, kids bathed, laundry done & kids put to bed by 8:30. That gives me 30 minutes to wrap up what else is left to be done, put on my comfy pj's, snuggle up in bed & tune in to ABC. And they all know at 9pm Mommy's show is on. If you need to catch up go here http://abc.go.com/primetime/desperate/index?pn=index
On a sad note, this weekend was not a good one. My husbands grandfather passed away Saturday evening. All of us (the children, grandchildren, etc.) were all there for most of the day. And between 6 & 7pm we all left except my mother-in-law (his daughter). And then around 8pm he passed away. After having watched both my grandmother & my grandfather pass away I truly believe something one of the hospice nurses told me...she said that she has seen death enough & believes that they choose when they are ready to let go. She said that some wait until all their family is around them & others wait until everyone has left the room. I have seen this both. My grandfather seemed to know that all of us were around him. We were circled around his bed holding hands and my mom said to him that we were all here & it was ok now. And he just took one last breath and was gone. My grandmother was the opposite, we had all been there with her the night before & were on our way back that morning & then she waited until no one was in the room and when my mom had turned to talk to the nurse or something she took her last breath. So, when my husband & I got back to the hospital Saturday night I told my mother-in-law this, and I told her that I believe with my whole heart about them choosing to die with family around or once family has left the room. But, we know now that he is in Heaven & is no longer suffering. Death is a horrible thing but it's something that always makes us think & appreciate the family that we have and to enjoy day that God has given us for we don't know how many more days he will give us!

Friday Fillin

2008-10-17T08:32:00.003-04:00

2nd edition
1. Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
2. A good book is something I always take with me on vacation.
3. To achieve your goals, you must have some.
4. I crave junk food is something I'd like you to know about me.
5. I have a few gray hairs.
6. Doo Doo floats.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to getting ready for a yard sale, tomorrow my plans include yard sale & going to KD, and Sunday, I want to SLEEP!!

Thursday Thirteen

2008-10-16T09:06:00.006-04:00

Here's edition #2

1.Your rock star name (first pet, current car)
Lady Jeep Cherokee
2.Your gangsta name (favorite ice cream flavor, favorite type of shoe)
Chocolate Flip Flop
3.Your Native American name (favorite color, favorite animal)
Purple Dog
4.Your soap opera name (middle name, city where you were born)
Ann Richmond
5.Your Star Wars name (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 of your first name)
Cogli
6.Superhero name (2nd favorite color, favorite drink)
Red Cosmo
7.NASCAR name (the first names of your grandfathers)
Graham William
8.Dancer name (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne/scent, favorite candy)
Eternity AlmondJoy
9.TV weather anchor name (your favorite teacher’s last name, a major city that starts with the same letter)
Woodson Williamsburg
10.Spy name (your favorite season/holiday, flower)
Fall Rose
11.Cartoon name:(favorite fruit, article of clothing you’re wearing right now)
Cantalope Capris
12.Hippie name (what you ate for breakfast, your favorite tree)
Slimfast Dogwood
13.Movie star name (first pet, first street where you lived)
Lady Maidens

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-15T16:04:00.001-04:00

Ok - so I should have saved this one for closer to Thanksgiving but I couldn't resist.

Friday Fill-In

2008-10-10T10:59:00.004-04:00

And...here we go!
1. I enjoy Kids.
2. Life is something I wonder about often lately.
3. In my heart, I know how much I love my family.
4. Take a sweet girl, add a little of the Exorcist and you end up with my daughter.
5. Life has gifted me with a wonderful family.
6. A Margarita is an instant vacation.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to relaxing, tomorrow my plans include running errands and Sunday, I want to sleep!

http://fridayfillins.blogspot.com/

Funny Quote of the Day

2008-10-09T13:17:00.004-04:00

So I thought I might try something....
I will put up here something that one of the kids has said that I just thought was too cute & funny. I will try & make it a "Quote of the Day" if I can remember to do it everyday.

Here's today.... I was on the phone last night & my 2 yr old daughter was following me around & I said to the person on the phone ... "she thinks she's the queen". To which my daughter responded all loud & in her "screaming" way .... "I AM A QUEEN!!!"

oh lord do I have my hands full with her.

Thursday Thirteen - 1st Edition

2008-10-09T10:18:00.005-04:00

So, here' s my Thursday Thirteen - 1st edition....
13 Things about me (figured I would make them about me since this is my first).

1. My name is Lisa
2. I have 2 beautiful children
3. My favorite color is purple
4. Favorite flower - purple rose
5. My dog's name is Ginger
6. I have been married for almost 4 years.
7. I broke my foot in Feb & was in & out of cast for 4 months
8. I try to work on crosstitch in my spare time
9. I spoil my kids way too much
10. I enjoy reading Stephen King books
11. I love Mexican food
12. My favorite # is 7
13. Favorite dessert is anything chocolate

Blog Design

2008-10-08T15:22:00.002-04:00

I have to give a HUGE shout out to Susan who created my blog. Check her out...http://happycamperdisaster.blogspot.com/
She's does a great job & has done quite a few of the blogs that I follow. Let her know I sent you over!!

My daughter the SCREAMER!!!

2008-10-07T10:30:00.003-04:00

For those of you that don't know...my daughter is a screamer. AAGGHHHH!!! Some days are good days & some days I feel like the lady in those old Calgon commercials... the one where you see the lady & swirling all around her head are the crazy things in her life like the dog, kids, dishes, etc. And she yells "Calgon take me away". Gee, if only it was that simple.
So, back to my daughter - she really is a sweet child when she wants to be - but man oh man can she turn on you & it's like looking at the Exorcist - I am just waiting for the day when her head spins around & green puke comes flying out of her mouth. I have been reading the book Baby 411 and it has a lot of really good tips. Some say to ignore it, some say it's just her temperament, & some say she will out grow it. HELP HELP HELP please - any tips or suggestions???
Is this just the "terrible twos"? I have had people tell the the "terrible twos" last until about the age of 4. Lordy, lordy, lordy - I don't think I will make it. Should I call the psych ward & tell them to reserve a room for me? Thank goodness all the kids I watch aren't screamers. Any my dear hubby wonders why it takes me 2 hours or more at the grocery store. I guess that's my "calgon take me away" moment.

Baffin Bags

2008-10-07T10:10:00.003-04:00

Ok so I came across another blog... Mommafindings and she's got GREAT giveaways.
The Baffin Bags are absolutely adorable - check them out at http://www.baffinbags.com/. I am coming across so many great blogs it really is unbelievable. I am getting a lady to redesign my blog for me & can't wait to see what it will look like.

Another great site

2008-10-06T13:30:00.003-04:00

As I come across other great blogs I am linking them in here. Thanks!

Good Morning

2008-10-05T09:03:00.002-04:00

Good morning - it's been a few days since I last posted. It's been a hectic few days. My daughter has been sick with yet another sinus infection. I took her to the doc on Thursday and she put her on Azithromycin and Predinisolone. And she is taking her off of Claritin and we are going to try Zyrtec and Nasonex nasal spray. I hate the thought that she is only 2 1/2 and on so much allergy medicine. Gotta love living in Virginia.
So what else is new - - - I helped my mom work a booth at Old Farm Day in Palmyra, VA. She sells some jewelry and gift type items. And my "long lost cousin" Scott is a new grandpa - Congrats to him & his whole family on the new addition to their family. God truly is miraculous - sometimes you just have to take a minute to say Thank you!!!
God Bless & hope you all have a good week.

Wordless Wednesday

2008-10-01T14:48:00.003-04:00

...into the mouth of Jaws......

MomDot.com

2008-09-25T14:19:00.003-04:00

Ok - what a neat site. I have to admit I am having a blast navigating my way around these "mommy" sites & reading the different blogs. I came across two great sites today.... http://www.momdot.com/ and the Posh Parent (see post below).
In my navigating around I have come across A LOT of stay at home mom's & lots of great info - I am still searching for Home Daycare Providers - I hope to reach some of those ladies as well & help to create a networking system for us.

Awesome Place

2008-09-25T14:03:00.001-04:00

Visit The Posh Parent

Ablation Follow Up

2008-09-25T11:01:00.003-04:00

Ok - it's official, the NovaSure procedure is scheduled for the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. I hope it won't be too painful. It will be an out patient procedure. I have read mostly good things so far about it. I will keep things updated as I go along.

As for the Daycare . . . yesterday was a great day! I only had one little boy so I took him & my daughter to the playground. We have a great playground down behind our library. I took them to McDonald's for lunch and we ate our lunch at the playground. They had a ball. I wish I had a big enough car that I could that with all of the kids. But I am only able to do it when I have just 1 kid for the day.

Kids, Kids, Kids

2008-09-23T10:14:00.003-04:00

Wow - ok, so I figure maybe I should post some about the kids I keep. They are a great bunch, I have a 17mth old, 19mth old, 3yr, 4yr, 5yr, & 6yr. (then my own 2 children). Now mind you, not all of those kids are here every day, some are part-time & some are before/after school only. I have to say I LOVE this job. It does have it's ups & downs. Some days are beyond crazy - but at the same time it is so rewarding. When they sing back to me the songs I have taught them or they know their colors & shapes - I just smile & know that I helped to teach them.
Some of them are handfuls - but with this age group there's going to be temper tantrums & not wanting to share - I am sure you can only imagine.
I have one little boy who just won't eat - they say if a child is hungry enough they will eat. But no matter what I put in front of him - he just won't eat. Come to find out his parents still spoon feed him some & he still eats some baby food at home because that's all they can get him to eat. They are trying to get him to eat solids but he's very stubborn - so if you are reading this & have any tips for me on getting a 3yr old to eat solid food please let me know!!!! Thanks.

Endometrial Ablation

2008-09-19T09:36:00.008-04:00

Ok - so I had a GYN appointment yesterday & it's decided between her & my PCP that the bleeding has to stop in order to "fix" my anemia. I have been severly anemic for a few years now. I have been on & off iron pills, take a multi-vitamin, calcium supplement & take B12 shots monthly.
One option was to try the drug Lupron (which would put me into menopause temporarily) but after reading about it & all the side effects I called the dr's office back & said NO WAY! Just call insurance to get the ablation pre-approved. My dr will be doing the Novasure Endometrial Ablation & I have read a lot of good things about this. All I can say is - I hope it works for me, the plan is that it will decrease the flow of my periods if not stop them all together and that will in turn make my iron levels go up. My iron count now is at an 8.9 - and that's with taking 3 iron pills a day. Not sure yet when this will be done - but I will keep the postings updated!

2008-09-19T09:36:00.003-04:00

Ok, so here we go, my very first entry on this blog. Let me just tell you that one of the many things that prompted me to start this blog was something I read on someone else's. I have to have an endometrial ablation done (due to heavy periods & SEVERE anemia). And it was in researching this procedure that I got a lot of great info on another ladies blog who had the procedure done & kept posts on everything she was going through before & after the procedure.

The other reason was just to have some place to sort of vent at the end of the day. I am a Home Daycare provider and have been officiallly in business now about 2 years. I am registered with social services & have to keep up with state & local requirements. I assure you that on these posts I will never use the names of the children that I keep for their privacy & that of their parent's. I hope this will become a tool for my self and others. I haven't found too many places out there for Home Daycare provider's to communicate. And I know there are lot's of us out there and we could greatly help each other with tips, advice, projects, etc.

Well that's really about it for right now - I just wanted to put an intro post out there. See ya later!