When Peanut Comes...

Yes, I know it may be a little early to talk about what i wanna do concerning child care and returning to work after childbirth, but I can't help but dream, eh? Here's what I was thinking.

As a nurse, I'm offered a lot of flexibility about shifts/schedules. I also love working with kids. I think the only reason I wouldn't make a good pedi nurse is because I would be so distraught over the poor kids, that I wouldn't last long there. However, since forever, I've always worked with kids. I babysat through high school, my first "real" job was as a lifeguard (where I loved teaching the lil ones how to swim and watching/participating in water babies), I was a kid's N action instructor (akin to gyboree and little gym), I substitute taught in an elementary, and then right before nursing school I was a full time tutor at an elementary. I "click" with kids...especially those under the age of 10. My favorite years: birth-4 years. So...I was thinking...how can I be a nurse and make decent money while also working with kids out side of the health care environment?

I would like to have a small in-home daycare/nannying gig for one or two other babies (allowing me to also stay at home with my child) where I focus on all the things that I would hope a daycare/nanny would do for my kid. I would support cloth diapering, incorporate baby signing, stimulate motor/sensory functions, take them to the "tot spot" at the children's museum, take them to the zoo, my baby can read, organic/homemade baby foods, encourage breast feeding/feeding of breast milk, keep stringent "mommy logs" detailing daily activities, and just shower babies with love and warmth all day (or at least until 6 PM). I'd do this M-F from 4 am (i'm up early anyway) - 6 pm, and then spend the evenings with my little family. On weekends, I'd find a part time thing @ an area hospital and work 16-24 hours on the weekend as a nurse. If i did this it would minimize the financial strain on my family, solve my daycare needs, and ensure that my baby was taken care of by one of it's mother's at all times.

If it works out the way I'm thinking, I'll be a SAHM 5 days a week and a nurse 2 days a week. I'll see my wifey every weeknight, and still be able to pull in a decent salary. I'd like to continue this for AT LEAST the baby's first year, but if I like it, I wouldn't mind making this a more permanent thing. I can ALWAYS go back to nursing full time. I can't get baby's first years back once they're gone.

So...what do y'all think?

Boo.

Well our first (and last) experience with known donor sperm was not a good one. Back to our original plan. I'm printing NW paperwork tonight. Maybe I can find a fax and send it in today. Probably won't be doing any insems this month, but next month...maybe next month.

And so it begins...

After over a year of having this journal, I actually have something to write about.

We are meeting with our potential donor on Tuesday! Hopefully our first insemination will be on March 13th or 14th. I'm hoping to insem on the 13th-16th, which would be CD 17 - 20. I usually O on CD 18/19. Now, that is based on temping and CM changes. OPKs get really close to positive, but still no true positive...yes even with smileys. Next month we'll be adding clomid to the mix if this month isn't successful.

Cross your fingers that we experience a little beginner's luck!

Let the nervousness and excitement begin!

Deleted.

I guess some things just need to be deleted. It's never easy pressing the backspace button over and over, but in retrospect, I guess I saw it coming.

We all do what we feel is best.

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Work last week was pretty good. It wasn't easier than usual, but because I got off on time/early every day, sometimes I was able to sneak in a nap! You have no idea how much better life feels after a good nap.

The pups are currently sandwiching me on the sofa, making it extremely hard to type since I have limited movement of my elbows. This probably make for a pretty cute picture if Amz was awake.

Today we're having Kitrina over. She's the only person whose willing to try out the guest bedroom, so it's all nice and ready for her. Amber made me clean all yesterday after she got home from work. Can you believe her work made her give up a Saturday? I'd be pissy. Anywho, no clue what we're doing with Kit. I think there was mention of seeing The Lovely Bones. Other than that, I guess we'll watch Dakota, Sadie, and Bella run around the house like crazy.

I've discovered the easiest way to bathe a dog is in a stand alone shower. Turn on water. Put dog in. Go in later and soap 'em up. Rinse. Done. Dakota likes to lick the glass shower door while he's in there.

I'm on the look out for a pair of well fitting, comfortable jeans. With it being cold all the time, my one pair of jeans hasn't been cutting it. Most winters I can get away with cargo shorts and a hoodie, but this winter it's been a little colder with more precipitation.

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I feel like this entry is just fluff. Filler. Things are still hanging in my mind. I want to say more, but I fear making things worse.

It's all coming together...

The last few days I've come home to amber watching discovery.health. To any woman desiring to be a mother, you know DH is the holy grail of baby shows. She told me tonight that she and I are finally on the same page as far as baby making is concerned. We've both wanted a family for some time, but she's always been more reserved about it. Tax returns are going towards dewar deposits and sperm (hopefully in bulk). OPKs are in the bathroom waiting to be used. Thinking of getting some clomid to see if i can fix this ovulation issue. I'm already planning the layout of the nursery. I know, i know...no jumping the gun. But it feels real. For the first time i think. We're gonna make this happen.

In other news, I so enjoy a good night out with the girls. I'm very glad we found Cathy and Laura because they've become such good friends. We've also become good friends with our dog trainer, Angela. Plenty of free puppy pointers and some good times mixed in there as well.

Kota and Sadie are great together. Lil brother and big sister act like they've been together their whole lives. They even cuddle in a crate together! Only issue is that Sadie will destroy any toy that she has access to besides a nylabone. Oh well.

Yay!

picture heavy post

dakota the rockstar

sadie the bouncer

dakota opens his presents

nap time

the pups

pups in the snow...yeah, snow in tx

xmas tree @ hollywood studios

fancy epcot dinner + mouse ears...nuff said.

castle w/ xmas lights

mmm...mouse ears.

the love @ disney

*we're all moved in so expect pics of the house soon...right after we clean. lol.

Finally got i-net!

After a month of living in our new house, several trials and tribulations, moving boxes all unpacked, etc....we finally have internet. We really over extended ourselves financially in the month of december, but we both just got paid again so we can start over and do it right. Sighs of relief. So please expect several picture heavy posts in the near future. Dakota and Sadie are getting along swimmingly. We just had a great new years eve get together with a handful of friends. So bring on 2010! I'm ready for it!