On Finding Employment...

Since I haven't posted in forever, I am entitle to one stinkin' long post!

So I started my new job last week. I am taking care of a 2.5 month old little boy named Andrew. He is so cute and cuddly! At first I was completely overwhelmed by the situation. Trying to get Elon to settle down at my employer's house was a nightmare. He was a little TYRANT, I kid you not. {Somehow he sensed that I could/would not spank him in front of Andrew's mother and he took full advantage of that!} And of course, Andrew cried inconsolably my first two days there. Halfway through the first morning I almost walked out. I mean I was sooo close to calling it quits. Either that, or a nervous breakdown! The problem was that two days before I was to start my new job, Elon learned how to break out of the pack n play :( When I laid him down for a nap, he climbed out at least 25 times! The worst part was that he was in an "I'm so tired I am deliriously-hyper mood." And my employer was privy to the whole episode! I was sooo embarrassed... and sweaty! THANKFULLY, when I return to work on Wednesday she will not be there. I don't think she realizes how difficult it is to settle down a toddler in someone else's house when that someone else is walking around and opening interesting drawers filled with exciting things like bottles, pots, pans, and KNIVES! AAACCCKKK!!! Plus, I am required to play with Andrew the entire time he is awake. I have to read to him, talk to him, and do exercises with him. Which I enjoy, just not all day! Instead of a full 10 hour day, on my first day, I only worked seven and Andrew only napped for 45 minutes! That meant 6 hours and 15 minutes of playing and talking to a two and a half month old! I really thought I was losing it. {I know what you're thinking... I am a horrible nanny. I agree. Any good nanny should probably love playing with children all day, even if they are giving you a bleary eyed stare while you are reading Horton Hears a Who and having an adult conversation with them...}

Here I am, trying to convince a first time mom that she needs to hire someone with a child... that they are so much more knowledgeable, experienced, wise, etc. than someone without a child... that Elon will be great company for her baby... And all the while I am holding Andrew with one arm, dragging a limp Elon with the other, and holding the bottle with my chin! Hmmm, not such a good first impression. Well, at least she didn't fire me on the spot! Yesterday Elon calmed down a little, so hopefully she noticed and was impressed :}

Meanwhile I'm thinking... I don't need to be caring for anyone else's child, I don't even know how to handle my own! Those terrible two's have started early around this house! In the past four days, Elon has broken one bowl, one glass, one ceramic handled spoon; and dumped one bottled water, one gallon of water, and one bottle of baby powder on the floor {see next post} I love him so much but he is such a busy bee!

I really am thankful for a job though. I am telling myself that Elon will adjust and things will get better. That we'll get used to staying in two rooms all day {it's too hot to go outside and I'm not allowed to transport Andrew yet}, and I'll get used to playing with two babies all day. I realize that this is WORK and it's not necessarily meant to be fun... I just can't let Andrew's mom sense that! Hmmm, I don't sound very thankful do I? Ok I really am trying to be thankful {I know you hate me right now, Saretta, I'm such a complainer aren't I? Honestly, I don't understand why God takes up time with me at all.} But I am determined to begin focusing on the positive: I get to take E. to work with me, It isn't hard manual labor, I get paid $14/hr plus vacation and sick time, I have a nice boss, I don't have to stress about the bills or search Craigslist for a job, and I get to take care of a cute baby! So there, see Saretta, I am thankful ;P