tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89675217702436411362024-02-20T11:18:55.551-08:00this is not a joke..the true tales of a nanny on the run.nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-85266099623923169142009-03-10T13:43:00.001-07:002009-03-10T14:13:56.143-07:00random bits.lately, M and i have had some bizarre phone conversations and she's sent me some random emails. thought i'd share..<div><br /></div><div>a couple of weeks ago M called me. here's how it went.</div><div><br /></div><div>M: hey, hi. i just wanted to tell you it's raining so hard outside!</div><div>me: <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">looking out one of the many windows at their house. </span>yeah.. i noticed that.... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">not really sure how i'm supposed to respond to this.</span></div><div>M: yeah.. so i was just going to say, if you didn't want to go out today, don't feel obligated.</div><div>me: well, we've already been out but thanks for the update...? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">i didn't know i needed the ok to have an inside day.</span></div><div>M: oh, no problem! i'll talk to you after a bit.</div><div><br /></div><div>another day i used the very last diaper. eek! scary time. anyhoo, i called M to let her know, so she could pick some up on her way home. </div><div><br /></div><div>M: hi. is everything ok? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">i rarely ever call her, she always calls me, so when i do, she assumes the worst and that i'm calling with bad news.</span></div><div>me: hi. everything is fine. i'm just calling to let you know i used the last diaper.</div><div>M: ok... and...?</div><div>me: and, um, maybe you want to stop and pick some up on your way home so that the little man can have some freshies?</div><div>M: oh, ok. sure. see you later.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">two minutes later my phone rings and it was her.</span></div><div>M: hi. i just wanted to make sure i heard you right. you called and asked me to pick up diapers?</div><div>me: yes. diapers. for little c. </div><div>M: (laughing) oh geeze. i couldn't figure it out. ok, i'll see you later.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">seriously? was i speaking in french? </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>today we were at a play group and i had a missed call and voicemail from M. here's what her message said.</div><div>"hey, it's me. i just wanted to see how things are going. and i also wanted to tell you that i sent you an interesting email. ok, i'll talk to you later. bye."</div><div>so, we get home and i check my email... she sent me an email letting me know that they will soon be switching brands of toilet paper. that they will no longer be buying the non-recycled paper kind. her exact words...</div><div>"it pains me to say this, but from now on, we are going to ditch the ultra-soft butt wipe for us adults. it's been my favorite indulgence." </div><div>i'm still not sure why this needed to be a) emailed to me and b) even be mentioned to me at all...</div><div><br /></div><div>another email from her from a couple weeks ago. </div><div>subject: no more cell phone use.</div><div>"hi! i've been using my cell phone (turned off, of course) for little c when i need him to be a bit more quiet. but he knows how to turn it back on now. can we all agree to let him cry if needed, try to distract if possible, but no more cell phone use. thanks!"</div><div><br /></div><div>RANDOM. oh, my lovely job :)</div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-88890485206954874282009-02-05T18:18:00.001-08:002009-02-05T18:41:42.974-08:00grandma=the devil in disguise..?as previously stated, M cannot stand C's mom, P. you can sense her dislike from a mile away. when she talks about P, you can see she's burning up inside. <div><br /></div><div>today P called me and asked if she could come hang out with us and have some time with the babe. i personally have no issues with her. she's nice enough, and has nothing but love for the little man. i told her we were going to the library and asked her to join us. </div><div><br /></div><div>little C was really excited to see her when she arrived. it was very cute. he doesn't get much grandma time because M rarely allows her to come over.</div><div><br /></div><div>at one point during play group, the little man was being really cute so i snapped a picture with my phone and sent it to M. in the picture, he was sitting on grandma's lap but you couldn't see her face. </div><div><br /></div><div>M called me a little while later and here's how our conversation went.</div><div>M--i just got your picture. who's the big kid whose lap he's sitting on?</div><div>me--oh, that was P. she met us at the library for some hanging out.</div><div>M--she WHAT?!</div><div>me--yeah, C called her this morning and suggested she hang out with us today. she called me shortly after and we arranged it. it was really nice.</div><div>M--ok, so she met you guys there? without C being there? just you two? </div><div>me--yes.... <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">i can sense the tension in her voice and she's talking hushed, she's clearly in her cubicle and trying to keep her cool.</span></div><div>M--oh, great. so how many times has this happened without me knowing?!</div><div>me--um.. what? <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">this lady is nuts. completely insane.</span></div><div>M--does she regularly meet you there and you just fail to mention it?</div><div>me--<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">laughing and trying REALLY hard to not.</span> no, M. i'm pretty sure i'd mention that.</div><div>M--i'll talk to you later. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">click.</span></div><div><br /></div><div>i put the phone down and was basically in shock. SHE WAS TOTALLY FREAKING OUT!</div><div><br /></div><div>all afternoon i was anxiously awaiting her arrival home. i knew she was either going to freak out and try to enforce some rule along the lines of "you need to let me know prior to hanging out with her" or she was just going to be really passive about it.</div><div><br /></div><div>she got home and sat down and instantly asked me to fill her in on all the details about our time with P. i told her we went out to lunch with her afterwards and you could tell she was fuming inside. she wanted to know where we went, what the little man ate, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>she then said, "did P feed him?" i told her no, that he fed himself. she said.. "oh good! cause grandma's nails are disgusting, huh little C?"</div><div><br /></div><div>part of me was really hoping she'd try to enforce some dumb rule because i really wanted to tell her she's f'ing nuts and needs therapy. oops. </div><div><br /></div><div>another little blurb...</div><div><br /></div><div>M only wants little C to call them mama and papa. only that. not daddy, mommy, mom, whatever. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">just</span> mama and papa. she's told me numerous times that during time with P, P will refer to them as mommy and daddy. she gets really mad about this and thinks that P is trying to ruin her life. literally. she sees it as a huge disrespect and will tell me about it each time it happens. </div><div><br /></div><div>today at the library, P was talking about how little C looks so much like his daddy. then she said, "oh, i mean your PAPA. i wouldn't want your MOMMY getting mad at me for using the wrong term." i about peed my pants laughing! she knows how ridiculous it is. </div><div><br /></div><div>honestly, it's something so small and trivial, why get worked up over it?</div><div><br /></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-88390702507399179642009-02-01T20:28:00.000-08:002009-02-01T20:37:53.288-08:00repetition.i know what they say, repetition is key. makes you really remember a point. or ten. <div>but at my job, that i've now been at for over a year, i don't need <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">constant</span> reminders. </div><div>i have a fairly decent memory. M, however, does not. i think she actually doesn't recall telling me some of the things she's told me 3,742 times in the past.</div><div><br /></div><div>"you can make him eggs for lunch, just don't salt them." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">oh, ok. because i forgot that you've said 'don't salt his food' since he started eating.. TEN MONTHS AGO!</span></div><div>"don't forget to wash his hands--WITH SOAP--after you've been at the park."</div><div>"when you're out 'n about, don't let strangers touch him."</div><div>"make sure you keep the basement door closed. we don't want him falling down the stairs." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">oh, really? because i do want him to fall down the stairs?</span></div><div><br /></div><div>the list goes on and on...</div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-57716851852070000302009-01-13T22:26:00.001-08:002009-01-13T22:34:32.487-08:00good oral hygiene.this morning C was brushing his teeth and holding the babe at the same time. little c loves to be involved in the teeth brushing process. they use a sonicare.. 'nuf said. <div><br /></div><div>C seemed to be a bit on edge this morning (i think it was from the lack of sleep since the little man decided he'd wake up at midnight and be ready to party... all the way until 9 am--wowza!) and he seemed to be annoyed by the little guy grabbing at the toothbrush, yet wouldn't put him down. i asked the babe if he wanted to brush his teeth, as i was getting out his toothbrush to hand to him. C was elated, it distracted the little guy long enough so he could finish his oral care.</div><div><br /></div><div>C finished up his business and then put little c down to return to his wandering. obviously little c isn't going to just stand in one place and gnaw on his toothbrush--much more fun to do while roaming your territory! C suddenly yells at me, "HEY!!! YOU CAN'T LET HIM WALK AROUND WITH THE TOOTHBRUSH IN HIS MOUTH!!!! HE COULD FALL AND CHOKE!!!" <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">whoa, brah! simmer down! </span></div><div><br /></div><div>i turned to look at him and said, "um.. remember how you're the one who just put him down instead of finishing up the job..?"</div><div><br /></div><div>he picked up the babe, finished brushing his teeth, and acted as tho nothing had happened. aye! some people!</div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-76305112711504895032009-01-11T12:41:00.000-08:002009-01-11T12:50:20.994-08:00strollin'one day the little man and i were out on a walk. they have one of those fancy pants jogger strollers and he was cruising along in there. he ended up falling asleep and just looked so cute. i snapped a photo with my phone and sent it to M. <div><br /></div><div>a few minutes later, my phone rang. it was M. this is out our convo went..</div><div><br /></div><div>M: hey, hi. i have a really random question for you..</div><div>me: hi. ok, go.</div><div>M: when you are on a walk, do you wear the leash around your wrist, the one that connects to the stroller?</div><div>me: ah.. no. not really that often. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">or ever. it just gets in the way.</span></div><div>M: really? you don't?</div><div>me: no, i don't. we go on leisurely walks. i don't think he's going to roll away from me..</div><div>M: well, whenever we walk with him in there, we're sure to wear the leash. it's there for safety reasons. </div><div>me: alright, well, good to know.. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">i wasn't going to say 'well, in that case i guess i'll wear it all the time.'</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>we hung up and i started laughing. out loud. walking down the sidewalk. </div><div><br /></div><div>C got home before M that night. this is what he said to me. "so, M told me about the leash conversation earlier. while we do use the leash every time we use the stroller, i know it's not necessary. please don't feel obligated to do so." <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">hey, thanks for your permission. i wasn't going to, anyway.. oops </span>:)</div><div><br /></div><div>on a side note.. i need to cut my finger nails. they're getting to be a little long. hopefully M doesn't notice and think i'm doing it just for her peace of mind. ha!</div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-22399534802296441212009-01-06T19:28:00.000-08:002009-01-06T19:46:37.372-08:00attack of the cat.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">as previously mentioned, little C loves to love/terrorize the cats. what child doesn't want to attack a big fluffy wandering ball of fur, right?</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">one of the cats loves to sit on the arm of the sofa, the perfect eyesight/reach for the little man to attack. the cat wears a collar that has a bell on it; the perfect baby toy. little C loves to grab onto said collar and make the bell jingle. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">one afternoon, i was across the room and the little man approached the cat. he's not quite to the age where he understands when you warn him not to do something so i was walking over to him and i was literally about 4 steps away when the cat clawed the top of his (very bald) head. and hissed, loudly. he didn't pull/scratch. just 5 perfect puncture wounds where his claws hit. little C looked at me while gasping for breath and then screamed. naturally. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">he calmed down as soon as i got him. it didn't really bleed, just a tiny speck popped thru. i rinsed off the battle scars and applied some neosporin (the kind WITHOUT pain reliever because they've got both and i've been told, numerously over the past year [imagine that], that that kind is </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">not</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> intended for kids). he was fine and on his way. and, of course, walked right back to the cat with a huge grin on his face.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">when M got home from work that evening she about shit her pants when she saw the 5 seriously tiny scabs atop the little man's head. i told her the story, and she reacted as tho i had drug the child across the pavement. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">why am i not surprised? </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">when C got home a few minutes later, M quickly said to him, "look at his head..... </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">apparently </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">the cat scratched him." i looked at her and said, "the cat DID scratch him. you can tell those 5 dots are from the cat's claws."</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">the next morning when i got to work, C gave me a lecture about how if i'm not going to be in the same room as little C, then i need to lock the cats in the basement because they don't want him to get scratched again. or worse yet, to get his eyes clawed out. his words, not mine. those are some vicious cats, man! wow..</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">he has since been scratched twice more. one on my time, one on theirs. guess i'm not the only one who doesn't "pay attention" every second.. ;)</span></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-83114215744689386212009-01-02T10:01:00.000-08:002009-01-02T10:20:39.872-08:00just in: downtown library deemed unsafe for story time.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">as i mentioned before, little C and i regularly attend a story time group at the little neighborhood library branch. he really enjoys seeing his little friends, and his other favorite nanny as well :)</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">as summer was winding down and the weather was cooling off, i was trying to figure some other options of activities that we could do that fit our public transportation routes and/or neighborhood walk about area. i was browsing the library website and saw that the downtown central library building had a story time earlier in the week; the one we go to is on thursday. so i thought that'd be fun. we could ride the train downtown, enjoy some stories, get some coffee, and head back home for nap time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">M and i were talking about cold weather activities and i suggested downtown story time. she stopped dead in her tracks and said to me, "oh.. i don't think i want him going to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">that </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">library. it's really gross how many homeless/drug addict people hang around in and outside there." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">somehow i knew she was going to say something to this extent.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">ok, while it is true that often times outside the downtown library there are a handful of homeless people hanging out. b.s.ing with one another, smoking cigarettes, just doing their thing. it's not a place where i've ever been hassled for money. they usually keep to themselves. yes, i have seen some of them sleeping upstairs in a corner before but there is constantly security in there to keep them out and make it a safe place. plus, the last place you'll find them is in the children's library, in the story room. somehow i'm just not convinced that the librarian is going to let them stick around for story time..</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">i have taken other kids to this exact same library. it's got the best selection of books, being the main library and not just some lowly branch. and.. prepare for this.. WE ALL CAME OUT ALIVE AND UNHARMED! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">it makes me think that M doesn't trust my judgement and that i might take little C to some place deemed unsafe. not only do i care about his life and well being, i happen to value my own. it's an amazing thing..</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">M continues to say no, that she'd prefer us to not go downtown. something about the air quality not being as good since the traffic is heavier down there.. really, i just can't win. ;)</span></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-4802369640911515202008-12-31T16:04:00.002-08:002008-12-31T16:34:52.616-08:00lead poisoning!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">a few months ago i got to work and noticed that in sporadic spots across the front of their house the paint had been chipped away, and then covered up with white primer. their rental house color is a tannish, it was clearly noticeable.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">i walked in and C said, "the outside of our house is painted with LEAD PAINT!" i didn't really know how to respond.. i think a lot of older houses are indeed painted with lead paint. and i'm sure that it being a rental, they had to sign something that acknowledged that.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">i asked what made him decide to test it. he said that he was at the hardware store and saw a lead paint test kit and decided to try it. ok. fair enough. the inside paint, however, is not lead based.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">then C and M both told me that they are terrified that little C has now got lead poisoning. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">really?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> i said that i don't think the little man has been eating paint chips. and there is no yard outside so we never spend any outside time there. i'm sure he's fine. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">C got on the phone right at 9, when their doctor's office opens, and made an appointment for the babe to go in THAT VERY DAY to have his blood checked. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">ok, so i'm sure that finding out your house has lead paint is probably a bit scary. but honestly, the child has not been eating/snorting/touching/licking the outside of the house. that's just gross and dirty. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">M told me that whenever the maintenance people come around to trim the bushes and tidy up the beauty bark, they also use a leaf blower to clean up their mess and that right there, that act that's done about twice a year, probably spreads around all the paint dust that would cause lead poisoning.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">at this point i'm just trying not to laugh and tell them how completely ridiculous this all sounds.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">she also went on to tell me that if/when the yard maintenance people DO come, i am to close up all the windows and doors and not go outside until well after they've left and the dust has settled. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">sweet! i love being on lockdown! </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">little C has his blood tested that afternoon as planned. the results came back that his level was a 2.6 and they don't begin to be alarmed until it's a 10. but C and M were literally convinced that this child had lead poisoning. even tho he was showing no symptoms. they even tossed around the idea that if he did infact have lead poisoning, that was why he wasn't sleeping through the night.. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">seriously?</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">i was of course told daily for the rest of the summer that we are not to play outside there. only at the park or other safe places. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">gee, but i really love sitting on a slab of concrete in the direct sun with your infant child. damn. guess i can't do that anymore.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> as if did that regularly...?</span></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-78089908391452309972008-12-24T07:33:00.000-08:002008-12-24T07:35:06.304-08:00merry christmas!<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">merry christmas everyone!</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">hope you all survive this crazy winter weather </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 0, 0);">and have the greatest of times with your loved ones!</span></span></span></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-60010397452908842912008-12-19T16:47:00.001-08:002008-12-19T17:04:53.775-08:00kissing is gross.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">as i mentioned in another post, i'm told on a daily basis that we do NOT kiss little C on the mouth. C and M don't even do that. to their own kid. awkward..? </span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">the little man is really into cat toys at the current time. understandable, they've got all kinds of strings and bells and whistles. plus, he loves watching the cats react to them. it's pretty cute, i'll admit, and i'm not even into cats.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">there is one cat toy in particular that he really enjoys. it's a long plastic wand-like thing that has a string attached to the end. attached to the string is some cuckoo feather contraption that the cats go crazy for. little C really enjoys putting the string in his mouth and pulling it back and forth. maybe it feels funny on his little tongue? not sure. so he'd been doing that rather a lot one day and i was finally like, "dude, we gotta stop. you've got red marks on the corners of your mouth." he was pissed, naturally, but he got over it.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">the next morning i got to work and M is looking rather frantic/depressed/freaking out. i asked what was wrong and she picked up the babe and said, "look at his mouth. i think he's got a cold sore. a herpe! is that what it looks like to you?" i tried to look but seriously, what kid likes to be poked and prodded at? he wouldn't let me look closely but from what i could see, it didn't appear to be a cold sore to me. i've had plenty in my day. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">i asked if either of them had had one recently, that he could've contracted it from. M said she's never had one and C said he hasn't had one in years. they then looked to me and asked if i had one. i said no, that i hadn't had one in months. trust me, when i get one, you can probably see it from space it gets so big. true story. and obviously i'm aware of how contagious they are and wouldn't even think to get near his mouth when i had one. duh. i mentioned that to C and he told me that "the book" said they can be transfered even when not having an outbreak. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">ARE YOU SERIOUS?!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> this is not the genital herpes strain! they are different! and i said exactly that to him.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">the whole morning while they were getting ready to leave, M just had that same look of devastation on her face. as though the world were ending if her son had a cold sore on his damn lip. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">she called me about two hours after she'd been gone to ask how the little guy was doing. was he running a fever? did he seem dazed? was he his normal self? i said, "M, he is fine. there is nothing wrong with him." she then said, "you know, he was playing with that cat toy last night and pulling the rope through his mouth. do you think it could just be raw from that?" meanwhile, i had totally spaced that whole scenario from the day before. oops!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">a light went off in my head and i said, "omg. that's totally it! he was playing with that thing most of the day yesterday!" </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">she laughed it off, like it was hilarious that she'd all but outright accused me of giving her son a cold sore and was thankful it was just a minor skin irritation. she reminded me to: wash my hands plenty today and keep the vaseline piled on it so it won't get dry and cracked. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">i love my job. i love my job. i love my job.</span></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-17019167270896585352008-12-19T09:11:00.000-08:002008-12-19T09:28:24.206-08:00'tis the season for sickness.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">last week i got to work and hadn't even made it in the door yet before C started reaming me about them being sick. literally, the door wasn't even closed behind me.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">he went off on me that their jobs are suffering and they're not sleeping so they're not getting better. he said that M feels like she's going to get fired because her performance is lacking. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">i'm just standing there looking at him with a look that says</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">'am i on candid camera? is this a joke?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">'</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">he continued on to say that i'm not allowed to take little C anywhere that sick people are. no library, no children's museum, no play groups. nothing. alright.. so this is going to be a fun winter! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">thursday rolled around, a day that we normally go to story time at the library. basically, it's a saving grace for adults who spend all day with kids because you get to interact with other adults. if only for half an hour! i asked if we were seriously banned from there. praying he was calmed down enough and would say we could go. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">he huffed around for a few minutes and then finally said to me, "you can take him. but i need you to seriously understand that i want his hands purelled every five minutes. we can't keep getting sick like this. i'm not kidding either. use the whole bottle of purell if you need to." i laughed. out loud. to him. i said, "C, just wait until he is in school. he's going to be sick all the time. a little cold isn't the end of the world, tho." seriously. there are millions of people in this world who are WAY more sick than just a common cold. we'll survive. sure, we feel like shit when it hits but it'll pass.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">we went to the library. i forgot the purell. oops. bad nanny. i washed his hands with soap. does that count for something? </span></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-25920585975051091162008-12-18T20:00:00.000-08:002008-12-18T20:10:13.270-08:00meow.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">today i got to work and C said that he was working from home today. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">ugh.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> when he "works" from home, it usually consists of him playing with little C for most of the day. which makes it seem pointless for me to be there. those are not my favorite days.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">he left to go take M to work and returned home a little while later with a brand new <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">brita</span> water pitcher. i thought it was weird since they have this fancy pants filter on their kitchen and bathroom sinks, as well as in their shower. i asked what it was for. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">C said that it was to keep downstairs for when he gives the cats fresh water. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">really?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> you just spent close to $30 on a water pitcher FOR YOUR CATS?! we live in a city where it's plenty <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">ok</span> to drink the tap water. your cats are not going to be harmed from tap water!</span></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-39934875680783241792008-12-17T17:24:00.000-08:002008-12-17T17:41:09.208-08:00christmas time.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">today M asked me to stay after work and help her with a project she wants to do for C for a christmas gift.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">she wanted to dip little C's feet in paint and have him walk across this giant paper. very cute. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">so, we did it and it didn't turn out "perfect" but she decided it would do.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">then she said, "ok, let me get the cats and have them do the same." the cats?! you're going to go ruin this cool piece by putting your cat's paws on it? but, she insisted since they were their "first babies". she wrangled up the cats and they were, of course, pissed and didn't want to do it. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">it ended up ruining the whole thing and we had to redo little C's original work. it looked really great, not perfect but scattered and fun. like something a child would actually do. she's having serious anxiety that it's not perfect and is really upset that it didn't work out with the cats paws..</span></div><div><br /></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-39203605441214250002008-12-17T16:47:00.000-08:002008-12-17T17:13:25.167-08:00babies aren't made to ride in cars.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">when i started my job, a year ago, C and M said they didn't want me to drive with little C. i thought it was a little bizarre; i've got plenty of experience haulin' kids around and a perfect driving record.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">over the summer i asked on two different occasions if the timing was right, was i allowed to drive with the little man now. of course, i got told no. that there wasn't really any necessary reason for it. we could take the dirty city transportation or stick to places that are within walking distance. we've taken public transit plenty of times but seriously, it's not really super convenient with a baby and all the gear that comes along with it. there are places that aren't easily accessible that are great for kids and i'd love to take him to but no, not an option.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">so a couple of weeks ago, M said to me--totally out of the blue--that she wanted to speak to C about me being able to drive on the job. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">GASP!</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> sa-weet! clearly she talked to him about it that very night and in the morning, he said to me. "so, i'm not really open to you driving with little C. i don't think you 'need' to go to those places that aren't easily accessible. he's still too young to really grasp that stuff anyways. plus, it's all over priced." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">insert major letdown face here.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"> he went on to say, "i'm just not a fan of babies riding in cars in general. i don't think it's necessary. i think it's way too dangerous for such a young, precious life." seriously?! PEOPLE RIDE IN CARS EVERYDAY!!!! yes, i know tragic accidents do occur. but come on! let your child experience some stuff! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">here are a few things we miss out on..</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">-play groups with other kids and nannies.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">-fun, kid oriented places that are out of our "safety zone".</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">-lots of other fun stuff.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">M had to be at the airport one morning that C had a business meeting. i offered to drive her, with the babe, so that C wouldn't have to cancel/reschedule his meeting. he looked at me like i was asking him to donate his last kidney to me. seriously. it was a look of shock and disgust. he, rudely, said, "no, that's fine. i'd rather just reschedule than have you drive with little C." ARE YOU KIDDING! maybe he could've just said, "oh, no thanks. but thanks for offering." but no, apparently the option of being rude was much more appropriate. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">so, we are stuck with limited options on outings. and super time consuming trips when we decide to take public transit. it takes us 50 minutes to get to the zoo. a trip that, when driving from their house, should take about 15 minutes. of course, when we DO use public transit, i'm reminded about 37 times to: sanitize my hands, not let any strangers touch little C, if there are bums on the tram/bus, steer as far away from them as possible, and never let the little man touch anything on the tram. really? i thought it'd be fun to pass the baby around for all the transients to hold and cough on. i guess i'll save that for another trip.</span></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-59006700996421317852008-12-16T19:48:00.000-08:002008-12-16T20:20:17.960-08:00pass the clippers, please.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">today at work, M called me to check in. which she normally does 2-3 times per day.</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i filled her in on how our morning was going and thought we were wrapping the conversation up. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i can only elaborate so long on 'we've been playing ball, chasing each other around, and reading books'.</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">then M says to me, "so, over the weekend C's mom (who wears acrylic nails) was here and i couldn't stop thinking about the germs that live under long-ish fingernails. i know you like to keep your nails a little longer and i know you're a clean person and wash your hands regularly b</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">ut i just can't help to think that there are germs under them that that get passed to little C's food and such.. so, i'm wondering if you could cut your nails and keep them short." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">insert my jaw dropping and trying as hard as i can to not laugh uncontrollably. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i laughed a little and said, "what?" as in did you SERIOUSLY just say that whole schpeel? i changed the subject.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">she then proceeded to tell me that she does</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">n't want C's mom to bring over her grandkids that are visiting from out of state. i asked why.. and later wished i hadn't. another dumb moment. but here goes.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">she said, "i had nightmares all night last night that the kids came to visit and they were kissing little C on the mouth(which she tells me literally almost daily is a huge 'no-no') and giving him all kinds of germs. then, they were hugging him and squeezed him so tightly that his guts squished out and they pulled his limbs off. i had to leave work to meet you and little C at the hospital. it was horrifying." </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">you really just said this out loud. you really did. and i'm laughing at you.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">i've never encountered someone who is so ter</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">rified of germs and sickness. it's not like in a sad O.C.D. way. it's just in a crazy, neurotic, creepy way. kids need germs to build up their immune systems! it's not a bad thing! wait until he starts going to school..</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">more to come!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 465px; height: 600px;" src="http://www.ziopiero.com/galleria/images/Lee%20Redmond.jpg" border="0" alt="" /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8967521770243641136.post-65737516196993647992008-12-16T19:37:00.000-08:002008-12-16T19:47:16.775-08:00here i go!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">i'm starting this blog as a place to vent and dish all the daily 'encounters' i have with being a nanny. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">there are more than enough!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">i've been a nanny for just over four years now and i don't think i've ever encountered such a crazy family. ever. i've been working for them for a year now and just within the past four months-ish is when the true cuckoo-ness has begun. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">let me just set you up a bit..</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">family of three, first baby (maybe that's why they're so neurotic?), and 2 cats. who are treated almost as children. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">red flag right there: they're obsessed with their cats. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">dad, who we'll call C, is self-employed and often works from home. mom, M, works out of the home but wishes she didn't. baby, little C, is currently 15 months, i've been with him since he was a tiny little three monther. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">so, here goes. hope you're ready for some good entertainment!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: verdana;">thanks for reading!</span></div>nanny diarieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15418552792288498078noreply@blogger.com0