EI & GI

Yesterday we had our first snow of the season. It was dense and beautiful. Sadly it turned to rainy-slush later and we had absolutely no accumulation. I'm hoping for loads of beautiful, dry snow this season. I love it's beautiful white winterness and the way it blankets the city. When it's really packed in and you have to drive very slow I love how it feels like we're all driving on carpet. It's as if we're closer to one-another, sharing this weird inside-like driving experience.

Because it was the tomatoes first ever snow experience I tried to show them what it looked like coming down through the window. Later, while they napped, I made paper snowflakes and we had a photoshoot in the afternoon. Not too bad for a first attempt.

In real news, EI (Early Intervention) came this morning. Our regular gal brought a physical therapist with her to evaluate the babies. Tabitha does this back arch thing that was a bit concerning. She's also strongly against tummy time and trails behind her brother in the gross motor department. PT (Physical Therapist) said that Tabitha looks great. She isn't in the same place as Jackson but there's no need to worry. She's developing along a normal continuum and doing great. She needs more opportunities to play on the floor and as much tummy time as we can give her. We'd started using the jumpy as another form of core conditioning. I thought it could give them a place to work on their core muscles that was different from the floor. But the PT says we should wait because it puts weight on their hips before they are ready for it. So it's floor, floor, floor from here on out!

We talked about specifics, this helps me get an idea. Right now we are doing three minutes of tummy time at least once a day. PT says we should make putting them down on their tummies our default. If they need to turn over, fine, but ALWAYS start on tummy. And I should aim for three 3min tummy time sessions each day. Working up to longer than three minutes as soon as possible. Okay! We can do this! Being on their backs on the floor is helpful as well. So bye-bye babyholders!

As far as feeding is concerned, Jackson is off with Roger and Sara at the GI specialist right now. I'll know more when they return. But the behavioral side, from my perspective, is improving. Yesterday he finished all three bottles I offered him. One was actually offered by Norah and even though it wasn't me, he had no trouble at all. He seems to be doing well for me and okay for Roger and Sara. I'm assuming the GI will put him on another medicine because he won't find anything. So far he's only on Z@nt@c, it is the first course of action for babies with reflux. It also has the least side effects. I think the next step is to add pr.losec, I think. This is stronger and could possibly effect his development. We'll see how it goes. Last time he was in to the GI, a different one, they did an ultrasound and lots of tests. At least they'll have a baseline for comparison.

We're hosting Thanksgiving at our house tomorrow and I'm off Friday. You'll have to wait until Monday for the GI outcome unless I get some bonus free time this afternoon. I'm not imaging that I will because Jackson is going to come home exhausted, with Roger and Sara here he'll need lots of extra help to get any sleep at all once he's home. And I don't think he finished this bottle for them so add hunger and frustration and you've got one busy Samara! Roger and Sara also planned to revisit this going outside in the winter discussion so posting today seems very, very unlikely.

Looking for feedback

Talked with Roger and Sara last night. Stressful and stalemated. Not interested in going into that now. I'm actually looking for some feedback today. Norah thinks I should consider writing a book. She asked me to make a list of twelve topics or chapter headings that I think would be important to include. I've made a list and I'd really appreciate your feedback.
1. sleep
2. play
3. awake periods
4. routines
5. stimulation
6. hygene
7. schedule
8. development
9. photography/documentation
10. germs
11. walks/outdoors
12. eating

Why am I a nanny?

Nannying is something I generally enjoy. I love babies and children. Working with parents can be challenging. Keeping busy, time management, daytime flexibility, independent thought, guidence, direction, getting a lot done in a short period, these are all enjoyable for me and things my job includes on a daily basis. It also includes meltdowns, making formula and changing dirty diapers. The good with the bad I really, really like being a nanny. I have been doing this for nearly a decade, I have met wonderful people and learned something from nearly every family I've worked with. During this decade there have been ups and downs and more than sixty children between Noarh and me. Of those sixty we had a dozen in our wedding two years ago, that was one of the major highs of being a nanny. Leaving a position because mom had gotten so used to my being there that when I was gone the baby nearly suffocated was one of the extreme lows.

In every position there are good days and bad days. This is true with life. Not every day can be fun, easy and great. But it seems that with my current position I'm having more bad days, with Roger and Sara, than good. I'm wondering if this is a good fit. I find it very frustrating to be questioned at every turn, on the other hand I'm glad to see involved parents that think about what is going on with their children. Generally, I'm a tolerant and patient person. I've been very flexible with my ideas and willing to try theirs, despite their lack of experience, knowledge or forethought. In the end my ideas are the ones that work, but with each new situation comes this compromise period that is exhausting me on a regular basis it seems.

Today I feel like a teapot that just needs to whistle incessantly. I'm so frustrated.
I live in New England. It is November. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that it is probably cold outside. And likely going to get colder. It is only November. Traditionally November gets chilly but January, February and March are cold. It is 35 degrees outside. Chilly but not freezing. I was outside for forty minutes this morning for my commute.
Roger and Sara come from a warm climate. They have been here for four years. They know it gets cold here, their house it a bit ovenlike. Fine. I adapt. I had them buy nice warm fleece snowsuits for the tomatoes. They have hats and bundle-me's. So when Roger calls because he has been outside for ten minutes to say,
"Don't take the tomatoes out today."
My response is less than positive.*
*How about a little background here. These tomatoes are little, almost three months adjusted or actually almost six months. They enjoy their sleep and get cranky whe they don't get enough. During the day they can generally handle 1-1.5 hour awake times. While they can snooze in their stroller for 20 minutes they generally don't sleep longer than that in it. In the car they complain, not sleep. An average day they take three naps, #1:1.5-3hrs, #2: 2-3hrs, #3: 45m-1.5hrs. Yesterday Roger and Sara took them out for six hours! They broke it up; car, stroller, car, store. Maybe Jackson and Tabitha slept two hours total. Maybe. Meaning today they are going to be tired, cranky and have very low tolerance. Being here for ten hours I need the option to get out of the house. I say,
"Roger, that makes me very uncomfortable."
"I don't understand your response. I said don't take them out. That's it. End of story."
"Bye Roger."

It isn't as if I decided this summer, hey I think I'll try being a nanny. I have a brain, I make good decisions and my judgement is pretty sound. Micro-managing me is the last thing I want from Roger and Sara and I'm feeling very, very frustrated this morning.