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Saturday, March 31, 2007
Off We Go
Quicky here:
- Almost drowned Olivia earlier this week in the bathtub (thanks to Sophia opening the bathtub slide door (and laughing
hysterically) and dumping the ducks in the tub full of water which prompted Olivia to climb in and not get her hair wet.
I was in the kitchen grabbing O's milk bottle that was in the bottle warmer.).
- Nanny's cooking is somewhat improving (way too much soy sauce and what not)- when Sophia starts to eat lots of mushrooms
that's an indicator that the food is edible
- When Olivia sees people going out the front door, she dashes over to the door, wanting to go out too
- With spring here, it's totally kicking Sophia in the ass (and Phil's too)- she's back on the nebulizer, Benadryl AND Singulair
We are off for the week to frolic in the sun and sand with S+O's cousins (and possibly friends too!) by flying to our
destination and driving back home with a rental car (flight was only $99 r/t).
Happy Easter, Happy Passover, Happy Spring break!
Saturday, March 24, 2007
BBQ Dinner at Smoke Joint
After dropping rice congee off to Robin (she hasn't been feeling well for almost a week), me, Phil and the girls schlepped
to have dinner with Jay, Dave, Boog, Jay's girlfriend, Linda and her friend Bonnie at Smoke Joint.
I was very eager to try Smoke Joint since I loooove having BBQ food. I've
heard rave reviews from Robin and Jay since they live in the 'hood. When we got there, there was literally a line and
no where to sit. You had to order the food and pray for a table to clear out. Luckily Jay and company had gotten
there way before we did, so there was a bit of a headstart. Clearly this place is not meant for a large group (there
was nine of us).
I ordered the beef rib and beans and we also ordered mac and cheese and fries
for the girls (I forgot what Phil ordered and he's not home to ask since he went out to Home Depot this late in the hour).
My beef rib was pretty good actually, but the girls wasn't feeling their food. Infact, it was way too spicy for them
(neither of them eats beef- their choice). Sophia did have a little bit of chicken from Jay's order. We had to
order a hot dog for her at the end. I couldn't really enjoy the beans since Olivia was getting cranky from the lack
of food (we took it to go). Then I realized there wasn't any biscuits or corn bread! What kind of BBQ joint is
this that doesn't have either??? Very strange indeed. I didn't have any of the re-fillable iced tea although Jay
swears it's the best iced tea he's ever tasted (if there was mint leaves in it, I would have been sold!).
Good thing about this place is, the owners and waitstaff were very friendly and
attentive. They chatted us up for a bit (Jay knew them since he's a frequent visitor). Other good thing was I
didn't go home smelling like I was at a white trash BBQ outing. Their vent system is great. Turn around time to
get a table is about 15-20 minutes, depending how fast you can swallow the ribs down.
Would I go back? Probably not since the menu isn't very kid-friendly
(hey, if Phil and I eat, the girls need to eat too!). I do want to try Mo Griddler's in the Bronx (565 Hunts Point Avenue (Randall Avenue), Hunts Point, Bronx; (718) 991-3046).
Next time, we'll have a back up dinner plan for the girls.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Posting
I have been very bad at posting these days, huh. So our beloved nanny of almost four years left last week.
Before she left, she helped us find a replacement that didn't work out so well. Apparently this new nanny was too talkative,
smothered the girls with hugs and kisses (uh, my girls aren't into that) and too old (in her early 60s). Her cooking
though, was great. I think she was overwhelmed by the tasks, so she told us she just couldn't handle all of
it. Back to the drawing board.
We quickly sought out for a new one and interviewed four ladies in one day. The one we REALLY wanted found another
job the next day. Our second choice ended up not wanting the job. So we went with the third best choice.
We found her through an employment agency. This one hardly ever talks and boy does her cooking suck!
All she cooks is veggies. Meats are not her forte- she's a Buddhist (they don't eat meat). But, at least she cares
for the kids and that is all we want from her now.
Phil and I have divvied up household chores- I do the vacuuming, he does the bathroom (I hate cleaning the tub) and we
split with the laundry. Crappy part is, he isn't home for dinner because goes into work later (just to sit with the
nanny and to make sure nothing goes wrong). My grandfather comes over to help the nanny and waits until I
return from work.
Sophia's birthday (Happy 4th Birthday Sophia!) was this past week and we didn't do anything grand. Just had dinner
with the grandparents (mine). We had a birthday party at Sophia's school- this huge Elmo vanilla cake. It was
actually pretty good. One kid literally licked his plate clean.
Oh, I didn't mention the nightmare we went through just to put Sophia in pre-k in our local public school. My
mother stood in line at 5:30a JUST TO GET A FUCKING APPLICATION (the best school in Park Slope, Brooklyn is worse- parents
line up two days before they hand out applications!!!). Phil went to relieve my mom at 6a (they were second in line).
Technically, Sophia cannot and should not be going to that school- she's not zoned for it. But because this
school is a better school than her zoned school we had to sneak our asses in. Luckily I knew an administrator in the
office and she said she'll try to get Sophia in. The one who handled the application told me I needed to bring certain
identifications, so I had my Dad help me drop it off. Turns out, the lady who was doing the applications, knows my Dad,
so now Sophia has a greater chance of getting in. Dang, getting your child into school these days is a total nightmare.
Since the nanny's cooking is a bit salty, I am off to make dinner- spaghetti with sausages. How I miss our
old nanny...sigh.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Goodbye, hopefully for now
By looking at the time, it's obvious I am stressing over stupid shit. There are much more pressing matters that
are going on with my friend's lives and here I am stressing over my current nanny leaving. I can't help it.
I know things right now are out of my hands and I will just have to let things be and wing it from here on. But I like
routines. And how I hate change. And the trust. It's going to take a very long time for the new nanny to
earn our trust.
Right now, we have my grandfather here for a few hours to make sure the new nanny doesn't hurt the girls. Eventually
we will put up a nanny cam, but still, it will take a very long time for the trust part to build in. It's not like the
girls are old enough to tell us if the new nanny is hurting them.
In a few days, the current nanny will be going back to her homeland, not knowingly if she will be able to get
back into the states if she decides to come back. Instead, we will have to cope with the much older nanny who will be
ovewhelmed with having to care for two little children. I know that she has to get accustomed to our ways and we to
her, but argh, it was so comforting to know that when I got home, everything was in place because the current nanny
knew what had to be done. I know in time things will fall into place, if not the same, but at least almost the way things
were. Somehow, I don't have faith in that last sentence.
I have to admit- our current nanny did make our lives and household run smooth. She did everything for us.
In my eyes, she was almost Wonder Woman. She cooked, she cleaned and most importantly, she taught, entertained and lovingly
cared for our girls like as if they were her own flesh and blood. We just as well, took very good care of her.
We've celebrated birthdays and holidays together, shared family photos and stories, shared many laughters and pain.
She was, I mean, IS our family. She is a second mother to my girls. How could she be replaced?
It's unfathomable to think otherwise.
Words cannot express my deepest gratitude for what she has done for us in the past four years.
I am utterly devasted.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Everyday Life
It's strange. In the past two months, I have been immersed with many of my friends situations- marital woes, major
depression and even health problems. You may think everything is all honky dory on the outside, until they start
to open themselves up. The best that one can do is offer support.
I hope everything works out for the best.
Hatin' DST
I absolutely HATE HATE HATE Daylight Savings Time. Yeah, it's great we get an extra hour of sun,
blah blah blah, but people who don't have children don't understand that it totally fucks up the kids bedtime sleeping
schedule. Now, instead of going to bed early, they will be going to bed an hour later. So not good for my down
time!!! AAAAAAARGH!
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Napping Alone
Our nanny just left our apartment with the new nanny. Phil and I are discussing about the new nanny, pipes
in with her two cents.
Sophia: Now nobody is going to sleep with me (she's used to the current nanny sleeping with her).
Daddy: I'll sleep with you later (remember, she sleeps in the same room with us).
Sophia: No, Daddy. After school, nobody will sleep with me.
Mommy: Make believe Yee-Yee (current
nanny) is there.
Totally broke my heart.
Lost Now Found
Thank the nanny heaven above. I *think* we found a new nanny. Apparently our nanny found someone who lives
in the same building as hers and asked her if she was interested in meeting us for the job. We met her this evening
and she seemed nice and eager to work for us. She even said if she's not doing something correct, that I should tell
her. Very honest and blunt. I like that.
I found her to be a bit pushy with the girls, giving them hugs and kisses. Now, as a dog lover, I know you NEVER
do that with any dog you don't know- you let them sniff you out a bit and then you pet them and give belly rubs. The
same rule applies to babies and kids. You don't want to scare them off. You warm up to them and let them reciprocate
at their time.
She's in her early 60s, has a daughter and son. Her daughter is married and has a child and lives in Malaysia.
Her son who is in his early 40s, lives in Manhattan and works for a major fashion company. No mention of husband.
I think her son is gay- I tried to set her son up with my girlfriend Julie TWICE, but she never bit the bait. I do know
that she likes to cook so I guess I'll be gaining weight. And she's willing to work on Fridays (our current nanny doesn't)-
so I guess I have a free day to do whatever I need to do- run errands or go to work. Better yet, I should use that time
to haul my fat ass to the gym.
The test run with the new nanny starts next Monday. It's going to take time for the girls to get used to her, especially
O (she's not even used to my parents or sisters!).
I'm still gonna miss my current nanny.
Sunday, March 4, 2007
For Good
Nanny dropped the bomb with Phil telling him she will be leaving by the end of the month. Apparently her father
in-law is on his death bed, so her husband is calling it quits, packing it up and heading back home for good. It wasn't
very expected since her father in-law's health had been declining for the past year.
I am very, very sad about this, but moreso sad for Olivia. I was hoping the nanny would care for O for at least
another year. I wonder if Sophia will remember her as the years go by. I know O won't.
Not sure what is going to happen to my career. Will I have to quit for at least another year or until we find a
capable nanny that we can trust? Will Phil and I have to juggle with our work schedules? Will O trust this new
person? So many questions are looming in my head.
I am gonna miss my nanny. She really was the best thing we've ever had for the past four years. Sigh.
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