Back at Work

Well, it's been a busy few days. Up until last Monday, we had arranged for Ethan to go to Nanny Chen. However since the beginning of August, I have been having unsettling feelings as to the proper care she could give Ethan since she is already caring for a 12month old boy. Since A-Ma had similar apprehensions we began to frantically look for another nanny. As luck would have it, (or my guardian angel has been working overtime), on Monday we went to visit a nursery, Nanny Tang referred to by A-Ma's seamstress and another Nanny referred to by a A-ma's friend. The nursery was horrible- enough said. Then we went to see Nanny Tang. The moment we stepped out of the car with Ethan, Nanny Tang was all smiles and rushed over to hold Ethan. For the entire visit, she was cooing with him while holding Ethan, listening and talking with us. It was apparent she loved Ethan the minute she set eyes on him. She instantly put my heart and mind at rest. We discussed all the details pertaining to Ethan's care and her background and experience. She has taken care of more that 8 children- all boys since they were 1 month old until they were ready for school. This is quite funny since all her children are girls. ( They are all full grown now). Another thing that set my mind at ease were the toys neatly organized around the house, the sponge mats that were placed on the floor and wall to avoid bumps and bruises and how immaculately clean everything was. Nanny Tang is a very traditional Taiwanese grandmother, she even handwashes all her laundry. After talking to her, we went to see another nanny which was mostly concerned about her wages and didn't look, hold or play with Ethan the entire visit. So we went back to Nanny Tang's and A-ma talked to her. They get on famously since they're from the same generation. Again during this visit, Nanny Tang was all eyes for Ethan and she would only care for him and not take on any other babies. We decided to give her a try on Tuesday. The next morning we brought Ethan over around 10am, with a "suitcase" full of his belongings, frozen breastmilk, bottles, nappies etc. We stayed for about an hour or so and then A-Ma and I departed. Throughout the day, we popped in unannounced THREE TIMES - just walked straight in to her house without knocking and she welcomed us everytime with smiles and happily chatted with us while Ethan was soundly asleep in her bedroom. (This pretty much put our minds 100% at ease- how many of you would let complete strangers walk into your house 3 times in one day and not be upset??) The last visit before we took Ethan home, around 4:30pm, she let us know that she had even given Ethan a bath, and changed him into a new outfit. So we don't need to bathe him at night! I almost cried I was so touched. I knew at that moment, Ethan would always come first in her care. After the first visit on Tuesday, we went to Nanny Chen to explain that she wouldn't be caring for Ethan. She was very understanding despite us promising her for 4 months that we would let her care for Ethan. We tried to offer her a months wages to recompensate but she adamantly refused to accept it. We all left on good terms. Yesterday, Ethan stayed with Nanny Tang from 10am- 4:30pm. When we went to pick him up, he was lying on Nanny Tang's sofa with his clean bottom bared on top his nappy. He had just pooped and was "airing" out . I warned her that Ethan may pee on her sofa but she said it was of no concern. Sure enough as soon as she finished saying so, he peed. Nanny Tang burst into laughter as I embarrassingly rushed to clean up the mess. Even as I was cleaning, she kept swatting my hand away, telling me it was not a problem and to not worry about it. We all chatted for awhile and then A-ma and I took Ethan home. Last night Ethan was so happy and played and vocalized his pleasure non stop with shouts of ooh ahhh, waHHH, gaa, heeya etc. Today is Thursday and I got up at 5:30am to take Ethan to Nanny Tang's. We arrived at 6am-she was up and outside hanging laundry on the line. Ethan was fast asleep in his pajamas. Right away, she took him inside to turn on the a/c in the bedroom so he could sleep comfortably. As I was anxious about getting to work on time, I didn't stay for a chat but I needn't have worried since I ended up arriving 1 hr early at work. Yay. We can sleep a little longer in the mornings. More good news, my work schedule allows me to leave at 4:40pm Mon, Wed, Thur, Fri. As well, we are able to sign out and leave the campus 1 and half hrs early and since I finish my classes at 11:50am on monday and at 1:34 on Wed. I can sign out and leave work at about 3:00pm so I can see ETHAN sooner!!! Yay! So happy! Hope to hear from you soon Joanne