We Have a Dry Fuzzy Caterpillar

There have been two big events that have transpired over the last week that I feel need announcing - both involving my little Quincess. The first being that as of one week ago I have declared Quinn potty-trained (knock on wood). Since last Saturday she has been in big girl underwear full-time (naps excluded) even on trips away from home (which for those of you who have had a newly potty trained child and even those of you who haven't probably realize what a nerve-wracking experience that is). She has had only one accident which was my fault. She asked for help on the potty I wanted to finish sauteeing the onions - it was only for a minute. I ended with a gallon of pee right next to the potty. I can't tell everyone how thrilled I am not to have to leave Costco every time I go with a vast quantity of diapers with me. Yeah Quinn!!

The other really big news around the house is that as of May 11 (day after Mother's Day), Quinn will be starting school at Susan Gray (if you haven't guessed by now in the Fuzzy Caterpillar room). We had originally planned for her to start in the fall at the start of a new school year. However, there is a child who goes to Susan Gray who summers in Italy (must be nice - though his family is Italian which is why they go, but I digress) and therefore his spot in Fuzzy Caterpillars is available. The administrators asked us if we wanted it and we jumped on the opportunity. Quinn is so excited to start school and be like her big brother. When you ask her about it she is all smiles and puffs out her chest and tells you how she is going to be a Fuzzy Caterpillar.

For me though, I will admit there are a lot of mixed emotions. I think the experience will be great for Quinn. She hasn't gotten a lot of interaction with children her own age outside of Greyson and our occasional houseguest so I think this will be wonderful for her burgeoning social skills. I am 100% glad she is going and I think it will be great for her.

My issue of course (as it always seems to be) is with me. Starting May 11th I don't know exactly what I am going to do with myself from 9 to 2 every day. As most people know, I had never thought of myself as a stay at home Mom. When I initially got pregnant we had planned to put the kids in daycare and I would continue my career, fate however, had a different plan. I never really had the choice to stay home; it was what I had to do to take care of Greyson's health and development. Now don't get me wrong - it was absolutely the right decision and I don't regret one moment of the time I have gotten with him or Quinn for that matter. Still, it was a really tough transition for someone who had enjoyed the work environment and its challenges and I found it hard to get that same stimulation from the day to day grind of staying home.

I sort of feel that I am at that crossroads again. I thought about going back to work but there are so many obstacles in my way. First with Raif traveling for his job I need to find a job where I can take the kids to school, pick them up, be able to take off on school holidays, dr appointments and sick days. There aren't a lot of those jobs out there. But the even bigger question for me is would I be happy with one of those jobs? The type of job that would challenge me and engage me isn't the type of job that I could do 20 hours a week or more to the point I could do it but no one offers that job at 20 hours a week. So where does that leave me - a bottom rung accounting job that wouldn't challenge me would probably bore me to tears and frustrate the hell out of me. The other option would be to put the kids in after-school program and work full time. But, while I love Susan Gray to death and know that they are doing a great job with the kids there are some things that a school can't teach and there are some particular things that I think need to be taught that are outside of the mainstream curriculum. I don't think I would be able to instill the values and such in my kids working full time.

So where does that leave me? I know that my staying at home will be great for the family. Hopefully there will be no more 'family time' at Costco or the grocery store and I will be able to get more done around the house during the day leaving more time for us to go on more adventures with the kids and (gasp) spend a little more quality time with my husband. So I am looking forward to that aspect of it. I am also looking forward to getting some projects done around the house that I never seem to have time for. Anyone who has been to the house recently knows that it looks as if we still have two babies if the pictures on the walls are any indication. And don't even get me started on the mess that is our basement. But after I tackle those projects - what next? Perhaps what my mother says is true - those daytime hours will fly by faster than I think and I will be able to keep myself busy. Only time will tell I suppose - but if anyone has any ideas to keep me sane around here - let me know!