Fluffy Mail!!!

Just wanted to share that I got my flats from Granola Babies in the mail today!!! I have been fretting the whole week that I wouldn't get them in time for the flats challenge and was working out a back up (using receiving blankets was my next go to). But Canada Post came through so my prep in get under way....well almost....

I am writing this post quite frantically because I have to leave for work in about 10-15 minutes for an evening shift (so I hope there is not too many run on sentences). I wanted to make this challenge as close to realistic as possible and even though I only work 2 nights and 1 day during the 7 day challenge my pre-challenge shifts should get me quite tired. I hope this can give some perspective on a working  mom and dad and using/handwashing flats. Just so you have an idea I work 8hour shifts in a long term care home and home care. My run of shifts started last Saturday (may 14th) I work Evenings May 14,15,16,17; Days May 18,19,20,21,22; and then Nights May 23 and 24. Phew that was work just writing that out! So I will be on my shift 10 and 11 when the flats challenge start (nights too!).

Well I should get finished getting ready for work (oh my 5 minutes till I have to go whoops). Good luck to everyone that is taking the Flats Challenge and look for my posts at Granola Babies blog!

Lots of Bunny-Hugs

Cecette

hmmm MIA...again

WOW have I ever been MIA from here!!!
I feel so bad but I guess I do have a few excuses lol...

I started back at work (orientation to the health region was in December and orientation to the site was start of January) I am casual in Home Care and Part-time in a long term care unit. I have to say yes the orientation was quite good but I still feel a little like a fish out of water when it comes to some things. I think it has more to do with my confidence being away for so long. Though some things do return fast when you have stressful situation to deal with...found that the hard way on my second shift at the long term care. At least it was an orientation shift so there were two of us to deal with the "issue".

My little DD is happy and healthy attending her day home daycare. I am not sure if I posted about my daycare issue...it has been so long since I have posted. Well if I am repeating myself (which having a quick glance at the recent posts I don't think I mentioned it) please just skip this portion.
Back in September I found a wonderful daycare that was run by a very nice lady (they are funded I think provincially, and are considered to be a daycare not a home centre) the plan was for Hannah to go a few days before I started orientation in December to get to know the place and to be use to the place. The cost was $450.00 a month for going 4 days/week (and still that if I send her less), once she hits 18mos it decreased to $400.00. So I thought that was pretty reasonable. We went over what Hannah likes/dislikes etc. I stressed that it is very important to me that she stays in cloth diapers and that she gets two naps a day. Some people don't want there kids at 12mos to have two naps but I do...cause Hannah can be an absolute bear if she does not get those two naps. The lady running the place said yes she was fine with all that...I wanted to make sure because the closest kids to her age were 6mos older than her and were not on the same schedule. Well, when it came time to start her orientation days the lady actually looking after the Hannah was not to keen on changing the current schedule so that Hannah could have her two naps. The other babies went outside to play at 1030 (Hannah's first nap) and then had their one nap at 1230 (at the time that Hannah would be up) till 14:30 (the time Hannah would go down for her second nap). I could see that this would be an issue. I also came to the realization that at this point in Hannah's development she needed more babies her age and to be in a place that was able to give her the two naps she needed. Therefore, we found our perfect match day home daycare! When Hannah is a bit older I might consider taking her back to the daycare so that she is in an environment that is like preschool rather then a babysitter atmosphere; but at this point this is what Hannah needs.

So that was my daycare issue...it got worked out (but there were a few very stressful days).

As for my side job (the cottontail kisses boutique) it has been almost put on hold because of the increase in work load with Hannah and the new job. I hope to start back at it in February, but more than likely it will get pushed till March (when hubby is home with us and we are settled in the new house).

Well, I think it is bedtime...I work an evening tomorrow so should get some rest.

Lots of Bunny-Hugs!
Cecette

p.s. As a side note I pay at the new home daycare $20 a day and it is not a set amount to bring her. So it can be 5 days or 1 day...which is nice for me seeing as I have shift work.

Almost One...and a little bit more

Well it is November and is almost a year since the birth of my daughter.

WOW! I can't believe that a year had gone by so fast. Looking back at the year I am really happy that I took the year off. Getting to spend all that time with Hannah was amazing! I wish I could spend more than a year at home. However, do to financial circumstance that is not possible...not to mention the health benefits are really hard to give up.

I do miss work a bit...don't get me wrong I love being an RN. I think maybe I haven't found my perfect position yet...which makes it harder. Hopefully a change of scenery will help.

The family is moving back to where my hubby grew-up. Still in the same province but quite a bit farther from my family. But I figured being close to some family members is better than none. Plus I can't wait to end up on the farm. Yup that is right, I am going to be a farmer's wife :D...and I am going to enjoy it! Some might think I am crazy but I am really excited. I grew up on a farm and really want to give that to my kids. Now enough of my other rambles...back to Hannah turning one!

So what should I do for her first birthday! Here are the plans so far (keep in mind that my niece will be celebrating with hannah this year...born three days apart. So what I do for hannah I will do for my niece.):

- cupcake banner with her name
- small personal cupcake (wilton cake pan)
- large cupcake (wilton cake pan)
- fabric cupcake placement (applique a candle every year)

So I better get started cause with christmas right after her birthday December is a busy month!

So those are my plans so far...if anyone has some suggestions on cupcake based decorations please leave a comment!

Lots of Bunny-Hugs!
Cecette

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Off To Work We Go...playing catch-up

Well not yet...but my maternity leave ends at the start of January 2011. This means I have to get ready and dust off my books to get reacquainted with nursing ones again. It will be 14 months since I have stepped inside a hospital or nursing home as an RN...which is a little overwhelming.

If everything works out I will be starting back in a .70 position...meaning I would be working 21 8 hour shifts every 6 weeks. This is more garunteed work then in my other position which is nice because I won't need to rely on picking up more shifts to make it to full time. This also means that Hannah will have a better routine and have less surprise trips to the daycare.

So how do I prepare to going back to work??

There is little to no information on returning to work as an RN from maternity leave. Which is odd because around 93% of RNs are female and in Saskatchewan you can take up to 18 months without losing seniority. So it is just natural that maybe your skills won't be as sharp as they were before the maternity leave started.

So what can I do so that I won't feel like a fish out of water? and how do I accomplish this while looking after a child???

Well, I think that the first question is going to be easier then the later. I still have my study book from when I was studying for my CRNE so that is a nice jumping point. Also I have a few other nursing pocket books that I think will be a big help, especially when it comes to pharmacology. For me this was the weakest point for my nursing career. I just was not very good at memorizing all the names. So I guess I will dig out my pharmacology book too.

So I know what books I should look at but what should I focus on??? It took four years to get through the RN program and that is a lot of information to get through.

Now when can I accomplish this "studying"? Well, I could do it while Hannah is having her nap...but I do like to save that for me time. Like checking my email, scanning facebook, and thinking up new blog posts (which I have several in the works...I just don't get around to posting them too often). But maybe I will have to give up some time in there if I want to feel safe and prepared when I go back to work. There is also the time after Hannah goes to bed.

So I have a plan...but will I go through with it??? Hopefully.

Lots of Bunny-Hugs

Cecette

p.s. if anyone has any tips on ways to organize a ton of information please let me know :D