Thursday, September 27, 2007

The sitter who wasn't

The kids' school was closed and I had a sitter set up for the day so that I could go to work - no problem. But, (great for her, bad for me) she got a "real job" working at a bakery and had to cancel at the 11th hour. So what to do? Then, brilliant Em says to me "call the school and see if any of the teachers want to babysit" and I say "brilliant" and I do. And they do. So great for me again. I did not get to meet her in advance, normally a big no-no for me but, the school runs criminal background checks on everyone and checks their references so she was vetted and I felt OK. Until this morning (after I had cleaned my house - g-d forbid a sitter would think us messy - and typed out requisite do's and don'ts list and had gotten both kids fed and dressed) when I sat and watched at the clock roll right past 7:30 am when she was supposed to arrive, past 7:45 and even 8:00. She did not show up and she did not call and I made desperate fleeting attempts to find a way to reach her or anyone else for that matter who could watch my monkeys, but to no avail. So instead I did the one thing every working mom dreads, I took my kids to work. Let me tell you that this morning epitomizes why you just can't have it all. You can not be a 100% mom and a 100% worker bee professional. All I wanted to do was cry!! OK what I really wanted to do was sit down on the floor and drink but crying sounds less mommy dearest.

Instead I reminded myself that this is why I just took on a second job (no I did not check my sanity at the door, just the only 5 free minutes I had left in the day).

Insert shameless plug.

I just became the Columbus city manager for a Texas based company called Mommy Mixer http://www.mommymixer.com/
The idea is as follows "When you meet someone face-to-face, you know if they're a good fit - it's true in babysitting as well as dating! Our exclusive MommyMixers® give moms and babysitters the chance to scope each other out in person in a comfortable, fun environment. There's no better way to find a big selection of sitters or moms who are right for you. Mixers generally take place at high-end boutiques and hip spots around town and last about an hour. Each Mixer begins with the sitter candidates briefly introducing themselves and describing their experience, schedules and preferences. Then the moms do the same. After the introductions, moms and sitters are free to mingle and chat to find the best match for their needs. At the end of the Mixer, moms leave with a comprehensive copy of The Babysitter Book that includes each candidate's résumé, contact information and photo. When moms get home, they can contact their favorite sitters directly to establish an hourly rate, check references and set up in-home interviews to meet the kiddos."

As one newspaper who ran a story covering on of the mixers put it this way "it's like speed dating for moms and sitters." The idea is so hot that Mommy Mixer is already in over 18 cities and will be featured on Good Morning America within the next few weeks.

Apparently I have multiple motivations for doing this, not the least of which is to never be in this morning's situation again. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Sunday, September 16, 2007

Not down with that

I can't even imagine what moms in really cold places do. All I wanted were down jackets for my two girls for this winter. "No big deal" I figured. Oh, how wrong I was! I must have done three google searches, hit no less than 30 online stores and 10 brick and mortar. What is the brilliance behind a heavy down coat with NO HOOD (L.L Bean) or ones that are shiny gold (Gap) and filled not with down but polyester (Gap and Old Navy) or ones with the UGLIEST heart stitching reminiscent of 1975 (Old Navy)? Then there are the thousands of 4-in-one parkas (Children' Place). My first issue with that is that we will inevitably loose a part. Issue two is why pink and green camo?? Then there are a myriad of coats that would make my kids look like they belonged in the windows of Saks Fifth Avenue (not practical for the playground) or remind me more of a poodle than a coat. So I am left with Land's End (a place I normally find far to Pollyanna for me) http://www.landsend.com/pp/Weatherproof650fillDownJacket-70097_148671_7.html?CM_MERCH=PAGE_70097
I like these because they have a good color pallatte and they are plain and simple - my issue is the price - $80 for a one year old that will have milk pored down it on day one feels a bit much, but I feel I am without other options.
There is also Company Store Kids
http://www.thecompanystore.com/parent.asp?product=HC59x&dept%5Fid=6536
theses are cute and reversible which is a plus but the girl option are only ok.

Anybody else have more success before I place the order tomorrow?

Monday, September 10, 2007

Multiple choice

I always feel more pressure when buying a baby gift for multiples. I mean you can't get two of the exact same thing and I am not a registry person. So that leaves you with about 1 million t-shirts with cute twin sayings (2 peas in a pod, thing 1 and thing 2 etc.)
http://www.twinshoppe.com/category_s/41.htm
or trying to go for something more practical. I generally stay away from anything to do with pacifiers because some parents think they are the second coming and others feel they are more akin to the devil. However, I feel pretty confident that when you have twins all of that is out the window if it means that twin #1 is quiet while mom tries to feed twin #2. I also figured that the older they get the more likely you are to want to keep said binky's separate for fear that they would share any more germs than they already do. That's where Sassy Paci came in.
http://www.thesassypaci.com/
I just sent these to a friend in Minneapolis. They are adorable pacifier clips with each girls name on them and sooo stylin! I chose the pink and black toile and the pink and white toile each with the twins name on them. The owner emailed me minutes after I ordered to assure me that the receipt would go to me and a card (not part of the ordering process) could indeed be included. She actually mentioned something about scrapbooking a card for me. I can't even begin to discuss a woman who has three kids, a home based business and is going to scrapbook a card for me, a woman she has never met. But, great customer service none the less. One note for anyone who might order - when you type in the child's name it also defaults a phrase (in my case it was "sweetie), but Jesi assured me that once you put a name there they know that's all you want - that and the 9 letter maximum.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Turning the tables

OK, I am turning the tables on readers. I normally do the reviewing and opinion giving but I am turning the tables and asking a question. What is the one product for your kids you could not live without, or think is the best new product you got to use with baby #2 that was not around for baby #1? I have my own list (bumbo seat, sling, papasan etc.) but like to constantly add. Here is your shot to share. Just click below this post on "comments" and share away.