It's been a great experience. Before Kelly mentioned needing to find someone to watch Alice while Elliott worked and she went to class, I literally had nothing to do work-wise. I was babysitting once a week for this adorable boy, but it was like $40/week. That's pretty much nothing. It was driving me crazy not working at all. Also, I really like to be around children, because it's my passion and they make my day better. My mom was going to kill me if I didn't get a job soon.
I'm so glad that this ended up working out. Kelly was super busy with medical school, and Elliott was super busy with night classes and work during the day. Alice is very active, and there was no way that Kelly could do all the studying she needed if she had to watch Alice after her classes and at night. Elliott needed a job during the day. Daycare is not a good option under 1, since babies need to form a secure attachment with the caretaker.
When I started, Alice was only 10 months old. She couldn't really walk. Her favorite game was to hold her arms above her head until you did too. She could still fit in her bear suit that helped her sleep. There were countless days when the only way she'd sleep was in her suit, sweating up a storm, and not being able to move her legs or arms. Often I wouldn't be able to move, I'd have to watch movies or shows on my tv while she laid in my arms. We went to Florida with Kelly for spring break. She was enrolled in a music class that we went to every Wednesday (I only went 4 times, but she went almost every week). We went to storytime at a local library, which she loved. Hopefully we'll get a chance to go on Thursday for the last time. We went to the zoo and the park and she loves to swing, but she doesn't like the slide much. She knows so many signs, and it's easy to tell when she's hungry, thirsty, wet, or just fussy (due to teething or ear infections or growing pains). Alice is now 14 months old (closer to 15 months, though) and she can walk like a pro. She loves being outside, she loves water, and she loves loves LOVES the dogs. She will sit at the end of the hallway with a calculator and her water bottle for a long time, just talking to herself and maybe poking her leg. She claps when she does something exciting or something she's proud of. She can color, but I think she gets bored easily with that. She is in this great stage right now where she is always busy, always playing, and always grinning. She is so much fun!
I will always treasure this time that I got to spend with Alice. She is such a great little girl! :) I'm also so grateful to Kelly and Elliott for letting me stay in their home and share their life for a little while.
I was learning how to wear Alice in a wrap :)
On the way to storytime at the library
She used to only sleep in my arms.
The 1st time at the zoo by ourselves :)
Alice in the Star Wars shirt I bought her. She's going to be such a nerd and I love it.
Alice on the beach.
I couldn't even move this day...
She loved playing with Fritz in Laura's backyard.
Clapping...she loves clapping.
Pretty Alice posing on the beach.
Laura, Alice, Kasi, and Kelly.
Alice eating raisins outside this spring.
Sick Alice on April Fool's Day while we were waiting for Kelly's exams to be over.
Photo shoot at the park!
Alice at her birthday party! 1 year old :)
Alice came over during my family's Easter celebration (she was very very tired).
Alice at the nature walk by the zoo (taken by Instagram)
Photo shoot at the park by the zoo.
Kisses for Miss Kasi <3
