A month ago I made the decision to pull Mick out of daycare, thanks to a new (very boring, but very flexible work-from-home) job I started in September.
Once I put in my (required month's) notice at daycare, I eagerly began anticipating the extra time I would be able to spend with Mick, while he is at this super cute age, crawling all over the house, but not mobile enough to get into serious trouble. I tried to get as much done as I could while he was still in daycare (even submitted our 4th quarter taxes early!) and interviewed a few mother's helpers for the days I would need some help. The ladies at daycare all agreed -
oh, Mick is so easy, you could definitely work with him at home...how nice to be able to keep him home with you...
So first day home without daycare: my sweet, happy baby is transformed into a baby who had just looked into the
bucket of truth. Thanks to teething pains, he was moaning/wailing/howling all day long. It was not the picture I had envisioned of sitting on the floor working next to a happy baby crawling around playing. The teething pain continued all week...
One morning I notice how Killian seemed to be distracting Mick from his teething pains. Mick was busy following Killian around the house, watching him go about his business. The two of them were getting into some shenanigans together.
I think, awesome, I'll keep Killian home a little longer this morning before taking him to school next door. Having him around is making it easier! .... Ha.
Then it's time for Mick's morning nap, and I go into our bedroom to nurse him and put him to sleep. A few minutes later Killian walks in the room with what looks like lotion all over his hand. I asked him where he got the lotion? Turns out... it's not lotion. It (was) a stick of butter that was left out near the stove. Killian decided his sensory activity for the morning would be to smear a STICK OF BUTTER over half of our house. It was EVERYWHERE. There was only an empty butter wrapper left behind.
He was very sheepish about it and when I told him he can never play with butter again, he was quick to nod and say "ok!" I had seen him eyeing the butter before and he seemed relieved to have gotten it out of his system.
So the first week home with Mick had some challenges for sure, but overall, I feel much more fulfilled and balanced by being home with him. I am so lucky to be able to snuggle with this guy during the day.
I also love that since I've spent the whole day with Mick, when Killian comes home from school, I don't feel torn between the two boys, trying to squeeze in quality time with the both of them. I can happily pass Mick off to Dad, and go have some great quality Killian time.