Off in the Deep End

Another day and Bailey is handling the children.  There are some things she does that worry me but then again I am a protective mother.  Bailey is a wonderful person!  She is handling the children pretty well.  I am afraid I will still have to look for a nanny for my children though.  As much as I like Bailey she has her drawbacks too.  Bailey has a genetic disease that has caused seizures.  She has had it under control for the last two years but she cannot drive.  I really need someone who can drive.  Plus Bailey lives in the hotel we are in currently.  When we move how she will be able to follow us?  I am at such a loss.  She is SO close to being Mary Poppins!  Waaaaah!

James Swimming!

One upside is between Bailey and myself we have gotten James to swim in a pool yesterday by himself (he did have a puddle jumper on).  I was SO proud of him!
The hotel where we are at has a heated pool.  We went out near dusk and let the James and Margaret swim.  Margaret stays on the steps and splashes for all she is worth.  James was holding onto the wall but he finally let do and swam.  Joseph we kept out of the water because he chills too quickly and is soon shivering all over.  Poor little Joseph!

Multiples Who Terrorize Nannies

Whoever thought she would be such a terror?

Sounds like a bad episode of a reality TV show right?  Well, sadly, that is what my children did today.  : (    The first nanny candidate came over to watch the children.  I was close by because I did not want to worry. So I went to a local car wash.  When I got back about two hours later I pulled into my parking spot and I was stopped by the hotel manager.  She told me she knew I was gone.  I asked why and she said she had to help the nanny get my children back into the room...TWICE!  WHAT?  I was ONLY gone for two hours and there is only ONE way out of the room! Never would have thought that would have happened!  When I went to the room the first nanny did tell me they got out twice but she told me in passing and did not elaborate on it.  I did not ask any questions either.  When I heard the kids had gotten out twice AND she NEVER called me when the hotel manager and maintenance guy had to help her get the children back is a HUGE problem!  I was immediately turned off by that.

I was pinning my hopes on the second nanny.  She arrived and I talked to her for a bit before I left.  I had told the hotel manager I would be gone again today from 2pm to 4pm.  I said if she noticed ANY problem to give me a call and I would be right back!  I left and I got a soda from the Sonic that is right next door to the hotel.  I then left and drove down the road.  I got about two miles away when I got a call.  It was from the hotel manager.  She said the children ran away and the nanny was screaming for help. I said I would be right back.  I turned around and headed back.  The hotel manager and maintenance worker had gotten the kids back to the room and the second nanny was there too.  She was clearly in shock.  She said James went behind her back and opened the door.  When that happened he took off in one direction and then Margaret left taking off in another direction.  When that happened she panicked.  She screamed for help.  She had said she was unsure what to do.  I spoke to her for a bit.  I really think she could do the job but she was spooked.  I asked her if she was still interested in the job and she said she wanted to leave for today.  I told her to call or text me last night to let me know if she was interested in the job and I did not hear anything from her.  I am taking the "no-response" as a NO!

When I got back to the hotel a second time a lady was outside waiting on a taxi.  She said she also lived in the hotel and she is a professional babysitter.  I talked to her for a bit last night.  She came and played with the children for a bit.  I was there and she did fine.  She was at least as qualified and anyone I interviewed and she lived right there in the hotel so she did not have to commute. Her salary was in my price range and I told her if I did not hear back from the second nanny the position was hers.  Seems like I might have found a new nanny in the most of unlikely places.  Is she my Mary Poppins?  Only time will tell!

Causing a Ruckus on Facebook!

Well my weekend was interesting!  How was yours?

Photo Credit: faqsocial.org

I have been on Facebook since April 2009 and overall I have enjoyed it.  I HATE when FB changes things around but otherwise I am happy.  I have been able to meet LOTS of WONDERFUL women from across the country with problems similar to mine.  Problems like having multiples, having multiples with special needs, special needs children who are not multiples or are otherwise "normal" and MANY others!  The other day one of the MOMs (Mothers of Multiples) I know added me to a multiples group on FB.  OMG, that set off the biggest crazy thing I had EVER experienced!  I actually left the FB multiples group in tears.  I was attacked in the group and out right called a fake.  I was accused of NOT having my multiple kiddos!

I had NEVER had that happen before.  I was told my story was wrong, James could not have come home when I said he did and not at the weight he did.  Then I was told I was just trolling for money and to get attention.  This woman did not know me nor all that I had been through.  She had determined I was a faker  and attacked me verbally in the room.  After getting upset because I had given access to a photo album with pictures of my children from birth to age two, agreed to meet a local MOM in the group AND was willing to accept a friend request where one can videos and pictures of my children over the years I was STILL attacked anyways!

A couple of the MOMs I knew on FB before I was added to that group signed into the social group and saw what happened.  They came to my defense but I had all ready left.  Seriously, I was in tears!  My life has been SO stressful at this point that the verbal attack I had endured that night sent me over the edge.  James was even concerned asking me why I was sad!  He is SUCH a sweet boy!  I told him some ladies had been mean to mommy on the computer but I am much better now.  He gave me a kiss.  Made my heart melt!  About another ten minutes later I had a couple of the MOMs I know along with an administrator to the group say they were sorry for what happened and asked me to come back.  That the woman who attacked me had left the group.  So I agreed to come back.  What a CRAZY experience! So far the other women the group have been nice and supportive but I have to say it is a carzy group in there.  Maybe this is what having multiples does to a woman?  What does that say about ME?  LOL

Recent picture of the children

It did get me to thinking though.  Why did I not remember the details of the babies birth, when they got home or really any other information until they got to be about two.  Looking back now I realize that I was in shock after Martha had died, then there was the risk Joseph could die at any minute and I was not getting NEAR enough sleep!  I did keep some logs of the babies details.  John was in charge of that sort of stuff but I wanted a record for myself so I had a log.  It was on a computer my oldest son used.  He loved playing multi-player games online.  The game he was playing was riddled with viruses.  This was when the kids were about a year old.  So I started a new log and the kids were getting Early Intervention services.  We started to go and see more doctors.  I was telling everyone (husband, therapists and doctors) that something was wrong with the children but I was being dismissed.  They were all saying the kids would "catch up" by their third birthday.  I knew they were wrong but no one would really listen.  I spent LONG hours at my computer, when I should have been sleeping, trying to figure out what was wrong!   After the second computer crash and the loss of SO much data that I told my oldest he was banned from my computers and I started my blog online.  I did not want to lose any more information!  The first two years was so full of emotional pain, drama and lack of sleep that I don't try hard to remember what had happened.  Even now, each year, I start a new 3 inch three ring binder to hold Joseph's medical and school information.  So far we fill that EACH year.  I have a lot to worry about without worrying if I remember all the details from the first days of their birth!

Photo Credit: Reddoorrents.com

Over the long weekend I spent some time trying to look for a place to live.  I am afraid we will be stuck at the hotel for a bit.  I want to make sure I find the right thing AND I have not been without the children.  It is hard driving around with them in the back being impatient.  Then I do not want to scare people aware by seeing my cranky children with me...lol.  I am looking for something in the Gilbert, East Mesa, East Tempe and South Scottsdale areas.  So I have a corridor that I am looking at but I need to get out without the children.

My ad on Craigslist was rather successful.  The ad has been part of the reason I have held off on posting so the ad would not be "lost" on my board.  I had several people apply. A few I was able to dismiss right away.  Others I was interested in and scheduled for an interview.  I had people as young as 18 apply and I don't think anyone was over 24.  I had BIG doubts about the people being so young and handling three 4 year olds who are disabled but I was pleasantly surprised by some of the applicants!  So far I am highly encouraged!  I recently found out my mother is not coming out here.  I was thinking she was going to watch my children for me my first week at work.  So I thought I would have until October 22nd to make a decision on someone to watch the children.  With my mother not coming I should have started the interviewing process LAST week.  I am in a hurry and MUST hire someone RIGHT away so I can start work on Monday!

This is the last thing I have to say in this long post...lol.  Right before I was going to publish this I get a call from the front desk of my hotel.  I was told someone had dropped off a care package for me and I needed to come and get it since she did not have any way of storing it.  The front desk lady said a woman and her two children came in and dropped off a bag of groceries.  Tina, the front desk manager, said the woman was very nice and asked if she knew me.  The lady said she did not but she had heard things over the internet and she wanted to drop this off for me.  You have NO idea how many times in my life I have heard people say they would help me or do something for me and rarely does anyone follow through. I am sorry but that has been my experience.  :(  You have NO idea how nice it was for me to receive such a wonderful gift and a sweet card.  I have been feeling down and lonely.  It is tough moving to a new city by myself with the children in tow and I know NO one and have no family here.  So whoever you are...Thank You!

The card says...
We hope this finds you in a time of need and can help to lighten your burdens! Know that you are though of and loved!  Friendly Neighbors

Ad For Nanny - Are YOU my Mary Poppins?

I left my job with the federal government at the birth of my surviving quadruplets (about five years ago) to stay home with the children.  Being born early they had multiple medical issues.  Over the last five years I have worked hard to take care of the children, educate them (home school) and take them to the various doctor/therapy appointments as needed.

In July my husband walked away from his family.  Though he pays child support he knew I did not work and there was no way I could support the children and myself in our family home.  I went to seek a job.  I was offered a job working in Phoenix.  We recently moved to the area and I am currently trying to get services and other things set up for my children.  Since I now have to work I am seeking someone to replace me.  Someone who can do all the things I did with the children and around the house.

I am seeking my Mary Poppins.  Do you think you are up for the job?

• Need to be able to work with multiples who have special needs
• Must be able to drive a Ford E-350 15 Passenger Van (like this one)
• Must be drug/alcohol free,  have a clean driving record and be dependable
• Have the patience of Jesus and VERY laid back
• Be able to conduct home school lessons
• Take the children to their various doctor and therapy appointments
• Do cooking and cleaning as needed
• Must be able to read and speak English reasonably well
• Must be technology literate (use a cellphone and computer)

Not seeking perfection. Just someone who tries!

I am not trying to scare people off but on the other hand if you do not think you are up for the job I am not interested either.  I love my children very much and I am resentful of my husband for making me leave them.  I think they still need me so my "replacement" needs to be able to handle whatever three four-year-olds can throw at them with style and grace.  

If you are still reading you are made of hardy stuff!  Are you my Mary Poppins?  Would you be able to handle a job that is hard but VERY rewarding and filled with love?

I am potentially, once we are settled, looking for a live-in position so if that interests you let me know. Salary for this position will range from $1000 to $1400 per month depending on experience and other factors.  If you are interested please send me your resume with references and an explanation on why you are interested in taking care of my children to Michelle at murigheal72@yahoo.com.  Please list in the subject line Nanny Position.  Thank you!