June 21

For the past few months, I have really been trying to think of exactly what I would like to do with my career path, considering I am graduating in a year. Believe it or not, just because I am nannying in my own little world down here, doesn't mean that my big kid world stops. So last night when I was filling out paperwork for an apartment and also admission into the school of social welfare, the admission paper asked what I wanted to do after graduating. I was dumbfounded and had to sit and think. After doing some research, I would now like to have a big kid job as a Juvenile Counselor. Crazy right?

Tonight, was really my first night going out on the town of Nashville. The city limits itself are really big. In Milwaukee, I feel like I'm easily crossing from one town to another. Here, we live about a 25 minute drive from downtown, and are still considered to be Nashville. Anyways, I really noticed that the churches down here are HUGE and also very beautiful. I understand that I'm in the "bible belt" but it really puts any other church I have seen to shame. I have also learned that the "projects" or poor housing, are really nice looking homes, that are painted super bright colors like yellows and oranges, so people know that they aren't really "nice" homes. Discrimination at its finest.

This week has been better for me. However, I am working all five days this week. So needless to say, I'm exhausted. The kids are cute as ever, they had pictures tonight on a sail boat with a nautical theme. However, tomorrow is my coupon day from Sarah..so I'm super excited to wake up and see what it is :)

Things I've learned: It really really makes me mad when I see unrestrained children in vehicles. I think that seat belts are super important and it breaks my heart to see young children who don't know any better being unrestrained. Also, I'm super uncomfortable going to places that I don't really know. (Tonight, I looked up shopping centers on the gps..not knowing the city..took me into a bad neighborhood) and also that I really wish I could help the homeless more than I can. Down here on almost every street corner you see a homeless person trying to sell a newspaper.

-Chels

June 17

WHAT A WEEK!

Ever since my birthday, I feel like my life has been a roller coaster, I've never been so emotionally tossed around. Last Wednesday, I was having a rough day, and I never would have thought a three year old could make my day. As I am sitting having a horrible day, crying during some parts, Camille comes and gives me the biggest hug and a kiss, and also gives me "Sleep" which is her blankie and tells me to "cheer up". It's times like these where I am looking forward to having my own kiddos to make my days better.

This week wasn't super eventful.  Since my last blog, I haven't really done anything spectacular. Since my aunt only has one more week working at Vanderbilt, things are starting to not be as crazy. Thursdays and Fridays, I basically have the day off. I can sleep in, take my time in the morning, open up my daily surprise from Sarah :), and go downstairs and help my aunt with the kiddos. I was told after the first couple of weeks, the time would get easier, and it has started getting easier. We are moving to Hudson, Alabama which is a suburb of Birmingham on the 29. It is crazy to think that I only have one more weekend in Nashville, I still have a lot to do and also a lot to see. So after this week, it is packing up time.

Things I have learned: My family loves to tell inappropriate jokes..just as much as I do. Being a Nanny where I live, gives me A LOT of time to watch Friends..I've watched 3 seasons in 2 weeks..sorry I'm not sorry.

-Chels

June 12

So once again, a crazy week. Having two kiddos running around is a lot to deal with. Each morning I wake up at 6:45 and go downstairs to start my day at 7:00 and 99% of the time, I have two little ones so excited to see me. Today, however, was a whole different ball game. When I came down at 7:00, it took the kids 2 hours to wake up. I told my aunt that I was bored. She said enjoy it when you can. So I enjoyed it for the most part, however there isn't much going on at 7:00 in the morning. It was nice because Patrick didn't need a morning nap, so I took the kiddos for a 2 mile walk around the neighborhood. It was one of the best feelings I have had in a while.

This past weekend, I went to the Opry Mills Mall. I have been to this place many times before. In 2010 Nashville suffered a horrible flood. The mall was flooded up to about seven feet, the pictures were insane. It made me think a lot about how a society comes together after these events. In 2 years, it is almost impossible to tell that these homes and famous places were considered a complete loss. If I wouldn't have known about the flood, I wouldn't of even been able to tell that anything like that had even happened.

I have also learned more things... Camille has the voice of Simon from Alvin and the Chipmunks (for those of you who don't know..I love those movies). She also loves my watch and Livestrong bracelet, very good incentives for napping.  I have also learned that no matter how silly you may feel acting like a chipmunk or a Disney Princess, they love you just that much more.

-Chels

So far this week has been crazy. Monday seemed to take foreeever, crabby kids..blah.blah.blah. Today wasn't so bad, Camille has decided that she doesn't like taking afternoon naps anymore which then makes life a vicious circle. Today, when she decided that she was done trying to nap, we put in Cars and as any responsible Nanny does, I started to doze off. However, I knew that I was dozing off for a while when I would wake up to a kiss on the cheek and her saying "wake up, I love you". Almost made being woken up by a child who is supposed to be sleeping worth it.

Also, each and every morning, I have a surprise to wake up to. No its not a child in by bed or a child screaming, before I left, Sarah and I exchanged gifts. I made her a t-shirt blanket and she spent the time and energy on a surprise for me every day I am gone, plus a few extras. Nothing makes my day better then having that something special getting to wake up to from that someone who means everything to you. I still can not thank you enough Sarah, I love you.

So things I have learned since the last blog: Camille doesn't forgot that I had ants all over my shoes at Blueberry Hill. One cup of coffee doesn't always do the trick. That no matter how many times you have to tell a kid no, they still love you. And that having a little piece of paper with your significant others hand writing, hard work, and thoughts to wake up to, is something I can't explain (really I can, but I'll save the sappy stuff for later).


-Chels

June 2

On Memorial Day, I said one of the hardest see ya laters. It was harder than anything I could of ever imagined. Memorial Day started my journey as a Nanny in Nashville, TN for my aunt and uncle until August. So far, it has been crazy. I started right away on Tuesday watching Camille who is 3 and Patrick who is 11 months. Before this, I have only seen Camille once and I have never met Patrick before, so coming into this I was nervous.

Tuesday went by easier than expected, which I was extremely thankful for. Wednesday, my uncle left for Birmingham for the night on a business adventure, which is also the night my aunt has to work the longest. Thursday, I watched the kiddos again and when my aunt came home, we went to a place called the Loveless Cafe. This cafe is very well known in Nashville. It sits on the old highways of Nashville. Friday, is the day that my aunt normally has off, but this time, she had to give a lecture at Vanderbilt University, so I watched the kids for a few hours. Today (Saturday) we went and picked blueberries in a town about an hour and a half east of Nashville. It was a lot of fun. Together, we picked almost six pounds of blueberries. Afterwards, we went and had the farms home made blueberry ice cream.

So far I have learned that, I need to put Camille down for a nap before I put Patrick down, otherwise it is a guarantee that she will wake him up. Also, that I like fresh blueberries (sorry Sarah, I may start fighting you over them). I found out that near blueberry..trees/bushes..whatever they are..there are ant hills...MANY of them.

-Chelsey