We shoulda got the nanny

Way back in the day, when I was on mat leave with Ray, we debated between hiring a live-out nanny or putting Ray into daycare. Based on the $1200 a month salary we'd be paying, we opted for daycare, which was about 1/2 that. Now we have two, and the cost is nearly $1300 a month for both daycare and preschool/out of school care. Now, I'm also at work full time, and I'm finding it really hard to keep telling work that either Ray is sick or Greta is sick. This happens on average, 3-4 days per month. Not to mention, what if I get sick?

A live-in nanny isn't really an option for us, but someone who would watch the girls M-F, drive Ray to preschool and pick her up, do some light housework (laundry and floors and dishes really), and be able/willing to babysit one night a week would be a GODSEND!

Now, $1200 seems like a bargain for all that. Is this a pipe dream? Is there anyone out there who does this sort of thing, or is it only live-in?

To add to the mix, we're in Shawnigan, and it seems there's not much choice up this way. We definitely need someone here though, only because the preschool program is in Cobble Hill, and her kindergarten is also starting in Cobble Hill come September. Right now it's so hard on the girls:

Up at 6, dressed and in the car by 6:15. Drop off Ray at preschool at 6:30 when it opens, and then Greta and I are on our way by about 6:35 to Colwood, where her daycare is. It opens at 7:00, so we're there just afterwards, and if I don't leave there by 7:12 (or so), then I miss the blue boat at 7:25 and have to wait for the 7:35. Doesn't sound like much of a difference, but it is when you need to start work as close to 7:30 as possible!

Once June or July rolls around, they'll both be in the preschool together, and they do drop off/pick up a the kindergarten for Ray. Thing is, due to the hours of daycare and kindergarten, we'll be still paying full time rates for her once she starts. So now, instead of $1275 a month, we're looking at $1300 a month. That $25, again, doesn't seem like much, but it means something else suffers (usually our magazine habit).

What would be perfect for us is someone who can be here at 6:00 every morning, then they could feed the girls breakfast when they wake up and take Ray to preschool for 8:45 and hang out with Greta until it's time to pick up Ray, either just before or just after noon. Then they'd come home, have their naps here, and dinner would be started by the time Sailor and I arrive home around 5:00.

As it is, Ray's in preschool/care for 10 hours and Greta's at her daycare for 8 1/2 or 9. It's part of the price we pay for living up here I suppose.

If I could find someone who is trust-worthy, has a driver's license, a criminal record check, and infant/child first aid who would do all that for $1200 a month...

Update on Ray: she threw up bile three times over night and started running a fever around midnight. She received Motrin three times by evening, slept most of the day away, and went to bed again at 6. She was burning hot, so got some Tylenol as well and a quick bird bath to help cool her down. She was so tired and slept so soundly at nap time, she wet her pants and the bed, poor lamb.

Tomorrow, Greta's unofficial Godfather is taking her to daycare for us and depending on the weather (yes, it's supposed to snow again!), may or may not be bringing her back in the afternoon. Thank God we have the Pathfinder!

So, Greta'll be able to play and get outside, unlike today where she put her boots on three times over her slippers (and the last two times got them on the right feet too!), and we couldn't go out because of Ray.

And I HAVE to be on parade on Thursday. This fever has one day (or less) to leave my kid.