We went and visited the center, and I don’ think it’s the one that Scary Dragon goes to ;), but the caregivers seemed really nice, which is important. They also shoot for a 1:3 ratio, instead of the 1:4 regulated ratio, and they also have students in there, and I’m all about the hands-on learning environments, so that’s cool, too.  Ingrid beamed at all the caregivers, and was craningher neck to see the babies, and I recognized one baby as being the one I always see in a Mei Tai around town (and whose mama and I have talked in a Babywearers, Unite! kind of way).   I also explained that I’m kind of not a student, technically, anymore, but the director totally understood the situation and said it wasn’t a problem and that I’d still count. But, after December, I’d have 3 months to be affiliated with the uni in some way (job or student) if I wanted to stay there. So, I don’t feel so bad about wanting this for short-term, since it’s highly likely I’d be short-term under THEIR rules, anyway.

Everything seemed very fated — I also had email from my advisor, checking in, plus that I even GOT this voicemail is BEYOND miraculous. Truly. But still… $125 is a lot for us, to add as a weekly expense, so I’ve been trying to figure that out.

Then, my mom called. "Since we bought Kate’s plane ticket home, we’d like to buy you three weeks of childcare, so that you can get this DONE." Decision? MADE.  Of course, Dave is working late tonight (hockey game) so I KNOW he’s freaking out about money, and has been since I left to see the center and he went back to work. Truly, though, 3 weeks will get me done with school, at the very least, and into the busy season, where if I want to keep her there, then we can afford to take over the payment part. I totally cried. I’m such a pussy.

$125 a week is better than $165, for sure, but it’s STILL HUGE for us, right now. Especially since it would be putting out cash and not bringing IN any for the time out. But, it’s an investment, it’s an investment, I just need to FINISH. FIN. ISH.  And that is looking more and more like a good possibility. I cannot WAIT to get that light blue fucking hood, thank you very damn much. (OKay, the hood won’t come til May, but the PAPER will be here very. very. soon.)