a good fit
I apologize in advance but I’m about to complain. A lot.
Yesterday, after getting up at 4:30 am and hitting the gym, making breakfasts and lunches, cleaning the kitchen, going to work all day, and then battling traffic, I got home only to find out that our new nanny of two days decided to quit. Apparently she didn’t think that “she and Maya were a good fit.”
This confuses me because aside from me, who doesn’t get along with Maya fabulously? Nobody. That’s who.
I promise these are the last of our trip photos...Me and Maya on the Champs-Elysees
Anyway, after seeing our “new” nanny out, Ali informed me we had no food in the house. “Not even eggs. Or hummus!”
I barely held back a “Heaven forbid you actually step foot into a grocery store” comment, put on my sweats, and walked down to Trader Joe’s.
Ali and I at Cafe Divinio in Barcelona. Not sure why I can't smile like a normal person.
Ali was still on his computer when I returned home. And he was still ignoring Maya. So I put the groceries away, gave Maya a bath, and got her organized. As I dragged my tired self back to the kitchen, guess what I saw?
Ali sitting in front of the TV.
Breakfast in Madrid: My kid eats broccoli and smoked salmon. What else could Nanny want?
I tried really hard. I swear I did! But my big mouth just wouldn’t stay shut.
Me: “So I guess dinner is going to make itself?”
Ali (not even looking up): “I’m open to eating whatever you want to make.”
Really, my husband’s generosity knows no bounds.
While I'm not going to win Mother/Wife of the Year Award anytime soon, I haven't killed anyone yet or shot myself in the head. And that, my friends, is how I calculate success these days. 
FANCY THAT FANCY THIS 
I’ll be her nanny. Does she still like me? I do think we “bonded” at that picnic. I told her what I did to my barbies. On second thought, she might be afraid of me…
Maya doesn’t dislike anyone…so of course she likes you!
I can’t admit I envy your current position, but I do envy your politeness and oooohhhhhh self control.
My politeness took every ounce of my self-control. LOL
Nanny issues are so hard. It’s not about Maya though it’s really about you. I’m totally kidding, if she couldn’t go to the grocery store maybe she was just lazy. Now let’s talk about your smile…
Of course it’s not about Maya! It’s all about me! 🙂
Wow that’s crazy about the nanny excuse–> low blow to blame it on Maya (and which I highly doubt to be true)! At least one thing is for sure: you struck gold with Ali- your husband is very accommodating (yes that’s 100% sarcasm)! Have a great weekend :)!
I agree…totally odd to blame it on Maya. And I’m trying my best to make sure Maya doesn’t have a complex about it!
Umm Maya looks like a doll…I can’t see anyone not getting along with her. The nerve!
And don’t you love it when men can’t read between the lines!? 🙂
Ali can’t read the lines, never mind between the lines!
Oh I would have freaked out if that was my day. You have much more self control than me!!!
I definitely freaked out. I think I said to Ali, “My God, I feel like I can’t breathe!”
Of course he ignored me.
This is MY LIFE – minus the kid. Except my husband would add “make sure dinner is healthy, okay.” To which I respond with preparing fried chicken and mashed potatoes (with LOTS of heavy cream and butter)…
You husband wants a healthy dinner, mine wants an unhealthy dinner. We need to trade! Ali loves mashed potatoes. 🙂
Oh, we had a little tiff last night over this very topic. Say no more. Granted we have a puppy and not a child to care for, so I see the subtle differences…
In some ways a puppy is harder because they never really become independent!
Oh my. Just a tiny bit of understanding would’ve been nice considering the nanny quitting situation. Oh, dear.
Just a tiny bit. That’s all I wanted!
Ohhhh, Ameena,
Ali needs an ass kickin’
Metaphorically speaking that is.
Xxxx Kiss
Or literally….
Oh man…Ali…Ali…I hope that he got a boot in his ass 🙂
My girlfriend’s nanny also hightailed it out of her house without a “2week or whatever it is warning”…I think it had to do with both of them working 12 hours and more during the week. It wasn’t fair to her to be there all day…but it also wasn’t fair of her to leave them high and dry like that.
I guess I’m grateful she did it now versus down the road when I was really depending on her!
I’m so frustrated with my job search right now… how does Maya feel about having a nanny who is a former marketing professional?
Jk. Sort of.
I know of people looking to fill marketing positions…unfortunately they are here in Los Angeles. Are you interested in a relocation??
My dad actually gets sick from eating food that is not cooked by my mom. I am not sure if he is lying or not, but my mom has been making his meals for the past 25 years.
Really? Like physically sick? What does he do when he goes on vacation?
I don’t think I could sanely handle that. I flip out when I make dinner and he doesn’t wash dishes immediately… marriage scares the heck out of me.
A dish hasn’t been washed by Ali in the 11 years we’ve been married. Save yourself! It’s too late for me. 🙂
Sorry about the crappy day and the nanny. I think the positive spin to this is that if she cant handle a positively pleasant, school aged kiddo than you don’t want her. The woman is obviously not cut out for being a nanny. I hope today is much better and you will find someone who thinks Maya is fab.
Thanks for the support my friend. So glad to have my readers – you always make me feel so much better!
This scenario sounds all too familiar but instead of Forrest ignoring a kid…it’s a dog. On the bright side, at least you can walk to Trader Joe’s! I would have to get in a car and drive almost 200 miles – no good.
Happy Friday, friend!
I would be lost without TJ’s…
And a Happy Friday to you too!
The funny thing is that my husband would rather go hungry. Cooking dinner…..well how can he?he has a nanny too ….me, legally his nanny….ugh men! I still remember those days when we would make chana masala for me.
He made chana masala for you? Now THAT is impressive. Can’t say I’ve ever had Ali make me anything!
I feel so lazy now getting up at 7. I usually am a morning person but our 3 weeks of partying during Chiristmas break got me all out of whack.
Your complaining is totally justified. What a horrible day. When our kids were little and Glenn was somewhat oblivious to me needing help I definitely communicated what I needed. Sometimes men need to be told straight up. It would be great if they could just see what was needed but unfortunately it doesn’t always happen.
I’ve tried to communicate straight up but Ali ignores me. It’s this very frustrating dynamic!
hahaha at least you got a trip to paris and spain out of the deal 😉 I love the trips photos, keep them coming!
that nanny is a wretched person.
I am fondly remembering the leisurely days of my vacation right now…
That’s mean of the nanny. Did you ask her specifically what it was? She is such a sweet kid, so well behaved and keeps herself entertained. I can’t imagine some nanny saying that. She wasn’t good enough anyway. you have such a seductive smile in your pics 🙂 And I think with men, they don’t know how to read between the lines, I have read books on marriage and they said you have to ask for help. And then most of them say no. I don’t know girl!!! 🙂
We did ask Nanny and she just kept saying “not a right fit.” So I think she just didn’t want to do it! I guess it was harder than she thought.
I want to be her nanny! Seriously, best job ever.
I want you to be her nanny! You just have to move to Los Angeles. 🙂
funny post!!
Sana, my husband says he gets sick from food not made by me! I have spoiled him rotten. Today, the kids are off from school and I just wanted to sleep one extra hour, but there he was hovering over me w/ that sad ” aren’t you getting up to make me, your hard working hubby, a nice breakfast ” look. arghhh.
I somehow always get that sad look too…and I fall for it every time! What is wrong with me??
Your self-control is amazing. I’d have gone straight over to the husband and done some damage to the technology that keeps him from fulfilling his role as a parent/husband/adult. Oh yea. It’s always tough going back to the routine after a vacation. Somehow, routines need to be refreshed and reinvented after a vacation!
I think about damaging the iPad but then I know he’d just rush out and get another one in a blink of an eye. So really, I should just go buy myself something with that money instead. 🙂
i was going to write a long comment here but then I saw mayas pic…SHE IS ADORABLE…
You are so sweet. Thank you!
My mom told me once that she went through a lot of nannies for me when I was a kid, so I can totally relate. I mean, not everyone can cope with our rare maturity, you know? That or I liked to use my nanny’s arms as canvases for my Next Great Work of Art.
I love it – Nanny’s arms as a canvas? Cute.
That nanny obviously has a problem. Maya can come over anytime any day to my house! My kids couldn’t even hear the word broccoli without cringing. She’ll be a good role model! Too bad we’re not neighbors.. 😦
You should set up a new house rule (like in my house): there will be no cooking by me after 7 PM. If someone’s hungry (meaning my husband), he’s free to fix himself something to eat. Works like a charm.. 🙂
Hope you find a better nanny soon. Have a great weekend!
I wish we were neighbors! You have no idea. Plus then I’d be living in NY! 🙂
Whenever someone starts talking about the amazing dinner that their husband cooked for them, I automatically tune them out because I couldn’t even begin to know what that is like. Mine can’t even fry an egg…I remember after we came home from the hospital with Lil Z, I stood in the kitchen in the morning with sleepy eyes while holding on to my C-section scar while the baby dangled from a boob as he nursed and hubby breezed into the kitchen and asked what was for breakfast…
Sorry about the nanny, we’ve had ours for over a year now and I don’t know what I’d do if she left!
Ali can boil an egg. That’s about it. I can SO relate. And you are one lucky lady with a good nanny – I’m envious!
Hang in there.
Thanks Deena. 🙂
You just make me laugh out loud. I have days like that.
Except we have no Trader Joe’s.
You might not have TJ’s but you have Laduree…I’d gladly trade!
Bummer I don’t live out there. I’d be her nanny and you guys’ personal chef. In a heart beat.
You have no idea how much I could use both!! I wish you lived here too…
Aww, poor bella! I hate days like that.
Heh, I went through two nannies before I found a good match. The first was a nasty witch, the second was young and awesome but left when her mom had a stroke, and the third was a lovely lady from Honduras who was like a second mother to me.
But seriously, who doesn’t like Maya? I met her only for an hour or so but I loved the kiddo!
You are too sweet…thank you (on behalf of Maya).
I’m sorry about the Nanny situation. I dont have kids yet, But I hear ‘Nanny-woes’ all the time from friends. Have you heard of Care.com? My friends’ found a nice lady on there!
You wake up at 4:30? WOW! I wake up at 6 (i feel guilty if i dont go for my Yoga classes) and my husband thinks I’m crazy coz there are classes later in the day too and considering that I’m unemployed right now, I could go for an evening class, but that I feel messes my ‘schedule’.
And, if it makes you feel any better, everytime I have asked my husband for help with dinner, he always pours out OJ, in a glass and goes back to watching TV! Maybe i’m not phrasing it right for him coz everytime i say: ‘Can you help me with dinner?’, he gets up pours two glasses of juice (thankfully one is for me!) and goes back to watching TV!
Ironically, Care.com is where we found Nanny!
So apparently orange juice is an integral part of helping with dinner? Too funny. And how random? But at least you get the juice. I get NOTHING! 🙂
I’ll happily be Maya’s nanny. And your grocery shopper + sous chef 🙂
I need all three!! So badly.
Helllllllooooooooooo, 2 wks notice or at least, some type of notice. I’d definitely complain to your nanny service. Very unprofessional to just quit like that. I’ve never met Maya, but I already adore her (probably because I imagine her to be a Mini-Me of her glorious Mama).
You and Ali sound like a case study out of that old tome “Men are from Mars, Woman are from Venus.” Gals give everything one point: Ali plays with Maya – 1 pt, Ali makes dinner – 1 pt, Ali takes you & Maya to Paris/Barcelona/Madrid for New Year’s – 1pt. Guys give whatever they do a lot of points: Ali tells you there’s no food – 5 pts, Ali takes you to P/B/M for NYE – 100 pts. It’s only Jan 13th, and he probably figures he’s good until say Valentine’s Day.
Actually, if I can live in NY then I am okay with Ali never, ever helping with a single thing again. Are you reading this Ali? Buy us a nice place in NYC and you are off the hook!
I am appalled. Simply appalled. Two days. TWO DAYS!? That’s not okay. Her reasoning is code for “I don’t know what a job is, sorry.” Throwing Maya into that was bogus, if you ask me.
And Ali…I have no words. For once, I am without words for him. But whatever I would normally say…he knows.
He probably doesn’t know. You must spell things out Jenna! And even then he might not get it…
That nanny is horrid. And extremely unprofessional (at the very least). The good thing is you got the crazy out of your house earlier than later – silver lining.
Horrid is a great word. I need to use it more often because it totally makes the point!
Sorry the nanny upped and quit! How annoying. Not a good fit after one day? What does that even mean? Anywho, real life is hard and tiring and exhausting. Unfortunately. And if a certain person doesn’t help you out well then it’s that much harder. Don’t you just wish you could go back to Europe? Or anywhere but here? You have a sultry smile. I like it!!
I want to go back to Europe so much! But you are exactly right, real-life isn’t all fun and vacations, it’s hard and tiring! Certain members of the younger generation don’t really get that. Unfortunately is right.
You are lucky that nanny is leaving, you should not have a nanny that is not absolutely nuts about Maya and that Maya is not absolutely nuts in return. Seriously nannies don’t have to do much but be fun plus Maya is at school have the day right? I hope you find a good one soon. As for Ali, unfortunately he is like too many men, fortunately you can both provide for a nanny/help. As for groceries don’t you have a grocery delivery service like Peapod or if Trader Joes is this close you can ask them if they deliver. Set up weekly or bi weekly deliver at least this way you can be certain there is always something in the fridge, plus TJ has really good frozen dinner section, and their Indian meals are pretty good 😉 I always keep them stocked in the freezer for days like this (which are too many).
TJ’s is really close by but they don’t deliver. I think I just need to be better about meal planning or something – I never really excelled in the domestic arena. 😦
Maybe the nanny didn’t fit with any kid. Maya looks like a sweet girl – definitely the nan ya loss. As to dinner I think I might have emptied the freezer into Ali’s lap. Then he could choose what to eat : ) GG
I agree – I think the nanny didn’t actually understand how hard it would be to take care of a kid! I certainly didn’t until I had one. 🙂
That sucks that the nanny quit – her loss!
Eventually I will agree…right now it’s totally my loss. 😦
At that point, I think I’d be reaching for the phone for take-out!
This is a good idea except that a. very few good places deliver, and b. Ali and I can never agree on a particular restaurant!
We have loads of problems…
Oh, and, by the way, my husband has to deal with me. I say, “You can decide what we’ll eat.” Then he’ll make one suggestion, which I’ll nix, then another, which I’ll nix, and then finally I’ll be the one making the decision AND the meal.
Yep, total control freak.
HA! This is me exactly. No wonder we can’t agree on take-out!
What and WHAT? Hope you find a new nanny soon — and, no offense to Ali (or you), but I would have been furious if that was my husband’s reaction to the lack of food/dinner after the events of that day!
No offense taken. Actually, Ali said he wasn’t going to read the comments of this particular post because he knew people would tear him apart!
How could someone not find Maya adorable?!? I’m not sure I could refrain from giving Ali a smack up the back of the head. You live within WALKING distance of a Trader Joe’s?!? Now I’m really jealous…
When Trader Joe’s opened near us a few years ago? It was probably the happiest day of my life. No joke.
So unprofessional of that nanny to just ditch the job like that! Maya at least eats her veggies unlike lots of other kids. My sister whose 16 doesn’t even eat broccoli for dinner -.-
She eats them now…I’m hoping I can keep it up as she gets older and develops an opinion that I can’t sway!
sorry about the nanny! how annoying!! my cleaning lady did that with me…no notice, just one day decided she didn’t want to work anymore.
My fabulous housekeeper has been with us for 10 years now. I don’t know what we’d do without her! At least she’s still with us. 🙂
Wow, persnickety nanny!
And thank you for writing an entry that gave me the opportunity to use the word persnickety.
And if I didn’t think so before, now I really think the husband owes you cookies and tea.
I feel very English writing the word persnickety…love it.
Huh, the nanny was a lemon. That’s a bummer do have to deal with. And I don’t have to meet your daughter to see that in her pictures she has a very gentle, sweet presence about her. So, what’s not a good fit?
What to do with husbands? I have no answers, but I do have this…you’re obviously (after reading many of your posts) a great wife, and he owes you. 🙂
Take care,
Shauna
Shauna – none of us have answers! But I appreciate the sweet comment. 🙂
Hahahah what a giver, your husband is.
A giver for sure! 🙂
Sorry about the nanny, probably best if she is the type to handle things that way. I have to say though, Ali would starve in my house, lol.
I hope you are having a wonderful beginning to 2012 🙂
With all of your amazing cooking? I doubt anybody could starve in your house – intentionally or not!
And with posts like this I am forever grateful that I have set no precedence that I will be cooking for the Spaniard on a regular basis. It’s a treat when I cook and he is SO grateful! Maybe you should take a meal preparation hiatus!? A “fend for yourself” month? But what do I know I am only a few months into this thing called marriage. 🙂
On the other point – the nanny – basically SHE did not fit with Maya’s sophistication. But getting stuck like that sucks. So sorry!
My treat at the Ritz if you can make it back in the next two weeks 🙂
The great thing about Spain is that cooking seems to be the exception, not the rule. Another reason to live in Europe like you do!
I want to be at the Ritz more than you know….
That sucks about the nanny – but good riddance. Maya sounds like she would be a dream to be around compared to most kids I know at her age!
I might not be the most objective person but Maya is a dream compared to kids her age – for sure!
You are a better person than I am, I can tell you that much. Pretty sure I would just pour myself a bowl of cereal and tell my husband to starve. But of course, that could also be a big reason for why I’m single. 🙂
Nothing wrong with being single, in my opinion. Enjoy not having to do anything for anyone as long as you can!!
Wow. Why don’t they get it? Why?
It’s one of those age-old questions with no answers.
1. I LOVE The Ameena Smile. It’s a classic. Sometimes I action it too.
2. Marcus helps me to cook, but his responses about what he might possibly want to eat are positively sphinx-like. Is it so hard to say I’m In The Mood For Enchiladas?
1. Thank you. You are too sweet.
2. I’m still sort of shocked that your husband helps you cook. Not sure I can comment on the rest of your sentence!!
eugh!
i once had a nanny leave me after two weeks… she said she was going on christmas vacation and then never came back…i was heartbroken because obviously our love was not mutual…nannys leaving is very annoying but …good riddance i guess?
and yeah…fathers/husbands + grocery shopping = too good to be true.
That wasn’t very nice of your nanny…to leave without saying goodbye? Harsh!
I admire you for holding it all in till you got home to Ali’s gracious dinner accommodations. My puppy’s eaten up all my patience and I can’t imagine what I’d do when we have kids. Men, your husband and mine included, need to be sent back to Mars for some reprograming.
Sometimes I wonder if dogs are more work…because they never do become independent! At least kids can take themselves to the bathroom. Eventually!
Hi Ameena, I left a reply to your question in your “Ask Me” section…
Take care,
Shauna
Thank you Shauna! I am off to check it out. 🙂
This makes me so thankful for the fact that my husband does 50% of everything around the house including clean, cook and grocery shop.
I’m so envious it’s not even funny.
I would be crying my eyes out if that was my day. I can’t believe how much you’re expected to do.
Just the fact that you – a total stranger – thinks that I do a lot makes me feel SO much better about all I have to do!
this is the point where I would have whacked said husband over the head with a carrot stick and took myself out to dinner. Sorry you had a day like that; definitely not worth repeating. Ali take note.
Ali said he wasn’t going to read the comments! I bet he’s not taking notes of any kind. 😦
Oh no! Hope you found a better Nanny by now, my dear. Probably better she left anyways. I wouldn’t want anybody who doesn’t get along with my child to be taking care of my child. In a way, I think this was a good thing.
No Nanny, but we signed her up for after school care instead. It’s a bit trickier to schedule but much more reliable!
PS
You have a beautiful smile, my dear.
Thank you. 🙂
Woh ho…I loved the sarcasm in the end…though I was so sympathising with you throughout…you know we never realize how much backdrop of efforts someone goes through to eventually be so perfect as you are*standing ovation*
🙂
Getting up at 4:30 is ridiculous. You have to quit working so hard. Seriously. You might break something or possibly suffer a nervous breakdown. Poor dear.
We all can empathize each other. Seriously.
Bummer about the nanny 😦
I laughed so hard about Ali’s “open to whatever” comment. haha Mainly because I’ve heard that before too.
is that a cali thing? NOT a good fit with maya? It’s a f*cking job!
Yes…I think people don’t really understand what a job entails anymore!!