In April of 2009 we saw the birth of first child, Jimmie, who will be just over three and 1/2years old when our new Au Pair arrives. Jimmie is bright-eyed and generous with a strong vocabulary-. We are very lucky to now have a second son, Wally, who is 1/2 year old. He is a very happy child – quick to smile and laugh. Glenn (dad) is 40 and Laila 41.
The au pair will have her own bedroom and separate full bathroom. Our neighborhood, referred to as ”Roscoe Village,” offers many shops, cafes, restaurants, and galleries. A few blocks away are ”antiques row.” which boasts one of the City’s largest concentration of antique shops. Biking to Lake Michigan and along its shore is easy and fun. Our family watches television rarely, and prefers to do other activities.
Laila works in telecommunications, managing a sales and logistical team addressing the needs of an international banking group. Despite the geographic scope, she rarely is required to travel. Glenn is an attorney with a practice in downtown Chicago. He is a former prosecutor and currently deals with larger commercial real estate and financial transactions.
We have friends in Washington, D.C. and Michigan who we visit often. The Au Pair will always be welcome to come with us. We don’t look to the Au Pair to be a ”baby-sitter,” and separate ourselves from daily activity. Rather, we hope to provide guidance to the Au Pair, discuss her suggestions, and fashion short and long-term goals. Jimmie loves to have books read to him and to ”read” on his own. In that way, he is both loving and independent. When he laughs, it is often so strong that he doubles over in a ”belly laugh.” You will find him Gentle and kind, with a very good vocabulary and the beginnings of an ability to spell.
We expect that the Au Pair will be scheduled Monday – Friday from 7:30 to 16:30. The au pair will have evenings and weekends off. Very rarely we may have to change the schedule.
As to Jimmie’s daily routine, he gets up around 5:30 am, plays with us for an hour or so, and then has breakfast. When the weather is good, there are parks nearby and the neighborhood provides for good walks. Jimmie is off to Pre-school three days a week.