Congratulations Dena on your new baby. Training takes a lot of time, patience, and love. Sounds like you are going to be a great mother. Working outside the home can be difficult. Training still works, but it will just take a little longer. I would not crate train the baby during the day, if nobody is going to be home. The playpen or exercise pen would be a better choice. Bed, toys, food, water and a wee wee pad at one end. Playpen or exercise pen will also keep them safe from chewing on things that could hurt or kill them. Do not let the baby have roam of your home unless you can watch every move and be able to react when they get to smelling around. The first thing to do is get a schedule that everyone can live with. If you crate train at night, you should only give the baby enough room to stand, turn around and lay down. Anything bigger, they will use leftover space for a bathroom. Also, crate training will require you to take the baby outside during the night to use the bathroom. Depending on the age, anywhere from every two hours to maybe only once. They will cry to let you know. Sometimes it's better if you put the crate in your bedroom. Cover it with a sheet or blanket to make it feel more like a cozy den. The baby feels more secure being close to you, and you will be able to hear them cry. If you don't respond to their bathroom cry, they will potty in their bed. That can be a real mess. If they cry right after you take them outside to pp or poo, then they only want to be let out to play and not sleep. Here is a link that may help you further in your crate training. Good Luck.
www.midwesthomes4pets.com