How Did She Do??

We got up early this morning so we would have plenty of time to get ready - showered, dressed in a pretty dress, fed, lunch made, etc. Lucy moved into our bed around 5 am. I was glad she snuggled in with us this morning. I just wanted her to be close. I didn't really go back to sleep after she got in bed with us, and I just kept finding myself watching her sleep and thinking that she was too little to leave in the morning. I really did have a hard time sending her off. She is my baby. She is my first. She is my little partner in crime every single day. I almost felt lost without her.

Anyway, getting back on track here. When we were about 2 blocks from the church, I look back at her in her car seat and can see that she is starting to get really nervous. She knew where we were headed. Her little bottom lip puckered up and she almost started to cry. But I interrupted her and started telling her all of the fun things that she would be doing today - coloring, reading books, playing outside, etc. She calmed right down and just listened quietly as I kept reassuring her. She stayed totally calm while Justin carried her inside and I kept talking. We got to her classroom and there were a few other moms in line dropping off their kids and talking to the teachers. So Justin stayed back with her and pointed out all of the stuff in the hallway. I chatted with the teachers for a second and then had Justin hand her to me. She started crying and had a death grip on me with her little face buried in my neck. Kills me. My eyes were starting to get teary, so I just handed her over to her sweet teacher, we told her how much we loved her, and that we would be back very soon.

I wanted to say, "Just give her back. She isn't ready." But instead I went around the corner and listened. She was crying, and then it just stopped. Almost instantly. I wanted to stay and listen longer but Justin insisted we left. So we did. I went and met Mandy for coffee and to catch up. It was awesome. We were able to chat undisturbed for an hour. By 11:15 I was getting antsy and nervous. Mandy told me it was fine to call and check on her. I tried not to, but I broke down and had to call. Luckily, I don't think that I was the first to do such a thing because the lady that answered sure didn't sound surprised to hear from me. She had to go and check on Lucy and then she called me back to say that she was happily eating her lunch and has not been upset. I was relieved. I have two good friends who work at the church and they both checked on her multiple times and she was never crying. In fact, she was playing and seemed to be having a good time!!

Justin and I went to lunch with some friends and then I insisted it was time to go. Liz, you were pretty accurate in your guess of how the day went. I was staring at the clock the ENTIRE time and was ready to get her way before it was time. I had to force myself to not rush through lunch because there was no rush.

Her program is from 9-2, which seems like a crazy long day to me, but right after lunch, they lay down on little cots for nap time. I told her teachers that there was no way she would nap there. Not only would she not like it, but it is too early. She normally naps around 1 or 2 and they put them down at 11:45. They get them up around 1:30 or 1:45 so that they have a minute to wake up before the parents get there.

So, we show up around 1:50, and I literally ran from the car into the building. Justin was with me again and he totally made fun of me for running. I could not help it. When I peek around the corner, one of her teachers is holding her and talking to another mom. She sees us and completely melts down. Huge crying. I knew that would happen. Justin takes her around the corner and she settles right down. I have a million questions for the teachers. They give me a GLOWING report. She only cried for about a minute when we dropped her off. No other tears the entire time until she saw us again. She played well, she ate pretty well, and get this - SHE NAPPED!! She was one of the kids that they had to wake up. I almost fell over I was so shocked. I was the proudest momma there.

This has gotten long enough, so I am going to stop here, but I want to write more tomorrow about what happened after school and how she acted. Even though she did so well, I think it took its toll on her and she definitely acted that out about an hour or so after we picked her up. She is totally fine though and I know she is going to adjust just fine. Here are pictures of my little school girl. I really missed my baby, but school is going to be great, for all of us.

Doesn't she look so cute?!?!

My very first day!



Her flower shaped sandwich. Thanks Lee Lee!

Her first school lunch

On our way in with Dad

Her first ever drum lesson with Dad after school. She is actually kind of good. Better than me for sure!