Day 197: The Big Day

Here are the two things LB took to her first day of daycare: her pink, knit blanket and Spiny Monster, her stuffed monster handmade by Auntie Franceil and given to LB on her first birthday. Spiny Monster has a privileged place in the crib at night along with Woolly Cat, and I sent Spiny to daycare because Woolly is in desperate need of a patch-up job. Spiny seemed happy enough to get out of the house (and perhaps away from Woolly?)

So today was LB's big day at daycare. This week, I'm also attending an instructors' academy at Mt. San Jacinto College, so the Lovejoy-Fordham Alliance had to get an early start this morning. I woke up at 5AM to start getting ready, and then I woke Tom and LB up at 6. I did feel a bit of remorse getting the wee possum up so early (though not Tom, apparently). She was all cuddled down in the crib with her friends and blankie and was none too happy when Mama pulled the curtains open to let a bit of sunshine in. Tom gave her breakfast and got her dressed, and as he was doing so, I overheard him telling her that she was going to have a fun day and make lots of new friends. It was very sweet.

I had to drop her off at Pam's house by 7AM in order to make it to the academy by 8. Leaving her was not as dramatic or traumatic as I thought it would be. When we arrived, three other kids were already there, and they were very interested in LB (and in Spiny Monster) and she was very interested in them (and in protecting Spiny--such a loyal little friend she is). I set her down on the floor and quickly left. I was afraid I would hear her crying as walked to the car, but fortunately (and mercifully) there was not a peep out of her.

Still, I was very anxious for the morning break at the academy so that I could call Pam and check-up. We paused around 11AM, and of course the first thing I did was get on my cell. Pam said that LB was doing "stellar." She played, ate a big second breakfast of cheerios and nectarine slices, and then played some more until about 9:30AM when she started looking around for Mama. Pam said she then started fussing, but she was quickly distracted when she was taken outside to play.

I called again during my afternoon break at about 1:45. Pam said LB had eaten another big meal, this time of pot roast, broccoli, and bread. It was then nap time, which, predictably was not so "stellar." Pam said she gave LB a sippy cup of warmed milk and put her in the cot with her blanket and monster. She said LB drank the milk and then started yelling--not really crying, but yelling. Pam and her daughter Chrissy, who also works at the daycare, took turns going in to comfort the little lady, but after several attempts gave up and just let her cry it out. I guess she fussed for about half of an hour before finally settling down. I told Pam I was sorry she put up such a fight and that I hoped she hadn't kept the other kids awake. Pam laughed and said she was used to it and that all the other kids just rolled over and went to sleep. LB was asleep when I called.

And when 4PM finally rolled around and the first day of the academy was over, I rushed out, anxious to see my sweet baby. When I got to Pam's 45 minutes later, LB was sitting on the floor by herself with her Spiny and blanket. Pam said that she only napped for about an hour (usually she goes from about 1 1/2 - 2 1/2 hours, so she definitely didn't get enough sleep) and that she was a bit more sensitive during the afternoon. For the final hours, she had been particularly grumpy and had sat by herself on the floor, looking at toys and yelling whenever Pam, Chrissy, or one of the other kids tried to get near her. When she saw me, she started fussing, but once she was in Mama's arms, she was chattering away. She kept pointing at the clock and babbling, so I figured she was telling me about how long I had left her there. Pam said she had a great first day, despite the rough patches around nap time and late afternoon.

LB was a tired little thing this evening. I was certain she would fall asleep during the car ride home, and though I saw those little eyelids hovering to close, she stayed awake, keeping her eyes on Mama. And she was in bed before 8 PM. And I think it's time for me to get to bed. I'm off to school early, but LB is staying home tomorrow with G. Back to daycare on Thursday.