Mother's Day Out

Audrey started Mother's Day Out yesterday! She will go twice a week from 9:00-1:00. I can't believe what a big decision it was for us to send her. I have worried over this and prayed about it for months! I know that it is important for her social development to be around other children her age but even though I know that, it is still hard to send her to someone else! I have learned a lot about what my students' parents went through and the trust they put in me when they sent me their children everyday!

We went Monday night to "Meet the Teacher" and we were impressed with both of Audrey's teachers. They were very kind and loving and that is exactly how I want them to be! We had to drop Audrey off in her classroom and then go to the sanctuary for Parent Orientation. When we left her, she cried just as she does when we leave her at the nursery at our church. When we came back to get her, they had her in one of those kidney shaped tables with seats in it and she was stuffing her face with goldfish!! She looked like she was having a grand time!


Clay and I both left feeling very good about our decision. We like the facilities, the teachers, the director and the security. Even though I felt good about it, the worries didn't end. Now that I had actually met the teachers, I began to worry over other things.

For example: would they help her eat? They said I needed to send finger foods for her and that she needed to be able to feed herself. That's all fine and dandy for those other babies but MY BABY likes applesauce for lunch and she can't feed that to herself. I sent the applesauce anyway-- with a spoon. They either threw it away or they fed it to her-- who knows?? Another thing: they said I needed to send her a nap mat. Seriously?? My 11 month old is going to sleep on a MAT?? Apparently she did it! I can't believe it! So proud! I know you other mommas can symphathize with the nap mat stuff. They told me 2 days before school started that she needed it. So you can imagine how upset I was that I wasn't going to be able to find her a precious little Bailey Boys nap mat and have it monogrammed within an inch of its life! That turned out to be in the best interest of our wallets, however! I bought a mat from the school and I actually like it just fine! When we brought it out for Audrey, she knew exactly what to do with it. How did she know this?


Her daddy loved her nap mat also. He loves his sleep about as much as Audrey does!

Her actual first day of school went off pretty well. She did cry a bit more than she does at church but I listened outside her door and it didn't take long for her to settle down. When I came back to get her at 1:00, her teacher said she had a great day and that she slept well. She did say that Audrey fell asleep sitting in that kidney shaped table during lunch! She said she laid her head on the baby's shoulder that was sitting next to her! She's going to send me pictures of that! I think Audrey was having a good time because she was smiley and giggly when I got her. On her daily report, the teacher said she was "cheerful". Yes, she is a cheerful, happy little baby!


Ready to go play!

Mrs. Gwen and Audrey on the first day of MDO!
Overall, we are pleased with Audrey's response to the first day. We think she's going to love getting to go play with someone besides Momma for 8 hours a week. I am excited about what she is going to learn and the little bit of a break for me doesn't hurt either! I think I have already filled those 8 hours a week up between now and Christmas! Clay and I can't recall a time that I have been alone in our house for more than 30 minutes (when he took her to Wal-Mart one time) since she was born. What am I going to do with myself?? I miss her already but OH THE POSSIBILITIES!! I have a TO-DO list as long as my arm. I think that next Tuesday will be spent cleaning (unless someone asks me to lunch and then it will be drop everything and socialize! Just kidding, Clay. Sorta.) I am actually looking forward to cleaning my house! Imagine that!