I had a hard time in the weeks leading up the end of my leave trying to imagine how I would be able to leave Parker at daycare and how we would even function with a baby and two full time jobs. I questioned whether or not I really even wanted to go back to work, even though that was always my desire before Parker arrived. On Monday when Kris and I dropped Parker off at daycare I was still questioning myself and I cried the entire drive to work. But once I was in the office I realized how much I actually enjoy working! Don't get my wrong, I miss Parker like crazy and called into daycare to check up on her, but it was nice to be doing my job again. But as soon as that clock hits 5:00pm I'm racing out the door to get home to my family :) And that by far is the best part of my day.
As far as Parker and daycare goes, she has transitioned amazingly well. I was really worried that she wouldn't be able to nap in that environment with all the activity and noise and while she still won't sleep in a crib all that often, the teachers are letting her nap in the bouncer and swing. I'm so glad they are doing this rather than trying to force Parker into the crib. I was also concerned that she would be miserable and cry all day but she isn't being that fussy at all and when she does cry, she's very easy to soothe. Shouldn't she be missing her mother more???!!! Just kidding ;)
The teachers in Parker's room are great. Ms. Sherry is in her fifties and was a stay at home mom to one daughter. She started working in daycares once her daughter was a teenager. One day we somehow got on the subject of OU and it turns out that she has a lot of family in that area. What a small world! Ms. Adriana is in her thirties and has two daughters who are three and seven and she's taking college classes in the evenings...can you say supermom?! I love the way they just doll over Parker and treat her like one of their own children.
I'm really happy with our decision to have Parker at daycare. The social interaction she is getting is so valuable. It's much more than I could ever offer Parker by staying at home! Plus, the teachers are great with the activities they have lined up for the kids. Just this week we got our first piece of artwork from Parker! The kids did finger and foot painting--check out that adorable little footprint! My heart melted when I saw it :)
Parker loves "talking" to the other kids at daycare and Ms. Sherry and Ms. Adriana are impressed with how aware Parker is of everything that's going on. You can't imagine how happy I am to hear that she is having fun and doing well!
Here we are the morning of our first day of daycare! Please don't mind how awful I look. Going from sleeping ten hours each night on maternity leave to maybe six here will do that to you!
Sidenote: Parker is getting so big! I am in shock at how fast she is growing!
Life working, while enjoyable for me, is definitely more exhausting than my maternity leave. No more naps, no more daytime TV (which wasn't that good anyway!), no more shopping trips, and no more sleeping in. It's getting to bed late, getting up way too early, and trying to fit everything into a work day before I go home, drop everything, and snuggle with Parker. I've been getting up before Parker does to get ready so that when she wakes up we can play together. I love this morning routine because it starts my day off on the right foot.
And here are some early Valentine's Day pictures! Thanks to my Mom and Dad for the adorable outfit that Parker is wearing! She is going to be the cutest thing in her daycare class on Monday!
Little baby girl tutu and leg warmers :) Oh how I love having a little girl to dress up! And Baby Legs are seriously the best baby clothing item out there. I can't get enough of their cuteness (and practicability)!
Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Hope you have a wonderful day with your loved ones!
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