The Mayo Clinic Visit

Congrats to Diana. Mia, Natasha and I went to visit Diana in Rochester during her radiation treatments. She is doing great and we are all so proud of her!!!

All is well

Things seem to be coming together. Mia made it through her first week and did really well. Dennis has taken over the childcare duties for the next two weeks. The more I stay away from the whole situation ( I have found) the easier it is on both of us. Dennis loves Kinderberry and thinks I just need a little time to see how well Mia is adjusting. I waited for her to wake up in the middle of the night crying...nothing. I looked for pinch marks and bite marks...nothing. I looked for dehydration signs...nothing. My biggest fear was that she wouldn't seem attached to me...wrong. I'm not saying that I'm pro-working/pro-daycare. All I'm saying is if you make that choice, the kids do survive. If you're lucky--they even thrive. I know it is just the beginning, but at least I've stopped crying.

On second thought

Okay, maybe I spoke too soon. Today was Mia's first day at daycare and I felt as if I lost my best friend. I was fine until we took her to the back room with the other kids and she preferred the comfort of her daddy's lap. I watched from the other room on a little television. I thought this was a great benefit until I realized how gut wrenching it can be to watch your child look overwhelmed and bewildered by the whole experience and you are unable to comfort her. I started crying and left the room to go outside. The perky daycare provider told me not to worry that all parents experience this. I wanted to tell her a few things, but I didn't. Dennis came over and tried to calm me down. Keep in mind, it is 7:30am on 6th street and the coffee shop was packed. I'm certain most people thought I was just diagnosed with a terminal illness. Haven't had a cry like that in quite some time. I decided to take Mia home with me at noon. I'm also not taking her back tomorrow. I need one more full day with her. I have to keep in mind that I have a great opportunity ahead of me and I'm really dying for some adult interaction. I know she will be fine...she is such a happy little soul. I'm just not convinced this is the best option for Mia or me. Something just seemed wrong about the whole thing. She should be able to eat with her bunny at the table, drink from a sippy cup, snack all day, and sleep when she wants...shouldn't she?

Mia's 1st day of daycare

 

 

On Children

I remember that it was the last week of school before summer arrived. It was 1980 and I was at Lynn Medcalf's house waiting for my dad to pick me up. Lynn's mom came into her room and said that we had to listen to this writing. I've never forgotten that moment and just recently came across the writing again while searching for readings during my wedding a couple of years ago. I firmly believe this to be true...I just need to keep reminding myself as Mia and I begin to separate a little. I watched her walk to the car with her daddy yesterday on her first big day at school. I thought I would cry, but for some strange reason I was too happy for her new adventure.
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On Children Kahlil Gibran

Your children are not your children.They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself.They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts, For they have their own thoughts.You may house their bodies but not their souls,For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in you dreams.You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.For life goes not backward not tarries with yesterday.

Change of status

As of May 18th, I will no longer be a 'stay at home' mom. It was around the second week in March that I started to think about going back to work. I chalked it up to the weather and Mia's long string of colds that made me start to get excited about the prospect of working again. I've always worked and wasn't sure how I would handle such a big change in my life. I wouldn't change a thing about my experience over the last year. I joined an amazing play group with a bunch of really interesting women, went to ECFE classes, did the mommy and me (yes, I had to wear a swimsuit in February) swim classes, and reluctantly danced with the other parents during the music and me classes--all in an effort to fulfill my new role as a mommy. We found a really wonderful place for Mia to be during the day. She will be downtown with Dennis and me. We can drop in for lunch or just a visit at anytime. I'm not sure how this will go, but we are ready for the next chapter in Mia's life.

 

 

Off to the May day parade

 

 

 

 

Off to the swings

Mia's new favorite activity is swinging at the park. She screams and claps her hands every time we get near the park entrance.

Miss Mimi's busy Sunday

Mia started her morning off with a quick breakfast at Gigi's. She loves thier egg thingy.