Tag Archives: daycare

Already healing

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Charlotte’s battle wound is making huge improvements. It’s unfortunate for Chloe that she picked such a fair-skinned victim. Yesterday was looking pretty brutal, but today, she’s looking much better.

And better yet, through it all, she hasn’t seemed to be in pain at all. I literally haven’t seen her touch her face or wince once.

I forgot to mention, we also got a text from C’s teacher checking in on her today (Saturday). After a little discussion, she sent this text: 

Oh I’m so glad she’s a bit better today. She IS tough but I still plan to protect that little girl like she was my own. Tell her I’m thinking of her! 


Just a few scratches (and crumbs) left on the chin and then some decent bruising across the cheek and chin.


And to show C’s mega healing capabilities, the initial photos (taken apx 1-2 hours after the incident) and the second pics (taken 4ish hours after the incident).

   

  

  

  

First Day Back to School

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  Today was Charlotte’s first day back at school post-Winter Break. Her school was closed for two full weeks.

I was a little nervous about her going back… not that she wouldn’t love it once she was there, but that she would cry when I dropped her off, etc.

Well, our little love proved me wrong.

She was SO excited to go back this morning. During the break, we had been reading the book her teachers made for her that has a picture of each student on a page with a little comment, ie: “Charlotte loves playing…” 

    
   
When we got into her classroom this morning, I put Charlotte down and her teacher said, “Let’s go check out the activity table!” (Each morning they have a different activity set up for the kids… painting, a game, etc.). Charlotte literally just turned to the table and started walking towards it. I had to say, “Excuse me little Miss… what about a kiss for momma?”

She turned back, gave me my smooch and walked away.

Well then! haha But really, it makes me so happy! How special for her to have so many loving people and places in her life…

She has mommy and daddy, she has Nana who watches her 2 mornings and one full day a week, she has Grandma & Grandpa who she saw daily for the first 13+ months of her life and now sees in the afternoons, she has Grampie & Grammy Amy who she plays with weekly and now, she has school with friends and teachers who absolultely adore her and teach her such wonderful things.

She’s a very lucky little munchie.

Here’s an adorable card they made for C’s school bestie (aka Cujo – Mark’s nickname for her, as she’s bitten Charlotte twice), Chloe, who has been out sick this week.

Chloe Card 1

2015 Chanukah MJP Party

Can you see little Charlie hugging her bestie, Chloe?

No Tears This AM!!!

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Today marks Charlotte’s fourth week of school (she only attends on Thursday and Friday mornings). Last week I had noticed a huge difference. On Thursday when I picked her up, she was SO happy… not to be picked up, but just to be there. Her smile and adorable demeanor said that she had an amazing day.

Then, on Friday, after we dropped her coat off in her cubby, she started walking into her classroom by herself (normally she demands that I hold her). She made it halfway, but stopped because the teacher and administrator were standing in the doorway. Still… a HUGE milestone. Not to mention, that while she still cried when I left, it only lasted about a minute.

Then… today. She was adorably happy on the way to school, but kept yawning. When we arrived, she seemed excited, but by the time we got inside and put her coat down, it wasn’t looking great.

I asked Charlotte if she wanted to walk into the classroom herself and she kind of fell to the floor with her arms up. I grabbed her and we walked in. I pointed out some fun activities set up in the room and asked her if she wanted to play. She literally just stared blankly.

After about a minute, her teacher said to me, “I’m ready when you are.” I looked at Charlotte and said, “Okay…” and before I could even say that I was going to go, she turned to her teacher and stretched out her arms to go to her. Once in her teacher’s arms, I asked Charlotte for a kiss. She gave me my smooch and I turned to leave… totally dumbfounded and happy and excited and surprised.

I waved and told her I’d see her in a bit. Looking totally comfortable in her teacher’s arms, she waved back and just like that, she’s adjusted.

I literally had tears in my eyes. I think more because I was excited and just relieved and happy for Charlotte. She seems to really enjoy her time at school and the morning tears seemed to be the last little hangup.

When I got back to the car, Toby apparently wanted to share in the excitement, because as I opened the door, he peed all over my seat. A little grand finale. Thankfully C’s diaper bag was in the car so I had some wipes to use for clean up.

As a side note, I can’t help but feel – in the back of my mind – a little sad. Charlotte has been SUPER clingy with Daddy and not so much with me this past week or two. Like, demanding that he hold her or put her to sleep instead of me. HEARTBREAKING. So there is this slight part of me that is thinking, “is that why it was easier today??” I know, I know… whatever it was, it’s so good for her! I’ll just go cry in the corner.

The Daycare Search Begins

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We have been so incredibly lucky that I have been able to bring my sweet Charlotte to work with me and thus, have avoided sending Charlotte to day care. That luck was taken to the next level in recent months, as my Milly (Mother-in-law) has been watching Charlotte in the mornings and then I take her in the afternoon (just in time for nap time!).

With that said, we’ve decided that Charlotte is getting to the age where she needs more interaction with kiddies her age, a bit more stimulation than we can manage in our house, and some more opportunities to grow, learn and be challenged.

Starting the search for daycare is overwhelming to say the least. I literally went through and wrote a list of all the centers in our area, then sought out reviews, perused websites, made calls and started eliminating some. Ultimately, I narrowed it down to three, which is now narrowed down to two.

I eliminated the most recent (one of my top threes) because the program did not accept children under two and honestly, I had a bad feeling. I read two reviews online… one was totally glowing, one was the opposite.

Anyway, the two left both seem to be pretty great options. We went for a tour of one last Friday and really fell in love with it. The program uses the Reggio Emilio Approach, which focuses on a child’s ability and desire to learn. The school seems to really empower children to become a part of the community, to be helpful little beings, to explore not only items and materials, but also concepts. Instead of telling the children what to do, they help them to uncover options and let the kiddies choose. Sounds pretty cool, right? The kids (yes, even the tiny 2 year olds), help to serve lunch and set the table! YES!! Let’s teach the little one to contribute!

We both have a really good feeling about the school, but have one more tour scheduled for next week before we’ll make up our mind.

Once enrolled, Charlotte will likely start at a couple of mornings a week and then transition to 4-5 mornings a week over the next several months. I’m excited. I think this will be really great for C… but I can’t help feel sad/apprehensive/nervous… this will be Charlotte’s first time having a life that’s independent of mommy and daddy. I mean, obviously Nana and her Grandparents babysit her or take her for overnights, but that’s still very much within the realm of mommy and daddy. This is different. Charlotte will have her own friends and her own activities. It’s SO, SO good for her and SO exciting, but it makes it REALLY feel like my little baby girl is growing up.

Mornings with Milly

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For at least a few months, Charlotte has been spending 1-3 mornings (or afternoons) with Mark’s mom (aka Milly or Nana) at our house. With Charlotte becoming even more playful and curious, we thought it would make sense to up the number of these weekly visits.

So this week, Charlotte spent 4 mornings with her Milly and then afternoons with me at work.

Pretty crazy, huh? My little toddler baby is growing up and spending time away from mommy… and doing SO well! She absolutely loves her time with Nana and it’s been super helpful for me to have the non-baby time at work.

We’re definitely SO lucky to have had such amazing childcare options.

I think eventually, we’ll put Charlotte in day care or montessori school for a few mornings a week and then maybe the rest of the time with Nana… but we’re going to wait until she drops to one nap. I think she’ll love going to “school”… doing art projects, playing with other kiddies. It’ll be really good for our sweet girl.

It’s just so crazy how the time flies…