No More Tears

And it only took 3 weeks!

Justin just called me to tell me that Jack did not cry at drop off this morning.  YAY!!!  The first two weeks, he would howl but this week it has progressively become less traumatizing (for Jack and Justin).  And today….no more tears!!!

Every morning this week, while Justin is carrying him out to the car, Jack would look back at me and say "bye bye" over and over.  Melt. My. Heart.

He's smart.  He knows where he's going.  And in the mornings when he says "bye bye" to me it makes me feel great because he's not scared.  He's ok leaving me.  In fact, Justin told me that he even seems excited heading to class.

Yesterday, I took Jack swimming.  He was playing with a ball in the shallows when a little girl (maybe 3) entered the pool.  He immediate waded over to her and gave her the ball…she wasn't interested but he persisted! My heart swelled with pride because 3 weeks ago he would have gone to this little girl, pushed her over, and swam away again with his ball.  Progress!!!

It was a hard and long discussed decision to put Jack in "school" but this week has totally reassured me that it was the right choice.  He is learning to play with peers.  He is learning that "Mommy and Daddy will come back."  He is learning independence.

I know there was talk behind closed doors as to whether or not our decision was a good one.  And this morning I can't help but mentally stick my tongue out at the naysayers ;)

 (Grill Master Jack ;-))

(The boy LOVES to clean…this makes Mama very happy!)

(Ah-ha! I got you to look AT the camera!!!)

Lindsey

"School"

Monday was Jack's first day of "school".  It's a very big bag of mixed emotions for me.  I KNOW in my heart that this is the right thing for him.  I am a believer in socializing children from a young age, I guess I'm just in shock that the time has come already for my baby.

He will be attending a Montessori school 3 days a week from 8 to noon.  It is more time than I initially wanted to have him in the program but it was the only space that was available.  This is a good thing, this is a good thing…my new mantra!

I had a bit of a meltdown the night before he started.  This person has been attached to me every single day (except for 4!) for the past 17 months.  It was going to be an adjustment for him AND me.  I was also feeling a guilty because I was really looking forward to having some time to myself.  (Side note: What is it about being a mom that make you feel guilty AT LEAST once a day?!)  I kept beating myself down by having the internal argument "You're a stay at home mom, this is your JOB!" "You're a bad Mom, buck up!"  "You are being selfish for needing (wanting) time for yourself."

Now that "school" has started and he seems to be doing good, I am getting better at telling that nasty part of myself to shut the hell up!  

He has been doing great, except for a few tears at drop off time.  The teachers have said that he is doing really well with the other kids (thanks goodness!  He has been having some problems with hitting) and he seems to be enjoying himself and when we left the class today he looked back at a little boy, waved and said "bye bye".

When I walked in today, he was busy playing so he didn't see me and when I finally got his attention he gave me the most wonderful, heart-melting greeting I have EVER received in my life.  His eyes instantly lit up, a huge smile graced his beautiful face, he jumped up and cried "Mama!"  He jumped into my lap, gave me a big, lingering hug and then gave me a kiss.  He just kept looking a me like I wasn't real and he was so happy to be in my arms.  I almost burst out crying right there on the floor.  One of my happiest mommy moments!

 Lindsey