Or, the conclusion of the saga. TL;DR takeaway: DON'T BE LIKE ME, PLAN AHEAD.
When will I learn? I guess, never. Other mamas carefully, prenatally, research options, go for visits, send deposits. I must subconsciously ENJOY the extra pressure and stress that comes with my lack of preparation and forethought. Because now I have done it TWICE.
But also: Somehow, we've hit upon a happy ending. So, so fortunately.
After a week or so of hemming and hawing and bringing the baby to work with me and generally flipping my wig, I pulled on my big-girl panties and called a couple of centers. Begged, pleaded, for infant openings. Went on a couple of visits, dragging the girls with me. Endured awkward visits with weird ladies whose centers smelled of pee and sadness. But then. We walked into the appropriately named Sunny Days and lo, the clouds were chased away. Of course we would love to take both girls, the director said. You are an angel straight from heaven, I said back.
And so both of my girls are ensconced at the same daycare as their beloved cousins. Halfway between our house and my office. It's a Christian center, which gave us pause, but, in the end. Seriously. They are really little. We can just deprogram them later, if we need to. But that discussion is for another post.
And! I am seeing, already, positive changes in my big Little A. She is NAPPING during the day, and greeting me with a smile on her face and no wet pants in her bag. She has given me a couple of moments of drama about missing her friends at her old place, but otherwise seems to be handling the transition like a champ.
Baby G is not napping but that's because she is so excited! About other babies! Doing stuff! And looking at them! And growing two teeth! And there is a noise over there what is happening!!! But that is a 4 month old for you. And she greets me with a smile every day, opens her arms wide to grab my face and pull my hair.
I miss them both so much during the day, but this is how it has to be for now. Today I took them both out to a bagel shop for breakfast, to celebrate a great first week of our new routine. All of the regulars cooed over the girls. Then we drove off to the daycare and walked in to see the latest of Little A's witticisms* displayed right at the front of the center for all the grownups to see. My heart grew 3 sizes, and I cried happy tears on the way back to the car.
I mean, now I have to pump 4 times a day at the office, nothing new for any working BFin' mom. At least I can watch Food Network at the same time. My life. Is not terrible.
Con muchos besos,
A
*Her teacher asked her "Is it hard work, being so cute?" To which Little A. replied, very seriously, "Well, I don't have to do it on weekends at home, and I take Mondays off too. So it's not THAT hard." OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF BABES PEOPLE.
Hooray! Congratulations on the great center - it sounds awesome.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Christian thing is funny. Our center isn't religious but my husband did an early pick-up recently and was like "Did you know they pray before meals?" and I was like "No, really? oh, well, I guess?"
Thanks Jen! That is too kind of...wild about the pre-meal prayer. Surprising they wouldn't clear it with parents first, considering how grouchy some folks can be about that sort of thing.
ReplyDeleteLittle A. has started to come home with Bible story coloring pages, which I find hilarious and Tim grumbles about. She's learning about bravery and loyalty and other life lessons through the lens of Christianity, which isn't SO bad. But if she comes home saying Jesus says we are going to h-e-l-l because T and I aren't married, she is so out of there. We shall see.
My mom told me only last year that our day care was Lutheran, chosen because of its location and great price. I remember there being Christian stuff but I assumed it was Catholic related.
ReplyDeleteAnd A is killing me with the cuteness schedule! I wonder what she thinks it means - dressing up or just being on super cute alert behavior? Oh my I can't imagine my little one even talking.