Back to School

I did it! I went back to work. And I must say that, while difficult, the transition from stay at home mom to working mom was so much easier than I thought it would be. On Monday morning, Seth and I took the Little Bub to Miss Lori's. After lots of kisses and assurances of our love for him, Miss Lori scooped him up, helped him wave goodbye, and Seth and I took off for the day. A few tears leaked out, but I was feeling better than expected. Until I got to school and my lovely teaching partners entered my room with looks of pure concern. "How ya doin?" was all it took to send me into full-blown crying. I allowed myself a minute of self-pity, guilt, and sadness. Then I pulled myself together and got down to business! As soon as the kids came and showered me with hugs and "I missed you's" and "I'm so happy you're back's", I was feeling much better about life. We hit the ground running, and there was no time to be sad after that!

I was so pleased to find my students happy, well behaved and caught up with curriculum. My long-term sub did a heckuva job, and I couldn't be happier with what my kids did and learned in my absence. Aside from a glaring lack of hand-raising, they are just as I left them. On Thursday we were lucky enough to go to a play at the Alberta Bair, and I had so much fun just watching my kids giggle and dance. I feel very secure in my decision to go back to work, and am proud of my ability to do so, despite how hard it was to leave Hamilton at daycare.

Miss Lori is fantastic, and I can see why everyone loved my mom so much for helping raise their children. Knowing your baby is loved and cuddled and well cared for makes all the difference in the world. There are about 7 kids at Hamilton's home day care, but only about 5 on any given day. They are all younger than 3, but Hamilton is the only true "baby", the next oldest being 9 months. Miss Lori obviously LOVES babies, and any chance she can get, she cuddles him up. She sends me pictures throughout the day of him laughing or sleeping, which sets my heart at ease. He's been absolutely pooped when he gets home, sleeping for about 20 minutes when he gets home, another 20 minutes around 7, and crashing for the night by 9. The first night, he slept from 7 pm to 4 am! I think all the stimulation will take some getting used to, but I know he's in the right place.

 Seriously. Seriously! Could he get any sweeter?

 I channeled my inner Reese and made him a banner for above his closet. 

 This is the picture Miss Lori sent me the first day of daycare. He looks pretty peaceful, doesn't he?

 Tummy time!

Hamilton will be three months old on Tuesday, and I'll update you all with his new tricks soon!