Daycare

Now that Rhys is one, so has begun our transition to daycare. I have another week and a half before going back to work, so our plan is to ease him in, a bit longer each day so that by the time I go back he's used to it. And frankly, I need to be eased in just as much as he does.

Yesterday, the day after his birthday, was his first official day.

Daycare, Day 1:

Rhys woke up at 7am. We brought him to our bed to drink his milk and watch cartoons while we 'woke up'. Then had to quickly give him breakfast and I had to actually get dressed and put on makeup before 8:30am. Unheard of on Mat Leave! I gathered up all his daycare stuff and we were out the door by 9am.

As soon as we got there he was walking around playing with all the stuff and exploring. The caregivers said that was a great sign, because they said a lot of first-timers cry at the noise & stimulation of being in the centre, when they're used to the quiet of home. It was a quiet day in his age group - only 4 kids when there can be up to 8 - but there are 2 other age groups in the centre.

The main care giver in his age group is this FABULOUS woman named Aida. She is an older, Polish woman with a thick polish accent. Very grandma-type. I really like her. She's been working with babies for 25 years and you can tell. Her & I took the 4 kids on a walk in the 4-baby stroller. She would pull twigs and leaves from the trees and show the kids how to smell them and touch them. Rhys had his first 'Digestive' cookie while one that walk.

I'd heard stories of women who sat in their cars crying after taking their kids to daycare. I never anticipated being emotional. But, on this walk, while I watched him in that stroller with the other kids, interacting with Aida, my eyes swelled with tears. I seriously had to hide my face, because I wasn't wearing sunglasses. But it suddenly occurred to me why people have those silly 'kindergarten graduation' ceremonies. I realised that, at the tender young age of One, Rhys was 'graduating' to a new stage in his life. This was a big deal. The cord was being cut, just a little bit more...and mixed in with my sadness, was also pride.

Then back at the daycare she fed them lunch. Spaghetti. She suggested I leave the room in case my presence distracted him from eating (she clearly doesn't know my son!). I re-entered the room and stood behind a bookcase about part way through, and just watched. Rhys didn't see me and I don't think Aida did either. He was eating so much (2 bowls full!) Aida started asking him, in her polish accent, "Rhys, you tell me, top secret...who do you get your appetite from? Mom or Dad? Hundreds like you! I want hundreds just like you!". Made my heart melt.

That took us to about 11:30am, and I brought Rhys home for his nap. Gramma Patsy came over and we played in the backyard with all his new toys in the afternoon.

Today, Daycare Day 2:

This morning we were out the door by 8:30am, and my plan was to stay until lunch, and leave him there to eat and nap.

Got there, Rhys did a b-line for the little barnyard toy thing, Aida started playing peek-a-boo with him, and she asked me if I planned to stay again today. "Well, I certainly could!" I replied. "Oh, you should go. You should go...look at him, he's happy" she said.

Ooookaaaay. So, I kissed him goodbye and he barely even looked up. Which, truthfully, is what I wanted. Much better than having him scream and cry with his arms extended as I left.

So, now I'm at home, the whole day to myself (I'm picking him up after his nap at 2:30p), and the rest is still unwritten...