How does it happen so quickly?
One minute you're peeing on a stick and your life is changing, then you blink and you're bringing a tiny person into the world, and before you know it you are leaving him/her with someone else to care for them for an extended period of time. For some this transition happens quickly, just weeks after birth. And for others it takes longer to make this change. For me the longest I have ever left Emma Claire with anyone was with her Daddy for about an hour, and Aunt Paige for about half an hour. It's not that I have a problem with someone else caring for her, there just hasn't been a need to....yet. Since we don't live near family there wasn't ever another caregiver that knew Emma Claire like her daddy and I did.
One minute you're peeing on a stick and your life is changing, then you blink and you're bringing a tiny person into the world, and before you know it you are leaving him/her with someone else to care for them for an extended period of time. For some this transition happens quickly, just weeks after birth. And for others it takes longer to make this change. For me the longest I have ever left Emma Claire with anyone was with her Daddy for about an hour, and Aunt Paige for about half an hour. It's not that I have a problem with someone else caring for her, there just hasn't been a need to....yet. Since we don't live near family there wasn't ever another caregiver that knew Emma Claire like her daddy and I did.
To some this post may sound silly, and I'm sure plenty of other stay at home mommies feel my pain. On Sunday Emma Claire stayed in nursery at church for the entire service and for us that was a B-I-G deal but today was a true test. I have bible study on Wednesdays and last week Emma Claire stayed home with daddy while I went, but today it was time for her to come with me and play in the nursery. My bible study is two hours long and for me this is a VERY long time to be separated from my little side kick.
I am SO happy to report that I never got a phone call and that Emma Claire stayed in nursery for OVER TWO HOURS. I was able to peek in her room without her seeing me and check on her several times. The first time she was still crying but when I came back after small group she had stopped crying and was sitting in the middle of all the other babies and was playing with a ball. {Let's pretend that her hair wasn't all messy/bow missing, her nose snotty, and her eyes were red from crying.} I was just thrilled she had stopped crying! The large group sermon couldn't have moved ANY SLOWER for me. I practically ran out of the sanctuary. I'm also not going to lie...I cut in the baby pick up line and demanded my child. I knew she had started crying again and I wasn't going to wait for it to be my "turn". Hopefully people saw me extract the screaming child from the room and understood why I had cut! ha!
All that to say that today was a big day in our little family and while there were a few tears I am SO proud of us. It was a big step for me to leave her for so long but I am so glad we are doing this. MOPS also starts next week so she will be in the MOPPETS program as well. My hope is that she will grow into an independent little toddler who loves going to church and playing with friends. As a child I had separation anxiety that was pretty bad and I cried a lot {read: every. single. day} when I started pre-school and kindergarten. I just had the best mom ever and I didn't understand why in the world I couldn't stay home with her :-)
Here are a few pictures before we left this morning.
It was chilly so Emma Claire donned a sweater. I just about died from the cuteness of her in this outfit.
When did she get so BIG?!
I have to say thanks to my cousin Sarah for the adorable little outfit Emma Claire is wearing. I just love it on her! And to the hubs for pausing his getting ready for work to take our picture. I feel like I'm always taking the pictures and try to make an effort to be IN some!
Here are a few pictures before we left this morning.
It was chilly so Emma Claire donned a sweater. I just about died from the cuteness of her in this outfit.
When did she get so BIG?!
Momma and the little lady. We both had a brown theme going this morning.
I have to say thanks to my cousin Sarah for the adorable little outfit Emma Claire is wearing. I just love it on her! And to the hubs for pausing his getting ready for work to take our picture. I feel like I'm always taking the pictures and try to make an effort to be IN some!
10 comments:
I remember the first time I left both my girls. At 8 months kaylee started going with Jason's mom for a couple hours and it was a big deal for me. Yay for letting go a little
That picture of her on the couch is just too sweet. I had to go back to work when Hayes was 6 weeks old, but I have never left him with anyone other than my mom. We live next door to them, so I have never taken Hayes anywhere to be dropped off. I am sure that will be hard!
Yay, EC! I'm sure it will be a great thing for both of you. I wish I could find a MOPS group where I live!
It was really hard for me when I went back to work after having almost four months off. And it really sucked when Preston did such a good job and never really had true separation anxiety.
So, I guess...from the other side it's tough too...but I am so thankful that Preston is so social and loves to play.
It will get easier - you're taking a GREAT step...it's so good for her!
Yay for both of you!! :) And you both look beautiful!!
EC is SO B I G!!! When did that happen?!!!
The pic of you 2 is SO sweet!!
This post really hit home for me!! Every milestone I feel like I am going to cry!! I am so proud of Olivia and it makes me so happy when ever she makes an achievement but then make me realize she is growing out of "babyhood" into a toddler, then a child, then an adult!
It's hard to leave your little one with someone else, especially when you're a stay at home Mom. I totally understand the feeling! I'm leaving my little girl with her Daddy for a weekend in October for work and I'm going to die! I love Emma Claire's bows - how do you get her to keep them on??
it is a big deal!! I try not to think about it ha! I literally DROP. and RUN! hah! I try not to let rg see me mainly because I don't want to get upset hehe (true story) you go girl!! So proud of yall!
She is all the cuteness (as usual) in her sweet sweater! :)
It doesn't matter if you leave your baby for the first time when they are weeks old or months old. The first few times are HARD! Congratulations on leaving her the whole two hours! It'll get easier for both of you.
EC is adorable in that sweater! Boys clothes aren't nearly as cute as baby girl clothes.
I dont think its just SAHM's that feel your pain. To us mommies that HAVE to work, leaving our child every day is one of the most painful things. To wonder how they are doing all day, to want to hold and kiss them. I text my babysitter constantly.
I would love to stay home with my little man but since I am a single mommy I HAVE to do this to support us. I cried the first time I had to leave him. I get to breastfeed him at lunch which is a blessing, it makes my day so much better.
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