If you’ve read my blog for a while, you may remember that we tried the daycare scene last year and it didn’t go so well.  I have to admit, there was probably more separation anxiety for us (the parents) than there was for Hailey.  Needless to say, we spent two or three weeks going the daycare route and quickly switched to a local babysitter, who remained Hailey’s sitter for over the past year.

Having Hailey with the babysitter for the past year has been a great experience for all of us.  She has had the chance to spend time with other kids and our sitter was phenomenal.  We lucked out.

Now, since Hailey is a year older and used to spending time with other kids and adults and also since Eric works five days per week and I work four days per week and with a new baby on the way; we decided to try daycare again.  The daycare we picked also offers a preschool curriculum and that is one of the main reasons we went with them.

Today is her third day.  The last three days have been great.  She was a little emotional when I picked her up on Tuesday, after her first day.  She expressed that she missed our sitter and that is completely understandable.  She’s getting used to a new place, new kids and new adults.  She is also spending an extra three hours away from home.

We talked about her day and she could tell me everything that she did that day.  Yesterday went even better.  She was happy and playing when I went to pick her up.  In fact, I had to wait for her…she insisted on helping clean up the toys before she left!  We called our sitter after we got home and Hailey was all smiles.  I think an even more perfect situation would be if our sitter worked at the daycare!

So, today is her third day.  She was excited to get into her classroom and when we got there, everyone was playing outside on the playground.  Before we went outside, I had to get a picture of her in her classroom:

Then, we went outside and her new little friend immediately greeted her.  They are wearing the tye-dyed shirts that the class made together on Tuesday.  Of course, Hailey hit it off right away with this little girl because they have the “same shoes”.  My kid notices things like this.

I think what I love most of all though is overhearing the kids talk to each other.  I love it when they do the “mommy comparison”.  Nothing can make me feel more special than hearing her tell her little friends that her “mommy does this” or “mommy does that”.  She’s been all about telling everyone that “mommy has a baby in her tummy” and “I’m going to be a big sister!”  It turns out that her new friend is expecting a sibling sometime soon as well.

So, we are just really happy and relieved that this week has turned out as good as it has.  She is completely wiped out by the time we get home.  The kids nap during the day and I know that will take some time for her to get used to, considering she gave up her naps almost a year ago.  I think she’ll cave in pretty soon though.  She’s just been taking in her new surroundings and the more comfortable she gets, I have a feeling she’ll crash out with all of the other kids.

It’s amazing how big my little girl is getting and she never ceases to amaze me.