Oh Mother's....

This is what the Nursery lady continues to say to me... every Tuesday morning around 9 am as we begin the battle that is... getting Callie to stay and play, happily, in the nursery.  Today was another trying day (I keep thinking this is going to get easier and easier... but it hasn't... not quite yet).  I took Callie in at 5 minutes till 9 (I know... I probably should be earlier... but neither of us are morning people) and for the first time, she didn't start screaming when she saw the check-in table.  So we marched right ahead and went in to the nursery room.  I held Callie for a little bit, while she watched the other kids get dropped off, cry for a bit, and then become occupied with the slide, play house, or building blocks.  I quietly asked Callie if she wanted to "go play with the kids" and she nodded and said her sweet "mm-hmm".  So clutching tightly to her 'duck-duck' she braved the nursery and went to play with the kids.  About 5 minutes into playing (and with things going very well)... she decided Duck needed to go for a ride in a dump truck.  Unfortunately, after she carefully placed him in the bed of the truck, she went to push the rear of the truck, and the dumping part rose up and smacked her right in the lip... resulting in... a bloody lip.  Poor Bitty, the morning had started off so well, and now with this setback, I knew it'd be another 10 minutes before I'd be able to sneak out.  So she calmed down, clutched her duck and went off to play again, this time on the slide, pushing duck down first and then following him and clapping when she made it to the bottom.  She was too busy watching the other kids race around the room to notice whether or not I was around, so I decided it was the perfect time to sneak out.

 

Sooo... after settling in to my seat, close to the door (in case my baby needed me... I could make a quick exit), and beginning to listen to the sermon... I hear it.  My baby's cry.  It's unmistakable... for me at least.  I could pick it out of a million babies.  What an awful feeling it must be to realize Mommy isn't in the room with you anymore... and you're not sure where she went.  That cry makes it impossible for me to focus on the sermon... anxiously bouncing my legs and feet dealing with the inner fight between my brain and my heart.  It wasn't long ago that I remember the feeling of utter despair when, after staying with me for a week (after Callie's birth)... it came the time for my mother to go home.  And standing there, in the entryway of my home, holding my baby and Phillip holding me, I broke down sobbing as my mother hugged me, told me everything would be ok, and drove away.  I was so uncertain, terrified, and just... wanted my mommy.  I often think back to that moment, and wonder, is that how Callie feels when I leave her?  I know it's a necessary thing to do, but, ugh... it's so hard!

 

Anyhow... after about 10 minutes (not that I was timing it, or anything :), the crying suddenly stopped... finally!  She was happy!  So I began to really let myself fall into the sermon.  After the sermon ended at 10 am it was time for me to go to my small group... but I almost always go peek in on my baby in between the two sessions.  When I went to look for my baby in the nursery... she was no where to be found!!!  Luckily, the crotchety head Nursery worker (I really am kind to the woman... I promise!), came around the corner and could sense my frantic-ness... she told me that Callie had been moved to the 2 year old class and was doing much better there, they thought that the more organized music, craft and play time would be better for her.  And sure enough, peeking into the window for that classroom, Callie was just happy as could be!

 

When it came time for me to pick up my baby... she came running to me, with the paper she had colored in hand... waved bye-bye to her teacher and classmates, blew them all kisses and said she was ready to go home and see "Bubs" (Sneebie).  What a great experience!  I called Phillip just as soon as we got in the car and told him... "you'll never guess what... our baby just skipped a grade!  She's so smart!  Like her daddy!"  He was just happy to hear that she FINALLY had a good experience!

 

Anyhow... I'm sorry this one took so long... but I was just so happy she FINALLY had a good time in "school" that I just wanted to share it with everyone!

 

I would also like to say that I am so very very thankful for my mother, Laura (for being such a blessing as a mother figure for so long in my life), and now, Louise (seriously... best Mother-in-Law EVER!).  I feel like I continue to get little tastes of how hard motherhood is and how much these women have done for me and us.  These women mean so much to me and our family and I am so grateful for everything they do for us!  Thank you!!!

 

 

So happy and thankful for the rain!!!

 

 

My little Cheeseball!!

Haha... I have no idea what she's doing here... but her face is so funny!

(sorry about the excess flash on this one!)

Ugh... I LOVE those eyes!!!

Little Miss Missy, eating her fruit snacks on the back porch... in the rain.

And daddy getting sweet "kissy's" from his little "Monka" (Monkey)

Callie's "kissy's" now even come with a "muah" sound!