And we're off!

We have gone back to school- which explains my absences from this blog. Man, starting back to work is so exhausting! Every year I wonder how I ever did it. I am not the only one who is having a difficult time with this whole going back to work thing. Madeline has had a very difficult time at daycare. She is going to the same home daycare she's been at since she was 4 months old, and she LOVES playing with the other kids there, but she misses Momma (and I suppose Dada too). The first week back she was only there two full days and three half days. She had a difficult time at naps. I think she remembered having the pacifier the last time she was there, so it was like she was breaking herself of it all over again. She cried and cried at nap time. Then on Friday when I picked her up, the sitter asked that I stop taking naps with her so that she gets used to sleeping on her own and maybe she would do better there.

Folks this is what I had to give up...  It has NOT been easy. This is my favorite part of the day! I love the snuggling, the giggles before we fall asleep, the quiet time! The first day was horrible! She only cried for about 10 or 15 minutes, so did I. There were so many changes for me to adjust to- my principal announced she was taking a leave of absences starting immediately and not coming back, starting back to work, Ichanging classrooms, and now giving up my nap times?? It was just too much for me. It was a rough weekend of nap times.

Last week was not much better. She cried daily and refused to take naps at daycare! I felt like my little girl was broken! And so was I!By Friday morning she was so tired that she was telling me before we left our house "No go Momma. No go bye byes" Ugh! It killed me.  Finally I resorted to bribery. I told her if she did not cry, she would get ice cream. Finally Friday, there were no tears- from her at least. I cried all the way to work!

This week has gotten better, and she is finally taking naps- not great ones- at daycare. I have resolved that once she is adjusted, I will go back to napping with her. It is just not something I am willing to give up.

The other "big girl" thing we started this week was swim lessons. We have always done the Momma and me class- which we loved, but now she is in the Just ME class. I am thankful to not have to endure the "walk of shame" in front of the viewing window into the pool, but I am sad to not have that experience with her. Needless to say, she cried. I wasn't surprised. She did stop crying after about 10 minutes and seemed to enjoy the class. I expect tears for at least the next three weeks. Luckily she is taking swim with her best friend from daycare, Elise. 

Aside from it being difficult to watch her cry, it was hard to watch her go to a class without me! This was like the first step to her going to school one day. I didn't realize how difficult it was going to be until we were there and I was experiencing it. I didn't like it.

here they are waving after class was over. 

And here Madeline is going down the slide- her FAVORITE part of class!

Other things going on:

We are really excited about getting broccoli again in our CFA box! 

 I came home the other day to Madeline saying, "Argh! I a purple princess pirate!" We are not short on imagination here folks! She has also decided daily that she will only wear princess dresses! This morning it was her purple Easter dress. We had to compromise on a different dress she could play in.

Making silly faces at the camera. She LOVES to look at my pictures on my phone- of her of course. Sometimes she asks me to take a picture of her so she was look at it afterward.

This little girl is growing up too fast! I love the twos! Such a fun age! I love playing with her and making up silly games. I love the dance parties and the teddy bear picnics in the living room. I love singing VBS songs in the car daily- okay, I'm kinda ready for some new songs...I love how much she is learning. I love all her new words and phrases I am too tired to remember.

I'm off to bed because I must work again tomorrow. I can not believe how quickly my dependence on caffeine returned! I am trying to limit myself to once a week, but this is not easy! I've added getting up 30 min. earlier this year so I can get a quick workout in before I go to work. Not making things easy.

I am off to Disneyland this weekend. I wish I could say I was taking Madeline, but we are going later in the year. My friend Brenda and I are running the Disney half marathon. I am excited! We have been having some great long runs and even decreasing our time! Hoping we do well this Sunday.