their first month is behind us now.

One month ago, we turned a page and started a new chapter in life.  The boys went to their new babysitter for the first time on July 1st.  It was rough.  It's been a rough month, sorta.  Dexter, just in the last several days, has stopped crying every night at bedtime.  It took about three weeks before he stopped crying at drop-off more often than not.  Theo did great the first week then had a rough patch that seems to be fading now.

They are adapting. We all are. Everyone told me kids adapt so easily. They are so good with change. It will be so much harder on you than it is for them.  Yeah, yeah.  I dunno.  I wouldn't say they've moved on completely. They had a deep bond with our first sitter.  We drive past the road we turned on to get to her house and they ask if that's where we're going.  Theo sometimes stares out the car window and asks when he can start going back to her house, as if this current situation is just temporary. My heart aches every time they ask for her or to go to her house.  It's not over.

It's been an adjustment for me as well.  The new place is ran much more like a daycare center (although she's a licensed in-home sitter) than the previous.  The amount of communication is little to none in comparison.  There are many things I don't know. There's no daily sheet and I don't want to be obnoxious or redundant asking every day how they napped, what they ate, or when they pooped.  Maybe those things aren't critical any more.  Sometimes they can tell me what they ate for lunch, sometimes they just say "cookies."  While I trust that they are 100% safe and that the care is appropriate, I'm having a hard time letting go.  It's hard not knowing.  I'm their mom.  I guess I feel like I'm entitled.  They are my everything, but to tell you the truth, I couldn't tell you what the hell they do all day.

I had hoped that this would feel a little less new by now.  Theo starts pre-school next Wednesday and that means that Dexter will be at the new sitter's place alone (without Theo) 3 days a week.  Three days a week that I'll have no clue what goes on.  I know I can ask a million questions, and I do if I have concerns, but it's just the basics that I miss.  The transition hasn't been all negative, but it's been hard.  More transitions are coming and this last one is still tough.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Theo does at his little school. I truly believe he'll thrive in the Montessori environment.  We'll just continue taking it one day and one week at a time.  Eventually this new awkwardness will be the new normal and things will be fine.  I just wish I could speed up the process a little, that's all.

Okay, that felt a little hum-drum.  Let's end this post with some fun pictures from this past weekend.  Not to be a Negative Nancy or anything but summer weather this year has been sub-par...just saying.

Heading down to the water.

Nana's lilies.

Peace.

Too chilly for me - I have an 80 degree minimum before I jump in.

Fresh, juicy watermelon - perfect summer treat.

Cousin Spencer - the boys' idol.

xo,
~C~