Pretty Socks!

The Bean is just full of new developments!  Her ability to express herself is growing noticably. That was her observation about these this morning:

Yesterday, when I dropped her off at school, two little girls ran up to her and hugged her.  "No push me!"  I'm glad to know she's standing up for herself.  And on the way to school, I was enjoying some music on XM Radio (we had a loaner while our car was being fixed).  I was dancing (as much as one can while driving) when I hear, "Stop! . . . .Drive!"  I couldn't believe my ears!

First Week Went Well

Once we got to school, the only one who cried was me!  The first day was pretty easy once we got there.  There was much whining and screaming before we headed out, though.  Now, we actually have to get her up instead of allowing her to sleep until she awakens.  Not that the latter assures a whine free morning, either, but I do think it is better.  So, I have to try to get her to bed earlier.  Days 2, 3 and 4 were a bit tougher and I had to stay for an hour before she was ready for me to leave.  Friday morning I didn't event get to sit down before Mrs. S. told me I could go.  How sad for me!  And Friday morning, the first thing The Bean said after her usual "Yum-yums, Mommy! Yum-yums!" was "More school!"  

Oh, and I remembered to pat myself on the back when I realized that my daughter is not a statistic!!!  She only chooses to play with the brown babies in school.  And thank goodness they have them (I have found a toy woodmaker who makes people of different shades.  Let's just say the school is in for a few donations).  It is gratifying to see that The Bean chooses those dolls over the white dolls - even though they are closer to her own complexion.  She sees brown as positive and good, not negative and of less value.

A few more highlights from the week: I probably lost 2 lbs or so since The Bean needed to nurse like a newborn when she got home from her action packed days; during one of her naps in my lap she laughed out loud - heartily!; and yesterday, as she sat on the toilet and I waited for my wiping duties to commence, I said out loud and wistfully, "You're getting so big!"  Her response, "I sorry, Mommy."  Hilarious!

On the knitting front: I knit a gnome for school - with tan yarn, of course.  And I finally finished N's convertible mittens.  And I realized yesterday was the 11th and it would be nice to finish M's Christmas gift in time for his birthday next month, February 11.  But, I cast on for a pair of longies for The Bean.  It's getting cold again, so, I'd like her to have some.  Plus, I need to knit some of the longies yarn stash.

First Day of School!

Uh, no, I'm not pregnant.  Now, on to the topic.

Today is The Bean's first day of daycare/pre-school.  I'm very excited for her, but also sad that I'm not able to keep her at home with me.  Or maybe I'm more sad that I just can't be at home.  Who knows.  I anticipate that she will cry when it's time for me to leave and that will break my heart.  I mean, I'll be leaving her with a room full of strangers, and she's only 2!  I'm not a big fan of that and I'm 37!  I do think that she will thrive in this environment, though.  It's a Waldorf program, that, thankfully, I didn't have to have an interview for, get on a wait list or do any of the other crap that makes me shut down when I just think about the school process here in Chicago, which, yes, starts in pre-school.

Oh, and yesterday, I received my second unsolicited, "I love you, Mommy"!  And yes, my heart melted all over again.