Survivor: Daycare Island

It was a busy week -- my last week before returning to work. I'm enjoying every moment with Kristina as I know next week, our time will suddenly be cut short due to the need to work. Kristina is talking so much more and greets me in the morning with a big smile, big bed-head and a vibrant "Hi!" She loves to go on walks and tells us so by pumping her right arm repeatedly (as if jabbing someone in the ribs) and says "walk". I will miss these things so much but will treasure the weekends more than ever.

I remember when we were in Russia and feeling like we were on "Survivor: Ekat Island" only because we were unfamiliar with the surroundings, the language, the people, etc. But JD and I had each other. This post, "Survivor: Daycare Island" is about our daughter who is now being thrown onto an island with people who care about her well-being, only she doesn't know it. All she knows is that "Mama" is not with her -- and possibly wonders when Mama will be back, if Mama will be back...

School

The biggest "event" this week was starting "school." I elect to call it "school" since it's a daycare setting but in a teaching environment. Plus, Kristina can say "skoooool" ~ not "daycare!"

As you may have read, Day 1 was devastating to me -- emotionally. OK, maybe not "devastating" but I haven't cried that much in a long time. We have waited 13 years for our child. The last 3 months have been us -- day in, day out, pretty much 24/7. Yeah -- I'd say we've bonded!

Day 2: I watched the teacher lead Kristina away but the crying started in no time ~ this time, only on Kristina's part. I snapped some photos of her classroom. Then, as I was walking out, I snapped a pic towards the playground. Guess who came around the corner as soon as I took the picture? "Mama, Mama...." The teacher tells us later that Kristina took out her family photo album and showed all the kids our family pictures. Awwwww...

Yes, that's our little blonde angel on the far left coming around the corner.

Day 3: Kristina grips my hand very tight as we walk through the gates of the school. The teacher had to carry Kristina away from me, kicking and screaming, and called out for Gaby (Kristina's first friend, who is the daughter of one of my friends) to come and play with Kristina.

Day 4: Jon and I both go to drop Kristina off at school. The moment we pull into the driveway, she starts to whine "mama, mama!" She knows. I put on a smile and tell her how much fun she'll have. Kristina tightly wraps her arms around me as I carry her into school -- she's already crying. Nice way to greet your teacher, our little angel! We find out later from Gaby's mom that the teacher's are baffled why Kristina gets very anxious and starts to cry for "Mama" when she comes into the classroom for lunch and then sees the mats on the floor (in prep for naptime which immediately follows lunch). Kristina then refuses to eat lunch because she's so upset and the teachers are thinking that they might have to offer Kristina lunch outside prior to coming in.

Looks like I'll have to have a discussion with the teachers on Tuesday morning when dropping Kristina off. I'm sure Kristina is upset because I'm not there to put her down for her nap. I've been here for her for 3 months, every day, putting her down for her nap. Now I'm not. For this reason, too, Kristina cries when she awakens from her nap at school because I'm not there. I haven't had conversations with the teacher only because when we're picking Kristina up, she's crying and we're trying not to wake up the other children. Next week, it will be JD picking her up since I'll be at work so that will be interesting!

I know the Grandparents in FL are interested in seeing where their only Granddaughter is going to school so here's a few pictures I shot when all the kids were on the playground.

After lunch, all the kids take a nap on the floor on their mats. Incredible how I have trouble getting one kid to sleep and they can get 12-15 kids to sleep with virtually no problems!

Never thought a toilet as "cute" but the mini ones like these are perfect for continuing with the Potty Training!

Sleeping

This has been one of the most challenging hurdles in bringing Kristina home ~ getting her to bed at night. I am thrilled to report that in the last month, it has gotten easier -- especially in the last 1 1/2 weeks. Getting up early for school will really make it easier, too, as I'm sure she'll be more tired. But it's been hard because I can't leave her alone in her room. This has been the case since night one in Moscow. She doesn't just cry -- she cries hysterically, as if being abandoned, to the point that she can't catch her breath. If I sit next to her bed or just lie on the floor next to her -- she's fine. She occasionally looks over to see if I'm there but usually within 30 minutes, she's sucking her thumb and sound asleep. It is a wonderful sight.

In fact....I think I'm due to check in on her. It's after midnight and there's nothing better than a child sleeping peacefully (except her running into our arms after a long day at "school"!!).