First day of Daycare for Whitney

So yesterday finally arrived.  Whitney's first day at Nana's house.  It was such an incredible 4 months home with her and I really took time to appreciate every waking (and sleeping) moment!  It was easy to appreciate this child.  Poor Chase's colic made his maternity leave miserable for everyone and I felt guilty for not being more sad to go back to work.  I also felt like a little bit of a failure for not being emotionally distraught for leaving him.  With Whitney, it was hard, but I knew she would be in goods hands.

This morning I wanted to take a quick picture before we left.  A "first day of daycare" picture.  Chase sat proudly with his little sister as he and I talked about how he is going to be the big brother at Nana's to protect his little sister.  After I snapped the picture, he leaned over and said to Whitney, "I won't let the bad guys get you." My heart melted into a puddle.  Then he looked at me and said, "Mommy, I won't frow books at her head."  The boy is still traumatized from the look I gave him weeks ago after he threw a book in excitement, and it hit Whitney square in the jaw.  I told him that I knew he would be gentle and that he is such a good big brother.

Leaving Whitney yesterday was totally different experience.  This time I wasn't a rookie mom.  I can't ever express in words how much Nana means to our family.  She is family to us.  So when it came time to say goodbye to my littlest nugget, it was easy (gasp!).  She has been coming with me to pick up Chase since she was 2 weeks old, so she knows Nana by now.  She is familiar with the sights and sounds of the daycare and Nana's smell and big big smile.  

I was in and out in under 5 minutes.  Whitney gave Nana a big big smile and that was all I needed to know she was happy and safe and everything would be perfect.  I have her a million kisses and she smushed me back with her drooly lips and that was it.  I was off to work.  Not a tear shed among us. 

Work went smoothly.  I almost felt guilty.  A quick text to Nana who sent back, "She is doing wonderfully. Happy and smiling."  So I decided, I am not going to let myself feel guilty.  I am ok and she is happy and that's all that matters.

At pick up Nana said she did GREAT all day.  Took long naps, smiled, ate well, and was the center of everyone's attention.  Now that's what I like to hear!  Oh, and Chase?.... he was a bit overprotective of Whit and pushed Karis our of the way when he thought she got too close to HIS baby Whit Bit.