First Day of School!

So.....she started pre-school a few weeks ago. It was slightly traumatic...for the both of us. Her official first day was a Wednesday (when I had to work), but I took her for a trial run on Tuesday- I went with her and hung out for like 30 min and left. She didn't cry when I left, but was standing still and looking overwhelmed. When I went to pick her up 2 hours later, when she saw me she fell to pieces. It was terrible. But I didn't cry then...cause I could take her with me. :)

The next morning was terrible!! I dropped her off at 7:30 and she was supposed to stay until after nap time, around 2 or 2:30. Wellllllll.....they called me at work....at like 9:30am! NOT a good sign. They suggested that, if possible, it would be good for Ava to be picked up before nap time to try to ease her into this new place. They also suggested a "transition schedule" for the next 2 weeks. Basically, we were taking her everyday to desensitize her.....she started off with shorter times and increased over the next week to staying a full day (which is until around 2:30pm- still a 7 hour day). :( It was really hard for me. It was terrible knowing that she was there crying (still) after being there for 2 hours! She cried SO hard and so instantly the second I told her I was leaving...she reached up and said, "Mommy, hold that baby" ("that baby", of course, is her). I had to turn and leave and the tears came so fast. I couldn't even help it. I had to go to the front and still have the director lady teach me how to use the stupid security code pad...I felt retarded...but I couldn't stop. I mean, I was that mom they probably talk about after I leave- teachers I didn't even know were hugging me. :( And I didn't even bring any touch up makeup for work!!

Well, I did the next day...and I needed it. The next day, she cried as we pulled into the parking lot and said, "no go to school." We went it, her teacher took out puzzles for her (since apparently that was the only thing she wanted to do the day before), and she looked at me and said, "Mommy, sit down" and pointed to the table with the puzzles. She knew I was leaving and she was trying to get me to stay. :( I had to go and she cried again....ugh. And so did I. It was really terrible...I was so thankful for the weekend when I didn't have to take her anywhere and walk away. Thank GOD for Barb that week. Since she didn't start school until the following week, she was around and available to stop by preschool and check out the monitors and pick Ava up early (since I was working. And my mom was in Guatemala at the time). She was so wonderful and spent a lot of time talking to all the teachers and directors...she's so positive with Ava and a total blessing. I would have been a mess if it wasn't for her help.

BUT, I am SOOOOOO happy to say that, since all that yucky stuff...Ava is doing MUCH better now! The transition schedule really, really helped her. She'll still wake up on the weekend or on a Monday or Tuesday and say,"no go to school," but when I do take her now, she doesn't cry, and she actually goes to her teacher willingly...from my arms!! What a HUGE relief! For the first time- I didn't leave distraught or crying! The font desk lady even clapped for me as I left after our first successful drop off!!! :) Yipee!! I was smiling from ear to ear! Such a relief to know you're baby is ok. :)

Here we are before we left on her very first day...before she knew what was coming! When she was still smiling even though I put her "school dress" on! (Now, when I put any of her school outfits on-they wear uniforms- she'll start to get upset and say, "no go to school." Although, she's pretty easily distracted toward something more fun)!! I'll keep you posted!!