Step By Step

On your first day going to Step-By-Step I think  know that I was more nervous than you were, in fact Daddy was more anxious than all of us. I knew there would be some big challenges that we were going to have to adjust to ... first of all pacifiers are not encouraged even for nap time and we haven't quite made the break from them when you are sleeping, secondly nap time is at noon every day rather than whenever you are ready, and there are no sippy cups so we made sure to send the recommended 4 extra outfits just in case. When I first dropped you off you barely even noticed that I was leaving and were so ready to get started playing with everyone. A whole room of people your height seemed very intriguing to you and you were very excited. You ate well your first day, came home in the same shirt I sent you in and although you took only a 45 minute nap you were in a pretty good mood after daycare and went to bed an hour early to compensate.

They send home a "Toddler Tidbit" every day that tells us how much you ate, how long you napped, how you were feeling and something about the day that you enjoyed.

Daddy and I were so excited and even though your teacher Miss Betsy said that the second day is usually more difficult it went just as good as the first.

One week later I wish I was still swooning over the switch. Little by little it has only been getting harder. When we drop you off now we barely walk through your classroom door and you are screaming and clining to us for dear life. When we pick you up you start crying as soon as we get there and are more than ready to get out as fast as possible. At home you are cranky and whiney and your temper tantrums have reached an all new level. There have been some victories ... yesterday you actually took a 2 hour nap but since your toddler tid-bit didn't make it home I didn't know and when 7 o'clock rolled around I put you to bed and we battled for two hours because you weren't ready.

I hate that you cry when we leave but I do know that a few minutes or seconds after we're gone you stop. I hate that you have a pre-determined nap time but I know that they are progressively getting longer. I hate that this transition is hard on all of us but I know that we will adjust and my happy little boy will come back. I also remind myself that behavior like yours isn't uncommon in toddlers your age and its just something I need work through with you.

You are an amazing little boy and surprise us every day with all of the new things that you are learning. Daddy and I love you so much!