Since before you were born I have been preparing for childcare for you. I prepared because I wanted to be comfortable with the people who were caring for you, and I also wanted you to have an opportunity to stay with new people - get used to Dad and I not always being with you.
Lyndi helped me while I was pregnant. She took Buckley for walks, helped me with laundry, and - when I was 9 months pregnant - helped me organized my store room. The Store Room is a big deal because - even though it is in the basement - and nobody else sees it but your Dad and me - it is the foundation for the way the rest of the house is organized. I like when it is organized, neat and labeled. It has become increasingly full. I already had TOO much stuff in there - holiday decorations, dishes, and books, books, books. Too many books. Then your Dad moved in, and then we started preparing for you. Just this last weekend, I put away all of your 0-6 month clothes and pulled out your 12 to 18 month items. Anyway, I digress - Lyndi helped me get organized. She washed the sheets while I was in the hospital, went to the store etc. She watched you for a few days before I went back to work, but I never could bring myself to leave you with her for more than an hour or two.
Megan was your summer time NANNY. She is an Iowa State Student, and grew up on a Dairy Farm in Decorah, Iowa. You loved her! Every morning when you would see her - you would smile SO big. She is still going to help us throughout the year, but she had to go and finish her senior year.
On my first day back to work, I left you with Mom. Your Grandma. I gently put you down in your bassinet - all cozy and asleep - and I cried. Not long or hard, but I was mourning getting all of these moments with you. However, not many Mamas are blessed enough to leave their baby with a Grandma and Auntie like your Grandma and Aunt Jodie. Your days with them are filled with laughing, cuddles, lots of good food and you rest really, really well. This transition allowed you to get used to me leaving and coming back, and it allowed me to stop and see you throughout the day. It is a true gift to everyone: Grandma, Aunt Jodie, you and - especially - me. Every morning when I tell you we are going to see Grandma and Aunt Jodie - you smile SO big and get super excited. I like to think you know exactly what I'm saying.
As you approach 8 months old - I know that it is important for you to have other experiences outside of our house and Grandma's . On August 25th you started daycare at Caterpillar Clubhouse. You were immediately infatuated with the other babies and a bin of balls to play with. You were happy when I picked you up, and seemed to still love it the next day. I was not quite as put together as you, and the experience made me wonder if you will inherit my nerves. Your Dad is a nervous person, and I am nervous in the sense that I like a plan of action. I think we both get stomach aches when we are nervous - and when it comes to you - my stomach aches seem to me full throttle. On Monday I was almost sick thinking about your first day at daycare. Were you going to cry when I left? Would you have enough food? Would you be cold? Would you get sick from the other kids? The teacher in me knows that a lot of this is going to happen. The teacher in me wants you to have experiences with other adults and children and learn to adapt. The Mom in me wants to be there to nurse you to sleep everyday at 10:00 a.m. for a long, cozy nap and see that sleepy smile when you wake up. The Mom in me is so relieved that you are happy when I pick you up, but is sad that you sleep for most of the evening because you are so tired from the day. I want some time with you - not just bath and get ready for bed time - but time to read, cuddle, sing, dance, cook, watch the flowers etc. In all of this, this is what I mourn about motherhood and working. I always envisioned showing you the world and having you attached to my hip as we went through each day. Now, I'm at an office, pumping, emailing, talking - biding the time away - until I can pick you up.
Eventually you will be in daycare full-time - especially when you start crawling and walking. Grandma and Aunt Jodie are soaking up the days that you are still a cuddly baby because they won't get to see you as often then. Your friends, Abram and Annie are at daycare with you, and it is really special because Dad gets to pick you up. The two of you get a little father-son time that is rare. Jessie and Jillian are your teachers - and they are kind. You only have 3 other babies in the room with you, and I know that you get lots of attention, enjoy the sunshine and watch the other kids. We chose this spot because they take walks, go to the library and are more active than other care centers we visited. In the first few days, you had already mastered rolling from your tummy to sitting up - and I assume that is because of all the floor time you get at "school."
We are blessed, Harlan, to have so many options of people that love on you and care for you. I feel lucky to still get to be apart of your day to day routine since work is fairly flexible. We are fortunate that we can afford a lovely care center, and that Grandma and Aunt Jodie look after you, feed you, bathe you, diaper you - all for the cost of your hug. You truly have a village of people helping to raise you - and that is better for you. Most of all we are blessed that you are such a happy and smiling baby who goes with the flow and learns all that you can from each person and experience.
Note: Often people tell us that they can't believe how much you smile. On the first day of daycare, one of your teachers, Emma, said that to us right away when we picked you up. She said, "He is just the happiest baby." That affirmed for us that you are happy in all types of environments and that we had put you in the right spot. However, what I appreciate most about you is that - yes - you do smile a lot - but you are serious too. We know that if you are smiling - all must be right with the world. You don't smile for just anyone - you study them first, and want to determine if you can trust them - THEN you give them the best gift of all. You are so wise Mr. H.
October 26, 2015 - The last three weeks you have been going to daycare full time - 5 days a week. Since you are crawling more and sleeping less - we felt this was the best option for you. Grandma really misses you, so Dad and I try to make sure you have time with her on the weekends or evenings. She makes all sorts of yummy food for you like baked apples or mashed potatoes. Jodie relishes in her time with you and will often pick you up early from daycare (I call it "school") - and take you on a long walk. You are the oldest in The Baby Room and at the end of November you will transition to the Toddler Room. I was nervous about this because you are going to one nap a day and interacting with more rambunctious children. However, I think you might need that challenge. To be honest - I wish there was more of a balance of time at home and at school - and Dad and I are working on figuring that out. You cry in the morning when I drop you off - not always - but on the days that you would prefer to cuddle. I try to kiss you quickly and wave - putting on a brave face, but it is so difficult. The first of many tough good-byes to you - I can't imagine they will ever get easier. The only solace is that big smile when I return to you.
Lyndi helped me while I was pregnant. She took Buckley for walks, helped me with laundry, and - when I was 9 months pregnant - helped me organized my store room. The Store Room is a big deal because - even though it is in the basement - and nobody else sees it but your Dad and me - it is the foundation for the way the rest of the house is organized. I like when it is organized, neat and labeled. It has become increasingly full. I already had TOO much stuff in there - holiday decorations, dishes, and books, books, books. Too many books. Then your Dad moved in, and then we started preparing for you. Just this last weekend, I put away all of your 0-6 month clothes and pulled out your 12 to 18 month items. Anyway, I digress - Lyndi helped me get organized. She washed the sheets while I was in the hospital, went to the store etc. She watched you for a few days before I went back to work, but I never could bring myself to leave you with her for more than an hour or two.
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| Megan and Harlan. This John Deere Book was a gift from Megan and her Grandma. You were even featured in her Grandma's Book Store Advertisement in Decorah. |
On my first day back to work, I left you with Mom. Your Grandma. I gently put you down in your bassinet - all cozy and asleep - and I cried. Not long or hard, but I was mourning getting all of these moments with you. However, not many Mamas are blessed enough to leave their baby with a Grandma and Auntie like your Grandma and Aunt Jodie. Your days with them are filled with laughing, cuddles, lots of good food and you rest really, really well. This transition allowed you to get used to me leaving and coming back, and it allowed me to stop and see you throughout the day. It is a true gift to everyone: Grandma, Aunt Jodie, you and - especially - me. Every morning when I tell you we are going to see Grandma and Aunt Jodie - you smile SO big and get super excited. I like to think you know exactly what I'm saying.
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| Jodie sends me photos all day of your adventures with Grandma and Jodie - photos like this make me laugh. |
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| You started Caterpillar Clubhouse in Gilbert - just about 5 minutes from home. August 2015 |
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| I was so nervous about your first day, but Jesse, your lead teacher, sent me this picture in the middle of the day to ease my mind. |
Note: Often people tell us that they can't believe how much you smile. On the first day of daycare, one of your teachers, Emma, said that to us right away when we picked you up. She said, "He is just the happiest baby." That affirmed for us that you are happy in all types of environments and that we had put you in the right spot. However, what I appreciate most about you is that - yes - you do smile a lot - but you are serious too. We know that if you are smiling - all must be right with the world. You don't smile for just anyone - you study them first, and want to determine if you can trust them - THEN you give them the best gift of all. You are so wise Mr. H.
October 26, 2015 - The last three weeks you have been going to daycare full time - 5 days a week. Since you are crawling more and sleeping less - we felt this was the best option for you. Grandma really misses you, so Dad and I try to make sure you have time with her on the weekends or evenings. She makes all sorts of yummy food for you like baked apples or mashed potatoes. Jodie relishes in her time with you and will often pick you up early from daycare (I call it "school") - and take you on a long walk. You are the oldest in The Baby Room and at the end of November you will transition to the Toddler Room. I was nervous about this because you are going to one nap a day and interacting with more rambunctious children. However, I think you might need that challenge. To be honest - I wish there was more of a balance of time at home and at school - and Dad and I are working on figuring that out. You cry in the morning when I drop you off - not always - but on the days that you would prefer to cuddle. I try to kiss you quickly and wave - putting on a brave face, but it is so difficult. The first of many tough good-byes to you - I can't imagine they will ever get easier. The only solace is that big smile when I return to you.
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