One Week Later (preschool update)

So it looks like we've developed a new routine, and I can't say I like it too much. My biggest problem is that we don't get home until 6:15 every night. Then Dad comes home about 7:15 and then Emmalee has to get in the bath by 7:30. Where did all our time together go? I hate it! I don't even have time to cook dinner much less eat dinner, and feed Emmalee too? And when am I supposed to clean the house? It's awful, and it's stressful but luckily it is my biggest complaint with life right now.

Emmalee seems to be doing just fine at school, she never cries when we arrive or when I leave her, she says 'bye, Mom!' I try not to swing by her class too much, I don't want her to see me and interrupt her day, but when I do peek at her she is exploring, playing with the kids, and shrieking with excitement. They assist her in potty-training there too. She has stayed there through two nap times so far and they have both gone well. The teachers say she doesn't cry, and usually falls asleep on her own without someone patting her back. She is really excited to have her special 'butterfly blanket' at school now, so I think that helps.

Emmalee has definitely been more cuddly since she started school! I can understand if she misses us nowadays, I think every other night, I break down crying because I miss her so much. I am not used to spending this much time away from my little best friend. You should see her reaction when I pick her up from school each evening. She sees me, her bottom lip quivers, her eyes fill with tears, she smiles and says "Mama!". Then she runs and hugs me and cries. Then as I hold her and hug her, she puts her hands on my face, stares into my eyes and says 'oh, Mama' and cries and hugs me harder. It is so sweet yet breaks my heart at the same time. Anytime I see her playing she's never sad or crying, so I don't think she is unhappy there. We just have this emotional reunion everytime I come back for her.

As for me, I love what I do for the most part. I'm the afternoon teacher of the preschool class (5-6 year olds). I really don't have much experience with kids this old, but I am loving it. The oldest i've worked with is usually 3 or 4 year olds. These kids are fun and spunky and cooperative, and the morning teacher tells me they really like me. It's pretty neat! However, this week i've been spending time teaching a different class (the preschool 3-4 year old class) while their teacher is on vacation. I miss my older kids!

There is definitely some awful sicknesses going around. I thought it was just me and Emmalee earlier in the week but when I got to school Tuesday, I heard that 2 children are in the hospital with pneumonia, there's also bronchitis and stomach flu all going around. Emmalee has had a low-grade fever the last 3 evenings and now has developed a cough to add onto the congestion but she has a good energy level, so I think we are on our way to health!

I miss having time to use my camera!!

We're not well...

Of course we should have expected that one of us, if not both of us, would catch a cold in that first week being at preschool, but we both got it, and at the same time.

It seemed Emmalee was worse than me last night. It was pitiful, she would cry but not really have the energy to put into crying... it was just sad. We're both congested, her voice is hoarse so her throat must be messed up and her nose is very runny and last night her eyes were watering all over her face. She also had a fever last night ( 102.5).

I figured I shouldn't take her into the school today. But last night the owner called ME to see if I could work a LOOONG shift because there were 3 teachers out. Sounds like this cold is going around and it's not just us. I explained that I was actually going to call THEM in the morning because we're both sick. Anyway, shortly after that call my ear started aching horribly, throbbing sharp pain, it was awful, so I just went to bed and knew I'd need to go to the dr. in the morning because the pain was ridiculous.

This morning we went to urgent care and the doctor said I have one of the worst ear infections he's seen in an adult, so he prescribed me vicodin to go with the amoxil. Interesting. So I guess Emmalee's doing a little better than me today. She still has a runny nose and congestion and hoarse voice, but hasn't had a fever since last night, and has a bit more energy today. But we're staying home for the day, cleaning up, resting, taking meds and getting ready for a FULL day tomorrow at the school (9-6).

: ) Didi

here we go. (deep breath...)

I feel like life is about to be thrown upside down. I found a school one mile away (4 minute drive) that was looking for a preschool teacher. Their biggest perk? Teachers get to enroll their children in the center for free. I guess that's why I never did go back to teaching after Emmalee arrived. It didn't make sense to pay someone to care for Emmalee while I was paid to care for someone else's children. Nor was it affordable.

So I looked into it, and sure enough, one thing leads to another, and I start tomorrow. Emmalee and I spent some time in the toddler class (2-3 year olds) this morning. She had fun exploring and having 'staring contests' with a few other toddlers. She also did a couple of art projects with them.

But me? I'm nervous, to say the least. Is it wrong for me to think Emmalee deserves more than being one child in a sea of a dozen other snot-faced toddlers? (Literally. There were 2 or 3 kids with snot running down their faces). It's not that they were over-ratio or anything, there were 3 teachers in the room most of the time. but I am still afraid that Emmalee will be 'overlooked' in a way, and not get the attention she might need if she was to feel scared or get hurt. So I guess, in a perfect world, she'd be in a class with 5 other kids. I have a couple of other concerns, but basically I think i'll feel better if she doesn't have to spend LONG hours there at a time. Of course we'll be under the same roof, but not together most of the day.

Though it seems that they need me 40 hours/wk, we'll probably be doing 3-6 hour days Monday through Friday and more hours when (and IF) we get used to this new change. I think it's a great opportunity for ME to get back into teaching and it COULD even be good for her as well, but it's a big change and it's been two years since i've been 'in the business', so i'm nervous. Going to give it a shot though! The staff seems nice! Cross your fingers for us, and PRAY that naptime goes smoothly for Emmalee there ~ i'm definitely scared of how that's going to go!





...And so this isn't a total photoless blog, here's one of Emmalee napping:

... and her new cup:

*play*time*

Cold Sunny Sunday

Let it Snow!

at least they're WASHABLE

sweet dreams