I know I need to post new pictures, but I don't have access to them at the moment. The first month of day care has come and gone. It has been difficult for all of us, but things are getting better. For some children, adapting to day care takes a day, a week, a couple of weeks; for Phoebe it has taken a month. The first day was a sign that this was not going to be an easy transition for her. We both spent the day crying, and Phoebe refused to eat for the whole day. Any time they brought food near her, she pursed her lips and got angry. That little one is stubborn! She did better the second day--she ate a little. And most days she does really well, now. Tuesday, September 19 was the first day that she did not cry when I dropped her off. She didn't cry Wednesday or Thursday, either. She got a little sad Friday and this morning, however. Overall, though she is doing very well. It is just the morning goodbye that is hard. She plays happily all day and eats extremely well. Now when I get her report cards at the end of the day where it reports how much she ate, they usually have checked the box labeled "extra" as opposed to "all," "half," or "none." She is still very good natured. She went through a spell of crabbiness at night for a couple of weeks, but that is getting much better. And she is walking a lot. Yesterday she walked for a couple of hours straight. She refused to sit down--she'll walk 10-20 feet at a time, maybe more, and then either fall down or grab onto something. As soon as she falls, though, she gets right back up and keeps going. She especially likes to carry something while she walks. I guess it gives her a sense of purpose. She did seem to lose some of her vocabulary over the last month that I hope comes back. When she started, she asked "what's that" constantly. They were even impressed at day care, but she doesn't say it all anymore. She still says some things, but she isn't really progressing in that area. It will come back, I know.
For me, work is going well. I don't feel I've lost any ground in my teaching by taking the year off. I do miss spending so much time with my little girl. It is much more gratifying to spend the day with someone who loves you unconditionally than with those who would rather you were absent. :) More soon. Must get work done.