Miss Mars Goes To School...

Marley started daycare on Monday at Robin's Nest!  This transition has been a long time in the works, as I've been looking at daycare providers since last fall.  Until now, Trav's brother, Jesse, has been watching Marley at our house while we work.  We were very fortunate to not have to bring our 12 week old baby to a daycare facility, to have her stay in the comfort of her own home each day, where she was cared for by a family member!  But, the time has come for all of us to go a different direction...Jesse is pursuing a possible career path in nursing and Marley, well, our little social butterfly needed to spread her wings and interact with other people, especially children her own age.  So this is a welcome change and we are more than thrilled with how the first 3 days have gone!

I have to admit...I had a total meltdown on Day 1.  This week is tough, because I have to do drop-off and pick-up (Trav's vehicle is in the shop and so this is our only option).  I didn't even realize I would take it so hard...leaving her at Robin's house.  We arrived at 7:30am on Monday morning and aside for being tired (because she had to wake up 1 hr earlier than normal), Marley was her happy self!  I walked into the house with her and Robin gave her a big, warm welcome.  Marley instantly started exploring, smiling and laughing all the while, and Robin and I got all the paperwork squared away, went over the pick-up time, and Marley's schedule at home.  As Marley stood across the room from me, I said "bye-bye" and she looked up, waved at me, and then blew me a kiss.  I headed out the door and before I could even close it behind me, I was sobbing!  Running to my car, the crying continued the entire 30 minute drive to work.  Note to self...keep some spare make-up items in my car.  Mascara streaks are so not attractive!  I welled up with tears all day long, refrained from calling Robin to check-in because I didn't want to bug her, and watched the clock tick away the minutes until I could leave work and pick her up! 

I'm not surprised...Marley loved "school"!!  She had an amazing 1st day, and an amazing 2nd day, and an even better 3rd day!  I can already tell she is learning new things.  She's mumbling and talking 100 times more than she was last week.  I didn't doubt that my baby girl would thrive in daycare....but I am so so so happy that she is!  I felt like the happiest mom when Robin told me, "You'd never know she has not been in daycare.  She is the friendliest, happiest little girl ever.  Does she ever cry?  Is she always a great eater?"  I'm a proud mama!!  And happy that I found a great daycare for Marley to spend the next few years in (thanks to my good friend, Sarah Pearson)!  As I walked up Robin's sidewalk today, Marley was sitting on the front stoop with her and she had crawled up into Robin's lap.  I saw Robin give her a little smooch on the cheek and it made me so happy that Marley is in a place where she can grow and learn, but also where she's getting some love too!

A few pictures from Marley's 1st Week at School:

Marley's Artwork...love! 

Marley's Daycare bag that I personalized for her!

Sooo tired...having a bottle and getting a pep talk from Daddy before her 1st day!

All ready to go!

And we're off...pretty little lady!

Love getting her report cards everyday!  Love even more when it says, "Marley had a great day!"

Sometimes, change is good!  We're enjoying the change in our lives...excited for Marley, who is proving to be such a smart girl, excited to have our house back to ourselves, and excited for summer and all the planning that is yet to get underway for the arrival of Marley's little brother or sister!