Ayla Starts Daycare

This week Ayla started daycare at Noah's Ark Daycare on Southport and Arlington.  Blair and I went together to take her for her first day.  We decided that we would take her Tuesdays and Thursdays for the month of July before my school year begins - one to get her used to it, two to get the caretakers used to her, and most of all to get  me used to being away all day from my sweet baby girl.  The people there were very nice and told us that we could call as much as we wanted (and I'm pleased to say that neither of us called even once).  When we said goodbye and walked out the door together we both had tears in our eyes.  It is really hard to leave your baby with someone you don't even know all day long for the first time!  I went to school to get my classroom ready and finally came to pick her up at 3:30 that afternoon.  It was absolutely horrible.  She had taken 2 20 minute naps the entire day and she took them in a bouncer seat.  Ayla has never slept in a bouncer seat!  The only way we can get her to take a good nap is in her crib and on her belly!  She was the only baby crying when I came in and when I picked her up she instantly fell asleep in my arms.  I cried the whole way home and when we got there, she took a 2 1/2 hour nap so we hardly saw her for the rest of the night.  I thought of every way possible to not go back to school this coming year, but Blair says I need to give the people a chance.  So like a crazy 1st time mother, I typed up an extremely detailed "sleep tip sheet" so that hopefully Ayla would have a better day that Thursday.  When I came to pick her up Thursday she was smiling (eyes completely tired, but smiling none the less).  She had taken 3 30 minute naps that day, which I think is a definite improvement!  I told Blair that I'm considering going back to work now.  ;-)  It can only get easier from here on out right??