Tiny Dancer

So at one point tonight we switched the TV from the DVR to live viewing, and "Dancing with the Stars" popped on the screen (don't judge, it was a coincidence!), and one of the couples were in mid-dance. S. was playing on the floor, and when she heard the music, she sprang up onto her feet and faced the TV. And when she saw the dancing, she started twirling to the music! It was so adorable!

Sweet girl is feeling better-- that croupy cough transitioned into bronchitis (plus an ear infection) and a trip to the ER last week. But yesterday's follow-up visit to the doctor's office earned her reports of "clear lungs" and "perfect ears." Of course, we're watching her like hawks, because, this week, her dad and I have had a stomach bug. A bad, bad bug. Bad.

The Girl seems to like the new daycare pretty well, other than being dropped off, at which time she still cries. Her teacher started last week, and S. seems to like her. Cal and I pounce on those daily reports.

Little girl's first week in a big daycare center

I don't think I'm going to call The Girl's first week at CKLC a rousing success, seeing how, on Wednesday, she tripped and hit her head on a shelf, which left her with a big honkin' goose egg and a little cut on her forehead.  And then she was sick when I picked her up Friday evening.  Yeah, sweet girl has had a croupy cough all weekend.

We knew her exposure to germs would be much greater at this daycare center, but come on, she's sick five days into it?  At Cathie's she only came home sick twice in 16 months.

On the upside, though, S. seems to like it there pretty well, after those upon-arrival crying jags.  But hopefully those will end during this (second) week.

Creative Kids

Well, today was The Girl's first day at Creative Kids Learning Center, a brand spankin' new place that still has that new daycare smell.  Her dad and I took her this morning, to learn the ropes and, hopefully, to help ease the transition.  I'm so glad Cal was there, because, for the first time, Samantha cried when dropped off at daycare.  I was ok until I left the building, and I almost started to cry myself, but I toughed it out.

We were unable to meet S.'s teacher, because, this being a brand spankin' new daycare, she doesn't work there yet.  Her first day is Monday, so today we met the other toddler teacher (the toddlers are all together this week and will split up next week).

We're already big fans of the daily report.  "Today's Activities" it read, S. "had fun reading stories and singing songs during circle time.  She was very comforting to children who were upset."  That's our girl!  On the downside, she had marker all over her hands and pants when I picked her up.  Plus, they're not Cathie.

All in all though, S. seems to have had a good day and was absolutely worn out tonight.

Ms. Cathie

Ms. Cathie has cared for The Girl virtually every weekday since S. was six weeks old.  She has provided wonderful care for, and been a great influence on, S.  And Cal and I think the world of her.

Sadly, this was The Girl's last day with Cathie, who keeps babies until they're 18 months old. And while S. has another month to go, there's an opening at the new place.

I think the new place will be culture shock for my girl and me. We both just love Cathie.  She is wonderful!

First Haircut

I wanted to have The Girl's hair cut, because it's very uneven. The scraggly top is almost constantly in a bow, because it had never fallen out, and the sides and back, which had fallen out when she was four months old, are curly and cute. I took her to Susie, who cuts my hair. Cal was all in favor of it, as long as Susie "[did]n't cut any off."

So, I took S. to CarMichael's, and though she wouldn't sit in the booster seat, she was happy to sit in my lap while Susie worked.  Susie worked quickly, with S. preoccupied with a lollipop, Tinkerbell stickers, and a hot pink butterfly-covered cape, and before I knew it, my girl's curls were pulled up in two little bunches, and The Girl was saying "thank you" to Susie!

Thankfully, Susie gave me some of the product she used, so we can see how we like it.  Maybe it will be what we've been looking for, because that has been a long quest!

And also thankfully, Cal thinks Susie did a good job and didn't say anything anything about the Girl's hair being too short.  Whew!

By the way, Little Miss S. is 17 months old today...

Resolved: 2009

Long time no post, huh?

Yeah, 2008 was a rough year, Since I created this blog primarily for my mom, I just didn't have the heart to blog after her death last February...

But I'm back. In fact, this is one of my resolutions for 2009!

More later-- Miss S. is fussy and needs her mommy right now.