Today marked a big milestone for Ella, and an even bigger one for her mommy. We went to check out the child care center at my gym so she could start getting used to it enough for me to leave her there while I take a class. My normal gym routine is to go in the evenings during the week and weekend mornings when my husband is home to watch Ella. Now that everyone’s back to school (my hubby’s a teacher,) and it’s just me and Ella again, I think it would be good for her to have some social time outside of our playdates. Plus, it’s really nice to just get out of the house!

This child care center is wonderful. They are fully computerized with a high level of safety and a warm, caring staff. When we showed up this morning it took Ella a good ten minutes to loosen the legs death grip that she had around my waist. Then she was able to stand next to me holding on to my leg. Then she realized that this was a really fun place and started running around, checking out the toys and playing with the other kids. How bittersweet. I am so incredibly proud of her and thrilled that she enjoyed our short stay, but terribly nervous and sad to leave her. I realize it’s only for a short time, but it’s my first time!

Tomorrow morning we’ll go back and I’ll stay till she’s comfortable then go work out for twenty or thirty minutes and then we’ll head home. Next week maybe I’ll be ready to leave her for the hour that my class will last. Luckily, there are video monitors on all the treadmills and in each exercise studio that will allow me to watch her even while I’m working out. If she is really upset, the child care staff will come and get me.

So here we go…dipping our toes into this pool that is independence and separation. I feel like I’ve gotten a work out already!

Photo © Rebecca Hess 2007

More Love Thursdays:
They're Not "Related." So What?
older Brothers Rock
First Day of Kindergarten

For information/instructions on how to subscribe FREE to your favorite AdoptionBlogs, please visit this link.