Only two days...

I told myself that I wasn't going to be "that mom"...the mom who drops her child off for his first day of school with a tear-stained face and sad look in her eyes. I just knew it wouldn't be me. As a kindergarten teacher, I saw this mom countless times and always felt bad for her but never truly knew how she felt. And I surely never thought I would be her. But, alas, despite my thoughts otherwise, I was "that mom" this morning as I dropped Noah off at our church for his first day of "school." Granted, I will give myself a little credit...the tears did not come until another mom asked how everything went (after I left)...so Noah was saved from the embarrassment of watching his mom turn into a sobbing mess. (He may have seen a few of the tears in the car when I talked to my friend Tiffany on the way there...but I doubt it.)

So, I realize my child is NOT starting kindergarten and that it's only Mother's Day Out. I have had several people say to me...don't worry about it, it's only two days a week. But that's two days that I don't get to be with my baby. And two days a week for a year REALLY adds up when you only have so many years until they're not your baby anymore. He's been my constant companion for the last year and a half, and our schedule has pretty much centered around him. I KNOW I am being silly about this, and I know this will be SOOO good for both Noah and me. And I know that I will be a better mommy because of it. And I KNOW I will look back and laugh at my absurdity (probably when I head to the dressing room to try on clothes by myself...not having to worry about whether or not Noah will crawl under the door and out of the dressing room, while I run after him with my clothes half on with the entire store watching and laughing at the spectacle that is mommy and toddler.) I know I will be fine and that one day I will be excited to have a few hours to myself.

But until that day, I am going to take this moment to be sad and to miss my little man and best bud.

To cheer myself up, I have made a list of all things I was able to do today without my little toddler:

1. Go to breakfast with some mommy friends and actually be able to eat and talk and stay longer than 15 minutes.

2. Browse through a woman's boutique and try on jeans alone (gasp!)

3. Go to a jewelry store and not feel nervous about what was going to be touched/knocked over/eaten/broken/etc.

4. Update my car registration without fear of how long the line would be (and if I had enough snacks and/or toys to keep Noah occupied)

5. Straighten up my home without someone following me and un-straightening everything.

6. Start the washing machine/run the disposal without fear of Noah waking up early from his nap.

7. Finish a blog entry without stopping!

While all this was LOTS of fun, I am now off to pick up my sweet baby boy. I will add pictures later...

"My bag is packed, I'm ready to go..."

"Let's go, mom!"

Before heading to class, we had to make a quick stop at the "Bye-Bye Buggy"

Pushing a lady out of the way to get into class (while mommy takes a picture instead of correcting this behavior...) "Yes! A ball! I love school."

"Mom, what is this lady sticking on my back?"

"Mom, I think you just need to go..."

Breakfast with mommy friends who are also kid-free

After school with my buddies (and that would be Noah after only an hour nap...)

Noah had a great first day of school...and Mommy is getting better! :)