Age of Lady Kaitlyn: 2 days shy of 6 months
Family,
And a good Sunday evening to you from the Queen City, where the's no denying that a cloud of sadness, anxiety, and apprehension are hanging over the Taylor household. The reason? After 6 months of being under the same roof, life as Team Taylor (party of 3) knows it will change tomorrow in two ways. For starters, Jenny will start her new job with her new team. And whilst we're both very excited about this, the corollary associated with it is a truth we haven't wanted to think about but no longer have a choice - the Munchkin starts daycare tomorrow.
Now don't get us wrong - we LOVE the daycare we've chosen. The people seem great, the curriculum (YES, daycare programs have curricula now) looks excellent, the facilities are secure, the environment is clean, and there's no denying the benefits of socialization at an early age. That being said, there's also no denying the truth that NOBODY will look after your children like you will. I think that's the part that worries us, but more importantly it's the part that bothers and scares us, as we want to be the people interacting with her all day, every day - encouraging her to sit up, roll over, speak, and take her first steps. Knowing that won't be our reality (in the immediate near term, at least) and that we'll be outsourcing child care 8-9 hours a day beginning tomorrow is proving a tough pill for Team Taylor to swallow, and this weekend has not been without its tears.
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| Look at that head control! Wife Muffin's incessant dedication to Tummy Time has paid off! |
Jenny has been an absolute trooper through this period, and I know it's tough for her right now. Every day for the past six months she's fed, clothed, changed, coached, sang to, danced for, and looked over Kaitlyn. The way K smiles when she sees JT or when she hears her voice is AMAZING - it's a smile that can melt a room, and certainly one that melts my heart. I think tomorrow will be tougher for her because she's done SO MUCH for K in these 6 months - tummy time, building a schedule, keeping her stimulated and challenged - and my heart breaks at the thought of not being able to comfort her or
ensure her that everything will be ok. And don't get me wrong - we both know that the new job will be terrific, filled with new challenges and good people. However, there's no escaping the fact that, if we could do it, she would stay at home with K. In that regard I feel I've let us down a bit, as I always thought we could live on one income. To have the harsh reality hit you that, at present it's not possible, was a rather humbling blow (and certainly has done nothing to improve our spirits in the run-up to starting day care). I haven't cracked yet, but I think it will hit me when I walk her into that daycare for the first time tomorrow (Jenny dropped her for a half day on Friday to get her acclimated and to confirm the protocols once we start this week, but I still haven't visited this spot).
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Not sure how many of these we'll have left, but
we'll do it as long as we can. |
As for the weekend itself, it has been terrific. We've barely left the house in an effort to soak up every possible second with Special K. We've rocked her longer (and more often) than normal, we've sang songs extra times, we've read new books, and most importantly - we've held each other longer and tighter. In our heads we KNOW everything will be fine, but as the sun dips below the horizon and the moon rises on this late summer evening, it certainly does feel as though the inevitable has happened, closing 1 EPIC 6 month chapter in our lives and ushering us into a great unknown filled with greater financial stability but certainly less time to focus on our biggest priorities as a family. However, as my mother has said many a time when speaking of visiting me: "It's not about quantity - it's about quality." Well trust me, sports fans - from here on out, we'll make EVERY second count.
For anyone who happens upon this page on Sunday, September 8, 2013 - think about us tomorrow morning.
For anyone reading this years after the fact - here's hoping we have a good chuckle about this post some day.
Either way - wish us luck. All three of us. :-)
Love,
Sam and Jenny
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