Hello, Goodbye

Kate started school on Monday at Interfaith in The Woodlands. Justin and I both walked her to her classroom the 1st day. I was a little nervous b/c I thought she would cry when we left, but to my surprise she was totally fine with it. The whole day, I kept looking at my watch to see what time it was and then I would look at her class schedule to see what they were doing. When we went to pick her up, I was very excited to see that she was in the same clothes as I put her in that morning. She went the whole day without an accident. She has been potty trained for awhile now, but I was nervous she might have an accident, being in a new environment and having someone new take her to the potty. The teacher gives us daily reports on how they behave, if they ate their snacks and lunch, what times they went to the bathroom, activities they do and how long they nap for. The very 1st thing I looked at was if she took a nap, and she didn't. Kate is use to taking naps from 1:30/2-3:30/4 and at school they are suppose to nap from 12-2. I knew right away, she wouldn't be taking naps at school. Tuesday and Wednesday were a little different. Both days Kate woke up and said "I don't wanna go to school" so, I reminded her how much fun she had on Monday and she could play outside with the other kids. Didn't matter, when I walked her to her classroom, she was crying and telling me not to go. I felt soooo bad leaving her, but Justin reminded she would probably stop crying after 5 minutes or so. Sure enough, the teacher said she stopped crying not long after I left. I was also surprised to see, she had taken a nap for 1 1/2 hours. Thursday and Friday, she was excited to go to school and didn't shed any tears and also slept during nap time. We decided to put Kate in school because I only have 2 months left in the pregnancy, and have so much to do before the baby is born, not to mention I am constantly tired. Also, we didn't want Kate to sit in front of the tv all day as I lay on the couch. She needs to have interaction with other kids her age where she can learn and play, especially so when the baby is born.
Kate's 1st day of school

Showing off her Princess backpack

Daddy and Kate before dance



Another big milestone this week was getting off the pacifier. I know, what some of you are thinking "She is almost 3 and still on the pacifier". I know, I know!! And my only excuse is because we fly so much and the flights are very long is the only reason, I didn't take it away from her sooner. We figured since she takes naps at school without one(i purposely didn't pack one)that she can start sleeping without it. So, Tuesday night when we put her down to sleep and she asked for it, we told her she didn't need it any longer b/c she is a big girl. She asked "where did paci go to live" and I told her paci went back to his family(the only thing I could think of). She started to whine a little and Justin told me to leave-he knows I'm a sucka. Justin stayed and talked to her for a little bit and then left. She cried/whined for a little bit and then stopped. She woke up briefly in the middle of the night and whined and then went right back to sleep. The next morning we were amazed how easy it was. I think we both thought it was going to be hell. She has been off it for 4 nights now and doing great. She does ask every once in awhile where paci is and I tell her, he is with his family.
We sadly said goodbye to daddy today. Justin had to fly back to Baku and wont be back until right before the baby is born(Nov). It was a sad trip to the airport, lots of tears from me which I know doesn't make it easier on him. I guess its back to the web cam for the next couple of months.