Big Day

Today was a big day.

I left the Critter Girl with strangers for the first time today.

OK, I just read that, and it sounds like I just dropped her at the bus stop with some randoms or something. No! I mean that I used the daycare at my gym today for the first time. Which feels like a very big deal.

The Critter and I have been attending classes together, like Mommy&Me yoga and Infant Massage. Which has been fun, and a good way to begin getting my post-partum fat ass moving again. But hitting the gym, where I spent a lot of time prior to getting pregnant, has not been done. My gym is great, they have everything you could want, it's more than a gym really. And they have daycare.

Yes, I have been apart from the Critter before. Mr. P and I had a date night a few weeks back, and I've been on my own for appointments to the doctor, dentist and hair colorist. But all of those times, she's been with family, either Mr. P or my MIL. Leaving her with people I don't know - that's a big thing.

So last week when we were there for Infant Massage, I got the Critter Girl registered (she got her own gym membership card! how cute!) and toured the daycare. They have a special room for the infants/pre-walkers and only take 6 kids at once. Seemed relaxed and nice. So I worked up the courage and signed the Critter up for an hour.

I'll admit it here - I was nervous. I had anxiety dreams last night about leaving her. Even if it was only for an hour, and even if I'd still be in the same building as her. And they could contact me with one of those buzzers that buzz, like when your table's ready at a busy chain restaurant. But I was still nervous.

When I dropped her off, I sort of got a little choked up. Seriously. I'm standing there in my work-out clothes, all ready to go, but not wanting to leave her. I think the ladies that work there thought I was nuts. But I was a big girl, took a deep breath and left her. I did my elliptical, and did a good long stretch (does anyone else's hips hurt like hell after childbirth? ouch.) And I may have gone back a few minutes early to get the Critter Girl.

And you know what? She was fine. Totally fine. Hung out and napped in the swing they have, had her diaper changed and was playing with one of the ladies. Happy as a clam. I think she may have done better than me.

Big day. Especially for Mommy.