New Friends

Today was a big day. Today marks the first time we have left Theo for an entire day with anyone other than family. He has spent a few hours here in there with family – both at our place and in Cleveland. He spent New Year’s Eve over night at my Dad’s house. Our friends, Lalena and Dan, watched him one night for a few hours. He spent the past two days with Jay’s Dad while Jay and I were working. But, today, I packed a few of his favorite toys, diapers and burt’s bee’s powder, a change of clothes, a blanket, burp cloth, bottles, and his rock n’ play sleeper and walked over to Rich’s house. I found Rich through the neighborhood parents listserv, Prospect Heights Parents. I coincidentally know him from Social Work school. He has a daughter, Mara, who is one month younger than Theo. He stays home with her 5 days a week. Jay was called for a job this whole week, and for next week, too. So, for the first time we actually needed to scramble for child care. I have been meeting parents in the neighborhood – Rich being one of them – who are interested in having a flexible nanny share type situation with us. This situation will 1.) defray the insane cost of child care and 2.) give us the flexibility that we need. Child care from trusted people on an as need basis. Luckily, we have found a few families nearby open to this situation and I have been meeting them. Anyhow, today was our first day.

And, here are the pictures I got at work today of Theo’s first day with Rich and Mara. I could absolutely just cry 🙂 he looks so happy! (We will, of course, ignore the fact that she is wearing a Buffalo Bills sweatshirt)