Mother's Day Out

Today was Millie's first day at a Mother's Day Out program; it is just down the road at the First Baptist Church.  The program was recommended by my new friend Tracey, whom I met a few months ago at The Little Gym.  Therefore, Millie was not alone in class today because her friend, Grey, was there too!  Oh my...this little milestone had me so anxious for the past few days.  I kept second-guessing myself saying there was no need to put her in a mother's day out...no need to introduce her to the trauma of me leaving her and all the germs she would inevitably pick up.  I had almost talked myself out of it last night, but thankfully, JKK made a great point and reminded me that there is no harm in just trying it once.  So we did, and I'm so glad we did!  The program is from 9-2, but I thought we could only hope for a couple of hours this first time.  She cried for only about a minute when I left (I hid out in the hallway for 20 minutes); the director and teachers assured me that she calmed right down and played.  Then she slept in the swing for an hour!  This is probably because we have our swing put up now, so it was a little walk down memory lane for her. ;)  Then they went for a ride outdoors in the buggy.  I got to see this thing and it was hilarious...gigantic and it had stadium seating! 
Oh, look...I found a pic online of a similar buggy (minus the umbrellas)...please note that Millie is not in this pic.

The teacher said she especially loved this little ride, and apparently, Millie couldn't quit checking out her seatmate.  (She has had a staring issue in restaurants lately.)  After 6 extremely efficient errands (!), I couldn't take it anymore and had to check on her at 11:30; when I got to the door she was upset and crying.  Poor Mills...she didn't want to take the bottle from Ms. Judy.  She's taken bottles from plenty of other people, so I don't know why this was so upsetting for her.  Again, the teachers said she was fine up until bottle time.  I took her out to the car and she drained the bottle just in time to go meet dad for lunch.  All in all, I think it was a successful try, and I'm going to take her back next Thursday to do another half day.  Being a stay-at-home mom has seemed to magnify her separation anxiety, so I'm hoping this will help prove to all of us that she won't freak out if we leave her with other people.  Yay, Millie!!