A Week of Firsts!

We started taking Ali to daycare earlier this week, dropping her off for a few hours each day to get familiar with the process, give us some time to get things done, and even have some fun.  Many of my friends had awful first days dropping their child off and then crying all the way to work, so I thought it might help to ease into it.  I have to admit, it's been really nice to have some time off from taking care of a baby.  Todd and I went to see a movie yesterday for the first time since Ali was born.  Todd played golf today in the nice 70 degree weather, and I was able to have a child-free lunch with my girlfriend Kim.  Here is Ali with her teachers Miss Lisa and Miss Kendall.

I am actually looking forward to going back to work and getting back into my normal schedule.  I am very comfortable and happy with Ali's childcare, so I think that makes it much easier for me to think about going back to work.  There are definitely times when I start thinking about whether I would want to stay at home with Ali, but those thoughts are short and fleeting.  I think taking this time off has made me realize that I enjoy working.  I also know that Ali is in good hands and is at a very good school.  There is a great curriculum for the kids, and I know that if I stayed at home, I would beat myself up trying to come up with learning lessons and trying to provide all the social interaction that she will receive at school.  And on a selfish note, I really like having a maid, and if I stopped working, I'd have to BE the maid!  This is NOT to say that I am judging ANY of my stay-at-home mom friends.  In fact, I completely respect your decision and truly look up to you.  I think taking care of your baby all day long is harder than going back to work.  

Ali also ROLLED OVER from tummy to back on Tuesday!  You should have seen us two grown adults celebrating with Ali... I'm sure we looked pretty silly.  We know that it's not a fluke because she's been doing it every day since then, sometimes up to 3 times in a row!  We're so proud of our little girl.  We wish we had it on video, but we had to exchange our Flip because Best Buy sent the wrong camcorder to my mom and we're waiting for the right one to arrive. 

Another first that Todd and I are PUMPED about is that Ali slept through the night last night!!!  She went to bed at 9pm and didn't wake up until 6:30am this morning!  I feel so much more rested today.  I'm really hoping this will be a pattern for her and not just a fluke because it would be so nice to have her sleeping through the night when I go back to work.

I guess this was bound to happen... I experienced another first today when I was at lunch with my girlfriend Kim.  As we were leaving, a waiter came up to me and said "Congratulations!"  When I asked him "What for?" he said "You're pregnant, right?"  Nice.  I guess that's a sign that I need to start working out.  I'm trying to tell myself that it's because my friend Kim gave me a super cute present for Ali and he must have seen it... maybe?  It's a super cute hat, and she definitely knows how much I love bows on Ali!  Here's Ali in her new hat.  Thanks Kim!

We've had a wonderful 2010, and we're really looking forward to 2011.  We wish you a Happy Happy New Year - Cheers!