1st Day Preschool - Joaquin Sails Through!

Today was one of those "I can't believe he's my son" days. I was a nervous wreck about going to preschool for the first time as I hadn't been away from JCG ever since we've been united. I had the Leavenworth Ancilla Center (on the campus of U. of St. Mary) lined up before we left, along with Lavonna Peterson in Westport. The first is right across from where I work, a 40 minute drive, the latter 5 minutes from my house, but obviously far away if I need to get to him on short notice. The outlier was that Joaquin was not completely potty-trained, and Ancilla had really stressed this as a requirement before I left for China. So I was nervous. I visited the LP daycare yesterday and told them I wanted to try Ancilla first, they were strict on potty-training, if it didn't work we'd go there. Then it turns out LP was stricter than I knew about once kids reach the age of 3, this had not been explained previously. I called Ancilla and talked to them, and they sounded more accomodating and willing to work with him. Meanwhile, he has been improving a lot the last week, though he's definitely not 100% there yet in the pooping department. So we got up at the crack-0-dawn to try Ancilla today. I return to work on Monday. No pressure. I got very little sleep last night.

Joaquin once again exceeded my expectations! He was so on top of his game! I stayed all a.m., he let me and his new teacher, Miss Teresa (who I really really like - she is gentle and kind and has been doing this for 23 years) know when he had to go potty. I snuck out while they were on the playground, right before lunch. I came back 3 hours later. He was fine! He wimpered a little when he realized I was gone, but food tends to work like a charm for him and off they went to lunch. He actually napped after lunch. When I got there he heard my voice and smiled but kept finishing his potty with Miss Teresa. Then we stayed for a snack. They feed them a lot which is exactly what he needs. I really like the director of the center - her granddaughter has a cleft palate as well so she is really accomodating and totally gets what he needs. Turns out some of the other kids in his class are in training pants and they really do work with them and don't expect perfection, some other ones can't sit on the potty alone, etc. I cannot express my relief at this! My life has revolved around defecation the past month and I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Can you believe this kid?! I can't believe this is the kid I've been blessed with. So blessed. We went and visited Lynn and Stacy at the office after daycare and he was Mr. Charming per usual. Oh, on top of it all he did great in the car both ways, a total of an hour and a half. I put on his Chinese lullaby CD and he was still and entertained the whole time. He was a little drowsy in the a.m. and then he was kind of tired out in the p.m. so it worked great. So much stimulation at the preschool - they have a structured curriculum in the a.m. (like clockwork) and after nap they have free play. I really like it. Even if he regresses a little he did so well the first day that we all know he has it in him. He has a lot to learn with socialization but so did the other kids, many of whom are 2 1/2 in his class. I am so relieved!

Icing on the cake - I enjoyed my first time apart from him - it was pure luxury. I got my hair cut, washed the car, ate a relaxing lunch reading the paper, and went to the store at my own pace. I think if I get 3 hrs a week of this it will do me well.

This was one of our best days yet - I'm so so grateful and amazed that he is the son that was sent to me. We both hit the jackpot! There have been days when I've been tired and impatient but this little guy has been the resilient one between us. We've been together exactly a month and he has just taken off on all levels. So grateful. Grateful is the word.