So Far, So Good

Let's just say this wasn't a perfect day, but it wasn't terrible either. Claudia arrived right on time at 10am with a smile on her face. Ashley played the shy game and really made her work for a smile - but she gave one pretty quickly. By 11am, we had walked through the routine and Ashley was happily playing with Claudia and laughing her little head off. She apparently loves Claudia's rendition of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star. I took that opportunity to run out for a coffee and the dry cleaning. I felt perfectly calm and comfortable, knowing my daughter was a happy little mouse.

As I pulled into the garage on my return, I braced myself for what I might encounter on entry...

The house was perfectly quiet. No one in the living room, no one upstairs. I walked down the hall to the bedroom. And there was Claudia folding and putting away our laundry while Ashley was fast asleep in her bassinet. I think it was love at first sight. I almost cried a tear of joy.

Anyway, all was well until Ashley woke up and was Mrs. Crabby Pants. Nothing Claudia could do was right. Nothing I could do was right. She ended up eating about an hour and a half early and then played tentatively with Claudia. Then she would cry again. Tried to put her back down. Homegirl wasn't havin' it. Tried to sing to her. Homegirl wasn't havin' it. Changed her diaper. You would have thought I chopped off her arm. Finally she went down for a little nap after much singing and snuggling from mommy. Honestly, I don't know who I felt worse for: Ashley or Claudia!

I sent Claudia home at 3, even though I would have loved to finish organizing our closet. I just thought that maybe the constant stimulus was a little too much for Ashley. She isn't used to having someone talk to her every moment! (I do a lot of talking, but she also rides along on errands, etc. and sleeps in the car.) We have tomorrow to try again. I plan on going into the office tomorrow, so I won't be here to see what happens. I don't know if that is better or worse. My computer bag is all packed up (complete with a new picture of Ashley for my desk) and my breastpump is in the car! Ugh! That is not something I am looking forward to! More tomorrow on the next chapter in the Saga of the First Time Working Mom!