Week of New Beginnings

This past week has been both exciting and nerve wracking for the Vielot-Gonzalez household. Last week , September 4th was Mateo's very first day of school at Stevens Coop. He is in a 1/2 day 2s program. The main objectives for the year -handling  separation (i.e. teaching them that when you leave you are coming back) and socialization.  We thought that school was a big enough change for us to handle, but a couple of other "firsts" also popped up. Scroll down to find out more.

The night before his first day we needed to prepare some backup items for the teachers in case there were "accidents, spills and poops."

All smiles and unaware that this is his first day.

We thought this rugby or footballer look would help him prepare for the rough day ahead.

I was probably more nervous than anyone. I think the separation they are teaching is also for the parents. Eddie was actually the one to take him on his first day, so I wanted to be around for as much of the early morning preparations as possible.

Breakfast of champions - Cheerios and a Girl Scout Cookie (he snuck that one in)

This is the FIRST time Mateo has trusted anyone, but Eddie to hold and swim with him in the pool yet here he is having a great time with Nelson and cousins Nelsito and Melanie.

Another FIRST that happened during the weekend that is not pictured - Mateo crawled out of his crib. We woke up on Sunday morning and when Eddie opened his room door, there he was standing there with blankets in hand and a sneaky smile on his face. And so begins another chapter. We have decided to leave the crib rail in its lowest position now in case he decides to attempt it again. We do realize that pretty soon we will need to convert it to a toddler bed. He is growing up so fast...clink...

This Wednesday was my first time to drop him off at school. Here is a picture of his cubby.

Close-up of his mailbox.

Mateo was pretty calm with the goodbyes as you can see with his enthusiasm for this whisk. My heart was racing as fast as this whisk.

Here is a collage that they made in class of the special people in their lives. It is their comfort spot and something to look at if they are feeling a little sad or regressing back into separation anxiety. We are happy to report that today's (Thursday) drop off was tear- free.