Not So Much a Baby Anymore

Our little firecracker started preschool last week. She's actually been going to the home of a friend of mine who has been teaching Lia and 2 other little girls (one is her own daughter) all the same age once a week for a few months now. And that was so successful that it was pretty clear that Lia needed more structure and stimulation than I could actually give her at home. She is totally 100% ready.

She's been SO excited, too, waiting for the day she would get to go to the school that Max went to. The first week was a "try out" week to get her used to being there. Within in the first 10 minutes on the first day she asked me to wait out in the hall.

While it's been great to have three mornings a week (she goes to the MCDC 2 days and her original little preschool one day) I have to admit that it was bittersweet. Something about seeing her with that backpack on and waving goodbye to me in her own little "I'm okay mom, I don't really need you that much anymore" way I felt a bit sad. I'm excited for her and how excited she is, and I pride myself on the independence of my kids -- how they have no separation anxiety at all and walk right into situations with confidence and excitement -- but she's my baby. I might not have another baby again. Is there a way to stretch out her babyhood while at the same time letting her grow into her own?? Don't say no. Just, I don't know, change the subject.