Just Let Me Get Through The Next 9 Days

There is so much going on right now that it's hard to even collect my thoughts. Most of the big events revolve around A. We're preparing for her first launch into the world, and we are all three amped up and anxious about it.

She said goodbye to her beloved babysitter this week, as she'll be starting preschool at the end of next week. I don't think she knows that she won't be going over there regularly, like she's done for 2 1/2 of her 3 years in this world. She doesn't know what it's like to miss people, or experiences. She has no idea what she's in for, but she knows something is different.

I wish that situation could just go on forever, because it was perfect. I knew she was being cared for by someone who loved her, and she had the great fortune of getting socialized with two other great kids who just happened to be her second cousins too. But schedules change, situations change and evolution is necessary, so we're moving on to something new.

I think she's ready for preschool. I think she's going to do wonderfully in a structured environment, learning all kinds of new and exciting things, with lots of other kids to learn to get along with. But, honestly, we are anxious for many reasons.

She's been having some crazy outbursts lately. Lots of bull-headed resistance to regular, every day things, like, putting on pants, going outside, or staying in her damn bed at night. Not to mention, her sleep pattern is just messed up. Still waking up in the middle of the night, still staying up as long as she can. She's killing us, but she's also not getting enough rest, hence the out-of-control behavior. Luckily, this usually happens in the afternoon, so hopefully she'll be home by the time the cork pops off so her preschool teacher doesn't know that we are failures at getting our child to sleep.

Preschool is a place where time is limited, so what's going to happen when she decides she doesn't want to so something different at that particular moment? Will she freak out, or will she adapt? We shall see. I'm pulling for her. Is she going to read out loud at the top of her lungs during quiet time, or is she actually going to give her teacher a break? Yikes. Hopefully they won't throw my little monkey out of the zoo for insubordination. I don't know any other zookeepers that can make the time commitment we need.

Another milestone coming up is her third birthday. This year, two separate parties. One for family, that should be small and civilized, and one for friends that's going to be a wild rager. I don't know why I can't control myself with the old guest list. I feel like I need to go big, and it makes my life way, way more difficult. What was I thinking? (How can she be three already???)

And then there's school picture day (Will she let me comb her hair? Will she look at the camera? Will she insist on dressing like a crazy person?), her three year wellness check up at the doctor (No shots this round), and Halloween (they're taking bets in Vegas as to whether she will wear the bear costume that she asked for and that I spent a good deal of money on).

Things are hectic and stressful at work, and I'm not sure how I'm going to pull all this off. I will, for sure, and it's all going to be exciting and fun. But I'm gonna need a serious nap on November 2, and I'd better get it.