Tillman's in Trouble

I remember when I was young, someone would do something bad, and the "good one" would reply "aaaaawooowooo, you going to be in toooouuuubbbbleeeeee......MOM!"

Well, Tillman has been getting into some trouble the past few weeks at daycare.  We have seen it at home as well and have tried to discipline him, but he continues his ways. First, it started with him throwing toys.  They did tell us that a few other kids were doing the same and that all of them were being put in time out, and we needed to work with him on this (I take all of these bad things he does personally, as I strive to be a good parent).
When he showed interest in balls, we (good parents) taught him how to THROW! The issue with that is he doesn't know the difference between a ball and other toys.  Big mistake to teach him to throw a ball, as everything is being thrown.  Just this morning, Nick put him in his car seat.  He was pretty mad about it, and Nick gave him one of his toys to play with for the ride.  He took the toy and threw it out of the door before Nick could get the door shut.  Man, it is frustrating to see his act this way!
Yesterday, Nick pick up Tillman and the teacher stated he had a bad day, and he was put in time out for hitting another kid over the head with a toy (yes, you heard that right...hitting a child over the head with a toy).  She put him in his crib for time out.  I'm sure he hated being in his crib and that is good, as he should feel disciplined.  Nick told her it was ok for her to hit his hand if she wanted to.  Unsure if daycare will let her do it. It's hard when we are not there to do something about it.  He won't remember if we try to talk to him about.....he doesn't even talk!
So....we struggle with how to handle him.  We have "stepped up" popping him on the hand and telling him no (yeah, yeah, getting on his level and telling him "NO" in his face...as all the "books" tell you to).
Nick suggested this morning that we have a "no no" rug or chair in our house.  So, the next time you visit, you might just see the "no no" area!

13 Months 10.12.11

Wow, what a month!

Tillman has certainly been busy this month.  I texted Nick last night "T is dragging my curling iron all over the room and is busy playing!! It is funny how busy he is doing nothing!" Nick responded "like you say, he has his work to do too."  Tillman is more independent this month.  He will play by himself and keep himself busy.  Of course, he still needs to be watched (like a hawk) because he tends to get in things...well EVERYTHING!  His favorite toys are electrical cords, computers, trash cans, and the bathtub faucet (just to name a few)!

Tillman is at the phase of life of he is either on or off!  There is no in between these days.  He plays and goes 90 miles an hour, and then bam....he's asleep.  Tillman has adjusted to the new daycare room (rough month with that), and now takes a 1 to 2 hour nap during the day (no longer sleeps on the car ride home).  His bed time is still 7pm, and he generally wakes between 6-6:30am.  He's been a really good sleeper, and for that, we are very thankful!

This month brought lots of chatter.  He his constantly "talking."  Lots of new sounds and squealing have been heard this month, as before it was just "momma", "dada", and "bye bye". He's really dropped those words (except dada) and had just been rambling. 

With all that "talky" comes lots of "walky."  He is certainly a walky talky!  We've been playing outside a lot in the nice weather.  He enjoys walking outside and getting his hand dirty!  If there is dirt, Tillman will find it.   I think a sandbox is needed at our house.  He also enjoys his play set.  The slide and the steering wheel are his favorite!
Tillman has also had his fair share of doctor visits this month...4 visits!  He's had fever, stomach virus (and all the yuck that comes with that), rash/fever, and pink eye.  He even has to go back on Friday to get his second half of the flu shot. 

Tillman's 13 month stats
Weight: 9.5 kilograms (at the MUSC Children's After Hours Care...everything is in kilos)
Diaper size: 3-Little Movers during the day and size 4 at night
Clothing size: 12-18 month, but it varies by brand
Shoe size: 4.5-had him measured this month, and found his shoes were too small!
Food: Drinking whole milk and eating more table food. Drinking from a sippy cup and gets bottle at night and early morning.
Naps: In the new classroom, he's taking a 2 hour nap.
Sounds: Chatter box...loves to talk!
Playing: Walking, playing outside, not enjoying stroller rides as much, as he wants to get down, dirt, and enjoys exploring big boy toys (computers, daddy's road bike, power cords, etc)

Injury Report

Apparently medicated chest rub on a "goose egg" causes
the swelling to go down along with witch hazel...who knew?

I grew up around sayings...I think it is a Southern thing because Nick isn't used to all the sayings that come out of my mouth.  One saying my mother would always says is "hard heads make soft behinds."  We'll Tillman certainly has a hard head, and so we found out on 9-28-11.  The injury report doesn't tell the whole story.

As soon as I arrive at daycare, the director said, you'll have to forgive me, but I forgot to call you.  I'm thinking "ok....uhhh....for what?" She further said that Tillman broke a glass door today when he couldn't catch himself from a fall.  WHAT?  He broke a door? She further tells me that the glass repairman couldn't believe that a baby broke the door.  He said Tillman must have hit it just right.  In the back of my mind, I'm thinking "you called the repairman, but forgot to call me....??"

Of course he was fine, he had three nice size bruises on his forehead where he went head first into the door.  Fortunately, it was safety glass, so no cuts.

I guess Tillman has redefined the saying to "hard head make (for) broken glass!"

How can it be?

8.28.11

Thursday is the 1st day of September.  I can't believe in 13 days Tillman will be a 1 year old. The party planning has begun, the date has been set, the theme has been chosen, etc. The closer the time comes the more mixed my emotions are about our baby turning 1.  Yes, it is exciting that he is growing up, but on the same note...HE'S GROWING UP!

It was reported yesterday that he took 5 steps at daycare, and he has a nice bruise on his forehead to prove his efforts of taking steps (he smacked the coffee table while showing off while Skyping with MiMi).

Speaking of reports from daycare, the teachers never just come out and say "oh mom, he took 5 steps today." They never give reports on milestones unless I specifically ask.  It makes me wonder if they are reluctant to tell me since they may be seeing a milestone for the first time (before mom and dad). If I say, "have you guys seen him takes some steps? He was taking steps this weekend." They will gladly speak up and say "oh yeah, he walked from the refrigerator to the jumperoo after his nap today."  If I wouldn't have said a thing, would they have told me?  I know that we won't be there for everything, but I'd at least like a full (uncensored) report.

Ok...so I wouldn't be a MOM if I didn't say, I hate to miss those milestones/be there first hand with the video camera capturing everything the moment it first happens, but at the same time I'd also would hate to live in a tent, so I guess our situation won't change, and mommy and daddy will continue to work! As my maternal Grandfather used to say "children have their work to do too," and Tillman's job is to give those daycare ladies a run for their money!  After all, I'm sure by the time he hits first grade he will have a well boost immune system (we're currently on ear infection #3) and (hopefully) won't be that kid in the carpool line screaming since he's never been away from mommy/daddy. 

When Tillman goes into daycare, he knows the routine, and goes with open arms to his teachers.  In September, he will be moving to a new class, so interesting times to come with a new set of teachers and going from the oldest kiddo in the room to the youngest.

September will be a big month for sure!

11 months 8.12.11

Tillman at 6AM ready for the day

This little one woke up today and was told he was 11 months old.  He didn't understand all of the clapping and carrying on, but mommy and daddy know that their little one is growing up.
Tillman is on the move these days.  He really doesn't even stop to smile at the camera.  In fact, he gets a little upset if you try to make him stay still.  He enjoys crawling around, banging on everything, and taking things out of cabinets and drawers (oh, can't forget his love for the trash can and Graham's food bowls too).
He is starting to learn his strength and tested it yesterday at the daycare with several of his "cronies." It was reported that he and two girls officially pushed over a rocking chair.  The teacher seemed aggravated about it so, I didn't ask (but wanted to) "did he clap when it went over?" 
Tillman is quite the clapper and waver these days.  He loves to wave hey and bye.  If he knows that Nick is in a room that we are approaching, Tillman gets that arm and hand moving before we enter the room.  He also loves to wave at the other parents and kiddos as they come and go at the daycare too.

Tillman has also started little temper tantrums in several instances.  He *hates* to get his diaper changed.  As soon as he is put on his back, he starts to cry, squirm, and flat out throws a fit sometimes.  He had a pretty severe diaper rash this month after taking a strong antibiotic due to another ear infection.  I think that has a lot to do with him hating diaper changes now.  Ironically this morning, him going on the changing table was the only smile I captured this morning (I think he was smiling because he found the opportunity to grab something and leap out of my arms).
His other temper tantrum mode is when you tell him "no;" he will lay his head down on the floor like he is tired. He was told "no" in the bath last night, and put his head down.  It didn't go over too well in water, so he found out.  It was a little scary for the both of us!

Tillman is in love with his diaper trash can. I don't know why, but he is always climbing up to the bag (the white poking out a bit in the photo), and BITING it (YUCK).  We did just get some Febreze trash bags; I'm thinking that might be what he enjoys?  Just kidding, I really think that the trash can is just his height, and he loves to climb up, tip it over, and see his reflection in it (oh yeah, and beat on it too).

Check me out in my man-tank!

Tiny T is also a fan of our bathroom drawers.  We've had to babyproof the bottom drawer make the bottom drawer Tillman's.  It has his toys and other things for him to dump out, chew, and play with while we get ready in the morning.  The little stinker also knows how to turn on the water in the tub, and enjoys turning it on and off...on and off...on and off (yes, we pick our battles...it's the cold water handle).


Tillman got a "stand up" toy this week.  Nick wanted to make sure we had a good crawler before we introduced him to any type of standing up or walking toy.  Well, this week I picked TT (Tiny T) up a walk behind toy from Once Upon a Child for $6!  He looked at the thing, crawled over, and knew exactly what to do.  I guess it was either walk behind it or fall.  Fortunately, he picked the walk option.

Morning Bottle

Afternoon Snack

Tillman's Stats
Weight: 19.8 lbs (weighted this weekend)
Diaper Size-3 (Little Movers)
Clothing Size-Anywhere from 6 mos to 18 mos (clothes vary so much between brands)
Shoe-bare-foot boy
Food-Only Momma milk up until 8/7/11. Now he gets 2 ounces of formula in each bottle and three meals a day-2 vegetables and 1 fruit (Nick has been doing some reading, so today he'll get some millet in his fruit jars). He currently only feeds himself RITZ crakers. 
Sleeping-through the night in his crib ( 7PM-6AM)
Teeth-4 on the top and 2 on the bottom (still grinding away with those teeth)
Naps-Generally only one nap at daycare and then naps on the way home. We try to get him down for 2 naps on the weekend. It is rough sometimes.

I tell you; the kid loves his bumper!

Play-pulling up, walking around furniture holding on, crawling on knees, free standing for few moments, wanting to step, but falls to his knees or grabs something really fast!
Things we're working on- finger foods (this is hard for me as I don't like messes, but we'll get dirty this weekend), sippy cup (equals a chew toy to TT now), holding his bottle (I think he thinks that is my permenet job)
Things mommy's working on-Tillman's 1st Birthday!

My Daddy Dressed Me...

"Chicks dig me!"

Last Saturday (while I was at a baby shower), Nick and Tillman hung around the house.  When I left, Tillman was still in his sleep sack, but this was his "snazzy" outfit when I returned home!  By the looks of Tillman's face, I think he might like it; I see him saying something like "Chicks dig me!"

Tillman is also trying to crawl these days.  He's getting the motions down, but just doesn't enjoy being on his tummy.  He is rolling all around the room.  Last week, he rolled under his crib at the day care, and couldn't get out.  I think he surprised his "teachers," especially since one of them had to crawl under there with him to "fish" him out.  They said that he has really become mobile over the past week. 

 One thing I've noticed is we'll see Tillman do something at home, but it takes about a week until they notice it at daycare.  I think at home we're more comfortable with having him do things, but when at daycare, they don't put him out of his comfort zone/ test him.  Likely it is because they have 9 other babies to watch, and they are just trying to keep all 10 happy...let alone challenge each of them!

Tillman Has Been Initiated Into Day Care

Mimi-thanks for the outfit!
Tillman thinks it wears and "taste" good!

On Tillman's third week of day care, he is officially initiated.  I can't believe the initiation process took that long!  The other kids in his "class," I guess, were not sure if they wanted to "share."

Tillman is part of the day care gang with a snotty nose, sneezing, watery eyes and a temp of 99.6!

He's pretty resilient to the effects of the "crud." He still managed to find a smile, stick out his tongue and show off his belly!

Day Care Funnies

Tillman's routine has certainly been "shaken up" since the start of day care.  He went from 1:1 care to 3:10 care, and he wasn't all that happy about it.  Everyone says that it is the parents that have the biggest adjustment to the concept, and while that might be true to some extent, Tillman has certainly noticed the change.  His eating, sleeping, moods, and poops other things have been effected. 

When I dropped him off this Monday morning, I handed him over to the day care lady.  His poor little lip poked out, and he began to cry.  It made me feel so bad.  This was again a repeat for Nick on Tuesday.  Most days, they say he has an absolute melt down in the morning, and then the afternoons are better.

Yesterday when I picked him up, they said he was "great!"  This is the FIRST time the ladies were smiling and "cooing" at Tillman when we left.  The other days, I think they are glad to see him go?

Since we are into week two at day care, there are some things that I think are just funny. 

1. Since the first day, there is one lady that tells me everyday "Tillman is so gassy!"  She wanted us to get him some Mylicon.  We took a bottle, and just yesterday, they are requesting another bottle.  I know this stuff won't hurt Tillman because anything you can give your child 12 times a day can't be harmful.  However, really...already need another bottle?  Yes, I get it, you think he is gassy! 
By the way, Nick and I haven't use Mylicon since he was 1 month old.  He does fine at home. 

2. Monday I had some extra time, so I stayed and chatted with the ladies.  I specifically asked if he was running low on anything.  They said he still had a good stock.  On Tuesday report card, diapers were highlighted, circled, and checked.  Really?  I just asked about this.  Tillman and I had to run to the store to have some for Wednesday.

3. Booties are required to be worn in the room for "cleanliness."  I think this is great and appreciate them putting that rule in place.  My shoes walk around a hospital all day, and Nick's shoes walk around chemicals and outdoor stuff all day, so I certainly don't want to be walking were Tillman is on the floor especially since he has his hands in his mouth all the time (wow-long sentence).  However, The booties are a pain to put on.  Plus, I don't like reusing ones that have been put on other's shoes (ick!).  I've seen some parents walk in the room with just socks or no shoes.  Apparently, that is breaking the rules.  I got "called down" for this...really, everyone else does it, and you say nothing (got to pick on the newbie?)!  The lady made me feel like a two-year-old.

4.You have to ring a door bell to get in the building.  Again, safety first!  There is a camera at the door, and they buzz you in.  One thing I ponder is how long do I wait until I buzz the bell again.  I stood there for over a minute yesterday (I know, a minute is not that long, but when you are standing there with your hand on the door handle waiting...it is!).  I finally buzzed again, and they immediately let me in.  Next time, I'm waiting 20 seconds!

5. Tillman can sleep standing up in a exersaucer.  He literally "jumps" himself to sleep. When he does this at home, we just let him be.  While it may be funny, odd, and look uncomfortable, he likes it and can sleep an hour or more, so just leave him be.  The ladies think he needs to be in a bed to sleep, so they try to move him.  Of course he wakes up, so that is why the poor child hasn't slept longer than 30 minutes since becoming a "day care kid."

6. Tillman's crib is the ONLY crib in the place that has a swing in it!  I must get a picture of this!  They have figured out that he can sleep in a swing too.  I picked him up on Friday, and he was in his swing in his crib.  The other children were sitting in Bumba seats on the carpet in a circle "playing."  Poor Tillman looked like a "loner" in the corner.  It made me sad!

So...that is that!

5 months 2.12.11

Cheering on Cousin Colin

Tillman turned 5 months on Saturday.  We celebrated by going to Cousin Colin's basketball game.  Tillman enjoyed watching the game.  He paid close attention to the players and the ball.  However, the buzzer was not his favorite, and he let us all know!

Uncle Ricky holding Tillman

Tillman also had a big Valentine's Day too.  He started daycare yesterday. I think he will do just fine, but there will be some adjustment time (for all of us).  The daycare ladies mentioned it would likely take a week or so.  The poor guy cried for 45 minutes straight and only drank 1/2 of the milk that he normally does.  The ladies asked we bring Mylicon, as they were very concerned his tummy hurt.

When Tillman got home he drank two bottles and was exhausted from his day.  He pretty much slept from 5PM to 5:30AM.  Tillman certainly isn't used to a lot of noise.  They mentioned he woke every time another child was crying, he cried when they did, and he just wasn't sure about things.

We know that it is good for him to socialize and be around other children, but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't hard to drop him off.  Nick and I both didn't speak very much when we left the daycare.  It made me teary eyed to leave him in someone else's care.  I think it got to Nick a little too. 

We know he is in good care.  The ladies are very sweet, and when I went for pick up, they gave me a complete run down of the day, and they give him a daily report card too.  They seemed very impressed I didn't call the check up on Tillman during the day (boy, did I want to), but I think they get annoyed by parents calling (I would).

Cousin Colin and Tillman

What's Tillman up to at five months?

-He loves to make "raspberry" sounds (vibrate lips and slobber...the cute kind).  We have a bib on his all the time. 

-He's been introduced to rice cereal, but we've stopped feeding him it until we can add some fruit (need some fiber in that diet).

-Tillman is starting to learn if he cries/gets fussy, we tend to him.  He is starting to play us like his "puppets."

-He is pretty consistent with sleeping through the night (in his crib too).

-Tillman wears a size 2 diaper,  is still in 0-3 mo. clothing, and has a steady diet of "mommy milk"

-Some of his tricks include-rolling over, blowing bubbles and sit-ups/crunches

-Tillman enjoys walks in the BabyBjour and the jogging stroller

-He also has the sweetest smile and laugh too!

3 Months Old (12.12.10)

12.12.10 - Tillman's 3 month birthday

On Sunday, Tillman turned 3 months old.  It is so hard to believe!  Looking at pictures, I can tell that Tillman has certainly grown a lot since he was born.  Nights have certainly gotten easier since he is in a routine. 

At 3 months, he has an established bed time of 8 PM.  Tillman usually gets a bath in the 7 o'clock hour and feeds.  Normally right after the feeding, he is ready to be swaddled and put in the moses basket (Thanks Emily for letting us borrow yours!).  Tillman will sleep his long stretch of the night, and that usually last until 2:30 AM.  When he wake, he is HUNGRY!  He feeds, we change him, and then put him right back to bed. 

3 month old Tillman drinks 4 ozs., and so far, he has only received breast milk.  We think Tillman is around 12 lbs; although, we have not weighed him since he went for his 2 month appointment.  At his last doctor's appointment, she said he could drink 5 ozs, but we feel he is satisfied with 4.  If we feed him more, he normally gets upset and shakes his head to get away from the bottle.

Smiling to crying in .2 seconds!

Tillman is still in 0-3 month clothing.  This size fits really well, and I think he'll be growing out of a few pieces very soon.  I have already started to pull things out of the drawers that don't fit anymore, mostly newborn size. 

Tillman hanging out on the bathroom
counter while mommy gets ready

We've certainly seen Tillman smile a lot over the past few months, especially when he wakes up (if you catch him before he starts whaling and screaming).  I think he will be a morning person!  He also is starting to make lots of cooing sounds and even does a "fake cough."  He seems so impressed with himself when he makes these noises too!  (I guess we get to look forward to when he knows he can scream without crying.)

Tillman happy after his bottle

I have to say that Tillman's #1 thing to do in the past few weeks is blow bubbles. These are hard to catch on camera, as they don't seem to show up in the photo. He'll get a lot of bubbles going, and his mouth and chin will be covered in drool. We've had to start using more burp cloths and bibs lately.

Bubble Machine-click on photo to really see the bubbles

Bubble Machine-can someone wipe his mouth?

 Tillman's daily routine for the past month and until Valentine's Day is going to work with Daddy!  Most days he is out the door by 6:30 AM.  This week especially, he's had to bundle up (burrr...27 degrees).  Tillman has his own lunch box filled with 3-4 bottles to get him through the day.  He doesn't have a Sunburst Landscaping uniform yet, but I am sure he'll have one soon!  Tillman has even had a few play dates with some of Nick's Seabrook clients.  Two ladies have wanted to keep Tillman for a few hours during the day.  Also, Nick's dad (PapPaw) also lives on Seabrook and has watch Tillman during the day when Nick has to go to meeting and things. 

Tillman packed and ready for work with Daddy

We're really glad it has worked out that Nick can watch Tillman through the winter.  It sure helps out in lots of ways--they get to spend lots of father son time together, no daycare expense, no daycare snotty nose yet, etc! 

Tillman eyeing his bottle right before
walking out the door...not the time to get hungry!



Another Daycare....Yet Another Deposit Down!

Jan 2011 update-We are not sending Tillman to this "school."  Since they are listed as a "school," my dependent daycare account at work will not cover it.  Also, I have not been impressed with the Director's communication--she is not responsive to email and doesn't return phone calls.  That alone is very frustrating.  The program sounded good when we visited orginally.

I mentioned a few weeks back that Nick and I were checking out another daycare.  Well, little did I know, we were going to check out a "little school" for infants up to five-year-olds.  Creative Learning on Johns Island recently expanded their hours to accommodate children for full days (before only 1/2 day program). 

Before visiting this "school," I was already impressed because they actually had a website!  As you read from this post, most of the centers in town are word of mouth only and there is very little information on the web.  Funny thing is we actually heard about Creative Learning through word of mouth (ironic) at a birthday party for one of my friends.  We got to talking to someone who just had a child.  The child care subject came up, and they mentioned that is where they were taking their daughter in the fall.  I was curious enough to check it out and was glad I did!

Of course when I call, they mention that they only have one spot left  for March 2011 (always the case).  We visited the program on a Friday and put the deposit down the following Tuesday. 

Things that impressed us about their program:
-All teachers are masters prepared in teaching and/or child therapies.
-Infants to 5-year-olds are integrated for activities and learning.  Infants are only in the "infant" room to nap.
-Kids have a garden they maintain, take care of several animals, and help staff to prepare lunches (organic).
-The Rector (Episcopal Church staff member) does "chapel" with the children, and prayers are said at each meal.
-Weekly Newsletter are email about the upcoming week (we're already receiving those).
-Program is small.  From 9-12 each day is when they have all children attending school, the afternoons drop off to only 30% of the children. 
-All the children that have graduated the program thus far are reading on a first grade reading level! (very impressed by that)

25 Weeks Today!

"Head to heels, Tillman now measures about 13 1/2 inches. His weight — a pound and a half — isn't much more than an average rutabaga, but he's beginning to exchange his long, lean look for some baby fat. As he does, his wrinkled skin will begin to smooth out and he'll start to look more and more like a newborn. He's also growing more hair — and if you could see it, you'd now be able to discern its color and texture." (according to babycenter.com!)

Tillman is certainly growing and getting stronger.  I can feel his movements and occasionally I can see my tummy move (at this point it is only something I see, no one else notices it yet).  When he is really active while I'm laying in bed the bed feels like it is moving.  It is really cool to think that he could make all of that happen!

On my to do list for this week:
-Sign up for the MUSC Child Birth Education Class (we're doing the full Saturday class.  Nick and I both have the attitude of "let's just get this done."  No sense in us going for 4 weeks on a week night.)
-Sign up for the MUSC Breast Feeding Class
-Call Parkwood Pediatrics (they come highly recommended by Dr. Villers and friends)
-Looking at a few other daycares....I know I can't believe I'm doing this again...Lions Tiger and Daycare...oh my!

Lions, Tigers and DAYCARE oh my!

I've always heard "rumblings" about getting a child (especially the first) into daycare, but I never paid much attention (after all, that subject didn't pertain to me!). As you know, I found out I was pregnant at 9 weeks, and I really didn't tell anyone (other than those I just can't keep a secret) I was pregnant until 12 weeks.
As soon as I started telling people (especially those with small children), their response was "wow, congratulations; you need to look into daycare." I thought to myself, "are they serious; certainly it isn't a problem. I'm only 12 weeks along, and we don't need daycare right at 6 weeks" because Nick is going to keep our child until March 2011 (our time frame for child care is January 2011-March 2011 since Nick has a light schedule in the winter and would like to stay home with our little one).
Their comments got me thinking; then it got me stressed out! Especially when looking on the internet to find daycares in Charleston, none of these places have a website. We actually found the yellow pages to be the most helpful (talk about stepping back in time) and asking friends where they take their children (and where friends of friends go)!

After my First Trimester Screening appointment, we set out to tour a few daycares. We toured Ashley River Baptist Child Development Center (Savannah Hwy), Little Christian Day School (Wappoo Road), and Charleston Day School (South Windermere). All of these places had its pros and cons, but we would feel comfortable leaving our child at any of these places.

Ashley River Baptist ($160/ week with option of vaca week after 6 mos) is our first choice. We liked how clean the place was, the healthy lunches served, no TV (except for a treat), it comes highly recommend from friends and family, and most of all, the structure they provide (curriculum and schedule).
We put down our $25 deposit to be placed on the waiting list that 12-18 months long (WHAT?!?). Doing the math while sitting in the church office, didn't make me comfortable at all. 18 months from now is June 2011. Although that is our first choice, the director encouraged us to get on 2 other waiting lists.

Since Little Christian Day School ($140/week with no vaca week option) was our second choice, we decided to put down the $60 deposit (which guarantees us a spot anywhere from January-March 2011). We do like this program. Everyone seemed very friendly, the director was very involved with the children, overall the place seemed pretty clean, cheapest ($1,000 less/ year than ARB), and they serve breakfast and lunch to the kids. Some things that made it our second choice was the kids were watching a movie (because it was Friday...not a treat), their menu was not as healthy, and the children's curriculum didn't have structure until 4 years old.

We didn't put a deposit on Charleston Day School ($175/week) since Little Christian said our deposit guarantee us a spot. The ladies who run the newborn room were absolutely fantastic, and they change every child's diaper before letting them go home! We were most impressed with their newborn staff. What made it our third choice, was the location (busy area), the place seemed really dark and was the least clean (by no means was it filthy, so don't get me wrong. I would still leave my child there).

We did call Lutheran Church of the Redeemer's daycare, and their waiting list was so long, they weren't even taking names anymore. I was shocked by that since we weren't asking for daycare until March 2011. She informed me that she has babies that are due in October already on the list. I was thinking to myself "did these women test themselves everyday to see if they were pregnant?"
She did allow me to fill out a waiting list form for their daycare, but it came with no promises. She said she would follow up to let me know if I made it on the waiting list or not after they do their fall enrollment. I went ahead and filled it out since it didn't cost anything. The Lutheran Church would be the only other option if we made it on the list.

I feel pretty good about the daycares that we toured and am certainly glad that we didn't wait any longer to put our name on a list. "Lions, Tigers, and DAYCARES oh my!"