"You Can Let Go Now, Mommy . . ."

It's been an emotional day. I dropped Matthew off to his preschool today for the first time. He'll be attending Pearson Early Childhood five half-days a week. I cried prior to our arrival and after, but stayed strong while we were there. I just feel really dumb I guess. Everyone told me. Everyone said, "Enjoy this time. It will be gone before you know it. They don't stay little forever." But I didn't realize how close that time was. It's like it took me by surprise or attack. And Matthew didn't look back. He told me when we arrived at the school, "Bye, Mom." I hadn't even undone his carseat at that point. Then at every opportunity, he attempted to have me leave. Much to his dissappointment, however, I accompanied him to his class. I had to ask him three times to come over to me, so that I could take a decent picture. I guess I'm grateful that he's not the child the teachers will have to worry about wanting to come home. He's so excited to be in school. Except when I picked him up and finished asking him about his day, I told him that he was so lucky because tomorrow he gets to go again. He gave me sort of a questioning look and said, "Oh? I am?"--like he thought maybe this was a one day thing? And David did better with separation from his brother than I thought. He wouldn't take his nap, but he didn't cry or anything when we left Matthew in his classroom.
Below are just a few (A few to us, since we have albums upon albums of pictures, maybe like a lifetime of pictures for everyone else) shots of our sweet "Teus". We've been smitten with him, since the day the doctor placed him in our arms, and probably before that. I guess, we've loved him since we found out he would be joining our family, but I didn't realize just how deep that love was until I was asked to let go today. I realized once more, how dependent upon prayer I am as a mother.

And just in case you are dying to know which bag he is sporting, that would be the "Big Guys" / "Bumble Bee" / "Transformers" backpack. His old backpack was too small for the required size, so we ran to the mall before school to find one. JC Pennys was having a sale, and just our luck, they had a big selection. I perused over the charcoal grays, camo's, navy blues, and blacks, but Matthew had already seen it: the one true desire of his heart. Something about the cheaply designed, plastic cover caught his attention, and he was hooked--there was no arguing. In a couple of weeks, when this one bites the dust, I'm sure we will find ourselves out again shopping for an amazing backpack, but this time I will be a better planner. (Note to self: Don't take little boys to department stores where action figure memorabilia is sold.)
And one last thing. In case you are wondering if Matthew stood out by this lovely choice of backpack wear, not at all. I saw more of these Spider Man / Hulk / Batman backpacks than you can imagine.