Going to Church

Today we took Ellie to church with us for the first time. Last week Ryan and I got there early so we could check out the children's center and nursery. There were kids EVERYWHERE!!! and I have to say it made me really nervous. The nursery for babies was small and we talked to the man in charge and he seemed really nice. So this morning, off we went. I kept telling Ryan how nervous I was that she was going to be upset the whole time. Sometimes I think when she gets really upset and crying hard it freaks people out and even scares them because they don't know what's wrong with her or what to do. The alternative was to take her into the worship service with us. Which wouldn't be a problem except that I was afraid we would end up looking at, playing with, worrying about her and not pay attention to the sermon...in which case, why go? So we arrived at the nursery and there was the nice man we met the week before. There were a few other babies in there all being so good and plenty of nursery workers. I told the nice man where her things were and that I was afraid that she would get really upset b/c she's only 3 months old (I'm such a first time mom!). He said, don't worry, I am ready for high maintenance, bring it on! (Little did he know that my precious Ellie can be the QUEEN of high maintenance!) They have a system at our church (since it's so big) for when the nursery workers need you. They flash your child's number up on the big screens in the sanctuary. Ryan and I were placing bets on not IF, but WHEN Ellie's number would flash. (Aren't we terrible! We didn't even give our little girl the benefit of the doubt that she would be happy in the nursery) The service came and went and no number flashing for Ellie. As we walked toward the nursery I kept listening for her distinctive cry. (I always thought people were "Koo Koo" when they said a mother can tell her child's cry.....but now I know how true that is) I didn't hear anything. Looking into the nursery there she was sleeping in the nice man's arms. I asked him was she sleeping the whole time or did she cry? And he gave me this look.....those of you who have ever been with Ellie during a meltdown know the look I am talking about ....and he said "Oh, she cried....she REALLY cried. She was NOT happy, but we eventually got it worked out and she fell asleep" The look on his face was enough, there was no need for an explanation. I felt for him, I really did. It's hard enough to get her calmed down when you know what she needs and how to calm her. But this man had no clue! I am impressed that he got her to calm down. He said she cried for 15 minutes. It breaks my heart to think she was upset for that long. He did say that she was invited back next week - so she must have done something good :) Sweet Baby!

P.S. I am a slacker Mom and forgot to take my baby's picture of her first day in church - in her sweet pink eyelet dress. Maybe we'll get dressed up this week and take it and pretend we took it on the real day!