I wasn’t sure how this was going to go. People were telling me that I was going to cry all the way home after dropping her off. I have to admit I was a little scared, after-all this was the first time I was ever going to leave Lexi at someone else’s house. Someone I had met personally once, for about an hour.

Yes, Shan and I had scoped her out on New Years Day. We decided that we were a pretty good judge of character and that we wouldn’t make any quick decisions about this coming Wednesday.

We arrived at Jennifer’s house and were greeted at the door by her youngest son Trevor who looks to be the happiest baby in the world. Like if there was a planet that dropped little happy babies down to earth him and Lexi would have the same Visa. Almost immediately Lexi is right at home playing with Trevor’s cool toys and naming the cat. Shan and I start talking to Jennifer and find out that we are already doing a lot of the same things. It could not have gone any better to be honest and on the way home we both agree that we think this is it!

Could it be this easy? Have we found someone we trust already who is flexible enough to care for our child once a week at our convenience? We decide to try it out this Wednesday and let Lexi decide.

On the way there I am already planning my exit. I spoke to Jennifer and asked if I could stay for an hour and see how she does with me there at first and of course she is fine with it. When we get there I get Lex out of her car seat and into the livingroom where she immediately starts to play with Trevor. I talk to Jennifer for a bit and realize how much I over packed. She has everything, so I need to bring a couple diapers and that is about it. After about 10 mins it’s clear to me that Lexi is having fun so I go over and kiss her goodbye on the cheek. She wipes it off like a fly landed on her face and continues to play and I sneak off into the kitchen and out the door.

On the way home I think about crying but soon realize that I am much more manly than that. I pulled into 7-11 and bought some cold medicine and a Crunchy instead. I thought about her a lot on the way home but it was all good. I knew she was fine and I was happy that she was in new surroundings, playing with other kids and experiencing new things. I also wondered if she was looking for me, or would she be able to sleep there?

About 20 mins later I get an e-mail from Jennifer with an update:

Hey Tom!
Lexi is doing great her and Trevor have been having fun playing. They just had their snacks yogurt and puffs and some pear juice. Thought I’d send you a few pics. Ok we’re off to do some reading.
- Jennifer

That totally eased my mind. She even sent over another update later to let me know that Lexi was napping like a champ and ate a great lunch. What more can you ask for?

When I picked her up later in the day she was scrambling around the living room showing me all the cool stuff she had played with throughout the day. I kept trying to put her sweater on and she kept pulling away to show me more cool stuff. I thanked Jennifer for a great day and on the drive home Lexi was still talking about all the fun she had.

I can’t even tell you how happy and proud I am for her.