First Day of Preschool

We were planning on starting Zach in preschool before the twins got here. Our pediatrician recommended we do this before their arrival so Zach doesn't think he's being pushed out of the house right when they get here. My strict bedrest excitement forced us to get on the ball and do it even sooner, which is fine. I looked at so many preschools. We chose this one because it was :
1. in our budget
2. one block away
3. flexible times. They don't offer half days, so I can utilize them from 6:30 am to 6:30 pm.
4. They have a nice, casual, laid back style, which is just fine for his age. I don't need him to learn physics just yet.
So, on this day I had a Doctor's appointment, so luckily (or unluckily) I was able to go on his very first day. Mind you, this is the first time I'd been out in almost a week.
Everything was going so well. As we drove there, Zach kept saying "preschool, yay!!" When we pulled into the parking lot he said, "preschool! Yay!" He got out of the car and ran to the gate. We signed him in and I walked him towards the toys. Some kids were already playing with the water table (his favorite!)

Marilyn, the teacher, giving me a rundown of how this will all pan out. My child not even noticing me. Busy with the water. Awesome!

OK, last pic with Daddy! He's doing so great! I can't believe how seamless this is going!



I don't have any pictures of what happened next, partly because it would have been cruel and unusual punishment to photograph my kid at that moment, as well as the fact that I was sobbing hysterically and was only thinking about what a horrible mommy I was.
When we turned to walk away, Zach started crying. Not just crying, but crying and screaming like someone was pulling his toenails out one by one. Marilyn the teacher was trying to comfort him, and he would push her away, screaming, "NO! NO!" while his face turned beat red and HUGE tears rolled down his sweet little face.
We had walked away by this time, but Jeff went back to comfort him. The teacher said that that was just prolonging everything and to just go. So we did. Ugh. It was awful. I sobbed hysterically for a good 15 minutes. Jeff called about an hour after the drop off and they said he cried for about 10 minutes and then aside from a few whimpers here and there, was just fine.
Today was day 2 and I'm happy to report that he only cried for a few minutes and then was fine. He was picked up by Uncle Pat at 11:45, so it was a good 3.5 hour day at preschool. He even ate some lunch there.
I hope that as the days go by we'll be able to even let him nap there, but that won't happen until he (I) feel comfortable.