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We've known for months this day was coming, but still Monday arrived too soon. As I have mentioned before, we are very, very lucky that we haven't had to put Nicholas in daycare. He goes to the kids club at the gym, but we're right there. Between our moms and his sisters, he's never been more than 50 feet from someone who loves him very much.

I pride myself on not being a crier, but when I saw Nicholas first-day-of-preschool outfit (pressed to perfection by his dad) hanging on his rocking chair, I nearly lost it. "Nearly losing it" was going to be my theme for the day. It happened a lot: taking photographs, strapping him into his carseat, watching him walk in front of me, hand-in-hand with his sister Emily (his other sister, Hannah, was already at school. She participated by text, which also nearly got me).

Finally, we approached the door. I saw another mom walking out. She said "Good morning" but it was clear she was struggling just like I was. At that point, the advice from Gramma Cake came in really handy - "Wear big sunglasses."

We walked inside, signed Nicholas in, kissed him and handed him over to the teacher. We did as everyone said, a quick goodbye and a reassurance that we'd be back to get him in a little bit. The teachers clearly go through this every year, and they were very patient with us. And they provided very necessary tissues near the door. Watching my baby boy walk away with his teacher pretty much did me in, but we made it outside before totally embarrassing ourselves - and him.

The next four hours took forever. I told Joe if my dad was still alive, I'm pretty sure he'd have gone and parked outside the school all day, "just in case".

Finally, it was quarter to noon and we could go get him. We walked into the back of the classroom, and there was Nicholas - and the rest of the class - sitting on the rainbow rug and singing a song. I got a flash of all the goodbyes that are to come - first grade, high school, college. But then he turned around and saw me, and I knelt down as he ran over before launching himself into my arms, and all was right in my world.

I loved hearing about all he did that day, and what he learned and who is in his class. And I loved that he seemed to enjoy it and wasn't traumatized like his poor parents.

It gets easier, right? Because I have to do it all again on Friday. Sunglasses are at the ready...