Grandma and Me

Well Joel's mom has been with us for a week now and we've all gotten into a pretty good routine. Now that I'm back to work Carole and Dela are home alone during the day. Apparently the first morning was a little rough and grandma had to trick Adeline into taking a bottle but since then they have gotten used to each other and it has been running a lot smoother, or so I'm told. I believe it though, Dela seems to be getting bigger every day.
Now Adeline has taken to her grandmother as if she has been here forever, greeting her in the morning with a smile and baby coos . It's very cute. It has been great having her around. Dela loves her and I know she is being taken care of with as much love and patience as Joel and I could offer ourselves with the added touch only a grandma can give.
Yesterday our neighbor Eef threw Dela a welcome to the world party for the neighborhood in traditional Dutch fashion complete with Muisjes. This is Dutch for "little mice" and involves spreading a cracker with butter and then sprinkling candy covered aniseed over them and eating them. It was surprisingly good. All the neighbors came over and we all sat on the front porch and enjoyed the 75 degree Cleveland Spring day. Dela napped through a lot of it and I'm sure she had no idea that the fuss was all in her name but non the less it was a great way to introduce her formally to the neighborhood.

I can't believe that she is 2 months old now and would you believe that she slept though the night on Friday night??!! It probably won't happen again for a while but Joel and I did appreciate it.
This week Grandpa Mulder is coming in from Chicago on Tuesday, our friends Kevin and Kelly get the keys to their house on Thursday (meaning Joel and I will be up late TPing that night) and I have a job interview on Friday. Wish us all luck and safe travels!!

A Few Moments To Catch Up

Well it's been a few weeks but never fear, we are alive and well.
Over Easter weekend Adeline, Joel and I went on our first extended trip. We headed North to Michigan to introduce our little angel to several family members and friends that she wanted to meet. All in all it was a good trip but by the end Dela was very cranky and wanted nothing more than to be at home so I'm afraid that the last few people to meet her, (Namely her uncle Greg, Aunt Jill and her cousins Ellen, Laura and Jared) met Adelines alter ego Cry-Face, Crap-Pants.

This week it seems Adeline learns a new trick every day. She can hold her head up for quite a while and with some help can prop herself on her arms. She is making a lot of fun noises like "Agoo" and "auug" She smiles a lot and has really taken well to her bedtime routine.







Here's Adeline with her Great-Nana and her Great Grandpa Grevengoed.












Tonight she and Daddy get to do the bed time routine by themselves because Mommy is going to her book club meeting. This month we read The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night. It was a great book written from the perspective of a 15 year old with autism. I recommend it to anyone who might have any interest in what goes on in the mind of someone with an autism spectrum disorder. It is a far more accurate description than anything you will see on Good Morning America or CNN.

I've added a new album so click on "Our Albums" on the right of this page to see a lot more pics from our weekend.


Oh and next time you see Joel just ask him.........