Here is a compilation of a typical Dela day

....We Made Her For The World

Well the day has finally come. Adeline had her first day at Ghettocare today. It's actually The Cleveland Heights Educare but I have always called it by the first name, even before we had Dela. I joke because the outside looks like a lock-down high security building but it's a very nice daycare with bright clean rooms and friendly staff, good ratios and all the right activities. Adeline's "teacher" is Isabella who is kind of like an elderly Romanian Merry Poppins. Very sweet.

I know that we are very lucky to have put off daycare for 6 months. We certainly could not have done it without my mother and Joel's mother both of whom are saints for pitching in 3 or more weeks to watch Adeline. We are eternally greatful for them. But time has flown and here we are.

I couldn't actually be the one to drop Adeline off. I would have started crying like I did all last night. Instead I helped pack her up, wrote her name in permanent marker in all of her diapers, put together a care bag with all the things a baby might need, kissed her and watched as Joel and Adeline cheerfully marched down the street in the stroller. She smiled a lot and I wonder if she wondered why she was going for a stroller ride so early in the morning. Joel assures me that Dela handled the drop off well and was very interested in all the new people and toys. Still I can't wait to see her when I get home from work today.

It's not that I think daycare is a bad thing. It's actually really good for kids to play with other children, learn all about sharing and rules not to mention not being the center of the universe for a few hours each day. The trade off is the snot nose. (Which Joel has vowed Adeline will never have...) Still it is a hard transition as many of you know. God bless my wonderful husband for helping me through it. Last night I was all blubbering about being a bad mom and wishing I could quit my job and career. Joel made me feel better and said something that I've been repeating to myself all day to get me through. He said "She is a precious baby but we didn't make her just for us. We made her for the world and now we have to share". I love them both so much!

So now I think I should share my Baby Bill of Rights. These are things that I believe all babies are entitled to. Let me know what you think.

1. A baby is entitled to be loved unconditionally by both parents and as many grandparents as possible.

2. A baby has the right to be healthy and to the privileges available to make that happen including vaccines, car seats, vigilant parents etc.

3. A baby has the right to a complete meltdown after 5 hours in a car or the 5th pass between strangers.

4. A baby has the right to a routine and a safe, quiet place to sleep every night.

5. A baby has a right to his/her mother's breast milk whenever and wherever they please as well as all of the benefits and privileges included therein.

6. A baby has the right to be taken outside and to new places to explore his/her world through touch, sound, smell, sight and occasionally even taste.

7. A baby has the right to be held by their mother if they are in pain.

8. A baby has the right to an advocate at home, at daycare and at the doctor's office.

9. A baby has the right to a clean diaper and a regular bath.

10. A baby has the right to laugh, play, learn and love as they please.

What an Adventure!!!

Dela has been having the time of her life. First, Nana and Grampa Bo come from Michigan to visit for the weekend. Then the next weekend we drive to Starved Rock State Park on the Illinois River for another Mulder Family Adventure. Having grandparents around two weekends in a row can really spoil a girl, but Dela doesn't seem to mind.
She had a grand adventure. She got to see caves for the first time, and even go inside them... with a little help from dad and Tyler. We had a good game of where's the Adeline.
And long talks during hikes. But the best thing was all the cousins. Nathan is a little behind, so there are no cousins on the Hull side. Ellen, Laura, Jared, Tyler, and Ben were all very happy to see Adeline. This was not the first time they met Adeline, but it is the first time they were all together at once. Ellen and Laura of course are thrilled that Adeline has made the ratio of girl cousins to boy cousins equal.

The boys really liked Adeline too however... especially. The first thing he would say upon entering the room was, "Where's Baby Adeline?" He was really good with her. We all had a really good time. There was also a water park which we didn't get any picture in (if any other Mulders have pictures, we'd love a copy) that Dela loved. She splashed in the kiddie pool and grabbed at the waterfalls. Unfortunately, she would on occasion try to lick the water and ended up with a face full. That wasn't as fun.
All in all, all had a good time. Another successful Mulder Family Adventure has come to pass.

Dela's First Family Adventure!!

Yes, it's that time of year again for the Mulder Family Adventure. We are really looking forward to it, since this will be Adeline's first one. It's hard to believe she's almost 6 months old already. As you can see, she is quite the happy little kid.She is also a big advocate for A.I.D.S. relief in Africa, as you can see by her "Red Campaign" outfit. She is eating solid foods now and enjoys beans, bananas (see previous post) and carrots. For carrots she has decided to go into a little more artistic media of color accented black and white.

Note the drama in her eyes... and on her face.

Playing has also become a lot more enjoyable, since Dela has figured out how to sit on her own. She is obviously very proud of that. That will come in handy on the Family Adventure which we are leaving for today. After that, Dela's next big excitement is the start of football season...
I think we need to have a talk with her about loyalties.

"Hey, where's the remote?"

Bananas

As many of you know Joel (and I) have this thing against bananas. They are bad for the environment, one of the most genetically modified plants you can buy, (ever see a seed in your banana), they are economically devastating to parts of central america and yes they even have been known to fund terrorism in the form of rebel guerrillas.

BUT:

While at Whole Foods (Whole Paycheck) this weekend we found an alternative source of bananas. There is a group in Costa Rica that uses banana farming to teach sustainable agriculture to local people. The Earth brand pays them fair wages and doesn't destroy their land. So now we can have bananas. I would also encourage any of you who shop at all at Whole Fools to consider buying these rather than from Dole, Delmonte or Chiquita.

Check it out.
http://www.earth-brand.org/social.php



The best part is Dela can now have bananas with her homemade string bean baby food and rice cereal. Yes I'm that mother......