....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.