The "D" stands for...

We had a very hard time choosing a name for Delilah when she was "cooking".  At one point, we considered the following names: Isla, Charlotte, Matilda, Madeline, and after she was born, I lamented that Cecelia (Cece) would have been a great name.  It was so different from Gabrielle - I somehow always knew that our first born would be a girl in that her name would be Gabrielle.  One day the name Delilah just popped into my head, and that was pretty much it... Gabs had the final say between our final 2, and her 17 month old self chose Delilah.  

People thought we were nuts... A few people even thought we were joking when we told them the name!  Where on Earth did we get this name?  In 2012, it was #154 on the most "popular" baby girl names... No one even knew anyone with that name!  

So, Delilah was born, and was so named.  She grew into that name!  This kid is a crazy, adorable powerhouse of mischief and giggling and intelligence and energy!  

After she fell asleep tonight, I looked over, and this is how she fell asleep. I had two blankets and a pillow on her bed, and she wouldn't use the pillow, and would only use the smallest blanket with which to cover herself.  Rather than sleeping in a "normal" way on the bed, she is stretched out all over it, like she was awake and then she just passed out where she was.  

This little girl sleeps like she lives - crazy, hectic, adorable, and on her own terms.  

Sometimes when she's naughty or sassy, she gets called a diva, and I must say... She wears it almost proudly.  

How times have changed....

Tomorrow Gabbie starts 4k, and she's so excited.  We spent the weekend practicing how she would introduce herself to the kids in her class, we chose her special first day outfit, and we talked about what she might learn.  I'm a wreck. 

This is her first time away from people who have been specifically chosen for her, to guide her and provide her care.  I understand that they are teachers and are probably quite good at their jobs, however I don't know them beyond the very small introductions we got at the open house two weeks ago.

I remember several years ago (when I was younger and wiser), thinking that all these moms being a blubbering mess on the first day of school were such over-reactors.  What's the big deal?  You knew they would grow!  Aren't they all the most important thing to someone?!  What makes your kid so special/awesome/smart/adorable?

Ummmm....

Yeah.  About that.  

Other things I used to be so smart about.... 

-kids having a fit in public - control your child!

-breast-feeding, cloth-diapering, organic feeding... In the end, I now see that loving care matters the most.  

-dining with kids in public - geez, get a babysitter! It's only $30-$40 more!

-kids being loud at Disney movies - yeah, I literally didn't understand where there were so many kids at Finding Nemo...

-Milestones - isn't the idea of it all to get the kids off the expensive food and out of the diapers? Why is this such a big deal to you all?

-kid art - so your kid drew a bunch of people with no arms and called it a family portrait and you are nearly in tears?  You need some therapy, lady.  (Incidentally, Gabrielle drew me that picture at daycare last week, and I promptly brought it home and laminated it.)

-all the pictures.  Ha!  I'm now proudly the World's Biggest Offender!  

So, on the eve of our older child starting her educational career, I will only say that one of the smartest things I ever learned was to have an open mind and be flexible.

Next year when they both go to school, I am taking the day off to get a massage, a pedicure, and cry my eyes out.  Look for the crazy lady crying at Starbucks, clutching baby pictures and kid art.