Bye Bye Bitter Sweet First Year

Marking Maren's first birthday is bitter sweet. It's sweet because she is home and we are celebrating this important milestone TOGETHER. And, look at her! Isn't she precious? What's not to love? She is thriving, changing, learning, and growing She brings so much life and joy into our home.

O.k., it's a little bitter because I'm not quite ready for her to be one! But ready or not birthday number 1 has come. We've only been together 5 months. Time is going a little too quickly. It still feels like we're trying to catch up. And, it's already time to say good-bye to formula (well maybe this is partly sweet for our budget) and hello to whole milk and an era of bottles and infancy is already beginning to come to a close. She is standing up now and I know walking independently is just around the corner. I love the baby days and I am grasping to hold on to them.

I cannot help but think of Maren's birth mom. This is also bitter. I am sure that she too is marking this important milestone. I am sure she is still mending from this huge tear in her heart.

I guess it's good that the bitterness of life is mixed with sweetness. It makes everything more palatable. And, it helps us look forward to our real home with our Father who will wipe every tear from our eyes.

Happy 1st Birthday, Dear Maren!

Recovering From The Toll of the Wait

I was listening to a webinar by Karyn Purvis in preparation as we waited to bring Meg home. The good doctor was encouraging adoptive parents to take care of themselves so that we can in turn take good care of our children. She encouraged drinking enough water, taking a multi-vitamin, getting daily exercise, and dealing with the emotional baggage of your life through journaling. As she was elaborating on the stress of adopting she mentioned in passing the stress of the adoption process and specifically noted how grueling and taxing the wait can be. When she mentioned that I began to cry and I was thankful that she had included this little sentence in her presentation because it affirmed and gave credibility to the pain that I was experiencing as we were 1/2 world apart from our daughter.

That crazy wait wears on you! And, it takes time to recover from the wait after it's all over. And, the recovery is taking place as your adjusting to the new little bundle in the family and you're going through jet lag.

I feel like I am coming out of the fog of the wait! It feels good. It was worth it. And, it was hard. And, now I better get a glass of water, take my vitamins, and go for a jog.

I Know You Better Now

Just looked through some of my photos that we received while we were waiting to meet Meg. I haven't done that for a while because I've been having too much fun with the real girl live! Looking at those pictures now brings different feelings. Ah, it's so good! I love her personality and I love that looking back I can see what was there all along but I couldn't recognize because I didn't know her yet. I know you better now, Meg!