I'm a little late, but finally I'm getting around to posting about our first Family Day anniversary. Above are pictures of our dinner at Red Lobster, where we gave Pumpkin he first of her Family Day gifts: a red silk suit with matching hat. (My niece calls it her Empress outfit.)
It is truly hard to believe, but last week we celebrated our first anniversary of the day Pumpkin was placed in our arms. As if it was yesterday, I remember how the babies were brought into the room, some carried in pairs by the Orphanage staff, and they were so quiet that we didn't know they'd arrived for several minutes. Miss Pumpkin was quiet, a little unsure, and only had one shoe on as her chubby little feet wouldn't hold the squeaky sandals she'd been given. I remember standing by another Mom who softly sobbed at the mere thought that we'd finally made it to this day....knowing full well how I, too didn't think it would ever occur.
It's been a quick, changing, loving year that has included learning to adjust to Motherhood in ways I'd never anticipated. Worst of all for me has been letting go to Pumpkin and her needs and schedule. I'm still learning, but getting better all the time. Age affords me more patience that I know I would have had in my younger years, but it also presents the challenges of mothering through peri-menopausal PMS. Isn't life grand?
I am happy to report that having my daughter is still the greatest gift, along with my stupendously superb husband, that I've received. She is so full of personality that each day brings a new facet of her inner self that just makes us love her more. Quite luckily, our daughter was handed to us in a healthy little body that was full of curiosity, none of which has changed. From the beginning, we've had no obstacles with bonding, illness, parenting, adjustments...nothing at all. With no experience, we found the love we have for this child has served us very, very well. And, one year later, I still find myself in absolute awe each time I look in the rear-view mirror and see Leena sitting there.
Recently, I had to travel to my parents home to provide a little assistance to my father who just had double knee replacement surgery. Leena and I traveled alone for the first time and she was exceptionally well behaved given the major upheaval in her schedule. The most enjoyable part of the journey was getting to sleep with her each night as I read to her and watched her fall asleep, most often snuggled up against me. I found myself so enthralled with her little sleeping face that I had to force myself not to scoop her up and smother her in kisses. Then, on the way to and from my parents home, Leena's ongoing jabbering sessions made for very entertaining conversation. She offers a new look at life through eyes that, while they may someday be justifiably bitter, are full of wonderment. Big car! More cows! Big smoke (clouds). Birds! Where is school? I don't know. Red car. Blue car. Black car. Big truck. Train! Milk please, Mamma. Mamma seatbelt. Stop. Go! It goes on and on. I watch her as she turns her head from side to side to take in as much as possible. She is un-jaded, pure and optimistic. With any luck, we won't do much to change this.
Although there are days, sometimes more than others, that I simply have no patience for parenting, by and large, I'm enjoying myself and my new role. Tickle-fests, silly dancing, chair dancing, reading bed time stories, bath time, feeling her hold my hand, smelling her baby scent, feeling her soft skin, hearing her talk to her toys in the morning....it lifts my soul. Often Daddy and I go to sleep talking about "Leenaisms" of that particular day.
One year later our home is a lot more cluttered;
t.v. has more children's shows taped than adult ones;
we only watch t.v. when she is at school or after she's gone to bed;
daily dish washing is more sippy cups than glass;
laundry take a little longer to "shout out" the food stains;
sleep is a precious commodity that I'd sometimes pay for;
my purse is a lot larger to carry Goldfish and baby wipes;
spit is a terrific on-the-spot cleaner;
our pace is a little slower to allow for shorter legs walking along side us;
my husband has finally learned who Dora the Explorer is (along with the theme songs to every show we see over and over again);
we eat better now to ensure that the four basic food groups are met daily;
we've let go of the notion that our car will be clean for the next 10 years;
we've learned that our schedules are not nearly as the nap/bedtime routine for Leena;
and, we've learned (somewhat late, I must admit) just how little thanks we truly owe our parents for having raised many more children than one.
To steal a quote from Tiny Tim, 'God Bless Us Everyone' who is not only a parent, but lucky enough to be a part of the adoption community. The journey was the hardest I've ever taken, my heart was shattered on more than one occasion, and I didn't think it would happen. But, Leena did finally come and life has been a delightfully silly circus ever since.
P.S. The slide show below highlights some of the many happy memories of our fist year.
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