Monday, May 18, 2015

First Gotcha

Today is blowing my mind.

It's so crazy that 1 year ago tonight (May 19th in China... but still May 18th back home) this adorable dark haired girl was carried in the arms of her nanny and into our lives forever.


Amazing.

And when I think back on our scared little girl and how far she has come... it's just awesome.



The day the boys were born, I remember feeling so overwhelmed with love and joy. But as much as I felt on that day, I still look back and think how I had no. idea. No idea of all those sweet details that would make up these little people that I can't get enough of.

It's the same now as I think about one year ago today. I wish I could go back to that moment we held Lainey for the first time and she looked at us like, "what the heck?!". I wish I could do it all over again with the knowledge I have now.

Knowing her sweet hugs, kisses, and "ugga muggas" (ala Daniel Tiger).

Knowing the hilarious "mad face" that she has down PAT. Don't even try to help Miss Independent put her pants on or try to help her out of the car. She will give you that look and make you know in typical 2-year-old fashion, "No, Mommy. I do it."

Knowing the way she adores big brother Canaan. He's the first person she thinks about when she wakes up, asking "Where Guh Guh Canaan at? He sweepin'? Shhhhh. He sweepin', Mommy!".

Knowing how obsessed she is with the alphabet, and (usually incorrectly) identifying letters with conviction and flair.

Knowing how each night when we lay her down and say "night night" she'll always follow with, "sweep tight" right before she pops her thumb in her mouth.

Knowing her laugh... her smile... her squeal when being tickled or chased.

Knowing how very deeply we love and adore her.

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Yesterday we celebrated (both my 35th birthday and Lainey's Gotcha Day)! We started a few new traditions including dinner out at an authentic Chinese restaurant (it. was. awesome.) and a trip to the international market to find moon cakes. Lainey had a couple gifts to open and then we were off to the park to play and spend time together.









Guh Guh (Big Brother) Canaan

Guh Guh (Big Brother) Ezra


We also gave Lainey one red balloon.

One red balloon for one year home. Next year, she will have two for two years home, and so on... until the day we celebrate with more than will fit in our car! :)

What a blessing every day of the last year has been!








My heart is so full and happy. I am so thankful for God's work in making sure we found our sweet, sassy, smart, silly girl!

Happy Gotcha Day baby girl!