We Made It! Emma's a Year Old!

Well, we made it a full year with our lovely Emma. We waited so long to have her in our arms; each year seemed to take a decade. The funny thing is that this year flew by so fast! I know I've said it before, but I'm still amazed at how fast time can truly fly. Emma had a wonderful birthday. I took a personal day to hang out with her, Grammy, and Aunt Amy. Her birth mom and birth sister came the night of her birthday because her birth mom couldn't come the day of the party. It was nice. We had dinner and opened a couple presents.

Party day was pretty great too! Aunt Amy and I did massive cleaning and got everything ready to go. Emma slept until about 8:30, which was great! She played while we did last minute prep. Grammy got here around 12:00, right before Emma's lunch, bath, and nap. People started showing up about 3:00. Guests included: Great-Grandma Jakubas, Grandpa and Grandma Sibley, Aunt Amy, Grammy, Aunt Katie, Uncle Rohn, Liam, her birth sister, birth uncle, birth grandparents, and The Ramos Clan! We had yummy sloppy joes for lunch/dinner, opened gifts, ate cake, and then played outside for a while! It got chilly, so we went inside. Emma was very sad. She loves playing outside! Eventually she got pajamas on and had a bottle before going down for the night. It was a very full and exciting day! She got so many nice toys and clothes. She is a very loved little girl!

We are putting together a memory box for her to open on her 18th birthday. I hope we can get lots of notes to her to put inside. I know all of our family and friends couldn't join us for her party, so I'm hoping to carry some note cards in the diaper bag for a while. If you're interested in putting a note in her box, let me know! I'm hoping it gives her a picture of how loves she is and how much she means to everyone!

It's been fun, but I'm exhausted! It's almost midnight and finally time for bed. Tomorrow is lunch with the family before Amy heads back to Chicago. Then the week begins again! Her one year check-up is Monday, so that will be interesting! Only another week before we leave for Tennessee! Life is never dull, and I cherish every moment. I've waited a lifetime for these moments, and I am so lucky to have Emma and Mike to share this life!

A Fun Day Filled with Challenges!

Today was so much fun, but it had its moments! Emma is definitely finding her "voice" as she gets closer to her first birthday. She hates having you hold her hand! She doesn't want anyone leading her anywhere--she wants to run the show! The weather was lovely, and I was hoping to get her picture taken at Kmart. They have an Olan Mills studio. She was looking all cute in her skirt and top with the cupcakes. Just as we were finally ready to leave, she tripped and sat in the dogs' water dish. *sigh* Water was everywhere, she was soaked, and she kept slipping and falling in the water. The trip to Kmart was fairly uneventful, thank goodness, but she wasn't able to get her picture taken today. It'll get done, but we won't have anything for her party. I decided to make a "quick" trip to the grocery store, knowing that she was in need of food and a nap. Silly me! Needless to say, we went to the store farther away from us, so she could get a cat nap in the car. Shopping was fine. She had a granola bar in the checkout line. Home for lunch and unloading groceries before heading to a birthday party. All was fine until she decided to throw her sippy cup on the floor. I really did almost cry over the spilled milk. *sigh* As I got everything in the car for the party, I realized I STILL hadn't eaten today!

On a bright note, the party was great fun! I got to eat something too! The weather was perfect. Emma could run and play with the kids, which she loved--until we had to go home. Her temper is truly showing these days! Home for a quick nap, bath, dinner, playtime, and bed. Mike has been working for 21 days straight. He's exhausted. On days like today, though, I feel like a marathon runner. A very out of shape marathon runner at that!

Guess I better switch the laundry, so I can get to bed! She'll be ready to go, and I have to be ready for her! Love her to pieces!

Birthday Number 1 is Right Around the Corner!

Emma's first birthday is fast approaching. I still can't believe we have her in our lives, and I'm amazed at how fast a year can fly! I remember how slowly time seemed to go when we were waiting during our IVF treatments and when we were first waiting to be chosen as an adoptive family. Now that we have our little girl, I want to freeze time, so I don't forget a thing! Funny how your perception changes!

We've been thinking about her birthday party for months now. Ok, I'VE been thinking about her party for months! I think that's a mommy thing! I went back and forth on what to plan. The initial desire was to have a huge bash--invite everyone and their brother! Decorations! Food! Cake! Presents! Our house is small. We would need another place. It might not be warm enough to have it outside. The thoughts went on and on. The more I planned in my head, however, the more I realized that Emma might get lost in the process. I want her to enjoy her day, not be overwhelmed by it. I want her to be in a familiar place. I want her to be able to take a nap if she gets tired. I know that downsizing is going to be disappointing for many family members who want to share in the joy of her first birthday. This was very difficult for me. I love to be surrounded by friends and family, and I want to show off my beautiful baby girl to everyone who loves her as much as I do! Everyone shared in the journey; they want to share in the celebration too. I hope that our beloved friends and family will understand. I know it will be a special day, and I hope she will have a great time.

Emma survived her first real cold and slight ear infection. Meds and an inhaler got her on the mend very quickly. It looks like she might have the start of an eye infection now, so we'll visit Grammy at the eye doctor's office tomorrow afternoon! Emma is an absolute hoot! She giggles like crazy and cracks herself up all the time! She loves playing with the dogs, and I think they secretly like it too! She loves to run up and throw herself on top of us when we lay on the floor, and she gets a kick out of trying to tickle our feet. Her understanding of language is just amazing, and she learns new things every day!

A lot has happened in a year. I reflect on it often--where were we a year ago? Counting down the days to delivery. My birthday is next week. That was the day we found out the day Emma would be born. So much has changed, and I am so thankful every day for the sacrifice her birth mother made. It was a rough trip, but the destination has been more than worthwhile!