She technically wasn’t born until 4:50 p.m. but close enough right? Last year was such a whirlwind of activity that I didn’t have a lot of time to get sentimental about it but this year I can’t stop getting all mushy and teary eyed. I am trying not to dwell on the sadness that is connected with this day. Even though it is the day the world was blessed by her presence it was also the day her first mother followed through with her heart wrenching decision to relinquish her. I have so many questions for this woman I have never met. I only have a picture of her and I can see her everyday when I look at Eva. Imagine if I am having all of these emotions what is it going to be like for Eva? I don’t want every single one of her birthdays to also come with a little bit of sadness.
Two days after Eva was born I sat at my dying Grandmother’s bedside asking her to put in a good word for me with God. We had been waiting for a little girl. Little did I know she had already been born. Thank you Grandma. I miss you.
The 8 month old baby that came home to me is all but gone. She eats normal food, feeds herself with a fork and spoon, drinks out of a normal cup, can turn off and on lights, opens doors, can undress herself, communicates her needs, tells me what she wants to watch on t.v., runs, jumps, climbs, occasionally uses the “big girl potty.”
She’s growing up so fast. I was writing down the things that she loves in her journal the other day and basically broke down crying thinking about the fact that the time until she is old enough to read it will come quicker then I could ever imagine. While I was sitting there on her bedroom floor watching her pretend to feed her dolly, her whole childhood flashed before my eyes and suddenly I was looking at a 16 year old girl. It was, well, terrifying.
Enough gooey mushiness. Here are some pictures.
At two weeks old
With daddy before her birthday party
Striking a pose
Best part of a birthday
The only picture with mommy of course.
Vanessa says...
Happy birthday sweet princess and may your day be filled with special things!! She’s a little beauty and I can only imagine what she’ll look like at 16!!!
http://www.heart4children.blogspot.com
February 17th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Heidi says...
Aw! Eva is beautiful. That last photo, where she’s all, “Geeze ma. You’re always up in my face …” is perhaps the cutest one.
February 17th, 2009 at 7:05 am
Tabitha (From Single to Married) says...
She is so beautiful! Isn’t it amazing how quickly they grow up?
February 17th, 2009 at 8:29 am
Michelle says...
Awww, she’ just adorable. Happy Birthday to Eva. A beautiful name to go along with a beautiful baby. They do grow up fast. My little one is 4 now. It still feels like yesterday that I brought her home from the hospital. Thanks so much for sharing you special day.
February 17th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
Joanie says...
Your daughter is beautiful! Happy Birthday Eva!
And thanks for following my blog!
February 17th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
Cashmere says...
Happy 2nd to your baby!
February 18th, 2009 at 6:18 am
LeftLeaningLady says...
Happy Birthday to the Birthday Girl (Ok, so I’m a little late). She is absolutely beautiful.
Do enjoy these moments, it certainly sounds like you are! But you are right, they are gone before you know it!
February 18th, 2009 at 8:00 am
Signe says...
She’s beautiful; I hope you all had a great day! Unfortunately birthdays seem to get closer together as the years go by.
February 18th, 2009 at 10:54 am
carms says...
this post made me teary-eyed, sorry i’m the type who cries easily. looking at Eva’s 2-week old photo, i just couldn’t imagine why her biological mother gave her up. maybe there are many reasons we just don’t know or will never understand especially me who’s a stay-at-home new mom lucky to spend every second with my baby and watch him grow. he turned 1 last feb 15 and i haven’t even completed his first year journal. they really grow up fast!
Eva is lucky to have you, every child deserves to be loved and taken cared of.
February 18th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Jill says...
Thank you everyone for wishing Eva a happy birthday.
Carms
-She was/is a beautiful baby but that really is not the reason anyone decides to relinquish their parental rights or not. There were many many other factors mostly having to do with extreme poverty. Something that I will always stress to Eva is that it is not that her first mom couldn’t take care of her but that her first mom couldn’t take care of any baby.
February 18th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Andrea says...
Happy belated birthday to her! She is so pretty!
February 18th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
Elvz says...
Belated happy birthday to your cute little baby!
February 19th, 2009 at 12:40 am
Nancy says...
I am so proud of you for the thoughtful and thankful mom that you are.
February 20th, 2009 at 5:21 pm