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.