Fatherly Thoughts: 'Bye bye' to a blessed year ...

As 2009 closes out, I've been reflecting on what this year -- and being new parents -- has meant to your mother and I. It's been a blessed year ... or a blessed blur.

Laura, you've literally transformed before our eyes. You've gone from a spiky-haired ball of wonder to a pony-tailed, bright-eyed little princess with bows to match every outfit.

It's gone by fast ... but I can honestly say not too fast.

I believe your mother and I have savored absolutely every moment ... every bedtime, every story, dinners at the table, bath times and even those diaper changes. Oh, bring on that potty training! Yea, we're still trying to be patient while waiting on that stage to arrive.

We're enjoying it all.

As I've mentioned before, we missed the first six months of your life while you were in the orphanage. We wish we could have those months back. Still, we're thankful for the months that God has blessed us with.

Your personality is really shining through ... Your mother and I love to watch you dance and clap to the beat of the music (a little off most of the time, but you're working on it). You love to climb on your mom's lap while she's checking her email and Facebook. You always pull your shoes and socks off as soon as we get you in the car seat. You love to follow us up and down the stairs. You watch me through the glass door while I'm taking out the trash or mowing the grass. You crack us up when you blow kisses and tell people "bye, bye"... strangers, dogs, the mail man, people we see on the street, whoever. You love the attention when all eyes are on you.

You're definitely our little performer. And we love to watch, too. We'll definitely keep watching.