It was one year ago today that you came into our lives. It was wonderful and pretty unexpected ... kind of like a quarterback being blindsided by a linebacker. Splat!
And suddenly we're parents.
It really was a shocker. Your mother and I were just going about our usual activities ... not expecting to get our adoption referral for months. I was just minding my own business, sitting at my desk, putting sentences together and trying to hit a deadline. But then your mother called. Her voice was shaky and nervous, excited and overjoyed all at once – and for good reason.
She had gotten word from our social worker that we had a 4-month old baby girl. And within minutes of getting the call, she sent me your
picture. It really was love at first sight.
picture. It really was love at first sight. Your mother said you were “really cute.” And of course she was right. There you were with your spiky hair, big dark eyes and a slightly sad little look on your face that we could only interpret as “Come get me, now!” Within hours we had a full team of support that sprang into action to help us get ready for you. One minute I’m thinking about verbs and nouns, and the next minute I’m a dad walking around baby stores ... holding up pink shirts, looking at stuffed animals, comparing bottles and picking out bath toys. I didn't have a clue what I was getting into ... or how wonderful being your Dad would be.
Your mother and I still can’t believe it’s been a year since we got that call. A lot has definitely changed. You’re transforming before our eyes. That crazy, spiky hair has been replaced by beautiful thick hair – usually with a bow in it.
You're a beautiful little girl, for sure.
But I have to say the best part is your fun and sweet personality. You're always talking about something -- of course we can't understand 95 percent of what you're saying, yet. But we're sure it's veeerrry interesting. We’re amazed at how much you've learned and changed in such a short amount of time.
Who thought being blindsided could be so much fun.
But we distracted her with TV, gave her some animal crackers (she is clutching one in her left hand), and made sure she was always holding my hand and things got better.
Playing ball at the park. She can't really throw yet, but she tries very hard. Usually the ball just falls at her feet, but she thinks she has done something worthy of clapping and praise!
She absolutely loves to swing!! (I guess that is pretty obvious by the look on her face.) Her favorite thing is to be pushed really high -- sometimes it makes me nervous!
She has recently decided that pushing her stroller is much more fun than riding in her stroller. Her steering abilities leave a lot to be desired, so the pushing doesn't usually last long. Fortunately, she doesn't fuss too much when I put her back in and push her myself!
She now enjoys playing at the playspace in the mall. I'm happy that our mall has one area for little kids and one for big kids -- I don't think we could do this if there was just one area. I do get a little nervous about all the germs. Hand sanitizer is our best friend while we are there!
She really enjoys the fountain at the mall now that she can run around. When the water stops, she will often put her face over the hole that the water comes out of -- imagine her surprise when the water shoots out again!
One of our neighbors recently moved and gave us their slide. We took Laura out to play on it today for the first time and she had a blast!! She doesn't quite get the concept of going up the ladder and often slides down and tries to climb back up the slide -- but we are working on it! 
