Daphne - 1 Santa - 0

Yes, it is that happy, jolly, time of year. Daphne doesn’t really get the whole Christmas ‘thing’ yet, let alone know who Santa is, but that doesn’t stop her from saying (her word for) Santa and getting all excited for the lights on the tree and the blow-up snowmen around the neighborhood.

Giving Thanks

Per the cliché, now is the time to take a look around and give thanks.

November - National Adoption Month

For the third straight year, in honor of November being National Adoption Month, Portrait of an Adoption is running a special series called 30 Adoption Portraits in 30 Days.

When Does a Baby Become a Toddler?

At times when we (more-so Rachel) look at Daphne, we still think of her as a baby. But when we look at our friend’s newborns, we suddenly realize that it’s been a while since we’ve had a helpless little baby. We used to cheer when Daphne would lift and turn her head during tummy time. Now, we have a crazy little monkey who is marching around the house and climbing on and off the couch. When did our little girl stop being a baby and start being a toddler?

20 months, some fives and bumps!

We'll just let this little ditty speak for itself....

Enjoy your Labor Day Weekend!

Let’s get this potty started!

Since this post is about potty training, we are forced to use the words poop and pee. So consider yourself warned before you continue reading this post….

Toddler Milestone: Food Up The Nose

There is a point in toddler development when a child believes that it would be fun to put things up their nose. Daphne hit that milestone last week.

Happy Half-Birthday -- We have an 18 month old!

Eighteen months – a year and a half. Daphne is well on her way to being a two-year-old, and there is no way we could possibly have one of those.

Holy Smokes....Daphne is 17 months old!

So, on June 2^nd Daphne turned 17 months old. We can't believe she will be an 18 month old in less than a month! We are enjoying her at this stage. She is learning and growing so much and so fast!  We are so blessed.

Bumps, bruises & a cut -- toddler style

Bumps & Bruises

Every good (or even mediocre) parent dreads toddler falls. There is a reason why toddler home safety is such a big industry. But no matter how much we baby proof or watch over, there are going to be times when your toddler falls. The good news is that kids are generally pretty resilient. The bad news is that their parents often are not.

Post-trip Commentary

In case you were wondering -- we survived! Like we wouldn't. Here are some highlights...

Preparing to Travel with a Little One (and not go insane)

We are preparing for a trip to our hometown (Rochester, NY - well, specifically the suburb of Webster). While this is not Daphne's first airplane trip -- this is her first airplane ride since becoming a fully mobile toddler...which, frankly, scares the bejeezus out of us. 

::queue the rising anxiety and blood pressure please::

Daphne is walking!

Daphne took her first assisted steps right around Christmas, but hasn’t done much since then. As time went by she would take two to three unassisted steps or 'walk' around by pushing her push toy (on wheels) all over the house.  She loves to stand, and would probably walk to the other side of the earth as long as she was holding your finger(s). She moves fast…as long as she has ‘grippy’ socks or her shoes on.

Final Piece of the Puzzle

After Daphne was born and the adoption finalized, the two pieces of paper that stood in our way of being finished with the adoption-related paperwork were the birth certificate and the Social Security number.

The Agape Project

Stumbled across this video and couldn't resist passing it on. Especially since it is Valentine's Day (or almost, depending on when you receive this blog post).


Agape is a Greek word for a particular type of love. Agape love is love that is based upon principle and is, by far, the noblest type of love. Agape love is unselfish and is more than just an emotional response. That's the type of love that is involved in most adoptions.


The Agape Project Video



 

Goodbye Infant Room...

As Daphne moves her way into toddler-hood she also has to make the transition to a new room at daycare. As we were scheduling 1 year photos and organizing her first birthday party there were little to no tears shed, mostly just that excited feeling -- we made it a whole year!! Then one weekday when Adam did ‘pick up’ for Rachel (usually he drops off – working mom’s utilizing day care know what a win-win this can be) he mentioned that he had a brief encounter with the Center Director (Rhonda) and was given THE LETTER.

I Like Adoption - Video

One of Rachel's acquaintences forwarded us this little gem of an adoptive family.


I Like Adoption Video


**something special happens right around the 2:39 mark (quote from the dad - while trying to explain adoption to his kids) "Being born into a family, you don't even decide that - it just happens biologically; but...when you're adopted, your parents looked out into the whole world and picked you."

Gorgeous family and such a joy to watch!

Daphne turns ONE!

Quick Thoughts:

I don't think it matters if it is your first baby or your tenth. There is something miraculous about being given the gift of a child - through whatever means you are blessed to have one - and seeing them for the first time. The responsibility, the enormity, fragility of it all meshes together in that moment which is just about as sacred as any moment can get. You know in that moment unconditional love - for this child has done nothing to earn your love and will do nothing to lose your love - you love her just because she exists and just because she is yours. And you know without a doubt you will do whatever is in your power to do what is best for her.  And you are humbled, amazed, and grateful. Incredibly grateful.