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.

Daphne meets Santa!

A couple weekends ago we took Daphne to meet Santa. It was so much fun! For years, we have watched parents line up with their kids, waiting to see the jolly man in the red suit. It has always been one of those things (along with a thousand others) that we were looking forward to doing with our child. It was finally OUR TURN! We watched happily as our baby girl was held by Santa.

We really lucked out with this photo.  Why?  Because, it was 6:30pm (dark), it was an outside event, the only lighting was on the tree behind Santa, and (the absolute worst part) it was bring your own camera. That meant we had to rely on our Sony camera - that is 6 years old - and almost on it's way out (if Rachel has any say in the matter). So, we do what we normally do and set the camera to stun - haha, gotcha! No, really, we set it to take rapid / repeated shots. All we have to do is hold the button down and it will fire off shot after shot until we release that magic button. Then all we can do is hope one of the 42 shots that were taken in the 5.2 seconds turns out. 

Words cannot describe how blessed we are with our beautiful baby girl. Our hearts swell with happiness and joy!

Daphne - Eleven Months Old

Happy 11 month birthday, Daphne Jane! How you will be a one-year-old next month, we’ll never know! You have been such a daily joy and delight to us. Our hearts are so full of love for you. The Lord is immeasurably kind to bring you to us, and we are so thankful for your life.

November -- National Adoption Month

For the second 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.

Enjoy the various guest posts from everyone within the adoption triad (adoptees, birth parents and adoptive parents).  Bookmark the website, as there will be a new post every day in November.


30 Adoption Portraits in 30 Days

Daphne - Ten Months Old

Here are this month's updates:
(Someone please pass the tissues, we've hit double digit month birthdays!)