How Can it Be?

She's one.  How is that even possible?  It seems like last week that we were sitting in a Wyoming hospital waiting room in our own little made for TV movie, waiting and praying and waiting and praying for this little bundle of girlness to arrive.  And hoping with all our hearts and souls that her birth parents would decide to allow us the privilege to raise her and love her and cherish her.  January 7 of 2011 was the longest day of our lives.  8 hours waiting with a family that was so incredibly connected to us but yet total strangers.  And a young, scared kid sitting in the corner, responsible for the existence of this baby girl.  These two Wyoming kids did this amazing thing and I don't think they have any idea of just how much they have impacted our lives in the past year.  I don't think they quite know just how mature and selfless their decisions were and what an absolute miracle of a baby they produced.  I wish they could see her squinty smile and the way she giggles at herself.  They would be so proud of what they did.  I know we are.

This has been a year full of activity and laughter and crying and smiling and mess making and learning and growing and sleeping and eating and fighting and playing and developing and snotting and giggling and cuddling and screeching and living. At 12 months, Squirt is lovin life. She is quite independent and finds mischief around every corner. I'm getting used to Squirt produced mess. She's not quite walking, but close. She snuggles, a lot. And loves flashing her cheesy smiles to just about anyone who smiles back. She adores anything soft and cuddly and will bury herself in any unsuspecting rug or blanket available. She also adores her brother and finds him to be the most charming guy around.  She's still a fabulous sleeper, still loves to eat (and toss her food on the floor) and still b-lines for all staircases.  Now she can go down and up in a safe manner, so we've ditched the adult hazardous baby gates. 

We cherish our sweet Rea Rea.  She's the very best one year old baby girl this family could ever dream up.  Thank you God for the blessing she is to us and to all her peeps.  Below is a video highlight of her 365 days.  She's a well documented young lady. 

Music by the oh so talented, Jon Troast.