1 Year Gotcha Day Anniversary!

Today was our 1 year Gotcha Day Anniversary, and we cannot believe it has already been a year. Waiting to bring Owen home had felt like FOREVER, but on 02/08/11, Owen said goodbye to the Kaluga Baby home, and Hello to his new home with us. Andy and I both took the day off work, and we went to COSI. They have a Kids Place, and Owen LOVED it. He got to play in these wood cars and houses, turning lights on, and "driving." He got to play with blocks and ride some different little car toys. He got to play in water and get him and Mommy wet:)  We got to walk through some exhibits, and we had a WONDERFUL day just being together as a family:)  The rest of the day, after Owen's nap, we played around the house, and then had pizza for dinner.

Owen, now my 2 year old "baby", has grown so much, and I'm really starting to be able to put together his "sentences" and have some "conversations" with him. I now know certain phrases that i must say alot, because he is starting to use them as well. Such as when Owen would say "mommy" and I say "what Owen?" Now I say Owen, and he laughs and says "what?" I also think I ask, "Owen, what are you doing?" alot, because he'll say, "Mommy, Doing?" I know he's asking a question too, because he uses the correct tone of a question. He's just so smart!  He talks all the time, which is great since we were so concerned a year ago about speech delays. Honestly, even 3 months after we brought him home, he was doing so well with his speech, we couldn't believe it. 

I tell Andy all the time, I'm going to have a hard time as he keeps getting older and talking more, because he's as stubborn and determined as I am! Andy thinks it's totally funny how much Owen is like me. Of course, I think he is alot like Andy too. I have a feeling, he'll be tall and thin like his dad, too. He's definitely growing taller, even if he hasn't really gained too much weight this last year. He fits height wise into the 18 month size clothers, but sometimes they are still big around his middle (alot of times actually). Of course, that just means that I can still carry him around more. Though today, he kept saying, "walk, walk." He probably walked around at COSI today 2/3 the time we were there, maybe more. Of course, I kind of freak out about him running off, so I make him wear a backpack "leash" thing, plus hold my hand. I'm hoping to instill the holding of the hand, and actually he did really well with that, and the backpack was really just a safety net for me:) I know there are some parents who don't like those, but especially at a crowded zoo, it makes me feel better about Owen getting to walk around.

My baby has been home 1 year today, and I still get teary just thinking about the whole process of getting to the Gotcha Day, and then making it home the following week. Oh, and not to mention the waiting prior to even knowing the child God had chosen for us. I know I say this all the time, but I'm seriously amazed by God's ability and love in putting together families, particularly mine.

I could not imagine going through the adoption process or my life for that matter without my best friend and love, Andy, by my side. He loves Owen so much, and the first day we met Owen in 2010, I couldn't believe how much that love showed!  I knew he was excited about Owen, and I knew Andy couldn't wait to meet him and to have him home. But, the emotion I felt seeing that love come out in Andy and Owen's first meeting, the memory still makes my heart burst with joy and love!  I am one lucky woman to have a husband who has loved me, supported me, and believed in me and to be given a son who is so precious, loving, smart, and beautiful. There are not enough words in any language to express the gratitude I have for my family and for the gifts God has given me. Blessed, blessed, and blessed, that is as best as I can describe it!!!