Is it possible (or probable) that our kids will someday resent the fact that they were treated like every other non-adopted kid, or will they appreciate it? I fairly regularly hear people assure me that Ella’s just like every other child her age. Friends, family members and perfect strangers have all told me at some point that “all kids her age do that/act that way/et cetera.” And as much as I know that she’s a normal kid who is no different than her peers in many ways, she is in a way that she doesn’t realize just yet.

There are some... more

Today’s Love Thursday post is more of a Love / Hate post. In the past few weeks in particular, Ella has been growing up right before my eyes. On one hand, I am thrilled to see her new developments, new skills and new vocabulary but on the other hand, I am already missing my baby. She’s not even a year and a half yet, how did this happen?!?!

Having never raised a child before her, every stage of development is as exciting to me as it is to her. She is honestly thrilled when she masters a new toy or discovers... more

Add another first to Miss Ella’s life experiences: her first boardwalk outing! To say the least, she was fascinated. The colors, the lights, the new foods to try, the ocean; she just ate it all up. We went on a weekday morning that was a little overcast, so it was quite empty and we didn’t have to wrestle the crowds. Honestly, I don’t think the crowds would have fazed her; she loved exploring the boards that make up the boardwalk, going right up to the fence that separates the beach and boardwalk to study the ocean and... more

We are pretty much officially in our transitional home for however long it takes us to find our new home. Luckily, the home comes complete with a grandma, grandpa, great grandma and lots of cat cousins to love. Our house is still on the market, but hopefully that won't be the case for much longer. Ella’s been doing extremely well and really loves all the extra attention that is being lavished upon her. We’re also settled in a wooded area, and she loves sticks and rocks and dirt, so she’s pretty much in her glory.

We’ve... more

I love hearing new sounds, words, inflections, anything come out of Ella’s mouth. She has mastered momma, da da, cat, bye bye, gone and ba ba. She also much too often uses her famed grunt to let us know that there is something that she wants right NOW! She is fascinated with language and really studies our faces and voices as we point out new words in her books or in everyday life. She’s growing into such a bright little person right before my eyes.

In the past few weeks or so Ella’s added a few new... more

Erin’s “Happy Fourth of July” post over at the Transracial Adoption Blog really hit home for me. She speaks of the opportunities her children have been given by being adopted into an American family, and how she is grateful to be an American. She writes:

I am grateful this Fourth of July to be an American, and I am grateful that as an American, I was able to adopt my children internationally. I am grateful that my children... more

Ella’s Re-Adoption Day was yesterday! It was relatively quick and easy, which surprised us. We decided against hiring an adoption attorney and I did all the paperwork myself; I figured that after compiling a dossier I could do anything! It was a wise decision because our documents were flawless and the meeting with the judge went smoothly; we certainly did not need a lawyer there to represent us.

I didn’t know what to expect going in, so I was pleasantly surprised at how it all was handled. My county must set aside... more

I had a heart swelling moment yesterday while thinking about this past Father’s Day. It had something to do with a certain little girl and crayons and paper and stickers and glitter and a truly from the heart Father’s Day card. Love is imagining the future relationship that your daughter is going to have with her daddy. She adores him now, but just wait till she can tell him! Imagine all the hand made cards and notes and gifts from her little heart. If daddy wasn’t already wrapped around her little finger, I have no doubt... more

I don’t know if all moms feel this way, or if it holds more meaning to adoptive moms, but when my daughter initiates hugging, holding or cuddling it just takes my breath away. Part of me goes “Yes! She’s attaching!” and the rest just melts. It’s been within the last few weeks that Ella has really started to become more affectionate and I’m just eating it up.

It all started with her treasured books. She loves to “read” and we would always sit on the floor or the couch and flip through her books. Then one day she... more

Well, our house is officially on the market. You know how when you decide to cut all your hair off, the days before your salon appointment your long hair looks amazing? Well, we’ve been having a little bit of that happening. I absolutely feel moving is the right thing to do, but every so often I waver. I know where everything is here, this is Ella’s home and she’s starting to recognize it, it’s gotten to be comfortable. But…the neighbors are not the friendliest, there are no kids around that we’ve... more