Sunday, April 04, 2010

A Five Year Milestone


Five years ago today, I became a mother for the first time. It wasn't in the traditional sense. I didn't go through labor pains or spend any time in a hospital. Nevertheless, it was a long and arduous process that resulted in a sweet 14 month old Chinese baby girl being placed in my arms, forever.

Those early months were very challenging for Pete and I as parents. We kept trying to train her like a dog. I just thought if you said "No" several times, she would eventually get it. Not Chloe. She was a very stubborn baby and she liked to grab everything and put it in her mouth. Now, 5 years later, she still likes to grab stuff and she still puts some of it in her mouth. I gave up on "No" a long time ago.

As a baby, Chloe didn't seem to care for being cuddled or kissed. She wanted to be held all the time, but only if you were standing up and walking. Anything else was total frustration for her. It made going places a challenging experience, and forget about going to a restaurant!

Now she is the cuddliest little sweetie-pie that ever was. She can snuggle in your arms until she falls asleep. She is sensitive, thoughtful, caring, supportive and a problem-solver. I am so lucky to be called her mother. Sometimes she is so mature, I think that she acts like the mother and I act like the child. She even reminds me to call my mother or give my husband a hug and kiss. I could go on forever, but that's why I have this blog. I can spread it out in little bits for as long as I desire.



12 comments:

Donna said...

A beautiful baby and a beautiful girl! I love how you've described her. I think Mommy might just be a little bit smitten? And who could blame you? Chloe is a treasure!

Donna
Our Blog: Double Happiness!

Arena Mom said...

Oh she is beautiful! Your post took me down memory lane! My daughter was the same exact way you describe when she first came home too!

Everything Beautiful Shay said...

Blessings to you and your sweet girl. What a beautiful baby she was and a gorgeous girl she is now!

Wanda said...

Congratulations - 5 years being a Mommy. (I had the same just last November.)

Chloe has one of those faces that is so open and full of joy. I would remember it everywhere. She is such a treasure - your love for her spills over.

Carolin said...

so sweetly said! what a beautiful, beautiful baby girl ... goodness, can't believe it's been 5 years already!

Leah Maya Benjamin said...

you might not have went thru the real labor, which would have been so much easier, what you did was labor to wait and wait and go thru the paperwork and hoops. she is beautiful!

Kelly And Allison said...

She is so beautiful. Congratulations!

Hannah said...

Happy Anniversary! What a great milestone. Loved the look back...she was adorable from day one!!

tiffany said...

Oh what a sweet baby and a beautiful little girl you have! You are a lucky MaMa for sure.

Karen said...

Wow! Such beautiful pictures! Love how you described her and those first few months.... sweet!

Unknown said...

A sweet, sweet time. Even with its struggles, it was sweet. I remember her big eyes that looked so much like Pete. I also remember how hard her adjustment was for all of you. She and Caroline were much the same - traumatized, yet wanting to trust.

It's amazing how much they've grown and changed and they can still be sweet, yet just a bit on the saucy side.

Sharyn said...

What a wonderful trip down memory lane. I love seeing the pictures of Chloe as a baby and recalling how it feels to become a parent.