Her Day..

Her first family birthday celebration..

turning three years old.

Time has gone by so fast since Gotcha Day ten months ago.

Look at that smile.

Seems like she could get used to having birthdays.

Look at those candles..

Ready, Set, Blow..

I think she was wondering..What is this thing?

She did amazingly well with the gifts. Grandma put them all in one bag and she reached in and grabbed them all out. She had lots of stuff in that giant bag and she wasn't a bit afraid of all her new stuff. This is such wonderful news as Christmas was rough for her because of all the new things around her. Today she seemed to enjoy Grandma and Uncle A's gifts to her.

Her favorite gift was a watering can. She is carrying that thing everywhere.

Another highlight of the day for her was playing on Uncle Anthony's walker. He's done with it after his foot surgery and it now resides in our living room as Jillian's personal jungle gym.

She is overjoyed about this and won't let anyone else near it. She's been waiting for Uncle A to finish with it and now finally it's all hers.
Look at this cool watering can!

I made her this little birthday outfit. I tried my hand at applique.

She really had an incredible day.

She is such a joy and we are so blessed to have her home this year.

Happy Birthday Dear Jillian.

You are one amazing little treasure.

Her First Birthday

I have a wide range of emotions today. I have cried already..happy tears as I watch my baby girl accomplishing so much as we are sorting pegs this morning. I have jumped for joy and sung to her as she was waking up with a chubby yawn and her thumb in her mouth. I have felt a sense of urgency as I mixed her cupcakes and got them in to bake. I have felt mystified at God's great plan and that I am preparing for this day at all.

Why is today so emotional? Today..Today is her birthday. Today is her first birthday though she is turning three. The first birthday that she matters. The first birthday she is home with a family who is crazy in love with her. Oh to be able to put into words all that is in my heart seems beyond my reach this morning. Just a short year ago this little one was a number among 147 million. An orphan. BUT today..today she is a birthday princess. A three year old who is treasured..who has a cake lovingly prepared by her momma waiting..who has a sister to sing her happy birthday..who has a daddy to video it all..who has grandparents to buy her gifts..and a place where she belongs. Beautiful that God has let this happen to us. Even more beautiful that I get to enjoy it.