Wednesday, October 29, 2008

My two-year-old!

In case my photo montage on Saturday wasn’t clear (and why would it be? I’m impressed that any of you picked up on this), Reagan turned two! The busyness of life surrounding the event has interfered with any meaningful reflection on the daughter whose gestation was measured in inches of paperwork instead of inches around my mid-section, and in years instead of weeks. Though I did not experience the pain of childbirth on 10/25/06, I certainly experienced pain in the process. When well-meaning people comment that we decided to take the easy way out the third time around I have to laugh. Granted I had fairly easy pregnancies, and one out of two births was very quick, but adoption is undoubtedly the hard way!
But as with any homegrown child, the joy of mothering Reagan has far overshadowed every challenge we encountered. Every fingerprinting appointment, every trip to FedEx, every check written, every hour spent on the phone, every moment away from Alyssa and Parker, every shot, every push of the “refresh” button hoping for an email update, every moment of waiting and wondering about a child – our child – sitting on the other side of the globe, was worth it. I’d do it all again if I had to. (In fact, I’d love to do it again for another child, but that’s a story for another day!). In the way that I am confident God put exactly the right sperm and egg together to bring us Alyssa and Parker, I know He hand-picked Reagan from all the children in the world, to be our daughter. From the beginning she has fit into our family with an ease I hardly dared to pray for.
Our joy only continues to grow with Reagan’s little body. Though she’s still the tiniest thing, she has a great big personality. She is not afraid to assert herself – which she needs to do often with two older siblings in the house – but she is also comfortable being alone. Her deep-throated giggle comes out with ease when Alyssa or Parker are chasing her, but she also loves to sit and play with only dolls to keep her company. Reagan is not without rebellious moments and unnecessary whines, but is quick to say I’m sorry (which comes out more like “a-see mama”) and give kisses. One of my favorite things about her is how grown-up she is while still looking very much like an infant. She’s anxious to do big-girl things like use a toilet, walk everywhere on her own, feed herself (including dipping everything in ketchup!)… pretty much everything that her brother and sister can do, but she still wears 6-12 month clothes. I love my tiny baby girl, who’s not such a baby anymore. Happy (belated) birthday Reagan!

6 comments:

Julie said...

Very neat post Laura! And happy belated b-day to your big little 2 yr old! :)

Leigh said...

I agree, great post Laura! I can SO relate to all of it!

After I had WB, I remember marveling at just exactly how many "things" had to fall into place for his conception and birth, and for him to join our lives. I almost can't allow myself to think in the same way about DoriGrace...it is just too much to fathom...how she came to join our lives. Our God is awesome indeed!

Happy Birthday Reagan!

Anonymous said...

Amen and Amen!!! She is a joy beyond compare--we praise God, not only for Reagan, but for her Mom and Dad who so faithfully pressed on toward the goal of making their family complete. What a joy to watch this family made in heaven!! Happy, Happy Birthday Regan!!

Gaga and Papa

Dania Efird said...

So sweet!

Rebecca Pierce said...

I CANNOT believe she's two years old! I still have her face on my fridge from the birth announcement you sent out and so even though I see her on your blog getting older, she stays a baby to me. What a blessing she is!

By the Brook said...

Eagerly awaiting the 'story for another day'. We are excited to see Reagan, eventhough she'll be three! Hopefully out of the 6-12 month clothes by then. I remember Parker also wearing his itty bitty clothes for a while too.