It always amazes me how fast time goes.
But especially when I look at the lives of my babies.
For some reason when I was growing up I thought moms always had the baby on their hip.
For like.... years.
A baby seemed to stay a baby for so much longer back then.
But now I realize, that you are only a momma to a baby for such a brief pass in time.
And it's really the raising of these little people where you really gain the expertise.
And it does not take long to forget the tiny little details of the day to day life of your baby.
Because they grow up and make new memories for you to remember.
And sooner or later the mental capacity is maxed out.
Like I drove all the way to work and have no idea how I got here kind of maxed out.
So today my baby girl turns one.
Sweet Tatum Girl is one.
Hard for me to believe.
I'm sad that she will never be a baby again.
And so proud that she is becoming this little beautiful person.
So here I go with my 1 year trip down memory lane.
Monday, January 30th, 2012
We first lay eyes on you!
You are one week old when we receive an email with your beautiful photo inside letting us know that we could be considered as potential parents for you.
We could not say yes fast enough.
And then the waiting began. Would we be chosen?
Would we get to call you ours?
And while we were waiting, we got to celebrate the birth of your good buddy, Grayson.
Who was only a few miles away being born in another Dallas hospital.
It was not long after his arrival, that we received a call.
A very exciting call. A call that made me cry.
Tears of joy. We were overwhelmed by emotion.
You were ours.
Your birthmother had chosen us to be your Mom and Dad.
God had chosen you to be our daughter.
Thursday, February 2nd, 2012
Your Foster Mom, Jeannette sent us this picture of our new daughter.
Let the road trip begin.
No amount of speed could have gotten us to Texas fast enough.
So instead our dear friends, already in TX for Grayson's arrival, paid you a visit.
So really they got to snuggle you even before we did.
And they sent us tons of precious pictures and videos to hold us at bay.
February 5th, 2012
February 7th, 2012
The day is finally here.
We get to meet you and hold you and kiss your little forehead for the first time.
Your placement ceremony was beautiful and the depth of your birthmother's love for you touched us in a lasting way. We are so blessed. We all laughed and we all cried and we all ooood and ahhhed over you!
And your brother made everyone feel better as he shared his goldfish crackers with everyone in the room.
Then came more waiting. But this kind of waiting was better because it was with you!
We shared a condo with the Amdahls once daddy and Grandma and Benny left.
And on Valentines day, after your first date with Grayson, the call came to tell us we could go home.
February 14th, 2012
Home we go!
You were so tiny and you laid curled up in my lap the whole flight home.
You were so small the flight attendant did not even notice you were there until the end of the flight.
She was shocked to find out you had been sleeping in my lap the whole time.
I was so proud to show you off to strangers and everyone who looked our way.
February 23rd, 2012
One Month Old
You still had your days and your nights a little mixed up.
But you were such a sweet sweet little baby.
Spitting up, but it was not bothering you.
You were very content.
March 23rd, 2012
Two Months Old
Sleeping 5-6 hours a night.
Your tummy troubles start to really bother you so we switched you to a Gentler formula.
Bennett could not say Tatum so he still called you "Baby"
You were smiling and cooing a lot
April 15th, 2012
Almost 3 months old. Almost Baptized.
Spitting up was your way of life. Lots of laundry at our House.
Mommy is back at work and were sleeping through the night.
You were so so smiley.
May 23, 2012
4 Months Old
Your fists were always in your mouth.
You are rolling all over the place.
You have started to whine when we leave the room or set you down. You love us!
Your bald spot is evidence of your good sleeping habits...at night that is.
You were not much of a napper.
You were baptized.
June 23rd, 2012
5 Months Old
You started eating solids.
You LOVED food and got the hang of eating from a spoon really quickly.
You took your first boat ride and loved it.
You were a huge fan of Ben and thought he was so so funny.
July 23rd, 2012
6 Months Old
You were always eating your toes.
We called you Gabby Douglas because you were such a little gymnast.
You were scooting all over the place.
As soon as you were mobile, you were back to being such a content little girl.
You spent your first 4th of July on Bay Lake.
August 23rd, 2012
7 Months Old
Your Adoption was finalized in Texas. YAY!
Your hair was long in the front and short in the back...kind of a reverse mullet.
You would wake up so smiley and happy every morning.
You started to get into everything!
September 23rd, 2012
8 Months Old
You attended your first CR Vineyard Harvest
You made your first trip to the Pumpkin Patch and Corn Maze
Your first tooth arrived
October 23rd, 2012
9 Months Old
You took swimming lessons for the first time and loved the water
You have two bottom teeth and no teeth on top
You are starting to give Bennett a run for his money. Tackling him for toys and sippys.
You got your first haircut.
November 23rd, 2012
10 Months Old
You were a ladybug for your first Halloween
You learned how to wave bye bye and "talk" on your play phone
You started to stand for a second or two on your own
You try to put on your own socks
December 23rd, 2012
11 Months
You liked the wrapping paper way more than any gifts
You were standing on your own and walking along everything
You never seemed to keep you winter hat on
You hated getting into the carseat
You did not mind Santa Claus at all
January 23rd, 2013
1 Year
Here we are today at one year old
You are walking everywhere
You are pointing at everything
You say mama and dada when you see us in photos
Your face lights up when you hear that garage door open and know daddy is home
You are absolutely adorable!
We love you Tatum Hope.
Happy Birthday Sweet Girl.
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