Anna Kate turns 2

We may have missed Anna Kate's first birthday, but she was with us on her second.  I had debated back and forth on whether to throw her a party or not.  She seems to be very scared and clings to me when around a lot of people or in an unfamiliar place.  I wanted her second birthday to be all about her and making her comfortable.  Therefore, I took a cookie cake to her daycare for her and her friends to enjoy.  We had some "baby bites" at home that night and she opened gifts.  Bennett serenaded her "Happy Birthday" after she opened her gifts.  I guess better late than never. 

She takes such pride in receiving gifts.  I call her my "hoarder" because when she gets something she holds it and takes it everywhere she goes (even to bed).  She needs two beds.  One for all her baby dolls, blankets, and stuffed animals, and a second bed for her to actually have room to sleep.  We got her some pink glittery shoes and a pink airplane.  She also had gifts from our family that she opened.  I think the shoes were her favorite.  She may be a rough and tough little girl, but she likes pretty things.  I was lucky to convince her that she did not need to wear the shoes to bed that night.  Her Aunt Cheryl and cousins (Hanna, Bre, and Isaac) face timed with her and sung her Happy Birthday.  She so enjoyed seeing them and gave the phone (them) kisses constantly.  Thank you to our friends and Kevin's family who made Anna Kate's second birthday special. 

Beyond the celebration, I am reminded on that day of what she may have gone through two years ago.  I am reminder how her birth mother went through the process of giving birth and then placing her in front of a Women's and Children's facility to walk away.  There is no question Anna Kate is a tough little girl.  Having no one, she stayed the first weeks of her life in-and-out of hospitals and having surgery with no mother to hold her and tell her it will be okay.  I pray that on this very special day that her mother knows and is comforted by God that He has taken care of her little girl.  She is perfectly healthy now, no spina bifida, no teratoma, no developmental delays.  She recognizes all the animals and knows her animal sounds.  She knows most of her colors.  She can say numerous words and puts two to three words together.  She has a caring and funny personality.  She is such a helper.  She helps me put up laundry and helps me load and unload the dishwasher.  She bends over and walks so funny.  I call her "old lady" because that is what she looks like. 

Although she has accepted us as her parents and is adjusting so well, we have days and weeks where we are reminded that attachment is a process.  Anna Kate and I have times where we battle.  I have gone to my knees many times over the last 9 months needing grace.  It has been harder than I expected.  I have a heart for orphans, but when her past shows through it is hard.  I am so blessed that those times are few and far between now.  When I am on my knees, God reminds me that His grace is sufficient.  He rescued me from my sin, my past, my shame.  If God can love me through all that, I can love her when she won't listen, throws a tantrum, and battles bedtime for an hour.  Really it seems so petty in comparison to what Jesus had to go through for me. 

 

 

Anna Kate is 2!