FFF - HOPE!

I was going to forgo the Favorite Foto Friday thing today in order to post about another "special" event - - Today is AMAYA'S 2nd BIRTHDAY! --- but then I saw what the theme for this week was -- HOPE -- and figured that the two topics weren't mutually exclusive. Because for me, my little Amaya is the embodiment of Hope......

Born 2 years ago today in a small village in Guatemala.... weighing barely 4 lbs. Life was a struggle from the very first minute. 3 different homes and caregivers in under 7 months. Illnesses. Difficulty eating a gaining weight. Such sad and serious eyes for a baby so small.
After finally making it HOME to our loving arms the struggles continued with a diagnosis of a heart defect and more tests and illness than one little being should ever have to endure in such a short life. Your first year was difficult and trying - the hardest of MY life. But there was HOPE... there were glimpses of a little smile on that sad and serious face.
As your first birthday passed and we adjusted to our "new" normal things began to settle and your joy, your personality, your "YOU" began to emerge. So full of life and energy, happiness and JOY. Your silly little sing-songs, your twinkling eyes, that mischievous grin -- one would never guess the sadness that once lived behind your eyes. Now as I watch you grow and thrive and change minute by minute, I see nothing but HOPE... for an amazing future.
So today my little Mya-moo you are TWO! Tremendous and terrible, terrific and tumultuous, tantrum throwing, tickle bug chasing, Ten-million hugs giving TWO! You can make me smile with a look. Make me laugh with a silly pose or phrase. You lift my spirits with your sprite-like enthusiasm and boundless energy. I LOVE that you are a hugger and even more I LOVE that you still LOVE to snuggle and play Rock-a-baby... even though for the rest of the day you are a BIG Grown-UP girl!

Your vocabulary astounds me. Your words melt my heart. Even when (especially when- the words are "Put me down!" and "I do it myself") the words bring me such a mix of pride and sadness. After a year of holding on tight - holding on for dear life... it is hard to even begin to let go! But I quickly discovered that you are much stronger than your old momma (in more ways than one) and your WILL to go and explore is greater than my ability to hold you tight. YOU scare the daylights out of me at least once a day, yet I have to admire your spirit and fearless joy. Because I know without them you wouldn't have made it this far.

Last night and this morning as I look at you and my thoughts turn to your birthmother my eyes and my heart are filled with tears (I have been typing this for hours because of fighting back the tears) As you ran to me for yet another hug and laid your head on my shoulder, I am sad that SHE could not experience this amazing fullness. I have never met HER, yet I feel as if I know her well because I know YOU and from what I have heard YOU are very much like HER. The embodiment of HOPE........

SO, HAPPY 2nd BIRTHDAY MY ANGEL!

P.S.- I'm sure you will hear stories of how I messed up this your 2nd birthday party for years to come, though I take solace in the fact that you are too young to remember. And even if your party is just you, me, sissy, and Nana & Papa we are all incredibly Blessed!

LoveAlways & Forever, Mommy