New Traditions

Dear My Littlest One,
I feel like I have been a horrible mommy at keeping memories for you! I meant to do my first letter to you on the eve of your birthday like I do for your Bubba, but tonight seems more appropriate. Tomorrow, we will celebrate the first anniversary of your Gotcha Day. It is hard to believe that it has only been a year because from day one, you just fit so perfectly.

I remember driving home on this night a year ago. We had just finished Bubba's student lead conference, and he and I were in the car on the way home when our social worker, Ms. A, called. I was a bit surprised because it was after 7, and I knew it had to be a big deal. She asked me how we felt about an 18 month older boy and gave me some basic info about you. I told her I was on the way home, and I needed to talk to Daddy first. I got home, and we had a quick chat. We quickly made the decision that Ms. A could show our profile book (remind me to show it to you some day). We had been waiting for you for almost a year with our agency, so we were not expecting what would come next. When I called Ms. A back to say go ahead and show the book, she told us it was a good thing because your social worker had already picked us! After that, we crazily rushed around to get some items we needed like a car seat and finish prepping your room. We had just finished putting it together the Sunday beforehand. We could hardly believe what was happening.

At first, we were just going to meet with your case worker, and then the next thing we knew you were coming to us the very next day. Ms. A sent me a picture, and we feel in love with you even before you got here. When your social worker arrived, you were just waking up, but you came to me immediately and snugged in. We had been waiting for you for almost 7 years, and we could not believe that you were here. We had to spend lots of time signing papers and getting information from your social worker, and when everyone was gone, we finally got a chance to settle in. I went to go get Bubba, and he was so excited to meet you. We were finally a whole family. I also got to talk to Grandpa R on the way home from getting Bubba, and Grandma E and he were excited to know we were welcoming them as well.

Over the next couple of days, you began to settle in, but it was rough because you hated sleeping! It took a rough month or so before you seemed to finally feel comfortable. You bonded well with Daddy, and we quickly learned you loved outside, cars, and being crazy. We also found that you were a super picky eater! You would have nothing to do with anything that was the color brown, and you basically ate nothing when you first came. You pretty much just wanted milk and cheese. You adored and loved your Bubba from the moment you two meet as well. You constantly wanted to do what he was doing. It has taken you a bit longer to bond with me, but it seems like we are finally to the point that our connection is happening.

This year has been a whirlwind of changes. When you got here, you mostly pointed and grunted at things, and now you chatter away about everything especially when it is your "purple car" (hint-all cars are purple cars right now. Your tastes in food is larger, but you are definitely a Picky Nicky when it comes to food. You love all things with salt and tang. Onion bagels and nuts are some of your favorite foods. You are a strange kiddo who does not eat chocolate, cookies, cakes, and candy. The only sweet thing you seem to like is vanilla ice cream. You love to try things though, but you prefer to feed others.

We discovered early on that you loved music, and you are learning to sing your little songs. "Baby Shark" was your obsession at first, but you moved on to "We Will Rock You." Now you love to sing a few lines from "Let It Go" at the top of your lungs in our two story foyer. Bubba is not a fan in any way. You also love "Wheels on the Bus" and "Happy If  You Know It". Your little hooray when you are singing is too adorable.

While you love cars and jumping on your trampoline, your ultimate favorites are Mickey Mouse and Elsa from "Frozen" (or Elso as you call her). You started out liking Elmo at first, but then a flip switched when we started watching Mickey's Clubhouse. You adore Mickey Roadster and will watch it for house. "Frozen" and "Toy Story" were the first two movies we watched that you made it through. You also loved "Cars" and the live action "Lady and the Tramp" as well. However, "Frozen" captivated you from moment one. We started adding Mickey and Disney elements a little bit at a time. You also love animals. You get so excited when you see dogs out in the neighborhood. You are very much all boy, and I swear we will be in the ER several times with you. We can definitely see now what a true toddler is like.

While you were always ours from day one, we made you an official Barnhart in September. It was exciting because Grammy, Grandpa R, and Grandma E joined us on this day, and we are so glad we have created this new little family. We took you to your first Renaissance Faire in the spring, and you got to have a family/framily filled Mickey party which is funny because your Bubba's first birthday party was Mickey as well. You found fast kindred spirits with little Miss L and Miss A. You are really smack dab in the middle of them, and you love having built in friends. You got to meet lots of extended family in September when J and J got married in San Antonio, and we had our first road trip as a family. You got super excited for Christmas as well. Santa definitely spoiled Bubba and you so much. You also got to go to the aquarium, our pumpkin patch, and the zoo. You loved going on adventures. While it took you a moment, you were super excited about Trick-or-Treating once you figured it out. You also got to enjoy snow for the first time, and your first passport arrived a couple of weeks ago.

Most recently, you have started being excited about reading books, and your favorite seems to be Bubba's old puppy book. You love to make the doggie lift his leg to go pee. You also love to sleep in bed with us. When we switched you to a toddler bed, you started toddling in to be with us-you came before when you were in the crib as well. Daddy and I are thankful we got that king bed because sometimes it is all four of us plus our dog D. You love to eat all my food when you get a chance, and we love to see what you might actually eat. Your favorite is pizza for sure.

Where shall the next year go for you? We have so many new adventures planned. This summer we will take you to Disney for the first time. You are excited to meet Mickey and the gang as well as Elso, Olaf, and Anna.You will go on an airplane, and you will leave the country when we go on the cruise. You will get to see the beach and your first ocean/sea. We are excited to hear all the new words that you will learn as well. You finally started saying "love you too" in such an adorable way. You are so intrigued with learning new things and exploring, so we know we will be on our toes.

It is late little one, and I must pause here to head to bed. I assume when I get there that you will be snuggled on your tummy in the middle of the bed, but maybe this will be a night for your own bed. As cliche as it is, you are truly our missing piece, and we are finally whole with you. I can't wait to see you grow into who you will be, and I am so happy that our lives were forever changed this time last year.

Love you always and forever,
Mommy