I seriously don’t know how I could love any other kid on this earth more than I love Little Bug.

Tonight’s been one of those nights were I just sit and reflect on life. Once again, I realize that I am incredibly blessed. I’ve been watching videos we’ve taken of Little Bug from last Christmas until now. Oh. my. goodness. So many emotions flooded my heart!

I’ll be honest and say this past year of parenthood has been a hard adjustment for me. You don’t realize just how much life will change once you become a parent – even if all you have ever desired to be is a mother! And even if you go through infertility and have to wait a long time to become a mother. Actually becoming a mother and taking on those responsibilities is a huge life transition. It wasn’t until Little Bug was almost a year old that I finally felt like I had “caught up” to my new life as mother and I had a new normal.

Looking back on Little Bug’s first year of life and all the ups and downs, one thing stands out.

It goes by incredibly fast.

To the mother who is up all night with a newborn who has his days and nights mixed up or a mother who is trying to sleep train her 6 month old, the days do seem to be creeping by. The reality is the “baby phase” is here today and gone tomorrow.

You may be thinking I’m beginning to get that itch for baby #2, but I’m not.

I never in a million years thought I would ever be totally satisfied with just one child, but that was before I became a mother to Little Bug.

Today I was thinking about all the things to come with just Little Bug’s life and it made me totally excited.

Learning shapes, colors, numbers, the alphabet, coloring her first picture, playing with baby dolls, dress up, learning to read, first day of school, recognizing her need for a Savior and beginning her walk with the Lord, learning to ride a bike, playing a sport, dance class, movie and pizza nights, slumber parties with friends … and the list goes on and on.

I do desire to bring more children into this family one day, but for now, life is complete with just Little Bug.

She brings so much joy to our family. More than I ever imagined.

Tomorrow marks one year since the court system legally made her ours.

September 1, 2009.

It is certainly a day we will never forget but, for some reason, I don’t feel the need to make a huge deal over September 1st each year.

Perhaps it is because I don’t think of Little Bug as my “adopted daughter”.

Little Bug is my daughter, plain and simple.

She always has been and always will be.

My precious baby girl.

- Elaine