Loving Arms

I recently overheard a mother of a 7-year-old tell the mother of an infant, "When you are a parent, the days are long but the years are short." There is a lot of truth in that, though now that Mia is more active (and interactive), the days go pretty fast.
I have really been enjoying the affectionate stage Mia is in. When I am rocking her before naptime or bedtime, she holds on tight. That is so different from the early days. At first, when we held her, she really didn't hold on. Within a couple of months she learned to hold on with her arms, and it was months later that she first clung to us using her legs. That was a big sign of progress!
When we met the staff members from the orphanage, it was clear they were loving people who cared deeply about Mia. I'm sure the caregivers gave her as much affection as they could under the circumstances. With that foundation, Mia spent her first year in our family learning how to be loved and to give love in the way that only parents and child can.

Oh, my darling Mia -
Thank you for letting our love in.

For you see, each day I love you more.
Today more than yesterday and less than tomorrow.
~Rosemonde Gerard