Three months to the day...

Three months ago today I brought my baby back to the US. I can hardly believe it has ONLY been three months since she came home - it seems as if she has been in my life forever, and that is a great feeling.

In a relatively short period of time, RP has experienced many "firsts:"

• first airplane ride (she has now been on three, and logged about 10,000 miles before her second birthday)
• first hotel stay (Radisson in Moscow - it was absolutely beautiful!)
• first visit to a restaurant (also at the Radisson in Moscow)
• first word (Mama - of course!)
• first time in a car riding in a car seat (coming home from the airport - can you believe car seats are only suggested in Russia, and most families don't use them?)
• first time owning anything (clothes, toys, everything was communal in the orphanage)
• first time seeing and playing with a real dog
• first time seeing and petting a real cat (and subsequently first time being bitten by a cat - Cassie isn't much for playing)
• first Easter celebration, and first exposure to the Easter bunny
• first time celebrating her birthday with presents and a cake
• first time going to the zoo
• first party!
• first play date
• first kisses and snuggles
• first time going to "school"
• first haircut in a real salon!
• first time swimming (meaning the first time wearing a bathing suit!)

and the most important one:

• FIRST TIME BEING PART OF A FAMILY

Even on the days that things haven't gone smoothly, meltdowns have ensued, and tears have fallen, at the end of every night I thank God for the blessings he has given to me. I don't know why or how I was chosen to become RP's Mommy, but I am thankful each and every day for the opportunity, and am looking forward to the next three months (and beyond...) with my beautiful little Russian princess!