Last year....

Last year one of those "life changing moments" occurred. 
Last year on this very day I officially met my son, my WeiChe, for the first time. 

I've been very nostalgic this week remembering the time leading up to today.  I remember the days right before travel, thinking of all of the "lasts"---last time with only one child in the car, last time saying "my child" instead of "my children", last time getting only one youngster off to sleepyland, last moments to have only one babe to cuddle and love, last sleepless night waiting with anxiety for the day to travel-soon to be many sleepless nights of a different kind -  and last relaxing shower.... for a while anyway.  And still I can't imagine going back to not having Sammy Wei in our lives, can't remember what that was like - however did we do without him? 

Last year our family of three landed in Taipei full of all of the hopes & dreams and fears & nervousness of soon to be parents...even the second time around.  We landed in a country with such friendly people, amazing sights and smells and with a city full of bustling activity - a country so beautiful that we immediately fell in love with it.

Last year we drove over two hours to a very loving Foster Mother's home in a small city in Taiwan to finally hold our son and take him into our family.  It was a huge day for us all and for me it was filled with mixed emotions - as were many days to follow.  As excited and happy as we were, poor WeiChe was being ripped from the only Mom he knew.  To us the day meant a new addition, much eagerly awaited and with us so ready to love him.  For him it was another day of loss, a new day of confusion and fear. 

And now, a year later, I look at my darling son as he "reads" a book about Choo Choo's and smiles at me with glee every time he turns the page.  I hear his sweet voice calling for me..."Mama Mamaaa" ...whenever I leave the room, or come back in!  I see the delight in his eyes when it's time to meet JieJie at the bus stop and his excitement at the end of day when Dada finally gets home and he can run into his arms for one of his extra huge hugs.
I am amazed at all he has accomplished, all he has learned and all of the changes I've seen over the last year.  Some because he's just getting older...but some because he's felt more and more connected and comfortable with us.   And I have learned to slow down and appreciate all of these changes and accomplishments and have been enjoying all aspects of having Sammy in our lives!

And one thing we always have done with Simone is recap that very first day and week that we met --- and of course I'll be doing the same with Sammy.   What a truly incredible week of memories we made once we met Sammy Wei.  Looking over the photos I am remembering how chubby and babyish he was the day we met him and those emotions come flooding back!  What a blessing we received last year....

Below is the first moment we saw WeiChe....Oh how sweet he looked and what an amazing feeling to finally be able to hold him. 

And the photos below are the first moments together.  Yep, tears are streaming as I type...

 Back at the hotel....

We were all just falling in love with this little dumpling!

 Finally...me and my children!

 And the four of us!  All very tired after a busy day at the zoo...

 Oh what a sweet baby!  Loved these glimpses of the happy boy he really is!

And look at all the chunk! 

So many memories have been made in the year since we met Sammy and there are so many yet to be made!  Life is busier and happier and crazier and more hilarious since we met this fellow last year....

Last year lives were forever changed.  For our family it was changed for the better...in more ways than we ever imagined possible! 

Happy Family Day my sweet dumpling....
J