Vietnam Adoption Memories - One Year After

By Cindy Davanzo

Inspiration for prospective parents. An adoptive mother looks back with happiness on the memories of her first meeting with her baby in Vietnam..

I thought I would share a special adoption anniversary with everyone. One year ago today we saw pictures of our precious daughter for the first time. In the pictures she was about 5 months old. She was almost bald headed with a very round face and the biggest, blackest eyes. She was (and still is) the most beautiful baby I had ever seen. While we were waiting for our referral I wondered how I would react when I saw pictures of our child for the first time. Would I cry? Would I scream? I didn't do either - I just couldn't take my eyes off of her. I couldn't get over how very beautiful she was! I just wanted to kiss those chubby little cheeks!

Today she is a very (and I mean VERY) active 20 month old! She still has a very round face, although not as chubby and her hair is coming in really well. She had bangs now and the rest is almost grown out even to a chin length bob. And of course, she still has those beautiful beautiful black eyes and the longest eye lashes! She amazes me every day, and I am still in awe of her - even after almost 5 months of being together. She is saying new words everyday and studies and watches every move her daddy and I make. She is the light of our lives and my favorite hobby these days is just watching her!

I can't remember what it was like without her - pretty boring I'm sure! :-) When I wake up in the morning I can't wait to for her to get up so we can start our day!

Being Abby's mom is THE BEST job I have ever had! (Definitely the hardest and sometimes the most challenging as well!) Her hugs and kisses and hearing her call, 'Mama' when she wakes up in the morning are the best paychecks I've ever received!