A year ago...

A year ago today I was up early, as I am this morning. A year ago today I had the name "Mehandis" going through my mind all night. A year ago today I went to work and prepared myself to fib if asked the question "Have you heard yet?" (which I did get asked first thing in the morning, to which answered with the half truth of "still waiting"). A year ago today I could not take my eyes off of the referral picture we received via an email, the previous day, studying our soon-to-be son's tiny wet fingers, unbuttoned Mickey Mouse overalls and slightly curved ears.

Yesterday we celebrated the anniversary of receiving Mehandis's referral. It was amazing to look at the photo Michael and I took of our self the previous year, which is now framed in Mehandis's room, and think of all of the joy we have shared as a family since that time. Brings happy tears to reflect on how much our son has added to our lives.

Mehandis, Erin and I went together to the zoo recently and found the Dairy Complex the most interactive. Here Mehandis is in his milk truck, dutifully checking his blind spot for bovine. He gave some "moos" to the cows... but said lions say "meow".
Mehandis did not want to leave any of the animals when he was taken out of his stroller. He gave little yelps of excitement, jumped up and down and kept his eyes on the giraffes, elephants and donkeys. He was also excited to stand, stomp and splash in any of the puddles he could find.
Auntie "E" and Mehandis doing one of their favorite things together. Reading "a book" and another and another! I think she knows more of these books by heart than any of us do.
Mehandis had a great time with his cousins, Josh and Lauren, at the lake this past weekend. I walked in on Lauren teaching Mehandis his basic math facts, via Uno cards. Later Mehandis jammed with Josh on Rock Band, my son likes the guitar best. The three of them enjoyed cooling off in the kiddie pool and we loved watching them.