Baby's First...

  Whenever we first heard about the "twins from Gimbie whose paper work would probably never line up with our referral" we knew in our hearts that these were our girls. When we accepted the referral for them it began to sink in that they were at an age where they had already accomplished many of their "firsts". I have to admit that having experienced the big milestones with our two home grown kids
(and by "experienced" I mean that we celebrated-we did a happy dance, we took a gazillion pictures, we called every close relative, we documented every little moment in their baby books, and scrapbooks), I grieved a little bit at the loss of those major moments with Meryn and Saryn.
  What I did not realize, and even if I had realized it, could not fully understand, was that I was going to get to experience a completely different set of firsts. In fact, almost everything we would do with our girls was a first for them. We are privileged to have the joy of assisting them in each new discovery.




 Imagine what it was like for us to: watch our babies squeal with delight as they splashed around a great big bath tub for the first time.........  

 or the joy we felt when they bit into a syrupy sweet pancake for the first time, and their little faces light up like the sunshine

...and what about the first day the girls really "let themselves go" with us and we got to hear them laugh until they were absolutely delirious? 

                                                   ...the first time they rode in the stroller

...the first time they flew in a plane (although they both thought it was a car and were shouting, "Mon-kee-nah,Mon-kee-nah,Mon-kee-nah!" in unison as we boarded:)

....the first time they met their brother and sister (with Ave crying happy tears from the moment she laid eyes on them, and Alex,the no longer trying to play it cool 12 year old, was clearly whipped).

...the first time they cuddled up in bed at HOME

                                      

...the first time they swung a baseball bat, and loved it might I add. They absolutely love to throw, kick, swing, and they are fast as lightning! I know it's way too  a little too early to tell, but we may have some little athletes on our hands:)

... or the anticipation we felt when we snuck them out for their first visit to the park early one morning, and the subsequent thrill we got when they had the time of their lives playing in the sand, and sliding down the tube slide...

... the first time they ate shaved ice (which even though it was mango flavored was NOT a hit ,but was quite funny to watch. Meryn wanted to like it so bad, but just couldn't get over how cold it was.)

....and then there was their first time to swim. They absolutely loved it! I will never forget the joy on their faces. It was priceless!

I have to say the best firsts, the most wonderful firsts, have been the first time the girls called me Momma, the first time they called out to their "Poppa Nick", the first sweet kisses, the first time they took a tumble and called out for us to love on them, and the first time they said I love you, and it was clear they knew the weight of what they were saying, and they meant it.

 Most of these things are experiences our bio kids have long before they are old enough to be cognizant of the fact they are doing something new. It has been, and will continue to be like an unexpected gift just waiting to be unwrapped and enjoyed. I feel like we are discovering buried treasure every time we turn around. It's just another one of the amazing, beautiful joys of international adoption, and to think, there are so many more firsts in store!