My Cup Runneth Over...

I must be hormonal or something. Or, maybe it's just the gorgeous weather today. Sunny. Crisp. Cool. Not a cloud in the sky. Waiting excitedly and with baited breath for the new dishwasher to come. I mean, what is there not to like today?

There isn't a day that doesn't go by that I am not thankful for the life that we have and for having Keira in our lives. It's a miracle that she is a part of our family...an amazing, fantastic miracle because we thought that we would never have a child in our lives, much less one as beautiful as her.

Another thing I'm thankful for? One year maternity leave. Yes, that's right. One year maternity leave. When I first came to Norway, I thought that it was ridiculous that this was available for mothers. I mean, what was one supposed to do with one year off? People would say...oh, but one year passes fast. It will be gone before you know it. And, here I was, the lifetime professional woman who thought that one year was way more than enough to spend time with a child. What was wrong with day care? What about an au pair? Nanny?

I'm here to suck up my words. 6 1/2 months have passed now. 6 1/2 months. We are leaving for the U.S. in mid November and not coming back until January 2. Next thing you know, I am back to work towards the end of February.

Where did the time go? What did I do? Is there anything I can put on my resume for the things that I accomplished during the time I was off? That would be a big, fat NO.

What I can be proud to report is that Keira is happy and cheerful. She laughs. She smiles. She giggles. She's affectionate. This is a far cry from the quiet and soulful baby we brought back from China. For every day that goes by, we become closer. She hugs me from the front now. She wraps her arms around me when we are about to fall asleep. She lays her head on my shoulder when I pick her up.

Many of our friends and family think that we are spoiling her because we let her sleep with us in the same bed. We look forward to bed time together with her...feeling her warm little body next to ours. Listening to her sweet breah as it goes in and out and in and out. It's magical when she wakes up in the morning and comes to give each of us a hug and puts her face next to ours. It is wonderful. Especially for a child that didn't want our face anywhere near hers 6 1/2 months ago.

Our family is complete. Life is great and we are so happy. Yes, I must be hormonal. Otherwise, where did this total outspill of happy emotions come from? No worries. I'll be back to my usual, biting, sarcastic self tomorrow.