Happy Belated Birthday, R!

R turned 4 years old yesterday. I tried to write a post last night, but for some reason I couldn't log in. So, 24 hours later, I will just reflect a bit and say that I can't believe my baby is FOUR years old. She is still a baby in so many ways, but every once in awhile I get a glimpse of a much more mature little girl. I am so, so proud of her. Her attachment was very slow, but now she is such a mommy's girl. She is so loving and trusting now, and it is even more fulfilling because I know it wasn't easy for her to trust us. Our first breakthrough in that area came maybe a year ago. She was running through the house as she always does (why walk when running is so much more fun??), and she fell. She smacked her face pretty hard on the kitchen floor. I asked her if she was ok, and she just said yes and sort of cowered into a corner, which was typical for her. I said "Well, come over here and let Mommy give you some love anyway." I hugged her and gave her a kiss, and she just broke down into tears...big, huge, gasping sobs. It's almost like she always tried not to show emotion or to show us when she hurt, but she just couldn't hold it in anymore. That was the beginning of things getting really, really good. I can't imagine not having her as my daughter. She tells me sometimes "You're my best mom." That melts my heart.

Happy birthday, Sweetie!