I Thought Christmas "Firsts" Were Over...

Right before Christmas 2004, I received the referral of a baby boy that needed a home. This was my first Christmas as a prospective adoptive parent and my prospective son's first Christmas ever, albeit away from home.

When Christmas 2005 came around, my son was home with me! He had actually been home (safe and sound) for four months. This was our first Christmas together as Mother and son.

Christmas 2006 was the first "normal" year as Mother and son... we'd had a full year together and got into the family groove. We completed our post-adoption follow-up meetings and began preparing the court documents for the state readoption. It was a nice, productive, busy year.

By Christmas 2007 we had completed the state readoption and received his Certificate of Citizenship! Woo-hoo! It was the first Christmas as an official American citizen! Andy started really getting into this Christmas traditions, too. You wake up and this guy Santa just brings you a bunch of toys!!?? Cool.

This year, preparing for Christmas 2008, as I was driving into work one day, I thought hmmm... nothing new - no firsts this year... Andy "gets" Christmas... and is excited about seeing Santa to tell him about all he wants... but nothing I can consider as a "first". So, then my thoughts changed to my mental "to-do" list. Finish up with presents, get some things mailed out... prepare cards for a ton of people. Hmmm, this year Andy can sign his OWN name to the cards... THIS YEAR Andy can sign his own name to the cards!!?? Wow! Another first!

I know it sounds simple, but to a very proud Mommy of a son who just learned how to write his name- it's AWESOME! Okay, so Christmas "firsts" don't really stop afterall! I can't wait to see what's in store for next year! Merry Christmas, everyone!