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Warning- this post is picture heavy. I have reduced the size so it won’t take forever to load. It has been so long since I looked at the pictures from Eva’s first year.

But Saturday Eva turns three. Three. Three years ago, the first time I saw her, she looked like this. I never ever want to forget that experience. She was still in the hospital. She was so stinkin’ small. I felt so alone. I loved her so much.

I wanted to give Andy an idea of just how small she was (he was back at home with the boys). So I put my lens cap by her head. This was a small lens too, a 50mm- those of you that know photog know how small that is

Those days were filled with taking care of this little peanut. Getting to know her.

And when Andy surprised me on Mother’s Day with all of my boys showing up at my hotel room…..- my heart still explodes into a tiny million pieces just thinking about it. I missed them so much.

Bringing her home was the best experience ever. I still remember Cole taking this picture of us

I was one happy Mama- so happy to have my whole family finally together

There is not a doubt in my mind that adding this chica to our family made my boys better people.

I take so many pictures of my family because looking back at them reminds me of how good life is. How good being a mother is. And how fun it is to watch them grow.

Looking back reminds me of how much I love them. Then and now.

Blake’s 10th bday 🙂

Sometimes I worry that I didn’t soak it in enough. That I didn’t enjoy every moment enough.

But looking at these reminds me that I sure did try.

there is just something special about a house with a baby in it.

And I am oh so glad I captured a tiny bit of it on film

This little baby made me love my husband even more

And my dad too

I think we surprised everyone when we announced we were planning to adopt

But she was welcomed with open arms by everyone

Eva grew pretty fast. Eat and grow eat and grow. I used to whisper that in her ear. I wanted her to be a little bigger. I was scared of her smallness.

But now that she is a tank of a three year old I sorta miss her tiny cuddly self. (she just saw these pictures and said Oh that baby is soooo cute!!!)

When people ask us if she is always happy?

Pretty much. Unless she’s mad. Like today at target. And then things get ugly.

so many firsts

Such a great little girl

I asked her what she wants for her birthday- so far all she says is “CAKE!”

She has started to pick up a slight southern accent. Austin keeps asking if she will have a full blown southern accent soon. I said, “well you all will pick up small words that you say a little southern.” But always a Buckeye at heart.

To think that it has been 3 whole years blows my mind

She cracks us up every day

don’t you just want to squeeze her??

even with a little drool

One of my most fave pics ever

I don’t know, this one is pretty good too.

Have I mentioned how much I love this little girl?

1st halloween

finalizing her adoption

she’s thinking, what have I gotten myself into 🙂

the first xmas

Her crazy hair days started early

bath times

everyday moments

everyday days

that add up to three full years

And she grew

and grew

and grew

and that teeny tiny baby was long gone

And then she turned one

Three years have flown. There isn’t a day that goes by that I am not thankful for the gift of this little girl. And her three awesome brothers as well.

I can’t imagine my life without her.

Even that big belly has been replaced with a longer leaner frame. Sigh.