Sophia's first birthday

One difference in adopting an older infant is that the first birthday creeps up on you quickly. With a newborn you have a whole year to anticipate the big event, but in adoption everything is speeded up. In China, one of the families we were with celebrated their daughter's birthday two days after Gotcha. We at least had a month or so to get ready! With both sets of Grandparents out of the country, our celebration was relatively quiet, but we still marked the date with friends and of course, cake and ice cream! Sophia didn't really understand all the fuss, but she definitely likes cake! I've attached photos as evidence. In the short time she has been with us, we already see changes. She is still a butterball, but is beginning to sidle around on her belly to get toys or see something interesting. She would like to pull up but cannot get past her knees at this point. She is much less content in amusing herself and would like constant attention--who doesn't! She has also firmly established her bond with us, preferring us to all others. She cries when the babysitter comes, and lays her head on my shoulder anytime anyone gets up close as if to say--this is my mommy--I belong to her!