I am not going to write these "a year ago today" posts all week. This is my last one for this week as the rest of the story is pretty stressful (and not anything that many families will experience), but I will have another "a year ago today post" on Nov. 4, which will be a year from when Belane finally arrived home (and I will have tips on surviving those early days home with a new child). If you want to reminisce and reread the posts from our first weeks together (and our drama in Ethiopia) you can follow the links at the bottom of the page.

But today I am thinking about how amazing the transformation is during your child's first year home. I can look back at all of our children and think about what they were like the day they were placed with us, and then remember what they were like a year later, and the change was dramatic in all cases.

Physically, Belane has changed a great deal. A year ago today, Belane was a very small little girl, who was fighting not only being HIV+ (and untreated), but had a whole bunch of minor recurring and ongoing issues. Ringworm, staff infection, giardia, ear infections and a chronic runny nose and cough were all present, as were multiple sores and bumps. Her hair was just barely long enough to curl and the 2T clothes I brought for her (she was just turning three years old) were way too long, and she had this huge belly that made pants and tights really challenging.

Now she is wearing a size 4t and there is not even the slightest hint of that big old belly. He hair is long and thick and beautiful. Her skin is smooth and clear. She has been in wonderful health and for many months now and is thriving in every way.

Emotionally, she has changed even more. A year ago, Belane was obviously very frightened. When we went anywhere beyond the safety of our hotel room, she completely shut down and would not interact with anyone. She panicked if I was not in her line of sight. She cried and got mad at me instantly if she was told "no" about anything. She had to have her body physically entwined with mine to be able to fall asleep.

But even in those early days, there were many glimpses of the little girl she would blossom into. Her giggle, her funny sense of humor, her love to tease, her sweet and loving personality and her passion for all things girlie, all were noticed in those early days together.

Love, security and all the emotional perks of having a family have allowed her fears and insecurities to fade dramatically, and the rest of her has flourished. Today she is a spunky little girl who doesn't think twice to tell you what she wants. She is social and outgoing. She is securely attached and is no longer anxious. She knows that if I am not with her, that I will soon return. She still doesn't like to be told "no", but she easily moves on now to the next thing. She sleeps happily in her own bed with a kiss and hug goodnight. She's confident and brave.

She still has a funny sense of humor, a huge love to tease, a sweet and loving personality, a passion for all things girlie (which has only multiplied since being introduced to Disney, Dora and Barbie!) and the world's cutest giggle.

I think what amazes me the most when I look back to a year ago, is the amazing amount of trust Belane had. When I think of all the loss and abuse and changes she had been through, it amazes me that after a year of security at AHOPE, that she trusted me enough to willingly leave the orphanage and start a new life with us. She let me bathe her and feed her and carry her. She hid her head on my shoulder when strangers were around. She slept curled up next to me and by the end of the week even trusted me enough to push her on a swing and catch her at the bottom of the slide.

It has been a wonderful year. Watching Belane transform from a scared little girl into the spitfire princess that she is today has been incredible. I can't wait to see what life has in store for her.

Posts from our trip in Ethiopia - Page One

Posts from our trip in Ethiopia - Page Two