that was the year that was....

As we run swiftly towards the new year, I can't help but wonder at the year that has been.

This time last year - we'd been given some photo's of boy-o, we'd heard about him from his social worker (need I say... she's useless), and our social worker had seen him and his foster mum.

January brought forth meetings, meeting his foster carer, meeting the contact supervisor, and lots of talking. We heard more about our boy - the fact he is placid although active. That he eats anything (nearly), that he is a social animal. That he was behind in speech and motor movement.

February brought forth the most important meeting (meeting him), matching panel and the meeting with the paediatrician. She shared what she knew - she shared what she understood of his health issues; we looked at potential warning signs.

Panel - the day our lives changed forever, seems like a lifetime ago. When we sat in that room waiting for their decision....and then we got the yes - and the planning could begin.

Meeting boy-o came on the very last day of February....

March continued with introductions, then moving day, then his birthday. A review meeting to see how things were going.

April, May, June, July & August were taken up with meeting friends and family. The occasional official visit (review meetings, social workers etc)

September brought a special meeting for me - we met boy-o's birth brothers - who are adopted together. It was amazing to meet them and see how alike and different they are. We also had another hospital visit - with boy-o this time.

October - we meet boy-o's birth mum - the more I dwell on this meeting, the happier I am that we did it. I feel so sorry for her, none of this is her fault...

Nov - court date. Boy-o is ours for good.

and into December - our first Christmas - and it's been amazing.

The year has gone so fast, and has been so deeply wound around our little boy. When we were asked a few weeks ago whether we could remember what we did before he came - the answer was no.

We have so much to be grateful for...this year has been amazing. Next year will bring new joys and experiences, as well as new troubles and grief.

The year hasn't been easy, or full of happy, trouble free times and I apologise if I have ignored my blog a lot. It's been difficult to find time to post, and sometimes inclination as my whole world shrunk very fast. I wouldn't change it for anything - parenting boy-o is harder than I could possibly explain in so many ways, but brings so much joy and delight to us.

I hope that you have many good times to look back upon - and if not - that this coming year brings hope and peace to you.