National Birth Mother's Day, 2012

Having been involved in the adoption community for more than 5 years now, I learned the other day that the day before Mother's Day is recognized as National Birth Mother's Day.  What?  I never knew that and  Hallmark never advertised it!

But seriously, learning this really made today extra special.  I had requested the day off a few months ago so I could spend this entire Mother's Day weekend with Kristina.  We did lots of fun things together but one thing I had in the back of my mind was how thankful I am for the young woman in Ekaterinburg who made the decision to give her baby life, name her Kristina and then have the strength to give her up so Kristina could have a chance at a happy, fulfilling life.  I often ponder if Kristina's birth mother wonders where Kristina is and what she is like.  In my heart, I feel she does think of Kristina...

A few days before leaving for Russia, I received a gift from a few co-workers, Sari and Robbie:  a framed poem I'd like to share here...

Legacy of an Adopted Child

Once there were two women
Who never knew each other.
One you do not remember,
The other you call mother.

Two different lives
... Shaped to make yours one,
One became your guiding star,
The other became your sun.

The first gave you life,
And the second taught you to live it.
And the first gave you a need for love,
And the second was there to give it.

One gave you a nationality.
The other gave you a name.
One gave you the seeds of talent,
The other gave you aim.

One gave you emotions,
The other calmed your fears.
One saw your first sweet smile,
The other dried your tears.

One gave you up,
It was all that she could do.
The other prayed for a child,
And God led her straight to you.

And now you ask me through your tears,
The age old question through the years.
Heredity or environment, Which are you a product of?
Neither, my Darling, Neither,
Just two different kinds of love.

Author Unknown

I look at Kristina, my daughter, and I see Jon.  I see his white blonde hair that he had at the same age.  I see me.  Many of her mannerisms are like mine (which really keeps me on my toes because I don't condone all of them!).  I also see her birthmother.  We never got a photo of Kristina's birth mother but we know she has green eyes.  When at the doctor's last week for Kristina's 5-year wellness check-up, the doctor shown the light in her eyes and it was remarkable.  The outer circumference of her eyes are blue like mine but the inside part of the iris is green, probably like her birthmother's.

So I'm sold -- Kristina is a product of our love, both her birth mother's and her mother's love.  Today and every day, I thank AC for giving Kristina life, and thus, giving me the greatest gift of motherhood. 

Happy Birth Mother's Day, AC!

Kristina's idea for mommy/daughter time today:  "Let's make cupcakes for daddy!"

Taking a second to strike-a-pose.  Note the good divided attention:  making cupcakes and watching "Barbie in a Mermaid Tale" at the same time!

Great teamwork

Icing a "special" cupcake



All done!
(Note the wardrobe change...and I wonder where all the laundry comes from...)



This is the "special" cupcake ~  to honor Kristina's birth mother.  Kristina has already claimed it as hers, along with many of the others!