Today I Was Just April....

Today I was greeted as April.

Just April.

Not Mommy.

Not Mommy April.

'Hi April!' she said with a grin as I walked in the door at daycare.

'April, come see!' 

She knew this was a new name for her to call me.

It sounded like she was testing it out.

Claiming stake on her new family. 

Claiming her new mommy and saving that name especially for her.

Using my first name alone for the first time.

'April, come over here.' 'April, sit down.'

I obliged.

Happily responding to just April.

It didn't make me sad.

It made me smile.

She is figuring it out.

She is a very smart girl.

Of course, I'm sure there will still be some days where she reverts

but everyday is a day closer to her forgetting some of her past

and building her beautiful future.

While she will always be a part of my heart, 

our family's heart,

I don't want to lay claim on her.

I don't want her to have to acknowledge us and her past.

It is an honor to be able to continue in her life as just April and Dave.

To watch her grow. To be happy.

To be loved and bonded. 

And she will always know we love her.

Just as we love all of Little Mister's bio siblings.

And one day when she is older, I hope to be able to share with her

how special the 2 years were while she was in our home.

But not until she is an adult or wants to hear or know about that part of her life.

Until then I just want her to move forward.

Because I love her so.

And because Little Mister follows Little Miss' suit.....

we just need to figure out how to get Little Mister

to call us Mommy and Daddy again!