31 for 21: Day 21 {Nika's 3rd Birthday}

Dear Nika ...

Three years ago today, October 21, 2006, you were born at 36 weeks gestation in a hospital somewhere in the middle of St. Petersburg, Russia. You weighed 4 pounds 3 ounces and were 18.1 inches long. At birth, you were classified as being in serious condition and you were also diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Your birth parents were married and you had a four year old sister. After finding out that you have Down syndrome, your birth parents deserted you at the hospital and relinquished their rights to you.

When you were four days old, you were transferred to the Pediatric Medical Academy, where you remained for the next couple months. On December 12, 2006, you entered a baby home in St. Petersburg, where you were classified as an orphan. Although nobody from your birth family ever visited you, you had lots of caregivers and friends that loved you very much.

On September 24, 2008, just one month shy of your 2nd birthday, your dad and I met you for the first time. To say it was love at first sight is an understatement. You were perfect in every stretch of the word and we could not wait to show you how much you deserved to be loved.

On November 13, 2008, you left your baby home forever. Six days later, you arrived home and met your brother and sister. Trying to imagine now what you were like at that time boggles my mind. You have grown in so many ways ... it is amazing.

With that, I would like to wish you a very happy 3rd birthday ... your first birthday here at home. You have blessed our family a million times over. I hope your day is as special as you are, because you deserve nothing less!

With love,
Mommy