IT'S . . .

I can't believe that it's been 12 months.

I've been feeling very nostalgic over the last few days . . . remembering what I was doing and how I was feeling a year ago.

12 months ago - the terrifying nerves, wondering how the hand-over would go, how Alice and L would be, how M, C and I would cope. That day in Kunming, 2 special families were created (mine and theirs) and 1 extra special family (both of ours together including GFN) - the incredible process of intercountry adoption created an extra special link with another couple as we met our babies together and helped each other through those first dramatic yet wonderful days.

12 wonderful months later - the joy that Alice (and L too) has bought, the happiness, the laughter, the hope for the future. The link between our families, that friendship has been cemented in the time that we've been home, we just know so much about one another, understand so many things without explanations being necessary and then there's the link that our girls had before we knew them, so special, I am so lucky.

And the plans for Alice Day? . . . a quiet day at home, with friends coming round for a cuppa this afternoon . . . and a few presents (from Mummy, a few too many!) Then tomorrow we'll meet C and L for a trip to Longleat, lots of reminiscing and hopefully a few photo opportunities!! The meeting with L is not before time - Alice has been L obsessed in recent days - saying 'Hello L*' every morning to her photo in Alice's bedroom and asking whenever we leave the house - 'L*?'