Caroline Coyne

"Oh sweet child of mine!"  I have neglected your monthly updates, so to make up for lost time here is an entire post dedicated to you, our sweet and happy Singapore-born, American daughter.  Oh my child, the places you have gone in your first 365 days.  And through month twelve, you are still smiling through it all (well except for that time you sat in a field of tulips).  We  cannot wait to see what the next 365 has in store for you and hope you always wear that beautiful smile!

Here are a few fun facts from your first year:

*You were born in Singapore, but you are a U.S. citizen.  We brought you to the U.S. Embassy when you were only two weeks ago to apply for a passport and social security card.

*At five weeks, you were a passenger on your first international flight and slept like a doll.

*You have been a trooper through four moves...three apartments and two houses.

*You have resided in three countries: Singapore, U.S., and The Netherlands.

*By my count you have been to nine countries: Singapore, Japan (if you count a layover at the airport), United States, The Netherlands, Germany, Spain, France, Belgium, and the Czech Republic.` 

*I think it is safe to say your frequent flyer miles outnumber your diaper changes.

*By month 6, we were still keeping our fingers crossed that you would keep those baby blues.  Almost to month 13, and we are still holding on!

*You have celebrated Christmas season in Prague, Mardi Gras in Louisiana, Easter in Paris, King's Day in Amsterdam, Labor Day in Grand Isle, and summer in Sandestin. 

*And your trips to grandma's house stand in stark contrast to your mom's childhood trips to grandma's house. (airplanes loaded down with suitcases vs. station wagon loaded down with kiddos)

Oh the life of an expat child!  Whether good or bad, exciting or challenging, your short life as an expat child has never been dull!  And, we are so blessed to call you ours!

More than anything else about our Easter in Paris weekend, your father is more proud to say that he took you to Paris first!