Sweet little Molly girl,
The night of your birth was a scary blur of events. As we drove to the hospital, I prayed over and over that you would stay in my belly for just a little bit longer. I didn’t think you were big enough or strong enough to be okay. I cried on the way to the hospital because I was terrified and your daddy just held my hand really tight and drove really fast.
The doctor decided that we were going to meet you in person that night and my prayer changed. You couldn’t stay in my belly any longer so I prayed over and over that you would be okay. I prayed that you would be big enough and strong enough to be okay. Your daddy was doing his own praying and he kept holding my hand really tight.
You made your grand, little, appearance and we were surprised to find out that you weighed almost one whole pound more than they thought you were going to weigh. You had fuzzy, dark hair and long arms and legs. After the neonatologist checked you over, he held you up for us to see and made you wave your little hand at us. You were here and you were healthy and we didn’t have to worry about you. I didn’t have to worry that you wouldn’t be big enough or strong enough. God was and is big enough and strong enough for you.
You were beautiful but so tiny. We could only reach into your incubator to touch you so I stroked your soft, newborn skin and cried the first time I met you face-to-face. Later that day, I was able to hold you for the first time and you felt so right in my arms. We had to learn how to manipulate all your tubes and wires and keep you warm while you were out of the incubator. I felt like I was just borrowing you from the nurses and that I didn’t know how to care for you.
Your stay in the NICU was hard for me. I cried a lot and it was exhausting, both physically and emotionally. I dreaded leaving the hospital without you. The car felt so empty as we drove home. But, you should have seen everything that happened at our house while we were at the hospital. Uncle Kyle painted your pretty room. Aunt Keely and Aunt Carla cleaned (and cleaned and cleaned) and put Mommy and Daddy’s room back together after the carpet was installed. Even though I was sad that you weren’t with us, I was so happy to see all the stuff our family did to welcome us home.
The day you came home,after ten days in the hospital, was so wonderful. It was chilly and rainy outside, but it was full of sunshine for me. You were home where you belong.
Molly, you are such a beautiful little girl. You giggle at your daddy and your face lights up whenever you see him. You love to be tickled and “boo”ed. You love to have clapping competitions and to steal your brother’s Blue Puppy. You bury your face in our necks and snuggle for brief, precious moments and then you want down and to go go go. You have striking blue eyes and the prettiest smile. But, more importantly, you are a joyful and loving baby and that makes you beautiful.
So, Molly, as you grow bigger, I promise to put cute clips in your hair and the love of Jesus in your heart. Always know that you are our precious girl and Daddy and I are praying for you and always here to hold your hand tight.
Happy first birthday, Mo Mo! Mommy and Daddy love you so much.
