Dear Zaylee

September 7, 2012

Last night, Uncle Timmy, Aunt Bethany, and Auntie Jenny came over for dinner.  Dad got a new grill a couple weeks ago, and it gets him excited to invite people over and grill up some delicious meals.  Last night we had burgers, corn on the cob, sweet potato fries, and a lovely salad prepared by Aunt Bethany.  She makes a good salad, which is nice because it's kind of the thing mom forgets about when planning a dinner.  We sat around the table talking and laughing, while you sat right there with us in your high chair at the head of the table.  You were talking and yelling at us while you threw your toys to the ground.  If the attention wasn't on you, we would here your discontentment and we would look your way to see a sweet, crinkle face smile.  You bring us so much joy sweet girl! 

After dinner we all sat around on the couch talking about different things, but mostly about Aunt Bethany's baby growing inside her belly.  I get so excited when I see her belly growing ever so slightly each time we see them.  It reminds me of the joy that filled my heart as I watched you growing more and more each day as you God was preparing you to come into this world as our baby girl!  How did we get so blessed?

Your little cousin started moving around a bit, and I gently pushed on Aunt B's belly just above her belly button and felt a small, gentle kick.  It was beautiful, and filled me with emotions I had to tuck away until everyone went home.  After everyone left, I went up to your room, scooped you up, and snuggled you close to my chest.  We sat together in your dark room, with the sound of the waterfall filling the silence, and I watched you sleeping soundly in my arms.  My heart was so full.  When I laid you back down in your pretty, wooden crib with polka dot sheets, I felt so content.  This was what I was made to do.  I was made to love you and show you love everyday as your Mom.

I went downstairs to find Dad, and I shared with him the emotions that flooded my mind when I felt that soft kick from your cousin.  It brought me back to the moment we found out we were going to be parents.  It brought me back to the first time we heard the sweet, rhythmic beat of your heart.  It brought me back to that hot day in Honduras when I felt you kick and move inside me for the first time.  It brought so many memories back of those 9 months you grew into the beautiful, little girl we get to call our very own!  I didn't know you then, but I loved you so fully.  Every time  you moved inside me was like the first time, I lived with my hands on my belly.  I would rub you and you would move beneath my hand.  I wondered what you would look like, sound like, feel like in my arms, and now, NOW I have the privilege of knowing you!  It's far greater than I could have ever wondered.

I love you, my darling Zaylee Jean, and feel so honored to be your Mother.  I will try to show you just how much I love you, and I know at times I will fail, but I hope you grow to know the depth of my love.

Love you so,
Mom