40 weeks...then in my arms

Dear Baby Ava,

I really did think I'd be writing you (as the baby in my belly) a 40-week letter. But this letter comes to you now that you're here!! You are here and in my arms. I'm actually writing the text of this letter on my phone as you nurse. Feeding you in the middle of the night is tiring, to say the least, but I absolutely love this time with just you and me, in the still, quiet darkness. I'm in heaven listening and feeling your sweet little nose breathe right up against my skin, your tiny hand with long fingers is resting on to my chest, and I've only had to tickle your feet twice to wake you up to keep eating ;)

I can't believe just 5 days ago you were in my belly. A part of me misses it...but OH, I am loving having you in my arms finally! When I hold you real close, your little movements, especially your hiccups, feel so familiar to me. Last night your sweet Dad was holding you and you started to get the hiccups...he was so worried because they were jolting your little body. I assured him it was okay, and that I remember feeling you have hiccups a lot toward the end of my pregnancy with you. The worried look stayed on his face though until your tiny body relaxed. He sure loves you little one.

And Ava thank you so much for being such a calm, sweet baby. You had high levels of bilirubin at the hospital, so now that we're home we've had to have you spend most of your time in a bili-bed (your little UFO, as Dad calls it). You're such a trooper and have been wonderful to sleep so much, and so well, in it. Your easy going nature has also made it so that your big brother still gets lots of Mommy and Daddy time too :) We're still working on helping Brooks understand that you're his sister, but soon enough I know he's going to be loving on you all the time and you two will be the best of friends!

Oh Ava girl, I'm so grateful your loving Heavenly Father sent you to us. This Momma of yours is head over heels. So thrilled you are ours forever! But now I've got to put you back to bed...sweet dreams little one.

Love,
Mom

PS - Here are some photos your Dad took...a fun before-and-after comparison don't you think? The left is just an hour before you joined our family, and the right was when you were barely 2 days old, both in front of the hospital bed you were born in :)