Dear Hope -

I never knew I could love someone so much that I have only known a few weeks. I'm not even sure what your personality will be. But I am amazed at the depth of love I have for you. It is different than anything I have ever felt - a different kind of love than what I have for your daddy. I love to watch you and marvel at how your little tiny body moves. I love kissing your head and face over, and over, and over (you probably have noticed). You are one of the most beautiful things I have seen in my life. To be away from you literally makes my heart hurt. I have to leave you in a few weeks to go back to work, and I'm not even sure my heart can handle the pain.

I pray for you constantly, sweetheart. I pray protection over you. I pray that I will learn to cherish each moment with you, because they go by so fast. I cry because in no time at all you will no longer be my little tiny newborn, so innocent and dependent on me. I love when I am feeding you and you spend the whole time studying me with your beautiful eyes and face. I hate it when you cry - not because it's loud, but because it means something in you is hurt or distressed, and I can't stand to hear you be sad or hurt. The worst is when you clasp your little tiny hands in front of you while you cry - it rips my heart to see you do that.

You are so wonderful, and I am humbled that God gave your dad and I exactly what we desired. You are better than I could have hoped for, and even more amazing than I imagined. Always walk with Him, because I can't imagine watching you bring pain on yourself with poor decisions. May God grant us wisdom to raise you to be a Godly, obedient, young lady. You deserve the best, and I promise to do everything I can to give you that. I love you Hopey. More than you will ever, ever know.