Dear Baby Hollis,

Words cannot begin to describe my love for you.

From the moment you entered this world,
you brought nothing but pure joy to our family.

You have the sweetest soul, that I know for sure.

I have this overwhelming need to be close to you all the time.

And thank God for you what seems like a million times a day.

I wake up in the middle of the night to stare at you and spend most of the day trying to etch every tiny feature you have in my mind because I know how fast you will grow.

I want to remember you as you are now, my brand new baby girl.

I promise myself that I will remember every little face you make, every little newborn noise that comes from your tiny mouth, the way you smell, all the ways you move your little arms and legs then startle because you are free and not confined in my belly anymore.

I hold your tiny little 6 pound body in my arms, close my eyes and pray that God will always protect you and keep you from harm. I pray that He will guide you through life and keep you safe in this bug, scary world.

I also pray that He will help remember what it feels like to hold you in my arms.

I watch you move in amazement and think “Wow! THAT’S what she was doing in my belly, I KNOW exactly what that feels like!”

And sometimes I get all weepy wishing you were back in my belly so I could feel you move inside of me just one more time.

Holding you is like holding a slice of heaven.

You are so pure, so innocent, so sweet.
I am so thankful that God chose your Daddy and me to be your parents.

I am truly enjoying every fleeting moment with you.
You are the closest thing to heaven there is.
I will love you always, not matter what.

With more love than my heart can contain,
your Mama

{All of these photos were taken by me when Hollis was 24 hours old}