I Love...

The way your short hair sticks up when you wake up...

Your tiny, itty bitty little finger nails...

The way you sneeze just like your daddy - 3 to 4 times in a row...

Your "being burped" face...

How ladylike you are when you eat...

How unladylike you are when you fill your sweet newborn diaper...

The way your newborn skin is flaking off in little pieces...

Your "smiles" at 3 a.m...

How quickly you respond to your daddy's voice...

Your sweet hiccups...

How easy you are to console...

The way you like to have your hands up by your face...

Poopy and wet diapers that mean all is well...
Your adorable double chin...

Praying for you in the middle of the night when all is quiet...

Your perfectly formed lips...

and chin..

and sweet button nose...

How satiny soft your skin is...

Your raised eyebrows when we "brush your hair"...

Your long fingers and toes that could only come from your daddy...

Your squeaks...

The way you move your fingers in and out when you're eating...

All the pink and frilly outfits that are quickly filling your drawers and closet...

The way you wrinkle your forehead when I burp you...

How strongly you detest baths...

and getting your diaper changed if it's cold...

When it's just the two of us in the middle of the night...

The way you so easily curl up in a tiny little baby ball...

How sweet you were at your one week doctor's appointment...

How alert you are when your tummy is full and your world is alright...

That you are back up to your birth weight after only six days...go girl!

The way you look in your daddy's arms when he gets home from work...

The way your daddy doesn't even change out of his work clothes before he wants to hold you...

How tiny your arms and legs are...

Your big, dark eyes that look around...

The way I can put my thumb and point finger all the way around your thigh...

How light your eyebrows are...

The way your right ear is a little flatter than your left...

The fine hairs on your back...

That you are so content sometimes that we have to use a cold wash cloth to wake you up...

Your sweet baby bum...

The way you are so eager for your feedings and get really excited...

The way you love to snuggle and be close to us...

Playing "who am I ?" with your dad when we mimic your expressions and movements...

Hearing your daddy talk about "his girls"...

Hearing the birds chirping together in the early morning hours...

Being so excited about a two and a half hour sleeping stretch...

Your adorable toes that still curl under...

The way you barely fill out your newborn clothes. For now...

How happy and healthy you are...

Your angelic personality, that I pray continues to unfold...

The way you are so loved by so many people...
Stroking your soft cheeks to try and awaken you. Or just to touch you...
And one of my absolute favorites...kissing your whole face...over and over and over again!

Gwen, you are one week old today! It's hard for me to believe that one week ago today I didn't even know you, and now I feel so close to you. I know you are growing and changing every single day and I don't want to take any moment or day with you for granted. (But maybe slow down just a little bit *smile.) You have changed us so much for the better in ways I had no idea you would. 

My heart overflows with joy when I see your sweet face, observe your facial expressions, sporadic newborn movements, watch you look around and make eye contact, and hear your "voice." I feel so honored and blessed to be your mommy, and that God would pick your daddy and me to raise you for the time He sees fit.

We have learned a lot in just one week! I can only imagine the joy you will bring us in the weeks to come. Happy one week "birthday" baby girl! I think you are incredible and I know you will leave your mark on this world. I can't believe you are all mine! 

I love you to the moon and back,
Mommy