How can it have only been half a year when she has so wholly filled our hearts?

Today is my girl’s half-year mark.

Six months ago on a sunny afternoon, her little body slipped out and I reached out to grab her. Six months ago, her eyes met mine and ripped apart my soul, stretching it to fill what would follow…just love.

And in six months, I have learned more the deep truths of motherhood and life and accepting the ebb and flow of life’s events and molding my perceptions like clay, rolling them out, kneading them over and over to make something beautiful.

We all have our journey, we all have our souls that mold us whether they are young or old, different from others or very much alike. We all have stretches in our life that are difficult to tread and so we take our time and walk slowly and carefully, learning along the way.

So much I have learned…and so much I still have to learn.

But, right now…in this moment…I have so much. My expectations of these months have been so far exceeded. In this moment, I have her. Her little body that molds across me, her eyes closed, her arms stretched out above her, her song of breathe-and-suck, breathe-and-suck humming as she falls asleep against me.

Nella, you were so very meant to be. And while I thought I had life figured out, I realize no one really does. Life is too grand to contain into the box I thought it should fit in. And it is made up of so much more than I thought I’d ever know.

I don’t know the answers or the future or what it all means. But I do know I was made to be the mama of two sweet little girls, each destined to fit into our family in their own unique way. Watching you fill your space with squinty-eyed smiles and cuddles that mold into our nook has been beautifully soul-stretching. And I yearn for more…for what I will learn being your mama, for how we will love as a family. For many birthdays, picnics, Christmases, coffee mornings, late-night movies and hand-held walks to come.

One thing is certain. You are ours, Little One. And we are blessed.

And on this half birthday, I love you a whole bunch.

My Sweet Girls,

When the night is dark and the stars slip out of slumber,
When the moon hangs bright and the sun sets to sleep,
When the city settles and the streets are quiet and babies just like you are being kissed and loved and snuggled…

There is magic.

When the coming and going of the day is long gone and all that is left is you, my loves…you to drink in with your sleepy bodies and little eyes that look deeply into my soul and soothe all the stresses away…when night welcomes us all to the security of the big bed where we stretch out and surrender to the beauty of all that is us…all is right with the world.

You blink and yawn, fan your fingers and kick your legs…consuming every last bit of the day’s energy lest it go to waste.

You whisper made-up words to the stories we’ve read to you many nights from this same bed…except tonight, you sing them–softly and sweetly–as little sister intently listens.

And, once again I attempt to put words to just how much I love you both…

At night I am reminded of just how little being little lasts. For it seems just yesterday both of you were swaddled against me, tiny and grasping my skin in the dark. It seems just yesterday we slept sandwiched together on your first night in our home…when Mama woke up in the night to feed you and hot, happy tears rolled down my cheeks for just how blessed I felt.

But you grow. We grow. And on nights like this I drink you in. Your littleness. The scuffed feet of your soft worn jammies. The way your lashes scoop and curl and make feathered little cups when your eyes are closed. The way your lips beg me to kiss them. The way your hands lie open until I lie my finger in them and you–even in your sleep–close your fist and grasp on. I know you know I’m here.

The enchanting sleepytime rituals we share are gifts I cherish so. Yes, there is magic in the night. I love you both so very much my sweet little fireflies. Sweet dreams, Baby Girls.

…to Jessica Bell and family.

Over 1,000 entries for the giveaway! Poppa & Gary were very busy indeed organizing them all. Random.org must have thought it was your lucky day, Jessica. Pack your swimsuits.

And thank you for sending us a picture of your beautiful family! …and I hear your little Ethan has a birthday coming up! Congratulations.

Naples awaits!