Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Dear Marley

Dear Marley Wren,

And so... our story began on July 17... well really, it started 40+ weeks ago... but who's counting? Now that you're out and about (literally and figuratively), your adventure has begun, and we're so excited to be a part of it. To actively watch as you grow... and become, we pray, who God has created you to be.
We get to start from scratch with you. Your adventure will be different from your sister's adventure with us. But that's what makes both of you so special to your Mommy and Daddy.

Marley, we've been waiting a really long time for you. We knew from the beginning that you were a fighter, the moment we heard your heartbeat. We've never heard a heartbeat so strong and fast as yours. As you grew and grew inside of Mommy over these last few months, we celebrated each and every milestone that we made it to (trimesters), that ultimately ended in your birth. One week ago, on the 17th of July 2013, you made your way into this world. Bright and early, at 6:38 am... by the way, both Daddy and Mommy are NOT morning people... so this feels sort of ironic. Your sister, however, is totally a morning person, so maybe if you float that way, you two can enjoy each other's company while we snooze a little... you know, down the road, when you're able to pour your own cereal.

Sweet girl, it's officially been one week since that grand appearance, and we can't get over how much love we have for you. Honestly... before you, we weren't "baby" people... Yeah, we knew we'd love to have one... but it was so easy to see friends have babies, play with them, and then hand them back to their parents. But the moment we saw you, we fell head over heels in love with you. You melted our hearts and we haven't recovered from the look you gave us the very first time you opened your eyes and stared at us. We stared right back, and in that instant, we knew that you were ours. God blessed us with you... and we have no words, but rather songs of thanksgiving for you.

You have taken on this world like a champ. Sleeping the days away, and awake at night... you sure know how to party. By awake at night, I mean... you really just love to feed at night, so that's when you're trying to get our attention the most. You've had your first well check, with Dr. Wilber, an amazing doctor who just adores you (how could he not?) You had a little bit of weight loss, which is typical, but not much. He said you're "looking fine little princess"... and sent us on our way. We have another check up for you in 2 weeks to get new measurements, and he expects some growth... so grow little one. But, don't grow too fast... because your tininess is something we're cherishing right now. We never experienced this with your sister (her story is different from yours) and so we're trying to savor every moment with you, the same way we did with her.

























We can't take our eyes off you. We're savoring your unintentional smiles/smirks, especially the one that you make right before you make a big poop...yeah, I said poop, you poop a lot... the way you hiccup after most of your feedings, the way you stop crying at the sound of running water, the way we can't help but smooch your sweet cheeks, especially your folds in between your double chin/neck... the way you go from 1-10 on the crying richter scale in less than 5 seconds when you're ready to eat, your intoxicating baby's milk breath smell, and even the fact that you cry whenever we lay you down. Oh little bird (perfect nickname for a little one whose middle name is "Wren"), all you want to do is snuggle and be held. All you do is sleep on Mommy's chest at night. The moment we lay you down in the bassinet in our bed, you scream... I think you NEED to hear our heartbeats, in order to rest peacefully. We're not sure how we'll transition you into sleeping on your own, but for now, that's not a worry, because we adore your snuggly self. We'll take all the snuggles we can get, because we know this won't last forever.

We want to celebrate each month of growth throughout this first year, and will write you letters on the 17th of each month, the same way that we wrote to your sister each month on her "Gotcha Day" for the first year that we had her. This is just the beginning Marley Wren... of your story... We love having front row tickets to watch it all unfold...

We love you, more than you could ever imagine...

Daddy, Mommy and your big sister Charlotte
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13 comments:

  1. Welcome to the world Marley! You have a pretty awesome family :)

    I love all of these pictures, but especially the ones of Charlotte and Marley - what a lucky girl to have a big sister who clearly adores her.

    Enjoy every second of this time as a new family of four!

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  2. She is absolutely perfect! But you already know that. So happy for you all! Congratulations!

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  3. What a sweetie, nothing like a fresh newborn!

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  4. Such sweet sister pictures!! Congratulations on your newest family member!

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  5. welcome Marley! She is so lovely. what great pictures!

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  6. sweetest words. precious pictures. you have a gorgeous family!! congratulations!!!

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  7. Congratulations! Marley is beautiful and Charlotte is going to be an amazing big sister. Many blessings to you and your family :)

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  8. They already look like sisters and you look terrific. Only a few more sleeps until we meet her in person and we can't wait

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  9. Congratulations! Savor every precious moment with her because they grow up too fast!

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  10. Congratulations Karen. We are so happy for you, Jason and Charlotte. Love the Popoola's

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  11. Oh Karen, what a delight! I am just so overjoyed for you! Charlie is certainly in love with sweet Marley! My heart is happy!

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  12. Oh Karen, such a beauty and such beautiful photos! Congratulations, such lovely girls you have there! Enjoy your family of four! xxx

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