HOPE'S STORY, PART 3: "PHOTOS FROM THE FIRST WEEK"

Here are some other pictures from Hope's first week of life.

She would always hold on to our finger if we put it near her.  I read somewhere that that's how babies say "thank you for taking care of me."

The first few days we had her, we were still getting used to how to hold her and move her without bumping her encephalocele.  At night time we would do skin to skin, then bundle her up in blankets.  One morning we unwrapped her to find her in this position, ready to fight.  I think she wanted to arm wrestle Daddy.

Daddy-Daughter Time

I think she already knew sign language.  I'm not sure if she was saying "hang ten" or "I love you."

More Daddy-Daughter Time

"Thank you for taking care of me, Dad."

I know it looks like all Hope and Daddy ever did was sleep, but they really did hang out when they were both conscious, too.  I have pictures to prove it. :)

HOPE

Hope is the thing with feathers 

That perches in the soul, 

And sings the tune--without the words, 

And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard; 

And sore must be the storm 

That could abash the little bird 

That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land, 

And on the strangest sea; 

Yet, never, in extremity, 

It asked a crumb of me.

Thank you, Emily Dickinson, for saying it so beautifully.  That feathered bird called 'hope' is still giving me the wings I need.

Love, C