A Very Happy 4th Birthday to My Beautiful Liliahna Grace

Four years ago I woke up, 34 weeks pregnant and had no idea I would be meeting you today Lily.  I went in for my normal doctor’s appointment and they sent me straight to the hospital.  A couple hours and an emergency C-section later I got to meet you for the first time.  The first thing I said to you when they first showed you to me was “You have the tiniest nose I have ever seen.”  You weighed in at 3 lbs 15 oz and all the nurses in the NICU called you their “pocket baby” because you were absolutely perfect, just super tiny.

I spent 7 nights in the hospital and you spent 13 because you were so tiny you couldn’t keep yourself warm.  You never once needed a feeding tube or oxygen though.  I remember looking at you, this tiny little baby inside the incubator, and one of the NICU nurses came over and said ” She’s a feisty one.  That is a good thing for a preemie.” I didn’t understand how such a tiny little baby could be called feisty, but now I understand completely.  You have a drive, persistence, strong will and determination which makes you so feisty.  You also are blessed with compassion, imagination, vision, love, beauty and understanding.  I love you so much and I am so proud to be your mom.

Happy 4th birthday my little monkey, my pocket baby, Lily Beanz, Wilbur, Pirate Fantasmic and all the other nicknames we have given you my amazing Liliahna Grace.