A Letter to Samuel at Three Months

Dear Samuel,

You're 3 months old today. Wow. It doesn't really seem like that old, but in baby time...it's a big deal. You've changed and grown so much since I first held you. You are over 11 pounds now. Remember when your daddy and I (and a host of other people) were praying for you to grow? Of course you don't, but we'll tell you all about it one day. God is so good, Samuel.

Lately you have been smiling and cooing a lot. You have your sister and brothers wrapped around your finger. They love to see who can make you smile the most.

You have already had umbilical hernia surgery and ear tube surgery. You are going to be one tough little boy.

Right now you are about 4 weeks shy of having your cleft lip and soft palate surgery. This is really what I want to talk to you about most today. Your dad and I have known that you would have this surgery since you were 18 weeks gestational age. But we didn't grasp the depth of love we would have for you at that time.

Samuel, when you have this surgery your appearance is going to change. You aren't going to look like the same Samuel that we have come to know and love over the past 3 months.  But I want you to always remember that it wasn't AFTER your appearance changed that I began to love you.  My love for you is strong and fierce today, just as it is for your siblings. You are wonderfully and beautifully made. In God's image.

But even more than that, as much as I love you, God loves you so much more. I will fail you. I already have. But God's love never fails. He is faithful and He is good.

I love being your mom and I'm excited about the plans God has for you.

Love,
Mom