Christmas Blessing

On Christmas Eve I received the best gift a mother could receive -- the love of her little girl.

Paul and I were getting Maelyn ready for bed -- I had her on the bathroom counter and was starting to wash her face. She looked up at me at said 'Mama -- awwww' and then put her little arms around my waist. She reached up to kiss me and then hugged and kissed me all over again.

I stopped breathing for a moment -- this was the first time that Maelyn had reached out, hugged and kissed me all on her own. In the past, kisses and hugs were prompted by hugs and kisses from one of us. Paul looked over at me and I could tell that he completely understood what that it meant -- what a pivotal moment for us as parents.

The best gift a parent could receive -- unconditional love from her little miss.

On the topic of love -- one that I have been thinking about often over the past few weeks...

From the moment I first looked at Maelyn's picture, I knew that I loved her with all of my heart. She was my daughter -- meant to be born in my heart. Shortly after we returned from China, AM told me that my love for Maelyn would deepen and change over time. Oh how right she was -- I feel a love for Maelyn that has rooted itself deeper and deeper in my heart. I am always caught off guard when I realize that my love for her has changed and deepened yet again -- it takes my breath away. Every day I get to know my little girl and marvel at her amazing personality. She is so special -- how did I ever become so blessed??

Tonight I held her in my arms while we danced to our favourite Glee music and the tears came -- I love being a mom and I love my little miss with all of my heart -- deeper and deeper every day.