Overwhelming love

We love because He first loved us. 

I John 4:19

Dearest Claire, 

Mama loves you. I say that to you multiple times every day and that won't change, so deal with it little lady! I loved you in the womb and that love only increased once they put you on my chest seconds after your birth. At times, the love I have for you is overwhelming. In the beginning of your little life I had trouble dealing with it because sweetheart, postpartum emotions are no joke! Daddy was amazing and reminded me of the love God has for us, His children, and we are so blessed to have just a taste of that love for one another, especially for our children. God has given me the capacity to love you and I am so thankful. 

Love you always, Mama

The Smirking Bear

Daddy says your smirk is definitely something I gave to you. Embrace it and stay sassy my little love! 

xoxo,

Mama

Our little sunshine, Claire

You are my sunshine, my little sunshine, you make me happy when skies are gray. You'll never know dear how much I love you, so please don't take my sunshine away. 

Nana sang this song to me when I was a little girl and I am proud to continue this tradition with a new verse. 

You are my Claire Bear, my little Claire Bear. You are my daughter, so sweet and fair. You'll never know Claire how much I love you, so please don't take away my Bear. 

Love you little lady, 

Mama

Two months?!?!

Dearest Claire Bear, 

Oh how I love thee! You have taught me so much in such a short time. 

Top three things...

1. Loving you is a small, minute glimpse of the amazing love God has for His children.

2. You have taught me to savor every moment, to drink in all the smiles, all the grasps of your fingers around mine, the beauty of your sleep. Don't rush, just be still and savor. 

3. I never knew I could be so excited about poop. I mean, I texted about your poop, crazy. 

You have radically changed my world and I love it and wouldn't have it any other way. You are a miracle. The past two months has been the most beautiful months of exhaustion and excitement. Daddy and I are so thankful we have been blessed with such a smart and beautiful daughter. 

Love always, 

Mama 

Father of the Bride

Dearest Claire Margaret,

You are finally here! Daddy and mommy have been so busy taking care of you that I have delayed completing your journal.

Mommy was in labor with you for 12 hours, which is actually a pretty good timespan for a woman's first baby. You were born on 5/16/2013 at 11:59am. You did not want to miss lunch!

One of mommy's doctors guessed you would be close to 9 lbs...you were 6 lbs 14 ounces. You have long fingers and good sized feet, we are guessing you may be an athlete someday. There is height on both sides of the family so you may have caught the gene.

You surprised mommy and daddy by coming out with hair. We were both bald as babies & blonde. You are brunette with blue eyes so far. We say 'so far' because it is possible your eye color will change...but so far all daddy is seeing is deeper shades of blue.

You are a very special girl. You have healthy & powerful lungs with a very cute & feminine cry. Daddy calls it your "lamb" cry and aunty Kim calls it your "goat" cry. I may try to get a short video of your cry so you can listen to it someday and hear how cute it is.

The life of a baby is short & sweet...you eat, burp, go potty, and sleep. You like, correction: you LOVE drinking milk about every 3 hours...2 to 3 ounces per sitting.

Yesterday you drank so much milk you barfed it all over daddy's shirt. I was surprised you did, but it has happened to daddy many times in the past so I was not grossed out or shocked.

If you are ever fussy, the best ways to calm you down so far are to walk you around the house and talk to you...or...to lie you on top of mommy or daddy's heart on your tummy. We can always tell when you are content because you make small slow motions with your hands and feet.

Speaking of hands, you really love yours. You love to suck your fingers and for them to be "free". We can bundle you up with blankets...but you do not like your arms restrained...you prefer freedom to move them and grab things.

Your neck muscles are getting stronger. When mommy or daddy talk you turn your head and try to find us. You are starting to smile on occasion (ones not related to gas) and it melts your parents hearts every time.

You are a great baby and we are so grateful to have you on lease from God. Mommy & Daddy love you very much and look forward to watching you grow.

Love always,  Steven Lynn Birt, Jr.

P.S. Father of the Bride is a very funny movie that we will show you someday. Being a beautiful lady, one day I may find myself a 'father of the bride'. Until such time, I will cherish the moments we have as you grow into the woman God would have you be.

Independence Day

My Little Claire Bear,

One month until you arrive, one month! You have grown so much during this last trimester...the last time we saw the doctor they guessed you were over 4 pounds already.

You are moving more and more. Your favorite time to move, at least that daddy has noticed, is around 6:30pm or so...just shortly after mommy eats dinner and it reaches you. You are really stretching mommy's tummy now, which reminds daddy of a science fiction movie that you will not be allowed to watch until your... 30 (negotiable once you are an adult I suppose).

We can tell you are getting stronger too. Your kicks have much more force. You are definitely playing ping pong with mommy's organs, and it seems like your personal favorite is her bladder. You should have seen how many times you made mommy go potty last night.

Your nursery is done! Including your baby-cam that daddy recently installed. It actually has a 2-way speaker too...so we can talk to you when you are crying while we come to pick you up. I think we did a pretty good job making it look girly too without "pink"-ing you to death.

Can I also just mention, that you have a lot of clothes? Which I am sure you will need, but be prepared for lots of pictures so we can capture you in all these outfits people have blessed us with.

I should also mention, you went to your first baseball game on daddy's birthday (4/13/2013). The Angels played the Astros and we won! You were our good luck charm apparently. You also moved a ton whenever music played or people cheered. We hope you were just excited & not scared...we talked to you so you knew we were still there.

Daddy is staying busy at work and slowly making preparations to take time off with mommy when you arrive. Mostly because I want to spend time getting to know you...but mommy will need help too, especially right after you are born, so daddy will be there for you both.

Mommy is being such a trooper at work. She is almost done for the year and then will take a little time off before your due date. She wishes she could finish off the school year, but is so excited to see you I think she will forget about work once you arrive :)

Daddy loves you and will see you soon!

P.S. Independence Day is another favorite movie of mine from my teens. Soon, you too will have your independence day...as you leave mommy's womb for the last time. Technically, your independence will be short lived, as you will immediately become dependent on your parents and mom's milk...but for a brief moment at least...you will be free!

The Last Crusade

Dearest Claire,

It has been almost a month since Daddy has last written you. Truth be told, your mother and I have very much been 'going through the motions' of work, exercise & leisure time, so not much new has transpired.

You'll be excited to know, that I finished building your Pack 'n' Play last week. I made sure it was sturdy & comfy because you'll be spending a lot of time in it very soon. I cannot wait till you poop all over it in clear thanksgiving for your daddy's labors.

You should see how beautiful your mother is. It is very true that when women are pregnant their skin glows and their beauty surpasses the finest of gemstones. We will take pictures again soon as we draw nearer to your birth.

The bigger you get the more you are responding to our voices. When I talk to you in the evenings after I get home from work, you get very hyper and we believe it is because you are starting to recognize our voices. It is very fun to talk to you and watch your mother's face light up as you respond with flutters of kicks and energy. It is quite possible that you already recognize your daddy.

We have also come to realize that you do not like it when your mother's stomach growls. If she has 'hunger pains', you kick in protest. "Go get food now mommy!" is the dialogue we have assumed you are taking during these times. Not even out of the womb, and already giving orders.

Mommy talks a lot during the day doesn't she? It is because she is a teacher. I am positive you like to hear her voice, I am sure it is comforting all throughout the day.

Every time we finish building something for you, or adding something to your room, your Papa (Grandpa Hutchins) asks: "What's this? Where's the baby?". This makes your daddy chuckle, as it is clear your belongings are 'simply stuff' and Papa wants to hold you.

Your Nana (Grandma Hutchins) & your mother are addicts. I am told it is called "nesting". They cannot walk past a store if there are baby shoes or clothes visible from the outside. I have decided to allow them to shop & dress you...your father is not very interested in clothes. I buy the clearance clothes at Target even when they are not in style. If you are to dress 'well', it will be up to the women in the family to accomplish this feat.

It is almost time to order your crib. Your daddy will be painting your room soon. I haven't painted for a number of years, but its like riding a bicycle and I will have it down in no time. We may have to re-paint when you get older if you find yourself attracted to a particular color. If so, guess what you will be learning how to do :) ?

You will also be taught how to cook. Not because you are a woman, but because as Grandma Birt told your father when he learned the basics: "so you don't starve". This is good advice for both genders. If you have a brother someday, he will be taught how to cook too.

Well baby girl, that's all I can really think of for now. Your mother & father love you and you will see us for the first time in about 2 months. We are so very excited. Hugs & Kisses.

Love, Daddy

P.S. Your dad is a big fan of the Indiana Jones series of movies. Now that your mother has entered her final trimester, we journey on the last crusade prior to your birth.