My little girl

Yesterday, my little girl kicked at my hand. I guess in any normal situation, it might have been cause for a parent to reprimand his child, but this was not a normal situation. Instead, it was the first time we've been that close to each other in either of our lives.

You see, my little girl is only 21 weeks old, and like most little girls that age, she insists on spending all of her time inside her mother. She's a selfish child too; for the past two weeks, she would only share her kicks with Vanessa while I was left with my hand pressed expectantly against my wife's growing belly, hoping for the slightest movement against my palm. Ah, but my little girl didn't keep me waiting forever. Last night, all of the time I've spent in anticipation was rewarded.

Do you remember the years before you were married? Do you remember being a child and having your parents drag you to a wedding that felt like it dragged on for eternity? If you were like me, you didn't get it. Why would you sit for hours and listen to people repeat things that other people said? Why did everyone get so excited about those two people kissing on the platform? What was so different about that cake?

Leap a few years forward. Do you remember the first wedding you went to after you were married? Didn't that event shock you with how gratifying it was? You suddenly understood the significance of those two words, "I do." The kiss became a moment of celebration, and the announcement of the couple was an occasion for great joy.

That's how it's been since I found out about my little girl. Five months ago, a friend could have shown me an ultrasound image of his unborn child and I would have been pleased for him, but not overly excited. Today, if the same thing happened, I would be overjoyed. The miracle of life has made an eternal impression on me. I've seen things in the past five months that have left me speechless. My little girl has a heart...and I have had the privilege of watching it beat. 

I'm continually enthralled by David's words in the Psalms. "For you formed my inward parts; You knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are Your works; my soul knows it very well" (Psalm 139:13-14). I am understanding this truth more and more each day.

Ah, but I grow impatient. I want to hold my baby now. Even though I know the wait is well worth it, I am anxious to put it behind me. And yet, I know God has designed this wait for a reason. In fact, I'm pretty sure that it's meant to make me even more aware of my responsibilities as a father, and also as a husband.

Still, I find myself holding my breath...waiting for my little Amelia.