My how things have changed...

I remember the days not so long ago where we could only gaze at our daughter through the plastic barrier of the incubator. To touch her we had to literally take down walls and move around feeding tubes, IV lines, heart monitors, oxygen monitors and whatever else was attached to our little baby. It was not long ago that all I could do was reach in, touch my baby and kiss her little hand. She was right there, but felt miles away. It was a good day if we could take her out for a few minutes and hold her... Now, that same little girl lays in my arms every single day and she reaches out to touch my face, so that I can give her kisses on her little hand. Sometimes she smiles and others she looks like she is studying every inch of my face. Like she doesn't want to forget a single crease, wrinkle, freckle, or feature. Now we gaze at each other, because I don't want to miss a single crease, wrinkle, freckle or feature. I watch her grow in the present moment and never take one minute of her life for granted. She is celebrated everyday in our home and in our hearts. Hazel is our angel.