Hello, little one.

I can still hardly believe that you’re there, deep inside me, being wonderfully knit together by our great Heavenly Father. Your daddy and I were so surprised and overwhelmed with thankfulness when we realized He had given us *you*!

Yesterday was a big day for us, but I don't think you noticed. You stayed snug in your warm, watery world. Mommy has been so worried about you, since you haven't been making me very sick. We saw the doctor yesterday, and she gave me some medicine that hopefully God will use as a means to help you grow.

And last night, Daddy and I got to peek in on you. God gave us the joy of being able to see the fuzzy flickering of your heartbeat on the screen. We looked at each other with teary eyes: we could barely believe what we were seeing!

But, precious one, you're so much smaller than the doctor says you should be, and your little heart isn't beating fast enough. Oh, how we're praying that the doctors are wrong, and that you're just getting a slow start. God knows far more than the doctors do, anyway. But maybe you're sick, and maybe we'll have to say goodbye to you before we even get to hold you. We can't bear the thought of losing you, but we know that our dear God will help us through.

We're praying for you, little one. We're praying that your heart will beat stronger, and that you'll grow and thrive. We're praying that next March, we'll be holding you in our arms and kissing your cheeks, and praising the Lord. Mommy's heart is so weak and sad right now, but I'm going to fight for you with all the strength that I can find. I know that God will give me the strength I need to labor in prayer for you. And do you know how many other dear people are praying for you? So many.

Your life belongs to God—He has only entrusted you to us for a time—and our prayer is that your life, however short or long it may be, will bring glory to Him. As soon as we found out you were inside me, Daddy and I prayed that God will help us to hold you with open hands, ready and willing to surrender you back to God if He should ask it of us. We think of how painful it was to say goodbye to your sister and brother, and we cannot imagine going through that pain again, but we know confidently that God will give us the strength and grace we need if that day comes.

Hang on, little one. Keep fighting. We're praying for a miracle for you, and we're waiting expectantly to see what God will do.

We love you,

Daddy and Mommy