Small hands reach out to feel the warmth of my body.

Sweet lips gift my forehead, proud and complete.

The glow of your first cry after pushing new life into the world.

First breaths. Tears flood with overwhelming joy.

Eyes reach the little pink blessing, warm, snug in a cotton blanket pure white.

A beautiful face rests there just in the palm of my hand.

A new soul. A chosen, child of God as she yawns. A soft hat on her full head of hair then sleep.

But not for me.

Eyes start at her cheeks, and follow her dimples to her toes. Each one tiny and unique.

Soft little belly as it rises and falls

and each breath she takes is a breath I can take in.

They press hard in between my cradling joy. The pain fades away when she smiles as she sleeps.

Dried breast milk like a cookie crumb on the edge of her cheek.

What’s her name? She came out so fast.

I can’t wait to see what her sister will think.

Like holding hummingbird eggs, roll and unfold, covering little bum with a diaper dry and not cold.

Eyelashes flutter like butterfly wings open to see what my voice looks like.

Eyes open just slightly, slowly. What is this place? Yawn. Stare and admire.

Soft like only she can be, a perfect fit next to my heartbeat.

The morning light shines through, thanking the heavens we made it too.

Snug in a seat made just for you. Traveling back to our home view.

-Heather Piatek

Maternity photo by Tara Draper Photography