Hey baby girl,

Your dad started a massive group text with all his family and your moms family this morning.

Your mom checked into the hospital for her C-section about 6:30am.

You came into this world at 7:58am, Friday September 25, 2020.

Your dad sent out pictures of you being weighed at 8:10am.

7lbs 10 oz. 20 inches long.

Your Grandma stayed home with your older siblings and got them off to school.

We got pictures of happy big brother and big sister too.

I think you look like your dad's side of the family already. The cheeks.

You look a like a screamer too. :P I think the screaming you get from your mom's side. One of these pictures your dad took of your exhausted mom holding you suggests she is just thrilled to have another screaming child in her ear. She loves you so much. You can't even imagine.

Your dad is sending us pictures through out the day of you. He does it on the pretense of sharing you with the whole family, but I think he secretly could take pictures of you and watch/stare at you all day long. He adores you.

You're probably going to be the last baby on this side of the family.

Unless your mom decides to have another kid.

Or unless I, your aunt, comes up with a baby in the future.... I wouldn't hold my breath for that.

There are 20 of us now altogether on your dad's side of the family.

6 nephews/grandsons and now 5 nieces/granddaughters. The boys were ahead for the longest time, but the girls have been catching up.

You made a nice round number of 20. It was either you or my potential husband making #20.

You won the race. Perfect timing.

I was so excited for your arrival I went and bought some clothes for you already. I gave your parents a onesie that says "My Aunt Loves Me" for you to wear as soon as you get here. I told them I want a pic with you in it since I can't come see you anytime soon with COVID-19/quarantine and such.

The history books, newspapers, journals, social media will all say this year sucked.

2020 will always be remembered as the year that sucked because of illness/pandemic, death, fires, flooding, hurricanes, earthquakes, infestations, hatred, fear, protests, riots, etc. A year when the world shut down.

I'm sorry if this taints peoples' view on your birth year, but hey, I'm pritti sure everyone will remember it!

You are the great, wonderful, miracle we all needed this year.

You are our symbol of love and hope for the future. Our joy.

No pressure.

I just read about a baby girl in Poland named Tikva during World War II. a jewish name, a hebrew word meaning "hope".

During times of turbulence and unrest we look for any sign of hope.

I can't wait to meet you.

I can't wait to hold a baby in this family, a baby that's "mine" if you will, prolly for the last time.