From the moment Wesley and Anna heard the wonderful news, their hearts swelled with plans for their baby cousin, Levi. They imagined everything.  Wesley, with his brown hair and bright blue eyes behind his glasses, practiced his Spider-man poses, ready to teach Levi how to be the coolest superhero in the whole wide world. He dreamt of tiny hands clutching a Thor cape, just like his own hero, and whispered promises of epic adventures. Anna, with her long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes, meticulously lined up her four baby dolls, perfecting her babysitting skills. She pictured snuggling Levi close, reading to him, and sharing all of his "firsts."

But then, the quiet came. The kind of quiet that feels too big for a world that was supposed to be filled with baby giggles and tiny footsteps. Levi never felt Wesley's or Anna's gentle cuddles. Here are just a few of the activities Anna and Wesley were looking forward to: 

We daydreamed about being by your side for tummy time and cheering you on even when you were over it.

We imagined going to the beach with you, playing in the waves, and building sandcastles.

Playing at Papa and Gigi's house.

Playing at the park.

We never got to enjoy watermelon at a picnic on a nice summer day.

Our hearts ached for your laughter, a sound we imagined entwined with Wesley's and Anna's, creating an endless symphony of giggles only we would understand.

I pictured Wesley and you as a tiny superhero duo, with Anna, the dedicated babysitter, tending to you and her dolls.

The pool parties we never had.

Among our many hopes, we often imagined you dancing freely with your cousins, filling our home with laughter and the thump of little feet.

There's a part of me that still hears the echo of your cousins' laughter, and yours too, as you all experimented with the art of the fart noise. Such simple, pure joy.

I pictured Anna and Wesley, surrounded by a mountain of every single stuffed animal, their laughter echoing as they meticulously built a fort of blankets and pillows."

I could almost hear your cheers, a tiny voice among the cacophony, as your cousins gave their all to beat Uncle Jason at Mario Kart.

Your first Easter, a season of new life, passed without you, the golden egg remaining forever hidden from your grasp.