Dear Ella,

Hey there sweet girl...

Thinkin' you're due for a letter about now. You've been at daycare and I've been back to work almost 2 mos now. Hard to believe...these days/weeks are flying by so fast. You're changing and growing at about the same rate :)

Even though you're almost 5 mos, we went for your 4 mo well-check yesterday. Girl, you make us SO PROUD. You were in the 90th percentile for height & weight. Since your 2 mo well-check you grew 2 1/2 in and gained 3lbs! You are now 26 in long weighin' in at 16.9lbs!! Nana says I shouldn't call you biggun' cause you're a lil' girl, but you're by no means a lil'un - ha!

I so enjoyed our time yesterday waiting for the dr. You were all smiles & just a talking. It was weird to take you to the dr. b/c you've not hardly been but for well-checks. By your age, we felt like we were already payin' the light bill at the dr's office with John. You've not had more than a lil' cold since birth & we are incredibly thankful for that. We're just not used to it :)

Dr. Shaw - "that ol' gal" as we affectionately call her couldn't say enough good things about you. She said you looked great. She had a neat mirror behind the examining table that you were all to happy to look at yourself in when she flipped you on your belly. You were doing quite the lil' push up and beaming proudly at yourself. You did have to get some shots which took the smile right off your face...but you didn't cry long. Comfort was quickly found in Deddy's arms. I think his feelings were hurt more than yours.

When I got back to work yesterday I was going through some old files. It's spring break here at State & you'd think I was on it too - just not much motivation this week. At any rate came across this...


This picture was taken exactly a year ago today - 3/9/10...you were 8 wks 3 days old. I recall still trying to wrap my mind around being pregnant. Excited at the same time though. My 30th surprise birthday was awesome, but becoming pregnant with you is the bar none biggest surprise of my life. The biggest and the best!

Speaking of - being pregnant with you was a joy (once the nausea stopped) and the time since your birth has been nothing short of joyful. You have brightened our lives so much. I can't help but smile at the thought of you :)


Between the babbling, blowing bubbles and giving us those long glances that when noticed cause your whole face to spread into a big grin...you have our hearts sweet Ella Bella. You're such a good and sweet baby. You really make it too easy sometimes :)

And we already think you're so smart. Your hand-eye coordination amazes us. You can manipulate about any object we place in your grasp and you continue to amuse us taking your paci in & out. And the way you turn your head to look up at us sometimes when we're holding you - we can only imagine how full your lil' "sponge" is getting watching and listening to us.


Speaking of watching & listening...your brother gives you PLENTY to absorb! I found myself having a heart full moment this morning. John climbed on the bed with you and pulled the covers up so yall were under them together, saying "I cover us up". You twisted on your side to face him and be close - him rewarding you with some nose-to-nose sugarz. He saw me coming with diaper in hand and told me "not yet" - he was so enjoying yall's time under the covers together. He loves you so much and it's so apparently mutual. There are so many moments where it's obvious you have eyes for no one but each other and I can't help but bask in your closeness. I'm excited to see how this bond will deepen over the years.

So, nothing real prophetic to say today - just want you to know how much you are loved & missed by me every day. Looking at the picture taken a year ago today - couldn't feel more blessed to be on this side of things. You're here, you're healthy and you continue to brighten our lives - we can't imagine our world without you. Daughter, Sister - those words feel so good rolling off the tongue...we couldn't be happier to have such a sweet girl to love and hold. Those bright blue eyes, those plump cheeks that beg to be kissed, those ever-moving lil' hands reaching for ours...you steal our hearts more with each day.

Continue to grow & delight sweet girl - we'll continue to enjoy every second of it. We thank God for giving you to us - we will always strive live up to the honor we've been given...

Listened on the way in this morning and although out of context, words from November Blue still make me think of you...

like the sunlight, however sweet it shines...I'm warm beside your smile...
you're everything I dream


Love you sweet Ella Bella ~ Mama