Dear Ella . . .

You are starting to be more and more responsive! This morning you smiled at me! I mean, really smiled at me! It was the most beautiful thing!

And then, when I didn't think it could be any better, you let out a giggle! Not once, but twice!! I've never heard a more wonderful sound!

Keep laughing, baby girl! I love you!!

Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

As I was snuggling and rocking you tonight I told you that I'll love you forever and ever. I've told you this many times over the last four weeks but tonight it hit me how true that statement really is. I teared up realizing that there really is nothing you can do that would make me stop loving you, and if, may it never be so, Jesus should call you home before me, I'll still keep on loving you. I can't help it - I'm your Mommy and you're my baby. I'll love you forever and always.

Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

You shed your first tear today. It was the sweetest, tiniest tear. Every part of you - even down to your little teardrops is so precious to me. I love you!

Dear Ella . . .

You are four weeks old today. I can hardly believe how quickly time is flying by! It seems like we just brought you home last week!

Every milestone you hit makes my heart swell with pride and break at the same time. Don't grow up too fast, baby girl.

You are starting to track faces and some objects with your eyes. You still love to look at lights.

You can lift your head and turn it from side to side when you're having tummy time or are on Mommy or Daddy's shoulder.

You're starting to put weight on your legs when we hold you up and you can even push off a couple of times!

I think we're really getting the hang of nursing. We even nursed lying down in bed yesterday morning! What a treat that was!!

You had your first MAJOR blowout diaper today. Out the top and sides and all. What a mess! I'm so glad you Daddy was home to help with that one!

Speaking of Daddy, he got to give you a bottle for the very first time today. You ate so well for him! I think he really enjoyed it. He loves you so much, you know.

Your hair is turning lighter now. It's so beautiful. It's so soft and wispy and the lighter hair looks golden compared to the dark hairs underneath.

I think your eyes are going to stay blue. I'm so happy about that! That's one thing people can say for sure that looks like your Mommy! Let's just hope you have your Daddy's eyesight though.

I love you little squeaks and squawks. Some of them you've made since you were born. You're my little squeaky girl!

You are such an easy-going baby. You love to snuggle. You make the CUTEST faces when you're alert. You really only cry when you need something (and a few times after you eat - I think you get tummy aches sometimes). You are such a joy, my sweet baby Ella. I love you!

Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

I've learned that it doesn't matter how tired I am, how cozy I am under my covers, or how little sleep I've had. All it takes is one look at your sweet little face and nothing else matters except taking care of and loving on you.

Dear Ella . . .

This was a busy week for you and Mommy. I got to celebrate my very first Mother's Day on Sunday. You and Daddy gave me yellow tulips and the sweetest card. I got to spend the day snuggling with you, Daddy, and Gizmo and we didn't have to share you with anyone. It was so nice to just be with our own little family. I think that may have been the first day we didn't have any visitors since we brought you home. It was a perfect day! :)

We had your 2-week check-up with Dr. G. on Tuesday morning. You weighed 7 lbs 10 oz, and were 21 inches long. Your weight puts you in the 50th percentile and your height in the 90th percentile! You might get lucky and be tall like your Daddy. We also had to visit the newborn nursery at the hospital to get your 2-week PKU/Newborn screening done. They had to prick your sweet little heel, but you were so brave and you only cried for a few seconds. Maybe you will handle needles better than Mommy (I'm really not looking forward to your vaccines later on!).

We had some special people come to visit us this week. One of Mommy's very best friends, Emily, and her little girl, Keller, came to play. We ventured out and ate at your first restaurant, Prairie House - you slept the whole time! Keller is only three months older than you and Emily and I hope you girls will be good friends like us.

You also got to meet David and Shelley Potter. They are friends of ours from Alabama but they live in Texas now too. They were in town for a big horn conference that Daddy had to help host at UNT. You will see them again this fall once football season starts. They will help us teach you to say Roll Tide!

We took our first trip to the grocery store on Wednesday and then went to Grandma and Bumpaw's house to visit for the very first time. You are such a good little travel buddy and you do great in the car! I know one day soon you will get very excited whenever you see us turn down the road to go to Grsndma and Bumpaw's house. :)

This morning we even got to visit our church for the first time. We had a Mother's Day brunch and got to show you off to some of Mommy and Grandma's friends. You have a separate letter about that to read.

It's been a very busy few weeks for Daddy, too. We've been on our own most of the time since you and I came home from the hospital because Daddy had end of the semester stuff and IHS to take care of. But tonight Daddy will be home for supper because he's done for the semester!! Yippee! I think we ought to lock him in the house and throw away the key so we can keep him here with us for a while, don't you? ;)

Baby girl, I just love being your Mommy so much! I love telling people that you're my daughter. And more than anything, I love every second I get to spend with you whether we're out and about or just snuggling together after a 2am feeding. You're the most precious thing to me and I love you with all my heart!

Love,
Mommy

Off to Prairie House with our friend Keller - Ella Elizabeth, 2 weeks; Keller Noel, 3 months

Dear Ella . . .

With Mommy and Grandma, Mother's Day Brunch at Faith UMC - Corinth, Texas

Today you got to visit our church for the first time. We went to a Mother's Day brunch with Grandma and everyone just oo'ed and ah'ed over you. Faith UMC is such a beautiful place. It reminds Mommy of her favorite place to go - Camp Sumatanga (you'll learn more about that later). Even more important though is that Faith is full of beautiful people. I can't wait for you to get to know more of them and let them help Mommy and Daddy teach you about Jesus.

You're not quite big enough to go to a worship service on Sunday mornings yet. There too many people and germies to worry about right now. But in a few short weeks you will get to go and I know you will just love it! My hope and prayer is that you will grow to love the Church and always have a willing heart to serve wherever God calls you.

Dear Ella . . .

I've decided you're big blue eyes are exactly the color of two juicy ripe blueberries. And when you look in my eyes I could just melt.

Love, Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

You have the most beautiful little smiles. They already light up the room. I know you don't really know you're smiling yet - that will come in a few more weeks (don't worry - I'm not in a hurry for it. I'm enjoying things just the way they are).

Dear Ella . . .

Mommy and Daddy can't decide which one of us you look like the most. Grandmommy says you look like my baby pictures. Aunt Anna and Grandma say you look like your Daddy. I don't see either of us fully.

What I do see is a very familiar face. I was struck by how familiar you looked the very first time I held you - as if I've known you my whole life. I'm convinced you could have picked you out of a group of babies sight-unseen because yours is a face that I know with my heart.

When I look at you, I see so many people who love you. I see Big Grandma, Grandmommy, Grandma, and your Daddy. Sometimes I catch a glimpse of your Uncle Jonathan (I think you have his baby hair), quite often I see your Aunt Anna (especially with your cute little nose!). I even see our cousins Julie and Elizabeth and their children. All of these people and so many more make up parts of who you are and they all love you so much.

I love you my beautiful baby Ella.
Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

You are snuggled down on my chest, sound asleep right now. I am completely overwhelmed by how wonderful it is to be your Mommy. I love you so much, baby girl!

Dear Ella . . .

You discovered lights this week! If there is a light in the room, your big bright eyes will seek it out. May you one day know that Jesus is our Light and always seek Him out.

Dear Ella . . .

I had an amazing thought the other day. I was born to be your Mommy. God knew when He created me that one day He would create you though me. I am in awe.

Dear Ella . . .

Every time I see your Daddy take care of you I fall more and more in love with him. You are blessed to have such a wonderful loving Daddy.

Dear Ella . . .

Grandmommy gave you your very first sponge bath at home today and taught Mommy how to wash your beautiful hair. You love having your little head massaged! You were adorable!

Love, Mommy