Dear Ella . . .

The most wonderful place on earth isn't Disney World. The most spiritual place isn't a church. Once upon a time I would have said Camp Sumatanga held both of those titles (I hope you get to experience that one day!). But there is a place that has even Sumatanga beat.

The best place, my favorite place on earth, is sitting in our rocking chair with you snuggled up in my arms. Nothing can ever compare to this. Nothing.

Dear Ella . . .

In the morning you and Mommy and Daddy get to do something very special. We will stand up in front of our family and our church and have you baptized. We get to acknowledge God's love and prevenient grace in your life - did you know it's already there for you even now! Mommy and Daddy will publicly affirm our own faith and commit to teaching you about Jesus and living our faith for you as an example.

Oh how I hope and pray that you grow up loving Him from a young age! And one day after you've made your own decision to love and follow Jesus, you can stand up in front of our family and our church to acknowledge your baptism and confirm that you are committed to serving Christ. But that's still a few years from now.

Until then, little one, just know that God loves you - even more than Mommy and Daddy can. It's hard to imagine a love so big that it makes my love for you seem small, but that's just what God's love is. It's that big and more! Rest in that for now, baby girl.

I love you so much!
Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

You are just a few days shy of turning three months old. Three months, and I still have to remind myself that this isn't just a wonderful dream, that you really are here and I really get to be your mommy. I've dreamed this dream for so long, baby girl, that it's hard to believe its true now! I love you, my sweet Ella. You really are my dream come true. :)

Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

I think we can say you've officially slept through the night now. Until yesterday the longest you slept was just under eight hours - and that was a few weeks ago. The last two nights you've slept for right at nine hours!! Then you eat and go back to sleep for another hour or two. I'm so proud of you! You've also suddenly started taking real naps during the day. This week you've been sleeping for 45 minutes to an hour and a half in the mornings and around two hours in the afternoons.

You've also come to another important milestone this week. You have officially transitioned from the bassinet/pack-n-play in Mommy and Daddy's room (where you've slept since we brought you home from the hospital) to your baby bed in your own bedroom. That was hard on Mommy the first couple of nights. I don't like to be away from you. But your bed is much more comfy, and Mommy and Daddy can get ready in the mornings without waking you up now. You look so tiny in such a big bed though!

I really don't know if it's your age (supposedly 12 weeks is the magic age for consolidating sleep during the day) or if it's your bed or maybe both. I'm so glad you're getting the sleep you need - it's better for both of us, but I have to admit I sure do miss our sweet snuggly feedings in the middle of the night.

You're growing so fast!
I love you!
Love,
Mommy