Dear Ella . . .

You finally got to meet your Great Grandmother Ella Jane Stewart last Sunday. It was a very special time for all of the Stewart family and many of your aunts and uncles were there to see the two of you together. Grandpa and Mimi, Mommy and Daddy, and Grandpa Floyd were all there with you. Aunt Rosalee and Uncle Paul and Aunt Mary Sue and Uncle John (Grandma Ella's sisters) came, and Aunt Sheila (Grandpa's sister) was there to help too.

We all gathered in the great room in the nursing home and you and I sat next to Grandma Ella. She has a hard time knowing what is going on around her now, but we helped her hold you. When we asked her about you, she talked about how cute you are! Later on, when I was holding you for her to see you you let out a little cry. She immediately held out her hands for you and said, "Oh, come here, baby!" She was ready to help us love on you and take care of you!

She may not have much memory left but she does know how to love. I pray that love is an everlasting quality with you too, baby girl.

I love you,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

We had a fun time celebrating Daddy's first Father's Day! While we were in Tulsa we took Daddy and Grandpa (and Mimi) to IHOP for some yummy pancakes and omlets. You wore your special "I Love My Daddy" outfit just for the occasion. We gave Daddy a card that sings, "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck" and a framed picture of the two of you together right after we came home from the hospital.

We also gave Grandpa, Bumpaw, and Granddaddy framed pictures of you with each of them. You are so blessed to have your Daddy and these three Grandads.

Dear Ella . . .

This weekend we took our very first family road trip! We went to Tulsa to meet your aunts, uncles, cousins, and great grandparents on Daddy's side of the family. Grandpa and Mimi came too!

Grandpa and Mimi came to our house on Friday. Grandpa was so happy to see you that he scooped you up as soon as he came through the door and got to feed you a bottle. He is such a sweet grandpa. Mimi absolutely adores you too. She even made you a soft little teddy bear. We need to find a good name for him.

On Saturday we drove to Tulsa. You were so good in the car and only got fussy for a few minutes right before we got to Great Grandpa's house. We got to meet your Great Grandpa Stewart , your aunts and uncles and almost all of your cousins in the Stewart family. Everybody just loved you! They've been wanting to meet you for a long time.

Sunday was special because we got to celebrate Daddy's very first Father's Day. We gave him a framed picture of the two of you and a card that sings, "I Love You a Bushel and a Peck". He loved it!

We also got to meet Great Granny and PawPaw Gregory and Aunt Rhonda. We even got to meet your cousin Jason!

And, of course, we made a very special trip to the nursing home so you could meet your Great Grandma Ella. She's a very special lady and she's the person you were named after. She's not able to say much anymore, but she did say what a cute baby you are. I'll tell you more about your visit in another letter.

This morning (Monday) we went to Uncle Brett and Aunt Gina's house and your cousin Abbey took some beautiful pictures of you. She's an amazing young photographer who is trying to start her business so she just loved playing with you today! After lunch with them, we went back to your Great Grandpa's to visit with him and your Aunt Rosalee (Grandma Ella's sister) and Uncle Paul. They are all do proud of you and love you do much!

We're almost home now and you've been such a great little traveler! You've even been smiley and happy when you're awake! I'm so thrilled that you're so good in the car. I hope you can keep it up because we're going home to Alabama at the end of this week! :)

I love you, my sweet little traveling baby!

Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

You wore your very last newborn size diaper today and are officially in Size 1s. You've also started wearing all of your cute 0-3 month clothes now.

I've been a little sad today because I know you will never be this little again - its going by so fast! But I'm also loving every minute of each new phase. I love how well you're holding your head up and how alert you've become. You're smiling more and more at your daddy and me and you've started using your little voice to coo and gurgle and squawk at everything. It's adorable! I think my friend Emily was right when she said that every new phase is the best one yet. I wouldn't trade a minute of where you are right now (but it would be awfully nice if those minutes would slow down some)!

I love you so much, my sweet 6-week-old baby girl!

Love,
Mommy