Dear Ella . . .

We've had a busy few weeks around here! Two weeks ago you tried rice cereal for the first time. Daddy and I both got to feed you. You weren't sure about it at first but I think you liked it. You ended up wearing about half of it!

Your little tummy didn't like it too much though and you ended up spitting up all weekend. Daddy and I decided we would wait a week and try again.

Viral rash  :(

Unfortunately, you came down with a tummy bug and ran a fever for the first time at the end of last week - so we had to wait on trying cereal again. You even broke out in a fever rash. It just broke my heart. Your sweet little personality still shined through though. Look at this beautiful smile.

Sweet happy baby, even with a fever.

You felt better on Monday and by that night your rash was totally gone. We had some sweet snuggle time Monday night - I think your little body was tired from being sick. We rocked and talked and sang in our rocking chair most of the evening. You even found my face and lovingly patted me over and over. I think we both needed some good mommy-baby time.  What a sweet memory.  :)

This is Daddy's busy season.  He was gone last weekend to play with the Midland Odessa Symphony and Chorale (where we used to live).  This weekend he's in Abilene and next weekend in San Angelo (and the weekend after that we get to go home to Alabama to see Grandmommy and Granddaddy!).  We both miss him a lot - I'm so thankful that you have him for a daddy (and that I have him for a husband).

This morning it's just you, me, and the Gizzy-bear around here.  You woke up happy and talked to yourself and squawk for a little while until you decided you were hungry.  Then you nursed and we tried cereal again.  You are really getting the hang of eating from a spoon!  I'm so proud of you!

Dear Ella . . .

You have the best Daddy.  Did you know that?  You just light up every time you see him and I know he loves making you smile.  It makes my heart so happy to see you two together.  :)

I love you, little bug! 
Love,
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 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 . . .

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 . . .

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.