Dear Ella . . .

You busted your lip last night. You were playing around in your bed and popped it good. It bled, you cried, Daddy freaked out, and Mommy had to stay calm for all three of us, but it absolutely broke my heart. It is so hard to see you hurt! If I could, I would have taken that pain away for you.

It hit me while I was snuggling and comforting you last night that I was getting a tiny glimpse of the cost God, our Father paid when he sent his son to die for us. Being a mom has put Jesus's story in a whole new light! Oh how he must have hurt and how he must love us to have willingly let his child suffer and die to save us! What a humbling thought. But the best news, baby girl, is that after Jesus died, God was able to bring him back! He rose from the dead and he is alive still today! He lives in my heart and Daddy's heart, and one day, I pray, you will ask him to live in your heart, too.

Sweetheart, don't ever forget God's love story for us. Yes, when it's Easter time we have lots of fun, like we did today. We hunted for Easter eggs, saw the Easter bunny (you LOVED him and wanted to poke his nose!), and when you wake up in the morning, you'll have a special gift in your Easter basket! But all of that is meant to remind us of God's great love and how he makes all things new. I can't wait to share more of that story with you as you get older!

Happy 1st Easter, little bug!
Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

Occasionally I catch a glimpse of the little girl you will become and it blows me away. You are so beautiful, so sweet, and so happy.

Then there are times when I still see the precious tiny newborn that I brought home from the hospital over 7 months ago. You sweet baby cheeks and little button nose steal my heart just like they did the first time I saw you.

You are truly the most wonderful thing that has ever happened to your Daddy and me. What a blessing we've been given!

Love,
Mommy

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 . . .

I love that no matter what mood you're in or how upset you are (which is rarely ever very upset - you're such a happy and content baby), as soon as you start nursing all is right in your little world. The sweetest little peaceful look just washes over your face. You know you're safe, being fed, and loved. There are no words to describe how much it fills my heart to be able to give you this! My cup runneth over.

Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

I just love nursing you. You make the cutest little happy panting sounds right before you latch on. It's precious.

I love that I'm able to give you what you need. I love that you just snuggle right in and that you sometimes fall asleep because you're so comfy. I love how groggy you get when you finish eating and how sweet and snuggly you are when I put you on my shoulder to burp.

Nursing you is such a sweet and special time that's just between the two of us. I'm oh so thankful for these times. :)

I love you, my sweet baby!
Love always,
Mommy

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 . . .

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 . . .

Never in my life have I experienced anything that makes me so happy and so sad at the same time as watching you grow. You're changing every day and growing so quickly that sometimes I think I actually see it happening minute by minute.

You give me such joy, sweet one, a different and more tangible joy than I've ever known. It's that intense, overwhelming love, happiness, and pride plus the heartbreaking sorrow of knowing these precious moments are so fleeting - all rolled into one. There's not really any word that fully captures this feeling. The best I can do is say it's mommy-joy. That's what I have. Just pure mommy-joy. :)

I love you!
Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

I love you so much. You make my heart happy. :)

Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella . . .

I have been with you day and night for just shy of eight weeks now and there is not a day that goes by that I'm not totally overcome by how utterly adorable you are! I love you, little cutie pie!

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 . . .

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 . . .

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 . . .

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.