Dear Ella

You've had a busy week, kiddo! On Saturday, Jan 13 you hit two major milestones! You crawled on all fours for the first time (though you're still not going everywhere just yet - and Mommy's ok with that) AND you started clapping!

Oh how you love to clap! You've been clapping for everybody all week (you had a play date with little Audrey Khoury on Thurs and Fri and even clapped for her when she burped!).

On Thursday, January 17 you figured out how to wave! You can wave hi and bye on command (and whenever else you feel like it) now! We made a happy birthday video for Granddaddy yesterday and waved to him too. He thought it was the best present ever!

On top of all of that, we are getting you over the flu. Yep, even after getting the flu shot, you ended up catching the flu. Thankfully the fever only lasted a couple of days, but we're still battling the leftover congestion. I am officially a believer in the flu shot! That could have been so much worse!

You are growing and changing so fast, little one. It seems you reach another milestone every day. Through it all you are still the happiest, most loving little girl I've ever met. I am so blessed to be your mommy!

I love you!

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!