A letter to Ella

My dearest Ella,


In two short years, you have forever changed my life.


Instead of rapidly firing text messages, I can change diapers in seconds flat. I got over my shoe obsession (well, don't ask Spencer about it) and traded it in for a shoe obsession -- for you. My love for teaching and coaching has turned into a love for mothering. And I couldn't ask for anything more.


Your spunky personality, which can be labeled as "challenging" or "intense" mirrors the personality of your daddy's, but those qualities have made him a very good and successful man, and are qualities that will take you anywhere you want to go. They way you come up with ideas, starting with a "How 'bout..." makes me giggle, even if your suggestions are usually ice cream cones or "wopsicles". Your ambition, your drive to learn and create inspires me to explore a little more, ask a few more questions, and teach myself new things, everyday.

Oh, the adventures you take! Outdoors is your biggest playground. You climb, explore, dig, collect, and test every corner, whether it is fenced in or not. You love to prowl in the jungle garden for grasshoppers and other creatures that I consider yucky. I can simply open the door, and off you go, creating your own play. You always keep your ears open for the rumble of a truck, tractor or other big nosy machinery, and position yourself at the front gate to see who you can greet. If someone's getting gas, you will know it. We are so lucky to have such a beautiful and busy place to live, full of animals, wildlife, plants and trees, and rocks. Our adventures are endless.

Inside you love to color pictures, build towers, and play with your little dollhouse. You love to have snacks of berries and cheese, hard boiled eggs, and juice boxes. You'll eat mostly anything, depending on your mood. You've been known to grab big hunks of meat off my plate to gnaw on, and you like yourself some grilled shrimp every now and then.

Your chubby feet and chipped toothy grin are among my favorites parts of you, but I could smother you with kisses any time of the day. The Italian way you say "MOM-meee" makes my heart just melt.


When I watch you interact with your baby sister Reese, I can only smile and think of my best friends, my sisters. You are always the first to inform me if Reese makes any kind of peep during a nap ("Reesie cryin'"), and every morning you wake up, greet me with a smiley "Hi mommmmmmmy" then ask to see Reesie Roo. You get right in her face to say, "Don't cry Reesie Roo, don't cry honey" in that sweet sing-songy baby talk, and are quick to speculate that her problem is in fact a stinky diaper. The way you worry over her and are as helpful as can be only add to your already friendly and kind personality. What a wonderful little lady you are turning out to be.

I can't wait for many things as you grow older, but for right now I'm so extremely happy, and proud, to call you my daughter. Those eyes and that smile make me love you more each day, even when I go to bed thinking, "how can I love her more than this?"

Keep shining honey!


Love always,
Mommy