Letter to Ella

Dear Ella,
Today you turn eight years old!  I remember clearly the day we found out you were going to be a girl.  I was SO excited!  I couldn't wait to go shopping for you and clear the stores of all things girly and cute.  I also vowed before ever having you that I would refuse to fall into the stereo-typical pepto bismo pink everything trap that most parents of girls seemed to.  Fast forward to today - your room is almost entirely pink.  Just one of the many things I've changed my tune about since having you.

You were born much like you are today - determined and matter of fact.  I went into labor at around 4a.m. on a Friday morning, left for the hospital around 8:30 and you were born around 10a.m.  I barely made it into the hospital which was quite the shock considering your brother took over 24 hours to enter the world.  Your first cries were loud and sharp.  You made yourself heard right from the beginning.  Little did I know that those cries would be the first indication of the strong person you are. 

I joke that you were born thinking you were twenty.  You have always seemed like something of an old soul to me and almost eerily smart and in tune to the world around you.  Your dad likes to tell the story of how from the time you were an infant he prayed that you would be a strong woman.  He felt God had answered that prayer by the time you were two! 

Today you are strong, smart, kind, determined and funny.  This funny/goofy side of you is so much fun!  The shy phase you went through in pre-school and kindergarten seems to be giving way to a new confidence.  I am so proud of you.  I love seeing the kind heart you have towards your brother and your friends.  You have such a quiet strength when I see you in a large group of kids.  Determined and yes, strong  - you aren't afraid to go after the things you want.  If you get a certain idea in your head - watch out world, your going to make it happen!

My dear Ella Rose, thank you for coming into my life.  I can't imagine my world without you in it.  I am a better person because of you.  And in the words of one of our favorite books Olivia:  "You really wear me out, but I love you anyway." 

I love you my girl - more than you can know.  Happy Birthday!

Love,
Mom