Such a big girl!

Little Belle,

Today was an amazing day! At church we took you to nursery with brother. We now meet at 1pm- which is a really hard time for both of you, it is right during your afternoon nap time. We put you and Cal down early today to try to give you a little sleep before going to church. You slept for about an hour and so did bro.

We made it through Sacrament meeting and I had to run to the Primary. You are still a couple of weeks away from being 18 months old, but you are close enough. Dad asked Cal if he wanted to go to nursery and he said "NO". Cal still has not been able to go for the full 2 hours. Then he asked you if you wanted to go and you said in your cute whisper voice, "Yeah". Dad told Cal that he needed to go to nursery to drop you off. When the door opened and Cal saw the toys, he decided to go inside as well.

Daddy come to the primary room window and gave me the thumbs up. I was shocked and excited at the same time that both of you were in nursery! I never imagined you would both stay the entire 2 hours. But when church was over daddy came into the primary room with both you and Calan. I was SOOO happy! I was so proud!

It was because of you, little Ellie, that brother stayed in nursery. We told him he needed to help you and protect you... but I know he was ok staying in there because you were there with him. He loves you so much and is happy to be where ever you are.

The teacher said you were so good. She said that you participated so well and were more than ready to be there.

You are one brave little sister! I am so, so proud!

I love you little lady.

Love,

Mommy

Growing Up

Sweet Sis,

You have grown up so much in the last couple of weeks. Your little personality is oozing out and we love it! You have a feisty side that makes all of us laugh.

For example, while eating you love to feed yourself. You are becoming so independent that way! When you are finished eating you grab your food and begin throwing it to the floor as if to say, "get this food out of my way". These days you are eating more than your brother, seriously! I don't know where you put it all that food, but you have an amazing appetite!

Another example is if you are playing with a toy and Cal decides to take it away- a month ago you would have let him get away with it... not any more. Now you holler at him and let him know that you are not pleased. Good for you little girl! You are tiny, but you let your voice be heard!

I have a hard time keeping bows in your hair these days. I put it in and the next thing I know you are pulling it out. You know it's there and you will do whatever it takes to pull it out. Silly girl!

You are such a little doll! I cleaned out your drawers and finally removed all of the 3-6 month clothing... you are almost 11 months old. The crazy thing is that several of those outfits still fit, they were just long sleeved and it's much too hot for you to wear them. They have all been replaced with your summer attire.

You make us smile, sweet girl!

Love,

Mom

Sweet Dreams

Dear Ellie,

You are such a good little sleeper! You and your brother go to bed every night between 7pm and 7:30pm and you sleep for a whole 12 hours! Incredible!

By the time your dad and I go to bed you've been asleep for a couple of hours. Before I fall asleep I sneak into your room and watch you sleep. Most of the time you've scooted your way up to the corner of your crib, the top of your head resting against your bumper pad. This causes some of the most amazing hair the next morning I've ever seen! :) You make us smile!

But what I love the most is just watching you dream. I know you must be having dreams of heaven. You look so peaceful- so beautiful!

You have become a blankie girl, just like your brother. You hug it tight and keep it with you all night long.

Night night sweet girl!

Mom

Just Dance

Sweet Little Bell,

You have become quite the little dancer. You LOVE to lean against furniture and stand up like a big girl. You look so proud of yourself! When we say to you, "Dance Ellie", you bend your knees and start dancing.

You will often do this on your own when you hear music. Even if you are sitting down you will bop your little head up and down to the beat!

You love when brother sings to you... even if you are sad, he can always make you smile by singing and dancing for you. I love seeing the two of you together. You are so aware of Calan and love to have him around.

I love you, our little dancing queen!!

Love,

Mom

A typical Sunday

Little Sister,

Today is Sunday and we love Sundays.

Now that we have church at 1pm, mornings will be nice and relaxing. Brother will get a full nap before church and that will be nice for all of us.

You got a long bath today. You love the water! You splash and splash with no worry of the water getting in your eyes. You are so brave! Such a big girl.

I love to dress you for church. Sundays are very special and it is important to me to have you and Cal look nice. It shows respect to our Heavenly Father.

Every time I put on your tights, your bloomers, your dress, shoes and a bow you seriously glow. It's as though you know it is a special day and that you look ADORABLE. My favorite is when we go in to show daddy how cute you look, your eyes sparkle and you seem to be saying, "How do I look Daddy?" And of course he dotes on you and calls you his little princess.

You are so good at church and the only "problem" we've had is when you get a bit too talkative. :) You make friends in the hall and everyone wants to say hello and get a smile from you. You always deliver.

I love when we come home and you change out of your dress. I love to leave you in your onesie, tights and bloomers. You look so stinkin' cute I can hardly stand it. Something about those bloomers- that are usually 2 sizes to big on you. Love it!

Sundays are very special and I love every minute of it with you!

Hugs and kisses,

Mom

A New Year

Sweet Little Ellie,

It is a new year!! 2011 is here and it is going to be wonderful! This year you are going to learn how to walk and I bet you will talking up a storm before we know it. So many amazing things to look forward too! You are amazing!

You are almost 5 months old and we can't remember life without you. You are such a perfect addition in our home. Your constant smiles and adorable jibber jabber lighten our life so richly.

Because you are so little I feel like you are still our tiny baby girl, but you are growing up quickly and are more alert than ever. You love watching your brother and you seem to study his every move. :)

Sis, we love you so much. Please stay little as long as possible. :)

This is going to be a great, great year!

Much love,

Mom

A Very Special Gift

Dear Sister,

Today was a very special day. Brooke drove all the way from St. George just to see you for the day. She has to work tomorrow and could only stay till 9pm, but she wanted to see you so bad and couldn't wait another day! She loves you so much!

She could not believe how much you have grown. She thinks you are beautiful and the cutest baby girl in the whole wide world! We agree 100%!

Brooke brought with her a very special gift. She made for you a beautiful quilt that you will have for the rest of your life. It is amazing.

Quilts are a gift of love, Sis. The material is picked out with love and thought. Each piece is sewn together with great care. It is a labor of love that will last forever and will provide not only beauty, but warmth when it's cold.

But I also think quilts are very symbolic. Sister, we are all separate pieces in this life, carefully brought together by our Heavenly Father. He puts us together in a beautiful way and with His love we become stronger and better with one another. We provide warmth and love to each other that we could not have on our own. He is the "thread" that holds all of us together. He makes us beautiful.

May this precious gift always remind you of the love Brooke has for you, the blessing that it is to have each other, AND who makes it all possible...

Yes, it is a very special gift indeed.

I love you so much,

Mom