Happy 1/3rd Birthday!

Dear Ella,

Yesterday, my little Valentine, you turned 4 months old. Sometimes I try to imagine what you’ll look like when you’re a little girl… with longer hair (and not just on the top of your head) and longer legs… what color eyes you’ll have… and what your personality will be like. But I realize that you’ll grow up so fast – and I want to savor each lovable baby moment. The way you nuzzle into my shoulder when you’re tired. The way you laugh when I kiss your belly. The way you squeal in delight when we put you in your exer-saucer. The way you babble on your changing table like it’s a podium and you’re delivering an important speech. I want to remember it all. There are times when I don’t want you to grow up. But then I think about all the joy we’ll have watching you learn to walk and to talk -- and a lifetime of dirty diapers -- and I change my mind.

You haven’t learned any new tricks this month – you’ve just enhanced old ones. A single raspberry has turned into a raspberry chorus that can last fifteen minutes. And you’re discovering your tongue – how useful it is for making different sounds – and for sticking out. And your lungs. You’ve discovered how useful they are for screaming. Now at naptime, when we walk away from your crib, you SCREAM. And scream and scream… until you find your thumb and then it’s ok.

I love you!
Mama