Mother's Day Month of May- Blog 3: Letters from Mom & Mimi

Ellie playing outside and enjoying the beautiful spring weather.

Dear Ellie Baby,

I think it's important to recognize that without you and Kyle, I wouldn't be a mom.  And you are teaching me how to a mom everyday and I am enjoying every second of it.   

I have never met anyone quite like you my free-spirited and independent girl.  You are definitely your own person and I'm learning more and more about your personality as you grow.  My favorites are:

1.  You prefer to eat off of the floor and you actually think a day old Fig Newton is kind of tasty.
2.   You are a risk taker.  You leap into my arms at the pool, you climb any stairs that you see, and in a grassy field you take off.  I don't think I will ever not be nervous again.
3.  You are still an extension of my body.  You want me to hold you almost always.
4.  You are a drama queen and your "hard day" act is my favorite!

5.  The dirtier and quite frankly the less amount of clothes on you, the happier you are.  And you hate socks and shoes.
6.  Being outside is your favorite place to be (aside from our living room couch). 
7.  You are quick and have a super-short attention span.  After starting our evening prayers a few days ago, I found you digging in your trashcan.
8.  You have never been a snuggler because you are so aware and alert of everything around you.  So much for naps on the go!
9.  You LOVE animals.  And all animals to you are kitties, even those that have feathers.
10.  Just as you did in all of the ultrasound pictures, you still cross your feet whenever you are still.

Always such a lady!  

11.  You love all music, especially rap beats and you will dance along to the songs.
12.  You have the silliest laugh ever and it makes me laugh just listening to it.
13.  You hide your food underneath your body when you are finished and ketchup is your favorite food.
14.  You are stubborn.  We got you a plate that suctions to the table so that you can't throw your food but you are smart enough to pull that off and now the food really goes flying high in the air.
15.  The Skype ring makes you giggle and get excited.
16.  Your favorite toys are balls and cars (and you can make the appropriate vrooooom sound when you push them along) but you do have adorable moments with bears and baby dolls.

Your Kyle Bear from Jackie.

 
17.  Quiet car rides are a thing of the best.  You have found your singing voice... it sounds very much like a constant scream. 

18.  You have the craziest hair days of anyone I've ever known.

19.  You have the most beautiful smile.
20.  Your running and leaping hugs into my arms is heaven.

21.  And every time you say Mommy, I melt.

Ellie, everyday is a new adventure.  And looking at the world through your eyes makes all things new and exciting.  I don't how it's possible but each day is better than the one before.  I am so grateful that God gave me you and let me continue my journey through motherhood.  Thank you for being the best daughter.  You are strong and you are amazing.
One of my favorite poems reminds me of who you will become:

Phenomenal Woman by Maya Angelou

Pretty women wonder where my secret lies.
I'm not cute or built to suit a fashion model's size
But when I start to tell them,
They think I'm telling lies.
I say,
It's in the reach of my arms
The span of my hips,
The stride of my step,
The curl of my lips.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I walk into a room
Just as cool as you please,
And to a man,
The fellows stand or
Fall down on their knees.
Then they swarm around me,
A hive of honey bees.
I say,
It's the fire in my eyes,
And the flash of my teeth,
The swing in my waist,
And the joy in my feet.
I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Men themselves have wondered
What they see in me.
They try so much
But they can't touch
My inner mystery.
When I try to show them
They say they still can't see.
I say,
It's in the arch of my back,
The sun of my smile,
The ride of my breasts,
The grace of my style.
I'm a woman

Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

Now you understand
Just why my head's not bowed.
I don't shout or jump about
Or have to talk real loud.
When you see me passing
It ought to make you proud.
I say,
It's in the click of my heels,
The bend of my hair,
the palm of my hand,
The need of my care,
'Cause I'm a woman
Phenomenally.
Phenomenal woman,
That's me.

I love you,
Mommy

And now from your Mimi…

Hi Sweet Rosebud!

This very day is a wonderful day for no other reason than it is today.  Sometimes you will find your "senses" are more in tune at certain times than others.  There is no reason or answer to why this happens Ellie, it just does.  And today, this very morning seems to be mine!  I knew the moment that I awoke.  My pillow of all things gave it away!   Its smooth silky fabric cradled my head and seemed to billow up in marshmallow puffs around my ears giving me a keen sense of security and comfort!  And now my cup of tea has validated this amazing phenomenon.  I am using my new Vera Bradley tea mug given to me by Evan and his mom Natalie for Mother's Day!  (Amazing neighbors I can always count on!)  Its days like this that I love to see the narrow stream of steam lingering around the rim of my cup as it slowly rises.  I love to see the clear liquid take its time changing to a rich deep bronze as I push on the tealeaves with my spoon.  I love when I make the right guess in adding sugar and milk bringing this trio to a perfect blend!  I breathe slower, I feel deeper and I see clearer.  It's a wonderful morning Ellie, for I just skyped with you!

This week your mommy and I thought it would be fun to reminisce the sweet, the quirky and the lovable characteristics that make you "You."  Just like Kyle, you too have changed many lives Ellie in such a wonderful way. Your pending birth, the day you were born, and each day leading up until now has brought so much happiness and love to so many family members and friends.  And I love your mommy's list of her favorite personality memories of you.  Let me share one more:

1.) Walter...  Ellie, this story is definitely a classic.  You see, your mother decided that when you were born you would be a nursed baby.  I don't think she realized that what she ate could possibly affect your disposition resulting in "no sleep!"  About a week after your birth, your mommy asked me to make her favorite dish, which was Chicken Cacciatore.  And because she loves it so much, I doubled the original recipe's amount of onions, peppers, tomatoes and mushrooms.... ooooooh, and the garlic too (actually, I probably quadrupled the amount of garlic)!  Since we had a very busy day with you, your mom was quite hungry and had 2 helpings instead of her usual 1.  It was such a satisfying dinner that afterward we all relaxed while watching some TV.  You were quite alert along with being a tiny bit fussy but we did not think anything of it, as 7pm seemed to by your daily fussy time anyway.  At 10:00 pm your mom laid you down in the bassinet hoping to get a few hours sleep before your next feeding.  Well.... that never happened.  We had all jumped in bed around the same time you went down only to hear you start whimpering.  Then your whimper got louder.... and louder.... and louder!  So your mommy took you down stairs hoping another feeding along with rocking you would be soothing and help you drift off to sleep.   That theory went quickly out the window when the clock blinked 1:00 am.  So I went downstairs to help you and your mommy out.  It was my turn to try cradling you while she grabbed a pillow and a blanket to lie on the couch.  So with my left arm wrapped around your tummy holding your back and head to my chest and my right arm cradling the bend in your knees, I slowly brought your legs up making them fit snugly against your body hoping to relieve the gas pains you seemed to be experiencing.  Well Ellie, if looks could kill this would have been the time!  You had such a puss on your face!  With your eyebrows furrowed into a perfect V shape, your nose crinkled accordion style like you just smelled a stinky sneaker and your mouth puckered tightly in a perfect "o" ring as though you just finished sucking on a juicy lemon, you not only looked angry and disgusted with your mommy and me, you gave that look to the cat, the dog, the house, and pretty much anything else that your angry eyes would focus on!  As tired as we were, by 3:00 am all your mommy and I could do was laugh as you truly could have passed as a look-a-like to Jeff Dunham's ventriloquist doll Walter.  Ellie, it was priceless!  In fact you repeated the "Walter look" the following night too.  Once your mommy figured out why you were up all night, she decided to eat a lighter dinner the next evening.  So we ordered Minestrone soup from Olive Garden (who knew that there were "gassy" ingredients in that also????).  Yep... if you are picturing a repeat of the previous night’s nightmare... then you get the grand prize!  "Walter" gave top performance!  Oh Ellie, I for one loved that face, so much so that I had Poppy buy a pink hat with the name Walter engraved on it.  I think your mommy may have a picture of you wearing it while a "Walter" face was beginning to emerge!  

Your Walter face at its finest after your first bath!

Ellie.... I can't tell you how many smiles you bring, let's just say my guess would be "infinite." You have such a unique personality sweetheart!  You bring with you wherever you go life, laughter and love... the perfect blend of a beautiful baby girl! 

Now I would like to share a very meaningful and beautiful poem with you Ellie.  For me, it kind of ties up all that we have touched upon this blessed month of May.  Here it is:

God's Lent Child

I'll lend you for a little while a child of mine, God said.

For you to love while they live, and mourn for when they're dead.

It may be six or seven years, or forty-two or three.

But will you till I call them back take care of them for me?

They'll bring their charms to gladden you and should their stay be brief...

You'll have their lovely memories as a solace for your grief.

I cannot promise they will stay since all from earth return.

But there are lessons taught below I want this child to learn.

I've looked the whole world over in my search for teachers true.

And from the things that crowd life's lane I have chosen you.

Now will you give them all your love, nor think the labor vain?

Nor hate me when I come to take this "Lent Child" back again?

I fancied that I heard them say "Dear Lord thy will be done."

For all the joy thy child shall bring the risk of grief we'll run.

We will shelter them with tenderness and love them while we may.

And for the happiness we all have known forever-grateful stay.

But should thy Angel call for them much sooner than we've planned.

We'll brave the bitter grief that comes and try to understand.

Author:  Unknown 

You Ellie-bean are our beautiful blessing.  It will be fun to watch you grow and find your way.  You have the capability of making a positive difference in a future filled with amazing opportunities.  And all who love you shall provide guidance. Be kind Ellie, be giving and forgiving, but most of all... be You.

I think next week Kimberly, we should end this month with a list of what we think are great attributes in the makings of a great Mom.  And our recipe for this month should probably go with the theme of a Mother's Tea.  I can't wait to see what you post... my guess is it will be a dessert seeing that you love to bake.  I think I will go with a tea sandwich recipe. Since I have three delicious choices, I may have to revert to using the "eeny, meeny, minie, moe" elimination game!  I shall surprise you with my decision!

Till next time Ellie-bean,

Love Mimi