Happy 3rd Birthday E! - Playing With Words 365

Last picture before becoming a family of three

Three years ago yesterday, it was Thanksgiving and I was 3 days overdue. I woke up at 3:30 am feeling “off” and soon the contractions started. They weren’t too painful, but they were between 5-8 minutes apart so we knew it would be time soon. I headed into the hospital that AM only to be told I should probably go home and wait it out as it wasn’t quite time yet. So Justin and I went on yet another walk (we walked like 40 miles that week trying to “evict” our sweet daughter) to try to get things moving. Then at exactly 6pm as Justin was reheating some Thanksgiving food his sister dropped off to us, the real contractions started. I knew this was serious business.

But there was yummy food to be eaten. There was a pumpkin roll even. So, I bounced on my ball and ate my Thanksgiving dinner between contractions. Because darn it, I was going to eat that pumpkin roll.

And I did. And then, we headed back into the hospital. And this time, they didn’t send me back home 😉

After more contractions, water being broken, and two hours of pushing, our beautiful daughter Esella came into this world at 6:34am weighing in at 7lbs 9 oz and 20.25 inches long. And our lives have forever been changed.

I cannot believe that it has been three years. Three years of Ellie smiles. Three years of Ellie laughs. Three years of this amazing, beautiful, sweet, kind, caring, curly haired bundle of pure joy. Justin and I are so incredibly blessed to have this little girl in our lives. I think she has taught us more about life, than we have taught her.

Ellie Belly Jelly Bean, thank you for showing your mama and daddy that there is so much in this world to smile about.

First smile at 4 weeks old.....for her daddy

Thank you for teaching us to embrace and enjoy these years when you are small as they are gone in a blink of an eye.

First time in the sling...6 days old. She spent a LOT of time in here.

Thank you for teaching us that the most important “things” in life are not really “things” at all but rather are the people we choose to spend our time with: family and friends (and pets too).

Chasing Brinkley the Cat...

Thank you for teaching us that there are so many trivial things in life that are not worth worrying about.

Thank you for sneaking into bed with us nearly every night for the last three years because we know that one day we will wake up and you will be all grown up and we will miss those nights so much.

One of my most favorite pictures ever...the best part is that they still do this.

Thank you for making us parents, for being easy on us, and for loving us even when we mess up. Thank you for teaching us the real meaning of “unconditional love.”

Thank you for being such an amazing,Â kind and caring big sister. The way you take care of your little brother melts our hearts.

Thank you for making us laugh, smile, cry, dance, run, jump, swing, wiggle, and giggle.

Thank you, Ellie, for being YOU.