Dear Ella, August 12th 2013

Hello my beautiful girl!

Ummmm, yeah, it's been over two months since I wrote a letter.  I stink.  No excuses, I just stink.  But I WILL keep writing these, even if they get a little more spaced out.  I promise!!  Man we have been having SUCH a fun summer.  I really do not want summer to end.  We have been to parks, splash pads, swimming pools, the zoo and really just running around outside a bunch!  There are so many options in the summer, this has been MY favorite summer ever, and you've had a lot of fun too :)
You've been missing Zoe because she hasn't been over in about two weeks.  Her Grandparents are here from Hungary and so she has been staying home with them.  But you have been playing with other cousins and friends.  The other day we went to the splash pad with Grandma Pinson, Keslee and Jayden, and poor Jay broke his arm trying to do the monkey bars :(  It was really scary and sad, but he's ok.  He has a big green cast on and looks like the hulk now ;)
Mommy just turned 29 on August 10th.  I'm gettin' old, but you make me feel young.  You love to dance and sing and rough house with Mommy and Daddy. Oh, and you love to do "exercises" too.  You will do jump squats and calf raises, just like your Daddy. It's really cute.
The picture above is one of many GORGEOUS pictures taken by your Aunt Alex.  You and Zoe had a tea party in Grandma's backyard while Aunt Alex to pictures.  It was so much fun and you look so wonderfully beautiful in all of them.  Your dad was just saying the other night how he can tell already that you are going to be such a beautiful young women, because you are already so pretty.
You have been doing AWESOME with potty training.  You always do your poo poo's in the potty now!!! No more yucky diaper changes for me!!!!  You still wear pull-up's because you haven't learned how to get to the potty before you go pee pee, but hey, I'll take what I can get!  You get SUPER excited every time you pee pee or poo poo in the potty.  It's awesome.  You are getting better and being good in church.  You love nursery and don't freak out when mommy and daddy leave.  You love animals, and just the other day you and your daddy went outside with some chicken and fed the neighbor cat.  You love flowers.  Every time we pull up to Grandma Pinson's, you say "Look at my beautiful flowers!!"  You are a GREAT eater!  You will even eat mommy's funny healthy foods, which makes me SOOOO happy!  But you also like the not-so-healthy stuff too.  We don't feed you a lot of that stuff ;)  We want you to grow up healthy and strong!!
Gosh, babe, you are just so joyful!!  And you like to make sure everyone around you is happy too.  If you do something I don't like and I get mad, you will run over and say "Mommy, are you happy?" and if I say no, you will just keep asking until I say "Yes" and smile.  It's frustrating, but so sweet at the same time.  I never stay mad at you for more than a few seconds.
Well, as always, love the snot out of ya.  You truly are my joy.  Having you and your Daddy in my life every day, I am sooooooo blessed.  Love you baby girl!

Mommy

Dear Ella June 10th, 2013

Dear Ella,

Don't be mad, I didn't write you in May because Mommy's laptop sucks.  It wasn't working most of the month last month, and when it does work, it is S.L.O.W.  But, I'm writing you now, and will try to keep up the once a month letters :) 
Well, it is now SUMMER!!!!!! We love love love summer!  We get to be outside a lot, which means we are both in a better mood.  Some things that we love to do outside: Go to the park, go swimming at the rec center, go swimming in your kiddy pool, bbq, sidewalk chalk, etc..  We had such a fun summer weekend last weekend (despite the fact that Daddy wasn't there, he's been working out of state a lot these past few weeks).  Your cousins Abbey and Sophie came down with their mom Aunt Amy and had a sleep over with us.  We went to the rec center and swam, then went to Uncle Randy's house for a bbq and water party!  It is there that you experienced your first S'more!  Boy did you love it!!  I mean, who doesn't love S'mores, right?  This morning we had a pool party in your kiddy pool with Zoe and your friend Mikey.  It is so much fun having Zoe over! She comes over 3 days a week from 9am to 4pm.  You guys are becoming the best of friends :)  You really love to snuggle in my bed (or Daddy's bed, as you like to call it).  It just makes me want to shrink down to toddler size and be one of the girls!!
The picture in the middle is of Mommy, Aunt Alex and Uncle Randy.  We ran a 5k on Saturday morning.  We were raising money and awareness for Alcohol/Drug addiction recovery, which is something very near and dear to our hearts.  I'm sure we've talked about it a lot, since it's a huge part of our lives, but Daddy used to struggle with addiction.  He has worked so hard to get to where he is, and he really wanted to get better so we could bring you into the world.  He has been better for over 4 years!! (by the time you read this though it will have been a lot longer).  We love Daddy a lot and appreciate all his hard work and sacrifice to provide a good life for us.  He sure does adore you!  And you, him!  The other morning, we drove him to the airport and I guess you thought you were going with him.  When he got out of the car and leaned in to give you a kiss, you burst out bawling and said "Ella go on the plane too Daddy!!!!".  It was so sad, yet so sweet.  You just love spending time with your Daddy.  It really makes me the happiest Mommy in the world to see you guys together and see the special bond you share.  I couldn't ask for more!!  You are always saying "Happy family!", and it's true, we are!  Mostly because we have this little ray of sunshine in our lives, constantly surprising us with your wit and intellect, and making us laugh with your cute, mature beyond your years sense of humor.  Hope you still know how much we love and adore ya kiddo!!! You are the best!!

Love,

Mommy

Dear Ella April 22nd 2013

Dear Ella,

I am writing you this letter before your 2 year birthday slips to the back of my mind, my mind is full of about a million things right now!!!  But yes, it happened.  My baby turned 2!!!!!  On Wednesday, your birthday, I had all these plans to take you and Zoe out to breakfast, storytime at the library, then lunch.  But alas, you woke up mad at the world and I woke up sick.  So instead we all just hung around the house and got some rest.  When you woke up from your nap, I decided we needed to fulfill at least some of our birthday plans.  So we got dressed and went to the Zoo where we met my friend (your Aunt Phyllis).  You cheered up after a few minutes and we had a great time at the Zoo!  It was pretty cold so no one was there, which makes it nice because we don't have to fight crowds :)
When we got home from the Zoo you had your birthday cake with your Grandma's, Grandpa's and some of mommies closest friends.  You were SUPER excited about your Minnie Mouse cake, so much so that you really didn't want to mess it up by eating it!  You opened some presents and then quickly went to bed, because in case I failed to mention it before, you were a grump most of the day.  Daddy told you Happy Birthday over Face Time because he was on a business trip in Las Vegas.
Then on Saturday was yours and Zoe's combined Birthday Party!  Mommy and Grandma Pinson made you guys some really cute mini cupcakes.  Aunt Alex made you guys some big cupcakes of your own, and we played games and had a lot of fun with cousins and friends.  It's a lot of work, but seeing how happy it all made you, made it worth the hard work to me.  I go to great lengths to ensure your happiness, little girl.  Your happiness is my happiness.  I've been thinking a lot lately about how on earth I'm ever going to be able to have another baby and love it as much as I love you.  It's hard to comprehend that you won't always be "the one".  But what I have determined is that you will ALWAYS be my first dream come true.  I always knew I would get married.  I always knew would have kids.  Until I actually got married and it became clear to me that kids were a privilege.  There was a point in my life after I married your daddy that I wasn't sure anymore whether or not I would get to be a mommy.  So instead of a reality, you became a dream.  And five years after we got married, that dream did in fact come true.  So you, therefore, will always be my first dream come true.  That title will never go to anyone else, so that's what makes you special and sets you apart from any others that come later. 
You get smarter and smarter every day.  You blow your parents minds!!  You make up songs, you are mindful of your surroundings and the feelings of those around you.  If I am cleaning up the house and stub my toe and let out an "Owe!!" you rush over and say "You OK mommy?" "You so happy now mommy?".  It is really nice to have a little angel looking out for you, and that's just what you are to me.  I can be mad at the world (which I may be today), but you can cheer me up with your sweet silliness.  So thank you for being my angel.  My first dream come true.  I love you little girl, Happy Birthday!!!!

Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella, April 5th 2013

Dear Ella,

Oh my goodness we've had some fun the past few weeks!!!  You have celebrated St. Patrick's Day.  We had a pot of gold hunt at Grandma Miller's.  We've celebrated Easter.  We went on an Easter Egg Hunt (your first one!) with Kes and Jay, then had Easter dinner at Grandma Pinson's house.  You've been swimming a couple of times, and you are OBSESSED with the slide!  Such a brave girl :)  You've also been to the zoo twice just this week!  We like to keep it active, you and me :)  We've also been on a couple of family hikes.  These you are not so sure of yet, because the entrance to our hike is next to the park, and you pretty much just wanna play at the park, but we're workin' on it!  Unfortunately you've been a little under the weather this past week.  Let's just say your diapers are, well, disgusting.  I've washed your bedding abut four times, changed about a million diapers, and snuggled snuggled snuggled!  The last part is by FAR my favorite part of the whole "sick baby" experience ;)  Luckily your cousin Abbey was here for a few days to help out with you.  She was so excited to spend a few un-interupted days with her baby cousin Ella!!!
Daddy just got home late last night from San Diego (another business trip).  He was STOKED to see his girls!  We are gonna have a great weekend together :)  Right now he's shopping at Costco for us, because mommy wasn't up to it.  You see, I tend to snuggle and kiss you a lot when your not feeling well, and now I think I have what you've had :(  Oh well, it's worth it.  There isn't an illness in the world that would keep me from snugglin' and smoochin' your cute face. 
Oh, and you have this new thing where you glare at EVERYONE.  Not sure what that's about, but it's kinda funny.  I'll have to get a picture of it and post it so I can compare it to your teenage glare's when you're older ;)

Love you so much baby,

Mommy

Dear Ella, March 11th, 2013

Dear Ella,
Yikes! It's been almost a month since I wrote you a letter, shame on me!!  Well, I'll catch you up on some of the things we've done recently.  In the top picture, we were at a Princess Party for your friend Rishima.  She is the daughter of daddy's boss.  You had SO much fun!  You got to eat ice-cream and cake (which almost never happens) and you made lots of new friends.  You even met a real Princess!!  Although your favorite part was a little boy named Ryder......you were following him around everywhere and calling him "honey". Hmmmm.....should I be worried that you already love boys???  In the middle picture, we were getting ready to go swimming at the Rec Center.  I absolutely am in love with this picture of you.  It shows off your beauty and cute personality!  We had a ton of fun swimming with Aunt Shelisa, Jaden and Kess.  You were even brave enough to jump off the edge of the pool into my arms!  In the bottom pic, we are at a place called Kangaroo Zoo.  I think this is your favorite place right now.  It's just a ton of bouncy gyms and big slides.  You run around like a crazy girl here!  We have been three or four times already, and I have a feeling we'll be going a lot more ;)
Last week mommy and daddy celebrated their 7 year wedding anniversary.  We went to dinner as a family and then Grandma Miller came over and played with you while me and daddy went to a movie.  We can't get through a date together without talking about you!  You are such an important part of our family.  You are loved kid!!!
Sunday we went for a family walk.  We walked to a little park and you played on the toys there.  You had your daddy beaming with pride when you were able to hang onto the monkey bars without help!  Today we started potty training.  It's ok if you don't catch on this time, but we are gonna start trying!! Mommy is not a fan of your diapers anymore!!! And I think youre smart enough to learn to go in the potty within the next 6 months.
You are such a fun little girl.  You love to be busy busy busy, but then also love to chill out in front of a good cartoon as well.  Lately we've been snuggling in mommy and daddy's bed right after you wake up.  I gotta say, I used to dream about doing this with my kid before I had you!  It's the best feeling to have this sweet, semi-groggy little girl in her jammies cuddling you at 7am.  Nothing better in the whole world!!
Love you tons and tons and tons, and then some more.  You are the best little girl a mommy could have!!!

Love,
Mommy

Dear Ella, February 19th, 2013

Dear Ella,

Well, this is the first chance I've gotten to sit down at the computer since Valentines Day, but I didn't want to miss the opportunity to tell you some of the reasons why I ADORE you.
When I look at you, I feel joy.  Genuine, pure, joy.  I love the shape your face takes when you smile.  Doesn't matter if it's a laughing smile, or a forced smile, or a playful smile.  It makes your eyes light up and does something to me that I can't explain.  I love your kind spirit.  You really know how to make your Mommy and Daddy feel so loved.  As much as I will complain about when you wake up in the middle of the night, there is something really special about these times too.  It's the only time that you really, really hold on to me.  I'll come in and lift you out of your crib and sit down in our rocking chair.  You usually are grasping onto your blankie with one arm, and the other one wraps tightly around my neck.  You pull my face down into yours and let out a little sigh, like that's the best thing in the world, to be so close to me.  I. Love. It.  Even when I'm so tired I can't see straight, I love this moment.  I love watching you and your Daddy together.  You guys have such an amazing, special relationship!  When you hear the garage door open at the end of the day, you say "Garage door......DADDY!!!" You spend the next two hours chasing him around and wrapping him around your pinkie finger.  I love this interaction.  I love your intelligence.  You are SO DANG SMART!! I may be biased, but I think you are the smartest little girl on the planet.  You will tell me words and sentences that I don't recall teaching you.  It really makes me realize that you are so aware of your surroundings, and makes me want to be sure to surround you with good, positive things, because you are soaking it all in like a little sponge.  I love that you love to have your tummy and legs tickled in the morning when I change you out of your jammies.  Sometimes you will let your mouth fall open and your eyes will kinda roll into the back of your head because it feels so darn good!  This makes me laugh out loud, you are so funny!  I love your confidence.  I PRAY that this stays with you as you grow older.  Right now, when your Mommy and Daddy tell you how special you are, you believe us.  I hope you always will and that you will grow to KNOW within yourself that you are special and amazing.  I love when you sing.  You love to twirl around and sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".  You know every single word, and you DO NOT like to get help from your Mommy or Daddy when you are singing!  I love you spirit!  It bursts out of you in this beautiful light and it makes me feel so blessed to just be around you, and be your Mommy.  You are my special little girl, my beautiful Valentine, and I love you!

Mommy

Dear Ella, February 13, 2013

Dear Ella,

This past week has been MUCH better for you :)  You are all better and happy as can be!  Last Saturday, daddy took us on a family date to City Creek Mall.  We met his boss and his family there, and we had fun looking at the fish in the creek, then your favorite part, THE DISNEY STORE!  You love the Disney store because you're obsessed with Mickey and Minnie Mouse right now.  You got to color in front of the big screen, then Mommy and Daddy picked you out a special Mickey Mouse cup to drink your smoothies out of in the morning :)  The pictures above are of me and you before Daddy to us out.  After the Disney store we went to Kneaders for dinner.  You pretty much just ate your grapes (you call them beeps).  Today has been tons of fun so far.  This morning, cousin Zoe came and played for about an hour, then we went to story time at the Library.  This is the first time we've done that, and you LOVED it!  We will probably do that every Wednesday now.  Then Kes and Jay came over and you are all taking a rest now.
You are getting a lot better and saying your please and thank-you's.  I love how polite you are!  Although you are still hitting and kicking, and I just don't know what I'm gonna do about that.  I hope that you will grow out of it soon.  I've tried all sorts of discipline, and none of it's working :(
Your sleep got pretty messed up when you got croup, but you are getting back to your normal routine, which is good!!! Mommy needs her sleep!  I've also started taking you to Grandma Miller's for a few hours on Tuesday mornings, cuz Mommy decided she needed some "Mommy" time.  Not that I don't love being with you all the time, but I'm a much nicer Mommy if I get breaks every once in a while ;)  You like going, because cousins Jude and Molly are there on Tuesday mornings too.
Well baby,  as always I love you SOOOOO much!  There is a new song that we sing at night called "Songbird", and I especially love the lyrics towards the end of the song that say "And I wish you all the love in the world, but most of all, I wish it from myself".  I do hope that I can be the most loving mommy to you.  Sorry about the times when I lose my head and get grumpy with you :(  I'm working on it!!!!

Love you baby,

Mommy

Dear Ella 2.4.13

Dear Ella,

Oh baby baby baby, today was not a great day.  Let's start with yesterday (sunday).  You woke up with a cough and a slight fever, but you seemed ok.  Daddy stayed home from church with you, while I went.  I got a calling today (kind of an activities planner), which I was excited about.  When I got home you and Daddy were playing and you seemed great!  We had Grandma and Papa Miller over for the Superbowl game.  Around 5:00pm you started to get really grumpy.  But you went to bed great, so that was good!  Until 12:30am.....coughing so bad and so sad :(  I went in and rocked you until 2:30am.  Then you woke up again at 3:30am.  Then again at 4:00am.  At this point, I just got in your crib with you and snuggled you for the next three hours. (pays to be a small person sometimes!)  Zoe came over today and you guys seemed pretty good.  Zoe still has a cough too.  Well, Zoe went home and you went down for your nap at the regular time (12:40pm).  Unfortunately, you woke up at 1:25pm.  Very short nap.  You were having such a hard time breathing and you were sooooooo sad :(  It made mommy cry to see you so upset.  So I wrapped you up in some blankies and we went outside so you could breathe in some cold air.  Because at this point, I'm realizing you have croup, again.  You had it a couple of months ago too.  When you had it before, I took you to Dr. Doug and he gave you some steroids to take.  I gave you two doses that day and two doses again the next day.  It turned you into the Angry Incredible Hulk.  I swore I wouldn't give you steroids again.  Until I heard you not being able to breathe today.  So I had Papa Miller bring over the steroids (only gave you half a dose and am not gonna give you any in the day), and he and your Daddy gave you a Priesthood blessing.  This made Mommy feel A LOT better.  I love that your Daddy and Papa can help you in this way.  I know that you will feel a lot better tomorrow because of this.  I'm trying not to be too sad about you being sick, but it's hard because I love you so stinkin' much that it REALLY SUCKS seeing you hurt and feel crummy :(  But, I think, I know that tomorrow will be a better day.  You tried so hard to be happy today, even though you felt awful.  I really admire that.  You are Mommy's angel and I LOVE LOVE LOVE you!  Right now it's 8:30pm, you've been asleep for two hours and I haven't heard any coughing yet, so that's promising.  I have also rubbed every essential oil possible all over your chest, back and feet, and have it diffusing in your room.  I've got all my bases covered! Medical, holistic, and spiritual!  Can you tell I want you to feel better ASAP?
Well baby girl, here's to a better day tomorrow!  We'll have lots of fun :)

Love,

Mommy

Dear Ella 2/2/2013

Dear Ella,

I gotta say, looking at the picture above, you've got THE cutest smile in the whole entire universe!  Even covered in cookies it is beautiful :)  Today you went to your Uncle Ben's house and took a nap and played with Jay Jay while mommy and your Aunt Shelisa and cousin Keslee went to a baby shower.  Uncle Ben said you didn't nap very long, but that doesn't surprise me.  It's been a long time since you've had to nap away from home!  But you are still holding strong to the 13 hours at night, and I REALLY appreciate that!  It's so nice to sleep in until after 7:30am, and me and your daddy can stay up later too, since we don't have to wake up with you at 5:45am anymore. Tomorrow is the Superbowl and we are going to have your Grandma and Grandpa Miller over.  I'm sure you are going to love that :)  You love when people come over to your house to visit.  Notice I said "your" house.  Because lets be honest, you rule this place.  Me and daddy try to pretend that we are in charge, but you put us in our place. You got mad today because I wouldn't get your playdough down, but you've been grounded from playdough until you stop HITTING.  You've been doing this nasty little habit for a couple of months now.  I guess it's better than biting, but I still don't like it.  You are such a nice girl, so I'm not sure why you hit. 
Right now, you are upstairs rocking with daddy reading books and getting ready for bedtime.  You love when your daddy puts you to bed.  You used to only let mommy do it, but now you actually prefer daddy.  Don't worry, it doesn't make me feel bad :)  I love how much you guys love each other!!  Well, hope you sleep great tonight baby!

Love,

Mommy

Dear Ella.....1/30/13

Dear Ella,

I'm writing these letters to you because you and I are spending A LOT of time together lately!!  I decided to stay home with you every day so I didn't have to see your crying face in the morning ever again.  It broke my heart!!  So, here we are, two ladies who love the junk out of each other, figuring out our daily groove.  Let me tell you some things about you right now.  You are 21 months old.  You talk like a 3 year old, which means you are VERY VERY smart :)  Some things that you love are your mommy and daddy, raisins, being outside, and Mickey Mouse.  Our days usually start out with you getting up around 7:30am (oh yeah, you sleep 13 hours at night, that's so awesome!) and we go downstairs and eat breakfast.  You love scrambles eggs, green smoothies, and my homemade protein waffles.  Then we watch some of your favorite shows.  Somewhere in between the morning hours, you cry your head off because Daddy goes to work.  You LLLOOVVEE your Daddy and it makes you so sad to see him leave :(
Lately we have been going outside to play in the snow.  We've gotten so much this week!!!  You would stay outside all day if I let you, but I'm so mean and make you come in to take a nap.  You nap from 1:00 to 2:30pm.  Then we usually play toys or whatever.  You are quite the sassy child these days.  In fact, sometimes you drive me down right crazy!!  You get some sick twisted joy out of hitting and kicking me, even though I make you go to timeout every time it happens.  And you love to tell me "NO!!"  I often ask myself if I'm doing it right, raising you.  You'll have to let me know when you get older how I did ;)

As of lately, we have also had lots of cousin time.  Zoey comes over a lot.  You guys really love playing together, even though you fight a lot too.  Mostly over toys.  Jayden and Keslee come over twice a month too.  You sometimes pretend Kes is your mommy.  She really likes this :) 
Today we had ALL of these cousins over!  You are napping right now.  We went outside and played in the snow, the had lunch and played with toys.  You were pooped!
Baby, I hope you know (I hope I tell you enough) how much I love you.  It may be hard to remember sometimes when I'm grumpy, or yelling (I'll try not to do that), but I do.  I love you SOOO much!  I want you to know how beautiful and smart and brave you are.  You are part of a very select group of little girls.  You have a Mommy AND a Daddy who love you and would do anything for you.  You also have 16 cousins who love and adore you, 15 aunts and uncles who think you are the cutest thing ever, two Grandma's who would steal you from me if I wasn't looking, two Grandpa's who turn to putty in your hands, and you even have one two Great Grandma's who have stuck around on this earth longer than most, probably just to be able to spend some time with you.  You are SOOOO LOVED!!
Well kiddo, this letter has got to end, because you have awoken from your nap and are demanding my snuggles, which I am happy to oblige ;)

Love you baby,

Mommy