2011-11-18 - 12:44 a.m.
Dearest Ella,
My daughter. My truest and purest love. The joy of my life and of every single day. Ella Bella. Ell Bell. Bellster. Miss Ella.
Tonight you walked the room over and over and I saw this child, this tiny baby, this 7 or 8-celled embryo go from being a baby to being a little girl. It is one of the greatest joys of my life to see you grow up. I would not have missed this year for the world.
I love your spirit and spunk. Your independence and will. Your sense of humor and thoughtful approach to life. I love your chunky thighs and Mater teeth. You are aggressive and tough, loving and full of life. I cannot imagine my life before you. When I don't see you, I miss you. When I do see you, I marvel. Maybe it is the age -- 10.5 months -- but I cannot wait to see what each day brings.
You pace the living room door like a caged tiger, wanting to go outside. You love to learn, and watch me for instruction (when you're in the mood). You make your wants known, loudly. You try to convince me you're not disobeying, when we both know you are. You check in with me on a regular basis, but as long as I am fine, so are you. What a privilege to be a mother!
You love your Dad more than any other person. He plays with you and entertains you all the time. I'm so happy to see you together.
You eat anything, all the time. You say all kinds of words. You have started giving kisses voluntarily, asking for more, and playing/joking all the time. You are the most social baby in the world. You greet anyone you know who comes into the room with a huge smile and a shriek, even if they are the 10th person to enter. You love playing with Shreya and Ria, the girls who live upstairs, and cannot wait for them to come down for a visit.
I love you, dear. I hope you always know that.
