A Pictorial Recap of Ellie's First Year

What a fast, exciting, crazy, and memorable year 2013 was! Here's Ellie's first year in photos... I sure take a lot of pictures!! But it's amazing to see how she's blossomed before our eyes! Click this link to see the youtube video :)

Ellie's First Year in Pictures

A Letter to our Daughter on her First Birthday

            

Dear Ellie,

It was five years ago when your daddy and I both had dreams about you being in our lives. To be honest, it scared us. It scared us so much that we had decided not to have anymore kids. 

The day I found out I was pregnant with you, you surprised us again. Once the shock wore off, we were ecstatic and couldn't wait to meet you.

When the doctors told us to prepare to lose you when I was only 10 weeks pregnant, you surprised us again and you kept growing and getting stronger in my belly. 

When we found out you were a GIRL you surprised us again. We had thought you would be a boy based on our track record. We were so excited!!

When the doctors told us you had a heart problem when I was 38 weeks pregnant and that you could come out blue, you surprised us with your adorable little pink body and cute girly cry. 

When the doctors told me my tests were negative for all trisomies, and you were born with T21 you surprised us. But we had already met you in our dreams so we were comforted in knowing that you were just where you were meant to be.

When the doctors listed off all of the medical problems you could have, including sight and hearing problems, thyroid issues, heart and digestion diseases, you surprised us. You were cleared by the cardiologist at 2 months old. You have passed all your hearing and vision tests. You have none of the problems that the doctors warned us about. 

Every step of the way you have blown us away. You have the ability to bring joy to every person you meet. You are inquisitive and smart. You are starting to talk and interact with everyone around you. You gently lay your hands on your brother’s face when he is crying, comforting him and making him smile. You have the cutest laugh and your brother Will brings it out of you the best. You are so loved by us, as well as all of your aunts, uncles, cousins, brothers, grandparents and friends.

                         

You are a daddy’s girl to your core. You light up when he walks in the room and give him the biggest hugs and kisses of all. If he's had a hard day at work, he loves to snuggle you because you somehow make everything better.

                      

On your first birthday I want to thank you for choosing us to be your parents. We are so lucky to have you as our little girl. You make us so proud. We know you will continue to shine as you grow. We can't wait to see what you accomplish in this life. Everyone tells us how lucky you are to have us as parents. But I can tell you this, we are the lucky ones, thank you for being our daughter.

Love mom and dad.

                     

Your daddy chose the song for this post, and I think it's perfect for you baby girl.

Stevie Wonder - Isn't She Lovely

15 Years Already? A Shout Out to my Pops

With my dad in 1978

I can't believe it's been 15 years since you passed away, dad. 15! I was 19 years old, it was April 16th, 1998.  You always said 16 was a lucky number because 1 + 6 equals 7... I remember because your first grandson Josh was born on the 16th a few years earlier and you had mentioned that. You know, Jess and I ended up getting married on the 16th for the same reason. :-)  (By the way I have a weird OCD number obsession thanks to you!)

I'll never forget that night. I was on my way home from the beach and wasn't in the mood to go to your house.  I hated seeing you sick.  My boyfriend at the time encouraged me to visit you and mom even though I didn't want to. I'm so glad he talked me into going.  I'm so grateful I was there when you passed, along with mom and Kevin.  Seeing you take your last breath and the look of peace on your face proved to me that you were going somewhere special. Mom told you to go to Grandma Hattie. I know that is who greeted you at the pearly gates!

Since that day you have given me many signs that you are OK.  Even kicking me in the butt while visiting your grave... it was a real kick, on my butt, and knew it was one of my brothers. When I turned around.. no one was behind me.  Or the eagle that always flies over when I think or talk about you. I can't even count how many times it's happened. We were on our boat last summer and "Knocking on Heavens Door" came on the radio. I mentioned to everyone that it was the song that we all cried to after you died.  As we were zooming along the river an eagle flew overhead as the song was almost over. And who can forget the eagle soaring over us the day I married Jesse.  Our family knew it was you. And the time I was telling Candice about the eagle while we were visiting your grave and wouldn't you know it, one flew over and made us squeal and get goosebumps. 

Knockin' on Heaven's Door - Bob Dylan

I can feel you around me all the time. I also know that my kids know you.  I think they were with you before they came to this earth to be with me.  The way they know you and understand you still stumps me to this day.  How did Will know that you used to imitate the cowardly lion?  He told me about you singing "if I were king of the forest" when he was 3 as we were watching the Wizard of Oz.  I had not told him about how you used to sing that song! And sometimes his mannerisms and the twinkle he gets in his eye remind all of us of you.  He wants to be a cop someday too, but I'm sure you already know that. When I told Will about Ellie's Down syndrome, he was fine with it but I could feel his worry. The next thing he said was "I wish Popeye was here".. I think he felt you around him, helping him to know that it's going to be OK.  

My parents. I love this pic!

At Lancaster Mall in Salem OR, 1982 maybe?

Senior prom, 1996

There's something cool about old grainy pictures from the 80's :-)