Can't Stop Taking Pictures!!

Ella's first sailing trip

I have really tried to appreciate seeing things for the first time through Ella's eyes and ears and fingers. On Easter morning, Ella looked at the dew covered grass with hesitant confusion. She slowly lifted her feet and pushed them into the blades of green while the cold dew built up on her toes. She looked at me for direction. I told her it was okay and put my hands out. She took another step. Everything is new and all of those experiences are pouring into her. Later that day, I took Ella onto the sailboat for the first time. She walked around down below and played with the bolts that are used to lift hatch doors from the floor. She was excited when we first set off, but then that turned to a little scared when we first started to raise the sails and heel to one side. She dug her tiny fingers into my arms but she never got really upset. She got tired and then we let her take a nap in her little pop up shade down below on the boat. After a few hours of sailing, she woke up to a nice end to the cruise and even calmed down enough to pose for some photos on the deck.

Ella's First Easter Egg Hunt

Ella took a few minutes to get used to the wet grass and catch on to the idea of collecting eggs, but by the end of it she was definitely having a good time!

Caught Red Handed!

The other day, I noticed that a few things were missing and some items were moved around. I decided to look at the surveillance camera and here is what I saw:

My little thief!! She is so cute, I decided not to press charges! 

A letter to Ella

Dear Ella,
I am not sure if I have written a letter recently, but I have a minute and want to catch you up on some things. As you can see, you are a busy girl. You are walking/running all over and are into everything!!! Everything!!!! Daddy had to Ella proof all of the danger zones in the house so that I didn't go nuts saying, "no" and "hot" and "not yours" and "get down."

We are lucky that President Obama got the healthcare reform bill passed--that is a small but monumental step in the right direction to help people that can't afford healthcare. If you have more opportunities in life, then it is your goal to try and help those less fortunate, only after you help someone else are you truly happy.

You are a happy and sweet baby and I am so lucky to have you as my daughter.  Keep growing big and Mommy will be there to hold your hand forever!  Everyone tells you how lucky you are, but your Daddy and I are the lucky ones.  Your light came into our world and brightened each and every day.  Thank you for being so sweet!

All my love,
Mommy

The many faces of Ella

Ella's newest trick