STOP GROWING UP SO FAST!

Okay, in the past couple of weeks, you've had so many firsts, especially this past week when Daddy was in LA for Shepherd's Conference.  You laughed heartily for a long time for the first time while Daddy was away.  Then, the other night as I was pouring a little bit of breastmilk in your nose to try and break up the mucous (you're very sick with a cold) you kept moving your mouth up to try and get a hold of the cup.  So, I tried pouring a tiny bit into your mouth.  You swallowed with a big gulp and smiled even bigger.  I let you drink the rest of the ounce of milk I had left.  I can't believe that you're drinking from a cup at 2 months!!  Your sisters, and most babies, do that around 5-6 months.

Also, for the past few weeks whenever I say "hi" or "hi Ellie" you say "I" in a short little outburst.  I honestly believe it could be considered your first word if you could say the "h" part of "hi."  You really do sound like you're saying hi back whenever you say it to me.  If that's not your first word, then you might've said it last night.  You were coughing violently in your crib after I fed you.  Since we share a room, I just lied there in my bed listening to you to make sure you weren't in any danger or distress.  As you were crying to try and fall asleep, you said "Mmmmmmaaaaaa~~~"  I thought you were trying to say "Mama" but then figured you were just placing your lips together while you were finishing up crying.  Then, a moment later, still crying, you said much more clearly and fully, "Mama~"  I am so incredibly thrilled that you might be learning that Mama actually means something important in your life.  I say it to you often when I talk to you like, "Mama's going to go get your diaper," or "Mama loves Ellie" or "Mama's here!"

I'm incredibly in love just hearing your voice say that word.  At the same time, I was trying to say Dada a lot because I know it would've meant so much for one child to say "Dada" as their first word instead of "Mama."  Either way, I am in disbelief that you're growing up SO fast.  You'll probably be eating in a month or so.  I wouldn't be surprised.  You are so different than your sisters in your development.  Since the moment you came out into this world, with your eyes open trying to take in everything around you when your sisters didn't care to open up their eyes for weeks after birth, I just knew you would be the one to really keep me on my toes and change things up on me in a blink.  I'm so thankful to be able to experience these firsts again through my time with you, my adorable little Ellie.  I love you so much.