My little smartie pants

Oh my Ellie,

You have grown SO much in the past months.  I'm sorry I haven't written anything in so long.  I kept meaning to, but things kept coming up.  Then, the flood happened and we were so busy fixing the house and cleaning everything up, which I'm still not done with, that I kept putting it off and here we are.

You have learned SO many new words AND phrases.  You mimic us all the time.  You say things like, "What is that?", "I love you", "That's better", "Night night", "Despicable (from Despicable Me)", and SO much more that I can't think of at this very moment.  You constantly say yes, no, up, down, inside, outside, mommy (your sisters didn't call me mommy until after they were two years old and here you are, already saying it like a pro), daddy, Unnie, Nanie, Amah, eyes, nose, mouth, cheeks, toes, toothbrush, toothpaste, doggy, Ella, Ellie (you're the earliest to say your name so well from your sisters), elephant, zebra, blue, green, purple, hal-muh-nee, hal-ah-buh-jee, birdie, bread, blueberries, smoothie, and ON and ON~~~~

It amazes me how quickly you catch on and how much you learn just by watching and listening to us.  You've also started hitting us, which we are really trying to teach you not to do.  Alana went through the same thing with Unnie, so I'm hoping you'll grow out of it.  You are definitely a handful and probably the one that has the most fire in you.  I pray that you would one day use that passion and fire to bless others, fighting for justice and what is right.

Oh, we also started doing things differently for bedtime just about a month or so ago.  We used to just take a shower, drink milk, and then sing lullabies before going to bed.  Lately, I have you help me turn on everything including the AC, air purifier, and mini lamp.  Then, we take our shower, drink your milk, brush your teeth, read a few books, sing lullabies, and then talk for a little while before I head out.  You used to just watch me as I told you "night,night" and "I love you," but lately you've been responding back and laughing when I say silly things.  I really look forward to our bedtime routine.  Sure, everyone else is usually relaxing and watching t.v. after eating dinner I made, but I know that I'm the one that gets to have those special moments before you go down for the night.  That makes it all worthwhile.

You hardly ever sit still and have so much joy to give to all of us.  I can't imagine life without you in it.  Honestly, I thought our lives were so full and couldn't get any more fun and joyful.  Then, you came along and I can't believe we did without you for so long.  We all feel that way.  Your big sisters adore you so much and fight over who gets to hold you, help you eat, sit next to you, etc.  I pray that all three of you would have an incredibly special bond growing up and into your adult lives. 

I love you so much and am so excited every day for all the things you are learning and growing into.  I praise God for keeping you safely in our lives for this long.  It isn't a given.  That's why I try my best to savor every moment with you and your sisters.