Elle Belle turns 2!

Two years ago this morning, I held my daughter for the first time. Like all Moms probably think, "I cannot believe it has been two years". We've done and saw so much with her, always on the go, seeing new places and people, visiting, watching, learning, listening and even taking time to remember our loved ones at cemetery's. I am proud to say we have exposed her to many things and will continue to do so. I will never forget meeting her for the first time. I was no nervous and didn't want to hold her right away until the nurse cleaned her off and they "inspected" her to make sure she was healthy. I had this fear they would lay her on my chest and she would turn blue. I wanted to be sure she knew how to breathe. I had no idea what I was doing.....so between our wonderful nurse named Patricia which brought instant tears to my eyes and only having Ted's Mom in the waiting room to greet the new arrival, I was a tad heartbroken yet overwhelmingly proud of Ted and I. WE created this miracle and she is a continued legacy and piece of our parents.....even when we are gone, we will live on through her. I learned this once I lost my own parents. Mom and Dad are missed everyday but they can live on through me forever.....

This last year was filled with adventures....she learned how to walk then quickly into running before our eyes...just when you think, "is she EVER going to eat, walk, talk" they are doing it all like they're pros. I remember how excited we were when sign language came along. She picked it up like a champ. We were so impressed and had to pull the manual out here and there to see what the heck she was signing...."ohhh, help, you need help, got it". Then one or two words and all of sudden at two, she can see SO many words and sentences her favorites being, "Elle Belle too, Elle Belle too, I do it, Mommy sit down, I need more milk, I need more snacks, Gracie go potty, Happy Turkey Day...and her favorite show on TV is Special agent OSO and he frequently says, "It's all part of the plan...more or less" and two weeks ago we were driving in the car and I said aloud, "It's all part of the plan" and all of sudden she yells out, "more or less!"...Ted and I were just cracking up. It was so cute and funny. She is a little sponge. I cannot wait to introduce her to her sibling. I know there will be challenges and a transition stage but what a great gift- a sibling to love and watch grow. She'll never be alone. She'll have someone in case something ever happened to Ted and I. I will be forever grateful Mom and Dad gave me a Sister and I just wish my brother's situation didn't end up like it did because in the early years, he was the most adorable little brother. It kills me to think of what happened with him and how much he must miss us and my parents. I still love my brother.

Elle, you were a gift from above and life is challenging, it really is and it breaks your heart at times but I think you will be blessed with strength like Ted and I and we've always had success and opportunity and great friends and lots of love surrounding us.....even in time of great tragedy, we continue to pull through and live our lives the best way we can even when you feel you cannot do it anymore. I wish the same for you. Just know you are always, always loved and we will always be with you. I am telling you now in case we never have this conversation again. A talk I wish I had with my Mom and Dad....

I love you and HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my firework!