Happy Birthday, Ella!

Two years ago, we were just going to the hospital to be induced for Ella. We didn't know she was a she because she had been very uncooperative during the 20 week ultrasound much to our dismay. I remember going to the room and seeing two little knitted hats laying out - one for a girl and one for a boy - and being so frustrated that I still didn't know what this baby was and we were hours away from delivery!! I secretly wanted the girl hat because it was super cute :) Anyway, we did get the thrill of finding out the gender on her birthday, and I remember very clearly those few seconds after she was born, waiting for the doctor to say "it's a girl!"

I remember being in the hospital and processing that we had a little girl, a daughter. To me, it's a humbling experience because the mother/daughter relationship can be so complex but also so wonderful. Matt came back to the hospital on the second day (I let him go home to sleep after we have babies...he would stay if I asked him to but I've never asked because if I were him I would much prefer our nice cozy bed to the hospital chair that pulls out into a "bed" ;) ) and he looked kind of stunned. I asked him what was going on, and all he could get out was: "I'll have to give her away someday." I think he's still processing that...

We sure do love our little Ella around here. Somehow the nickname "Mooka" has stuck for her, and we are all equally parts fascinated/terrified of her (just kidding...but I wouldn't recommend getting in her way).

Happy Birthday, Ella!