Yesterday our baby girl turned 2 months old. At the risk of sounding like a naive first time parent, this is getting easier and better. The first month was tough and that's speaking as someone who thinks they have a fairly easy-going baby. This month we're growing in our confidence as parents. We've been able to figure things out like...she's hungry, maybe we should feed her more. Dustin and Emily for the win on that one. We've had several sweet victories this month. She braved her first shots like a champ, barely cried and then slept in my arms all afternoon. She graduated to actual clothes much to my delight because frankly I love playing dress up. We clipped the tip of her finger with the nail clippers and decided we're never clipping her nails again. Turns out band aides are worse than shots, taking them off at least. Today I finished some laundry and packed up some newborn clothes that don't fit her anymore. I don't know whether to cry or laugh. Ellagirl, you are growing so fast.

Ella is slowly letting us in on her personality. She lets us know if she doesn't like the way we're holding her or if she's tired of playing on her farm mat. And she lets us know in about 10 seconds...there is no gradual amping up with this child. She has started smiling and cooing at us, too. There is something so wonderful in the moments when she is exploring our faces, making eye contact, and beginning to grin. I think my heart might burst with joy. Every day I'm reminded of what a beautiful gift we have in our healthy, growing, crying, smiling girl. I want to be intentional about remembering what a privilege it is that God gave us Ella, remembering how much I wanted to be a mother and realizing His timing was more about Ella than about me. He orchestrated each part of this journey not just to make us parents or to give us a baby, but to bring Ella, our Ella, into the world. Happy 2 Months, sweet girl!