Ella Anne

Finally rounding off Birthday Season was the celebration of the birth of our sweet Ella Anne.

Over 1 year ago, I went to my prenatal checkup appointment and was told that I was to make my way directly to Labor and Delivery. We had a baby who was 2 weeks behind in growing and my placenta was failing. Amniotic fluid was almost completely gone and the baby needed to come NOW. It was about a week and a half earlier than I planned. But, as she has always shown us, Ella does things on her own schedule.

After we were all hooked up and waiting for things to take their course, we had several episodes of our baby's heartbeat dipping too low, then rising too fast and each time it brought a team of doctors and nurses in our tiny delivery room. Girlfriends spilled out into the hallway praying for my girl while I actually caught myself allowing the thought of losing this baby forever to cross my mind. But that wasn't God's plan for us, for Ella.

2008 was a year for my family that found all of us turning to Ella for hope and joy. Just a few weeks old and we turned to her cuddliness for comfort. She'd only been smiling for days when I found myself seeking hope and joy in her eyes. People who were in a place of sadness or defeat would hold my child and it would heal them.

Ella's birthday was a Sunday this year and it seemed fitting to have her dedicated that day as well. We had all the kids come on the stage with us and while Nathan didn't want to at first (he doesn't like people looking at him) he joined us on stage later as we prayed for Ella Anne and dedicated ourselves to raising her in the ways of the Lord. I know God has a purpose for her that is special and I am so excited to find out where that will lead her. She has already done so much for so many people.

We all gathered at our house after church for cake and ice cream. Ella held her own in a room of adults and about a million kids running a

round. She was a fan of the cake but preferred to not touch it, instead liked leaning forward to take bites. And when the day was done, we wrapped things up like we always do: It was just me and my baby in the rocking chair as I sang her the song I have sung to all three of my babies (and still sing to even the 6 Year-Old-iest of them.)

No One Like You

by: John Denver

I like your eyes,

I like your nose,

I like your mouth, your ears, your hands, your toes

I like your face, Its really you

I like the things you say and do

In all the world, in every town

You can look both up and down

You will never find, its true

Another one, like you

There's not a soul

That sees the skies

The way you see them through your eyes

And if you search for miles and miles

You know that no one thinks or smiles

Or sings or feels, or talks or acts, or walks

The very special way you do.

And aren't you glad 

You should be glad 

There's no one, no one 

Exactly like you.