When did this happen?

When did Ella change from this

to this?

Because it seemed to happen in a blink of an eye. It can't possibly have been seven years since the doctor put a pink bundle on my chest and I looked at Brandon and said, "Can we call her Ella?" It's just not possible.

But what an amazing seven years it's been with her. I feel so blessed to be Ella's mother. She is a bright, energetic, caring, curious girl who keeps me laughing, when I'm not tearing my hair out in frustration.

Ella was so excited about turning seven that I thought she was going to pop. We had a daily countdown for the week before her birthday, and she woke up the morning of her birthday asking how long until her party. We celebrating by having a "field day" party with lots of relays and races and tug of war. Everyone got medals and trophies and left happy.

Ella and her granddaddy Steve (b's dad) share the same birthdate, so we finished the day with a surprise dinner at Ruth's Chris with Steve and his girlfriend Mary Ann. Mary Ann arranged everything, and we didn't tell Ella until it was time to get ready to go; we were afraid she'd blow the surprise for Steve. Brandon and I couldn't have been more proud of how she behaved at dinner. It's tough for a little kid to sit still that long and listen to grown ups talk, but Ella did it. She used her very best manners through the whole evening, even though she did put her head down on the table at the very end because she was just so, so tired.

So happy birthday biggest girl. I look forward to another fun year with you.

(I should note that I'm writing this while sick, so it may not make any sense whatsoever.)