happy birthday miss ellie-bean

Eleanor's birthday was last week, and we had a wonderful little party together. She said it was the best day ever:) Even though we had some great decorations and delicious treats and cake, it was nice to check out of everything and to not worry about taking pictures and such. She wouldn't let me forget about her annual birthday shoot though, so here's to our biggest girl who came on the first day of Spring.

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You're six years old Ellie! Six. years.

I know I say this every year on your birthday, but your special day is also the anniversary of my motherhood, and for that I have you to thank my sweet girl!

About a week before your birthday I decided to go through about a million pictures to pull out favorites for a post, and I didn't even make it to the day of your birth before I was a big blubbery mess. Just seeing that big belly on that little nervous and naive version of me brought back so many overwhelming memories and feelings. I get to teach you, every day since your birth, but you were teaching me long before that day:)

I love your constant questions and watching you connect the dots, I love your squeals of excitement when you're surprised, I love watching you wrinkle your nose while you're working on your homework, and seeing you tilt your face to the sky and laugh into the sunshine.

Somehow you're both fierce and gentle, chatty and quiet, adventurous and contented, confident and shy, wise and innocent. And today you have a new depth and strength that makes us proud, and excited for you. I hate the feeling of letting go a bit more when your birthday comes around, but I'll always treasure every day as your mother.

xo,
Mama