Ella Freda turns two

Two years ago my world changed...as it does with any child....as it does anytime you are forced to face your fears, your own ignorance and the unknown.

Not knowing is the hardest part.

I knew. I knew right away. My mind flashed back to my blue armchair. I sat still. I waited....nothing. While movement was consistent, it was slow, sporadic and weak. Something was different, but then again Jakob came out kicking and determined and this has carried him through his almost 4 years of life.
I called the clinic.
Well, if still have felt nothing by the end of the day, give us a call and we will see if the Doctor can squeeze you in.
I didn't call. I can't remember feeling a movement, but I knew it was alright, in a not-so-alright kind of way.

I knew.

What I didn't know is what life would look like. How would one little chromosome change the life I had already published as a full length film? Now we would have to start from scratch.

I wonder if I would feel differently if we went through the heart surgeries, the bowel problems, reflux, colic, eating problems, sensory disorders or any of the other ailments that plague our children. But we didn't have to go through any of that and so I think How Silly.

How silly that I would think that this beautiful GORGEOUS girl would bring anything but joy to our lives.

I wish you all could know Ella in person. She is perfect. She is exactly the baby God knew that I needed. She is everything I am not and teaches me how to be a better person everyday.

Today we celebrate Ella!

We celebrate everything that is wrapped up in those 11 kilograms (24lbs-That puts her holding her own on in the 30th percentile of NORMAL children- DS kids get a different chart and she in the 80th percentile).
We celebrate her her health, her spirit, and what God is doing in her and through her.

We celebrate with food...

We celebrate growth. The kids all planted hand painted terra cotta pots with wildflowers. And in some weird way they represent Ella and every other child. You never know what you are going to get, but it is always beautiful.

We celebrated with friends

And oh, the cupcakes!

Giving Daddy a big smooch!

Ella, you have rocked my world in so many ways and I am a better, more compassionate, patient person because of you. And I know that you have touched the hearts of so many people. I wish I could describe it so that those who have never felt your indiscriminate embrace would know the love of God that extends though those tiny little hands. Thanks Baby.

Oh, and did I mention that Ella is now a walker!

** Please consider making a donation to Reece's Rainbow in honour of Ella Bella's birthday- The embrace of a mother is the greatest gift you could ever give a child. Please give.**