"I'm the Buhth-day Guh-rl!"

I am giving up. Tried to post pictures through Picasa for over an hour now. Stay tuned: I'll try again in the morning.

Boredom Alert: this post is long, detailed (so I won’t forget as she ages) and sentimental. It will probably only be found interesting by those I am related to or those who have recently had a baby.

Three years ago today, I arrived at a hospital two blocks from our house at about 6:30 AM to prepare for my baby’s birth. I had a C-section scheduled for 8:00 AM having carefully planned the April 3rd birth-day around my OB’s Easter vacation to Florida and my work Spring Break (trying to maximize my paid time off!) I had even consulted with my anesthesiologist about the date. He, in my mind, was the absolute most important person to be included in the surgery. Saied happened to live right across the street from us, and was one of the best in the city. His motto, when I first met him two years prior at 7 ½ months pregnant with Harrison, was “There is no need to be in pain during childbirth.” Now that’s a man after my own heart. I also heard plenty of testimonies from other neighbors about the wonderful benefit’s of Saied’s pain-free epidurals thereby solidifying his role in both of my children’s births.

We had an ultrasound earlier in my pregnancy and knew she was going to be a girl. We were thrilled. One of each seemed too perfect. Harrison spent the night at Chris’ parent’s, so we were able to fully concentrate on the big moments ahead. The surgery was uneventful except for a bout of dry heaves caused by a drug reaction. Ella came out pretty effortlessly despite her large size – 8 lbs. 7 oz., 21 ½ inches long. She looked wonderful, skinny and so long – especially her fingers.

I don’t remember particularly enjoying my aftercare that first day. Saied, a man whose main purpose in life is to control pain, was right on top of alleviating any discomforts I might be having. I casually mentioned that I was feeling a bit nauseous, so he prescribed two different doses of an anti-nausea drug. It completely knocked me out. I distinctly remember one friend in particular who came to meet our new daughter that first day. She stood at the end of my bed and started making small talk. I quickly told her that I had to close my eyes, but that she could go ahead and talk away. I just listened as I was too drugged up to function. The funniest part of the whole thing is that she didn’t miss a beat. She just kept talking, and I think, stayed quite awhile!

We named our little girl her first day of life. We didn’t have a name picked out, but had narrowed down a few. We liked the name “Ellie” after watching a little girl on Ben’s soccer team a few years prior. This little Ellie was about 6 years old and such a tomboy. Her parents would scream and yell her name and we both loved it. When thinking of girl names, that memory stayed with us. Chris felt that “Ellie” alone wouldn’t suit her as an adult. I suggested “Elinor” and “Stella”, but was voted down. “Ella” was a beautiful compromise. For a middle name, I was dead set on incorporating my mother’s name, Trudy, into her name in some way. After mentioning this to my mom, she quickly set down the ground rules. “No grandchild of mine will have the name “Gertrude”, “Gertie”, “Trudy” or any derivative there of.” That pretty much halted my plans. When all else fails look into middle names. My mom was named after two of my grandfather’s sisters and therefore has two middle names – “Anna” and “Lina”. When I put the two names together and slapped them up next to our baby’s first name, it became pretty bouncy: Ella Annalina. (It needs to be said out loud to get the full effect.) Since I have replaced my middle name, Marie, with my maiden name, I decided to attach “Marie” to “Anna” thus creating “Annamarie”. So, Ella Annamarie she became. Still a little bouncy, but representative of three generations.

Harrison, age 22 months at her birth, did not take too kindly to a competitive force for attention in the household. We brought Ella home after four days. I knew better after my second caesarean to take full advantage of as much hospital time as possible. Unfortunately though, those four long days away were significant to the head toddler in our household. Not only did his mother leave him for eternity, when she came home she brought a baby back with her. My biggest memory from this time, that most represents Harrison’s feelings during these early days of Ella’s life, is standing in Ella’s room near her crib when she was about 6 days old. I couldn’t lift Harrison - doctor’s orders – so instead knelt down to hug and cuddle with him. He screamed and cried, “NO!!” while clinging to his Daddy’s leg. It was definitely one of the lowest points of my life. The pure rejection I felt was so deep and painful. Today, I can honestly say that he has recovered (as have I) and truly loves his little sister as a best friend.

Ella is a beautiful human being. Her soul is pure and kind. She has a smile for everyone and everything, although recently her shyness has started showing. She needs to be coaxed into playing with new children she meets, but is friendly and easy going once she is comfortable.

Another trait that has newly shown itself in the last six months is stubbornness. She has discovered the power of passive aggressiveness. Unlike her brother, Ella is sly in her misbehavior. Her weapon of choice is ignoring.

Ella: “Milk. Milk.”
Me: “Ella, please use manners. ‘May I have some milk, please?’”
Ella: “No.”
Ella: “Milk. Milk. MILK!”
Me: “You need to ask politely.”
Ella: “No.”

This kind of conversation usually ends quickly, but two can play at that game. We have had power struggles similar to this that have lasted over an hour. No reference to the milk subject, for example, can come up for quite awhile and then all of a sudden she’ll ask me politely for some milk. I see this as a sign of strength and tenacity – at least that’s what I say to stay calm through it all.

Another area that has tested both Chris and I is potty training. About three weeks ago I was convinced that she was 95% trained, but THE girl has spoken: “…diapers, no pull-ups!” And to think I was worried that I had over 50 diapers left a couple of weeks ago. I had even planned to pass them along to my newly pregnant sister-in-law.

Favorite things this first day of her fourth year are: her “babies” – a collection of baby dolls and all the accessories that accompany them, puzzles – which she can complete and disassemble over and over again with full concentration and determination, and books – favorite collections currently include the Berenstein Bears and anything with fire trucks or teddy bears. Most nights she will take one of her favorite things to bed with her. I can understand snuggling with a favorite baby, but cuddling up with a paperback? My favorite moments are when she first wakes up and pads into our room to let us know she’s awake. Sometimes she’ll be holding what she went to bed with and when it’s a book – it always makes me smile.

Ella has become someone I am so proud to know. She is incredibly verbal and very smart. Combine this with her off-the-charts height and many think she is much older than just three. She’s got this uncanny way of expressing herself that makes even me believe that at times, too. Her facial expressions are also amazing. She can tell you everything with a look.

We love you, my dear three-year-old Ellie Bellie.