This Daughter of Mine

Since Elliana is going to be 8 months old tomorrow, I've been reflecting on my life with her so far. I can't believe she's already 8 months old! Where does the time go?

It seems like just yesterday I was pregnant. I loved being pregnant (before I got huge and uncomfortable). I loved feeling her move inside me and smiling every time she got the hiccups inside of me. I loved it when we found out she was a girl and we had already picked out the name Elliana. Caleb and I started referring to my baby bump as the "Ellie belly". Sigh, everyone tells you how quickly it's going to go but you never really understand how quickly time really does fly until you watch one of your own grow and develop.

I remember very clearly when people would ask me what I was looking forward to the most when it came to having a baby and being a mom. I would always reply, "I just can't wait to watch her personality develop and to learn who she is going to be".

Little did I know that God would give me a daughter with SO much personality! I don't know what I expected, I guess I expected that she'd be a lot like me and Caleb. Or, I expected her to be like my niece Devyn. Quiet, shy, sweet Devyn. However, as I watch Ellie's personality come out, I'm learning she's almost the opposite of me and Caleb so many ways.

For example:
We were both the easiest of our Mom's children (according to our Mom's of course); She was very high maintenance in the beginning. She cried all the time and never let us put her down.

We're quiet; She is VERY loud. Just watch the video below.

We're both introverts. I'm even shy at times; She is SO social! She loves people and smiles at everyone she makes eye contact with.

We're content to be still; She never stops moving!

I'm cautious; She's fearless.
I could go on and on.

Maybe it's because Caleb and I are both middle children, and she's our first born? Who knows. It's like people always tell us, she's going to stretch us and challenge us in a way we've never known before. My mom always tells me that she's going to break us out of our shell.

Either way, she's crazy but we love her more than words can say and we're so thankful to have her in our lives. She keeps us laughing all the time. As challenging as she can be at times, I'm so thankful God didn't make her just like me and/or Caleb. Our home wouldn't be nearly as fun or full of life as it is now.
Happy 8 months baby!

Here are some of our latest pictures of Elliana enjoying her bath.

I think someone didn't want to get out.