2 Years

We celebrated Ella's 2nd Birthday on Tuesday. We had a nice family day. I made cupcakes in the morning and then we spent the day driving up the coast. We stopped and had lunch at one of our favorite spots and then took Nora on a little shopping spree. I felt so much gratitude that day. I'm very thankful to be only two years out from my loss and have such a beautiful, living baby to love on. I dressed Nora in a beautiful tutu because I felt like it was a celebratory outfit. On the way home, we stopped at the beach and wrote Ella's name in the sand. Ella sent us two beautiful Monarch butterflies while we were there. In the evening, we light candles and sang Happy Birthday. We also have a tradition that we started last year of writing in a birthday card. This year, I purchased a silhouette pic of my favorite ultrasound image as her birthday gift.

As usual, the days leading up to her birthday were pretty emotional and seemed worse than the day itself. Even though I celebrate Ella's life in small ways every day, it is nice to know that March 15th that will always be her special day.

Thank you to all my wonderful friends who sent their love this week. xo

Birthday Blues

Today is my 31st Birthday. I should be happy. But, I feel sad. Three years ago on my Birthday, my dad was gravely ill. He passed away 3 weeks later. Two years ago, I was blissfully pregnant with Ella. I had just found out that she was a she and DH had bought me a beautiful diaper bag as a gift. Three weeks later, she passed away too. I feel like I'm starting to relive those dates all over again. Will my heart ever stop aching?

Ella's Boat

When we were out walking this weekend, DH spotted this tiny boat. We just so happened to have our camera with us too. Made our hearts smile.

** I realized the symbolism behind this little boat last night. Not too long before I saw this boat, I had posted that I felt like I was sinking... Ella sent me a boat. :) Love you, Ella girl.

This Week

This week was definitely better than the last. I think the fact that the weather has been spectacular helped. I've been making an effort to get out and walk each day, toting Nora and our dog to different parks around then neighborhood. We've also walked to Star.bucks and a nearby baby store twice, and took a drive to one of my new favorite cupcake shops. At the cupcake shop, I met a mom who has a baby 2 weeks younger than Nora. She and I set up a play date and lunch for next week. Even with the little cold Nora is fighting, she's been very happy this week. I think she likes the sunshine too. I also finished a hat for a friend I've been working on for like 6 months and started a new one for Nora. And, I've started planning our Little Lady's 1st Birthday Party. That's right, Nora peanut turns 8 months old this weekend. I'm planning on making some of the decorations myself, so I thought I'd better get started. It's going to take me a whole lot of 20 minute nap times to get them done. Thank you everyone for all your love and support after my last post. This motherhood thing combined with the grief I'm still experiencing is tough and I'm so glad I still have this safe place to vent.

Sinking

I try not to think about the things that make me sad for fear that I'll fall into a deep depression. But, once in a while, these feelings consume me and I start to feel as if I'm suffocating.

I hate where I live. I miss San Diego so much. I miss my old apartment, my friends, my blm support network, the ease of getting around... I feel so guilty for having these feelings. DH is working hard, long hours and I know there is a lot of pressure on him, as he is the sole breadwinner now. And, I live in a gorgeous apartment that is costing us a ton of money. But, I really hate it here. I really struggle with the idea of having to make our life here.
*If you know where I live, please don't mention the location in the comments. Thanks.

Nora is a horrible sleeper. Again, I feel terrible for saying that out loud. She is perfect and beautiful and healthy. And, I'm so fortunate to have a living baby here in my arms. But, 7.5 months of sleep deprivation is waring on me. On a good night, she wakes up at 1 and 4 am. But, most nights, she wakes every 1-2 hours. And, when she does sleep, I can't sleep because I'm a shitty sleeper myself. I spend her short nap times pumping because she's refused to nurse during the day since she was 3 months old. My blm friend Karen says they didn't use sleep deprivation as a medieval torture technique for nothing. She ain't lyin.

I don't have any help. And, I don't trust a "stranger" to watch her. My in laws live about an hour away, are in their seventies, and work part-time. They drive me nuts anyway. They spend each visit speculating as to why Nora is so fussy all the time. "She's hungry, she's tired... teething... her stomach hurts... maybe because you're breastfeeding...how long are you going to do that, again... don't you know such and such mom... don't put her on reflux meds... watch her... she shouldn't do that..."

I'm still angry at my mother. She's been trying to reach out to me and every time I hear from her, I carry a pit around in my stomach for week. I have no interest in a reconciliation which leaves me feeling guilty. But, she chose some dude she met at yoga over her children. She left me when I was grieving and beginning a difficult pregnancy. She allowed this dude (whom my siblings and I refer to as Satan) to email us about them being naked together and smoking pot on Christmas Day (my first Christmas without Ella).Nice, eh? I swear I don't make this stuff up. She allowed her fake lawyer friend to speak litigiously about us and send frivolous law suit threats our way. Again... all while I was grieving and constantly enduring the worry of losing another baby. She wasn't there when I was hospitalized, when Nora was hospitalized... She should be here sharing this little girl with me. She should be here to help out when I'm tired or need a break like most mothers do for their children.

And, most of all... I miss Ella. I still have moments where I forget that I have another baby. A dead baby. I can't shake the feelings I had the night I lost her. The days following her death...

Made With Love

Bryston


Carston


Micheal


Layla


Jakin


Ella Grace
March 4, 2010


Jett
January 10, 2009


Eli
January 10, 2009


Skylar Orr
August 27, 2009


Jocelyn Grace
September 29, 2010


Bella
July 30, 2009


Oscar
July 30, 2009


Tittle
January 2010


Ava
October 20-21, 2009

Ella's 2nd Christmas

Sweet Ella,
Your special ornaments are hung on the tree. A special gift for you sits under it. Dad and I chose a music box this year. It will sit next to your ashes. I hope when the music plays, you dance, sing, and laugh. I love you with all my heart and miss you more everyday. Merry Christmas, my sweet and special baby.
Mommy

A very special friend sent this book for Nora's first Christmas. As I was reading it to her this morning, I couldn't help feel like the words were being carried up to Ella.

Wherever You Are My Love Will Find You
By, Nancy Tillman

I wanted you more than you ever will know, so I sent you love to follow wherever you go.

It's high as you wish it. It's quick as an elf. You'll never outgrow it... it stretches itself!

So climb any mountain...climb up to the sky! My love will find you. My love can fly!

Make a big splash! Go out on a limb! My love will find you. My love can swim!

It never gets lost, never fades, never ends...

if you're working...

or playing...

or sitting with friends.

You can dance 'til you're dizzy...

paint 'til you're blue...

There's no place, not one, that my love can't find you.

And if someday you're lonely, or someday you're sad, or you strike out at baseball or think you've been bad...

just lift up your face, feel the wind in your hair. That's me, my sweet baby, my love is right there.

In the green of the grass... in the smell of the sea... in the clouds floating by... at the top of a tree... in the sound crickets make at the end of the day...

"You are loved. You are loved. You are loved," they all say.

My love is so high, and so wide and so deep, it's always right there, even when you're asleep.

So hold your head high and don't be afraid to march to the front of your own parade.

If you're still my small babe or you're all the way grown, my promise to you is you're never alone.

You are my angel, my darling, my star.. and my love will find you, wherever you are.

You are loved.

<3 ella <3