And On the Sixth Day . . .

  .  .  . I love you more than ever before!  These past days with you, Stella,  have been pure bliss.  You're so tiny and delicate -- guess I'd forgotten how small new babies really are.  I'm baby-sitting right now, and just drinking you in!  Your skin is soooo soft and you smell really good.  Your daddy said you no longer smell like play dough.  I think you smell like sweet, fresh baby.

I still feel the need to pinch myself each time I look into your perfect little face; it sometimes doesn't feel quite real.  Of course, as I predicted, all your Mississippi family and friends think you hung the moon!  I think we were caught a little off guard to see how your little personality already shines through.  Such a sweet spirit, yet you make your needs known loud and clear! 

Think I've made about a thousand pix already.  I posted some on my Facebook page so friends and family could get a glimpse of you -- well, maybe a little more than a glimpse!  Will share some on your blog also.  I love all the ones of you and Papa;  he's got that same look in his eyes that he had when he looked at your daddy and your uncles when they were babies.  I can tell you love him just as much -- you just snuggled up in his arms.

I love looking at the photos of you and your uncles and aunt.  They all look at you with adoring eyes.  That's cause you are simply adorable!  I also love watching your Mama and Daddy with you.  It's obvious how much they love you, and they don't seem like "first-time" parents -- they're so good with you.  In fact, your Daddy "tells" me how to take care of you sometimes!  I don't mind though; I'm just so thankful he is such a loving, hands-on Daddy.  And your Mama misses you so even if she is gone only a few minutes.  She is so patient with you.  You are a blessed little girl to have them as your Mama and Daddy.  I know they will always take such good care of you and of each other.

Papa,  Daddy,  and  Stella

Papa and Stella

Papa, Emmie, and Stella

Aunt Rhonda and Stella

Uncle Kurt and Stella

Uncle Kelley and Stella

Uncle Josh and Stella

Lauren and Stella

Mama and Stella

Daddy and Stella

Stella looking at her Daddy

Stella, I could look at your pictures all day long!  You are so precious.  Am so thankful and thrilled you are visiting Papa's  and  Emmie's house.  I'm so happy you will be here for another whole week.  Looking forward to your Tea Party on Sunday.  There's so much I want to tell you and show you this next week.

Good Night, Sweet Stella.  I love you very much.

Emmie

Coming Home !

Stella, if you could see me now,  all you would see is my big ole smile.  Why?  Because you are en route to Mississippi -- yeaaaaa!  We are all sooo eager to see you -- and your Mama and Daddy, as well !!!  {:)

Your Mama just texted us a picture of you sound asleep as y'all travel.  You are such a good baby.  Papa and I have had such a good time seeing you and talking to you via the computer on Skype -- we think you grow a little each day!We also love all the pictures your Mama and Daddy have sent us these last three weeks.  Here are just a few of our favorites:

Stella at her first state fair

Kentucky State Fair 2010

Daddy with his favorite Favre fan, in their matching #4 jerseys

Mama and Stella

Stella  on her quilt that Grammie made

Stella with Mama and Daddy

Stella's closeups  Emmie made at one day old

Sleeping Beauty

Think this is same pose -- oh well, can never have too many photos of her!

Stella, we are so happy you are coming to Papa's and Emmie's house!  We're going to have so much fun.  I just want to hold you all the time, but know I'll have to share you with Papa and the others.  I have some more surprises for you that I just know you'll love.  Oh, and don't forget -- you'll get to meet your new doll, Carrie, that I got for you.  I posted pictures of her on your blog before you were born.  She's been waiting for you.  And by the way, don't listen to any thing the uncles may say about Carrie -- they aren't true, just vicious rumors!  Those boys of mine think they're pretty funny sometimes (including your Daddy!).  Just remember I'm the boss of them, NOT the other way around.  Sometimes I think they forget.  Also, your doll Carrie DID NOT make Papa sick; in fact, he loves her as much as I do!

We love you, Baby Girl, and will be so very happy when you and Mama and Daddy arrive at our house tomorrow, Sunday, September 5 -- another Red-Letter day marked on my calendar!  

Papa and Emmie

Carrie is waiting for Stella to arrive

Twinkle, Twinkle, Little STAR . . .

My Dear Stella,

The day was Wednesday. The eleventh day of the month of August. The year was 2010.  At 4:02 p.m., we first heard your voice! The day you were born -- a Red-Letter day, indeed!!!.

Your Mama and Daddy arrived at Norton Suburban Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, about 8:30 a.m. to prepare for your birth. Grammie, Grandaddy, and I waited with them all day. I had flown on a big airplane from our home in Mississippi to your Mama's and Daddy's house in Kentucky on Saturday, a few days before. Your Papa was still not well enough to come with me as we had planned. We were sad about that, but we kept in touch by phone all during the day on that Wonderful Wednesday. The whole day was pretty much spent making pictures of your parents, listening to your heartbeat, and waiting and praying for your safe arrival.  I had my camera in one hand and my cell phone in the other. The nearer your birth hour, the more I texted Papa, along with your Aunt Rhonda and Uncle Sonny, Uncle Kurt, Uncle Kelley, and Uncle Josh. I also sent those text updates to Aunt Kake and Aunt Cherry, Marvene and Sharon, who were waiting to hear at home in Mississippi. Uncle Josh continued to post updates with other family and friends. EVERYONE was so excited and eagerly awaiting word of your birth!

The doctor told us it was almost time for you to be born, so Grammie, Grandaddy, and I were waiting in the hall outside the door when we thought we heard you cry.  Grammie and I rushed to the door with our ears pressed close to see if we could hear that sweet sound again --  we were SO excited we could hardly wait!!!  Then we heard you again and we were laughing and crying all at once.  Soon, the nurse came out and sent us away to the waiting room so you could be alone with your Mama and Daddy for a while.  I called Papa and he was soooo happy; he wanted me to tell your Mama and Daddy to keep you "covered up real good" so you wouldn't be cold.  It wasn't long until your Daddy texted me and said "Y'all come on in!"  We three hurried as fast as we could down that long hall to see you for the first time, and that was the moment I had waited for -- to look into your beautiful face.  Stella, you took my breath away!  God had created the most beautiful baby in the whole wide world!!!  Here's proof:

First time ever I saw your face . . .

Little miracle

Sweet Stella

Emmie looks happy!   Emmie IS happy!!!

Emmie passing Stella to Grandaddy

Grandaddy and Grammie are all smiles

Mama and Daddy with Baby Stella

Mama and Stella

Daddy and Stella

Mama  holding Stella

Daddy holding his little girl

Brand New Baby Stella

Stella's doctor

What a grand day it was!  God is so good!  He gave us a blessing on that Wonderful Wednesday that we will always treasure and love -- our Sweet Stella!

We love you so very much, little girl,
Emmie and Papa