Postcards from the Edge of Sevierville

Well, Ellie...

Your Uncle Raja and I are in Tennessee on vacation, and we've been having a great time. The only down side to being away from home is that I do have a tendency to miss the people I love, and my dear you are at the top of the list. So is my Buster, though, so you're in happy company.

We wanted to bring you back some fun mementos and we happened across a Disney store while we were shopping down here in Sevierville (the home town of Dolly Parton!)...we decided to head inside and we found all kinds of fun things to bring home for you! I am so excited to see you dress up in the Princess Minnie dress we picked out for you. It's pink and has white polka dots just like Minnie does too. 

We decided to head down to Gatlinburg and we found a lot of fun places to look at. There are a ton of adventure types of parks here, with ferris wheels, go-karts, putt-putt, laser tag, and more. There's a Ripley's Museum of strange things, lots of carnival food joints with elephant ears, funnel cakes, ice cream, fudge and more. This would be a really fun place to bring you when you are older! Gatlinburg has a lift that goes all the way to the top of one of the smaller mountains, and although I would have gone I think it was a little steep for your Uncle Raja. 

There are a lot of places to shop, and I found some moccasins and looked for a pair of cowboy boots or moccasins for you but you're still so small I couldn't find any. I suppose the sparkly princess shoes we got for you will have to do, haha...We found some t-shirts and other souvenirs for ourselves and we're pretty happy with our trip. The drive into Gatlinburg was also incredibly beautiful - and I bet it would be even prettier in the fall. I would come here again for sure. Our room has a Jacuzzi tub and a very nice balcony with a pretty view too. It took us 9 hours to drive here!!

We're going to head out to one of the local restaurants tonight for their "world famous" BBQ, which I am excited about. We have mostly been relaxing, since it's been in the 90s here and very humid all week. I do NOT like hot weather, but I am enjoying my time here with Roger and we aren't doing too much outside except for our trip to Gatlinburg. 

I miss you sweetheart and love you very much! I just want you to know that we are thinking of you and that we've found some fun things to bring back to you. 

Give your mommy and daddy and Clara big hugs for us, and when we're back in town we'll come and visit you and bring you a bunch of fun surprises!!!

Love,

Aunt Erin & Uncle Raja

PS - Uncle Raja was kind enough to hold up the princess dress for me in the store so I could send the picture to your mom. He got some funny looks but was a good sport. Thanks Rog! 

Babysitting Ellie with Klavon's

Well Miss Ellie Jane - your Uncle and I got to babysit you last night while your mom and daddy played golf with some other couples. I'm so glad they asked us to babysit! Clara stuck close by your side and even tried to take me down while I was playing keep-away with your bottle! We took a lot of pictures, and I caught you saying "Uncle Raja" and "Ewin" on video - I was so happy to hear you say my name for the very first time! We drew on your easel and you had lots of fun with that, and then helped me to put all the crayons away. You even put them back in the box very carefully and lined them up - such a good helper! 

You weren't all that hungry although you devoured the grapes we gave you for dinner. As it started to get late I gave you some milk and you took it and make a dash for Roger and then fell over your own feet, but you didn't cry! And you didn't drop your milk! Clara came over to see if you were okay, and you got up just fine. Then you kept running, right over to Roger where you opened your arms wide to your Uncle and asked to be picked up. You laid on him for a good long time in a half-dazy-kinda-sleep, until you needed to be changed. Then it was my turn to hold you, and you feel asleep on my chest holding your bottle close to you until your mommy and daddy came home. 

It's always so much fun to see you Ellie. You grow so fast, and you're learning so many words and I absolutely love love LOVE watching you with Clara. Last night you decided to use her as a chair for a little while in fact, and she didn't mind one bit. I'm so happy that she's a good doggy and is so gentle with you - or she tries to be. She's still just a puppy herself after all. And you pet her so nicely, and sometimes pat her head and say "bad Clara" when she's done something wrong. I know you love her and that when you get older you'll understand more about doggies and will be her best friend.

I'm so glad we saw you last night, sweet pea! And it was so fun to hear you say my name!

And maybe the sweetest part of the evening was when you started to fall asleep on Uncle Roger, and I tried to sneak a picture of you. But - you saw me! And you smiled...

The Passage of Time in Pictures...

I didn't get the idea to start this blog until recently, and Ellie is almost two years old! Where has the time gone??? I have pictures of her posted at my desk at work and random people have asked me about her and have lavished her with compliments and questions about who she is and how she's doing. She's a very pretty little girl, but apparently I'm not biased since many people have told me that she could model or be on television. 

One of the things that makes me smile the most about Ellie is the way she crinkles her nose and grins from ear to ear, laughing hysterically at some silly thing she's found. Baby giggles are the best. So are baby toes. 

Did I mention this kid has me wrapped around her little finger? Haha that's okay...I'm a willing participant and I love to hear her laugh. 

She just recently learned how to say, "Unka Raja" - so it seems fair to put up a few pictures of her with her Uncle. And yes, my heart was broken that she said his name first, but it was really adorable how she said it so I'm okay haha. 

Here's some Uncle Roger time though for her to see - she was sick once too and she slept on him for hours. He's definitely a big pushover for her too:

Along came a little girl...

I'm a sentimentalist and knew before Ellie was even born that she would have my heart wrapped around her tiny finger. When I love, I tend to give my whole heart and and it's easy to be wildly indulgent with gifts and gestures.

The first time I met Ellie she was so tiny, and so beautiful. She was quiet while I held her close to me, and she reached out and took my finger and squeezed. I had no idea that such a tiny person could have such a strong grip! My sister Stacy was recovering well from her delivery, and her hair somehow managed to look great even after all she'd been through. My brother-in-law Brian was proud and excited, and I knew that he was going to be an amazing dad. I was happy for Ellie that she was born into our family, because she was going to be so loved and doted on. 

I have another niece and two nephews that I greatly enjoy spending time with and loving, but I know that my relationship with Ellie will be different. Roger and I have had the opportunity to watch Ellie grow and learn and it's important to us to be close with her as she continues to experience new things and develop her personality. She's not quite 2 years old now, so she can't read my musings about her and her life and our feelings about her yet, but I hope that when she can read she'll enjoy this blog devoted to her. 

My Sis is a conscientious mother who has worked very hard to create the life she has for her and her family, and I am so proud of her. She's beyond funny, competitive, laid-back and damn she knows what she wants. I admire her for wanting the best for Ellie and working hard to help provide for her family. My brother-in-law Brian is the best dad ever. Ellie runs to him and I see his eyes light up and it's so clear to see that little girl has completely changed his life. He's a big guy, and when he carries Ellie it's sweet to see how gently he holds her and to watch her wrap her arms around his neck. It's always fun to visit and see what new experiences will greet us!