A Quick Note on Mom:

Hi Ella.

Mom tells me you're doing well. She feels you kick several times each day and I tell her you're just practicing your goal-scoring. Or defending or goalkeeping. Remember, I will always love you, no matter what position you play.

But let's take a quick minute on mom. Or as you know her right now, "Home." I told you last night that your mom is a star and I wasn't kidding. Typically she stars by getting on stage or by wrangling a room full of teenagers. Occasionally she stars at Yahtzee or, before she was pregnant, on the Gold Fish slot machine.

You know where this goes, though. This is the part when I tell you how your mom is the strongest person I've ever met. About how she has become even more beautiful than she was before you took up residence in her belly. It's all true. She is wonderful, but not just in the cliche ways you hear every dad and husband talk about.

Mom is composed. She's thoughtful. She cares about people more than she needs to and, often, more than they deserve. She is gentle but also never afraid to fight for what she wants. She is fragile when she knows she can vulnerable, made of steel when she must show her resolve.

Last night's post was for daddy, like I mentioned. Tonight's sounds like it's for mom but it's not. It's for me again. Please take note of this important lesson: You can say too many nice things about the person you love. I promise you, Ella, that I will tell mom everything I've just told you. She deserves it.

I will make one more promise while I'm at it: I promise to write the next post for YOU.

I love you, Ella. See you soon.