It’s such a pleasure for me to be able to post this on November 30th, which has been a significant day for our family. (It was on November 30th, three years ago, that our daughter, Nora Pepper, was born, only to pass away sixteen days later from a very rare disorder.)
This year, we have something—or someone—new to celebrate: Eleanor “Ella” Davis was born on Halloween, 2020! Happily, she is thriving, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to the world.
“Eleanor” is a subtle nod to Nora, and “Davis” honors my stepfather, who suffered a debilitating stroke on November 1st, 2019. Even though she’s her own wonderful little lady, Ella has some fantastic guardian angels watching over her.
Ella joins older brothers Theo (4.5) and Finn (21 months). They are tolerating her so far. Ha!
My husband, Todd, and I, are so happy to be done building our family. Ella is the perfect ending to a long and somewhat tumultuous story. Or, rather, the beginning to our journey as a family of five.
2020 has been an incredibly long haul for so many people, and for so many reasons. But our 2020 has ended on a high note, and we find ourselves incredibly grateful for the support of our friends, family, my amazing team at Good Story Company, and all of you Kidlit readers out there who have followed my personal story over the last few years.
Photos by the amazing Abigail Niemann Photography.
OMG Mary, what wonderful news! Welcome little Eleanor Davis, may your life be full of love, happiness and wishes come true! God bless you and your beautiful family! ❤️
Congratulations! This is such wonderful news!
Blessings and forever joy to you and your beautiful family!
Perfect!
Mary, we are so happy for you and your family. Congratulations on this wonderful news in a year sorely lacking enough goodness.
Congratulations!
Mary – Such amazing news! I’m so happy for you and your family in welcoming Ella. Wishing you all love, joy, and happiness in the days, months and years ahead.
So happy for you all!
Don’t we all need happy news these days! Thank you for letting us share. Warm wishes to you and your family.
AAAAH! I’m so happy for you, Mary! Welcome to Ella. And congratulations to your whole family!
Congratulations, Mary! She’s beautiful!
May you all be healthy, blessed, joyful, and loved! Congrats to your whole family on your new little one! Hi, Ella!
Congratulations! What a wonderful family!❤️
Congratulations and best wishes for health for tiny Ella and your whole family.
Congratulations to all! Beautiful little baba to light up 2020. Stunning photos.
Congratulations to you and Todd and big brothers Theo and Finn on the birth of Ella, a gift from the Angels. Blessings to all,
Mary – I feel I know you through your blogs, webinars, podcasts, and your wonderful book. You are a gift to those of us aspiring children’s writers.
Thank you for sharing the wonderful news – congratulations to you and Todd and brothers Theo and Finn. Beautiful Ella. And darling Nora will always be a lasting light and memory forever.
Best to all, Ellen
So very sweet, Mary! What an adorable photo of the boys with her. What a lucky little one. Enjoy…
How wonderful! Congratulations!
My very best wishes to you and your beautiful family. Thanks for sharing this heart-warming news with us!
Wonderful news. I wish you all peace, health, love, and joy!
Spectacular! What a beautiful gift! Congratulations and hugs to all!
So happy for you and your family!! What a wonderful way to finish out the year, Mary!!
Congratulations! What a beauty.
This is so wonderful! Many congratulations!
Beautiful family!! Congratulations! Ella is a doll!
She is precious. Congratulations.
Wow! That news, and Ella, are just lovely. So sweet to hear happy news these days. Wishing you all the very best.
Congratulations to you and your family.
Congratulations!!!
So happy for you and your family.
So happy for you!
Beautiful!
A 2020 miracle.
So very happy for you!
Congratulations!
Mary – I just saw this! OMG congratulations! I wish Ella a lifetime of love, happiness, and magic!
This is the MOST WONDERFUL news!! Welcome to the world little Ella Davis!! I am so very happy for you and your family, Mary!
With much love,
Nancy West
Many blessings for the years to come. What an exciting post to read.
Congratulations, Mary and family!
So delighted to hear this news , Mary … as with the arrival of Finn, another bundle of balm for your family–and her brothers clearly can’t get enough of her!
Mary, when you posted about Nora Pepper a few years back I shared with my tweenage and 11 year old daughters your family’s story. We were all saddened by her loss …
I will share your new pics of the beautiful Eleanor with them (lovely name) …
Have a joyous 2021 with your family of five,
Paddy
I love seeing her beautiful little face and your happy family. Sending love and good wishes!