Two Years Old {Landree Claire}

Sweet Landree Claire,

I can't believe you're two. You're absolutely precious! But, you are starting to show some two year old tendencies. The pics I took of you on your birthday are proof of that. But you're still precious. 

This year posed a couple challenges, but not as much as your first year. You are making so much progress and have come so far! I can't believe how well you've done. 

You are still considered "the laid back one." You're always go with the flow and on board with whatever shenanigans are going on around here. You are also, currently, the biggest Daddy's girl in the house. I love, love the relationship you and daddy have. I just can't get enough of seeing you two together. Y'all are both smitten. It's adorable!

You're smile is my favorite! You and those adorable teeth! You smile 98% of the time. I will do anything for your smiles. They mean the world to me. 

You are still a top notch sleeper. In fact, the best out of all your siblings. However, they rock at sleeping, too. 

Speaking of siblings, oh, how you love them and they love you! Especially the biggest one. She cares about you and adores you so! 

The progress you've made over the last year has been phenomenal. I am amazed by every little thing you do. You do make it very clear, however, that you do what you want to do, whenever it is you feel like doing it. And that's ok. That's part of what makes you, you. And I wouldn't change that about you for anything!

This is also the year you became a big sister. You were just two months shy of being two when Zoe Grace entered our lives. You, just like with everything else, went with the flow and have helped make this transition easy on us. I can tell you love your sister, though. 

It's crazy to me there are three of you now. It can be hectic at times, but I love all the sisters in this house. Each one of you has a very special plan and purpose and God is going to do great things with each of you. I can't wait to see what that is!!

I love you so much my sweet Landree Claire! You are always the brightest spot in my day and I love you and exactly how God made you. Happy 2nd birthday my precious angel!

Love you so, so much!

Mommy

Good News!!

Since you were five months old you haven't been able to eat by mouth. We've had repeat swallow studies that have allowed us to give you small amounts of baby food here and there, but not enough to satisfy you at all.

So, you can imagine my angst as we approached another swallow study. I've been praying that God would heal your muscles so that your aspiration would go away. I want you to be able to enjoy one of the biggest pleasures in life - eating!!!

We got ready to go see Ms. Lisa (your Medical City OT) to have another swallow study. You sure were in good spirits!

Lisa is the one who found requested the first swallow study because she felt you were aspirating from the "wet" nosies you were making. Ever since then, we've done all of our swallow studies with her. We love her!!

Oh boy was I anxious about this one. I've been through so many swallow studies that I know exactly what to look for now on the x-ray screen. I watched as you took that first big swallow of puree. Sure enough, there was no aspiration!! That baby food went straight down the "pipe" it was supposed to go down! Hallelujah!!

You cracked me up with your messy barium face and how you were "painting" with it. But who cares!! You weren't aspirating purees! This means you can eat an unlimited amount of baby food!!

Unfortunately, when it came to liquids, thickened or not, the results still weren't where we wanted them to be. But that's ok. You're happy because you get to eat and that makes mommy happy! This was also the first swallow study you didn't cry when they put you in the chair and started messing with you. You were more comfortable this time around. I mean, your expression says it all!!

Here's to happy eating and hopefully, soon, happy drinking!! 

One Month Old {Zoe Grace}

Happy One Month to Our Precious Surprise Blessing!!

Zo Zo,

It was a little less than a year ago that we found out that God was going to bless us with another precious baby. I can't say we weren't shocked, but oh, how happy it made me to be able to have another sweet baby. I wanted a boy, I did. But I'm sure glad that God gave me you. I can't imagine not having you and you not being in our lives. You have BEYOND blessed us already, in just one short month.

You have made having a third baby so easy. You are nothing but snuggly and sweet. You have adpated to our crazy, busy life so well. When Mommy puts you in the carrier, you just go to sleep. Oh, how this helps on the days we have doctors appointments and things to do! You are very go-with-the-flow, thank goodness.

And, just like your sisters, you have mastered the art of sleeping. But I wouldn't expect anything less. You are an Aldrich after all. And we sleep like champs. It's in our DNA. I thought you might be the one that threw us for a loop in this area. I mean, how is it possible that we could get another sleeping baby for a THIRD time? But it happened. You are a champion sleeper. You started sleeping 4-5 hours at two weeks old. And by the time you hit your one month mark, you were sleeping 6-8 hours through the night. Halelujah! Praise the Lord!!

My favorite thing to do with you is just hold you. I hold you constantly. More than I did with your sisters. I will even fall asleep with you in the crook of my arm and we will sleep together for hours! This is so much fun! I may have a crazy pain in my neck or back from it, but it's well worth it!

Everyone said at first you looked just like your biggest sister, but now they say you look just like I do. I think you look just like you. I think you have your own look and you are absolutely precious. I can't get enough of your cheeks! They get chubbier and chubbier by the minute. That would be because you have taken five ounces every three hours since you were like a week old! That's crazy, Z!

How I love you so much sweet angel. I'm so glad that God decided to give Daddy and I another sweet baby. I can't imagine life without you.

I can't explain just how much I love you. Just know...it's a lot!!

Love, 

Mommy

Zoe Grace {The First Month}

The newborn stage is so precious. There are so many smells, noises and cuddles that you just don't experience like you do with a newborn. If I could bottle up the smell of Zoe's skin I would and hold on it to it for life! Unfortunately, this most precious stage goes by the fastest. I've taken a picture of my sweet Z everyday for the first month. It doesn't capture the smells and the noises, but it does show just how much they change in a month. Love this precious gift that was entrusted to me. 

2/6/14

2/7/14

2/8/14

2/9/14

2/10/14

2/11/14

2/12/14

2/13/14

2/14/14 - My Sweet Little Valentine

2/15/14

2/16/14

2/17/14

2/18/14

2/19/14

2/20/14

2/21/14

2/22/14

2/23/14

2/24/13 - the day I moved her to size 1 diapers.

2/25/14 - sleeping smiles!

2/26/14 - dare I say that's almost a smile?

2/27/14 - Sad day. Forgot to take a picture on this day. 

2/28/14

3/1/14

3/2/14

3/3/14

3/4/14

3/5/14

3/6/14 - One Month Old!