Easter {2014}

Since our family is growing (at a rapid rate, lately), we usually have to find a different day to spend the holidays with our cousins. This is totally fine by me, that way the girls get double the fun for each holiday. 

Saturday, before Easter, we had an egg hunt and Easter lunch at Anna Star's house. All the cousins were there and all the girls had matching dresses. It was too cute!

We couldn't stay in those dresse for long, of course. Playing had to be done! So they all changed to play and hunt eggs. 

Even Sweet Z got a change and then cuddles from Bubba. 

Ready for the hunt!!!

So much fun watching these sweet kiddos hunt eggs. 

Landree was over it, but was having fun playing with Daddy instead. 

The next day at church the girls had Easter pics with all the BFFs. So sweet! Love these sweet babies and their parents so much!

Thankful for the ultimate sacrifice and the price that was paid on my behalf. So completely undeserving of such a sacrifice. Thankful for the grace that's extended to me. Thankful that my many sins can be washed clean through repentance and His grace. Thankful to be entrusted with these sweet girls here on earth. Thank you, Jesus. 

Two Months Old {Zoe Grace}

Happy Two Months Old to my Sweet Chunky Monkey!!

Zoe,

Like with your sisters, these last two months has flown by. You're doing all sorts of things that just amaze me! Most of all, your appetite is crazy! I'm amazed by how big you're getting. I can't get over your sweet, plumpy self!

This last month has brought on smiles. Lots and lots of smiles. Daddy and I can't get enough of these!

Along with those smiles comes a lot of sweet "conversations" between us, as well. You're already a talker. Your biggest sister was this way, too. And man, she's STILL a talker. That's ok, wouldn't trade it for the world. 

You're still a champion sleeper. Just like your sisters. You nap great and sleep through the night! Thank you for that, sweet love. This working mama couldn't handle no sleep.

As wonderful as two months is, I'm a little saddened you've lost your "newborn" look. Don't get me wrong, you're such a beautiful baby and just keep getting more and more beautiful. But there's just something about a newborn that you never want to let go of. But man, have I soaked up as much sweet, cuddle time with you as possible. You and I cuddle a lot. Still. I feel like every spare moment (which isn't very often) is spent cuddling up with you.

Especially because a couple of days after you turned two months, mama had to go back to work. Yes, yes. Sad day. But you transitioned so well to Miss Andrea's. Not that I expected anything less. You're a very easy going baby. Not to mention, Miss Andrea's house has been a home a way from home for you and your sisters. So, you fit right in just like them.

Oh, how I just eat you up right now. I love your chubby, kissable cheeks. And believe me, they get kissed - a lot. You have the sweetest little demeanor. So thankful for that!

I am not the only one who finds you irrestible. Most people who meet you do. And especially your Daddy. My goodness, he's a smitten kitten over you. But I didn't expect anything less, he's that way with your sisters, as well. There's just something about Daddy and all of his girls!

Zo Zo you light up my world. My sweet, beautiful and precious surprise blessing. I am constantly in awe that you are here and you are mine. I am so thankful to God for blessing me with another sweet baby and I'm so glad that baby was you. You are a perfect addition to our little family and we are all so in love with you.

Happy two months, precious baby. You are just perfect. Love, love you!

Love,

Mommy

A Party Here, A Party There...

I have to admit I'm really disappointed in myself. I used to throw some crazy awesome birthday parties, but since being a mama of three I seem to have lost that a little bit. The timing of Landree's birthday this year was just a little hard to plan a big birthday. Having Zoe threw me off a little bit but we still made her birthday special.

Her first party was a small family birthday. Her birthday was into parts the first part of the day with Bebe, Poppa and GG and the second part with Nana uncle Dustin and Alice and her cousins.

Nana made her a birthday cake. This was exciting because last year she couldn't have cake. This year she was able to eat just a little bit. I think it appears she enjoyed it.

I mean, licking the plate and all!!! Awesome. 

Her next party was a family party with her cousins Carter, Abbey and Stetson and Anna Star's house after the Easter Egg Hunt.

Yeah...this girl, too cool for school.

LC then had ANOTHER birthday party with friends. Our sweet friends came over for an evening of fellowship to celebrate this sweet girl and how far she's come in her two years of life. For whatever reason, I'm unable to find pictures that I know I took that night. So, you'll just have to take my word for it, that this girl, although I didn't get to do my usually one BIG party extravaganza, she was spoiled times three!!

Thanks for everyone who was a part of it, and made her day(s) special!

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