Happy 2009, SweetPea! 

So much has happened over the last month!!  You rolled completely over from your tummy to your back on Christmas morning!  It was such a great present for Daddy and me.  We we totally in awe... we just kept putting you on your belly and *flip* you'd roll right over!!  We must have done it about 10 times.  You've started rolling from your back to your side, too.  You're also getting some coordination in your hands... you'll reach up and grab toys hanging over you with both hands!  You're still so smiley.  You laugh a pretty good bit, too.  You're such a fun, sweet little person!

I started back to work on Christmas night.  I cried and cried and cried...  even though it was only 8 hours from 11-7am.   Daddy was at home, taking great care of you, but I just missed you so much.  It was a lot harder on New Year's Eve though, because I had to work a 12 hour shift.  It was the first night I hadn't been at home to put you to bed because I had to leave at 6pm.  I'm glad I'm working again though.  We are going to be able to save more and give more to missions.
                                    
      
Daddy is working on the fireplace right now.. he's gotten so much done!! He's putting mortar on before he does the rock work.  I need to put some pictures in here.... You've grown so much too.  You're in a size 3 diaper, over 2 feet tall, and you weigh about 12.5 pounds!! I can't believe you've almost doubled your birthweight!!!  You're also consistently sleeping 10 hours in a row from about 9pm to 7am.  Life is so, so good, baby girl.

Well, you're fussing so much right now that you're choking on your spit... haha!   I'm gonna go get you and feed you some.

I love you more than I could ever say.

       ~~  mommy

Dear Aidyn,
      I can't believe Christmas is only a week away and it's over 70 degrees here!!  There are a few odds and ends left to buy, but other than that, we're done shopping!  You've been so good!  ...even when we got your ears pierced.  Ah!!!!  You cried for about 5 minutes but then you sacked out in your sling. I didn't even know you were asleep until I saw your head fall to the side!!  It was so funny.  Your little ears look so pretty!  Shanna and Cooper were with us... she paid for the "bling".  I was going to get the little silver studs but Shanna said that you needed some sparkles.  I must say, I do like the baby bling. 
      We've really gotten into a great schedule.  You get a bath at 9pm, eat around 9:30 and then you go straight to sleep.  We usually don't hear a peep from you until about 6am!  You're smiling ALL the time and you laugh a pretty good bit too.  My favorite time is in the morning between you waking up and when you eat breakfast.  You love to sit on my knees and lay next to Daddy in the bed.  You look all around and then when you find our eyes, you squeal and smile SO big.   I love you so much.
      I have to go back to work next week.  I'm really not looking forward to it at all.  I've cried a pretty good bit so far... the good thing is that my first night back I only have to work 8hours.  My first 12 hour shift is New Year's Eve.  It's been so hard for me to let Daddy do your whole bedtime routine.  I usually take over before he can get to your room after bath time.  I finally found a bottle that you like, though!! Such a relief.  I have about 25 oz in the freezer but until this week you wouldn't drink from a bottle!  I think we tried about 15 different nipples... you really like the MAM orthodontic Stage 1.  Haha!  I feel so much better about leaving you knowing that you'll eat well.
      I can't even tell you how much I love you.  Daddy too.  I love to watch him with you in the morning... He adores you, Aidyn.  So do I.

You're napping in your swing now... I'm gonna go check on you and start dinner.
All my love.
                       -mommy 

Dear Aidyn,

     Happy Thanksgiving yesterday!!  We had such a blast!  You slept through most of the festivities, but you did decide to wake up for a little while.  We went to your Great Uncle Walt's house and there were about 20 people there!  The food was amazing.  Daddy got a Christmas tree for free, so we decided to put it up and decorate it after we got home from dinner.  You were smiling SO much!!  You're such a sweet, happy baby.
     Daddy and I went out on our first date since you've been born!  We went swing dancing on Tuesday.  It was so much fun... but we only stayed a few hours.  If it had been up to me, we would have gone home about 2 minutes after we left.  ... I have separation anxiety.  You were fine... I wasn't... haha! 
     You had your 2month checkup and shots on Wednesday. Wow, you hated that.  It made me cry... you jumped and screamed and sobbed.... I got you to nurse for a little bit and you dropped right off to sleep.  You were a little cranky for a while after that, but I think it's all out of your system now.  We went to Lowe's today to get some more supplies for the fireplace and you slept for the whole trip.  When we got home you ate some... but you were smiling so much you couldn't eat!  The fireplace is looking great!  I think we'll be able to have it finished by Christmas.  I can't wait to read to you and snuggle next to the warm fire.  

 Here's some pictures...           I love you, sweet doll.   
   
   
  
 

Dear Aidyn,

      Wow, it's been a long time since I've written to you.  Life has been so crazy these last few weeks- you're getting so big!!!  We've been going to a breastfeeding group on Thursdays and you weighed 9lbs 14oz when you finished eating last week!!  I can't believe how fast you've grown.  You're completely out of newborn clothes and your little legs are almost too long for 3month clothes too!  We took you to your first football game on Saturday... you just slept through the whole thing.  Daddy and I had a blast though.  Everyone says you're so cute!!  (Because you are, of course)
      You're changing so much... and you laughed out loud today for the first time!!  It was about 10am and you had just finished eating... you're always very smiley after a good night's sleep and big breakfast... but today, you laughed!!  The cutest, sweetest little sound I've ever heard.  I called Daddy right then to tell him... he was SO jealous.  I love that you think I'm funny.  I could just kiss your little face all day long. 
      We went with Shanna and Cooper to Babies R Us and the mall yesterday.  I got you the coolest hat in the world.  You're completely irresistible in that hat.  I could just squeeze you to pieces.  We've gone to church 2 weeks in a row now too!  We just take the hand sanitizer with us... nobody minds using it if they get to hold you.  You are such a loved little baby. 

You're the best thing that's ever happened to me.
                         You're my heartbeat.
                                                                  

                                  
   
Happy Halloween, my dear!

       Yesterday was your daddy's birthday- he's finally 23!  We went over to JJ and Grandpa's house for fried chicken and icecream cake.  I made my famous mashed potatoes.  I can't wait to teach you how to make them... like Grandma taught me.  I'm making a pumpkin pie from a real pumpkin today too.  The seeds are baking in the oven right now.  Daddy loves pumpkin seeds and pie...
       We also went to the Doctor for your 1month checkup yesterday!  You're 8lbs 11oz and 21.5 inches long!!  You've added 2lbs and 2.5inches since you were born.  I'm so proud of you, sweetpea.  Sometimes I get really discouraged during the week because I don't feel like I can say I accomplished anything-  I can't put my hand on anything and say I completed it... because all the housework and everything just has to be done again the next day.  But!  When we go to the doctor and I see those numbers, I feel so important... I know I have the most important job in the world, being your mom, but it's so nice to see evidence that I'm doing my job well.
       Nina and Papa are back from India- They gave out so many glasses and Sherry pulled a whole lot of teeth.  They said that there was nothing at all better than the look on an Indian man or woman's face when they put their glasses on for the first time.  I bet their smile could have lit up the whole world.... just to be able to see clearly.  Something that I take for granted every day I wear my glasses.  We're so blessed, SweetPea.
       Nina called me when they got through customs... and I decided spur of the moment that we would make the hour and a half drive to the airport to surprise your grandparents.  I wanted to get Nina's face on video when she saw us, but the camera cut off just when she walked around the corner.  Her reaction was hilarious though... she just stopped in her tracks and gasped really loud with her hand at her face.  Her eyes were huge.  She was so excited to see you.  We ended up driving them home so Nina could take a shower and cuddle you.  We stopped at Granddaddy's and Uncle David's house to visit on the way.... everyone was so glad to see you.  I was so excited to see them.  Max, Owen and Morgan are getting so big!! So is Aunt Susan!!  She's 5 months pregnant now with your next cousin.  I can't wait to meet him.
       We have 2 pictures from your newborn photoshoot- you're so beautiful, my dear.  I figure I can post these since the photographer put them on her blog!  Here's a picture of you in your Halloween costume too- you're a sweetpea, of course.
       Lots and lots of love,        
                                                   ~ mommy 

SweetPea-
       We're getting into such a great schedule lately.  I can sleep about 9 hours, clean up the house and cook dinner everyday!!  You cry a little every now and then, but it's very, very short-lived.  I can't believe how good you are, considering that your dad and I were both HORRIBLE babies.  We're just blessed, I suppose.
       You're starting to focus more... you almost made eye contact with me yesterday.  I think you were looking at the contrast between my hair and my face.  I swear though.. . sometimes I think you're staring right at me... but you don't follow my face yet.  I can't wait until you recognize me!!  ...and I'm so excited about hearing your laugh!!
       I'm getting to know your cries too.  I know the "gas pain" cry, the mad cry (that one's easy because you turn completely red and forget to breathe!!) The "hungry" cry is the most pitiful thing I've ever heard.  You get the biggest frown on your face and ... well, it sounds like you think no one loves you or something.  It's ... almost funny how sad you sound.  It makes me laugh a little bit sometimes while I'm getting set up for you to latch on.  You're not a very patient baby.  Man, when you're hungry, you're hungry.   I suppose I understand that, though. 
       Gross factor-  In the last week, you've pooped and peed on daddy and me.  You somehow managed to hit the curtains too... I didn't know little girls could pee that far!!  ... you also coughed breast milk into my face when you forgot to swallow... ew.    I sure do love you though.  I've become a picture taking maniac.  I promise, I hardly ever took pictures before you.  ...now, I take at least 50 a day... yikes.  But!  When the subject is as cute and sweet as you, it's easy to just snap, snap, snap....
       Here's a few.  I love you, baby girl.  You're my world.     ~
             
     

Dear Aidyn,

      Holy cow, kid!!  We started "tummy time" yesterday and you kept trying to swim on the floor.  I put my hands behind your feet and you scooted about 4 feet on your belly!! You're holding your head up so much more too... you'll just pick it up and turn to the other side if you're not comfy enough.  Either you're going to be really athletic or just cause me lots of trouble because you'll be into things so much earlier...  Daddy's gonna video you scooting when he gets home tonight!!
      Your daddy gets upset when you fuss after he picks you up... he thinks you don't like him.  (He's so silly.. I told him you don't really care at this point..)   But last night at about 10 I was so tired and you decided to be awake, so daddy walked you around and talked to you for about 30 minutes.  He came back in and woke me up because you were asleep!!  He was so excited... I think he felt like a good dad for the first time.  I'm so glad he got to cuddle you and rock you to sleep.  He loves you so much, Aidyn.  You just don't know... you won't until you have a little one of your own.  It's incredible how much you can love another person who doesn't even really even recognize your existence...
     Papa and Nina left for India yesterday afternoon- they should be there now!  They're going to be doing eye exams and giving out glasses while they tell people about Jesus.  So cool.  I can't wait to see pictures and hear stories!! 
      Here's a few more pictures of you and your increasingly cute self.

I love you, baby girl.
                                    

Dear Aidyn-

Happy 2 weeks today!!! You're still the most AMAZING baby.  You nurse well, sleep well and you don't cry at all!!!  We're getting into the swing of breastfeeding now... it only takes about 30 minutes to get you full and burped and back to sleep! You sound like a pig a lot of the time... you're a very snorty child.  You're snoozing in your swing right now while Daddy and I eat dinner and I write to you.  At our 2 week checkup today you weighed 7lbs 6oz!  You've got major rolls on your arms an legs now...    so cute!!

I love you so much.

We took you to church on Sunday for the parent & child dedication service.  You were so good!!  You slept through everything- even the really loud music at the beginning.  Nina took me to the mall Saturday to get you a white dress for the service... we were gone about 3 hours and I thought I was going to have a seizure because I wanted to be home with you.  I didn't let anyone else hold you the rest of the day...

I'm addicted to you, kid.
                                                    
 
 

Dear Aidyn,

      If it's at all possible, I love you more every day.  There are no words to express it... no way to communicate how it feels to be your mom.  I'm so incredibly honored, blessed, undeserving...  you're perfect.  God knit you together just perfect inside of me and then He gave you to us.  You're such an incredible blessing.  I want to cry every time I look at you I love you so much.
       I was talking to Aunt Susan yesterday- she was saying that becoming a parent changes the way you view God and I completely agree.  It's incredible to me that He feels the same way about me as I feel about you.  It makes me so grateful and so humbled to know that I'm loved like that.
       You're doing so well, baby girl.  The doctor told us that you're Coombs positive- it means that I have antibodies to your blood type and even in utero my blood attacked your blood.  That made your red blood cells burst which in turn made you much more jaundiced than other newborns... we had to have your blood drawn 3 times since we left the hospital to make sure the built-up bilirubin wasn't going to damage your brain.  They told me I had to wake you up to feed you every hour and a half or 2 hours.  Let me tell you something- you sleep like a rock.  It's incredibly hard to wake you up to make you nurse...  but praise the Lord- the levels are going down and you don't have to have a blood transfusion!!

      Here's a website about it- http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/bookshelf/br.fcgi?book=rbcantigen&part=ch4

      They told us that if I got pregnant with another positive blood type baby we'd most likely have to have in utero blood transfusions to keep from miscarrying.  Daddy and I had talked about adopting before and I think that we've pretty much decided to adopt all of your brothers and sisters.  We're so excited about that... Daddy says there's lots of babies out there that we could love.
      We went for our 1week checkup today and you're already 7lb 3oz~ 1/2lb over your birth weight!!!  The doctor was completely shocked at how well you're doing.  I am too!  I can't believe you've gained that much weight in just a week!!  Your daddy is completely in love with you.  (I am too)  He was whining this morning after our appointment because he wanted to take you to work with him. ..
      You're sleeping on my lap right now and I think I'm gonna take a nap with you.
       I love you so incredibly much.
                                                                -mommy  

                                                       First family photo
           
sweet angel face.. you're wrapped up in daddy's baby blanket. 

                                                                      You're getting ready for rollercoasters already!
Big smiles while your great grandma holds you...  you're the sweetest baby in the whole world.
       

PS. Uncle David and Aunt Susan are having another boy!!!  We just found out today... you'll have another boy cousin to spoil you and Morgan rotten...  life is so good.