Language Explosion

In the last two weeks, Violet has made huge developmental strides. She is talking in five and six word sentences and putting more and more words together. Every day, there are new words! It's truly amazing. I am so thankful to our wonderful First Step therapists who have really helped Violet blossom!

This evening, we all went to dinner at Bob Evans. As we were finishing up our meal, out of nowhere, Violet blurts out (in the only volume she knows: LOUD), "I luh (love) you, Mommy!" "I luh you, Daddy!" "I luh you, Dee-dee!" By this time, all the tables in our little area are looking and listening; It was hard to ignore since she was practically shouting. "I luh you, Ga-Ga (Jonah)!" There were lots of smiles and "awws" from the surrounding tables...then, "I LUH YOU, ME!" Everyone around burst out laughing. Violet loved the attention and joined in with hysterical giggles, which made everyone laugh even harder!

It was the highlight of my whole day! That little girl brings so much joy to our family!

Sisterly Love

The other morning, Violet went to Sadie and said, "Put cose on, Dee-Dee" ("Put my clothes on, Sadie.") So Sadie did. She even changed Violet's diaper (her first diaper change ever)! Sadie broke the tab on the first diaper and I had to help her get it on tight enough, but other than that, she did a great job. I captured it all on film (well, not film, technically, but you know what I mean).
By the way, Violet picked out this entire outfit herself, from the pink hat to the plaid skirt to the turquoise shirt to the striped leg warmers. She is quite the fashionista! After Sadie was finished getting her dressed, Violet said, "Dank Dee-Dee!" (Thanks Sadie!"). It was so sweet.

She stole my heart (and her sister's chocolate)

Snow Days

Here's how we have spent the last 2 days...

Jonah built a snow man at 9:00 yesterday morning. I love his problem-solving skills with the skateboard ramp!

Apparently, this snow man likes high dollar beer.

We also made our Valentines yesterday. They turned out super cute. I borrowed this idea from www.highlowaha.com.

These are Jonah's. He took extra time with one very special Valentine (wink, wink)!

These are Sadie's.
These are Violet's. Didn't she do an amazing job? ;)


They each have fortunes inside that say things like: "Happy Valentine's Day," "I'm so fortunate to know you," I heart U!," and "You're so sweet!" We had a lot of fun making them.

Movie Night at the Aldridge House

Last night, was movie night. The kids decided to build a fort in the living room so they could watch the movie from inside it. It took them longer to build the fort than to watch "G-Force!"

Coco and the Cone of Shame

Poor Coco had her girly parts removed today.

Sadie is sad that Coco will never have puppies. She said she "never wants to have her uterus taken out."

Jonah asked if they were going to remove her placenta as well. So we had to have a little anatomy lesson after that.

Coco did very well but has to wear a cone until her stitches are removed (10-14 days)! She is pitiful. She is just laying there in her bed and wimpering. :( She is breaking my heart.