The Significance of a Rose

With so many emotions and feelings being stirred over Johnathan's birth, I think perhaps the small gesture by my Dad sums up how I've been feeling. One Red Rose. Without saying a single word my Dad said everything my heart's been feeling. Let me explain...

...When our dear Daniel Cole was born on September 14, 2004, a single White Rose was taped on the outside of the door of the hospital room that I stayed in after his delivery. It was a gentle reminder to the hospital staff that we had lost our child. While other moms had blue and pink ribbons on their doors announcing the joyous arrival of their children, our door boasted not of new life, but of a precious life lost. A week or so after Daniel's death my father presented me with beautiful poem called A White Rose Upon the Door. In the poem he described the emotions of being in the hospital, surrounded by others waiting expectantly for new babies to arrive, and how in the midst of such happiness one room, ours, was clouded by the grief of losing our child. The poem is near and dear to my heart, and was written out of such love from a grieving grandpa.

The day we were discharged from the hospital after Johnathan's birth I made this comment to my momma..."No White Rose for me." What a bittersweet feeling to realize that I was able to take our baby home, happy and healthy, yet at the same time remembering the children that were taken to our True Home, Heaven, before me.

Fast forward to the Friday, a week and a half after Johnathan's birth, when my Dad and sisters, Glenna and Greta came to visit. Dad walked up with a single Red Rose in his hands, and at once all that I'd been feeling was summed up in that single flower. The red blush of the bloom representing the red blood of life that flows in our sweet Johnathan. Never has one flower meant so much to me. So, thank you, Dad. Without saying anything, you said everything. I love you!

A Week of Firsts

This week Johnathan experienced several different firsts...his first time to see his Auntie Gail, his first time to wear pants (!), his first day at the beach for the Texas Sand Fest and his first tub bath!

This past week was terrific. Gail came in to town on Thursday, and spent the whole weekend with us. Saturday we were able to attend the largest sand carving event in the U.S. The Texas Sand Fest is held annually in Port Aransas, which is about 30 minutes from our place. There were so many unique sculptures there from professional and amateur artists, and all were made completely out of sand! I've attached a couple pics of my favorite sculptures here.

Many blessings to you all! Stay tuned for more updates on our precious boy!

The Ladies Luf Me

Hey, Chicas! My Mommy calls me her little Latin Lover Boy, but you can just call me Juanito or Juan, whichever you prefer!;)

Earlier today Johnathan was looking a little hot, so I opened up the front of his little outfit to cool him off a bit, and he looked just like a little latin cutie! Aaron added his necklace to complete the look! Just a few weeks old, and our little Johnathan's already a heart-breaker!

Only 2 weeks old, and already a little piggy!

Johnathan had his 2 week check-up yesterday, and he had already gained a whopping 1 pound since his 6 day check up! He is now up to 6 lbs. 8.5 oz. and is quite the little piggy...eating almost every hour and a half sometimes! I'm trying my best to keep up with his healthy appetite, and as a result I'm losing the weight! Yay! I'm down over 20 pounds since delivery, and have about 25 more to go to reach my "goal" weight! Hooray for breastfeeding babies who take the calories off their mommas!

In other check-up news, it seems as if Johnathan has gotten something other than his good looks from his daddy...allergies! Yes, our poor baby is an allergy sufferer at only 2 weeks! We have been noticing that he's been a little sneezey since birth, and Tuesday we woke up to find that he had a stuffy little nose and watery eyes to go with it. Johnathan's doctor confirmed that it is indeed allergies, and since there's not too much you can do to help it in a 2 week old, he'll just have to power through it, poor thing.

We are very much enjoying the new baby phase of our parenting journey, and we have fun taking turns holding our precious boy. Aaron calls me a "baby snatcher" when I try to take Johnathan away from him. It's such a joy for me to see how much Aaron loves his son. Now, when I look at Aaron, I can't help but to see our little boy, and I hope that Johnathan will grow up to be a wonderful man just like his father.

The best day of our lives

On Tuesday, April 1st at 9:09 am, Johnathan Aaron Aldape entered into this world via C-section. He weighed 6 pounds, 2 ounces, and was 18 3/4 inches long. It was the best day of our lives, and each day our joy keeps growing and growing. He is a perfect little baby, and Aaron and I couldn't be happier as parents. We have been totally initiated into the no sleep club, but every missed wink of sleep is one million percent worth it. Johnathan is on a pretty good schedule of eating about every 2.5 hours, and thankfully I'm able to supply what he needs which is so wonderful and such a sweet way to bond with my little boy. Aaron is such a fantastic dad, and is already learning Johnathan's little cries and what they mean. It is just great to finally have this precious baby that we and so many others have prayed for. Here are a few pictures for y'all to enjoy. I will continue updating this blog with the new adventures I'm sure will come our way. Thanks to each of you for the prayers, encouragement and support.