Lorelai is SIX

 

I have been really bad at doing my yearly posts for Lorelai's birthdays. I mean if we are being honest her birthdays are just plain hard. I love getting to celebrate her and have her feel so special because she really is. But its also just so sad bc there should be two little girls dressed up in tutus blowing out candles, holding hands, running around acting crazy. There will forever be a part of me that wishes and prays our circumstances were different. 

This year Lorelai finished up preschool and started Kindergarten. Poor girl had a pretty crappy end to her preschool time with Covid shutdown and not being able to be in the classroom for the last few months. Her teachers did a great job of dropping off things for us to do but we didn't always get to do them because well E-learning with 3 kids and a 2 year old who is a stage-five clinger is TOUGH!! But forever being my little go with the flow, take the bull by the horns kid she rolled with it and adapted to the new normal like a champ.

She started Kindergarten and is thriving. We chose to put her in the AM kindergarten so that she could get used to waking up early and then have the ability to take a nap if she needed to. She has always been my kiddo that needed a lot of sleep. I MEAN A LOT!!!! 14-15 hours a day. She has slept 12 hours at night since she was probably 1, with taking easily a 2-3 hour nap during the day. Girl loves her sleep. We did get her tonsils and adenoids taken out just before she went to Kindergarten to hopefully help with her sleep, I had noticed she was sleeping with her mouth open and just didn't seem to look like she was getting restful sleep. LET ME TELL YOU THE DIFFERENCE it made!! For the first few weeks she of course needed to take a nap most days. But within a month, the girl would sleep only 11 hours at night, most of the time waking up on her own at 6 and be good for the rest of the day. I truly feel like getting her tonsils out allowed her to get a more restful sleep!! 

Lorelai was struggling with being a little behind in school so we got her a tutor and she is really thriving with school and her tutor, she is learning to read and is loving the doors and opportunities that open when you learn to read. When she finally gets something the smile on her face is priceless

Something that is super sweet about Lorelai is her need to be right. Not in a "I always have to be right way" but in the uncertainty of life as she's learning and wanting to make sure she truly understands the world around her. When she is talking to someone and she is unsure, or really knows what she is talking about but isn't quite sure she knows the answer, she will follow it up with "right mama" or "right dada?" or whoever she is talking to. While this can get to be a bit much because honestly home girl never stops talking, when I can sit back and really enjoy my time with her I find it rather endearing that she cares and wants to truly understand the world around her. 

Lorelai is really just blossoming into a beautiful person. Gone is her mean streak of toddlerhood. She has a deep love of Jesus and loves to pray with me at night. She is loving growing up and making friends and becoming more and more independent. 

She completed her OT which we had gotten her into because I had noticed that as she tried to hold a pencil or scissors at preschool she seemed to struggle with hand strength. Honestly what really made me aware of it was how at my parents house (while we were living with them) Lynlie could open doors and Lola couldn't. They had just standard brass knobs and Lynlie had no trouble turning them to open doors but Lorelai really struggled with having the strength to do so. So she did OT for about a year and has never looked back. Girl loves to cut and do all those things now. 

Lorelai,

You are a gem, a true beauty and light in this world. You have a heart that is so big and vast, it is truly an honor to know you and watch you shine and grow. There is absolutely nothing I love more than seeing you grow. There were so many times sitting in the NICU where I wondered if I would have the chance to see you go to Kindergarten and when that day hit I was so happy for you but also brought some bittersweet feelings a float as your sister should be with you. But you do an amazing job of keeping her memory alive. I truly love how much you love her and how you ensure that she is made still a part of this family, you make my heart just swim with pride. 

While I would love to keep you little forever because you bring me so much joy, I am also anxious to continue to watch you grow and see the young girl you become. I know without a doubt that you will do something big in this world. You have a heart of gold and truly love everyone and everything. There is nothing in this world that you can not do and I hope I am able to help you foster your dreams whatever those may be. 

Your dad and I love you baby girl and are so proud of you. This world is a better place because of you! 

We were unable to go on a trip this year because well Covid. With me being pregnant we were nervous to be around pretty much everyone or go and do anything. We tried to do something fun, but of course EVERYTHING was closed because of Covid. We did spend the day at the park after you got out of school. It's always a joy to be with you on you birthday and let you know how special you are! 

We brought her balloons to carpool

She loves mexican and shrimp so of course thats what she got for lunch

her mermaid cake 

So excited she got a tablet for her birthday!

I think it was a successful day

Happy 6th Birthday my dear girl. I'm so lucky to be your mama!!! I can't believe you'll be 7 in just under a month!!! 

Lorelai is 3!!!!!

Oh my oh my....how are our beautiful twins THREE!!! Most of the time it really catches me off guard when I think about how it has been three years since they were born. Every day since has definitely been an adventure, and we are so grateful to be here at three...though I will say a large part of me misses my itty bitty baby, that was the sad but beautiful thing about Lorelai, she was like an eternal newborn...

Now I wouldn't say Lorelai is big by any means, but she is slowly getting bigger, we are actually in 2T/3T clothes. While most of her 2T stuff still fits, I am buying some 3T things for the spring!!! 

This year, I really wanted to go to the beach again but mom and Stacie could either not commit to a beach vaycay or I honestly don't know what the deal was, but since it was such a big milestone birthday for them (60 & 30) I decided to tough it out and go to freezing cold Chicago again. I really don't mind Chicago but Chicago in March is brutal! With my Birthday in August and the boys in October and Lynlie is Septemeber we all have warm birthdays so part of me feels bad for Lola that she has this uber cold birthday in March, thanks to Indiana weather...but OH well we make due with what we have. 

It really was a nice trip, mom rented an airbnb and it was a really nice 2 bedroom condo on the 47th floor of some building. it had a wrap around balcony that made my stomach turn, but the views were beautiful. We went to the zoo, had dinner and celebrated our girls (mom and stace included). It was a nice time with family away from the hum drum of daily life. We had a balloon release on the 4th for Laynie and that's always a special moment for me, though she is gone she is definitely not forgotten. 

Here is my beautiful 3 year old...man it's hard to get a good picture. 

Lunch at smoke daddys 

This girl 

its tough being 3!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

DIVA!

Laynie we love you!

Happy 60th Birthday Mimi

Happy 30th Birthday TT!!

Big girl wears big girl gown at the MDs office!

Here are a few things about Lorelai at age 3.

• If it's possible this girl is more fun than ever before! 
• She is sweet, getting more and more kind and just so much fun to be around
• She is CONSTANTLY talking--to the point where we ask her if she ever stops talking and she responds...ummm no
• She FINALLY got all of her teeth this year. I think her bottom incisor teeth came in around october, so she has a full set of teeth finally
• She eats a lot (for her)!
• she will try almost anything, 
• she does not like fruit. I have yet to find a fruit she will eat
• she still gets a bottle at nap time and bedtime
• she loves green beans and chicken. those are her favorites
• of course she loves chicken nuggets, hot dogs, macamone cheese (mac n cheese), and french fries...but I try to get her to eat good things too
• She still prefers a bottle but will drink water from a sippy and will sometimes take her milk in a sippy too. 
• Her reflex is getting better too!! 
• we rarely have an instance of vomiting so long as we give her her meds! YES!
• She is almost fully potty trained...
• she stays dry for hours at a time, but doesn't tell us she has to potty. But will go on the potty when we take her. 
• She is still our rockstar sleeper
• She goes down between 8-9 and will sleep until 9-10 the next day
• she takes 1 2-4 hour nap a day too!
• She is enjoying more puzzle type toys, her dolls, doll house and still loves those books
• very hungry caterpillar and the very busy spider book are her favorites
• Girl is OBSESSED with cell phones, tablets and the like! Its a bit ridiculous! Any time she sees my dad or my mom she immediately asks for their HiPads or phone...its BAD!
• I don't give her either hardly ever, unless I'm trying to get dinner done and I need a break! but we really need to real it in!
• As mean as she was at 2, she is that sweet at 3. She is so precious. So sweet, kinda and just a joy to be around.
• She love to do anything and everything her brothers do, including playing toys and house with them. Lincoln is really good at including her in playing
• Landon and Lorelai fight a lot! I think it has to do with them being so close in age, but darn they are always arguing!
• She still HATE to have her hair brushed...still screams bloody murder...in fact every time we walk into my bathroom she starts cry...no brush my hair..its sad. I've started using the monat kids brand on her hair and i see improvements so I hope it continues to get better
• I put her hair up most of the time. It's just easier than dealing with food and stuff getting in it
• Shes currently in size 2T, but is slowing fitting into size 3T!!

We had a small party for her at a bounce house in noblesville and we decided to go a little overboard and we bought a bounce house for our house for her...she loves it! 

She is definitely wild and three and we love her so much!


















I had combined Lynlie's 6 month pictures with Loreali's 3 year pictures...well after rescheduling 6 times for weather and other things, we finally got them done, but it was so windy outside, so I'm not a huge fan of them, but oh well....

Lorelai and Laynie we love you so very much! I can't believe you are THREE!!! I remember the day you were born like it was yesterday. Your dad and I are so grateful to you both for showing us what patience, understanding and love truly means. You're our miracles and we love you so much! HAPPY 3rd birthday!

Lorelai is 2!

   

How in the heck has it been two years since our sweet little girls came into this world? Even though Lorelai has come so far and is thriving it's sometimes hard to fathom how we've gotten here.



This second year has been by far easier than the first. Once we got her on reflux meds it seems like our lives just got slightly easier. We still have several doctor appointments but we didn't seem to be fighting her as much with eating and she actually started to GAIN WEIGHT!!!

This second year has been a blessing. She is thriving with medications and feeding therapy. She is as feisty as she is sweet. She is super opinionated, independent and a little mean at times. She knows what she wants and she stops at nothing to get it.

This year instead of going somewhere alone, we rented and airbnb in Chicago and went to spend time with my mom and sister. It was super cold and I hated that we couldn't be outside comfortably but we enjoyed our time with family and seeing the museum of science and industry. We had a good time and we are grateful for the time we spent with family...and we let our family in on our newest addition which I think was a huge blessing. We told my mom on her birthday which I think helped shine a little light on a somewhat dark day for her which I was happy to provide her with some happiness on her day!

Morning bottle! happy birthday to our 2 year old!!

a little morning nap on the way to the museum.

        

They had this exhibit with a kitchen and it had dog bowls. She actually
loves dog food and was infatuated with the play dog bowls and food.

Playing in the water area they had at the museum. 

so the museum has this exhibit of babies preseved in each week of pregnancy
this is a 26 week babe....my how far we've come. 

Here's a little big about Lorelai at age 2.

• she started walking in August and has been trying to run ever since to keep up with her brothers
• She talks up a storm and is more vocal than the boys ever were at this age
• she says several words but her first word was 'mama' :)
• She has gotten a few teeth (6 total) 2 top teeth and 4 bottom ones.
• She is eating more and more, but still prefers her bottles. 
• we offer 3 meals a day and then will still give her 4-6 bottles a day fortified with heavy cream. --girl likes her milk! 
• we are working on a sippy cup but she is unimpressed and per her Neo's orders we are to give her the bottle, we can fix her teeth later but not her brain. 
• She LOVES books. She is always coming up to us asking us to read. I've been trying to be better about reading to her, and she truly enjoys it. I want to get more good books for them! 
• She is a very happy and smiley kid. She loves to be around people and especially family. She is always quick to smile and come give mama kisses. 
• I will ask her to come give me a kiss from across the room and she will come in running with the most adorable kiss face ever. 
• She's still our champion sleeper. She goes down around 8:30-9 and will sleep until about 9 the next day. 
• However she has started waking up at random times between midnight and 5am and playing in her crib for 2 hours. She runs back and forth, talks to someone and laughs hysterically. Adam and I think she's playing with Laynie. 
• She would still like to nap twice a day and sometimes she does, but we are trying to get her on a more toddlersih schedule of napping once a day in the afternoon. Most days it works but only if after her early morning play session she goes back to sleep for a few hours. 
• her afternoon nap is usually about 2-4 hours!!! 
• She is not a fan of TV and will honestly not watch it. Slowly she has become more and more interested but for the most part if she does watch tv it's for under 2 min. 
• She loves to do any and everything her brothers do and is constantly trying to keep up. 
• She is a little mean and has been known to just push or shove other  kids for no reason...we're working on this!!
• She's becoming more and more independent and wants to do things herself. 
• She hates to have her hair brushed! It's BAD! screams bloody murder when we try to brush it, but it's slowly getting long enough for me to pull back into a pony tail, but Lincoln still LOVES to put in a headband bow. 
• She loves to take showers and play in the water or she loves to be in the bathtub! 
• She's wearing 12 month clothes but is starting to fit into more 18 months...watch out world she's getting big!!

Lorelai is such a joy to us and we can't help but look at her and be grateful. She is the perfect addition to our family and we are so proud of her spunk and fight, even if it may drive us little crazy at times. Every time she challenges us with her feisty personality we just can't help but be grateful. She's feisty yes, but because of the feistiness she's here and triving and some days we have to remember that more than others, but she is also so sweet, loves to get and give hugs and kisses and she loves her mama and dada! Though she still prefers mama shes warming up to her dad! 

Lastly I do have her 2 yr stats. 

• She's 22lbs
• that's the 3rd percentile or 5th percentile adjusted
• She 31 inches 
• which is also 3rd percentile or 5th percentile adjusted

Just for reference; Lincoln was 23lbs and 31.5 inches at 1 year old.....but hey growth is growth and she grew almost 7 lbs this year and I can't quite remember how long she was but she's sure grown in length too. 

Lorelai you're a joy, you're our miracle and we couldn't be more proud of the little girl you're turning into. Please continue to thrive with feeding, grow strong and be the light of our lives. We love you so much baby girl! Happy 2nd Birthday!!!

Some pictures from our weekend of celebrating the birthday trifecta. 

When your Daughters, mom and sisters' birthdays are a day a part, you eat lots of cake

Happy Birthday baby girl!

Blowing out the candles. 

My sweet family

Since we weren't at home I had to do our photoshoot at Stace and Ian's.

Perfect little 2 year old

Love her

Adam had gotten me flowers for Valentines day and she loved them.
So he decided to get her and Laynie flowers for their birthday.
 Pink ones for Lola and Purple for Laynie. 

No Birthday celebration would be complete without acknowledging and celebrating the girl who changed our lives for the better. Her life may have been short but the impact she has had on all of us has been everlasting. I'm a changed person because of her. I live each day as best I can and strive to walk a rightous path full of love, and kindness so that someday I will hold her in my arms again and never let her go. We did our annual balloon release and some of us wrote notes to her on the balloons. The boys really enjoy this tradition and we do too.          

Love you sweet Laynie. 

And of course we had to celebrate my mom and sister. I still can't believe that the 3 of them have birthdays so close.

Lola loves to blow out candles. 

The birthday trifecta! March 3, 4 and 5th!

We decided to have a birthday party this year for the girls and invite more than just immediate family. Last year my heart just wasn't in it. It was hard enough to celebrate Lorelai let alone be with anyone other than the 5 of us. But this year I was feeling much more celebratory. We'd been having such a mild winter and early spring so I had hoped to celebrate her birthday at a park but of course the ONE day I chose it was FREEZING out, so we moved the party to my parents. 

It was a great day celebrating BOTH our girls. Everyone doted on our miracle and then we did another balloon release to celebrate Laynie's birthday too. I'm unsure if we will always do this or if it will be something we eventually stop, but for me, for right now I can't have a birthday party without acknowledging Laynie. Its her birthday too.

"Family is not always about blood, sometimes its about who is there
to hold your hand and support you when you need it most."

Lorelai's 2 year pictures had to be pushed back a month due to my work schedule and spring break schedule of our photographer. However She did get us squeezed in for a few pregnancy annoucement pictures.

Chafin Family of 7!

We got her pictures done in April and they are perfect. Just like her!!! 

Love this girl

Big Siblings

sweet babes

Love these 5

My sweet Family

This is my favorite picture, probably ever. When you lose a child you always wonder what life would be like with that child. you wonder what that child would be like. It's hard, every day is a struggle. When we lost Laynie I of course mourned her, but we mourned so much more than that. We mourned the relationship that was and what could have been between each of her siblings and especially Lorelai. I have to say that when I first saw this picture I was taken aback because the bear she is holding is our Laynie Bear. It's a bear that was made for us that represents our girl. This picture represents what I believe Lorelai and Laynie's relationship would be like.  So with this last picture. Happy Birthday to our beautiful Girls. We love you dearly and we are so grateful to you both!!!