This is you! Just two short years ago. You were born on Good Friday and what a GOOD Friday it was for more than one reason. You came home from the hospital the night before Easter. We thought you were healthy. The hospital didn't catch the fact that your intestines had a serious problem.
You had surgery on April 1st and it was several days before your Mama and Daddy or anyone else could hold you.
You were diagnosed on April 8th, 2013, with Cystic Fibrosis
You were SO tiny!
You came home from the hospital on May 9, 2013… We didn't realize how tiny you were until we looked back on the pictures!
Something amazing started happening! You may have CF but CF does NOT have you! You started to grow, and the enzymes started to help your pancreas and you have continued to grow and thrive and prove to the doctors that God's plan doesn't always follow the "norm."
The doctor's said they would be happy if you would gain to the 10-15th percentile. We are so grateful that you have been in the 50th percentile or higher since your first check-in with the CF clinic.
You have surprised the doctors but you haven't surprised us! We're so proud of the strong little man that you are! You are a fighter! God's grace and hand has been on you since the day you were born. We pray every single night for you. We pray for a Cure. We pray for the man you will become. We pray for your Mama and Daddy who take such good care of you to stay strong and encouraged and healthy and happy.
Your Dee Dee is already praying now that you will have a "God given" attitude about your Cystic Fibrosis. We know there will be times that are hard; you've already had hard times. We will know there will be times that seem "unfair" but we also know that life is much about PERSPECTIVE. There is so much to be thankful for that is good…that is a blessing straight from the Lord. We're choosing to concentrate on that and keep you as healthy, happy and grateful for the life God has given you as possible.
There are so many blessings in life...
When you were born with CF, it became a mission of mine to spread awareness about CF and work as hard as I possibly can for a CURE. Since you were born, we've already raised almost $15,000… money that goes to finding a way to help you "breathe easy." I won't quit trying. I won't give up until CF stands for CURE FOUND.
I love the way that you are looking at me in this picture. We've always had so much fun together. You are silly and you love to laugh. You are a ham and you love to cut up just like your Dee Dee. We have a special grandmother/grandson bond that I pray you'll always cherish!
Look at those legs! You were just starting to stand alone.
I can't believe this was a YEAR ago! This is your first birthday! Your first haircut!
Look at you in that handsome hat!
You weren't a fan of your cake but your outfit sure was CUTE!
That concentrated look! SO sweet!
You did so many fun things this last year. We took some Dee Dee/Aspen dates!
You went swimming a lot!
You went to your first Gwinnett Braves game...
You had your first Easter egg hunt because last year… you were only 3 days old!
You rode up on a John Deere tractor...
We walked for a CURE in our matching shirts along with the rest of our family and 25 friends!
And you went to your first Atlanta Braves game...
We got Bow Valley, who you LOVE so much!
You aren't scared of anything...
You had so much fun this year!
You went to your 2nd annual Yellow Daisy Festival
You went to your first pumpkin patch and loaded up your first pumpkins!
You had your second haircut… your smile!!! You are SO cute!
You and your Mama went with me and Pops to the Ritz for a few days.
You thought it was hysterical that a bumble bee was attacking Dee Dee!
You ordered room service and had chocolate s'more waffles! So many firsts!
"Are you kidding me?" You are SO funny!
You were an ambassador for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation! We were so proud of you for representing CF and "A Wish for Wendy"… They raised over $300,000 for a cure.
You loved on your new baby Brother! You like to call him "B"!
You love to go to CFA and have fries! :)
Silly! Pure silliness!
You love to play outside!
We raised money for a CURE! We did all sorts of fundraising for a difference this past year!
This sweet friend, Wanda… did a fundraiser just for YOU and has raised almost $1,000. We are blessed!
We even had a CFA night to raise awareness and money
Your TEAM was even on the CF webpage! GO ASPEN!!!
We sold cool t-shirts to help raise money for YOU!
We believe in brighter tomorrows! And we believe in YOU!
We celebrated your 2nd Birthday with a party at the park! It was a beautiful warm day!
Sorting the M&M's so your Mama can make your cake! You might have had a few! :)
Your Mama made this cute Thomas cake! She did SO good!
We decorated the pavilion all up with your favorite Thomas "Percy" stuff!
We sure do love you!
Your friend Brooklyn is giving you a hug!
Aunt Nelly painted this cool Thomas sign just for YOU!
Dee Dee and Pops got you your own John Deere tractor! :)
Your Daddy bought you this giant Thomas balloon and you LOVED it!
Happy Birthday, sweet Aspen!!! I hope this year is full of good health, happiness and all that you can dream of!
Your balloon blew up in a tree but your Daddy rescued it! :)
You are a tad bit jealous of Bennett… But that's OK! More hugs for Dee Dee!
This is your "shocked" face. You love to make faces to make us laugh!
I love our date days! And so do you! :)
You LOVE to watch for planes and play ball with your Mama and Daddy! Planes! Planes! Moon!
Sweet snuggle time with your Mama!
Snuggle time and movie night with Dee Dee and Pops!
THE OCEAN!!!
Your "day before your 2nd birthday" haircut…in Florida!
Oh the places you've gone! The people you've seen! :) It's been a wonderful year! A blessed year and we are SO thankful! You have grown from this little boy that was barely walking a year ago to this tough little mister that runs and shakes your hips from side to side and climbs on anything and everything. You're SUPER social and will go up to anyone and start a "conversation." You love to say "hand…walk…" and lead people all over the place. If it's Pops… it's to go "down" to play in the basement because you love the basement and your toy room. Or, to go and play with Bow. If it's Dee Dee, it's to go watch Percy or Elf in my bedroom, read a book or to get you an orange, banana or grapes (your favorite foods).
We've had the best day with you! I'm so glad you all could come with Dee Dee and Pops to Florida. We played in the sand, went to the ocean, swam in the pool, had a yummy lunch, had cupcakes and now we're getting ready for a dinner! :)
I'm so thankful for you, Aspen! I love you to the moon and back and back again. I couldn't love you any more!
And just think… we have 3 more days of building memories to last a lifetime. Happy Birthday, sweet boy! Your Dee Dee LOVES YOU!
Happy TWO years sweet Aspen!!!! We ALL love you!
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