Outside of Olive Garden afterwards
Gladys trying to get a good look at Aliya
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Grandma Gladys
As you all know we choose to have an open adoption with Aliya's birthmother. Well, we haven't heard from her since March, but a few months ago we received a letter from Gladys, Aliya's maternal bio grandma. We have been corresponding through snail mail and phone calls for several months now and finally decided it was time to meet. We met at Olive Garden in Lima on Friday 12/26. I was so nervous. I thought I was going to throw up the entire way there. But as soon as she came in all the nerves melted away. We had a wonderful lunch and visit. Aliya only let her hold her for about 30 seconds, but she didn't mind. She brought gifts for birthday and Christmas. Our bio mom did not join us for this visit. According to Gladys she is not in a very good place right now. Whether that means mentally or physically we're not sure. We didn't ask, and she didn't offer. Our visited lasted about 2 hours. Aliya looks a lot like Gladys. We are so glad we got this time with her. One of the reasons we choose and open adoption is that we want no secrets with Aliya. It's kind of obvious she's adopted, and we want to be able to answer as many questions that Aliya will have one day about her bio family.
Outside of Olive Garden afterwards
Gladys trying to get a good look at Aliya
Outside of Olive Garden afterwards
Gladys trying to get a good look at Aliya
Monday, December 29, 2008
Christmas 2008
Here are a few pictures from Christmas morning! Aliya was actually interested in unwrapping her gifts, not just eating the paper! Enjoy!
This one is not of Christmas morning, sorry! It's of Christmas evening, we went over to my grandma's for dinner. Aliya wore the most adorable Santa dress, but we took it off before we ate. After the meal she just crawled around in her tights and onesie. Everyone one joked that she looked like she was heading to dance class! Who knows, her feet do turn out when she walks, she's constantly in 1st position! Here is her discovering papa H's beard
Mom Channell sent her the CUTEST handmade hat and poncho set. She wasn't too sure about having it one, I hope to get a good shot of her in it! Thanks mom!
The kids got Jon a picture frame this year. Here's Jon and Joel right before they left to take Joel to his mom's.
She asked santa for her two front teeth...she didn't get them...
One of Joel's favorite gifts this year came from Grandma Sylvia and Papaw Tom, a game chair.
Aliya and her new "show".
Now that our family is complete we decided to start a tradition of getting a family ornament each year. We found this one at Cracker Barrel and fell in love with it!
Aliya opening her gifts, she handed each piece of torn paper to me...it took FOREVER for her to open her gifts!
Joel opening his new suitcase/duffel bag. (I should have cropped myself out of this one)
Jon opening his frame.
This was the first time in five years that there have been gifts under our tree for Jon and me. Well, Joel always makes us gifts at school, but this was the first year we had purchased gifts. We decided a few years back that a card will do from the two of us, as our money is better spent on others. Well, this being our fist year as a complete family we decided to exchange gifts "from the kids". Joel wanted to get Jon new T-shirts to wear while he cleans the house. I just couldn't bring myself to spend money on that, so we opted for an electronic picture frame for him to take to work. The "kids" got me a beautiful pendent necklace. It's the mother and child circle. It has two children on it and Jon had them add my birthstone and the kid's too. It is beautiful! He spent way too much on it, but as he said, this is a very special Christmas for me...my first as a mommy!
Rewind a bit to Christmas eve...we went up to Defiance to celebrate Grandpa B's birthday and Christmas. We at lunch then for the first time in my entire life we did Christmas before Grandpa's birthday. Joel was trying to hard to be patient, but his cute little smile won everyone over and he got his wish to open his gifts first! His favorite gift from that day was his new Steeler's Fathead from Grandma and Grandpa W. All his other gifts were a close second! We stayed at Grandma's until around 5p then we headed down the highway to Jon's dad's house. They had gifts for the kids and we enjoyed an hour visit. We got home in enough time for the Fathead to be put up on the wall and Aliya to be changed into her PJ's. Then we got back into the car and headed to church for the 10:30p service. We both thought (hoped) Aliya would sleep during church...WRONG...there was a baby in the isle next to us and she was fascinated with it. She kept saying "baby" over and over again. I ended up taking her to the nursery to play for a bit. She crashed out in the van before we were even out of the parking lot.
Joel was due back to his mom's at noon on Christmas day, so we just laid around ALL DAY! It was great! We finally decided to get around and head to grandma H's around 5pm. We had a wonderful meal and fellowship with everyone! We missed seeing Kris and Greg, they were in FL. Dad will join them tomorrow in the sunny state and then drive back with them in a few days. We will have our Christmas with them when they get back into town!
2008 was an amazing Christmas. I am overwhelmed by the generosity my family and friends show us each year. God is so good!
**Stay tuned for more pictures**
This one is not of Christmas morning, sorry! It's of Christmas evening, we went over to my grandma's for dinner. Aliya wore the most adorable Santa dress, but we took it off before we ate. After the meal she just crawled around in her tights and onesie. Everyone one joked that she looked like she was heading to dance class! Who knows, her feet do turn out when she walks, she's constantly in 1st position! Here is her discovering papa H's beard
Mom Channell sent her the CUTEST handmade hat and poncho set. She wasn't too sure about having it one, I hope to get a good shot of her in it! Thanks mom!
The kids got Jon a picture frame this year. Here's Jon and Joel right before they left to take Joel to his mom's.
She asked santa for her two front teeth...she didn't get them...
One of Joel's favorite gifts this year came from Grandma Sylvia and Papaw Tom, a game chair.
Aliya and her new "show".
Now that our family is complete we decided to start a tradition of getting a family ornament each year. We found this one at Cracker Barrel and fell in love with it!
Aliya opening her gifts, she handed each piece of torn paper to me...it took FOREVER for her to open her gifts!
Joel opening his new suitcase/duffel bag. (I should have cropped myself out of this one)
Jon opening his frame.
This was the first time in five years that there have been gifts under our tree for Jon and me. Well, Joel always makes us gifts at school, but this was the first year we had purchased gifts. We decided a few years back that a card will do from the two of us, as our money is better spent on others. Well, this being our fist year as a complete family we decided to exchange gifts "from the kids". Joel wanted to get Jon new T-shirts to wear while he cleans the house. I just couldn't bring myself to spend money on that, so we opted for an electronic picture frame for him to take to work. The "kids" got me a beautiful pendent necklace. It's the mother and child circle. It has two children on it and Jon had them add my birthstone and the kid's too. It is beautiful! He spent way too much on it, but as he said, this is a very special Christmas for me...my first as a mommy!
Rewind a bit to Christmas eve...we went up to Defiance to celebrate Grandpa B's birthday and Christmas. We at lunch then for the first time in my entire life we did Christmas before Grandpa's birthday. Joel was trying to hard to be patient, but his cute little smile won everyone over and he got his wish to open his gifts first! His favorite gift from that day was his new Steeler's Fathead from Grandma and Grandpa W. All his other gifts were a close second! We stayed at Grandma's until around 5p then we headed down the highway to Jon's dad's house. They had gifts for the kids and we enjoyed an hour visit. We got home in enough time for the Fathead to be put up on the wall and Aliya to be changed into her PJ's. Then we got back into the car and headed to church for the 10:30p service. We both thought (hoped) Aliya would sleep during church...WRONG...there was a baby in the isle next to us and she was fascinated with it. She kept saying "baby" over and over again. I ended up taking her to the nursery to play for a bit. She crashed out in the van before we were even out of the parking lot.
Joel was due back to his mom's at noon on Christmas day, so we just laid around ALL DAY! It was great! We finally decided to get around and head to grandma H's around 5pm. We had a wonderful meal and fellowship with everyone! We missed seeing Kris and Greg, they were in FL. Dad will join them tomorrow in the sunny state and then drive back with them in a few days. We will have our Christmas with them when they get back into town!
2008 was an amazing Christmas. I am overwhelmed by the generosity my family and friends show us each year. God is so good!
**Stay tuned for more pictures**
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Aliya's Steppin' Out
When I picked Aliya up from Ms. Jenn's on Friday I was told some exciting news...Aliya took 5 steps! I burst into tears instantly. Tears of joy and tears of disappointment that I missed it. I know, I know, she'll be walking the rest of her life, but it's the fact that I missed those first steps. So all Friday night and yesterday I tried to get her to walk to me. NOTHING! Flashbacks of when she started rolling over flooded my head, she rolled over for over a month before she'd do it in front of me, was she going to do the same with walking? Today was my Sunday to work in the infant room at church so I was in there with Aliya. (Once she starts walking well she will advance to the walkers room) So I'm telling everyone about her birthday party and how she walked on Friday and how I missed it when I look over at her and she takes 3 steps towards me!!!!!!!!!!!!!! She probably would have taken more, but I was sitting pretty close to her on the floor! Everyone in the room cheered for her and of course she clapped for herself! Of course, I cried, again. Something is seriously wrong with me! Hopefully after she gets up from her nap she'll feel like doing some stepping for daddy!!!
Friday, December 19, 2008
Thoughts on Joel
So I was talking on the phone with my mom this afternoon on my way to pick up the kids when she told me about a conversation she and Joel had last weekend. Joel told my mom that he signed up for basketball again this year because his friends wanted him to. My mom then asks "Only because your friends wanted you to huh? Would you smoke pot if your friends wanted you to"? Joel got really quiet and got this blank stare in his face and replied, "I don't know what that means". I not only giggled when she told me this but was reassured that my 10 year old boy holding onto his childhood in a world that is growing up too fast around him.
Joel is getting so big and I don't just mean physically. He is maturing into this amazing young man right before our eyes. He is thoughtful and gentle. Don't get me wrong, he loves to rough house with Dad, but is so kind hearted. He stands up for what he believes in and has a faith strong beyond his years. Listening to him pray before dinner, being so honest with God that he is thankful for his family and to have a safe place to live and a family eating together at night...such sweet words.
As Christmas quickly approaches I am constantly asking him what he wants for Christmas...expensive video games, of course! But then he says something that makes my heart smile. He'll say something like, "I know money is tight, so something small is fine". What 10 year old says that? And means it? He is amazing.
He does NOT want any more siblings. One is more than enough he says! He still loves his little sister and boy does she love him. Being a step mom is hard work, but he makes it so easy!!!!!
I love you bug!
Joel is getting so big and I don't just mean physically. He is maturing into this amazing young man right before our eyes. He is thoughtful and gentle. Don't get me wrong, he loves to rough house with Dad, but is so kind hearted. He stands up for what he believes in and has a faith strong beyond his years. Listening to him pray before dinner, being so honest with God that he is thankful for his family and to have a safe place to live and a family eating together at night...such sweet words.
As Christmas quickly approaches I am constantly asking him what he wants for Christmas...expensive video games, of course! But then he says something that makes my heart smile. He'll say something like, "I know money is tight, so something small is fine". What 10 year old says that? And means it? He is amazing.
He does NOT want any more siblings. One is more than enough he says! He still loves his little sister and boy does she love him. Being a step mom is hard work, but he makes it so easy!!!!!
I love you bug!
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Party Pictures
Here are a few pictures from Aliya's party on Saturday, thanks again Laura!!!
They are out of order, but you get the idea.
Aliya opens her gift from Grandma Brenda and Grandpa Mike! It was a fav by all the little ones!
We didn't get a shot of the family before Joel had to leave for his mom's...
Aliya was moving a bit too slowly opening her gifts, Brody and Gage decided to help!
Izzy and Isaac take a second for a quick shot!
Aliya got several new books!!! We have lots of reading to do now!
Here's just one view of our living room...41 people in our house! Thank God we have an open basement!
Aliya checking out her new "Snuggle" rug that Great Grandma H. made her!
She was very interested in her new sparkle shoes from Grandpa Steve and Grandma Kris
The cake and singing! I tried my best to make her a lady bug cake!
Vanilla cupcakes were also served. Here's Aliya enjoying hers!
Thanks again everyone who helped set up, clean up, cook, take pictures, put toys together...we couldn't have done it without you!
They are out of order, but you get the idea.
Aliya opens her gift from Grandma Brenda and Grandpa Mike! It was a fav by all the little ones!
We didn't get a shot of the family before Joel had to leave for his mom's...
Aliya was moving a bit too slowly opening her gifts, Brody and Gage decided to help!
Izzy and Isaac take a second for a quick shot!
Aliya got several new books!!! We have lots of reading to do now!
Here's just one view of our living room...41 people in our house! Thank God we have an open basement!
Aliya checking out her new "Snuggle" rug that Great Grandma H. made her!
She was very interested in her new sparkle shoes from Grandpa Steve and Grandma Kris
The cake and singing! I tried my best to make her a lady bug cake!
Vanilla cupcakes were also served. Here's Aliya enjoying hers!
Thanks again everyone who helped set up, clean up, cook, take pictures, put toys together...we couldn't have done it without you!
Birthday Girl
Aliya turned one on Saturday!!! We can't believe how fast this year has gone. Unfortunately I have no pictures to post right now, but hopefully will get them up soon. (I couldn't find my camera so my SIL, Laura, took a ton of pictures (thank you!) and she emailed them to me yesterday. We are having issue again with our computer at home (I hate Vista) so hopefully I can get them posted soon. Anyway, on to the fun part!
Saturday was a BLAST! We were up late the night before getting the house ready and staged just right, I prepped all the food early in hopes to have a calm morning! YEAH RIGHT! Aliya was up early and into everything. She was mesmerized with the balloons (booms) all over the house and kept trying to bite them. We blew up several red balloons and drew black circles on them to resemble ladybug spots. My SIL, Kristi, and her kids showed up around 9:15a to start helping me cook! I am so thankful she was there, I couldn't have done it without her! (thanks Kristi) Quickly into our cooking I realized that we didn't have enough oven space to bake everything at once so I called our neighbors and asked them if I could use their oven around 11:30a for about 40 mins. They were so gracious and said "no problem". I was starting to stress out as the clocked quickly approached 12pm. Guests started arriving right at noon and kept coming and coming and coming. We prepared enough food for about 25 people and ended up having about 41 in our house. Our house was full of people!!!!!!!!!! How I misjudged the amount of people that RSVP'd I have no idea!?!?!?!
Aliya was wonderful Saturday! She was running on one nap and was pretty happy. She was beyond blessed with gifts and support! She received several books, CD's, a hand made "bear" rug that she LOVES to snuggle with on the floor, sippy cups, diapers and a ride and spin zebra. She wasn't very interested in opening her gifts, she cared more about the cards and envelopes (she likes to get her fiber from paper...). So her cousins and friend Gage helped her open her gifts.
When we sang "happy birthday" to her she clapped her hands and danced back and forth. Aveline helped her blow out her candle, I looked up and realized Jon was gone. He had run to Kroger to get more food! OOPS! So when he walked in about 10 minutes later we did it again. He never would have known but I let it slip! OOPS again! Aliya carefully studied her cupcake...and ate it like a lady. She was very clean and took small bites. Was this my child? I made her a ladybug choc cake, I'm pretty proud of myself! And white cupcakes with red frosting and M&M's for dots.
As 3pm approached the crowed started to say their good byes and head out. A few friends and family stayed back and hung out for a bit. I was beyond tired at that point. My feet and back hurt, I was done. My loving husband cleaned up EVERYTHING for me! (Thanks baby!)
So our little ladybug is one...I just look at her in amazement and thank God for bringing her to us. She is one blessed little girl to have so many friends and family who love her. We are thankful in so many ways!
Happy Birthday baby girl, mommy and daddy love you beyond words!
Saturday was a BLAST! We were up late the night before getting the house ready and staged just right, I prepped all the food early in hopes to have a calm morning! YEAH RIGHT! Aliya was up early and into everything. She was mesmerized with the balloons (booms) all over the house and kept trying to bite them. We blew up several red balloons and drew black circles on them to resemble ladybug spots. My SIL, Kristi, and her kids showed up around 9:15a to start helping me cook! I am so thankful she was there, I couldn't have done it without her! (thanks Kristi) Quickly into our cooking I realized that we didn't have enough oven space to bake everything at once so I called our neighbors and asked them if I could use their oven around 11:30a for about 40 mins. They were so gracious and said "no problem". I was starting to stress out as the clocked quickly approached 12pm. Guests started arriving right at noon and kept coming and coming and coming. We prepared enough food for about 25 people and ended up having about 41 in our house. Our house was full of people!!!!!!!!!! How I misjudged the amount of people that RSVP'd I have no idea!?!?!?!
Aliya was wonderful Saturday! She was running on one nap and was pretty happy. She was beyond blessed with gifts and support! She received several books, CD's, a hand made "bear" rug that she LOVES to snuggle with on the floor, sippy cups, diapers and a ride and spin zebra. She wasn't very interested in opening her gifts, she cared more about the cards and envelopes (she likes to get her fiber from paper...). So her cousins and friend Gage helped her open her gifts.
When we sang "happy birthday" to her she clapped her hands and danced back and forth. Aveline helped her blow out her candle, I looked up and realized Jon was gone. He had run to Kroger to get more food! OOPS! So when he walked in about 10 minutes later we did it again. He never would have known but I let it slip! OOPS again! Aliya carefully studied her cupcake...and ate it like a lady. She was very clean and took small bites. Was this my child? I made her a ladybug choc cake, I'm pretty proud of myself! And white cupcakes with red frosting and M&M's for dots.
As 3pm approached the crowed started to say their good byes and head out. A few friends and family stayed back and hung out for a bit. I was beyond tired at that point. My feet and back hurt, I was done. My loving husband cleaned up EVERYTHING for me! (Thanks baby!)
So our little ladybug is one...I just look at her in amazement and thank God for bringing her to us. She is one blessed little girl to have so many friends and family who love her. We are thankful in so many ways!
Happy Birthday baby girl, mommy and daddy love you beyond words!
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Thoughts
It's hard to believe that Aliya will be one this Saturday. This year has flown by. Last night we attended an adoptive family Christmas party, it was so much fun! Aliya was wonderful (praise the Lord!) she got down and played with the other kids, she ate well and was happy! I found it interesting that we were actually in the minority at this party last night. Usually when we attend one of these events there are more transratial families than same race families. But not last night, we were only one of 3 families that are transratial. Not that this is a big deal or anything, just different. We met a few new families and really connected with a family from Centerville that has a 3 month old daughter. She is BEAUTIFUL! They let me hold her for a good half hour...she was so tiny and I got the baby itch again last night. Aliya kept saying "babee" and trying to kiss her on her forehead. We exchanged numbers and emails and I hope to get in touch with them soon. They are a really cool Christan couple! Aliya started to get fussy around 8:15p, no wonder, it was an hour past her bedtime! We thought she'd sleep on the way home, but no. She yelled "ayeaayeaayea" (Aliya Aliya Aliya) all the way home. She crashed out hard the minute I put her in her PJ's.
Here a are a few updates on our little ladybug.
* Weighs 21 lbs and is 30" long
* Her hair is about 7" long when combed straight out, about 3" when curly
* Still cruising the furniture, no steps on her own yet
* LOVES to dance and move to any form of music
* Eats pretty much everything
* Won't eat off her highchair tray, only off a plate sitting at the table
* Is doing much better with not putting her plate on the top of her head
* Says baby, boo (balloon), football, thank you, mommy, daddy, Joel, done, amen, Jen, hi, bye, no no, ball, dog, kitty, papaw, gma, Aliya (I'm sure there's more, I'm blanking right now)
* Sleeps 10 hours at night at least
* Loves to hand mommy and daddy things
* Can climb stairs
* Loves to use her push toy to walk around, then when she hits the wall, she can turn it around, or walk around it and push it from the front
* Still amazed by Praise Baby
* Recognizes things on TV (football, balloons, baby, ball)
* Loves to go into worship with mommy on Sunday, she dances her little heart out!
* Is definitely aware of strangers, this all started about 2 weeks ago
* Is developing a diva personality, she wants what she wants when she wants it!
* When in public ALWAYS looking around and checking out everything
* Has transitioned to cow's milk pretty well. She'll drink it from a bottle with no problem, but we're still working on the sippy cup with it
* Still loves to kiss babies, still usually makes them cry
* Still loves to snuggle at bedtime and read a book and say prayers. She gives me kisses (both on the lips and cheek) and smiles at me all during prayer, it is really sweet
* Got her SS card in the mail this week, so she is 100% legally Aliya!!!!!!!!!!!
Here a are a few updates on our little ladybug.
* Weighs 21 lbs and is 30" long
* Her hair is about 7" long when combed straight out, about 3" when curly
* Still cruising the furniture, no steps on her own yet
* LOVES to dance and move to any form of music
* Eats pretty much everything
* Won't eat off her highchair tray, only off a plate sitting at the table
* Is doing much better with not putting her plate on the top of her head
* Says baby, boo (balloon), football, thank you, mommy, daddy, Joel, done, amen, Jen, hi, bye, no no, ball, dog, kitty, papaw, gma, Aliya (I'm sure there's more, I'm blanking right now)
* Sleeps 10 hours at night at least
* Loves to hand mommy and daddy things
* Can climb stairs
* Loves to use her push toy to walk around, then when she hits the wall, she can turn it around, or walk around it and push it from the front
* Still amazed by Praise Baby
* Recognizes things on TV (football, balloons, baby, ball)
* Loves to go into worship with mommy on Sunday, she dances her little heart out!
* Is definitely aware of strangers, this all started about 2 weeks ago
* Is developing a diva personality, she wants what she wants when she wants it!
* When in public ALWAYS looking around and checking out everything
* Has transitioned to cow's milk pretty well. She'll drink it from a bottle with no problem, but we're still working on the sippy cup with it
* Still loves to kiss babies, still usually makes them cry
* Still loves to snuggle at bedtime and read a book and say prayers. She gives me kisses (both on the lips and cheek) and smiles at me all during prayer, it is really sweet
* Got her SS card in the mail this week, so she is 100% legally Aliya!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Laugh Out Loud
I found this picture on Martha's facebook...I had never seen it before and it made me laugh out loud. My daughter never ceases to make me smile.
Friday, December 5, 2008
Pay it forward, Starbucks style
I went through Starbucks this morning for my twice monthly "Starbucks' Friday" treat. When I got up to the drive-thru window to pay the employee told me that the car in front of me paid for my coffee and said to wish me a "Merry Christmas". Very cool!!! He then went on to say that the car before them paid for theirs and the car before them paid, ect ect. He then asked me if I would like to pay for the car behind me and keep the chain going. He said that I was the 44th car that morning to pay for the person behind me. HOW STINKING COOL IS THAT!??!! So, of course, I paid for the woman behind me, who must have ordered the entire right side of the menu (my $4.75 coffee cost me over $6) but I didn't care, what a neat thing to do. The man told me that last year this happened with a 16 car streak, this year they were up to 44 and it was only 8:45am. It was a great way to start the morning!!!! So I leave you with this idea, next time you are in the drive-thru, pay for the person behind you and ask the worker to wish them a Merry Christmas! What a cool way to show God's love in a practical way!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
1 year check up
Aliya had her one year check up today. She definitely tried my patients the entire time we were there. I picked her up from the sitter about an hour early and dosed her with Tylenol before we headed out...she has not taken an afternoon nap for the past few days, so she was already a bit cranky. We got to the doctor's office about 5 minutes before our appointment and Aliya freaked out the minute we walked through the door. She screamed when I took her coat off, she screamed when I put her down for 2 seconds to take my coat off. Then she spotted the Christmas tree in the corner of the room. She was fascinated with it, but still would not let me put her down to walk her over to see it. She wanted held and griped my hair with both hands as I stood up to walk across the room.
There was a really nice woman in the waiting room who commented on how cute Aliya is (of course). She went on to tell me her personal story about her infertility stuff and how she wants to adopt and her husband does not... it's remarkable how open people are with their personal stuff when it's so close to their hearts. Anyway, that's not the coolest part. She then asked me how old she is and made the comment on how much she's grown!?!!? How would she know? She then told me that she remembers us from our first appointment almost a year ago. Isn't that crazy? Isn't that amazing?
After waiting about 10 minutes we were called back for our turn. Aliya FREAKED out when I tried to put her on the scale. She wouldn't sit still long enough for the nurse to get her weight, so I scooped her up and stepped on the scale myself and let the nurse weigh both of us together, then put her down (still Screaming) and jumped back on. We were then ushered into the first room on the right (still screaming) and I was asked to lay her on the table so she could be measured. Yeah Right! At this point she is clinging to me for dear life...I laid her down and practically had to press my face against her stomach because she had such a tight grip. She was weight knuckled at this point. My heart was breaking. This was not just a "I'm ticked" scream, this was a "why are they doing this to me mommy" scream. The doctor came in and she screamed again. (what is with my child?) She wouldn't lay still long enough for him to get his ear light checker thingy...so he said I could hold her for most of the the exam. He could barely get the stethoscope to her chest and she start swinging her arms and arching her back. He said she's still perfect!!! He gave me the go ahead to start cow's milk and all foods! He gave me a hug and told me what a good job we're doing. Aliya finally calmed down long enough to say "football" and wave bye bye.
Two minutes later the nurse reappears and Aliya instantly starts screaming again. Here we go again! (see above paragraph for how laying her down goes) Scream...scream...stick...SCREAM...tears...more tears...screams... My heart sank AGAIN. It took her a good 5 minutes to calm down enough for me to snap her pants back up and put her shoes on. 2 rounds of the puppy song later we calm enough and ready to leave. (she screamed while putting her coat back on)
So, this is what we found out at this appointment...drum roll please...Aliya weighs 21 lbs (25-50th percentile) and 30 inches long (75th percentile)!!! She's getting so big!
After her appointment we picked up Joel from school and headed to PF Chang's to meet Jon and Uncle Bill for dinner. I wasn't too sure how dinner was going to go after the scream fest we just came from. She did okay during dinner. Defiantly not her normal happy self, but we weren't asked to leave by any means. We got a few dirty looks during dinner, but mostly smiles. Then about 15 minutes before we finished we were approached by a family that had grown their family through adoption 13 years ago in China. They said they go out once a year and celebrate "family day" (the day their daughter came home). The mom told us about their journey to get their daughter and adoption changed their lives. They just had to stop and tell us how beautiful she is. It was great to spend time with Uncle Bill! We missed seeing him and Myron at Thanksgiving. Myron wasn't able to join us tonight, but seeing Uncle Bill was great! He brought Aliya a cool new birthday gift and a neat card! Thanks again Uncle Bill! We tried to take a few pictures after, but my camera kept saying "unrecognizable file"...who knows!
There was a really nice woman in the waiting room who commented on how cute Aliya is (of course). She went on to tell me her personal story about her infertility stuff and how she wants to adopt and her husband does not... it's remarkable how open people are with their personal stuff when it's so close to their hearts. Anyway, that's not the coolest part. She then asked me how old she is and made the comment on how much she's grown!?!!? How would she know? She then told me that she remembers us from our first appointment almost a year ago. Isn't that crazy? Isn't that amazing?
After waiting about 10 minutes we were called back for our turn. Aliya FREAKED out when I tried to put her on the scale. She wouldn't sit still long enough for the nurse to get her weight, so I scooped her up and stepped on the scale myself and let the nurse weigh both of us together, then put her down (still Screaming) and jumped back on. We were then ushered into the first room on the right (still screaming) and I was asked to lay her on the table so she could be measured. Yeah Right! At this point she is clinging to me for dear life...I laid her down and practically had to press my face against her stomach because she had such a tight grip. She was weight knuckled at this point. My heart was breaking. This was not just a "I'm ticked" scream, this was a "why are they doing this to me mommy" scream. The doctor came in and she screamed again. (what is with my child?) She wouldn't lay still long enough for him to get his ear light checker thingy...so he said I could hold her for most of the the exam. He could barely get the stethoscope to her chest and she start swinging her arms and arching her back. He said she's still perfect!!! He gave me the go ahead to start cow's milk and all foods! He gave me a hug and told me what a good job we're doing. Aliya finally calmed down long enough to say "football" and wave bye bye.
Two minutes later the nurse reappears and Aliya instantly starts screaming again. Here we go again! (see above paragraph for how laying her down goes) Scream...scream...stick...SCREAM...tears...more tears...screams... My heart sank AGAIN. It took her a good 5 minutes to calm down enough for me to snap her pants back up and put her shoes on. 2 rounds of the puppy song later we calm enough and ready to leave. (she screamed while putting her coat back on)
So, this is what we found out at this appointment...drum roll please...Aliya weighs 21 lbs (25-50th percentile) and 30 inches long (75th percentile)!!! She's getting so big!
After her appointment we picked up Joel from school and headed to PF Chang's to meet Jon and Uncle Bill for dinner. I wasn't too sure how dinner was going to go after the scream fest we just came from. She did okay during dinner. Defiantly not her normal happy self, but we weren't asked to leave by any means. We got a few dirty looks during dinner, but mostly smiles. Then about 15 minutes before we finished we were approached by a family that had grown their family through adoption 13 years ago in China. They said they go out once a year and celebrate "family day" (the day their daughter came home). The mom told us about their journey to get their daughter and adoption changed their lives. They just had to stop and tell us how beautiful she is. It was great to spend time with Uncle Bill! We missed seeing him and Myron at Thanksgiving. Myron wasn't able to join us tonight, but seeing Uncle Bill was great! He brought Aliya a cool new birthday gift and a neat card! Thanks again Uncle Bill! We tried to take a few pictures after, but my camera kept saying "unrecognizable file"...who knows!
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
A few more
This girl loves pickles!
mmm...mmm...mmm
Jon and Aliya at my work Christmas party Monday night. She did great and was fascinated by the balloons.
This is how she walks when you tell her to turn it around after she stops at a wall or something. She's too funny!
Fun in the leaves!
mmm...mmm...mmm
Jon and Aliya at my work Christmas party Monday night. She did great and was fascinated by the balloons.
This is how she walks when you tell her to turn it around after she stops at a wall or something. She's too funny!
Fun in the leaves!
Thanksgiving Part 2
My not so little brother Greg and me!
Hugs from my hubby
Uncle Keith and Dominique
My baby brother
Uncle Mark and Maggie
Grandma & Grandpa H
Me and Share Bear
Hugs from my hubby
Uncle Keith and Dominique
My baby brother
Uncle Mark and Maggie
Grandma & Grandpa H
Me and Share Bear
Thanksgiving Part 1
I can't believe it's December already. Where did November go? It took me awhile to get our Thanksgiving pictures downloaded, but here are a few! We went up to my mom's the weekend before (I only took like one picture). On Thanksgiving we went to my Grandma H's. Joel was with his mom that day, so he missed out on a TON of fun, but Jon spoke to him later in the afternoon and he was enjoying his time with his grandma.
Uncle Mark's birthday was the 22nd...we always have his birthday on Thanksgiving!
A quick self photo of us girls. Aliya wasn't feeling well and was very clingly all day. She enjoyed being passed around for about 30 mins then it was only mommy's turn
The Gang...you can't see everyone but you get the general idea
Grandpa cutting the bird. That big electric knife brings back memories (it's a long story)
Where'd Grandpa go?
There he is!
Kris take s quick second to pose for me!
Aliya claps for everything now.
Sheri and her boyfriend Chris, he's a keeper!
This shot isn't really Thanksgiving, but the other night when we got home from work there was a package at our front door for the kids. It was Joel and Aliya's Christmas and birthday gifts from Uncle Joel and Aunt Jamie in AZ. Aliya wasn't feeling well so I gave in and let her have her birthday gift from them early. She LOVES her "shake shakes" as we call them. She shakes and dances! Thanks Uncle Joel and Aunt Jamie!
Uncle Mark's birthday was the 22nd...we always have his birthday on Thanksgiving!
A quick self photo of us girls. Aliya wasn't feeling well and was very clingly all day. She enjoyed being passed around for about 30 mins then it was only mommy's turn
The Gang...you can't see everyone but you get the general idea
Grandpa cutting the bird. That big electric knife brings back memories (it's a long story)
Where'd Grandpa go?
There he is!
Kris take s quick second to pose for me!
Aliya claps for everything now.
Sheri and her boyfriend Chris, he's a keeper!
This shot isn't really Thanksgiving, but the other night when we got home from work there was a package at our front door for the kids. It was Joel and Aliya's Christmas and birthday gifts from Uncle Joel and Aunt Jamie in AZ. Aliya wasn't feeling well so I gave in and let her have her birthday gift from them early. She LOVES her "shake shakes" as we call them. She shakes and dances! Thanks Uncle Joel and Aunt Jamie!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Triplets?
Here's another sweet pea that I think resembles Aliya. Her name is Maya. What do you think?
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Double Take
Last week I was browsing through a few blogs linked through one of my friend's when I came across a page that had my daughter's picture on it. I looked closer and clearly saw that it was not Aliya's picture, but in fact a little girl named Gracie from Guatemala. The resemblance is remarkable. Tonight I pulled up the blog and showed it to Jon. He agreed, they look a lot alike. Don't they say we all have a twin out there somewhere? Who'da thought Aliya's would be from Guatemala.
Our little ladybug
Little Gracie
Now, I've never met or even corresponded with this family, so I hope they don't mind I took their kids picture from their page. It is a public blog so hopefully they won't mind.
What do you think, Does Aliya have a twin?
Our little ladybug
Little Gracie
Now, I've never met or even corresponded with this family, so I hope they don't mind I took their kids picture from their page. It is a public blog so hopefully they won't mind.
What do you think, Does Aliya have a twin?
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