Busy weekend

It has been one busy weekend! Friday night Aliya and I went to small group while Jon was out of town shooting a charity walk-a-thon. (Joel was at his mom's) Saturday morning we packed up and headed to B.G. where Jon shot Sr. pictures for two Seniors in the morning then my friend, Stacy, and her husband and their son came over to mom's for dinner and a visit (pics soon). We didn't leave B.G. until almost 9:30pm, thus not arriving home until nearly midnight. We crashed HARD! Thankfully Aliya slept most of the way home and slept in until 7:30am. We were at church by 8:45am then home for lunch. Joel had a game at 3pm today, they won!! Joel pitched one inning and struck out 2 batters! Way to go bug! It was so windy today! When the sun decided to come out from behind the clowds it was nice and warm, but then the wind would start we'd freeze! Aliya was bundled up from her toes to the top of her head! She snuggled and played until she fell asleep! She flirted with anyone that would look at her for longer than 2 seconds! After the game Jon, Aliya and I went to dinner. She sat in a highchair for the first time and did great! (of course, I didn't have my camera). She would drop her toys on the floor and smile at us "what'cha gonna do daddy?" was the look on her face, and every time we'd bend down to get the toy off the floor she's squeel with delight. We are home now, hopefully for the rest of the night. It has been a long weekend!

Dedication Sunday/Mother's Day

Yesterday was one of the most special days in my life. I ranks right up there with my wedding day, starting my new job and the first time Joel told me he loved me as a mommy. We had Aliya dedicated at church. We had the largest cheering section there! 22 total! It felt so good to have so many people that I love standing around us worshiping the God we so humbly serve and then snapped tons of pictures as we proudly stood in front of the church and gave our commitment to God to raise our daughter in church. Joel was able to stay with us through the dedication so he went up front with us and proudly held his sister's hand and prayed for her. He did have to leave right after we sat back down, but it was so nice of his mom to let us keep him for that, I am truly thankful! After the service we all went back to the house and we ate a yummy meal. I didn't have to cook any of it! Everyone offered to bring something and of course I said yes! Mother's day cards were exchanged, dedication cards and gifts were opened. By 6pm I was ready to crash! The last few people left right around 6:10pm and I was asleep on the loveseat by 6:11pm. Our poor little angel was suffering from her first cold so she went from snot dripping from her face to medicine head. But she really was a trooper! She smiled at everyone and didn't mind getting passed around. She studied every one's face as they held her...we truly have a social butterfly on our hands. I was afraid that she would have a rough night sleeping with not feeling well, but it was just the opposite. We gave her her last dose of medicine and turned on her humidifier and didn't hear a peep until 6am, I put her Binky in her mouth and she slept until 7:15am. I on the other hand barely slept at all. I kept thinking I was hearing her sneeze and I'd wake up and look at the monitor. I was beyond tired when I woke up this morning.

Below are a few pictures taken at church on Wednesday night. It was really nice to have a family picture taken!

Private

We have set our blog to private now due to some red flags that were risen today.

Our exciting Friday night

While most are out to eat or to a movie, or watching TV, this is how my husband and daughter spend their Friday night...It's been a long week. (did I mention this picture was taken before 9pm?!?!)



We have a very busy weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow we have to get the house ready for Sunday. Joel has a game Saturday afternoon at 1pm. My mom and step dad should arrive around 5pm to help set up for Sunday. Sunday Aliya is being dedicated at church! We are so excited. We believe that baptism is a choice, so she will be dedicated on Sunday then when she is old enough to understand what baptism is she can then choose to do so. After church we are having friends and family back to our house for a little celebration! Since is it also Mother's Day I have a little something planned for the mothers and grandmothers that will be attending! I can't wait to see everyone! Aliya has changed so much in the past month. Sunday she will be wearing a beautiful white crochet dress given to her by her grandma W.

Because it is Mother's day, Joel will not be with us :( I asked his mom if we could keep him at least through the dedication, he really wants to be there for it! She has yet to return my call, so hopefully she will soon! Joel attended the dedication orientation with us on Wednesday. He did his homework for most of it, but paused to listen for parts. On the way over to the church earlier that night we talked about what the difference is between dedication and baptism. He asked if he was either, we confirmed that he was dedicated, but not yet baptized. We had a very mature conversation about baptism. The next morning on the way to school he made a comment about a few things said the night before in the orientation that completely blew my mind. He WAS paying attention and he DOES get it! I can't wait for the day he tells us he's ready to be baptised!! Then we'll have to another party to plan!

So many firsts!

Today we finally got to witness Aliya rolling over! I almost cried! You would have thought she's won and Olympic gold metal the way I clapped and cheered! She just grinned from ear to ear, so proud of herself! Of course, I didn't have the camera, I think that's why she finally gave in and did it for me! But next time you better believe I will be there to catch it on film!

Below is a short video of her trying green beans for the first time Saturday, she really did a lot better than I thought she would. We've continued to feed her the green beans twice daily now then follow it up with cereal with nanners (banana's). The second part of the clip is her in her Jumperoo watching daddy and listening to him make silly noises to her. She LOVES that thing, we don't even have to turn the lights and sounds on any more, she's now playing with the toys and making her own noises with it.

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

She has given us three nights of full sleep again! Praise God!

On a sad note, Joel's team has lost there last two games. So they are now 2-2. He was the relief pitcher last game and really came through for the team in the last inning! He enjoys pitching and playing third base. They've tried him out at catcher a few times, it's not his favorite position, but he's decent at it so the coach rotates him in to that spot every few innings. They had a game on Saturday that got rained out, but we had perfect weather for Sunday's game. We have a slow schedule this week, no games until Saturday, but then all hell breaks loose and we have 6 games in 7 days...I'm not sure what the league is thinking, do they not realize these kids have homework and bedtimes? During the week his game either start at 5:15pm or 7:15pm. One's way early and the other is way late, I'm not sure which is worse! I hope to get more pictures at Saturday's game!!!

Diggin' the Shades

Aliya was given the cutest pair of sunglasses from my cousin Patty when we first got her and she finally wore them today for the first time! She did a great job of keeping them on, after being told only once to not touch them! The problem is is that her nose is so tiny they kept sliding off!



"Oh, you want these to stay on my face!?!"


Aliya hanging out at Joel's game with his mom, Tracy


Drooling is in these days, right?



**update: We tried green beans for the first time this weekend, she did really well! Video soon to follow**

A few cute ones

Joel was playing with Aliya last night and we caught a few cute moments! He loves his little sister and she is fascinated with him!

She has discovered the dog and LOVES to watch him...


Now she's looking at Daddy...


Kisses from big brother...(my favorite)


Joel wanted this one taken!


**on a side note, Aliya is now rolling over! She's done it several times at the sitter's, but has yet to do it for mommy and daddy! I keep putting her on her stomach and watching her, but I think she knows what I'm doing and just to spite me is not doing it!! I have my camera on video mode at all times now, just trying to catch her in the act!**