Just a few...

Here are a few random pictures of Aliya over the past month.

Documenting our first snow fall last week


Our girl LOVES to hug and kiss!


I love this picture of both Aliya and Greg (not sure why there's a line going through it!)


HUGE smiles with Grandma Kris and Grandpa Steve

Under the Weather

We had a great weekend up North this past weekend until 2pm yesterday. We got back into Dayton right on time to drop Joel off at his mom's then around 2pm Jon and I looked at each other and both said, "I don't feel so well". Within the hour we were both throwing up and coming out! YUCK! We both were in bed by 9pm and were up most of the night. I experienced heartburn for the 2nd time in my life and thought I was dying. Jon was still not well this morning so he called in sick to work. I on the other hand was weak from all the puking but had to go in today. I had 20 guests coming for Thanksgiving Dinner at work at 6pm and had not shopped yet. Thankfully this year I asked each guest to bring something, so I didn't have to do it all. I think I'm finally getting that it's okay to ask for help! Imagine that! Anyway...I'm feeling much better now, still not 100%, but I would say I'm at least 85% better. Jon's still not great and Tracy, Joel's mom, called today and said that Joel stayed home from school, also throwing up. I took Aliya to the sitter's this morning so she could stay in her routine and Jon could have some alone time to feel better. She's had loose stool tonight twice. I'm hoping she's better by morning, poor little thing. It was a good thing I went to work today, our Thanksgiving dinner was a HUGE success!! Everyone had a great time and of course, I forgot to take my camera out of my purse! I hear a little ladybug stirring in her bed... I better go check on her!

In Black and White

We got Aliya's new birth certificate today!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I took a half day at work and drove up to Lima to get it! There it is, written in black and white...Aliya J. B (not posting full name, sorry). Mother: Kelly, Father: Jon. It's offical, she's our's FOREVER! I tried to go down the street and order her SS card, but they wouldn't accept her birth certifiate as proof of identification. Go figure. So, I'll have to dig out her adoption certificate and take that Monday.

After being presented with the certifcate I rushed out to my van, locked the door and bawled as I stared at it. I never thought this day would come! For some reason it wasn't processing on VitalChek.com so I had to drive all the way to Lima. But I'm not complaining one bit, I would drive around the world if I had to!

Anyway, just wanted to share our good news!

Saturday Visits

Saturday Aliya and I bundled up and braved the cold and traveled to Washington Court House to visit with Martha, "Mom Channell" and Grandma Kris and Grandpa Steve. Unfortunately the pictures from Dad's said "invalid format" when I tried to download them to the computer???? Not sure what that is all about. So all I have to share today is our visit with Martha and mom. We met at Dakota Grill and waited way too long for our food, but we didn't mind, it gave us a chance to visit! It was Mom Channell's first time meeting Aliya!


Just me...


Martha gave Aliya the CUTEST outfit! Good thing too because after Aliya ate my dill pickle spear she had pickle juice all over her shirt and stunk pretty bad!


Martha and Mom Channell


Aliya loved all the attention!


After lunch we headed over to my dad's for a visit. Dad was at class so we got some good time in with Kris! Aliya loved visiting and snuggling with Grandma Kris. We decided to stay for dinner and dad was able to make it home before we had to leave! She was still fascinated with dad's beard. I left the camera in the car for most of the visit, and now the one good shot I got of our visit isn't reading on my camera. Hopefully dad can send it to me from their camera and I'll post it soon!

The apple doesn't fall far from the tree

Looking back to pictures when I was a little girl visiting at Grandam B's several pics show me with a small orange square in my hand...a slice of cheese. Now 28 years later I still love cheese! Aliya is a HUGE fan of it also! Sliced or shredded, white or orange, she loves all cheese!





Last night during dinner Aliya started to throw a little fit in her highchair. She kept reaching for the table, so I removed the tray and pushed her to the table. She was SO excited to be sitting next to us! She did an okay job keeping her plate on the table, so I'm going to pick up some suction cup plates tomorrow at WalMart! Then daddy came home and she got excited and threw her plate in the air! (I did not take a picture of that, I didn't want to encourage it!)



You may also notice her new doo! Aliya now wears her hair in a single ponytail on the top of her head. I find it easiest to tame and take care of in the morning!

Home Sick

I am home today. I started getting a sore throat on Friday and now I can't breath, my chest is tight when I cough and I have no voice. I know what you're thinking, "Yeah Jon, Kelly can't talk!!!" but seriously, it stinks! I rarely get sick, but when I do it hits hard. I went to work yesterday and by noon thought I was dying. I tried to leave early, but at 4pm I was just leaving work. Jon surprised me last night with a dozen red roses to help me feel better! I could only smell them a little, but they are BEAUTIFUL! I actually called in sick today. I went to the doctor after dropping off Aliya this morning and found out there is nothing wrong with me. I have no virus, no bacteria, my lungs are clear. My nasal passage is swollen and my throat is raw, but other than that I'm fine. The doctor gave me a script for a decongestant and sent me on my way. She said I should be feeling better by the end of the week. I'm glad I'm not contagious. It has been so hard not to kiss all over Aliya these past few days! I do have to run a doctor's appt this afternoon for work, but other than that it's just me and the couch today with Lifetime on the TV!!!

Fun Fest 08

This year we went to Fun Fest at our church on Friday night. We try to go every year with Joel and this was his fist year he ran off with his buddies and left us to just check in. We went to friends, Rod and Mandy's, before hand for pizza then caravaned over to the church. Joel is not in any of these pictures because he ran off before I remembered to get my camera out! (Jon has some shots of him from Trick or Treat I hope to post tonight) Aliya was a ladybug, but most people thought she was a strawberry. Maybe next year folks!


Here's a top view of Aliya and little Madaline (our baby sitter's daughter)


She was more interested in eating the hay than smiling


Farmer ladybug Aliya


Little Sweet Pea


Aliya and Gage