Fall 2010

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted actual pictures on this blog!! OOPS! So, in no particular order, here are a few of our fall photos.



Aliya was given a beautiful princess dress from Jon's folks for trick or treat this year, but she refused to wear it because she said it was itchy. So, my mom helped pull together this fairy/princess outfit last minute!

Mom and Mike came down this year to go trick or treating with Aliya


She wasn't sure how it all worked at first


But got a bit braver at each house


After getting candy she'd politely say "thank you" then grin and say, "ready for next house"


By the end of the night she was going up on her own


"cheese"




The boys got in some good fishing on my parent's lake



Jon's catch



The kids with Grandma Brenda


Me and my girl



More to come, check back soon!

Merry Christmas!!

I can't believe in exactly one minute it will be Christmas morning. We don't have Joel this year, this is the first time since Jon and I have been together that our bug has not gone to church with us or greeted us early on Christmas morning ready to open gifts. His mom wanted the time with him, and we disappointingly agreed. No worries, we spent all day with him Thursday and today, so it's all good!

Aliya is still convinced that Santa is bringing her a baby brother in the morning. I pray she isn't overly disappointed when she doesn't find one under the tree. Instead she will find a pink Radio Flyer Scooter. Just like the one she asked us for. Hopefully that will do!

I was reflecting earlier today on the long van ride home from up North what our past few Christmas eves have been like. It was right around this time three years ago we got our first call about Aliya. I remember wanting to be a mommy so badly and for so many years longing for Joel to have a baby brother or sister. Jon and I recalled our phone interview with Aliya's birthmom and the inner struggle she must have been dealing with on this day three years ago.

We chuckled as we remembered our first Christmas as a family of four. Our first family Christmas ornament. And last year, Aliya just wanted to open everything, she didn't care what was inside the boxes, she just wanted the paper.

And now this year, she's actually asking for things and pointing out TV commercials advertising toys she wants. Sitting on Santa's lap for the first time. Wow, where did my baby girl go? Today she helped pass out the gifts at our NW OH family Christmas party. As she handed each person their gift she had the biggest grin on her face and she would say, "Grandma I made it especially for you". It was the cutest.

As we dropped Joel off at his mom's this evening she greeted us at the door with a gift for Aliya. How thoughtful. My step-son's mother, my husband's ex-wife, bought a gift for my daughter.

How truly blessed is this little girl? Surrounded by family and friends who love her. A birthmom who loved her so much that she gave her the most amazing gift of all, life. And a decision to love her enough to know what was best for her daughter.

God has had His hand in our Ladybug's life since before she was born and as I sit here at 12:11am on Christmas morning 2010 I am witnessing first hand the amazing blessings I have in my life. A husband who I adore and loves me to death. An amazing step-son who I am proud to call son. And a beautiful daughter who calls me mommy.

What more could I ask for?

Merry Christmas!

I know, I know!

I do realize that Aliya's birthday was over a week ago and I still have no pictures posted. I still have to get the pictures from my mom's camera. We were running the video camera and she had the still camera... they are coming, promise!!

Turning 3

Holy Cow, Aliya turns three tomorrow!! Pictures from her party soon...

Potty Training

Aliya has been day potty trained for months now (I know, that makes her sound like a puppy, sorry) but just recently she's been asking to sleep in just her panties at night too. She was waking up dry maybe once every 8 days or so, so we started her off by putting her pull up over her panties at night. Again she was dry every few days, but not consistent enough to fly solo. This all changed two weekends ago...

We were up North visiting my side of the family the weekend after thanksgiving. My brother and his family was there at the same time. They have a little one who just turned three in October who is completely potty trained (day and night). Well Aliya was VERY impressed that her cousin Ally kept her panties dry all night and started asking for no pull up at bedtime again. Being at my mom's and not wanting to ruin her mattress, we compromised with the pull up over her undies again and she woke up dry all weekend.

Once home she was admit that she was a big girl now and did not want a pull up on at night. We held our breath and went with it. The first night she woke up wet at 6am. I asked her to help me change the sheets in the morning and explained to her that since she peed the bed we had to wash everything. We in NO WAY scolded her or made her feel bad. I simply told her, "It happens". So that morning I dropped her off at the sitter's she announced to the room, "I peed the bed (pause with shoulder shrug) It happens".

The following night I asked if she wanted to a pull up (to be honest, I'm not that rushed to get her night trained) but she refused it and said she was a big girl.

Since I have insomnia and barely sleep at night I decided to put it to good use. I started waking her up around 11:30p then again around 4a (usually the time I wake up anyway for about an hour or so). She has woken up dry every morning since we started doing this. (oh, I forgot to mention that we are limiting her fluids after dinner)

Well last night I had a really good night and slept from 12a-5:50a straight!!! (haven't done that in months!)I got her up right before I went to bed but she couldn't go. When I rolled over this morning and checked the time on my cell phone and realized that I'd slept though the night I instantly shot out of bed and checked on Aliya. Sure enough there she was in her bed, different clothes on and sleeping on top of her blanket. She'd wet the bed. DANG IT! To keep her in routine I got her up (praying she'd go back to sleep after) and sat her on the potty. Nothing.

So I'm feeling guilty this morning. Feeling like I let my ladybug down. Not disappointed in her, but myself. I'm proud that she woke up after that fact that she wet and changed. But I have to remember she's not yet 3 so I think we're doing good so far!!

Mixed Chicks

Follow the below link to a site called "Beads Braids and Beyond" they are giving away a chance to win Mixed Chick's products!!!

here

Givaway!!

Check out this site for a chance to win a satin lined winter hat! The past two winters I've said I was going to make my own, but never have! Maybe this year I'll get lucky and win one!! click here .