Aliya School Pictures

They are not my favorite but still so cute. I have no clue what happened to her hair, I sent her to school with her hair very cute and somehow between then and pictures she went through a tornado!

Grumpy

How great is this picture? My cute little grumpy girl in her car seat. I love it.

Yaya

Yaya, as Aliya affectionately calls herself. I don’t know why she won’t actually say Aliya since I know she is capable. She say alligator easily enough but I am not complaining, I think ‘Yaya’ is pretty cute. I have been feeling a little guilty the last couple of nights because we bought a monitor for the first time. Up until now I was just using my own sense of hearing to wake up when she cried without an issue. Her room is close to ours I have no trouble hearing her but in a few months after the baby is born, poor little Yaya will be moving out of her safe little room in the middle of the house, right next to mom and dads room to a room across the house and her baby brother will get her room. We knew we wouldn’t be able to hear her but more importantly feel comfortable with her so far away. So I purchased a video monitor system. Its great and can connect up to 4 cameras. We have one in her room right now and one in the main hallway of the house but when she moves its ideal for one in each kids room. Back to why I have been feeling guilty. For the first time since she was born I can watch her fall asleep when she is all alone. I feel as if I am invading her privacy in a way, watching her when she doesn’t know it but it is so cute to watch. She turns and plays with her crib. She rearranges her blanket. Its addicting, well for Rob and I at least, its better than cable. Its fun to watch her wake up as well, she sits up then stands in her crib and calls out for us. I can't help but smile when I hear "Mommy!"


The other morning she woke up and we had our ritual of cuddling in bed before we get up for the day where she drinks her milk, but as she has been getting older she is more into playing than actually cuddling even though we still call it ‘cuddling’. Well our little girl had a rough night of sleep, she has some bites and they kept her up with the incessant itchiness and scratching so when she came into my bed for cuddling she wasn’t in a very good mood and she was whiny and kicking and hitting, being very naughty. I was patient with her and started to rub her back and legs and arms, it was just what she needed. She melted her soft warm body into mine, snuggled her face into the crease of my neck, threw her arm around my shoulder and let me rub her tired itchy skin. I really missed our cuddling and it was just the dose of love I needed.

Navroz Mubarak

On 21 March, Ismaili Muslims worldwide observe Navroz (Nowruz), a festival celebrated in many Muslim communities and cultures, particularly those belonging to the Shia. For many communities, it marks the beginning of a new year and the first day of spring. More generally, it signifies a time of spiritual renewal and physical rejuvenation, as well as the spirit of gratitude for blessings and an outlook of hope and optimism towards the future.

The festival of Navroz commemorates a centuries-old, agrarian custom that over time was integrated into various cultures and faith traditions. Today, Navroz is celebrated in many parts of the Middle East and Central and South Asia, particularly among peoples influenced by Persian and Turkic civilisations. In countries such as Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan, Navroz is observed as a public holiday.

In Surah Ya-Sin of the Holy Qur’an, Allah says:
Let the once dead earth be a sign to them. We gave it life, and from it produced grain for their sustenance. We planted it with palm and the vine and watered it with gushing springs, so that men might feed on its fruit. It was not their hands that made all this. Should they not give thanks?
— Surah 36, Verses 33–35

Ismailis across the globe celebrate Navroz with the recital of devotional poetry in the form of ginans, qasidas, and manqabas. Dried fruits, nuts and grains are distributed among Jamati members, symbolising blessings of abundance and sustenance. Navroz is also a time of family gatherings and celebratory meals, thus strengthening family bonds and fraternal ties.

Navroz Mubarak!


By the way- did we skip spring and just enter summer? It was miserably hot today!

Picnic at the park

Alastair's 2nd Birthday!

Happy 2nd Birthday, what a great choo choo party you had!

nostalgia

2007- Winter Gala DSM

Valentines Day 2007

At home 2006

Winter Gala 2006

2005

First Anniversary Cruise

Costa Rica

Chicago

Mammoth Cave

Honeymoon- Italy

Lake Eola- Pre Married Life

Our First Valentines Day 2000

St. Patricks Day Pictures

Ali got all dressed up in green for St. Patty's Day and she looked majestic as she played in the grass outside. I had to grab the camera and get some pictures of this beautiful little girl.
I took her to B&N for story time, she had a great time once we were inside, we did however have a meltdown in the parking lot before we made it in. She wanted to sit in her stroller but I just wanted to take her in without it since we were parked right in front of the store and we were late. Ali has been having more melt downs lately and I can see the twos approaching quickly. She has a fire in her and knows exactly what she wants. I hope turning two and having a new baby in the house all at the same time won't be too much for her to handle.

Schwimming

I took Aliya swimming at the Y yesterday, or as she says schwimming. I know she is a year older but the progress she has made is unbelievable from the last time she was in a pool. I had her kicking, blowing bubbles, and jumping. The video isn't great because I took it by myself and toward the end of our adventure but in the beginning she was hysterically laughing every time she jumped in the pool with her eyes all lit up. Adorable.

Nap time

Look at Robs mini-me.

Renaissance Festival 2011

It was a gorgeous day outside, sunny and warm and having mom and dad with us made it a perfect day. I got to break out my new stroller that I indulged in. It was super expensive and I am too embarrassed to actually write down the price I paid. Whatever you are thinking, you should probably double it to come close to what I paid. I was planning on a new diaper bag when the baby was born and Rob bought me an e-reader for Christmas that I took back because it had some issues but I was going to buy another; so I choose to forgo those items for this stroller to help make up the difference in cost. This is a fantastic stroller because in converts from a single to a double instantly! If you have one kind with you...single stroller, two kids.. a double! I thought I'd have to keep 2 strollers in my car. It has stadium style seating but the best I've seen, the back kid can really see out, plus the kids can face in, out or each other. Its awesome! I love it! Back to the festival, we had a great time. Ali danced around the maypole. Dad was harassed by a wench. Mom ate kettle corn and rode on a horse with Aliya. Rob pet goats with Ali and I hobbled around with a big belly. We went last year as well check it out here and see how much Ali has grown in a year!