Aliyah's Christmas Outfit

Here are some pictures of Aliyah in her 2008 Christmas outfit. Thanks, Grandma and Grandpa Porter!

Aliyah's Bath Time!

Aliyah enjoyed a good bath time with mom tonight. She's not quite sure about it yet, but she doesn't seem to mind too much. Fortunately for her, I didn't take any photos that are too embarassing...

Aliyah can sit up! (with help of course...)

Aliyah has been developing some serious neck muscles. Check out how well she sits up with her mom's help.

Aliyah likes reading!

Aliyah and her mom were reading a book tonight. For the first time Aliyah looked at the pictures and made comments about them to mom. She had lots of opinions about "Mimie's Toes" that's for sure. Thanks, Grandma Bortle!

Aliyah's back from Colorado!

Aliyah went on her longest journey to date. She came along with mom and dad to Colorado to see our friends, the Bieganski's, in Ft. Collins and to ski at Copper Mountain. Dustin and Mark had a great time skiing, while Andrea, Signe, Aliyah, and Zonna stayed back at the hotel for some dips in the hot tub and shopping at the outlet stores in Silverthorne. Mark and Dustin made it off the mountain unscathed while Andrea and Zonna managed to not break the budget at the outlet mall. Way to go everyone! Enjoy some pics from our journey.

Aliyah's two months old!

We took Aliyah to the doctor today for her two month check-up. She had her first shots today and wasn't too happy about it. We heard a whole new cry from her that we don't really want to experience again. :-(

She got over it fairly quickly though and was pretty cheery the rest of the day. The pictures we took of her over the noon hour are proof of that. We caught some pretty good smiles! :-)

Aliyah's new activity gym

Aliyah has been enjoying her new activity gym that we got while shopping in the Twin Cities. She loves staring at the mirror and musical lights.

Aliyah in Minneapolis

Aliyah and Zonna joined Dustin for his meetings in Minneapolis this week. Got to visit our friend Rachel while we were up in the Twin Cities. Should be back home Thursday night!

Someone's happy today!

Aliyah just discovered that tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day. She's excited for dad to have a four day break from work. Guess who gets to change the midnight stinkers! :-) Can't wait!

On a better note, we do have a lot to be thankful for this year. Thanks to everyone for your prayers over the last few months. Aliyah has been quite the blessing and we can't imagine life without her.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Aliyah cheering on the Colts!

Aliyah and dad are getting ready to cheer on the Colts tonight. The Colts play the Chargers tonight on Sunday Night Football. Go Colts!

Aliyah marching

Aliyah just marches to her own tune. Check out her new moves. She is awesome!

Aliyah's church outfit

Aliyah is dressed up in her Sunday best today. Went to late service for the first time. Met a whole new crop of people. :-)

Aliyah is 1 month old!

Aliyah turned 1 month old today. Just in time for Daddy's 30th birthday! Daddy had the day off so Aliyah and Daddy got the chance to snuggle up and watch the new Indiana Jones DVD. Aliyah wasn't impressed as she slept through most of it. This afternoon we got a few good pictures of her smiling again today. Enjoy!

Aliyah's smile

Z got some good pictures today of Aliyah smiling. She's been smiling bigger and bigger each day since Saturday.

Baby Aliyah rocks!

Aliyah met Grandpa & Grandma Betz

Aliyah met her Great-Grandparents, JR and Bonnie Betz, for the first time today. Here's a quick video of Bonnie holding Aliyah.

Aliyah settling in.

It's been a couple days since I last posted. Aliyah is still getting along quite well and seems to be settling into life in our household. Aliyah has bonded quite well with both Z and myself. We are so amazed at God's grace and blessing of allowing us the chance to raise Aliyah. We are so excited about what the future holds for our family and where God will lead us.

I've recently loaned our video camera to the HPEFC youth group so it may be a few days before I'm able to post another video. For now, feel free to enjoy the still photos that our friend Christine Niles took of Aliyah. Aliyah is quite photogenic if I do say so myself!

Aliyah waking up!

Finally got a decent video of Aliyah waking up. How will I be able to say no to those eyes!!! I'm in trouble!

Aliyah waking up?

I thought I would try to take a quick video of Aliyah waking up. She started to wake up but it was too much work...so she decided to go back to sleep. She's funny.

Aliyah's first ride in swing

Aliyah had her first ride in her swing today. She really enjoyed it. Thanks Grandma Chris and Grandpa Randy!

Aliyah Marie is here!

It's a girl! Aliyah Marie was born at 11:50 PM on 10/11/08. She was 7 lbs 3 oz and 20.5 inches long when she was born. She arrived exactly on her due date by only 10 minutes! What a girl!

Aliyah is a sweet baby and she has been a dream thus far. She is an absolute blessing from God and we are thankful for the opportunity to raise her in our home.

Hopefully we'll get to introduce her to everyone in person soon!

D & Z

Initial Post

Well, this is the initial post for the D&Z's House. Z is due with our first child any day now. I thought I would set up this blog to keep everyone posted on the developments with the new baby. We're so excited and can't wait for baby to get here. I'll try to update this site as time allows.