My Aliya

Three years ago, pregnant with our little Aliya, Derrick stayed up all night waiting for her to arrive, trying to figure out what to name her. Breanne became the big sister and Derrick and I became out numbered. (Well, Derrick, he's TOTALLY outnumbered!)

It's been so rewarding to watch Aliya turn 3. In the past months, she's been really turning into a "big girl." She's constantly saying, "...because that's what big girls do," and "probably...." and "it wasn't me," or "that was me." She's just learned to pedal a big girl bike. And she's even making her own friends.

This is her friend Aleena. She made the list of friends to invite to her birthday party. I've never seen a 3-year old play Barbies or Little People quite intently as she does. She has begun dressing herself very cutely in the morning and can even get the tags in the back. She dresses up, wears clip-on earrings, thinks she can operate the ipod, dances like her sisters and still loves her song, "...I love the way you hold me..."

We are so blessed with such a smart, healthy, happy, content little girl. Happy Birthday my Aliya!