A Fresh Look

The Old

Putting new tile on the floor is like having a new bathroom. Wouldn't you agree? Thanks Joe & Tim!

The New

What did you say?

Theia has been tearing through the milestones this month. Unless you consider “uh-oh” a first word (which she has been saying since 9 months), Theia said her first word this month. I believe Grandma Mary was the first to hear it, but no one believed her. Theia’s first word was…drumroll please…NOT platypus, but Buddha. I know you’re wondering why a child raised in a home where Jesus is proclaimed Lord would have Buddha as her first word. The explanation is very simple, Joe Pull.

The story goes something like this…

One night a few months ago Joe told Xandra after dinner when her belly was big from eating that she had a “Buddha belly.” He said that when she hasn’t eaten, that her belly is a “skinny belly.” Well, for some reason, this stuck with Xandra and every since then she has been running around the house chanting, Buddha belly and skinny belly. Theia picked up on this and now raises her shirt and proclaims, “Budd-ah.” We’ve all heard it now, we didn't want to believe it, but it's true, Theia’s first word is Buddha.

Matchy Matchy

Some very kind friends sent us these beautiful and soft sweaters for the girls recently. Xandra has been asking to wear hers everyday, even though it's starting to warm outside. We couldn't reisist taking a few pictures of our girls' first matching clothing items.

Spring Break

Grandma Mary and Grandpa Tim were just at our house. They came for a visit during their Spring Break to meet Aliyah and see Xandra and Theia, too.

Activities from the week included:

Joe & Tim retiling the bathroom (see other post)
Mary holding the baby

Tim repairing the washing machine

Mary playing with the girls

Joe & Tim visiting the Airplane Museum at Dulles Airport
Mary holding the baby

Mary doing 50 loads of wash (around the washer breaking)
Mary playing with the girls

Mary ironing a pile of laundry
Tim playing with the girls

Mary scrubbing kitchen floors and counters
Mary reading books to Xandra & Theia

Watching Kansas beat NDSU in the NCAA tourney while eating guac (yum!)
Tim sitting in Mr. Sun (now Xandra's name for the sun, also) by the sliding door with the girls

Joe & Trisha date night

Basically Mary was the maid and nanny for the week, Tim was the home repairman, and I’m not exactly sure what Joe and I did, but we sure had fun! Thanks Grams and Gramps (or as Xandra says, Grampa and Grampa)!

Mommy's Little Helper

Xandra has been a great help with the new baby. Whenever the baby is crying for too long and neither Joe or I get up to help her, she will simply get up and find the baby’s pacifier and put it in the babies mouth herself. She has also been known to pile 5 blankies on the baby to help keep her warm, swing Aliyah in the swing so hard that I’m sure the swing will tip over, and attempt to pick the baby up with no adult assistance. After hearing about the attentive parenting that allows these situations, is anyone else amazed at the idea that we still have three small children who are all alive?

Newborn Sleeping Arrangements

The basket tradition continues...

Youngest Flyer Award

At a mere 11 days old Aliyah has conquered the manuevering of airports, flying on airplanes, and sleeping in hotel rooms. The death of Aliyah's great grandpa, whom she never had the opportunity to meet, was the occasion of our quick and unexpected trip. Trisha's grandfather, Marion D. DeShon, passed away last week, and Trisha and Liyah made the quick trip home for the funeral. While the occasion was very sad, it was a neat to opportunity for family to meet Aliyah so soon after her birth.

Grandma DeShon holds Aliyah for the first time

Grandpa DeShon feeding Aliyah

Nick, Emma, and Tami DeShon.

Great Grandma DeShon

Great Uncle Lonnie Allen

Great Aunt Mindy Allen (Grandpa Doug's Sister)

First Cousin Once Removed Brett Allen

The Many Visitors of Liyah

A few of our visitors since Aliyah’s birth.

Lauren Holmes & Julie Lockard at the hospital, day 1.

Christine Seager at the hospital, day 2.

Dan Yi, day 5.

Jeffrey Davidson, day 5.

Kelly & Tim Oliver, day 6.

Jack Blocher, day 8. The whole Blocher family came (Jamie, John, & Cole), but we only got a picture of Jack.

First bath

A few pictures of Aliyah's first bath.

It was a family affair.

She's Here, She's Here

Please meet our new boarder...

Miss Aliyah Charis Pull

She abandoned her prior lodgings for our home on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 at 12:28 p.m., weighing 8 lbs. 7 oz. and stretching 20 inches.

The labor lasted a trifling 8 hours, fewer than either of her sisters. She sustained some bruises en route and was whisked away by a heavily pregnant NICU doctor before her parents even learned her sex, but all the hullaballoo turned out to be nothing more than sound and fury.

She likes to sleep, likes to eat, and likes a pacifier. Big sister Xandra likes to help take care of her, and big sister Theia likes to try to poke her in the face.

Some fast facts, for next time you play Jeopardy!:

1. Aliyah (we are pronouncing it AH-lee-uh) is a Hebrew word that means "to ascend"; in Arabic it can mean "high" or "sublime." In 2007 it was the 215th most popular name for girls in the United States.

2. Charis (KARE-iss) means "grace" in Greek.

3. The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku.