A Slap In The Face?

Sebby is quite the charmer, trying different strategies to get the attention of the ladies around him. He often acts shy once he gets their attention, though.

Yesterday he made up a new game to impress the ladies. On our bus trip from Prague to Vienna, he would stick his hands through the space between our seats to get the attention of the women behind us. Once they were smiling at him, he would smack himself in the face then laugh. 

Moms, did your little ones ever play games like this??

We have no idea if this is normal toddler behaviour but it is pretty funny. We had to stifle our laughter, while telling him to stop hitting himself. Today he's been pinching himself in the face. 

Not sure where he gets the ideas for these "fun", new games but I hope that the appeal doesn't last too long.

Sebby's 1st Birthday Party!

Having Sebby as part of our family over the past year has been a tremendous blessing. He brings so many smiles, laughs and heart warming moments to our days. We truly enjoy having him around and can hardly imagine our lives without him.

It was such fun to celebrate Sebby's first year of life! I wasn't sure if we should go through the effort of organizing a party that he wouldn't remember but in the end, decided that it would be fun to do something low key and celebratory.

It ended up being an even smaller party than I had envisioned but it was perfect! We had brunch, played with balloons & opened presents. It was all over within an hour and a half, which was just right for a birthday boy of this age.

We snapped a few cute pictures throughout the morning...

Sebby's cousins were visiting from Canada so they got to come to the party. Camdyn (4) was helping make chocolate chip pancakes. Not hard to tell that his parents are chefs...he came into the kitchen & asked for an apron then started flipping pancakes!

Candyn eagerly waiting to dig into the brunch. My brother, Patrick, was visiting and put together some lovely fruit trays.

Sebby showing off his first ever piece of cake! The adults didn't love the vegan, gluten free, sugar-free spice cake but he liked it! 

 

"Oooh, new books!" 

 Cam helped Sebby open presents.

Such fun playing with cousins Cam (4) & Isla (10 months).

At dinner we lit the candles on Sebby's cake. He loved grabbing at them.

What a great 1st birthday party!!!

December 14, 2010

Exactly a year ago today...

... Darren & I got dressed up and went out on our last big date before our lives would change forever....

Delicious meal at FARM in Calgary. 

... our last big night out as a a family of 2.

Then 4 days later...

We were a family of 3!

Not Long Ago...

A friend from Montreal came to visit for a few days this week and Sebby and I had a blast hanging out with her! We hadn't seen her since our wedding (she was one of my bridesmaids) so this was the first time we spent time together since I entered this new stage of life as a mom. The best part of her visit was catching up and talking about life.

I was encouraged as I thought about God's grace in my life as we talked about the past. 

She reminded me that only a few years ago, I was in no hurry to have kids. Although I got along well with other peoples kids, I just wasn't super interested. Now, only a few years later, I have my own little one who I just love to bits. 

I laughed when we talked about how whining or crying used to have little effect on me. Now, crying really bothers me, I feel so sad when Sebby is crying. I remember so vividly the first time he started crying hard in his carseat while we were driving (he was about a week old)...I felt so bad that I started crying too. I find it particularly difficult when Sebby cries when we put him in bed and almost always struggle with the urge to rush in immediately as soon as he starts crying to comfort him. Overall I can see in my life that God has been developing a much greater sense of compassion in me, especially for children.

She also commented about my patience with Sebby at one point. I am encouraged that she noticed that God has been growing me in the area of patience during this season in life and sees me as a patient Mom. Although sometimes I definitely feel impatient, I am thankful that it doesn't show too much and will trust that God will continue to build patience in me.

When I think back, I am amazed at how God works in people including me. Through entrusting Sebby to Darren & I, God has refined me in many ways and opened my eyes to a whole new perspective on life. I am so thankful for him!

Hugs & secrets for Momma. 

What a cutie!

Finally...Asleep in His Highchair

Awww, my sleepy baby!

When I saw pictures like this in the past, I thought, Sebby will NEVER be one of those babies! In his highchair he is usually either screaming "more" or trying to get out. 

I was giving him his lunch in the kitchen, while multitasking on a few other things including trying to find an important "missing" email. The wifi wasn't working in the kitchen so I stepped out while my page was loading.  I went back in and found him asleep in his chair! 

So cute! 

I decided not to move him because he might not go back to sleep and he really needs this nap. I let him sleep too much yesterday and we both paid the price last night because he had a terrible sleep. He's tired today so I'm one good nap (this one!) will get him through the rest of the day but then he'll be ready for a sound sleep tonight.