Helping Dad

We were going to buy a new TV stand - but with all of the toys...and with Christmas coming...Troy decided to build a built-in area for the TV and stereo to sit on top of, that will have cupboards and shelves below to hide toys! He is so clever!

This project was a dream come true for Ethan - "look at all the things I am not supposed to touch lying all over the floor!".

He is so helpful! Picture time is over - I have to go prevent an accident!

Playgroup

I am a very lucky and grateful person. I get to work from home most of the time when Ethan is sleeping. So when he is awake I am a stay-at-home mom everyday but Tuesday and we get to do great things like go to playgroups. We started going to a Wednesday playgroup at the rec centre by our house when Ethan started only taking one nap a day - he used to sleep through when most playgroups took place when he took two naps a day. The first time we went to this playgroup I was shocked!

When it was snack time, about 15 toddlers sat down at a little table and chairs to eat their snacks. Ethan usually does not know how to sit still - let alone so many other toddlers - but they do it! And it is the cutest thing you have ever seen, I couldn't get a picture that really represented how cute and amazing it was to have these little people at sit still at their little table eating their little snacks. It is pretty fun.

Ethan's little friend, Charlie (Charlotte) - she is so sweet and petite!
Ethan's playgroup posse - Charlie, with her mom Maryanne, Emmy and his buddy, Liam.

Gourmet Lunch

This is my idea of a perfect lunch. I think there is nothing like having snack-y foods that you would normally have at a party just on a regular ol' day.

Ethan started taking only one nap a day a few weeks ago. I keep him awake until after lunch so he will sleep longer with his belly full. Sometimes lunch is a bit - well, I don't know - he's kind of in slow-motion because he is tired - so I try to make lunch exciting.
Hooray! He really is as droopy as he looks in this picture he can't focus, he is slurring - gold star for effort at acting excited though.At this point - I think he is telling me he has had enough lunch. Time for bed!

Family in Town

For the first two weeks of October, my Mormor and Uncle Otto came from Norway to visit!
We didn't do anything extraordinary - just hung out around the neighborhood as usual.
Visiting, and catching up...normal kind of stuff...just enjoying our time together...
...but Ethan sure was sad when they left! We'll come to visit you soon!

Birthday Party #2 - Family

...again...this is Ethan's second - 1st birthday! Too many people to have over at one party.
Great Uncle Otto and Auntie Alicia.
Great Auntie Anne, Grammie Sharon, and Mormor.
Great Auntie Cathy
Auntie Tracy and me trying out some of my new stuff.

Me and Grampie - Troy's Dad, Dan. Cousin Karmen and her son, Rylan.
Nana - grandma Kathleen.
Me and Oldemor - my great grandmother all the way from Norway!
Mormor, and Darren and Uncle Grant eating some awesome chili.
Oldemor, mama, me, Auntie Natalie and Uncle Axl. Dad helping me open my presents.
Cake!
Grandpa Chris, Uncle Andrew and Auntie Tracy - thanks for coming, everyone!

One Year Old

Ethan,

Last year at this time you and I were not quite separate yet. I woke at 4:30 in the morning unsure if I was in labour - yet somehow knowing today was the day you were attempting your escape from my belly. I laid in bed quietly, while your dad and Cooper slept, thinking about when to phone the doctor...what to bring to the hospital...that we would soon know if you were a boy or a girl...what to name you!

When your Dad woke up a little after 6 to get ready for work I said, "You're not going to work today."

He said, "Really? How sure are you?"

"90 maybe 95% sure."

By then I was having unmistakable contractions so I told him to take Cooper for a walk while I had a shower. Then we would phone the doctor and go to the hospital. And we were off.

You were not in a hurry. I took a guess that you would be born between 1 and 2 that afternoon. I was a little off. We waited patiently all day while you slowly descended. By 9pm my doctor suspected you might not come out the usual way even though everything was looking perfect. A specialist came in to have a look and told us that you were facing the wrong direction. They asked us if we wanted to wait and see if you would turn - which was not likely. They were very careful with their words - dancing around the probability that I would be needing to have a C-section to get you out. "If I need a C-section, than let's do it", I said decisively. Your dad shot me sideways glances of concern knowing that really I was nervous.

After a bit of a wait I went into the OR and they prepped me while your Dad waited outside. I was really glad to see him when he came back in the room again. The doctors were all very nice and laughing and talking even though it was now 1 in the morning. I guess because there was no emergency everyone was relaxed and taking their time. That was nice and it made me feel even better. It seemed a bit like a TV show in there. It didn't seem real. I guess I watched too many "Baby Stories". Either that or it was so late and such a long day... The doctors talked through what was happening and finally we heard "Here it comes...whoa its a big one!", from someone in the room. The doctors hooted about how big you were as they brought you to the table where your Dad was going to cut the cord.

"What is it?", I asked.

Nobody had said yet if you were a boy or a girl.

"Its a boy!", one of the doctors said. "I KNEW it.", I'm not sure if I said that out loud or not...but I was definitely thinking it.I was trying to see you from where I was strapped down, but all I could see between the draped sheets and the people was one of your little arms flailing around while they cleaned you up. Finally they wrapped you up and your Dad carried you over to me and said, "Happy Anniversary." Our doctor said, "Really?" Yup, and there you were all squishy and pink with big, curious dark eyes.

In the recovery room they weighed you in at 10 lbs. 4oz. No wonder you weren't coming out! We also picked out a name for you there and then at 4 in the morning we were put in our hospital room. I didn't sleep at all that night. I just laid there and watched you in my arms or in the bassinet until the sun came up. And now, a year has passed. The most exciting, wonderful, joyous, challenging, hilarious year. The most amazing year, filled with the wonder of watching you grow every month. You are a delight, a rascal, a risk taker, a love. You giggle, you are silly, you make mischief, you love to laugh. Like always since you came into our lives, each month seems to go too fast. Yet, like always, the lesson you teach me again and again is to slow down, be present, and enjoy the pure intensity of every moment. You are more than I could have possibly dreamed of or imagined or hoped.

Happy Birthday, Ethan.

Love Mama

Birthday Party #1 - Friends and Little Friends

Can you believe it? A whole year has gone by! Here are some of the photos from Ethan's birthday party...
We split his birthday into two because it was too many people to have over at our little house all at once...Christina getting some yummy snacks to go with her chili.

Holly giving Cason a bottle - he really wanted the snacks and chili though - wouldn't you?
Courtney and her son Alex!
Christina and Jay's son - Isaiah on the 4x4 in the back yard.
Colin and Georgia and their son, Kolton.
Ryan and Annie!
Neighbors, Fred and Karen with their daughter Jodi.
Kellie and Moira assisting with toy assembly.
Jay and Adam with his son Alex.
Liam and his mom, Sam playing with party balloons.
Kirsten and her son, Aiden.
Angela and her daughter, Catherine.

Time for cake and bad singing...

Sweet, sweet sugar!

Mama helping to open persents!

Ethan surrounded by his toys! He was in heaven - he got all toys for presents! Thanks for the generous gifts everyone!What a party animal - we can't even get him to take a break for a picture! Thanks for coming and making his party so much fun.