Ben at the Wedding

Photos by AG Photography

Wordless Wednesday

Last Day of One

This morning, Ben woke up later than usual.  He watched TV, played with his new toys, ate pancakes and “dip” (syrup) for breakfast and we went on a walk in the river valley.  It was a seemingly normal day, his last day as a one year old.  Before bedtime, I kissed his soft cheek and we said our goodnights.  Tomorrow morning he will wake up and turn two.  Just like that, we’ll have a two year old.

It’s hard to believe we’ve been parents, learning and growing alongside him, for two whole years.  It feels like just yesterday he slept beside me, a little stranger tucked under my arm in that hospital bed.  Today, he is the most familiar part of my world and I feel so fortunate to be his mom.  Our lives have changed so much since his arrival yet somehow, it feels like he was a part of us all along. 

Ben’s Second Birthday

We celebrated Ben’s second birthday with family on Boxing Day.  Ben was over-the-top excited once everyone began to arrive for his party.  He received many of his favorite things; tools, trucks, puzzles and crayons as gifts.  For dessert, we made him some “happy” (cupcakes) and his great Baba baked his favorite chocolate wafer cookies (which he helped himself to...liberally).  Darren took some awesome candid shots of Ben opening his gifts and eating his cupcake and cookies.  Afterwards, as Boris and I were looking through the pictures, we couldn’t believe a year had already passed since we hosted his last party.  Thanks to everyone who made it out to share Ben’s special day with us.  

Gift Opening:

Cake Time:

 

Photos by Darren Bachynski

Wordless Wednesday

Looking Back - May 2011

Looking back at old pictures, Ben had wild hair in May...

And he couldn’t sit still, let alone look at the camera during a photoshoot...

Wordless Wednesday

Ben's Christmas Sweater (Makes Him Cry)

I haven’t done a “more formal” photo shoot of Ben since January or February because he isn’t exactly the type of child who likes to sit or stand in one spot for longer than half a second.  But, I had my last portrait session before Christmas on Sunday and my equipment was still set up in the living room so I thought I’d take a few shots of Ben.  I literally had to dangle a piece of candy behind my camera to get him to smile but I got a few cute shots: 

And then, I thought it would be nice to have a couple of Ben in his Christmas sweater...

Big mistake!

Wordless Wednesday

Okay, so I know I'm cheating a little bit this week with my Wordless Wednesday... 

However, who can resist Santa pictures (and Ben's stoic expression two years in a row):

December 2010

December 2011

I Already Know I Love You

My body does not exactly belong to me right now.  It’s been taken over by the brand new life growing inside me, his/her little heart beating below my own.  I breath, eat and sleep for this tiny person I’ve never met, yet I already know I love.  I can’t feel you or see you but I have faith that you are growing bigger and stronger every day.  I will do anything to protect you and keep you safe.  We can’t wait to meet you in May...

On the Last Day of November

Wordless Wednesday

Relaxing

More Wedding Photos

  Photo by France Edward Photography

Jenny and Darren’s good friends, Mitch and Emma (who happen to be Vancouver photographers) took a few photos that captured the essence of Jenny and Darren’s wedding ceremony perfectly.  Mitch and Emma are newlyweds themselves and are the sweetest couple you’ll ever meet.  You can check out a few more of the beautiful photos they took on Saturday here and Jenny and Darren’s engagement shots here.  Enjoy!

Wordless Wednesday

Motherhood is Hard

Let me start off by saying, I love my son.  Unconditionally.  Deeply.  Truly.  It’s the type of love I’ve never felt for anyone other than Ben.  I enjoy motherhood.  I enjoy being at home with my son.  Ben makes me smile, laugh and cry (sometimes in frustration, other times in joy) every day.  

However, there is a dark side to having children.  Motherhood is hard.  I came across this article today and I couldn’t have captured the experience of parenthood better myself.  I laughed throughout the entire article and then I cried toward the end (I cry a lot more now that I’m a mom).  I could relate completely to almost every word the author wrote.  I will admit, I’ve never experienced true sleep deprivation with Ben, other than for a night or two when he’s been sick or teething.  Ben was a very easy baby who slept incredibly well from day one.  We’ve been lucky in that respect.  Don’t worry though; he’s making up for those first few easy months by being a challenging toddler at times.  Thankfully, I never had postpartum depression either.  Other than the meltdown I had in the hospital when I discovered someone accidentally threw out my $20 organic nipple cream, those first few weeks really were blissful and romantic for me.    

Anyway, take a moment and read 10 Things I Hate About Motherhood (And One That I Love).  We’re never as alone as we think we are. 

Jenny and Darren’s Amazing Wedding Weekend

  Jenny, looking elegant in her Ivy & Aster wedding dress.  Photo by AG Photography.

We spent the last few days in Banff National Park for my sister, Jenny and new brother-in-law, Darren’s wedding.  It’s hard to believe how quickly the day came and went!  It feels like just yesterday my mom and I were visiting Jenny in Vancouver to choose our dresses or preparing for her wedding shower in August.  Jenny and Darren got married at the Juniper Hotel in Banff, a place that is very special to our family.  The entire day was fun, light hearted and beautiful.  Their wedding was a true representation of their love for each other and their family and friends.  Everything, from the ceremony to the speeches spoke to how wonderful and loved Jenny and Darren are.  The day unravelled seamlessly and I felt blessed to be Jenny’s sister and honoured to be a part of their special day.  We all had such an amazing time!

I planned to take lots of pictures throughout the weekend but unfortunately, Ben got sick with a stuffed up nose, a cough and a fever a few hours after we arrived so instead, I spent all of my spare time taking care of a sick little boy.  Although he was feeling poorly on Saturday, Ben still carried out his duties as ring bearer and walked down the aisle with his little hand in mine.  He even got a few dances in before heading off to bed.  As Jenny and Darren shared their first dance as husband and wife, I rocked Ben in the library across the hall from the reception, his big brown eyes fixed on mine the entire time.  I thought about how Boris and I have evolved and grown in the last six years of our marriage.  We bought our home together, have built a stronger relationship, brought our beautiful son into the world and are excitedly awaiting baby number two.  My wish for Jenny and Darren is that they find happiness, balance and adventure and that one day, they get to experience how wonderful it is to hold their own child in their arms.  We love you Jenny and Darren!  We know you’ll have an amazing life together.

Wordless Wednesday

Ben's Big Announcement

Wordless Wednesday

Outside on a Warm Fall Afternoon

Wordless Wednesday

The Joy of Fall

Round and round the fountain he ran, leaves crunching beneath his feet.  “Leaves”, he’d announce as they’d slip through his hands and fall to the ground.  Life at its best.  Simple, pure and full of joy on a warm, fall morning...

 

Wordless Wednesday