Reposted from: http://fork-you.tumblr.com/

:: First Christmas ::

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:: Stanley Park Train 2010 ::

An awesome night with one of our favorite families.

Fishers, you rock three children so well, you might as well make it four.  Or five.

We are so blessed with your friendship!

We love you!

{J: Love the sight of our boys rocking the baby carriers together!}

A late night in line for the ferry, but definitely worth it.

What a great night!  Its starting to feel a lot like Christmas...

We are sick.  Not just sniffles sick.  But hacking chest coughs and congested sinuses and lost voices.  I haven't felt this horrible since last year at Christmas, the last time I was sick.  But, I'm trying to stay possitive and am convinced I will feel better before the 24th!

I was just curled up on the couch with a hot cup of strong orange pekoe and read this:

"Trust yourself.  Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life.  Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibiiltiy into flames of achievement."

- Golda Meir

I had to share it immediately.  Now, back to my tea.

Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday :: A Perfect Week

A few weeks ago, my favorite little man and I ventured into the city for a few play dates, some cross-border Christmas shopping, and much needed coffee date with one of my girlfriends.  Wednesday :: A long, crisp walk full of deep conversation about our hearts and desires and dreams, shared sugar cookies between generous babies, hot Starbucks treats.  A woman's night full of old friends, dressed for the season, sharing our lives over miniature cheesecake, teas, and candle light.  An inspiring cause and an inspiring friend, working so hard, though pregnant, over the last few weeks to change women's lives in another country.  Thursday :: Showing my Judah our city of White Rock, wandered Chapters, admiring the notebooks and mugs and all things pretty Daddy has ban us from buying, finding a delicious floral romper for our newest family member and sharing a hot bowl of goulash and fresh bread at our old bakery. Cherishing the moments and deciding that a weekly cafe date should be a new momma & babe ritual, to bond, to observe, to socialize, to love.  Then off to photography lessons on the other side of the bridge, exploring new areas of the Lower Mainland.  Watching Judah play with the older children, discussing homeschooling and child-rearing and our faiths and where we have come from.  Excitement over new friendships, appreciating and in awe of the wisdom she shared so willingly about life, herself, her photography.  The night was full of laughter and a babbling, sometimes screeching baby at the pizzeria with my father-in-law.  Spending time alone, him learning about having a daughter and the change in dynamics it brings, me learning a new kind of father, so different than my own.  Friday :: A cross border morning, finding bargain treasures for our loved ones, finding the perfect 1st Christmas ornament for our tree.  A cold afternoon at an ocean side park, playing and dodging and swinging, full of baby laughter.  A daddy & a bulldog, unexpected energy.  Our family complete again.  Reliving our week, animated, Christmas music the soundtrack.  A Christmas party with good friends, alive and sparkly and passionate, inspiring conversations, birth stories, momma stories, loud basement games.  Saturday ::  Breakfast cafe in Crescent Beach, a friend and his beautiful new wife.  A beachside walk, our fur babies meeting other spoiled pets.  A miniature horse & attempting again to convince Jody they make good pets.  Me, alone, exploring antique stores and boutiques in Fort Langley, one of my favorite places.  Private time, so rare.  Finding small trinkets - a new bib for my wee one and luxurious Butter nail polish for myself, a splurge.  Finding inspiration on the darkest sidewalk, breathing crisp air, and dreaming of the future.  A night of new friends mixed with old, card games and delicious food.  Sunday :: Lazy mornings & eggnog lattes, running errands and finding the perfect Christmas treasures for our loved ones.  Out of town friends and the Stanley Park Christmas train, a new tradition.  Laughing over babies squirming and small children escaping.  Braving the bitter cold together, a lifelong friendship, a new generation.  
I love my life.

Christmas trees bring a whole new meaning to baby proofing.

Ellen's 60th

{Posted late}

Very early one morning, Judah & I headed for the ferry to visit two very special ladies in our lives - my mom & MIL, whose birthdays are November 3rd & 4th.  Judah joined me in the front seat as we waited for our ferry to carry us to the mainland.  I sipped a steamy americano and fed him bits of banana bread.  He wore his very best, a little tie and vest, in honor of his Nana's 60th birthday and an afternoon of birthday surprises.  A serene, picturesque ferry ride delivered us to Judah's GG (great grandma) and Nana and we whisked them off to Tracy Cake's in Fort Langley for high tea.  It was the perfect afternoon and Judah was the perfect gentleman... until he dropped a silver platter off the table, where it then tumbled down an entire flight of stairs.  Inconspicuous we aren't.

Judah & his GG.  

Our family is so incredibly blessed to have four generations of Pages together.  GG is Jody's Nana.  And, well, my Nana too.  Ever since the first time I met her, she embraced me, teased me mercilessly, tried to feed me,  and loved me.  She has a wicked sense of humor and an infectious laugh.  I'll never forget the time, as newlyweds, that she sent Jody & I home from Thanksgiving dinner with a tupperware container of whipping cream... but no pie...  I told you she's a naughty one.

She means the world to Jody & I.  

We are SO blessed by my mother-in-law and that, although we don't live within a close distance, we see her and my father-in-law often.  Probably more often than they'd like, actually.  She is an amazing Nana, falling into the role as a first time grandparent effortlessly.  She spoils him at every opportunity, especially with love.  And sleepers.  Well, and toys.  Judah adores her and my father-in-law.

I wasn't raised having a close relationship with my grandparents, so knowing Judah has generations of love surrounding and supporting him mean so very much to me. 

Judah's in love.

.... More late birthday posts to follow....

one brisk afternoon, after a whiny morning from a congested little man, we needed to get out of the house.  the park just up the road.  i don't know why i never thought of it before. off to the baby swing we went.

excited.

not so sure what's going on.

happy.

the ever present guard dog.  
she managed to move away from the fireplace long enough to go for a walk.

judah, i love our daily adventures and watching you discover something new.  living my life through your eyes is making me appreciate the little moments, the new discoveries and the small triumphs in a fresh way.  although you are so small, you inspire and encourage me more than you will ever know.

:: 7 months ::

{posted 1 month late.  I just realized I forgot to post this!}

Where has the time gone?

My little man is already 7 months old.  Oh my.

16.5 pounds

27.5 inches

There isn't anything that I haven't told you - how much you've changed my life in every way, from the first moment that I saw you.  How overwhelming my love is for you.  The many desires I have of myself as your mother and for your life.

You are becoming more and more yourself everyday.  You spend all your time on your tummy, trying so hard to crawl.  You scoot across the room, right into Minnow's bed, doing a combination army crawl and belly flop.  You love your hands, laying on your back twisting them above your face, watching your newly discovered trick.  You say "Mommomom" and "Daddadadad" constantly, but I can happily report "momommamoma" was first.  You make noises constantly while we drive, chattering away happily in the backseat.  You flirt with all the ladies at Starbucks, smiling and making friends wherever we go.  You jump higher and higher in your Jolly Jumper, loving every minute, and then stop, letting me sneak food into your mouth, jumping again as you chew.  

What a life you have, my wee bebe.

You are my sunshine.

Love Mommy

A few weeks ago, I had the honor of taking pictures for some close friends of ours.  They are an incredible little family whose friendship has meant the world to us as they teach us to make sushi, laugh at all our jokes, or play late night Yahtzee.  Judy & I have spent many, many days together in the parks and coffee shops with our little men during our year maternity leave.  We tromped off into the forest for family photos to honor this family's love of everything outdoorsy.  Judy even showed me what salmon spawning looks like.  Who says you can't take a city girl into the woods every now & again?!  :)

This is just a snapshot of two of my favorites so far.  The editing continues... stay tuned.

:: Baby M ::

Yesterday afternoon, while the wind stormed outside, I had the pleasure of cranking the fireplace and blasting the heater to keep this little guy warm as we striped him naked for some newbie pictures.  At only three weeks old, slightly older than the ideal newbie photo shoot age, Baby M was a total champ.  He put up with us posing and bending him, stuffing him inside cocoons and various hats, until the afternoon light faded away.  He has such a sweet temperament.  I could have cuddled him all afternoon long.

There is something so sweet about baby feet.

 The cuteness is almost too much!  He is beyond adorable!

Baby M would not surrender his soother easily.  But I love this picture of him with it.

Goodness me.  

I thought about trying to hide him behind a pillow so I could keep him.  

I think his momma would have noticed. ;)

Tanya requested a baby bum picture & I love how this turned out.  There is something so sweet about a baby's soft little booty.

Stunning.  

Its hard to believe this gorgeous woman had a baby just a few weeks ago.  She is such a natural, relaxed mother.  Seeing her with her son and her obvious adoration for him was truly special.

Love all his stretches.  Reminded me of my little guy when he was a newbie!

Trying to convince Baby M to go to sleep.

I love the way he was clinging to him momma's fingers.

Court, thank you for sharing your photo shoot with me!  

Tanya, you are doing such an amazing job as a new momma!  Baby M is beyond cute!  Thank you for this opportunity to take pictures for you and letting me fumble my way through posing and positioning to get you some pictures of your wee babe.  Thank you for your patience and willingness to be a human prop.  :) 

He is a treasure & so very well loved already.

:: Leah ::

In my constant quest to find models for my photography practice, I begged Leah, our pastor's daughter, to model for me.  Not only did she pose & look pretty, but she totally rocked it!  And looked better in one of my favorite dresses than I ever have!

Love this picture.  

There was a fabulous blue barn in the background, but sadly I blew the sky out more than I meant too.

But I still love how this picture turned out.  

What a cutie!

 I made Leah get a little bit dirty by sitting next to this barn, but she didn't complain one tiny bit.  Even though her bottom was a tad damp at the end...

Apparently she's never modeled before but you'd never guess.  Watch out Canada's Next Top Model.

Sorry boys.  She is single but off the market until well into her 30's according to Pastor Chris. ;)

Leah, thank you SO MUCH for posing for me!  I had a great afternoon with you, scouting out the perfect location, jumping in and out of the car numerous times on a dirt road, *borrowing* the side of someone's barn, hunting for abandoned vehicles on hiking trails, lugging Judah along on our adventure.  You are an amazing girl & are going to do great things in this world!

:: Halloween 2010 ::

A birthday party missed, lost amidst MapQuest instructions.  A ferry missed, five minutes too late.  Drowning grumbles in raspberry wheat ale from the favored restaurant and wandering the isles, admiring luxurious goods and exotic foods of the best grocery store around.  Dressed in costume, full of excitement for another first with the wee babe.  Laughter of good friends, close like family already, reminding us we are blessed by divine interventions.  Sweet girls with gorgeous painted faces, full of giggles and anticipation.  Neighbourhood visitors.  Surprising some, already in their nightgowns, by being the first trick or treat-ers.  Ever.  In 20 years.  Memories and moments.  Celebrated together.

Judah & his lovely ladies.

Isn't their face paint gorgeous?!  Their mommy is amazingly talented.

Momentarily not mad about his costume being on.

That's when he turns into a mad hornet vs. a bumblebee.

Me & my little bee.

My two boys.  (Boys being the operative word...)

At 6 1/2 months and 3 moody days, Little J's first tooth finally pushed through.  We promptly went to my office to get his first toothbrush - a baby Nimby.  He immediately began chewing on it and fell asleep with it firmly in his little fist.  At that moment, I was a very proud dental hygienist mother.  

::A few of my favorite things::

In honor of my life as a mother, I am sharing some of the things I'm come to love over these past seven months.  Its funny how some of the things you thought you'd love are actually not as useful as you thought.  And some other things I thought I wouldn't really care about have become my favorite items.

1.  Live Clean (Baby) Non-Petroleum Jelly

I didn't realize that petroleum jelly is actually made from petroleum until Jody told me a few weeks after Judah was born.  Seriously, who makes baby products out of oil!?  And I thought it was just a name.  (And, no, I'm not naturally blond, just extremely naive.)  I rapidly switched to this product, made from 99% plant products, specifically Castor seed oil.  It works & feels just like Vaseline.  Love it.

2. Thymes Sweetleaf Baby Massage Oil

I received this as a gift right after Judah was born & will now forever associate Judah's childhood with this smell.  Infused with organic lavender, meadowfoam seed oil, chamomile and aloe vera, it just has the sweetest, softest smell. *sigh*  It reminds me of the first few weeks of Judah's life.

3. Ergo Carrier

I got this as a gift from my employers and it has been a lifesaver numerous times.  We have the infant insert, which we used for the first 3 1/2 months.  The carrier is incredibly comfortable, even now that my little man is a 19-pounder.  This carrier has travelled far and wide, to other countries, on mountain hikes and beach side walks.

4. Aden + Anais 100% Cotton Muslin Swaddle Wrap

These blankets have become Judah's lovie - his cuddle blanket at night and in the crib.  He holds it close to his face and curls up beside it at night.  Its a soft gauze-y blanket that is perfect for the hot summer days.  These aren't cheap (about $60 for four or $45 US for those Canadians who are willing to travel north of the border for steals & deals), but worth every penny.  

5. gDiapers

I thought I would be all over the clothe diaper train.  The first time I tried scraping sticky baby poop off a clothe diaper, I quickly changed my mind and lunged towards a package of Pampers.  Then I tried gDiapers... with the disposable insert.  They are all the convenience of a disposable with the eco-friendly, tree-hugging, earth-saving good feelings of a clothe diaper.  Because I've had too many public poop explosions with clothe diapers (resulting in a diaper bag leeching poopy smell) while at Starbucks on a coffee date, I only use these at home or for short outings.  But they make me feel a little bit better knowing I'm reducing my diaper impact on the landfill.  Plus, they are cute. ;)