Giving Thanks!

Life, and all the love in it, creates in me the most grateful spirit deep within.

I have said many times since becoming Zion's mother, that I have never known love like this before; this bottomless depth of overwhelming love and awe for my son especially, but also for my family and friends who surround and support us. We need others in our lives and we are so blessed from above to have one another to share this love with.

Thanksgiving: what a beautiful time to celebrate what and who we have in our lives. Since I have never known love like this before, I have also never known gratitude and praise like this before -- to the One who gives it all.

I am very grateful that I was able to bring Zion to Steinbach, Manitoba to meet my dad's side of the family. We had a wonderful time with all the family we were able to see. It was really important to me to bring Zion to meet his Great Grandmother. She is the most graceful and beautiful person I have ever met and I feel so blessed to be called her granddaughter; to be a part of her lineage.

We visited her everyday. We played Skipbo, made yummy family recipes, and shared stories. I just love spending time with her and learning from her. I stayed at my Uncle Smoky and Aunt Barb's house and I had a great time staying up with my Aunt and talking every night. Really, I'm just so blessed to be a part of this family!

Zion's first plane trip -- NO problems at all. He didn't even cry once!

Zion and his Great Grandma

I was a little worried that being away from home for a week would disturb the routine we've established with Zion, especially bed time. I don't know why I was concerned since I have the best baby ever! He didn't fuss at all with going to bed at his normal bed time in a strange place. He hasn't skipped a beat since being back either. The only "new" behaviour that was really pronounced when we were there was his awareness of new people -- "strangers" to him. He took some warming up to all the family members he met before they could hold him without him pulling out the lip and wailing! At least a couple of hours! Once he got used to a new family face he was fine, but certainly not right away.

We had a great week away, but I'm glad to be home. I really missed my husband, and Zion was thrilled to see his daddy again.

Being a Stay At Home Mom

I love being a stay at home mom. I love the routine Zion and I are now in and that I get to share every precious moment of every day with my amazing little boy. I feel bad for Jazz who has to go to work all day and miss our son all day. Especially when he has to work the late shift since Zion now has a pretty good bed time routine established at around 8pm. (Jazz doesn't get back from work those nights until at least 8:30pm).

Our son is laughing and giggling and shouting and screaming all of the time now -- he loves to have a conversation with you (although he usually yells in delight when he's really happy and excited :)

He is beginning to reach out for his animal friends on his play mat since he's starting to realize the power of his little hands and all that they can do. It's truly a marvel to watch him slowly discover himself in the big wide world.

I love being a stay at home mom and wife -- I love when I have dinner ready for my husband when he gets home from work. I love cooking and cleaning on days when it all goes well. It's not every day, but when it all gets done, it feels like I'm doing my part for my family and taking care of them like I want to. It's my new full time job, and of course there are moments and hours and days when I'm exhausted and overwhelmed and I need taking care of, but on the whole, it's the best job I've ever had. I wouldn't trade it for anything!

The Joy of Our World is in Zion!

Here are a couple of photos from a mini photo shoot we did with Zion 2 weeks ago:

He is just so photogenic!

We also went to the Stampede with the little cowboy:

Yeehaw!!!

3 Weeks 4 Days Already!

This was taken on Father's Day...Zion is 5 days old here!

Zion and mommy gave daddy a book, "Why I Love My Daddy"

Nanna came just in time to steal many sweet cuddles...you can see how proud she is of her first grandchild.

Daddy and Zion cuddling together and sleeping in.

Another extremely proud grandma! Zion tends to sleep through grandma's visits so it was a real treat for her when he woke up and stared lovingly at her.

Kiely and Audria also enjoyed cuddles with the cutie!

Zion is now staring intently at the Whoozit -- he's studying it very carefully!

It may be July, but he needed to be bundled last week during the dreary rain. He's about 2 weeks old here.

Now at 3 weeks; silly silly silly monkey.

Finally the heat has returned and Zion can enjoy the great outdoors (on our back deck).

He has these cute little feet -- he can grip your finger with those long toes!

Precious!

Zion Eli Anthony Xavier is Here!

Born a week ago today! June 15, 2010 at 3:11pm.

No two parents could be more thrilled and dazzled by the new life they are honored to have!

He's just too precious and adorable for words...I never knew love like this before -- the joy of my world is in Zion!

Which one is NOT like the Other?

39 Weeks 3 Days

Beanie is 35 Weeks

Having time off in my backyard is a dream come true...especially with this big Beanie in my belly!

See how big Beanie really is!