my makeshift photo shoot

Ok, I am totally in love with my kids (and my husband, but he prefers not to be posted).
I seem to have a fetish for baby carriers, but from judging from a few of my mom friends, I don't think I'm the only one. For some women it's shoes, others it's purses and me it's carriers. Below is my newest and current favorite. I was too intimidated by the wrap with Joachim, but with Anna I've met several mom's who encouraged me to try it and I love it. It is as easy as tying your shoe, just on a larger scale and there are so many possibilities.

Benny & Corbin B-day

We had a marvelous time again this year and Benny and Corbin's Sherwood park party. So many kids for Joachim to play with and cool mom's for me to meet. I'm so grateful Joachim has these boys in his life (and their awesome mama). Above Joachim is waiting his turn wack the rooster pinata and below he is fencing with one of the dads and then "beating" Josh, who he really admired.

pat-a-cake

Joachim needs a little blogging attention because he's feeling a left out. I couldn't have hoped for a better big brother. Yesterday I realized just how important he is. For an hour Joachim went to grandma's house and I was supposed to be resting with Anna, but she cried and cried and cried. I had flashbacks to my first lonely depressing year here when I was home alone with Joachim crying and crying. It was like being in another reality with no reference point for normal or rational. I realized that Joachim is grown up enough to be a peaceful presence. He's completely un-phased by her crying and is a very calming companion for me. What a blessing.

twinkle star song

Joachim makes sure that Anna always has a toy to play with, although he doesn't yet realize that his choice in toys may not be hers.

Anna is baptized

Anna was baptized on February 28 and much to our relief she was very agreeable for the entire service. Here she is with her god parents "sue-nana" and "mr. bob," as the kids in church affectionately call them.
The table is set with candles to light her way, the Gospel for the reading, oil for annointing, towel (for drying), gown for her illumination, and scissors for her first haircut. It was work to trim her bald little head, but I think he got some fuzz in the end.This is the gown Grandma made for Joachim, she added the flowers for Anna.

Anna rolled over!

I'm not kidding! My mom was watching her on her 5 week birthday and said she rolled over. I was skeptical, but three days later I had her on her belly and she did it again, and again and the 3rd time I caught it on video, (big brother has a radar for the camera and as soon as it comes out he wants to be a part, so he's a little distracting, but you get the idea). She very deliberately was rocking her head until the momentum took her over. She hasn't done it since, I think her weight has surpassed her muscle tone and she doesn't care to be on her tummy on account of her acid reflux.

celebrating joachim

February 23 Joachim turned 3 so I took him to the coffee shop for a scone. It was my first solo outing with both kids and it went really well. We were there close to 2 hours eating, playing and just visitng with each other.
A few days later we had our family party. Joachim requested a fish cake, but it turned into this "fishing" cake.

lots of pictures

While the East got dumped with snow we had our own record of snow. A couple weeks ago we woke up to a foot and no electricity. We had a nice morning making breakfast on the wood stove.
Here Joachim is playing with his very cool Noah's Ark tea set. I feel lucky to have gotten such a masculine design for a rather feminine toy. Each of the four place settings has a different animal hand painted on it and of course the teapot is the ark. I was able to by this from a friend for less that 5 dollars, what a deal!
When Joachim was a bit younger he would dismember his lego guys, I salvaged most of them, but we have a serious shortage of hands (probably in the vacuum cleaner). So, this was Joachim's own solution.Joachim started dressing himself, here he is belt wrestling. It is a long and sometimes stressful ordeal for me to watch, but if I'm not in a hurry it can be a nice way for him to pass time.
About a week before Anna was born Joachim and I assembled two very nice shelves to make a corner for her in our little apartment. It was the perfect project for him (and me); complete with hammering, screwing and matching letters. He has been very proud of our finished product.
Work on the A street house is almost complete, Joachim is very involved in helping with the progress. He screwed outlet covers on with Grandma and here he is hooking up the sink with Daddy.
And this is the last picture of me pregnant.