Je t'aime...

Annabelle's French vocabulary grows every week... and she surprises me constantly by what words she is able to pick up.. there is no pattern to it at all. I tell her I love her so many times a day and and she usually nods her heads and squeezes me tight but she has never been able to pronounce those precious words that every parent can't wait to hear. Today was the day!!! This morning, while playing with her and being all silly, I once again told her and she just began repeating "je t'aime" over and over again and gave me the sweetest smile.... I knew that she loved us already, but to be told expressly... well, our hearts are pretty full at the moment!!!

Her hair is finally growing!

When we first saw a glimpse of Anna...oh long long ago (6 months ago), we noticed that what little hair she had was blond...but oh so fine...feathery. I'll always remember Cindy's comment while we were in Petro - wait, give it 6 months.. you'll already see a big change. Well...6 month's later..and her hair has grown....it's thicker.. and soon perhaps a pony tail (well...perhaps not!)..but we are encouraged with the change. Most importantly, it's a sign of health and good nutrition. Her pediatrician commented as such when he saw her. Another good friend commented on how much you can tell she has changed everytime I post a new picture and you compare it with our first family photo on the right....It really did hit me this time around. We've come a long way from no red foods and a bland diet! Six months since we met her.. feels like she has been with us forever!

PS - she is still obsessed with my glasses ;0)

Anna's 2th birthday picture

Our very own little babushka as a dear friend commented ;0)

Happy Mother's Day everyone

I woke up this morning to a lithany of maman, maman, maman, from two little voices excited to go into the pool and thought...this is the best sound of the world ;0))) It was just as special as my first mother's day...

Happy mother's day...to new moms, older moms... and "waiting" moms.

The Birthday Boy

One year older, but always a kid at heart...Bonne fête Papa!

Our favorite toy store

Now that's the way to visit a toy store...in it's very own train. Yannik was making friends here as well ;0)

Making new friends...

Annabelle was a tad shy with Mickey and friends...but eventually was quite taken with both Snow White and Jasmine... as for Yannik...he loved them all!

Trip to Quebec

Sven and I took the kids to Quebec city to celebrate both his birthday and mother's day.... and what an adventure has it been. The hotel went all out for mother's day...Disney characters serenading us, magicians, clowns, etc. Best of all, it was Annabelle's first dip in a pool...and just as we thought, she is a natural! She looks so proud in her bathing suit... I imagine this was a first as well!

Discovering the simple pleasures of summer....

A new first...her first popcycle!

We've really only known a "winter Annabelle"...now we are having loads of fun having her discover summer delights....So far, as you can see for yourselves, we've realized that she has a fond appreciation of pink popcycles ;0))) Unfortunately, the experience at the car wash was not as pleasant. Mom had to jump in the back seat and hold her as she screamed during the entire 5 minute ordeal.

I can't wait for her to dip her toes in the ocean this summer ;0))) So much for her to discover...

A true Canadian gal....

The picture says it all... part sweet and feminine, part crazy Canuk! She is truly embrassing the Canadian way of life, and is especially intrigued by hockey ;0) Perhaps we have a future Olympic champ or simply a devoted fan... even on a hot, sticky day.

Hot Sunday afternoon...

Today felt oddly enough like we were turning a page... The winter spent in Siberia giving way to a truly hot summer's day in Canada. Gone, packed away, are the winter clothes that we first put on Annabelle...Feels strange in a way...the "firsts" are no longer... The drastic change in weather hit me and made us realize just how far we've all come since those cold winter months in Petro!

Pictures of Annabelle hanging out on the porch and Annabelle being amused by her devoted cousin, Jacob, who spent the afternoon with us.