Hanna's Home

To be a baby

Aaahhh... to be a baby.... you can get away with so much. 

You can eat when you want. You can sleep where and when you want. You can fill your diaper with goodies, only to have mommy congratulate you on a job well done. All the while, you are greeted with smiles wherever you go.

There's something so wonderful about the unconditional love we offer our children. Let us teach them to extend that same love to all those they meet.

The world will know a richer sense of peace.

A vist from Baba and Dido

At an early age, Hanna is already a performer, providing endless entertainment for her Baba and Dido (Brad's parents) who came to visit from Winnipeg this past weekend. I think Hanna stole their hearts with her big eyes and contagious smiles.

Baba was a big help, caring for Hanna so Brad and I could get a few things done. It made me realize how families have changed over the generations. It used to be that you lived down the street from grandparents, who helped raise your children. Now, many of us live miles away.

It's bitter sweet when you think about it. Moving away affords new opportunities for you and your children. But, children won't know their grandparents in the same way as generations before did.

I guess all the more reason to cherish time spent together.

Imagine where I'll go

Dad,

Just imagine where these legs will take me...

around the block...
to my first day at school...
down a wedding aisle...
around the world...

Who knows exactly? It's a mystery to me now.

I'll look back and see you standing there,
Adoring me like you do.

Hold your head up high, daddy,
and just imagine where I'll go.

Big sleep

Don't you just want to squeeze my cheeks?  Join the club. Seems everyone wants to these days.

This morning my mom and dad were so excited. I went to bed last night at 9 pm and woke up this morning at 6 am. YAY! What a big sleep I had.  That's because I'm such a busy girl during the day. Yesterday, I had my first nursery rhymes class with mom. I kinda slept through most of it. Ooppss! Don't worry mom. I can absorb them in my sleep. And then I went to the city to sit in on my first corporate meeting. I think I had everyone's attention. And then I met a very nice lady who might take care of me when mom and dad are busy. She is really kind and loving.

My mom tried really hard to put me down for an afternoon nap, but sleeping in my crib during the day is highly overrated.  There's just so much to see and do!

I save my big sleeps for the night.

A helping hand

Yesterday Hanna and I talked about the importance of giving. The greatest gifts come to us in the process of giving to others, not in unhealthy ways, but in ways that fuel us and, in turn, fuel others.

As she and I sat nestled in our comfy chair, in our warm house, filled with food and furnishings, I talked to her about all the people affected by Hurricane Katrina--those torn apart from family, those who have perished, and those who lost their homes and belongings. 

We decided that she would donate her piggy-bank money to the Red Cross to assist. It's not much--$19.54 to be exact, collected from my pocket change. But, it's a helping hand that she can lend.

There is plenty of opportunity in this world to refill her piggy-bank. What flows out, always returns.

Multiplied and overflowing in abundance.

Introducing Taisa

Hanna's Home is not just for me, Hanna. It's for all my family and friends. So, I'd like to introduce you to my cousin, Taisa. I got to meet her last weekend and hang out with her. I'm thankful she let me lean against her because I still can't sit up straight for long. You saw that last week.

It's great to have a cousin the same age as me. We can play together, and share toys and stories.  Maybe some day I'll grow hair like Taisa too. 

My mom thinks Taisa has such a great smile. I agree. When she laughs, everybody else does too. She's also learning to stand up.

I'm not far behind.

Just wait and see.

All smiles

Hi all,

Sorry we haven't written in a couple of days. Mom's been solo parenting as dad's been away gathering the winter's meat.  (I'm pretty sure in a previous life, he lived by bow & arrow in the wilderness). It's definitely different when there is no one to tag team with.  You get down to the bare necessities:

Are bottles ready for the night's feedings? Do I have the diaper bag? Did I eat today? Wait a minute,  I'm leaving my driveway and forgot Hanna in the house... ah yes...

At 4 am this morning, after her feeding, Hanna was wide awake giggling.

"Night, night, Hanna, mommy's not ready to get up for the day yet!"

And so she sat in her crib and giggled for almost half an hour. I smiled as I listened from my bedroom. What could be so funny?

A little prayer

On the weekend, Hanna met her dido, my father. As I watched her look at him and him at her, I noticed they both have the same starry blue eyes. Growing up, I wished for my father's eyes. Now I have them in my daughter's.

Dido had heart surgery this week and so Hanna and I said a little prayer for him last night before bed. I was glad they got to meet before his surgery. My only regret is that I didn't get a picture.

Next time.

Hangin' with Hanna

This weekend we had a fabulous time in Saskatoon hangin' with the family. There was no shortage of delicious food (perohy, sausage, meatballs, beetniks in cream sauce, cornmeal nachynka, salads, scuffles, desserts...), plenty of laughter, and love. Hanna was excited to see her cousins. They take quite an interest in her and commented on her round fuzzy head, not realizing just how similar they looked when they were babies. It seems, Taisa, the other new cousin to be featured later this week, landed all the hair.

It is amazing how quickly children grow up and become little people, complete with their own personality. My sisters have done a wonderful job with their children. I overheard Lesia, my one sister, comment on how relaxed I am as a mother. What she doesn't realize is that I've been watching her and Larissa raise their own children for years. I've had great role models.

A quick hello

Hi everyone! It's me, Hanna.

We are off to Saskatoon this weekend to visit my new cousin, my aunts and uncles, and my dido (grandpa) Danylchuk!  I am very excited to meet all of them. It's a special occasion for my cousin, Taisa, as she is getting baptized.

So, you won't hear from me until Monday, but I'm sure there will be lots of stories and pictures.  Mom is a little crazy with the camera these days, as you can see. I'll be looking to burn these pictures when I'm 18. 

The chair I'm sitting in was my great grandfather's. It's pretty cool, huh? I try to sit up straight but sometimes it doesn't work out so well.  Oh, well, I'm just learning.  Mom says all I have to do is keeping trying.

Have a good weekend.