Hanna's Home

Four months old

Hi everyone,

Today I am four months old. Mom and dad can't believe that I've grown 1.5 inches in a month to 25 1/2 inches tall and 14 lb 7 oz.

I love to squeal and kick my legs, and my stand is getting stronger every day. I'm not sure I'm into the crawling thing. Maybe I'll go straight to walking instead.

I love to dish out smiles left and right, to whoever wants one. Mommy loves this because then she can see my right dimple. I just smile because I'm having soooo much fun.

So far, life is pretty cool!

We meet again

Hi Taisa,

So great to see you again.  Thanks for coming to my baptism. I know you traveled a long way to get here. Mom loves your hat. It matches your pink jumper so nicely. I got to wear my cousin Camryn's dress today. It's pretty too.

I can't wait to see you again at Christmas in Yorkton. Word around here is that mom bought me some crazy Santa hat.  See if you can get one too and we'll take a picture together. OK?

Love your cousin,
Hanna

Hanna's Baptism

Hanna's baptism was a special day for us all. It was a day to connect with loved ones in celebration. A day to acknowledge our family traditions in the church. And a day to honour the beautiful spirit that Hanna is.

I never realized how meaningful it would be for me.  At first, I was doing the baptism because I "ought to"  to uphold family tradition. But as I witnessed how meaningful it was for Brad's parents and Hanna's precious godparents (my sister Lesia and Brad's brother, Ken) my perspective shifted. So many times during the service, I was deeply touched with joy. During the blessing the priest does for the mother and child, I listened as he spoke of how I've brought this child into the world.  I was moved at the thought that I've participated in creating Hanna, not in the literal sense, but more the spiritual, life-affirming sense.

I can't help but confirm that Hanna's presence is the richest present ever bestowed upon me.

Hanna meets her great Baba

This weekend we flew to Winnipeg for Hanna's baptism. It was a weekend of firsts for her... first time on a plane and first time meeting her great grandmother (or Baba in Ukrainian).

I've forever admired my Baba. She raised 7 children and only recently started to show some grey hair. To me, she represents the ultimate in strength, vitality and wit. At age 90, her beauty continues to blossom.

It was such a delight for me to introduce Baba to Hanna.  Her eyes softened as she spoke of Hanna's beauty. Despite not knowing, or perhaps understanding, the details of open adoption, she invited Hanna into her arms with overflowing love and acceptance.

I was incredibly touched in that moment -- one of those moments you never forget.

Flowers for me

Heh mom, are these flowers for me?

They are so bright and colourful.

I can grab them with my hands and play with them like I do my toys.

Wait a minute...

I could probably eat them too.  Let's give it a try before mom tries to stop me.

She's too busy taking pictures anyways...

Her command center

Hanna has migrated into the exersaucer. It's like her little command center with tons of buttons to push and objects to pull. She throws herself back and forth in the seat that, at times, it looks like she's ready for take off. She makes me laugh.

I sit back and admire her. She has become a little person.  Like a sponge, she absorbs everything around her. No longer will she sit cradled in my arms. She wants to stand and sit, stand and sit, building the most amazing quad muscles.

Somehow, my desire is to keep her this small forever.

P.S. Yes, she has daggers for nails. Hence the scratch on her forehead. I've opted for night time mits.

Little Piglet

As a child, I hated having my birthday on Halloween. Somehow it took away from my special day. My birthday parties were seldom on my birthday because people were busy with trick or treating. And people were always quick to associate me with a witch or ghost. (I preferred to dress up as an angel or fairy...)  As a result, I grew up downplaying my birthday and hating costume parties.

But, this year, things were different. I loved how I celebrated my birthday. It was quiet but magical. Miss Hanna sported her piglet costume with smiles galore. In fact, dad had her in it all day long.  I blew out the candles on my birthday cake one at a time, sharing with Brad something I was grateful for and an intention for the upcoming year.

Birthdays are a time to celebrate our marvelous trip around the sun. I look forward to the next lap on this journey.