And now we're mums!

One of my great friends from Winnipeg (all the way back from my Princess Margaret days), Magda Rushworth (formerly Cychowska) has been living in Britain for the past few years. It always seemed that whenever she was in Winnipeg to visit, I was elsewhere, or she was doing something major like getting married, and then there are far too many people to spend time with. ;) So, since I won't be in Winnipeg to see her this time around either, Dave & I drove to Pearson Airport to spend a few hours together with Magda & her son Ben during their layover. Though short, it was a nice visit & it was great to see Magda again & meet little Ben.

Ben's "really-I-do-enjoy-strawberries" face, sitting on Alice T.'s lap

Magda & Ben

l to r: big mum, little baby, big baby, little mum ;)

More of our cutie

Celebrating one month!

Toben & Mateo, doing what they do best

On the one hand, it's hard to believe Mateo is already a month old. On the other hand, it's getting hard to remember what life was like before he came. Cindy (our midwife) was here for supper yesterday and she weighed him... he is already 11 lbs, 5 oz. And he's grown an inch, so he is now 22 inches long. The big milestone he hit on his one month "birthday" was a spontaneous smile - for Cindy! Since that one, I did manage to snap a picture. So here's our quickly growing boy...

Mateo meets "Elvis" & Fay Robinson for the first time

Our chubby boy

Good grief. I know I'm his mother, but this is just ridiculously cute!

Happy Easter!

One of the requirements for becoming an honourary Mennonite, like David is, is learning how to make good old fashioned Mennonite fare. We've covered making verenike (perogies) with Oma... Oma was very impressed with David's dough-rolling abilities. We've also done borscht, and, since it's Easter season, it's also paska season. David is now officially a paska baker... we've already polished off half a dozen "paska cupcakes" and I just finished glazing the loaf that we're taking to the Albrecht farm for Easter dinner tomorrow... hopefully you're all enjoying some of this excellent sweet bread. Happy Easter!

Making Faces

Omi & Opa's Visit

On March 29, Omi and Opa Kampen came to Waterloo to spend time with their new grandson (and to see their daughter and son in-law). We had a wonderful time relaxing together, watching them with Baby Mateo. Unfortunately, the weather did not allow us to spend as much time outdoors as we had hoped, but it was nicer than in Manitoba. ;) Omi and Opa brought an enormous suitcase filled with gifts for Mateo, from famiy and friends in Winnipeg. It was so exciting, and we so appreciated that everyone thought of us and that people so far away already love our little boy so much!

Bonding with Omi

Mateo making friends with the puppy Hillary sent

Seriously, Oma... this is usually how far Toben stays away from Mateo... you don't need to worry!

Poor boy is so hungry, he's trying to suck Omi's face off.

Opa likes to think he caused this smile, rather than gas, which is more likely... ;)

Falling in love

Mateo... already impressing the ladies

Mateo is very popular at church. He's been at church every Sunday of his life, except the Sunday he was born. Breslau Mennonite seems to be having somewhat of a baby boom... one baby in October, one baby in March. ;) Little (big!) Claire is getting a sibling in September, so she is practicing eagerly with our little boy. (That's three babies in one year!! What a Sunday School class!)

Mateo is more than a week old...

Our little opera singer...

Our little Mateo is growing every day. Yesterday when the midwife weighed him he was 8 lbs, 10 oz, so 6 oz more than his birth weight. He is a little "Nimmersatt" (never satiated), it seems, but luckily breastfeeding is going well. He is actually sleeping very well, too, so David and I are actually managing to get some rest at night. Right now my parents, Mateo's Omi and Opa are here, and it is so nice... they are enjoying their cute little grandson, and we are enjoying spending time with them, too. :)A rare thing, believe it or not...

Looking around

Papa & Mateo

Okay guys, any time you're ready you can get me out of here.

New generation of Oma & Opa Albrecht

King of Awesome

Mami & Mateo

Welcome to the world, baby boy!

David & I are proud to announce the arrival of Mateo Josef at 12:08am on Sunday, March 22. He weighed 8 lbs, 6 oz, and measured 21 inches. He gave us a good scare by having trouble getting his glucose and body temperature leveled off, but he received excellent care in the Special Care Nursery. Both Mateo and I are doing really well now... just tired. ;) We made it home safe and sound this afternoon, and are settling into getting to know each other and enjoying spending these first hours together.