Sappy Apple

16/52

2013-04-24T20:02:00.000-06:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Casper: My little snug bum.

Linus: Watching How to Train Your Dragon under our bed is serious bidness.

15/52

2013-04-22T14:17:00.002-06:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Casper: Chubba Wubba
Linus: Sleeping in on a Monday morning. We were almost late for school. What a teenager...

Linus' volcano!

2013-04-22T14:08:00.004-06:00

Linus is learning about dinosaurs this month at preschool, and we decided to made a volcano at home together last week. He wanted it to be ready to bring for show-and-tell on Friday. He's such a smarty- he knows the names of so many dinosaurs, he knows which ones are carnivores and which are herbivores. He's been singing a song about dinosaurs all week, drawing pictures of tyrannosaurus rex, albertosaurus and triceratops. He's also decided that he wants to have a dinosaur themed b-day party (so cool!!!). His b-day is just one month away, so I better start planning!

I asked him to hold his volcano while I took his picture.

Oh, gosh I love him a lot.

14/52

2013-04-09T15:04:00.001-06:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Casper: He is such a happy baby boy and so easy to soothe (so far). How did I get so lucky?

Linus: Brought this banjo to school on Friday and sang his rainbow song for show-and-tell. I was wishing I had enrolled him in the preschool with a live video feed... Would have loved to see that!

Thank you all for the sweet comments on my previous posts. You are so kind. Also, sorry to those of you who follow my Instagram.You've probably already seen both of these photos. I hope to use my Canon more often.

Brothers

2013-04-03T07:00:00.000-06:00

Just a few photos of my boys. Linus has been cheering Casper on during tummy time. It's so sweet. He's also been trying to play "Star Wurs" with the little guy. At first he said he would just "carry baby Casper to the different planets like Naboo and the Deaf Star". He settled for letting Casper watch while he played in the same room. So that's what they do most mornings. They enjoy each others company.

13/52

2013-04-02T08:00:00.000-06:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Linus: Wants to be a "teacher and a Star Wars guy" when he grows up.

Casper: Is starting to coo a lot more. Sweetest little voice.

ONE MONTH OLD

2013-04-01T16:00:00.000-06:00

Our baby boy, Casper Bear is 1 month old today. I just can't believe it. The last month was the quickest month of my life. I say it all the time- I need to slow down and soak in these moments before my boys are all grown up! So bittersweet.

Casper is such a loveable little guy. He's a very smiley boy already. He thinks patty cake is hilarious and he's beginning to tell us lot's of stories. He likes his tummy time and is getting so good at holding his little head up. He's been chubbin' out like crazy- gaining about a pound a week and making mama very proud. I've had to tuck away a few itty bitty onesies and sleepers that he doesn't fit into anymore, again bittersweet. He's in love with his big brother, Linus. They melt my heart on a daily basis with all the sweet cuddles, coo's and kisses.

Evan and I can't believe how lucky we are. We're so in love with this tiny boy.

A very sweet weekend.

2013-04-01T15:58:00.000-06:00

We had a wonderful long weekend. It's been sunny and warmish here. The snow is melting and Linus won't stop talking about Spring. He plans to jump in the puddles on our driveway every day, ride his scooter and his bike to the play ground, help us clean up the yard and watch his tulips bloom. He's been enjoying his two weeks of Spring Break at home with his baby Casper, but he's very excited to get back. They will be learning all about reptiles and dinosaurs this month, so I can see why.

Our Easter was lovely. Linus loved his chocolate egg hunt. The bunny was very generous. He got plenty of treats and eggs, a new book, and a bucket of sidewalk chalk. Casper got a fuzzy little bunny and a new soother. We spent most of the weekend with family. The food was amazing- Turkey dinner on Saturday and Polish Easter brunch on Sunday. I'm still stuffed.

Evan is back at work today and I'm spending my time cleaning, nursing a smiley baby boy, playing Star Wars with my oldest and snacking on chocolate eggs.

Jedi is 5!

2013-04-01T15:08:00.000-06:00

My adorable baby brother Jedi turned 5 last week!

Happy Birthday Jiggy Big! We love you so much.

Savoring.

2013-03-24T07:00:00.000-06:00

I've been going through the photos Sarah took of Casper a couple of weeks ago. He's already grown and changed so much. How can this be!? The days pass too quickly. I need to slow down, breath in his sweet smelling head and savor these moments with my boys. The dust bunnies can wait. There is nothing more important to me.

12/52

2013-03-23T10:25:00.000-06:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Casper: 3 weeks old! He gained a full pound this week.
Linus: He's become very protective of his baby Casper.

11/52

2013-03-18T16:42:00.001-06:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Casper: His first bath!
Linus: He has a nap after every swim class.

My littlest boy...

2013-03-11T22:12:00.000-06:00

We were so lucky to have our friend Sarah come over this afternoon to take a few photos of Casper. He was wide awake for nearly the entire time giving her a bit of a challenge, but she totally rocked it! I asked her to replicate a few adorable shots I found on Pinterest (the first and last of these) and I'm in love with how they turned out. Thank you so much, Sarah! I can't decide which photo is my favourite.

10/52

2013-03-10T08:00:00.000-06:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Linus: Mastering his new role as big brother.

Casper: 1 week old!

1 week

2013-03-09T17:51:00.000-07:00

I can't believe our little Casper is already a week old and at the same time it seems as though he's been in our family forever. We're a family of four now and it feels so very perfect.

We're doing well. Healing and healthy and thriving. We've ventured out a bit to pick up a few things, take Linus for a much needed hair cut, and to visit the doctor. I'm feeling really good so far. Nursing has been challenging. I'm cracked and sore and had one very engorged breast a couple of days ago. I was forced to pump for three months with Linus and then switch to formula, so it's all very new for me. I got some help and I think I'm starting to figure it out now. I'm getting plenty of practice!

Casper Bear is an absolute dream- a wide eyed, smiley babe full of wonder and curiosity. He's sure to cause a stir in this world. Linus is in love with him and takes every opportunity to kiss his peachy head and to find and give him back his missing sock or soother. He helps me with the laundry and always make sure to clean up his toys and games when he's done with them. I'm bursting with love for these guys. We're doing our best to include and take extra time with Linus to chat, play and cuddle. My mom has been a huge help. Linus has been over to her house to play with Jedi and Sadie after preschool a number of times this week. They were working on making a piñata a couple of days ago for Jedi's TMNT themed birthday party. He'll be turning 5 on the 28th!

This weekend has been so wonderful. Evan and I have been playing board games with Linus, cuddling and savoring every sweet moment with our two boys.

Thank you all for all your well wishes. I seriously am the luckiest.

09/52

2013-03-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Linus + Casper: Brothers meeting for the first time in the hospital.

Casper Bear Griffith

2013-03-06T11:19:00.000-07:00

Born on March 1st at 10:25 pm.

7lbs 9oz and 18.5 inches long. He's perfect in every way and looks so much like Linus.

He has a sweet smelling peach fuzz head that we can't stop kissing and stork bites on his eyes. I wouldn't change a thing about him. He's nursing well and he looks like a mini Gandhi when he's naked.

We're over the moon and our heart strings are exploding.

I've seen him smile in his sleep 7 times already.

Welcome to the world my little love!

Ready to pop!

2013-02-26T09:30:00.000-07:00

I'll be 40 weeks on Sunday. I had what was hopefully my last prenatal appointment yesterday. I'm 3 cm dilated and 75% effaced. We're just waiting for the bambino to make an appearance. Oh my goodness, I really don't think there is anything more exciting in the world!

We've installed the car seat, packed the hospital bag, inflated the birthing ball, stocked up on frozen meals, burp cloths, breast pads and all the newborn essentials. We've got a special gift ready and waiting for big brother Linus. Oh, and we're pretty certain on a name, too.

I've had a very easy pregnancy compared to a lot of women and I know i'm so lucky to feel as good as I do. With that said, my back aches and the pubic bone pain is just awful... I pee every half an hour, I'm swollen and I'm really not getting much sleep these days. As much as i've loved this pregnancy and as thankful as I am to have made it to 40 weeks, I'm ready for the next chapter. We all are. My mama is home from her Hawaiian vacation and Evan has everything sorted out at work.

Hand over the pineapple and the primrose oil. I want to meet my baby boy!

(just kidding about the pineapple and the primrose oil. I'll try my best to let nature take it's course.)

photos taken at 37 weeks by my friend Sarah Mavro.

08/52

2013-02-25T11:03:00.000-07:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Linus: Patiently waiting for a Sugarbowl cinnamon bun before heading to swimming lessons.

Baby boy: 39 weeks. I'm so looking forward to seeing his sweet face in these portraits.

A little room for a little boy.

2013-02-21T18:56:00.001-07:00

I am so excited to finally post photos of our baby boys nursery. I adore the way it turned out. The room was originally my sewing/craft room but once we found out we had another little man on the way it was time to move the fabric and jewelry supplies downstairs and transform it into a tiny boys room. The space is quite small. I'm not sure what the square footage is but trust me it's teeny tiny, but perfect for a small child. There is also no closet, but the beautiful vintage teak dresser has plenty of storage space (thanks mama!). It was a challenge to make everything fit and not look cluttered, but one that i was excited to take on. So here you have it... baby boys nursery. Now all that's missing is my sweet baby boy!

(click on the photos to make them larger)

07/52

2013-02-18T16:46:00.000-07:00

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

This photo was taken by my friend Sarah Mavro.

Linus: He's such a cuddly boy. I'm so lucky.

Baby boy: 38 weeks. Not much longer!

Happy Love Day

2013-02-14T18:43:00.000-07:00

Just a few iPhone pics from earlier. What a lovely love day. Linus had so much fun at his preschool party and really enjoyed his milk and cookies after lunch.

It's been a busy day for us and I'm pooped! I just ordered Thai food for dinner and we plan on playing Candy Land with Linus before bed. Evan is taking me out on Saturday night. It might be one of our very last date nights together before baby boy arrives... He's almost here! Linus put one of his chocolate hearts in his baby brothers crib today. Such a honey.

p.s. I just told Linus that his cheeks look rosy red and he told me, "Dat's because Sirena kissed my cheeks all over at school today!" Sirena is one of his best friends at school. She's a cute little tomboy with messy hair. They take Gymnastics together as well. I guess things are getting pretty serious.

06/52

2013-02-11T18:04:00.000-07:00

 "A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Linus: Minutes before switching out that toque for a helmet and sledding down the awesome snow hill in our neighbourhood. He loves sledding and keeps asking to go over the "big jump", which terrifies me. It's really not that big, but neither is he. Maybe he'll talk me in to it next time.

Baby boy: 37 weeks. He's getting into position now. I've been feeling quite a few Braxton Hicks contractions over the last few days. I don't think this little guy is going to make an appearance any time soon, though. Three weeks left to go and I have feeling he'll stay put until then.  

Lately

2013-02-07T13:00:00.000-07:00

Life lately. According to my iPhone....

• All I want to eat is fruit and chocolate... and TUMS. • Two new necklaces in the shop. • Linus went tobogganing for the first time last weekend. He LOVED it! • The sun rose at 8:08am. Tomorrow it will rise at 8:06am. Every minute counts. • The nursery is almost finished. I'll post photos soon. • This boy melts my heart on a daily basis. Just the sweetest person in every way. • "Darf Vader..." • We've been busy preparing for Valentines day. Linus has everything ready for the preschool party next week. • Linus has been missing Jedi and Sadie an awful lot. They're in Hawaii. He drew all four TMNT's for Jedi the other day. I helped with 3 out of 4 of the masks. He did the rest. Pretty awesome! Jedi returned the favor with four super cool Star Wars drawings. • This place. I make sure to spend an hour relaxing and reading in bed every afternoon. • I'm full term now and feeling so ready to finally meet this little man. I've been reading all sorts of positive and inspiring birth stories to mentally prepare my self. I've been breathing deeply and sipping raspberry leaf tea. Let's do this!

05/52

2013-02-03T07:29:00.000-07:00

 "A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Linus: Is already proving to be the sweetest big brother. He talks to the baby and reads him stories all the time. He kisses the belly at least 10 times a day.

Baby boy: Still 36 weeks in this photo. We're one month away from meeting this new little one. I'm so excited I just peed a little...