A Timeless Beauty

This clock hangs on the wall by our kitchen table.
It's a great conversation piece among those who join us for dinner.
Discussions have been had on where and why it was purchased to who can read the time on it.
This clock represents to me Daddy's passion for manufacturing plus his love for unique items.
Daddy turns another year older today.
Getting very close to entering a new decade.
Like this clock, I think he is a timeless beauty.
Have a good one Mr. 39.

For My Little Cupcake!

As many of you know the kitchen and I don't mix. But having two little helpers makes me try to get along with the kitchen. Yesterday I made some treats! I must say that I do feel like a Yummy Mommy!

More and More Cute at 4!

Today was all about me...Mommy and Daddy said I could decide the day since it was my birthday! I asked to go skating. So we headed out to Big White where I got to practice my skating on an outdoor rink. I am very tenacious, I'll be skating on my own soon!Daddy cooked my favorite meal: eggs and bacon! Yummy! The best part was my cake! There was whipped cream and strawberries, just like I ordered! I was even allowed to lick off the chocolate icing.Last week I got promoted from my toddler bed to a queen size bed! That's right, a huge bed just for me! Mommy and Daddy think I'm going to be a big guy, so they thought they'd super size my bed sooner than later!
Today I asked more questions then usual on the day I was born. I was born in Africa. Mommy said another mommy had me in her tummy. Daddy said he had to take a plane to come and get me. He said I was very hungry. I like to say, "I was just very little, right Daddy?"This turning 4 is sure cool! I hope the other 364 days will be just as fun!

Zippity-Do, Today I'm Two!

As of today I am no longer a baby! This week I'll be transferred to my crib to a big boy bed. Finally!

The baby gate was removed this weekend. Mommy and Daddy could have removed that months ago. I am a master stair climber!

I can do pretty much any and everything on my own now. Though I am told I am a disastrous eater and that I should do my business in the toilet.

I am stubborn. I do it my way or no way. I sit in the corner a few times a day. It doesn't faze me much.

I let Mommy cuddle me. I don't care for it but I can tell she loves it so I let her.

I am having my favorite cake today 'cause I'm 2! Banana bread with chocolate chips.

I am a toddler now! Crack open the apple juice!

Labour of Love

It's the eve of Parker's second birthday. Two years ago I was pregnant. It was just me and Daddy. Last year I was surprised how weepy I felt that baby Parker was now going to be one.

I'd by lying if I told you that this year is different. I've been reflective about him turning two for the past three weeks! I feel weepy. Sad that he has outgrown his 18-24 months clothes and that his little feet no longer fit in the palm of my hand.

I pulled out his baby book and re-read his birth story that our doula wrote for us. This material is great to have. Reaffirms that I don't want to go through that again! But I'll enjoy the reminiscing, allow myself to feel nostalgia and hope that I have many more years of celebrating baby Parker.

One year ago...

It's been a year tomorrow (April 29) that James officially joined our family!


We've been reminiscing for the past few days about this day and the 364 days following. We watched videos and looked at pictures. We had our final adoption post placement visit with our social worker. Three visits were done in the past year to see how James' is medical, growth, adjustment and attachment were coming along.


We also received an email from the orphanage to see how James was doing. We will continue to inform the orphanage on James' development and growth and also share pictures of him. James is our 'big' miracle: he could hardly walk, he was quiet and did no eye contact. The day of his arrival I was so scared and yet this is what I waited for so long, but it's kind of like birth you know you can't turn back and you know darn well that your life will be forever changed. And indeed it has!


We now look at James running, climbing, talking non-stop and eager to be a "big kid". It warms our hearts. There were days that I felt ill equipped for this job called motherhood yet James' easy going personality calmed me. James' first two years of life were spent without us but we truly do not feel we 'missed out' on those years. Perhaps it's because it was just meant to be.

Happy Gotch-ya Day James!

P.S.
We had all the right intentions to celebrate this day with a big party, as for his and Parker's birthdays but we've taken the informal route this time around! Could it be because we're tired parents? Next year will celebrate with pizazz!!!

Mommy's 1 year older

For my birthday I got to enjoy drinks and appies with great girlfriends! Tucking James before leaving he asked if I was going to yoga. I have to say having great friends is good for the soul just like yoga is so I said to him, "Yes, mommy needs to go to yoga!"

Pictures: Delphine (6 mo pregnant for baby #2), Nicole (mommy of 2), Lisa (mommy of 2), Teri (mommy of 2), and Terry (mommy of 3)!

The Life of a 1 Year Old

I heard that mom wrote on the blog that I was being a little bum when I woke up at 2AM crying. I was trying to communicate to her that my boots and bars were annoying the heck out of me. I tolerate it pretty good most nights but sometimes I just need a break from them! Is that bad? I head down to Vancouver in April to see Dr. Alverez. She is going to check the progress of my club foot and while I am there I will ask her if it's okay I get a break from them once in a while.

I can't sleep with blankets because they would get all tangled up in the bar that is between my two feet. Though I love sleeping on my side it is not the most comfortable when you got your foot at a 40 degree angle. I know I have to suck it up for just another couple of years but I just have to vent a little.

"No Parker, don't touch!" is a very common saying around here. I can't touch the stove, stereo, computer or anything remotely interesting. Are there any one-year olds out there experiencing the same thing?

Oh! I better go...I hear mommy saying, "Parker, no touch!"

Daddy is 3?

It has been a month of birthdays and daddy was proud to celebrate his with his two boys! I made one of Michael's favorite meals: salmon, rice, ceasar salad! I wanted to make his favorite cake: Black Forest however the cherries I bought were in a syrup and I knew that pouring it on the cake wouldn't work so whip cream was the filler. The boys, like their dad thought it was a spectacular cake. Notice each boy is holding something: Parker his salted cracker and James his flashlight!#$@

Have great year hon, you are an awesome Daddy!

xo

I am Free!

Yesterday I turned free (three!) years old! I invited by buddy Jace and his family for a chili dinner and chocolate cupcakes. We then headed downstairs to play wearing our matching Superman pajamas. We had lots of fun. I would show you some great pictures but mommy deleted them from the camera!

Now that I am a Big Boy I can help mommy vacuum, play hockey and work most electronics in the house: the stereo, DVD player, TV, etc. I love playing with my blue monster truck, taking care of my baby doll and coloring. I have now mastered the art of sharing with my little brother. Every time I share with him I am sure to tell mommy and daddy about it. A good deed can not go unnoticed! Now that I am 40lbs I have graduated into a booster seat in the car. Good-bye to my baby car seat, those straps where getting way too tight!

Though I do not know what time of day I was born I do have my birth certificate and it says I was born at the Catholic Monrovia Hospital. Yesterday we also honored by birth mother and birth father.

My plan for this year is to learn to ride a two-wheeler, (like my cousin Jaret did when he was 3!), wear my boxer shorts full-time, and continue to lead a life filled with giggles and love.

Warm hugs,

James Monrovia Epp

365 Days Later...

Today is my 1st birthday! It was a good day to reminisce about my first year on Earth and all that I have accomplished in these 365 days. Here are some facts:

• I was born at 2:07 AM in 2007!
• I was born on Groundhog day!
• My middle name is Richmond on behalf of my daddy's dad Richard and my mommy's dad Raymond.
• I have 8 teeth and have gotten over 4 haircuts thanks to my cowlick (see picture above)!
• I like saying, baba, dadda, daddy, ah, and I like to clap my hands.

In my 2nd year I hope to walk, run, eat more food, be breast milk free and continue to capture the hearts of my fan club!

Wet kisses,

Parker Richmond Epp


PS: Click on the the words highlighted in green!