Sebastian! September 7, 2007

Sebastian Richard Verbickas

Born at 2:06pm September 7th 2007

6lbs 8oz.

Sechelt, BC

The newest addition to the happy, exhuasted family.

My water broke Thursday night, I was on the phone to Telus trying to get the internet working! While still on one phone to Telus I was on another phone trying to find someone to come over to Gibsons and stay with Rya. It was very close and Auntie Jen saved the day by catching the last ferry with 3 mins to spare. Thank-you!

We drove to Sechelt Hospital (15mins) and nothing was happening so we went home. A few hours later I thought it was time to go back to the hospital. Minor contractions through the late night and morning. It picked up late morning and then it was time to roll at 2. With one GREAT contraction... Sebastian joined us at 2:06!

Big sister Rya and Grandma came in the evening to meet Sebastian. Rya was very excited and kept saying "Baby Seb, Baby Seb sleeping shhhh" Sadly Rya has a nasty cold and we wouldn't let her kiss him. That didn't go over very well.

Rya just couldn't get close enough. That has continued now at home. She follows around with her step stool to the changing, feeding and any other Sebastian action... not to miss anything.

She is starting to get the idea that Mommy and Daddo aren't as fully focused on her anymore but we are trying our best. I think there will be a lot of melt downs in the near future... from everyone.

We are settling in now and doing allright. Sebastian seems pretty chilled for now. He sleeps all the time... except at night. Grrr...

Richard is so very proud and thrilled to have a boy and a girl. We are told this it the Million Dollar Family. We are feeling pretty blessed!

It looks like Sebastian may have my colouring (yes!) Its only fair. Rya has Richard's, Sebastian should have mine. Can you see the brown eyes behind the slate blue? I can!

Yes, those will be brown eyes!

I have to say... I think we make good looking babies!

I am betting that this won't get updated too often... I will try my best. Someone told me that having a toddler and a baby at the same time is a lot of work.... Yes, I am a little scared!

We have lots of help and lots of Love... I just hope we have lots of patience.

Pictures of the new house to follow.

Rya's 2nd Birthday August 7, 2007

It was supposed to be an outside party with lots of fun and games... but, surprize, surprize.. it rained. Still fun just a little more busy for mommy!

Rya got a tea set which was a real hit! and baby diapers (prep!) and mini horses from Mommy and Daddo.

We took more video than pics sadly....

I ordered a safeway cake... ugh too much dye and icing... tastes pretty good though!

Rya's friend's Odin, Owen, Mathew, Nate, Grace, Blake, and Dakota came. It was a great day. Birthday number three will be much smaller!

First RV (Mo-Ho) trip. July 7-19

Here is the new motorhome... or Mo-Ho as Rya calls it. We intended to make our maiden voyage all the way to Ontario to see all the family but we didn't get that far. We realized before we left that time just did not permit. Sorry Ontario family. We headed off to Kelowna first and visited with our friends Steve and Lindsay and their two kids Tristan and Aidia.

We thought about stopping them.. but thought what for? At least it isn't my couch... though now Rya jumps on the couch at home. Should we stop her?

Here is a little look at our first journey. After Kelowna we camped in Revelstoke for a night and then went to Calgary to see the calgary family.

Since we weren't in a rush we thought we would stop and look at trains. A little homage to Grandpa

Here we are in Calgary visiting Gra'mere and looking at the ducks.


We had to go to the Calgary Zoo!

The giraffe is right behind them eating a leaf. This was a great day Rya went crazy for all the animals, she named and signed them all. It was smoking hot though.. Mamma was hurtin.

Here is Rya with her "cousins" Mary, Peter, and John. We stayed with Uncle Tom and Karen and the kids for a few days and visited as any of the relatives as we could. We got to see cousin Jenn and Emily and also Aunts Meredith and Allison. It was a really great visit and good time with the family.

We headed off to Nelson to visit our friends Benje and Jeb. We had a great but short visit with them... sorry for the late notice guys (sigh). and then went to Oliver. On the way we stopped at as many lakes as possible. Lake Moyie outside of Nelson was by far the best... but here is a clip from Christina Lake outside of Grand Forks. Rya has become quite a swimmer!



We stayed with my highschool friend Kathy and her family for a night in Oliver. It was great to see her and her family, but We realized that we hadn't done much "camping" in the new RV and wanted to get at least another night in away from the safety of a house. We headed to a campground in Hedley.


On the way we stopped at a great Petting Zoo/Farm. Farmer Johns! Loved it! Rya loved it too... it loved Rya....
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After Hedley we got a timely phone call from Malcolm and Jen inviting us to join in on the party at Jen's parents cabin just outside of Princeton in Tulameen.
It was perfect timing and we ended out trip there.
Thank-you to everyone for letting us park at your homes.

Early June stuff...

What does this remind you of??? I was thinking of the Caterpillar from Alice in Wonderland.

For the record... its a Penny Whistle.

She thought it was pretty funny when she could get a sound out of it. Now I almost regret showing her how it works. It is music... right?

Trying to sell our house has been a very busy, stressful, unenjoyable experience.

The constant cleaning and "Staging" of the house is madness.

Rya is helping us keep in mind hat there is always some fun to be had.

Here are Rya and Dad at Cates park throwing rocks for Buffy.

Toby is on the other side of the camera... sleeping.

Richard found this "motorcyle" at a garage sale. Can't go wrong for $5.

Rya REALLY loves it...

...And here is the growing belly... baby.

22 weeks (5 months and some)

...And 26 weeks (6 months and some)
Mommy and the baby are doing great. Rya keeps pointing at my belly and then points at hers. We are still working on the baby in the tummy concept. Rya loves her baby doll and rocks her and tries to change her "stinky" diaper. If only I could really get her help. Ugh.
New home, and new baby at the same time... we have great timing.