RIBEIRO

This picture pretty much sums up our month of December. Some other highlights within this past month included Jonas participating in the preschool Christmas program at Church. Although he didn't do much within the program, he looked cute and he was pretty proud to be dressed in a costume! On one of our flights to my parents, Jonas was invited into the cockpit to meet the pilot and receive his "wings". Although he acted all serious, he was very excited as he is a "typical" boy who loves trains, planes and automobiles! While we were at my parents, Jonas helped his Grampa and his Daddy build a HUGE snow fort. We don't get this type of snow in Burnaby, so it was a great time. It was great to have all the extra help and Jonas was more than happy to be entertained by his Auntie Drea and Uncle Ryan! Great memories :)

There is so much to be said about the month of December...from celebrating Birthdays, to Christmas gatherings, making cookies and a trip to my parents in Alberta. It's been a great month! We did many of our "traditional" Christmas activities...including the Christmas train at Stanley Park. Jonas really took everything in this year, even starting to understand that we celebrate Christmas because it's Jesus' Birthday. Prior to our Christmas Dinner, our family went around the room saying what we were grateful for...Family seemed to be on the top of that list. I'm so grateful that our family really loves to spend time together and that we are able to celebrate Jesus' birth together as a family. Nadia was also on the top of my list...after some scares within the pregnancy, I'm so grateful that she's healthy and a part of our lives! Jonas' Christmas highlights.....airplane ride to Zeezee and Grampa's house, making a huge snow fort in my parents f

We recently went over to Victoria to visit great friends of ours, Cara, Nuno and their daughter Olivia. We are so thrilled for them as they are expecting twin girls in 3 weeks, and wanted to help out anyway we could before this arrival and introduce them to Nadia! Jonas and Olivia are 2 months apart and absolutely LOVE eachother. We've nicknamed them the "Gruesome Twosome" seeing eachother often enough that they play easily together....even though Jonas will soon be the only boy, surrounded by 4 girls! Saturday afternoon Keith and Nuno were doing some work outside and Jonas and Olivia decided to help out. Let's just say we had to strip them down to their underwear before we could bring them in the house, mud from head to toe! Funny scene....Cara and I chatting in the kitchen, realizing it's too quiet and so we start to look for the "gruesome twosome". They are quietly sitting in the guestroom after going through our luggage and have discovered o

Where do I begin....November has come and gone in a flash! We were able to enjoy Keith's parents company for 2 weeks at the beginning of November. They were able to meet Nadia and participate in our regular weekly activities, dinners and even a birthday party. It was nice having the extra help, home cooked meals and I was even able to sleep in a bit with Nadia while Jonas was entertained. Thank you! They were able to stay for Keith's Birthday when we had a great dinner at The Keg. We weren't sure how Jonas and Nadia would do, but they were great, even getting comments from other tables at how well they behaved! JONAS ... we are amazed daily by his vocabulary and his memory. We're in the habit now, at bedtime, talking about the next days activities. Well, first thing the next morning, he'll fill you in on what our agenda is suppose to include! Jonas is now sleeping in a big boy bed and it's been a bit of an adjustment. This new found freedom to get out of

5 weeks have come and gone since Nadia was born! We still can't believe we have a little girl.....until she starts to loudly grunt at 4 am!! Anyone want to do a night shift at our house! Overall we have adjusted really well. Jonas is still loving her but maybe giving us a harder time cause he notices he's not the center of attention anymore. His language amazes us daily. We're having full conversations, where, for the most part he uses proper nouns and verbs even! He loves to go outside to play soccer and doesn't mind that Nadia has to tag along now. Both the kids had checkups this week...Jonas weighing in at 30lbs, 85cm tall and Nadia ( at 5 weeks ) weighed in at 10.5 lbs! She's putting on the weight very nicely! Jonas, at 5 weeks old, was 10.1 lbs. Nadia is also showing her smiles for us and is starting to show a little bit of a routine during the day and night! Our Halloween was filled with a great dinner with friends, trick or treating with a giraffe, tiger and

Is it bad that Nadia is only 4 weeks old and I'm already fretting about childcare for next September! I just found out what I thought was a sure thing for Jonas for preschool next September is actually NOT. For those that don't live here, the lower mainland is ridiculous for childcare...you basically have to just be thinking about wanting to be pregnant and you should already put your name down in a gazillion places if you're even thinking about going back to work. I'm not sure if our current childcare will be able to take both kids next fall. Why am I worrying about this now, why? Sorry for the venting.....this is when I really wish my family was closer. kay...thanks for letting me vent :(

We do have alot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving. Thankful for Mom who came and helped before and after Nadia was born. Thankful for all the prayers during the last 9 weeks of our pregnancy for a healthy baby. Thankful for a noneventful delivery of our beautiful and healthy baby girl. Thankful for a very understanding little boy who has accepted Nadia...so far! Thankful to Mom and Dad for taking Jonas early to Kelowna for a little extra attention from our extended family. Thankful for a wonderful visit with our family in Kelowna and being able to spend Thanksgiving with my parents ( it's been 10 years since I spent Thanksgiving with them!) We were able to take a four generation picture as well..pretty amazing! (This is neat: Nadia, Amanda, her mother Carol and Grandmother Lena are all 30 Years apart in age. )

I figure it's better to be short and sweet than not to put anything up at all! We have adjusted to our new family of four very well and still can't believe that we have our beautiful little girl! My parents have been such a HUGE help and we can't thank them enough for all their help! To get out the door before 10 am has been a challenge! But we're loving it! Jonas is loving his little sister and gives her "juicy kisses" whenever he sees her. He's also very concerned to know where she is at all times.

Introducing Nadia Grace Ribeiro, born Monday, September 27th at 7:51 pm. She weighed 7 lbs and measured 49 cm long with a little bit of brownish colour hair. I'll try to post some more pictures in the next few days. Sorry if we haven't personally phoned to tell our news....it's been a bit busy! We can't wait to share her with all of you though! Thank you so much for all your love and prayers, especially over the last 9 weeks! Love Amanda, Keith, Jonas and Nadia :)

Our Prince Jonas will soon become a brother, God willing, but for now we marvel at how he has grown from "one baby, mommy" into a bright and curious little boy. We love you Jonas and always will!

Just a few pictures showing how September has been so far. We've been able to enjoy the sunshine for the most part and trying to get plugged into programs for the fall. There is something I LOVE about fall. It reminds me of school and the start of many good things! At the moment Jonas is only registered for a music program on Saturday mornings. There are many "drop in" programs that we are planning to do during the week but not knowing the personality of what the new baby is going to be like, it makes me nervous to register Jonas for week day programs without Keith's help! And No...the baby has not arrived yet! As much as I'm loving being pregnant...I'm a bit impatient, only though to move on to getting to know this little being!

Congratulations to our friends, the Mitchells, on the birth of their son Justin Micah! May the Lord bless your Son and your family. Love, Keith, Amanda and Jonas.

For all this resting, you'd think I'd be updating the blog a bit more but it just didn't happen! As I said in our last post, we've had so much help over the last few weeks. A big BIG thank you goes to "Auntie Trudy" for making the trip and helping us out for a few weeks. I don't think I changed a diaper once while she was here and she definitely made life around here alot easier given our situation. Jonas loved all the attention and is still asking where she is! With the beautiful west coast weather we've been having, we enjoyed some beach time recently. I'm not sure who had more fun, Jonas or Keith! We've also been taking advantage of the weather by starting Potty Training! I figured doing it while the weather was nice, would help us out, as we could spend alot of time out on the patio. We just finished day 3 and things are working out really well. Can't believe our little guy is growing up. Baby #2 Update...baby is still not wanting to ma

How fast July has gone! We kept very busy with various visitors, Jonas' Birthday, dinners and BBQ's. We've had such great weather that we've tried to make the most of it. This included having our 5th annual Kitimat BBQ. A few of us gals pick a date and then try to rally up people to meet for a BBQ and catch up. This year was very last minute but we were still able to get a good group together. This picture is from the BBQ of Jonas enjoying the spray park. He actually squealed with delight as he ran through the water! I'm now officially off of work, a little earlier than planned, but we can't always plan everything! That I've learned! I feel great but had a little situation last week where the Dr. feels that the best medicine for me is to be very low key for the next 2 weeks. This is alot easier said than done as I don't like to sit around for too long. Friends have been great though, helping out with taking Jonas or dropping off food. We really are bles

It seems like so much has happened in the last month that it's overwhelming to write it all down and add the pictures, so it'll come in two stages! Jonas still seems to amaze us with his vocabulary, reciting his abc's, singing many songs and "negotiating!" Yes, it's started. About 3 weeks ago we noticed his behavior change to negotiating and some terrible two stuff! Yikes....it really does happen so close to age 2, at least in Jonas' case! The month of June was different due to the fact that I was on "sick" leave from work due to the pregnancy. At the moment things are pretty good but there were some issues where the Dr. wanted me to take things a bit easier and felt best that I should be off work. So that meant Jonas had his mommy for a whole month and I think he enjoyed it. It's hard to just be at home with him so we tried to plan as many play dates and library time as possible. I think Jonas loved it! As for me, I'm now back at work an

Jonas continues to amaze us. 23 months old he can already accomplish so much. Only some of the things he says: "Do you like that song?" "Don't like that song." "Don't cry baby, its okay." That's cute" (referring to Mom's clothes selections). "What's this?" "Go to bed after (playing)." My goodness!" "One more train, Daddy." He can identify and name shapes: circle, square, rectangle, triangle, "ooooval", and can count at least up to 16. Songs Jonas regularly sings with us and when he is alone: Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, Wheels on the Bus, and the theme song from the musical "Annie":

Where do I start! In a nutshell, the month of April held a trip to Kelowna for Easter, my parents coming for a visit and to babysit Jonas while Keith and I flew off to Costa Rica for one of my best friends weddings and then visits from some great friends. I always tell friends who have family close by, how lucky they are to have family around. Well, I am fortunate that my parents come when needed and they definitely came thru for us! My Dad was here for a few days and then left my Mom to watch Jonas while we were in Costa Rica. Although we missed him dearly, I think he was having his own all-inclusive right here in Burnaby! They did more activities than I probably do with him in a month! Keith and I had a great time celebrating the wedding of our friends Anita and Jason. Thirty-five of their friends and immediate family came to help celebrate and I was honoured to be in the wedding party. If you know us well, than you know that many of our closest friends live or are from Kitimat and i

It's been a busy time around here. The month of March has been occupied with work, out of town guests and Jonas! These latest pictures are from our trip to Kelowna for Easter and our last dental visit at my office for Jonas. Jonas just loves his time in Kelowna and continues to speak of it days and weeks after we come back. One of our traditions at Easter is to make an Easter basket somewhere outside and then find it on Easter Sunday to see what was left. Well, this year Jonas totally got the concept and loved it! He kept shouting "Egg" everytime he found one in the grass. If you compare last years Easter blog entry you'll see how much he's grown next to the bunny, since last year! Whenever we're in Kelowna, we weigh Jonas, as we don't have a scale in our house! He's now coming in at 28LBS!!!! If only I could get hime to eat more. I don't know how he weighs so much because it's not easy getting food into him. The other photo i

Yes, we're going to have baby #2! The news leaked out a bit early, so we've tried to make some phone calls to tell people. Sorry if we haven't told you personally. We are thrilled and are expecting our new little bundle at the end of September, although the Dr. has warned us we could have a repeat early arrival like Jonas! So far I'm feeling pretty good, although I have a hard time finding the time for excercise. It was alot easier with the first pregnancy!

Unless you've been under a rock during the month of February, everyone knows we've been hosting the Winter Olympics in Vancouver! We've been able to enjoy the festivities 2 weekends in a row, with friends coming the first weekend and then Auntie Drea and Uncle Ryan last weekend. Jonas does really well with crowds. We just put him in our MEC backpack and he loved being up high, checking everything out. The center picture is between Science World and GM Place along the water, there were hundred of little Inukshuk's that people had made. It was quite amazing and of course we had to build one to go along with the rest. One of the pictures is from Granville Street, for those who don't live here...this is NOT normal! But it was great! Street performers everywhere and so many people from all around the world..definitely worth being down there no matter how chaotic it was! We were lucky that Jonas was great most of the time! On a side note, we're still house hunting to

Going thru photos, I've realized we've left out a few little events over the beginning of February. The first picture is of Jonas' best boy buddy Daniel and himself just hanging out! Jonas has many "girl friends" but not alot of boy buddies and so it's nice when we get together. Jonas gets a real kick out Daniel and can't stop talking about "Daniel and Grace ( big sis) once they're out of site! The other photo is of our dear friend Dilia giving Jonas his first real haircut at her salon. The whole time he just sat real still with an uncertain look on his face. But he let her finish and seemed happy when she was done. He looks quite grownup now and not so little anymore! :( Keith and I are shocked that we can have conversations with Jonas and he repeats so much of what we say. We catch him singing songs on his own and he'll read to himself...it's cute...I guess you have to be here to think so! Not sure if it's impressive or not but he ca

Getting "cozy" with Auntie!

Ten days after being home from Christmas, Keith's parents came to visit for a week. We enjoyed their visit and Jonas seemed very comfortable with them. I think he really loved staying home for a week from childcare and getting alot of one on one with them! Shortly after they left we were off to Mexico with my parents and sister and brother-in-law. We had a great time and again Jonas loved all the attention! The weather was great and the company even better! It was nice to share in the responsibility of watching Jonas. With 6 adults, there was always someone willing to go in the water. Jonas LOVED the water and would spend endless hours splashing in the pools at the resort! We were able to do various activities and Jonas even had his afternoon naps in the shade, poolside! This was a trip we had attempted to plan over the last 3 years so we were very happy to actually see it happen! It makes you wonder why we don't do this more often and so our plan is to plan a family holiday