Every story is beautiful, but OURS is my favourite...: May 2016

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Baptism Details

If you have travelled back to our blog, it means that you probably just received Sebastian’s birth announcement or Baptism invite.

We thank you for being in our lives and for continuing to share in our story. Our family will try to post some special memories here, so check back from time to time!

Here are the details about the baptism:

3:30 p.m. Church Service

St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

3840 Finch Avenue E, Toronto ON

There is an exit off of the 404 from Finch
or you can take the 407 to Kennedy.

- Godparents -

Joanne’s brother and sister in-law,
Alex and Laura Babalis

Arsenios’ childhood friends,
Adrian and Claudia Tomassi

5:30 p.m. Dinner Reception

Hazelton Manor (Where we got married!)

99 Peelar Road, Vaughan ON

The fastest way to get to the hall would be to take the Kennedy entrance of the 407 and get off on Jane. The hall is just around the corner!

* * * * *

Please RSVP to Joanne with the number of people attending (infants, children, etc.), as well as any allergies/dietary restrictions by June 17th, 2016.

To view our dinner menu click here. The Hazelton Manor is very good about making changes to certain ingredients, removing parts of the dish, or providing you with an alternative to enjoy your meal!

by email - shareinourstory@gmail.com

or by phone - see invite for #

Also be sure to check back at previous blog posts to view more images from when Sebastian was a newborn, and Joanne’s first Mother’s Day.

We look forward to re-connecting with you and celebrating this important day in our son’s life!

Little Miracles

Big Moments

Monday, May 9, 2016

Sebastian's first painting experience at 3.5 months old!

On Saturday I attended one of the Ontario Reggio Association's (ORA) Documentation Study Sessions hosted by Ellen Brown at York University. You might ask, well what does the above image have to do with this learning opportunity? As a new mom, and one who continues to be strongly influenced by the Italian educators from Reggio Emilia, I have already started to document my young son. It has been very interesting to take all that I have learned and tried to apply in my Kindergarten context to an infant. My hope was to create a provocation for Sebastian, so that together we could begin exploring paint. Bringing in this photograph for a group of us to study, proved once again the power of pedagogical documentation.

This was the write-up that we created for his grandmother's on Mother's Day.

Sebastian loved spending time in my creative art studio! He was so curious by all of the colourful books and supplies!

If you are a parent, you may wish to use these Crayola paints. They come in many different colours and are non-toxic. Something I have come to appreciate is so important!

Hope that you all had a lovely Mother's Day! We already printed out some of our pictures with the Wal-Mart photo app!

I wonder what masterpiece Sebastian Dean will create next...

Children are making meaning from birth.

Documentation is a valuable resource that allows

us to listen carefully to their communication.

It offers an opportunity

to study their capabilities and competencies.

-Ellen Brown

Sunday, May 8, 2016

What a wonderful world!

Today marks my very first Mother's Day! I am writing this blog post with one hand (at snail speed), while my tiny prince sleeps peacefully in my arms. The sounds that he makes and the look on his sweet face, take my breath away! I wish that I could bottle up these moments, and am not trying to exaggerate when I say that I am cherishing each second with him...

Sometimes it is still hard for me to wrap my head around the idea that I am a mom and that I have the important responsibility to raise a child! It was only a year ago, that I found out I was pregnant while studying with the Italian educators in Reggio Emilia. Words will never sufficiently be able to describe the excitement that I felt knowing I would become a parent, or what it has been like to watch my baby grow!

I proudly admit that my son is the very best part of me (and my husband of course!). He is already a curious and creative little guy who wakes up every morning with a smile and a few giggles. My hope for him, is that he keeps this positive outlook on life and that he continues to stare out of his window dreaming of all the possibilities!

My heart is full today, and every day since this precious angel came into our world. Here are a few photos captured by Aminaz Karim (of @loveoverlenses) from Friday's photoshoot in Edwards Gardens, Toronto. Sebastian was 3.5 months old or 15 weeks. Where has the time already gone?

Special Mother's Day wishes to my Mama, Marianna Babalis, who is a grandmother for the first time! She now has two grandsons, and Sebastian met his first cousin who joined our family on May 2. Mom, I don't even know if you read my blog, but thank you for being such strong role model. I hope to be half the parent you continue to be!

Happy Mother's Day also to my mother-in law, Andrea Vergis, and of course to all the other special ladies in my life, like my Godmother, grandmother, aunts, etc.

If you are a mommy, granny, or aunty, I hope that you have a memorable day too!

Thank you again to @loveoverlenses for this super fun collaboration! Aminaz, your beautiful photos and the experience of working with someone who shares my positive energy made my first Mother's Day extra special! I'm truly speechless by your natural talent!

P.S. We selected the Toronto Botanical Garden, Edwards Gardens, as I was feeling a little sentimental from my Fall maternity shoot at the same location!