Best Friends Forever

There's nothing like having a friend so close in age right from day one, especially when it's family!! My sister Michelle, gave birth to Lindsay Katherine Bell only 5 weeks before Ash made his appearance. So we've been taking advantage of such a gift and have been keeping each other company, chatting on the phone and giving each other advice on different methods of approach for day to day life with a newborn. Only recently however, did we attempt to put them side by side to see what they would do. I admit, they didn't do a whole heck of a lot, but dam were they cute!!

Ash's 1st Christmas

All right, let's be honest...Ash had no idea what was going on, but we spoiled him anyways!! Especially the grandparents!! On Christmas Eve, Grandma and Papa Chewski came over for dinner which was followed by the exchanging of presents. Among many thoughtful gifts, Ash (Ken & I) was most excited about the exersaucer! We can hardly wait to snap a ton of pictures of him in it!! The next morning Ken and I decided to start our own tradition and spend a quiet morning with just the 2 of us, Ash & of course our precious Suki. It felt great to slow down and enjoy our growing little family during the hustle & bustle of the holiday season. Later that day we headed off to Stonewall to celebrate the holidays with the Ashdown clan. There Grandma made a DELICIOUS spread of food, which was followed by way too much sugar and then the exchanging of gifts. Ash was happy to receive clothes & toys from Aunty Michelle, Uncle Jeff & Aunty Nicole and of course more clothes and the pack & play from Grandma and Grandpa Ashdown. Lucky kid or what?!! All in all a great 1st Christmas!

Say Cheese!!

At 3 weeks old Ken and I decided to call on Ruth Bonneville, who has somehow become our own personal photographer, to come and take newborn photos of Ash.  You wouldn't have known it from the pictures, but Ash was a little fuss pot that day.  Ruth being the talented artist that she is, captured more than enough moments of our Ash looking like a complete angel!  After we received the photos, our intent was to enlarge a couple to put up in Ash's nursery...but we've only been able to narrow our search down to 15 potential candidates.  Yes, we've become those parents that plaster all their bare walls in photos of their beloved!  We want to send out a BIG thank you to Ruth Bonneville who we'd like to give photo credit to for these fabulous pictures!!  We will cherish them always!!!

Here Comes Santa!

Well, Ash has been making his rounds!  On November 22nd, 2009, Ash met Santa for the very first time with his adoreable cousin, Lindsay.  Unfortunately, he slept through the entire visit, so he had to make a second attempt on December 13th, 2009.  The cherry on top was that Ash got to meet the famous Mrs.Claus as well!  He's waiting with baited breath to see if he gets all that he asked for.  Ah, who are we kidding, he just wants food, a clean diaper and plenty of sleep.  Done, done, & done!

Baby Ash is Born

October 29th, 2009....

Our little angel Ashton Richard Malczewski was born!!  At one point we thought he'd never come out!  Ash's original ETA was October 17th, 2009.  By October 27th, my doctor decided to have me admitted into Women's Hospital (HSC) to be induced.  In tow I had my faithful husband, Ken, and my closest friend/birthing coach/massage therapist/unbiological sister, Dani.  After 3 failed attempts at trying to get things going, Dr. Reynolds, (on call for Dr. Kristjanson) decided to break my water at 10:40am on October 29th.  By 7:55pm that evening, Ash popped out, which was followed by an extatic father, Ken, shouting out, "IT'S A BOY!!  HIYA ASHTON!!"  With tears of joy and friends & family in abundance, Ash was welcomed into the world weighing 8lbs 1/2oz, measuring 21 1/4" long.  Ken and I wish to send out a million thanks to our loving friend Dani who stuck it out through our journey of entering into parenthood.  She made the experience all the more joyous, and we can never repay her enough for the gratitude we feel.