Baby Rusek

Cleaning on Fridays has just become much more interesting since Sebastian is actively participating. Thank you Miele for giving us a miniature vacuum cleaner with the full size version in a promotion four years ago. We could not have foreseen this becoming such a great toy for Sebastian (Sebastian was not even in our plans then). Sebastian’s vacuum not only makes noise (can be switched on), but also sucks things in (amazing). As you can see, Sebastian is learning good habits starting early on. 

Yesterday was Korben’s birthday (Stefan’s brother and my brother-in-law). I snapped couple of these photos and created a card. I could not believe how fascinated Sebastian looked when watching the candle flames. Cannot wait to see what Sebastian will do with his first birthday cake!

Today, it was the perfect weather for an indoor water park. This was Sebastian’s first experience with so much water. He started out being fussy and clingy (read adorable and sweet), but after seeing how other kids managed to have fun, he quickly followed in their footsteps. The temperature of the water was high enough that Sebastian would have managed with just a swimming diaper, but I brought a wet suit for him just in case and he ended up wearing it. Of course, most of the time Sebastian spent observing things, especially other kids. He wanted to follow and copy everyone which we thought was extremely cute. Here it is, Sebastian’s water adventures became that much more interesting.

I am jealous sometimes of this great bond that connects a father and a son. I think that this is probably dictated by the fact that Stefan is the one taking care of Sebastian while at school and soon while I will be at work. But there is something truly special in watching my boys interact. It is already visible that Sebastian will love electronics and know their ins and outs just like his daddy. He plays with keyboards, computer mouses, android phones and Nintendo Wii accessories (and there is a long list of things he gets a hold of when we are not looking too). He chases me around when I have my Canon 5D out just to be able to touch it and press the many buttons that are hiding in the back. Something is telling him that these things are not only the most interesting but also the most expensive. This is one of these things that Sebastian will have to share with his dad, just like his dad does it with grandpa Allen. I have a hard time letting go of the fact that this little world of theirs will probably never be open for me. But I cherish the fact that I have plenty of other roles to play and will have to work hard to have enough time to fulfill them. I will be letting you know what comes out of our move and my new job very soon. I think that it is time to start the countdown: 16 days left in Poland. 

Today, we went to get sushi (Stefan eats the real thing while I scavenge the menu for meatless options). We sat outside of the restaurant in the glassed off walkway area of our shopping mall. It was the first time after Sebastian was born that we made it out there and enjoyed the whole meal. There is a reason we usually get the food as a take out. Sebastian had to be walked twice during the whole entire time. I think that he was just bored and wanted to get around a little rather than try to misbehave. So we took turns taking him away from the table and showing him interesting things. I would not call this peaceful eating, I would call it fun and adventurous however… Yes, this is the life we chose and we are sampling it in every single grasp of the air.

Poznan is a very pretty city in the spring time. This is the time when the parks are well taken care of and the fountains turned back on. Our move is now inevitably getting close enough for us to actually start thinking about it. And because we started thinking about it, we also started walking around these many places we learned to like over the last four years. We are slowly retracing our steps, habits and dreams coming true. This is the place where I became a medical doctor, the place where Sebastian was born. This is the place we appreciated countless friends and family visits. Poznan is now part of us, and it will always stay this way.

Mother’s Day is pretty much on different days depending where you are in the world and this is why I get to celebrate it twice a year. Yesterday was the US Mommy Day, on 26th I will get to celebrate it yet again but as a Polish mother. I like getting flowers from my boys, so any reason would be just perfect, but this is a very special occasion. This year is the first time I can officially claim I am a mother, since last year I was still pregnant. When they walked through the door, Stefan was holding two bouquets in one hand and Sebastian in the other, while Sebastian was holding a tulip pulled out of the bunch. He did not understand the concept of giving them to me, but wanted to chew on it and reexamine it while later proceeding to destroy it. He kept smiling at me and looking at me with his gorgeous eyes, I allowed him to pick on other flowers. This little moment lasted maybe couple of minutes but it was quite amazing. I could hardly count my blessings on that day, since being a mother made me a better person in both body and spirit. I am thankful for this little gift of life I was allowed to bring into the world. I am both proud and humbled by all of my experiences thus far and surprised at how satisfying motherhood is. Without farther ado, all mothers out there kick back, relax and have a wonderful day, you well deserve it.

This past weekend we got to enjoy the company of Karol and Agatka (my brother and his lovely wife). We went to the zoo and I could not believe how much joy it brought to both Sebastian and my brother… who seemingly never saw such big Siberian tigers or white rhinoceroses. We took our time at the playground and got Sebastian to use every single prop, sometimes with an extensive assistance. Also, the petting zoo had some new arrivals: a little baby pony, small donkeys and tiny goats. It was a bit too cold for us to be amazingly happy, but we were satisfied with everything we saw. It was a good day.

Sebastian has been trying couple of new foods. Local strawberries, organic eggs, non-GMO tofu… in fact, a lot of things that we have been cautious with up until now. Sebastian has not had any signs of possible allergies and his appetite grew by a million, so we are now entering the phase of transforming this little baby into eating everything we do in a saltless version (no milk or nuts just yet). As long as he is willing, we can be sure there will be a successful outcome. 

This post will be all about Sebastian’s outfits, because both of them are so awesome. First, you have the robot onesie made custom for Sebastian by Amy Curlee Lawrence. And, it finally fits Sebastian well, so soon we will have to stop wearing it, but the onesie will definitely stay in the family. The poop factory (where number 2 is job 1!) onesie was purchased on one of our Sunday runs through Brooklyn’s Williamsburg back in October. Sebastian is now big enough to wear it, half a year later. We wanted a fun shirt at the time, and now, we keep smiling about this one. And how can I not mention the fact that this little man is a walking, smiling, energy filled cuteness in a baby boy body. Love him very much.