a first christmas

The Grandparents have departed, the recycling is stacking up in the front room and there is a unfamiliar yet high pitched hum of talking toys through the house. Oh Christmas, we'll miss you.

We had a lovely first Christmas with Kate and the Biggars and Jorgensens. Kate loves visitors and visiting and I think did really well in the face of a lot of busyness. A few highlights:

Off to bed Christmas Eve but not before taste testing Santa's milk.

Christmas morning - looks like we made the Nice list.

Kate checking out her stocking; let the festivities begin.

A dress from Grandma Sherri and Grandpa George.

An accessory that's part of a lovely outfit from the Dupuis. Can you spot those upper two teeth?

Ooooh - Side Saddle Sally.

Christmas afternoon in Margate, PEI with the beautiful little Lydia.

Cousin Carter smiling out the window of his new bungalow.

Kate going in for a visit.

A view of the living room/kitchenette.

A swing - thanks so much Aunty & Uncle.

Carter and Lydia's new battery powered two-speed John Deere Gator - from Grandpa Paul & Janice. Needless to say this was a hit.

Carter and his girls.

At Josh & Susan's for the Biggar Boxing Day get-together. Kate saying hello to Lydia.

Back home Boxing Day night. Kate sitting patiently while Grandpa and Papa assemble her new bus.

It took too long so Kate thought she better help.

Success - thank you Grandma Donna.

Kate checking out all her new wonderful things.

Again this morning Kate woke and got straight to work in the Petting Zoo.

Thank you to all our friends and family for the lovely things you sent to us. We had such a fun time and know the fun will continue. On a news front - Kate officially has 4 teeth and she is crawling pretty good. I couldn't be happier and I think she's enjoying the new found freedom.

We hope everyone had a great Christmas and look forward to catching up before the New Year. xoxo Aimee

kate hearts christmas

It's the day before the night before Christmas and our stockings have been hung by the chimney with care - it's my first mantle and I'm thrilled.

P.S. Santa I could really use a larger mirror.

Kate and I went for a festive swim this morning and now are preparing for this evening's arrival of Grandpa Paul and Grandma Janice and of course the start of some festivities. We'll be spending Christmas Eve and morning with them here in Riverview before we all head over the bridge Christmas afternoon.

I'm really hoping that Kate's teeth and irregular sleep patterns allow her to enjoy Christmas morning and then the trip over to PEI to celebrate with Grandma Donna, Aunty, Uncle and the cousins. I have had her practice unwrapping a couple presents - the first took three days and the second, well we just stepped in and finished the job. She got one piece off and sat down to a little paper snack.

Overall I would say that Kate is very much enjoying the little treats that have already come with the season (please don't judge us):

Delicious milk with a hint of Egg Nog.

A covertly stolen Candy Cane - Mom has been holding out on the good stuff hey Kate.

Kate's first Ginger Snap. Like her Momma, Kate seems to mostly enjoying the Season's food treats.

And here, with much joy and enthusiasm Kate is going through all the Christmas receipts.

Other favorites have to be Boney M's Jingle Bells, Christmas cards, ours and our neighbours' outdoor lights and of course all the decorations on our tree. We have had one breakage incident but only minor.

So, I'm not sure if I will have time to do another post before the 25th so in case I don't - to my family - you know I miss you like crazy and hope you have a busy, awesome celebration. To our friends - many who have babies celebrating first Christmases - I hope you have so much fun and start carving out new traditions.

All our love - the Jorgensen Sandwich

clapping, sitting, sleeping

I believe I have started measuring the passing of my own life and my success as a parent by Kate achieving different milestones. As of late I feel like we're doing well. Milestone #1: clapping her hands. Technically her Father got her clapping this Sunday - however I don't think 10 months of me playing pat a cake should go totally ignored. I don't know why but I think it is so darling. Well, except may be for this morning at 4:44 am when she was up in her crib clapping away. She must have known it was her Grandpa Paul's birthday today. She just couldn't wait to get the party started. Happy Birthday from all of us!

Milestone #2: getting up to a sitting position on her own. This one is huge for me. Some days I felt like half my time was spent rescuing a floundering fish kicking and squirming - stuck laying on her back or stomach frustrated with her immobility.

Milestone#3: for the first time in her life Kate slept through the night. I'm not breaking out the champagne quite yet though. On Monday night she went to bed at 8:30 pm and was up for the day around 5:30 am. So she only slept around 9 hours - which is still a record for her. We're working on weaning her and so far it's going okay with an unexpected benefit of longer sleep periods.

Kate and I now have our eyes on the crawling prize. I am really starting to see potential; for a very long time I saw none at all. Terrible to say - I know. I want it so bad though! My girlfriends have all warned me that the 10 - 12 month range is a hard one as the babies are so frustrated - all the time. Well Cody and I are in the depths of Kate's disagreeableness and we want out. Crawling and maybe a few more teeth would help so much. She used to love us and now I sense a little hate. I have gone on a bit but wanted to share the good-ish news.

Here are a few pics of our Christmas elf:

Kate's first time in her sled.

She liked it - especially when I ran with her in-tow.

So anxious to get back to work she doesn't even take her hat off.

My attempt at a snowlady for Kate's amusement. Big fan.

This is what happens when Cody is in charge of hairdos.

Talk soon, Aimee

a tooth

I'm so happy to report that Kate finally has her first tooth. We spotted it on Monday. I thought I had seen something while on the plane and the spotting was confirmed at dinner that night when we finally arrived home. It's beautiful.

I'm also happy to report that it does feel good to be home. I was a little weary for the first 24 hours but now have settled and am pleased. Moncton had a big dump of snow while I was away and the forecast is calling for 15 - 25 cm tonight. OMG - 25 cm! It's already a gorgeous, winter wonderland out there. I'll let you know how we fare.

Last night we picked up our Christmas tree and today Kate and I were busy decorating it and the house. Well I did most of the work while Kate oohed and ahhhed at the decorations and lights. She's a fan.

A few recent pics to share though I am sad to report I have been unable to capture a photo of the tooth:

I adore this shot of Kate, my Dad and my parents' dog having a laugh.

Another favorite from our trip, my Mom and Kate singing into the microphone.

My Mom made this beautiful stocking for the little Miss.

Look at all these beautiful girls. Our friends, the Bedard ladies: Lauren, Becky and Sophie.

Kate and her friend.

Oh Christmas tree, oh Christmas tree.

Stay warm and safe everyone. xox aj

what's so good about good byes?

The end of our Calgary stay is fast approaching. Though a bit of a whirlwind, we have had a lovely visit. There has been Christmas trees, lights, snow, snow-blowing, sugar, dogs, shopping, kisses and hugs, bookclub, a haircut, friends and of course family. I thought I would send some highlight pics:

Today we took Kate out to explore the snow. I think she was already looking for the mountains so she could enjoy it fully.

Gramma was burying the little lady and she didn't seem to mind that or the -20 degree wind chill.

Grandpa out enjoying his new snow blower for the third time in 24 hours.

Kate helping undecorate the tree.

Kate saying hello to Katie, again.

Stylist Aidan.

Mmmm, Coconut cake.

Kate's first time licking the whisk.

Tomorrow is our neice Super Lydia's first Birthday party. We missed saying Happy Birthday to you on your actual birthday but didn't want to miss saying it for your party. Have so much fun - we're sorry we're going to miss it. We will at the same time be celebrating Marek's first birthday. Despite the many many nights of below grade sleep, this last year has seemed to go so fast. These once tiny babies are now well on their way to becoming awesome little people.

I can't even think about having to say good-bye again so soon but I know Cody is missing us badly. We miss you too baby. Thank you to everyone who made such a nice effort towards us, especially to my parents who have lived in baby chaos for the last ten days.

Will write more when we return to Riverview.

xoxo aj

sick and tired (but not of birthdays)

Kate's sick and I'm tired. She has a terrible cold and is dripping everywhere. Oh and she has a hate on for me and anything I try to do for her. I'm hoping she's doing a lot better before we have to board that plane on Friday.

Complaining out of the way, we wanted to wish Grandma Janice a very happy Birthday today! We're blowing you kisses. They're infectious but the thought is there.

Also celebrating a Birthday today is Aunt Darla. Happy happy birthday to you.

I was planning a party but Kate was not in the mood. So we had a pajama party instead - in both your honours.

I hope your days are better than ours! xoxo

a little early but what the heck

We got busy this weekend putting up the outdoor Christmas lights before any snow has a chance to fall and dampen our enthusiasm for such an effort. Plus Kate and I head to Calgary this Friday for two weekends and chances are that by the time we return we would be way behind the neighbors.

FYI - I couldn't figure out my camera so the shots aren't great but hopefully you will still be awed at the display.

Oooooh. Aaaaah.

This is Kate after a walk through the neighborhood tonight - pleased as her Pappa's lights are the best. At least so far.

Our son, I mean sunshine playing with her new favorite toy - a rogue piece of cedar from our swags.

She played with this for hours.

So to all our buddies a happy start to the holiday season. And more importantly a happy happy 5th birthday to our nephew Aidan. Aidan is traveling with his Mom, Dad and Sister somewhere in Europe where it's probably already the 23rd and his birthday. Kate and I can't wait to celebrate your birthday with you on Sunday. It's so hard to believe you're already a whole hand's worth of fingers old. We love you very much and hope you're on a warmish beach in Spain or somewhere glorious for your big day.