kate eats dirt

Another first for Kate today - eating dirt. What do you do? She was having such a good time playing and then unexpectedly she stuffed her face with dirt. She didn't like it and let me try to get it off her tongue. But then, she did it again. And then again and then yes again - luckily the forth time I got it on video.

Kate adores being outside and lately loses it when you bring her inside. A couple of stills of her working outside:

We had gym class today and I got a couple of shots of our little Miss:

Into the tunnel of fun she goes.

Rolling around.

Emerging victorious.

All the little kidlets in the crab for "away from Mommy time." I think Kate looks like my sister here.

Happy weekend all.

three steps and a few tears

A lesson to the cynic in me. I had just finished telling two moms at My Gym about the concern I continue to feel in regards to Kate's walking progress (or lack there of) when literally one minute later out of the corner of my eye I caught her taking her first three steps. One of the moms I had been talking to said "oh I think she's doing really good." My response was - those were her first steps. Only another mom would understand and she totally did - she started squealing and praising Kate as the tears welled up in my eyes.

I'm so happy I saw that huge effort from our little girl. She was pleased too and tried quite hard all day - at standing that is. There were no further steps yesterday but we have huge hopes! I have uploaded a couple of videos from this past weekend for your enjoyment.

Happy day to all.

an overdue discussion

I'm pretty sure everyone out there that checks in on this blog knows - but for posterity sake I should probably make it "blog official" - we are expecting another little bundle of joy. August 17th is the expected due date and if this one is anything like his sister that's when he'll be arriving. Oh yes, and it's a BOY!

I think Cody and I are taking longer to adjust to the thoughts of us being parents of a boy than we did to the thought of being parents of two!

I'm just finishing my 21st week and everything seems to be going well. It's so different this time around. I don't have the long hours to just day dream about baby and how our lives will change. I was sicker in the first trimester, I am more tired, sore and I feel like I'm already a lot bigger. Luckily Kate is exhausting, so, so far sleep has not been an issue.

We have set a few goals for the time that remains: 1. get Kate walking; 2. get a nursery ready early so we can enjoy the sun; 3. not wish our summer away but enjoy as many moments as possible.

So little man, whoever you are, we excitedly await your arrival to our little sandwich.

Lots of love - your Momma

hoppy easter

I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend. We did. Everyone was healthy, the weather was awesome, we went biking a couple times, went to the market, visited with friends and family and of course Cody and Kate got busy this morning with a little egg hunt.

The hunt is on and Kate gets right into the action.

Kate keeping an eye on her Pappa holding their loot.

Taste testing the goods.

The Easter Bunny also brought Kate a drum - lucky her and us.

Enjoying some morning sun after the hunt in her hat and necklace.

Kate modeling her new John Deere hat from her cousin Noah - thanks Noah!

For lunch we headed to Uncle Dwayne's - Meem and Pap were visiting too. We had a great time visiting, petting their fur-less cat and watching Noah master boxing and his trash talk on his new Easter Wii.

Hoppy Easter everyone.

remembering life before February 11th

Life before Feb 11th of this year seems so simple, so sweet in retrospect. Since that date our little Kate has been sick with everything. It started with a cold, a cold that worsened over a few weeks. The cold eventually created an eye infection. The eye infection cleared from Kate and infected me. At the same time, both Cody and I came down with very bad colds that we were sure was actually Strep. The tests came back negative and as we started getting better Kate came down with the flu. Fevers, vomiting, coughing, sweats and chills - they completely knocked Kate out for 4 days last week. It was a very stressful few days for us and just when we expected that she would be coming through she started crying all the time, completely stopped eating or drinking and started grabbing her head and not being able to sleep. Yup, it was official as of yesterday - Kate now has an ear infection. And Cody, well he has Kate's flu.

How much more can a 19 pound little person take? How lasting are the effects of force-feeding your baby drugs 4 times a day?

I am happy to report that with the help of the banana-flavoured antibiotics and grape-flavoured Advil the pain seems to be under control and she did get some sleep last night.

We love you baby - sleep tight and get better soon.

happy birthday to me

Is it sad to write your own birthday blog? Or would it be more sad to invite someone to guest blog about your birthday? I've chosen the former.

I had a glorious birthday weekend. My Dad was here, we went to the Market, the weather was warm, Cody cooked, Cody carved a 33 out of banana bread and turned an orange into my cake, Donna came for a visit and she brought a cooler full of lobsters and Kate was in festive spirits.

Birthday morning.

My crazy Dad.

Grandpa and Grammy.

Curious Kate - she liked the lobster more as a friend than as a meal.

Me and my friend.

Kate trying out her new bike seat.

Out for a walk today in her wagon.

So I'm 33 now - or as I have been saying for a few years now - pushin' 40. I really have no strong opinions about turning 33 other than wishing I didn't feel every one of these years.

Happy Birthday to me and thanks so much for all the calls and birthday wishes. I love you all. aj

crazy about her kitchen

In an attempt to encourage Kate to spend more time upright and perhaps even to walk, Cody and I bought her a little kitchen/laundry set this weekend. After about five and a half hours of evening Papa assembly we presented the kitchen to Kate this morning.

I think it's safe to say - she's a fan. Nice work Pappa - as you said a plastic one would have been so much easier but not nearly as lovely.

Spring officially arrives in three days - on my birthday (for anyone who may have forgotten). Speaking of birthdays one of our favourite people - Becky - is celebrating hers today. Happy Birthday Becky! And Happy St. Patrick's Day to all those of Irish blood or with tendencies to drink. AJ