trying times

Our family has had a difficult few days. Kate had a runny nose for weeks but on Saturday a full blown cold and eye infection was upon us - just in time for the arrival of Aunty Candace and the cousins for a visit. Cody took Kate in and got some antibiotics for her eyes. I feel for us and poor parents everywhere who actually have to administer eye drops. It has been been pretty much tears since Saturday afternoon - Kate and mine. On top of her feeling terrible she pretty much has refused to eat anything for days now.

Cody and I keep asking - How is it that there are billions of people on this Earth? Sometimes it's so hard and I can't find the answer of why we would do this to ourselves.

Daycare is on hold so far this week. I think I'm going to get fired.

Here are a few pictures from the weekend:

Dr. Jekyl

Miss Hyde

Sweet Lydia and a funny face.

Carter and Kate smashing toys and making music.

Our cowgirls.

Here's hoping we'll find the road to recovery - soon. Aimee

jibber jabber

Much to our relief it seems that Kate's first trial week at daycare went well. She seems really happy and the ladies there seem happy with her. She did two half days and then a full day yesterday. When I called in to check on her yesterday one of the caregivers said they tried to put Kate to sleep but she sat or stood in her crib happily "jibber jabbering" to herself for over an hour. Unfortunately she never did get to sleep - she must have been wondering why those five babies beside her weren't talking back.

I too had a good or should I say interesting first hours with Cody and Terra Nova. Morning 1 training went well, a little overwhelming but good. Day 2 Cody had departed for Toronto so I got a day of reprieve. Day 3 Cody called from Toronto as I was heading in to the office and asked that I keep driving to Fredericton as Air Canada was re-booking half his flight and directing them there. Oh Air Canada. They said something about the storm that had blown into Moncton and needing to downsize the plane. Poor guy. So I had a day of driving in not so great weather. We did get a few hours in the office but there were computer issues that Cody had to deal with so it turned out to be a bit of a scramble before having to pick Kate up and brave the storm again.

First day photo.

Happy to be relaxing at home this morning.

Our pretty girl.

Snack time in one of Kate's favorite resting places.

Kate's napping now as she woke with pretty big bags under her eyes. Oh what a girl - I really felt the loss of those hours with her. I feel for my friends that have to be away from their babies for longer. With that said, it was a great break from her and I felt exhilarated just answering the phone.

I hope all our Calgary peeps are loving the balmy weather while we dig out from the second snow storm of the week here. Ciao, Aimee

lucky break

An ice/snow storm hit this morning. Kate's lucky break because she was scheduled to start daycare today. Alas, her Pappa reported the roads to be in less than ideal conditions so we slept in. While tucked away in daycare with 5 other babes I will be heading to work for Cody and the fam. I'm so excited. Certainly not to drop off my baby but to tackle something new, moreover something that will use my brain. Kate and I will be off to care/work three days a week. I'm really hoping she doesn't hate me forever because I've really grown fond of the little lady.

Like us, I hope everyone had a lovely final Olympic weekend. Aimee

playing catch up

It's been nearly three weeks since my last entry - they've been busy weeks (compared to my standard that is) hence my tardiness.

Our little family travelled to Calgary to celebrate Kate's first birthday in her birth home. We had a great time and a lovely party with all our friends. Thanks so much everyone - it meant tons to us that you and your little kidlets could make it.

I had the chance to catch up with a pile of friends - I miss you friends. Cody, well he went on a man date and fell in love with Pandora. Kate, she had lots of time with Grandma and Grandpa, friends and got to check out her cousin Autumn's great new house.

Kate opening gifts with Pappa and Eriq.

Amanda.

Kate, a new laptop and her tongue hanging out as usual.

Me, Carolyn and a very pregnant Steph (Kate's birthday was actually her due date).

Friends.

An exhausted birthday girl taking refuge on Craig's safe lap.

A beautiful day in the mountains with Grandma and cool Kate.

Our girl.

Saying hi to Autumn, Andrew and of course Libbey.

Heading home.

The day of our return, my sister and nephew Aidan flew in for a little visit. We had a lovely time. Thank goodness for all the snow in our yard to keep Aidan busy because as we learned there aren't many other attractions open in the Moncton area in February. Kate adores her cousin and wants whatever he touches. Unfortunately she is in a playing strange phase with adults and didn't really warm up to Aunty until the second last day of their visit. Favorite highlights: Aidan's Whistler luge track that Uncle built in the backyard (he must have gone down it over a hundred times). Another: eating some pretty smelly cheese and pate yesterday with Rhonda then Aidan coming in the room asking what was wrong with the air and making like he couldn't catch his breath.

Fantastic New Brunswick snow.

Aunty Rhonda.

Aidan and his new friend Frosty.

Thanks so much for making the effort to come - we miss you already.

my e.i. has ended which can only mean one thing

Today is actually the one year anniversary of my maternity leave. I would be lying if I didn't admit a part of me would like to be going back to work. Just shy of her first birthday little Miss Kate has been very bossy and cranky lately. I'm pretty sure her teeth have her in an overall bad mood - she just takes out those moods on yours truly.

This weekend we were in PEI for Cody's slightly belated birthday celebration and Kate's slightly early celebration. Kate got to hang out with her cousins, Grandma and Aunt, unfortunately we did not see Uncle Paul although there was a rumor that he did sleep under the same roof as us. We had a lovely time and loads of cake. Thanks so much to Grammie and Aunty Candy for the party.

The Champions got Kate a great wagon, unfortunately Kate wasn't as easy going as her cousins in it.

Kate really taking in the sentiments of Aunty's birthday card to her.

A new phone from Grandma Donna! One that Pappa can record messages to Kate on.

Kate doing her best to get to the good stuff.

A huge photo book from her Pappa all on dogs. Unfortunately the closest Kate will ever get to actually having one.

Our birthday girl.

Th kiddies relaxing before dinner and cake(s).

Is she excited or evil?

And no one forgot about Cody.

Here goes.

Carter too.

Lydia is full steam ahead.

Cody is too.

Aunty is just finishing. Somehow Grandma Donna and I escaped this round of mastication photos.

I think messiest face went to Lydia, although both girls went straight to the bath after dessert.

Two more sleeps and one Guns and Roses concert until we arrive in Calgary. I'm sending good thoughts out to the Universe in the hopes that Kate will be patient in the air and that Axel Rose will show. See many of you soon. xox AJ

kate's second gym membership

A sign of the times? Kate has a membership to the local YMCA and now to a kid's fitness centre - my-gym. Cody and I on the other hand have none. My-gym is completely awesome and I would actually encourage my girlfriends in Calgary to look into the franchise. I'm sure Calgary doesn't have one but am confident that it would do extremely well.

The gym has so many activities for ages 0-13 years. It's bright the people are friendly and it's the best place that I have found to actually meet people. We go once a week to her class with other 7 - 18 month olds and then up to 4 times a week for all ages free play. We're actually supposed to be there right now but they called to let me know that class was cancelled due to the heavy snowfall that has landed on our doorstep. Here are some highlights from earlier in the week:

Like her mother, seems Kate is a big fan of the ball pit.

You can get a sense of the different activity areas from this shot.

There are actually three more kids facing Kate swinging on big kid swings. Everything that hangs is interchangeable.

Kate enjoying the little kid ball pit.

There are actually other kids around, I was just trying to be respectful and not take their photos.

So that's a little bit of Kate's gym day. Hope your day is half as colourful. AJ

we love you birthday boy

You have to love a Birthday that starts at 4am - first with a call to Cody from a driver and then with our little Kate. Luckily Kate was able to get back to sleep until 5:30. So by 6:30 this morning we had had a little Papa party and then saw him off to work. Though Cody turns 31 today, he said it best, all birthdays are now for Kate: the balloon, flowers, cards and blowers.

We love you so much Pappa/Cody and look forward to the festivities continuing tonight and then on the weekend on PEI. Kate & Aimee