island hop

Rhonda, Norm, Aidan, Jackson, Madi and I did a whirlwind tour of PEI yesterday - or at least Cody's favorite island spots. It was a great day, some of the highlights and lowlights being: kids complaining of car sickness - low; the big bridge - high;  fish & chips - high; the gorgeous beaches and warm waters of the island - high; kids getting car sick - low; visiting Cody's Meem & Pap - high, watching kids watch pottery people pot - high; ice cream in sugar cones with chocolate and sprinkles - high; visiting a haunted mansion amusement park and having all three kids wimp out before they actually entered the first room - low-them / high-us; peeing on the side of the road in direct sight of motorists - high-us / low-them.

We had a great day, or at least I did. Plus our new baby was not born an islander. Here are some photo memories from our great day:

The gang.

The little gang on their way down to Thunder Cove.

Aidan.

Jackson.

Madi.

Me, Madi and her sequins.

The Moo-rio brothers.

And a tired little Miss.

The gang travels back to Calgary Saturday afternoon and I know both Kate and I will miss you all terribly. Hopefully we can make a few more memories or maybe welcome a baby before you leave. I did promise Madi that the only way that I wouldn't be at the airport to say good bye is if I was in the hospital.
xox - aj

kate hearts madi

My sister Rhonda, brother in law Norman and their family arrived on Sunday evening. Their family this trip includes their grandchildren Madi (5) and Jackson (6). With our impending arrival and their busy brood they have chosen to rent a cottage in Shediac. Which is actually kind of nice as it will get us to the beach more often.

On Monday night they were over for dinner and for the boys to get a "Wee" fix. While the boys were busy playing Wee, Kate became mad for Madi. Mad as in kind of possessed. But a happy possessed.  I have never seen anything like it but Kate literally was attacking Madi wrestling her to the ground and jumping all over her. It was hilarious. I have to say Madi was a very good sport.

I managed to get a few photos of the girls. However I just got  a new camera and my settings must have been on very low resolution, so they're not great.

The girls on the rocking horse.

Happy girls.

Let the madness begin.

Nice moves.

Nice Madi. After the big wrestle, Kate pats her all better.

So far they have only had one beach day followed by a trip to the HopeWell Rocks. Today is rainy again so they're probably heading indoors. Hopefully the weather delivers as promised - a hot Thursday and Friday.

On a separate note. Today marks less than 2 weeks to our due date. Hurray! Have a great day everyone. Aimee

changes

We have been going through a lot of changes here at the house and with Kate these last couple of weeks. The biggest change has been moving Kate to a new daycare here in our community. Instead of a 35 minute commute it's literally a 2 minute trip. Today was day 4 and I think we are seeing improvements all around. She seems so much more agreeable in general and certainly at the end of the day. I'm not sure if its the place, the people, the lack of a long boring drive, or perhaps its that her Pappa is in Toronto for a few days. Whatever it is - I'm thrilled.

We have also been getting ready for baby #2: had rooms painted, built furniture, done loads of laundry. Other than not having our bag packed, I think we're ready!

Kate has been practicing her big sister skills too. Today I had the baby bouncy seat out and we put her doll in it. Well she kissed the baby, soothed the baby, bounced the baby, put a blanket over its head, then dragged the seat all around the house and finally she sat directly on the baby. I guess it was at last, her turn to bounce. Though somewhat terrifying, it was a hoot watching her.

Though still looking a little sparse, I thought I would share some of the photos of the nursery so far:

Please note the bed is soon to be Kate's, we're just letting her look and play on it for a bit before we introduce one of the final changes and actually have her sleep in it. Oh that and I need to get some bedding for the awkward sized small setting.

And here is the little Miss herself. This photo was taken tonight after I finally convinced her that trying to stand and surf on the frog was not a good idea. She is a wild child. Happy weekend to everyone. Lots of love, Aimee

so this is humidity

I've been in Calgary for the last week having returned on Thursday to Kate, Cody and a wall of hot humidity. We and our house are a sticky, warm mess and my hair isn't faring too well either. It certainly feels like Summer though. On Friday Kate and I hit the beach together and I'm happy to report the water is so warm. All those rumours of Shediac being the warmest ocean water in Canada (or something) seem to be true. Kate and I just cuddled sitting in chest height water and cooled ourselves. It was lovely. Saturday it was off to Toys R Us for a pool. A little pool, but it's a start. And today it was Kate's cousin Carter's 3rd birthday party. Carter has piles of friends and it was fun seeing them all run around (inside) as it was a pretty rainy day. Great party Carter - happy birthday!

On the way back into town us Jorgensens went to the Y for a swim and then when we got home Kate still didn't have enough pool time. She insisted on going outside in the pouring, warm rain and sat in her pool on her little chair for another half hour while Mommy watched those handsome Spaniards win the World Cup. I wish I had a couple photos but my camera died at the birthday.

Kate camping with her Pappa when I was away. Rumours have it that it was a tough couple of days for Pappa. I commend him for trying.

Kate lounging in her new pool.



On a separate note - we have 5 weeks to go before the arrival of baby #2 and the countdown is on. I am pooped and ready to meet this little man.

I hope everyone out West enjoyed the long overdue heat and maybe did some Stampeding! Thanks for the good times last week too. I miss you all. AJ

nothing but a sun hat and a smile

Despite the forecast not being that great yesterday, us Jorgensens ventured to the beach for a couple of hours.  We're glad we did as it turned out to be a terrific temperature and a terrific time. The water is already pretty warm; Kate didn't seem to mind it a bit. A couple pics of our beach bum:

Heading straight for the water.

And she's naked. Too much sand caught in her swimmers and swim suit.

Her sun hat and smile.



To all those of you who do not have the ocean 30 minutes from your doorstep - I'm sorry. I would be lying if I didn't say it was great. But, with the ocean also comes rain and it's raining cats and dogs today. Hope the sun is shining in the West! See you all later this week. Love the Jorgensen Sandwich

comings and goings

Since I last wrote my Mom returned home to Calgary, we actually travelled with her on her Moncton to Toronto leg to visit Cody's Dad and Janice and now we're back home too.

We were lucky to have caught a beach day on Grandma Sherri's final day in the East. It was gorgeous and Kate was on cloud 9. The three of us ladies walked up and down the beach, up and down the boardwalk and even ventured in the water to our ankles (Kate's knees). The beach trip like my Mom's whole trip was busy but great. Thanks so much for everything Mom and especially for helping me finally paint the new baby's room. It looks lovely and once we finally get a few things placed in the room, I will for sure include it in the blog.

As for Toronto it was awesome - 5 days of sun, splashes and family. Paul & Janice have much better shots but here are some highlights:

A warm but fun trip to the Toronto Zoo.

Lydia, Grandpa Paul and Carter take their turn with our new friend.

The Champions.

The cousins after an evening swim.

Our little duck.

They screamed for ice cream.

Action! Carter doing one of hundreds of jumps into the pool.

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

Yum.

My bathing beauties.

Thanks so much for such a great Father's Day visit. Only 363 more sleeps until next year's. AJ

grandma's here

We are so happy that Grandma Sherri is here to visit for a week. So far we have been doing mostly that - visiting and playing/staring/cleaning up after Kate. We did get out for a bit yesterday to the Dieppe market and to MyGym. Here are a couple of pics so far:

Kate & Grandma in the matching wet, pink shirts. They had just finished running through the sprinkler.

Kate showing off her skills to Grandma at gym class. We're hoping for a little beach weather over the next couple of days - wish us luck.

Tonight wouldn't you know it - we have several more visitors on their way. Grandpa Paul and Grandma Janice are on their way over - and they are bringing lobsters. Lucky us. Hope everyone is getting a little seafood and sun. xoxo - aj