a not so happy anniversary

It was pretty much a year ago that Kate got so sick and lethargic that we ended up in the Moncton hospital with her.  We had no family Doctor at the time and the walk-in clinics didn't want us so the hospital turned out to be our only option. Fast forward a year and that's where Kate and Cody ended up for the day - yesterday.  Kate started vomiting Saturday night and continued to for the night. She was looking pretty awful and couldn't keep any fluid down so we decided the hospital was where we should probably head. Our poor little baby, I guess when they were putting in her IV she tried to grab the tube of fluid to drink it as she was so thirsty.

It was a very long and sometimes painful day for Papa and baby girl but I'm happy to report she's doing so much better.  Presently she's rehydrating on the couch with some CBC kids. I don't like our chances getting her to the Doctor again any time soon. And we had been making good progress.

What a sight.

I hope all of you spent the nicest day of the year somewhere nicer. Aimee

in summary

Well my apologies to anyone who checked in on our Calgary trip as I was a most lax blogger while away. We had such an event filled time that I just didn't give this forum the little free time I had. In summary we had a grand time. Loads of friend and family time - visiting, laughing, EATING! The weather didn't agree with us so we didn't make it out of doors much but we are hoping to make up for that here in Riverview as Spring is on its way in.

Kate had her first day back at day care as I had to spend the day unpacking. Unfortunately our six pieces of luggage were lost so we just received them late this morning.  Picking her up at school this afternoon confirmed what I was thinking ... they reported that Kate had really changed. She shared well all day and her vocabulary had just blossomed. Thank you Aidan for both.  Aidan was a great sport with Kate especially when she claimed everything that was his as "mine!" They were great mates - wrestling, reading, building forts, climbing, they even had a couple sleepovers in Aidan's bunk. We miss you very much big guy.

Kate also had a few sleepovers with Grandmama, Grandpapa and their new puppy Stella and did wonderfully. Then there was Aunty Rhonda and Uncle Norm who hosted us for three weeks.  They said we were welcome back and I do hope they meant it as 21 days could easily be seen as overstaying your welcome. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all that you did for us. The kids were over the moon with all the attention.

E and Grandpapa.

E and Grandmama.

 Whee the mall's Merry Go Round.

 Family hug.

Kate wrestling with Stella. Pull!

Crafting fun at Becky's.

E and Misha.

Oh the big kids had to get in the shot.

Movie night with all the kids and three babysitters. The kiddies ate Popcorn Twists downstairs while the Mommies had Thai and wine upstairs.

Kate and Aidan playing animal toss. 

My favourite shot. Yes my sister is very liberal and allowed her son to paint the Dinos on the wall.

Pant-less piano with the cousin.

The Jorgensens up top the Calgary Tower with Kate's castle in the background.

Kate floating over the city on the glass floored Tower.

Thanks everyone who made time for us we really did have a great time.  We look forward to returning the favour in our side of the country soon. xoxo - aj

there's no place like home. there's no place like home. there's no place like home.

Kate and I have our ruby slippers on and we're ready to come home. Technically speaking, by birth, Kate and I are the only Albertans in our family hence only two pairs of ruby slippers.

 Four sleeps now! Love AJ & KJ

my truck. i like it.

Kate and Cody had a big weekend this one past.  Kate took her first road trip with her Papa. They packed up a Peterbilt and headed East to Toronto; two days driving approximately eight hours each day.  All reports that I received were really good.  Kate loved waving to the other truckers from her car seat and watching all the traffic on the 401 from the comfort of the back bunk.  I understand there were naps, DVDs and some hours with her little stuffed friends.  By the time they arrived to see Cody's Dad and Janice I think our little traveller was well on her way to sick as reports are she was pretty grumpy with them. Thankfully for Cody the Advil did the trick for her in Pearson and the flight home was good.

Elliott and I stayed busy for the weekend as well until Saturday night when we were at a Megan's parents' place for dinner and he projectile vomited in their kitchen.  Despite his worsening sickness he was in pretty good spirits and dinner was lovely.

So for the last days both our babies are sick so it's loads of Kleenex, tears and not too much sleep for me. My hope is that this is it before we head West in a week.

Us three in the bunk the evening before the big trip - it took about a 1/2 hour before Kate would actually let go of my neck.  She was terrified of the truck and we were a little worried.

Trying out the CB of what became known as "my truck".  Cody said Kate kept repeating, "My truck. I like it." the second morning of their trip.

In other news our big guy is doing much better on the sitting up front.  We've been practicing a lot.  He still prefers standing and I struggle to actually get him to bend at the waist to sit. You'll notice too he's teething. I can see the lower two teeth coming and I hope they make an appearance soon. I think there's nothing cuter than babies with a couple teeth.

This week we're looking forward to getting the kids well, getting hair cuts and getting packed for our three weeks in Calgary. I believe all my friends and family know how much we - well I - am looking forward to seeing you all, hanging out, eating, drinking and playing. Oh and Stella, I look forward to meeting you little sister. 

Big kisses and hugs! Aimee

crafting with cody

Cody was watching Kate yesterday and thought yes let's do some crafts - finger painting sounds fun.  So he set Kate up with 2 jars of paints and then got on the phone.  I arrived home right around minute 3 to find the 2 jars of paint pretty much empty and the fun just starting.

 Can you see the paint clumps on her sheet? Awesome.

 The paper's full so on to body art.

The good news is the paint's all gone so we won't have to do that again anytime soon. FYI - Cody's gearing down as he got the honour of showering Kate clean. A 25 minute shower later she was but it turns out Cody's back and neck were now green.

We had a quick but nice weekend. Today we are getting MORE snow and by more I'm talking another 20 centimetres or so. Unbelievable.

The countdown to Calgary continues: 14 days!
xoxo - aj

coming home

We received a pile of snow yesterday and the kids and I are officially snowed in today. Cody tried to get to the office last night in my car and as a result got it stuck like six feet outside of the garage. It's still sitting there surrounded by 30+ centimetres of snow. Anyway there's not much to report these days so I thought I would share a video that was taken last week of a family dance. I thought it was sweet.

Did you notice Kate's nail polish? Nice.

Now come on warmer weather - especially in Calgary - the kids' and my trip is in official countdown mode: 17 days! I cannot wait (save for the actual flight).

Happy Saturday lovely peeps.
Aimee

my a big girl

For some reason whenever she should be saying "I" Kate instead says "my" and since the arrival of her big girl bed we've been hearing a lot of "my a big girl." She is a good big girl too.  Two nights in a row she has slept soundly in her new bed. Despite having a big girl pillow I am finding her snuggled up in all four corners of her bed like she slept in her crib. We're so pleased with her!

While disassembling the crib yesterday we decided to make a few more changes to her room.  Unlike Elliott's room we've never found Kate's to be all that cozy - it's been too big. The bed helps with that and we're pleased with it now. Anyway, I thought I would share the changes/additions:

Kate's birthday pom poms and bed/bedding.

A big girl lamp.

The mirror that belongs to the dresser.

Ode to helvetica alphabet and numbers images.

Though I shared a room with my sister most of my childhood, my room was always my sanctuary. And besides the countless Barbie rooms I created it was my first decorating canvas. I know that I have said it before but I hope one day Kate finds the same enjoyment as I do creating little spaces. If not maybe she'll let me continue. Elliott ... sorry buddy, I'm counting on you being apathetic but and at the same time willing to let me in every so often. 

Happy Sunday all. aj