wild things

Life has been just life these last days. The weather is pretty wet and every break in the rain the kids and I try to head outside. We did have a weekend of visitors - first Grammie Donna and Carter stayed the night and then my cousin Sarah and her new husband Chris stopped in for the night while exploring the Maritimes on their honeymoon.

Grammie reading Where the Wild Things Are to our wild things Kate and Carter.

No hands E.

Kate's blossoming imagination - she's sleeping here with all her babies after a big trip grocery shopping: a coaster, pony, bottle scrubber, 2 tractors and Barbie.

A funny face that really makes her look grown up.

In other news our renovations have been at a complete halt. The guys have destroyed our bathroom, the plumber and electrician have done all their prep work and now we're just waiting on the stuff - tile, toilet, sink. And unfortunately with the rain the roof and deck have been at a complete stand still as well. Patience is a true virtue. And as of two and a half years ago my stock of patience has grown ten fold.

 Have a lovely week everyone. xoxo aj

out = in

Yesterday was Elliott's nine month birthday which means he's been out in this world for pretty much as long as he was in my belly. All I can think is - man pregnancy is long.

We chose to mark this occasion with concerted efforts to regain more normalcy and sanity in our lives - namely - sleep training.  Elliott much like baby Kate is a horrible sleeper and getting worse. I'm talking I can be up three times in an hour; eight plus times a night. But as with all things in a parent child relationship it's probably been my fault.  I hate him crying and being in any discomfort so I have always indulged him. That is until Friday night when Papa took over.  I actually have slept the last two nights in our in-law suite over the garage. A soundproof sanctuary. And for the first time in well over a year I got to sleep through the night without getting up to nurse or pee. Glorious! And wouldn't you know it Elliott was up once for a bum change plus a couple pulls on a bottle and then stirred a second time but quickly fell back to sleep. I'm trying not to count my chickens quite yet but I believe we may be on the road to a soundly sleeping baby. He even went down without too much fuss for our babysitter last night as Cody and I went out for a date. Again - glorious!

Big news on the Kate front too. We're so proud of her as she has been doing some excellent potty training. She's nearly in undies all day with few accidents. She's so proud every time she goes she runs around looking for Elliott to share the big news with. The persuasive power of a few jelly beans and chocolates.

Happy nine month baby E. We love you two - even more now that we're each gaining or regaining a little independence. xoxo - aj

two - million dollar families

Happy Tuesday everyone. It's kind of cold and ugly here today but currently the kiddies are sleeping so I'm enjoying catching up on some long overdue to do-s. Including a blog about the weekend.

We did make it over to the island - finally! It's the first visit since Christmas. One of the definite highlights was watching our kidlets with their cousins in our hotel pool. Laughing, screaming, jumping and dog paddling around in their water wings. Much to our surprise and pleasure Kate even donned a pair and was little Miss independent in them. It was awesome. Elliott was even grinning ear to ear.

Other weekend news - Cody landed in the Summerside hospital with a pretty serious case of Strep. I too have been battling it but am faring much better. I keep saying that I'm shocked at how sickly we seem to be as a family. Here's hoping we're on the post-daycare upswing!

Pajama party.

Party's over - at least for Elliott.

 Sunday and the party is back on.

Watch out world these girls are the next generation.

It looks like there may still be hope in our young men. Aren't they lovely?

This week we have some home renovations starting - so that should be an adventure. Eventually we have plans to renovate our whole house but we're starting this year with the main floor bath, the back deck and our roof. The main bath is currently a two-piece with laundry and we are going to move the laundry downstairs in order to install a shower for all our lovely guests to use. We're excited as the demo starts tomorrow and there's already a huge bin in the front drive. I'll take some before and after shots and share them with you when ready.

A great week to all of you! AJ

X

There's not been a lot to report around the Jorgensen Manor as of late - other than the weather is changing and we're feeling fine.  It's Kate's first week daycare free and we (E and I) have really enjoyed having her around every day especially now that the weather is so nice.  For all your westerners - we are outside as of 9 am and still out until bedtime around 7pm - and that's without jackets and socks.

Today the neighbours are cutting down practically all their very tall trees - I've counted eight so far. The babes and I have been watching all the work; enjoying the ruckus.  Seven chainsaws going at once though has made for a very noisy house. Much to my surprise they are sleeping soundly through it now.

We did manage to vote this week and it was really fun to take the kids. Kate went back to the voting booth with both Cody and I and her homemade ballot. She marked her X a couple times with the bright pink pencil provided and she didn't even steal it! I remember fondly going to the community hall with my parents on election day.  It was always a day to catch up with neighbours and I hope in the future we too will know a couple people in the hall. 

Have a great May weekend.  We're planning on heading to the island for a much overdue visit. 

xoxo aj

our happy easter out of doors

Cody, Ryan (a young co-worker) and Kate were busy cleaning out our back woods this Easter Sunday. It was a gorgeous Spring day and we spent it outside. We finished off a lovely afternoon with a fire in the woods. What did you do? Gorge yourself on your kids' chocolates? I would have too but Kate has them under lock and key.

 Speak of the devil, here she is fireside enjoying another little snack.

 Me and my future woodsman.

 The fruits of Cody's labour.

The fruits of my last labour.

 The view from our fire pit up to the house.

Our hippy baby. It was about 11 degrees and Kate was exploring the woods barefoot in her new tie dye T (that I not so secretly covet).

In other Easter news, Kate's Easter egg hunt was a bit of a bore. She loves chocolate and candy and pretty much wanted to eat each item that she found. We figure the kid needs some competition and next year with Elliott on her heels she might actually pay attention.

Happy week lovelies. C.A.K.E. Jorgensen

queazy tummies

We had a lovely weekend with Grammie Donna. She absolutely spoiled the kids as well as Cody and me -we actually went out to the movies. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And Kate thanks you for the ice cream - she hasn't stopped talking about it.

I think Grammie may have just got out in time too.  I started feeling pretty queazy last evening and I believe Elliott was and is off too. And Cody just called and he has started feeling ill as well. It's quite terrifying, the thought of us getting sick again as Kate in the end was vomiting and sick for five days last week.  With that said we have chosen to pull Kate out of daycare.  We're so tired of always being sick and moreover she's just not that into going anymore.  It's a struggle to get her out the door and then there is a flood of tears each time I drop her off. So today I gave our two week notice. I'll miss the school though - they were so great to us and I loved Kate's little friends.  Now I have to find new play outlets for her and Elliott.

On a completely separate note, last evening Kate requested some outside time.  Neither Cody nor I particularly wanted to join her (I know we're terrible) so out she went on her own. Around and around the house she went playing in the gardens, with sticks, admiring the chipmunk on our feeder and having a gay ol' time. It's unbelievable to me what a two year is capable of.  Before Kate I would have said a two year old is a baby still but she's already quite independent and resourceful. It's an indescribable feeling watching her imagination come to life and made Cody and me stop and wonder about our own dwindling imaginations. So begins our journey of rediscovery through our kiddies.

A couple kiddies photos:

The babes have started interacting a lot more - even playing a bit together.

Here's Kate trying to teach Elliott to drink from a bottle.

It's snowing and raining here and very overcast so we're not feeling that springy. However the plan this week is to attempt a few Easter activities including of course colouring eggs. I'll let you know how it goes.

I hope Spring is on your doorstep everyone. xox aj

clang, clang, rattle bing bang

One of Kate's favourite books is Mortimer.  The morning that she got sick I was able to capture her reading the book to herself. It was so sweet.

An update on Kate - she seems to be on the mend today. It's been three and a half days of throwing up, tears and laundry.  She was up and at 'em after breakfast this morning but three hours later she's slowed down and is again holed up on the couch with her buddy (who I abhor) Dora. I'm really hoping that we'll at least be able to get outside today; Elliott and I are going crazy!

Happy hump day.
AJ