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

a room of one's own

While Kate is fast becoming the benevolent dictator of this house, for the time being I still have control over her room. With that said, I can only imagine the paint colours, posters, pin holes, piles of clothes and general untidiness that lay in our future. If she is anything like me, what we now fondly refer to as her nursery, will be a never ending adventure in self expression.

For posterity sake and because I have had many requests I thought I would share some pics of her not-so-little room.

Photo shoot complete - Kate is back to work.

She has found an old friend.

Kate, while Mommy loves your room now I can't wait to see who you become and how you'll choose to express yourself on these walls. All my love.