remembering life before February 11th

Life before Feb 11th of this year seems so simple, so sweet in retrospect. Since that date our little Kate has been sick with everything. It started with a cold, a cold that worsened over a few weeks. The cold eventually created an eye infection. The eye infection cleared from Kate and infected me. At the same time, both Cody and I came down with very bad colds that we were sure was actually Strep. The tests came back negative and as we started getting better Kate came down with the flu. Fevers, vomiting, coughing, sweats and chills - they completely knocked Kate out for 4 days last week. It was a very stressful few days for us and just when we expected that she would be coming through she started crying all the time, completely stopped eating or drinking and started grabbing her head and not being able to sleep. Yup, it was official as of yesterday - Kate now has an ear infection. And Cody, well he has Kate's flu.

How much more can a 19 pound little person take? How lasting are the effects of force-feeding your baby drugs 4 times a day?

I am happy to report that with the help of the banana-flavoured antibiotics and grape-flavoured Advil the pain seems to be under control and she did get some sleep last night.

We love you baby - sleep tight and get better soon.

happy birthday to me

Is it sad to write your own birthday blog? Or would it be more sad to invite someone to guest blog about your birthday? I've chosen the former.

I had a glorious birthday weekend. My Dad was here, we went to the Market, the weather was warm, Cody cooked, Cody carved a 33 out of banana bread and turned an orange into my cake, Donna came for a visit and she brought a cooler full of lobsters and Kate was in festive spirits.

Birthday morning.

My crazy Dad.

Grandpa and Grammy.

Curious Kate - she liked the lobster more as a friend than as a meal.

Me and my friend.

Kate trying out her new bike seat.

Out for a walk today in her wagon.

So I'm 33 now - or as I have been saying for a few years now - pushin' 40. I really have no strong opinions about turning 33 other than wishing I didn't feel every one of these years.

Happy Birthday to me and thanks so much for all the calls and birthday wishes. I love you all. aj

crazy about her kitchen

In an attempt to encourage Kate to spend more time upright and perhaps even to walk, Cody and I bought her a little kitchen/laundry set this weekend. After about five and a half hours of evening Papa assembly we presented the kitchen to Kate this morning.

I think it's safe to say - she's a fan. Nice work Pappa - as you said a plastic one would have been so much easier but not nearly as lovely.

Spring officially arrives in three days - on my birthday (for anyone who may have forgotten). Speaking of birthdays one of our favourite people - Becky - is celebrating hers today. Happy Birthday Becky! And Happy St. Patrick's Day to all those of Irish blood or with tendencies to drink. AJ

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.