Energy Thief

This plum sized little delight sure is an energy suck. Which doesn't exactly come in handy on HIKES UP MOUNTAINS.

We've taken a long weekend to venture a bit further from Calgary and spend some time in Jasper, AB. It's a decent drive from the city, so we stayed at a little lodge in Lake Louise last night to break up the drive. Also, the drive up to Jasper is super scenic so we didn't want to be driving it at night and miss everything. This morning when we hit the road, we were so enamoured with our snazzy rental car and all it's music features, that we got distracted with that, while driving through crazy construction, and totally missed our route. First world problem number one: When you have no cell signal, and it never even crossed your mind to bring along not only the GPS for the car, but one of those old fashioned things called a MAP. Needless to say, we saw a good chunk of BC...then saw it again as we backtracked over an hour, right back to where we started. Thank heavens for sun and car snacks...

The drive, though longer than expected, was gorgeous. Apparently we're supposed to have our first rains this weekend, but on our drive today there wasn't a cloud in the sky. We stopped at a few pull-offs for photos, but otherwise made it to the Columbia Icefields in no time. Not the same CIF as our athletic complex in university! It's sad to think how much more spectacular the glaciers all were not so long ago. They're still a beautiful sight, but it's hard to notice how small the amount of snow is at the top. Maybe it's a bit different in the dead of winter, but still. Turn the heat down, globe!

A stop along the way to the Icefields

 We had a few options for hikes, and I was pretty tired from not a great sleep, so some back and forth ensued about the length of our hike. Sometimes Mr. All or Nothing has to learn that taking your tired, pregnant wife on a 4 hour hike up a mountain in early evening might not be the best decision.

We decided on a hike that would take us up a mountain to overlook the main glaciers in that area. It took about 11.4 seconds for me to already feel out of breath. Now, I'm not saying I was a marathon runner pre-conception, but as a personal trainer and fairly active person, I think I can hold my own! I like hikes! I just also like some limits on what to expect and when it will blissfully end! Up the mountain we went, taking breaks, lots of sips of water. Whoever has complained about this "excessive saliva during pregnancy" hoax....share the wealth! I find everything quite dry here, and have begrudgingly stuck to a strict routine of lotion in the morning and before bed (stay away stretch marks!) and find my mouth is constantly dry, which means drinking more water, which is the classic double edged sword as I feel I spent half my day in the bathroom or looking for a bathroom or in this case, finding a sheltered tree in the woods.

Anyways.

The hike was awesome, and the view was even better. I felt like we should be singing The Hills Are Alive as we looked over the rough terrain and snowy glaciers. The wind was crazy up there but seemed to die down when we reached our stopping point and relaxed on some rocks. My wonderful hiking partner somehow finds it a simple task to take a little power nap on the edge of a mountain side, lying on rocks. Trying to convince myself that the rocks jabbing into my spine were massaging some pressure points did not work. I ended up awkwardly curled on my side, wondering why on earth I'm lying on a pile of rocks, listening to other hikers, who think we're somehow so comfy we're dead asleep, comment on the sight of us. This is love.

The one thing I really do like about hiking with my love is our talks. Sometimes in the car on long drives, or on a nice long walk or hike, we can really get into good discussions. Right now, a lot of that obviously revolves around our little pea, and what on earth life will be like once he or she makes their April appearance. Today's topic was when to take pea on their first ski lesson and that we'd like them to get into music in some way, and that swimming lessons are non-negotiable.

Fortunately at this moment, my most important decision is what to get for dinner at the amazing looking restaurant at our lodge. Do I dare venture into elk or buffalo tonight?

Week 12

Dear precious little pea,

We've waited for this week since we first found out about you. Now we can finally see you for the first time and really know you are real. Mommy hasn't felt much from you, and thanks you every day for not making her hurl her breakfast every morning. Our first picture of you was so early, you were just a little shadow. And we still haven't heard your little heartbeat.

But today, sweet pea, we got to see you, and it was incredible. We thought they might have to search around a bit for you since you're still so small, but as soon as the very nice ultrasound tech put the wand on Mommy's tummy, there you were, your little head and body, right there all cozy and safe inside. We saw you move your little arms and legs and were so happy. We pray every day that you are strong and healthy in there, so seeing you squirming around was everything we hoped for. We could see the tiny flicker of your healthy heartbeat, and could even count your little fingers and toes.

You were also nice and polite and crossed your little feet and stayed nice and still while you were measured. Good manners already, little one. Keep that up.

We have stared at your pictures so many times since then and they always make us so happy. Keep growing in there, Daddy is very excited to see Mommy's tummy turn into a bigger bump! We can't wait to see you again when you're a little bit older. Maybe we can even tell who you look like, though we already know you will be adorable. Feel free to start giving Mommy some kicks soon, though try to remember that her bladder is not a trampoline. Thanks, little one. We love you so much!

Love at First Sight

Baby is really there!!! We had our 12 week ultrasound yesterday and I can't even describe the feeling of seeing our little pea for the first time. Yes, I know enough to count my blessings for not hurling my breakfast every morning, but honestly, without being sick or really feeling any pregnancy symptoms, I started to wonder if everything was ok and how baby was doing in there with so kindly not affecting me at all! The second the ultrasound tech put the wand to my belly, there baby was. A tiny little head and body, making it 1000% REAL.

It was amazing to see those little arms and legs squirming around, when I can't feel a thing! We were able to see the flicker of a heartbeat, little fingers and teeny toes. The ultrasound tech kept saying how cute pea was, which I'm sure she says to everyone, but let's face it, she speaks the truth. What a cute little thing!

Finally hitting 12 weeks meant an enormous amount of relief to hear that baby is healthy, but also....we can finally stop biting our tongues and spread the news! It's been so hard to keep it a secret, but I'm glad we waited until we knew for sure that all is well in there. Phone calls were made, texts and emails sent and we'll finally be able to share the news via the Wonderful World of Facebook this weekend.

Now that reality has set in, I really want to make this blog into a priority, to document the little things I want to remember about this pregnancy, to share stories and photos with family and friends, and to pose some questions to the mommy community about this crazy little thing called PARENTING. The stuff that's out there my friends....heavens above. Attachment parenting, co-sleeping, ten zillion different strollers and babywearing options, cloth diapers, debates on whether to give your children chores....it goes on and on and on! I'm of the mindset that before baby arrives, we'll have our preferences on a parenting style and we'll be particular about certain things we do, but all in all, our little pea's personality will determine much of how life with baby goes, and we'll sometimes just have to go with the flow. The psycho-planner in me does not lightly use this "go with the flow" nonsense...but when baby is running the show, I think it's the best way to maintain some sanity. More on the crazy world of parenting later...for now, you can spend hours looking at our polite little pea's delicate little legs, daintily crossed at the ankles. Sighhh. 

First World Chalk Problems

So, I'm a bit of a perfectionist. This is why me and this chalkboard aren't quite friends yet. Another blog was my inspiration for the weekly chalkboarding, and I swear, she must've photoshopped those darn words because they are perfect. PERFECT.

Meanwhile, every time I try to write on this thing, I erase it about 14 times. Anyways. I went so far as to youtube chalkboard writing, and every.single.one used the chalk pens instead of regular chalk. I must buy some TODAY.

I can't believe how warm it still is in Calgary. As evidenced by my weekly photo wardrobe and the ever-present Lululemon shorts. My fave.

Week 11

Pea's first photo in Calgary! We are settled into our new abode, loving all the space and our view overlooking the Bow River and a lovely riverfront. Best part? Eric's office IN OUR BACKYARD. Four minute commute ya'll. Can't get much better than lunches at home!

The three of us are loving it here so far. Can you blame us?

Riverfront

Well, here we are. The three of us have officially, temporarily, relocated to sunny, chilly Calgary for the fall. It was a whirlwind few weeks ahead of our move as we wrapped up work, packed our place and moved things out for subletting, had a week in limbo staying with friends and family, all leading up to a big family wedding on the weekend. Needless to say, once Sunday rolled around, I was a bit of a mess. Baby had graduated to a prune that day (10 weeks!), and apparently prunes make me uncontrollably emotional. Combined with lack of sleep, emotions running high from the wedding and saying goodbye to my extended family, I was a wreck. It was just one of those days where if you break the seal, you just can't stop. I cried morning, afternoon, evening, sometimes from something that set me off, sometimes for no reason at all. Exhausting. Thankfully I was able to hold it together for our 5am wake up call and early flight Monday morning.

We arrived at our new "home" to find a wonderful view, spacious layout and...a ginormous, heavenly king sized bed. So, juuust about the time that I start to get a decent belly...we'll head home to our double bed. Hm.

Now it's onto finding midwives and getting bloodwork done ahead of my 12 week prenatal screen and ultrasound. The screening here seems to be slightly different than the two options in Ontario, but as long as I get a live feed to what the little pea is doing in there, I'm happy.  

Week 10

What a week. Packing! Moving out! Living with friends and family out of suitcases in the car! Family wedding prep and big wedding day! Saying goodbye to family for the 3 months we'll be in Calgary! ...Needless to say, this and the fact that I had WAY to little sleep over the previous 2 days explains why I look like...this. This is going to be one tough little baby!

And because of the horror of these photos, let's look at something a little more 

pleasant from the day before!

My Baby Daddy!