New blog!

So I have decided to start a new blog for jewelry and related things!

I invite you to follow me there: crashingbison.blogspot.com

Please follow me on my new journey! :)

♥

-Vita

Ok...so I changed my mind...

Please note: I changed my url and then changed it back again! hahh! Can't decide what to do...and felt guilty changing it entirely...I'm just thinking of starting a whole new blog. But I'm not sure yet. Guess that means I will wait and see!

Starting up again...

So I've decided to start blogging again. 2010 was a crazy, wild, pregnant/postpartum & hormonal year. It was a COMPLETE health challenge. Thyroid disease took over my body and my mind. I know I sound like a broken record, but it's still kind of such a shock, really. And in a way, I'm still paying for it. I've got 50lbs to lose. Again. I didn't lose the weight after this baby like I did with my first baby but I suspect I also had thyroid disease at that time as well. It's just worse this time around.

So I'm starting over again, almost a year after having baby (he turns 1 in a month!!!!!!!!!!!). But, good news. My thyroid is finally cooperating once again. I am finally able to get the energy required to work out again (and as well to live life and take care of my babies!!!). I'm already in the gym most days and working my way up to running 30 min straight again. But now to get my diet under control once again. I seem to give in to my ravenous hunger (I over-do it) when I work out daily. So time to nip that shit in the bud.

Some new self-health goals:
1) eat a calorie range 1300-1600
2) NO cheat days (that just screws me up and un-does all my hard work)
3) eat 85% clean - reduce sugar, processed and unnatural foods
4) work out atleast 5 days a week with combined cardio and weight training for best results
5) learn to balance all out with family and work life (another words be a drone for the next year until I get my health back. Seriously, I know how this goes, I'm a pro at it by now!)

My short-term goal (because those are very important, so as to not lose focus) is to eat clean and not cheat for 10 days...let's see how long I can go after that...after 10 days, I will move it to 15, then 20 and so on. I want to break a record! Let's do this!

I realize that I always need to compete with myself in order to succeed at the personal stuff in life...it makes for better results if I know I have a specific goal to strive towards. I will keep my updates posted here, like I used to. I know it's boring stuff, but I'll try to add in some fun stuff too (like babies and jewellery!!!).

The Ballerina and Her Jumping Tiger

Jumping, jumping tiger! 

(He's a real daredevil, he takes after his momma)

 Sister had to join in :)

And of course do ballet, while buddy looks confused.

Cutie patooties!

I hope your Sunday was just as grand! :)

New Year and New Possibilities

I know I'm a bit late in talking about the New Year seeing as it's already February 2...but it IS still the new year and I always like to think that a new year is FULL of endless possibilities. I walked into this year believing that it will be GREAT! And so far, so good! (attitude is EVERYTHING)

I specifically wanted to focus on claiming my health back and being a happy, healthy and involved family this year. My health with regards to my thyroid is MUCH better lately (minus a few mysterious allergic reactions) which is a relief because it was about nine months of chronic sickness after baby was born, I kid you not. I do have lots more to improve on, but I know that will always be the case and it is only February. These things are a work in progress.

My focus on family is also improving. Which reminds me....I've been taking A LOT of pictures lately for my new Etsy shop in order to try and make it and my products look nice...but I haven't spent enough time taking new pictures of my two beautiful children. So that's my goal this weekend! Take some photos that I can cherish for a long while...because my two little chillin's are growing up WAY too fast!!! And did I mention...I got the BEST compliment at the skating rink last week...that both my children are "SUCH happy kids!!" And that "they are ALWAYS smiling!!" I think that just made my year altogether!! My goal in life...is to always see my children smile and be happy. :)

I am also hoping to share some other good news sometime soon. I do hope so. But this will come later.

Ahhhhhh, and it's +2C degrees outside!!!!!! It was -40C just two days ago!!!! LOOOOOOVE!! I desperately want to go spend the next two days (-30, boohoo, will return) snowshoeing or skiing !!!

New Etsy Shop!

Why hello there!!!
It's been awhile since I've been here!

Since having my gorgeous baby boy last March, I've been physically sick and then I got busy after that! hehe
I am finally getting over the sick part (thyroiditis) but I am also excitingly starting to pursue a passion of mine, jewellery and jewellery making, amongst a few other things (like painting)!

Please check me out at my new etsy jewellery shop, Crashing Bison!!

Baby belly laughs (and rolls, hehe)!

Family Strolling :)

First smiles :)

And just when I thought it wasn't possible...

I have fallen in love all over again.

Introducing Braedyn

Monty Braedyn Alex

To be commonly called by his middle name Braedyn.

But nonetheless named after and in loving memory of his Poppy, Monty.

And also after his Papere, Alex.

Born March 15, 2010 @ 1:05pm

7lbs, 10oz.

20 inches long

He is a tiny bundle of joy and

we are so, so, so in love with him.

♥♥♥

Labour pains.

I think I was in near-labour last night...

I read later on that Mexican food is a natural inducer.....

Well had I known that I would NOT have eaten that burrito,

(with hot sauce) at lunch-time! :/

(And I just happened to also read that pineapple is also an inducer....

NOTE to self: do not eat that yummy pineapple all nicely cut up in the fridge! WAH!)

I'm not sure how 'true' these wives-tales are

but let me just say that I do finally remember what labour pains feel like again.

I had totally forgotten what they felt like

and was second-guessing myself about what was real.

But after last night....OWOWOW!!

(and they were very mild labour pains)

I REMEMBER!!

Of course they were obviously not entirely 'real',

as they did not continue on (thank goodness!).

Today we pick up Jody's mom at the airport and she will stay with us for the next few months to help out and visit. I'm looking forward to a little extra help this time around. I want to try and take care of myself too so that I am a better mommy.

And so today is basically the LAST full day that I will EVER be pregnant again...I think I'm going to eat some ice cream (not like I've been refraining or anything! heheh).

So, yes, tomorrow is the BIG day. I've decided, against all my previously "ONLY NATURAL" options. I've realized that sometimes natural birth doesn't happen despite all the hardwork and trying after ~50 hours of serious back labour and "failure to progress", was the medical term (I've heard back labour is the most excruciating type but it's really all I know and remember).

I've already experienced the heartbreak and trauma of having that hope torn from me (Brooklyn was an emergency cesarean after all that labouring and I went from my ideal natural birth to a TOTALLY UN-natural birth).

Many times since then I seriously thought I had been unduly manipulated and 'persuaded' by the doctors who I fought most with until the last minutes of each UN-natural intervention (getting medivacked, epidural, c-section etc)....but now that I think about it...after being in labour for that long, I still hadn't gone through the pushing which I heard can take many hours, especially with the first child. And I can, now, potentially see why, after 50 hours of physical labour and being totally spent even though I was FINALLY at 9cm dilated (BUT with still a 'lip') that they "highly recommended" I do the emergency cesarean. And also thinking about my water which had been broken for over 24 hours by then as well (infection rates rise after this period).

Anyhow, that is basically my first birth story in a nutshell. Very traumatic for me and I never really got over it until forcing myself to come to terms with it until....

BASICALLY now.

And so considering all of that and as well as our current circumstances and being so far away from home (again) and Jody only being able to take off 2 days max of school (he is my anchor, my support, we are a team, he is my ROCK, I would be lost without him if he wasn't there), I've opted for a repeat, planned cesarean.

Not my ideal choice but this is one decision that took me months to think about and finally decide. It was really something I would have never considered otherwise, if it were not for our current circumstances. But also, with this option, I do know more of what to expect. And having to labour again for ~50 hours is not very appealing to me especially if, need be, I did (for some reason) need that emergency cesarean again.

So in the end, I will not get my VBAC, but I will get my baby and that's all that matters in this world anyways.

Anyhow, wish us luck on our big day tomorrow! =)

I'm scared.

(seriously, if you've ever had a c-section while being wide awake,

you would be too!--it's the FREAKIEST experience EVER!)

But in spite of it all

I am very hopeful that my recovery will go smoothly

and I think bonding with baby this time around will be even more profound due to the fact that I know what to expect and I won't feel as traumatized or torn.

9 months & FULLY cooked!

And SO ready to meet & hold our little boy...

Just got word today....

That the big day is March 15, 2010!!!!

ONE MORE WEEK!!!!!!

EEEEEK!! ;)

Things to NEVER do or say to a pregnant woman.

1. NEVER ask her if she's got twins "in there".

2. NEVER touch her belly without her permission.

3. NEVER lift up her piece of clothing (in this case, a scarf) to show her off to someone else in the office, like she is part of the circus.

4. NEVER say things like "you must be due ANY day now!" because chances are she still has weeks and weeks (or months) to go!

5. DON'T stare...if you REALLY have to stare, then atleast smile nicely while you are rudely staring.

6. NEVER give instructions and tell a pregnant lady how to take care of herself and her fetus...if she needs advice, she will ask her doctor or midwife!

7. NEVER, EVER comment on her weight (aka call her "fatso"; NOT EVEN JOKINGLY)!!! (seriously, do you want to get punched in the head???)

That is all I can think of right now...I must say that I haven't had too many rude people come up to me and do or say much of these things...except for #1, 2, 3, 5, and 7.

OK. So I lie. I guess most of this list comes from my own experience, hehe!

If you've experienced something different, add to my list by making a comment! ;)

Nap time!

Brought to you by Brooklyn Abigail :)

(I cannot take such wondrous credit for tucking in

ALL of these cute, little guys!)

9 months

Here I am at 9 months...

I didn't think I could get any bigger but, alas, it has happened.

After weeks of basically staying the same,

my tummy, (aka baby) had a big growth spurt

right after the last 8 month picture was taken.

I am now officially a WHALE!

haha, ok, that is not so or not very nice

but I do feel HUGE!

And uncomfortable.

And exhausted.

And, quite honestly, very useless.

My husband has been picking up alot of the slack lately

and I am so thankful to him for that

and for him basically being my hero, as always.

I also starting having Braxton Hicks contractions

(the "practice" contractions that prepare you for labour).

I'd almost forgotten what they felt like

even after complaining non-stop

about how painful my tummy has been feeling lately.

They especially occur when the little guy moves around

(which is basically ALL the time!).

I am also now off of work for good

and I feel very relieved.

That particular stress has been lifted

which I think has helped my mental state more.

And I get to hang out with my little girl

at home now too which is a big bonus :)

Now I just have to make it one more week

before we move to the big city for a few months.

I will be busy packing and also prepping/cleaning

the house this week

for the handful of different house/dogsitters

we will have while we are gone

(ughh, gong-show in this dept, as per usual).

And, perhaps, A LOT of mini-breaks and naps

along the way too...

Yep, all I have to say is:

Thank God for to-do lists!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I asked my hubby to make me a chocolate cake yesterday

(because you know...a 9 month pregnant lady needs her some chocolate cake! hehe)

and this is what he surprised me & Brooklyn with!

He's such a sweetheart! =)

Tidbits.

8 months pregnant

(taken a few weeks ago; mind the dirty mirror...)

And I finally got a haircut (not shown).....whoa.

With my new FABULOUS(!!!!!) cameo ring from Rosy Revolver!!

LOVE!

Finally got that bird's nest OUT of Brooklyn's hair!!!

Whew! =)

2 freakin' weeks left....!

So I've just discovered, in the nick of time, that I have 9 days worth of sick-leave left (I'm clean out of any vacay time so sick leave is all I have to cling to!)! Which means my midwife *will* be writing me a note to stay home starting in 2 weeks!!!!! And so that will cut my "weeks-left-of-working" countdown from 4 weeks....to 2 weeks now!!!!!!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOT!!!!!!!! =)

I don't think I've ever been this excited to be done work before. EVER!! It's probably just because I know how physically and mentally exhausting and stressful this time can be. I worked up until the very last minute before having Brooklyn (went into labour with her on Labour Day, go figure, heheh!)...and that last month of working while being as big as a boat was NOT a fun experience!

Plus, I'll already have enough on my mind...we are also moving, in 4 weeks, for a whole 2 months to the big city down South. Jody has to attend his 2nd year of apprenticeship school and I have to give birth in a city anyways ... (this little town is not equipped for potentially complicated pregnancies which I am categorized as, due to my previous emergency c-section).

So we just decided that it would be more than worthwhile for me and little B to go with him this time around....however expensive that may be. After all, I cannot imagine being totally alone, with no close family support, while giving birth. Because this is what would actually happen if I had chosen not to go South with Jody; they would actually send me to the closest city which is way up North!!! This is one of the downsides to living in a small, isolated Northern community ..... and this scenario just outright gives me a heart attack and makes me angry when women up North here have no choice but to do this!

So anyhow, with the end of that big tangent....

all I have to say about the next 2 weeks of work that I have left is:

THANK FREAKIN' GOODNESS

AND I CAN'T FREAKIN' WAIT!!!

=)

Aurora Borealis in Fort Smith

I am pretty lucky to be able to view

the magnificent Northern Lights

year-round with various intensities of display

(green, yellow, white, pink, and the rare red).

This community lies on the 60th parallel

which is actually right on one of the main gravity belts

that are believed to create

the most intense aurora borealis.

They are witnessed, though, mainly on cold, dark

and clear winter evenings,

since summers are too bright (18 hours of sunlight).

I grew up whistling to the Northern Lights

by the banks of the Slave River

(the aboriginal legend here says that if you whistle at them,

they will dance around more intensely and come down and

take you away to the otherworld in the sky).

We frightingly and excitingly tested this theory many times

with the results of, indeed,

more intensely dancing Northern Lights,

but we never did get swept away into the Otherworld.

Trust me...we were testy teenagers. ;)

Anyhow, we've had our various fill of

talented, local photographers documenting

these magnificent lights throughout the years

but here is the most recent talent that I've recently found...

I really just want to make some

purchases of this type of photography

before we move south in the next few years.

Something to hang on my wall and remember

my childhood when I am living

south and nowhere near the magnificent and

beautiful Northern Lights.

Something to remind me of home.

So here is a noteworthy local artist

who makes a living from taking

these magnificent photos of my Aurora Borealis:

Karl Johnston Photography

Also a screenshot of the Town of Fort Smith website:

Decisions, decisions....and FISH!

So I've been thinking a lot lately...and my latest decision in life was to extend my mother-in-law's visit that was initially for 3 weeks to 5 weeks....and now I have, once again, extended it (from slow-thinking/decision-making issues due to pregnancy-brain) to include ALL SUMMER, ha! I don't think she has any qualms about it...in fact I am quite certain that she is tickled pink (and blue!) that she gets to spend the extra time with her grandchildren. We are flying her over in March, right before baby arrives and she will stay with us right up until September, if all works out okay.

And as far as raising children goes...I admit it. I need help. Chances are childbirth recovery will be difficult for me (especially if I have another cesarean) along with catering to a newborn every 2-3 hours for feedings ALL day, EVERY day for the first 3-4 months. And that in addition to having a 3 year old, who has, lately, been acting like she is 13(!!!), will be difficult for me to handle. I can foresee it now.

I may sound like a sissy whiner to all those parents out there who have many children, but oh well....since becoming a mom, the phrase "it takes a village to raise a child" has never rang more true for me. But of course, as tough as it is sometimes, I would NEVER trade parenthood in the world for anything else and I'm quite excited to welcome a new baby into my world once again very soon! =)

Countdown for baby = 8 weeks!!!!


--------

I also just came across some photos the other day

that my husband took while on a work trip

(well ok; it was really a half work, half fishing trip...

or better yet, a 1/4 work, 3/4 fishing trip! hehe)

that he was lucky to take last year in April,

right before his dad's health took a drastic turn for the worse...

He grew up fly-fishing off the coasts of Newfoundland

and he ABSOLUTELY LOVES to fish.

And in the 7 years of me moving him up here to live up North,

this was only his 2nd official Northern fishing trip (the poor guy)

(you have to fly out

to the lakes up here in order to get the good fishing

and this can be very expensive).

So I thought I'd share a few snapshots

of one of his adventures.
And he took some beautiful pictures, I must say! =)

Enjoy a few images of the Great White North
(at Thekulthili Lake; pronounced Teh-kull-tee)
in the springtime:

My very sexy & proud fisherman
with his catch of Lake Trout &
(mostly) Jackfish (Northern Pike)!

And we're going to be cooking up
one of these bad boys this very weekend!!!
YUM! =)