Maybe it'll be a 3-post day...

Here's my second post today and not the official second one I was planning either :)

I just liked this logo - and well, I did it. I *just* realized that today is the 30th and I officially did 30 posts in 30 days for "NaBloPoMo" (National Blog Post Month). I win, I win.

kortney elise xoxo

2 Post Monday

I'm thinking that today will be a 2-post kinda day. This is just a note of interest - if you go to Starbucks tomorrow and buy a hand-crafted drink (you know, like a latte or something more than a cup of coffee), they'll donate 5 cents to the Global Fund to fight AIDS in Africa.

I like Starbucks. I like donations. Really it's a win-win situation. If you need a treat this week, what a great way to do it ;)

kortney elise xoxo

Phew

Glad that weekend is over. I really enjoy judging and had a blast, but I'm exhausted.

Back to real posting tomorrow, promise.

As for now, I'm going to veg, play dumb computer games, and go to bed.

Nanight,
kortney elise xoxo

Migraines

I had a migraine today and consequently forewent the CPC clinic I was supposed to attend today. I figured best to skip today and actually be there tomorrow when I judge...it's hard to find a replacement judge. The clinic I figured I could finish next time.

One of my friends at the clinic messaged me and the leader said it was okay - that she'd collected things to give me. Just last night, our clinic leader told me I had a great grasp on this kinda stuff (well, duh...I'm addicted to skating, scoring, and understanding the new system) so that's okay. I'll just have to trial at the next competition. That's fine by me.

Anyways, we're off to a surprise birthday party tonight. Alexys is napping and I'm going to shower. It's 2:30 in the afternoon and I just woke up not too long ago. I called in sick to life and Daddy mostly took over today (except at 10 am this morning when we found Alexys' diaper had burst and there were tiny little jewel looking things all over her legs and pjs...I switched to Pampers because everyone told me they'd leak less...at least Huggies never burst like this. Gross!). Thanks honey for letting me have a sick day, too (even if the house is a mess now...I guess I'll clean that later!).

kortney elise xoxo

Phew

Today was what felt like the third longest day of my life (I think the first two were definitely the day before Alexys was born and the day she was born!)...I judged at Jingleblades ALL day...well, 7:45 until 3:30 and then did the CPC course from 3:30 until 7:30.

I feel like I already had a good grasp on CPC and I'm excited to trial judge more tomorrow.

I'm literally so exhausted that I'm shaking. I fought a migraine all day. I'm only trialing tomorrow and I don't have to be there until 830 (and only until 430), so these are all good things. Sunday is 930 to 330.

I loved coming home to my sweet baby girl tonight and getting stories and cuddles and hugs and kisses. I love her and miss her when I'm away from her.

Day 27 in a row...
kortney elise xoxo

The Last 10 Pounds

On the same note as weaning...I am incredibly excited to lose the last 10 pounds. Breastfeeding is one of those things - yes, it does aid in the dropping of poundage for most mama's and generally pretty quickly in fact - but there are some mama's who tend to hold onto the last 10 pounds. I think of it as storage for just in case moments ie: if there were a famine or something. At least I'd have the extra 10 pounds to aid in my making milk. I don't know if that's true. But that's the way I think of it.

Now that we're nearly done I can look forward to losing those darn last 10 pounds. I did my best to not worry about it while Alexys was breastfeeding. Even though this present weight is still within the optimal (if not low side) of normal, it still bothers me. I want my body back (as best as it could be given the circumstances of widening hips, etc). Here's the problem though.

While I was breastfeeding, I ate like a horse. My appetite hasn't changed. I still would like to eat like a horse. It can't be the one feeding a day that Alexys has. Maybe my appetite will magically change once that's gone? I'm thinking not. So for the past few days I've been trying to cut my portion sizes down. Often, I can outeat my hubby. That's gross - he works out a lot AND he's a lot bigger than me. I shouldn't be able to outeat him.

The next step is cutting sugar outta my diet a little bit better than I do now. I'm not going to cut it out of the everyday stuff - I just mean ditch the candy and excessive sugar in my coffee and tea. Those are my start.

Anyways, I really look forward to losing those last 10 pounds. That's all.
kortney elise xoxo

PS: I *know* I could work out to lose those last 10 pounds, but truth be told, I hate working out. I hate the gym. AND it bothers me knee. That's just a lose-lose-lose situation for me. The end.

PPS: I got a phone call from the doctor yesterday and they asked me to come in for the results of my kidney ultrasound. This is both a good and bad thing, I decided. It's bad because they only call you to come back in if there is something wrong. It's good because at least I'm not imagining the pain. I'll keep you updated.

The other story...

I shared the first story first…the one where Alexys learned to breastfeed. You can look up billions of stories about successful breastfeeding relationships. There are millions (okay, I made that number up – but I’m sure it’s not that much of a stretch) of websites dedicated to breastfeeding and learning how to be successful at it.

But what about the other half of the story? You know. Weaning. Yep, I said it. Why is this term so taboo? When you google “how to wean,” yes, lot’s of phrases come up. But if you actually click through them they all offer the same one piece of advice: drop one feeding at a time. Okay, great. That sounds easy when you read it. In reality, it’s kinda difficult and I found myself very frustrated with this advice. Upon delving deeper into weaning websites, I discovered 95% of websites share only sad weaning stories. About how terrible it was to wean – it hurt, it was against my will for medical reasons, I lost my baby…all terrible, unfortunate circumstances, true…but why is weaning associated with such negativity? I suppose it’s to discourage people from weaning “too soon” and to make breastfeeding sound more optimal (which I don’t think is being done by posting terrible weaning stories, but that’s another story altogether). Anyways, I found myself stuck with two ideals: baby-led weaning or mother-led weaning. Nothing in the middle. If I choose to wean, I am leading it. If Alexys magically stops, then she is weaning. I don’t like the way mother-led weaning sounds, but I suppose that’s what we’ve done.

I’d like to say that I always planned on breastfeeding Alexys to 1 year. I support 100% those who choose to go past that point, but my lifestyle and my choices are not in line with that choice. I always knew that come one year, Alexys would be weaned. I always knew it would be a process. I don’t like the idea of going cold turkey (especially watching a friend suffer from mastitis, yuck). And so the process began months ago. I suppose, technically, I did just drop one feeding a day, and replace it with milk or formula and a sippy or a bottle, depending. It was especially hard to drop the night feedings and a little bit of tears were shed during that time. In the end, I replaced night feedings with bottles of water…which Alexys has almost weaned herself off of, already. Anyways.

We still breastfeed once a day at this point. Yes, I’m a little sad that our breastfeeding days are coming to their end. Yes, I know they don’t have to, but it’s my belief that we actually did have a mix of baby-led and mama-led weaning. In fact, Alexys never once asked for milk today. I could have easily stopped breastfeeding today. We’ve chosen not to for a few more weeks. She happily nursed this afternoon. I didn’t have to fight her to get off me though and make her stop feeding. It wasn’t a sad moment for her. She’s okay with being a big girl…probably even more so than the mama is ready for her to be a big girl.

I’m not sure there’s a point to this post, except to say that weaning is not always a sad thing. It’s a proud thing for both of us – we made it this far and Alexys is growing up. It’s a 2-in-1 moment. It’s a successful moment. I couldn’t be prouder that I stuck it out with breastfeeding, but at the same time I couldn’t be prouder that my little girl is growing up.

kortney elise xoxo

Best Day Ever

It's a great day. A day to celebrate.
Click on the photo above for clarification.

I'll be back to my regularly scheduled blogging tomorrow.
kortney elise xoxo

My Final

Well, I'm done the first portion - submitted and long gone. I got at least 85 % (a pass) on that portion. A little screen popped up and told me that. To find out my exact mark takes 2 weeks as a human reviews it, not just the computer.

I'm presently working on the second section (the actual transcribing part). It's not as hard as I expected at all and they're not trying to trick you, which I kind of thought they would. Phew. I've submitted 5 of 8 of the reports already and am confident in them. There are 3 reports left and for the most part they're finished. I could probably submit them already and do decently well (for sure a pass), but I'm going to wait and see if I can fill in some of the blanks I had to leave. Sometimes sleeping on these things help for real!!!

Anyways, must submit my final by 2pm tomorrow and then it's a waiting game after that. 2 weeks for results - eek. Oh well, I have LOTS to keep me busy this week.

This weekend is Jingleblades (I get back from skating Thursday night at midnight and have to be IN White Rock Friday morning at 7:30 - I know welcome to real life...except Alexys and I generally sleep till 9:30 or 10 on a regular basis. Getting up at 6:30 is GOING to kill me!). Plus I'm taking another chunk of my judging course. Woot woot.

There's also a surprise party on Saturday. But I can't tell you who it's for. Or where it is. Or anything. I'll tell you later.

kortney elise xoxo

Dear Blog

I will come back to you one day.

For now, I'm writing my exam. Wish me luck.

kortney elise xoxo

Even closer

I'm cutting this post even closer.

I still want to "finish" NoBloPoMo (ahem, National Blog Post Month)...where I post everyday of November. So I have to keep this quick:

• Joannie won Skate Canada!
• Patrick Chan did not - but man does his freeskate have potential to kick butt at Olympics. It's an unbelieveable program.
  
• I start my final tomorrow afternoon!!!
• Alexys has her first commercial audition tomorrow morning.
  

kortney elise xoxo

Woo

Just about missed posting today.

How about I'll just do a cheating quick post?

1. Joannie Rochette is in first after the short at Skate Canada. Phew. Much better than 7th after the short at TEB.
2. Patrick Chan is in 6th. Oops.
3. Avey had her baby :)

kortney elise xoxo

Endometriosis, I Hate You

In case you're new to my blog, I'm working on grouping all my endo posts together – but for now click here to see what endometriosis is. If you're a man, or perhaps an easily grossed out woman, this might be too much information for you. Unless you're one of those men that periods don't bother you. Your choice.

Hi, my name is Kortney and I have endometriosis. The doctors tried to tell me it would go away after the first surgery, the second, the third…and for good after getting pregnant. I thought it did. I really thought it did after Alexys came out and I spent the first 6 months period-less and pain free. I even thought it was gone after the first month of my period. I tried to believe after 2 months that it was still gone. I'm sitting here really trying not to feel depressed right now. I don't think I can trick myself into thinking it's really gone anymore. In fact, I think it's back. Really and truly. I can't deny it.

I tried to deny it. Endometriosis and pregnancies/miscarriages have a lot in common, ya know. I tried to convince myself I was pregnant and miscarrying, and that's what these symptoms were. For me, at this point in my life, that emotional toll would be less than dealing with endometriosis again. I've taken 2 pregnancy tests and they're negative. I know I'm not pregnant. I know I'm not miscarrying. I even had the blood work done, just in case.

In the past 30 days, I have had my period for 23 of those days on and off. It's very frustrating. Only 7 days were in the clear. I am on birth control even. My periods should be easy to predict and not painful, right? Wrong. 23 days is not fun. 23 days of "protection" is expensive. 23 days of cramps is terrible. Especially when combined with kidney pain. I try not to complain. But today, I have to get it off my chest. I sit on the toilet and feel the chunks coming out of me. Disgusting, fine, but it's true. I sit and just wait to be emptied every morning as the blood clots fall. It's terrible. I don't have time to sit and feel sorry myself, but that seems to be the only option at that point every morning.

True, the cramps are not AS bad as before Alexys, but this bleeding is out of control. It's not fair. I thought my relationship with the woman's health centre was done, but clearly it's not – they received a phone call from me today. I have to get a re-referral and I'm it'll take months to get in. I'm going back to my family doctor next week and I'm going to request stronger hormones to control this. I can't live with this. It's not fair. I know she'll make me try "in between" drugs, because she's a new family doctor and doesn't know all my history. I'm going to beg. I hate this. I really thought it was over.

Sorry for complaining. I just needed to get it off my chest.
kortney elise xoxo

Happy 3rd One!

Yep, it's our third anniversary today.

From here:

To here:It's amazing how far you can come in three years.

I love you baby. Always and forever!!!
kortney elise xoxo

Lotions, Creams, Shampoos, and MORE!!!

This is a website that my friend sent to me not too long ago and one I've been doing a lot of looking into lately. It's called "Skin Deep" and is a cosmetic safety database. It's not all cosmetics like makeup (like I thought before I clicked into it), but contains a lot of information on children's creams, shampoos, etc. I've been trying to convert our buying products according to this list – I'm using up what we have at home, of course, but we're working on curbing our buying to avoid certain ingredients, especially in Alexys' things.

Here's a list of ingredients that have "no required safety testing, [so] companies that make personal care products can use almost any chemical they want, regardless of risks." Sketchy, no?

Ingredients to avoid at all costs?

1. 2-BROMO-2-NITROPROPANE-1,3-DIOL - Allergen that forms cancer-causing chemicals.
2. BHA - Causes skin depigmentation.
3. DMDM HYDANTOIN - Allergen that forms cancer-causing chemicals.
4. OXYBENZONE - Allergen; forms free radicals to damage skin.
5. TRICLOSAN - May disrupt growth hormones from the thyroid.
6. BORIC ACID & SODIUM BORATE - Unsafe for infants according to industry experts.
7. DIBUTYL PHTHALATE & TOLUENE - Found in nail polish/play makeup; hormone disruption, cancer concerns.

There is also a list of ingredients to avoid when possible linked on this page.

Who are the best brand's to buy from? All one's I've never heard of, of course!!! Aubrey Organics, Carol's Daughter, Dr. Bronner's, Earth Tribe, and Keys all have a hazard score of 0. However, Burt's Bees is a more common brand and their hazard score is just 1. For now, we're going to work on buying things with Burt's Bees! I love their lip chap, so the rest of their products must be good too. Their hazard score is a one because often their products do contain fragrance.

Bad brands that often contain many of these contaminants are more popular than you'd think: Johnson & Johnson (only some products), Huggies, Colgate, most sunscreens (including Coppertone, Aveeno, and Banana Boat), Kirkland, and Pampers.

If anything, check out the website – it's a good read at the very least and makes you want to double check a lot of the everyday products you use in terms of lotions, shampoos, and even toothpaste!!

kortney elise xoxo

WAHOO!!!

Click if you need to enlarge, but this is the final section of school. Well, I completed the final learning section today, and all that is left is final exam preparation. That means I will have completed the ONE YEAR course in just 8 months. I'm VERY proud of myself.

However, please note that I'll probably take the final exam twice - it's free to do so up to 3 times - and the higher your score the better chance you have of being hired. I tend to do crappy on exams, so I figure I'll take it twice if the first score ain't great.

Wish me luck!
kortney elise xoxo

Not Me

Oh Not Me, how I've missed you! Trust me. It's not because I've stopped doing stupid and silly things lately. There's plenty of mistakes and duh moments to go around. I think I choose to forget them…because when I go to write them down. Gone. Like the wind. Or something.

Not Me is a blog carnival started by MckMama, who's son Stellan just underwent a successful surgery to heal his SVT. You should check out her blog for both reasons – a story of miraculous healing AND a story about every mother's typical "not me" kinda week!

So what haven't I done lately? I don't promise this was all this week. Just in recent memory.

To start, I sure don't have a tower of laundry waiting to be folded that, if stacked high, is taller than me. Or taller. I can't not tell you, because the tower is not too high to add clothes on top. Not me. I always iron my clothes and put them away, just like my Mama taught me.

I did not eat Alphaghetti straight out of the jar multiple times this past little while. Not me. That's disgusting and obviously I warm things like that up. Every time. I'm also not known for eating other soupy things straight out of the jar – not things like mushroom soup or alphabet soup. Not me.

I did not send out 10 resumes the other day to companies other than medical transcription companies (ie: corporation, legal, etc.) in hopes of finding a job for December to tide me over until my practicum is done. Not me. I wasn't disappointed to not get any replies. I'm not struggling with the thought of letting God provide at the busiest, most expensive time of year. Not me. I'm a great Christian who never struggles with letting God be in charge. Not me.

I'm not secretly praying for the lights to go out at 8-Rinks tonight and our ice time to be cancelled, because I don't feel well. Not me. I love going to skating practices at 10 o'clock at night and know we need all the practice we can get. After all our countdown looks like this:
-1 practice till our first LMSSC demo
-8 practices till our first real demo at the PI Gala
-16 practices till our first competition in Mississauga – Winterfest. Eek.

Anyways, that was not for my own benefit to try and convince me that practice tonight is a good thing. I'm not not convinced. Too many negatives. I still wish the power would go out at 8-Rinks. Don't tell the coach.

My head hurts.
kortney elise xoxo

Things You Never Wanna Hear in the Same Sentence

Oozing and rectum.

Trust me.

Barf.

kortney elise xoxo

(PS: This stuff isn't getting any less gross. I really have a whole new respect for nurses and doctors. I can't type it without envisioning it and just the vision is bad enough for me to push my dinner away. Gross.).

Sick

I have a house full of sickies. All different. Jord is fighting a cold. I have kidney pain. Lex is maybe teething. Maybe more - she threw up a bit, sweat like crazy during her nap, but no fever at all. She will not go anywhere but my lap though. I am typing one-handed, while watching skating on one screen without sound and Wiggles with sound on the other half. It gives a new meaning to men's figure skating.

That's all for now. I'm busy cuddling my sweet baby.
kortney elise xoxo

EDIT: Since bedtime was horrendous tonight, and I fully feel that sharing positive things about bedtime jinxes you for that night, I'm in the safezone - bedtime has now occurred at 11 o'clock at night. Mama ain't far behind. BUT since it's over and was terrible, I had to share that Alexys mostly sleeps through the night now. She generally goes to bed at 8pm and I've been waking her up at 12:30 for a dreamfeed. The past two nights she's woken up on her own before then and I've just give her some water and she's gone back to sleep on her own. After that she sleeps till 8:30 or 9!!! I'm hoping that the water trick will work for the 12:30 feeding as it did for the 5/6am one. Anyways. I've been getting used to these 8 or so hours in a row, but since my sweet girl isn't feeling 100 percent tonight, I'm preparing to get up a couple times. I'm crossing my fingers, but preparing for the worst!

Followup on PCS - TES!!

I've actually had people inquire and followup on the PCS thread the other day. Not that you'd know, because certain people refuse to comment. Hmph. I know you're out there ;) Thanks for the emails :)

The second mark (well, actually the first mark) you get in skating is called the Technical score. I'm doing this section based on synchro alone. Whereas PCS is a giant range marked over all disciplines, each TES has to be based on individual disciplines. Because I've only taken my synchro CPC seminar, I'm only sharing the synchro portion for now. I take my Singles CPC in a few weeks and will perhaps share what I learn with you then.

Feel free to ask questions. You know, in the comments or something :)

TES Score in Synchronized Skating:

· This is your first mark called your technical mark. It is based on WHAT YOU DO. It does not take into account how messy things are, how pretty things are. It is the part where skaters want to know, “Did we get the call?” They literally mean, “Did we get called the right level for what we were trying.”

· Every element we do in a program (Spread Eagles, Block, Block Step, Intersection, Circle, Circle Step, Line, and Wheel, etc. - dependent on the level) is given a level that ranges from 1 to 4 depending on the element. Skate Canada has predetermined base marks for each element and each level (ie: A line 4 at base is worth 5.2. A line 3 is only worth 4.0). Our base value is predetermined before we go into a competition and we know what is possible to achieve for this part. Your base value can change by competition, but if you consistently do everything laid out in a program (ie: make the travel distance every time), the base value stays the same.

· There are 3 people (“tech panel”), separate from the judges, whose job it is to call these elements. They decide whether the team has done the required elements for each element to receive its level.

· When the new rules came out, this tended to be the most important part of synchro. Basically, who followed the rules to get the calls. Those teams won. NOW basically every level will have the same calls and the same base levels for the most part. The team that won Nationals in Adult Festival had a base of 36 and the team that came last had a base of 32. There is little difference here.

· Why are some scores higher? What makes the difference? GOE or grade of execution. This is given separate grade from the “tech panel.” The judges DO NOT KNOW the level of the call when they are grading you. They don’t know if it’s a L4 or a L1 (although often it’s quite clear whether it’s going to be a L1/L2 or L3/L4 range). That doesn’t matter. The judges’ job is to tell you whether or not that element was pretty, etc.

· Every element is given a score from -3 ranging up to +3, including 0. Things to remember: there is no such thing as perfect in this system. You can make a small error and possibly receive a +3 (though that’s difficult). Two teams can be given a +3 on the same element for different reasons. Two teams can be given a 0 on the same element for different reasons. 0 is also not what an “okay” element looks like. You’ll see.

· Every judge gives a score for each element and then that score is averaged. If everyone on the panel gives that element a -3, then the average is -3. That average is then given its own scale of values. This is where you need to be a mathematician to figure the scores out. For a L4 Block, with an average GOE of -3, 3.0 is taken off the base value. For a L1 Block, with an average GOE of -3, 1.0 is taken off. It’s a scale and depends on the element and level. It is published on Skate Canada and data specialists figure out the number. That’s why the marks take so long in between teams.

· However, the judges do not know what ends up coming off the element. All they know is they saw a -3 block. The tech specialists do not know what the judges will take off. All they know is that they saw a level 4 block.

· The high and low mark of each element is thrown out. This can be one of every judge. It can be the same judge. It is the high and low for each element individually, not just two judges thrown out.

· At the end of all the elements, after the GOE is applied and minused/plused off the base value of every element, a final TES score is established for each element and overall. For example, say you were called a B3 and you received an average GOE of -1. Last year, the scale of values dictated that if you scored a -1 on a B3, you reduced your base value by 0.70. Therefore instead of receiving the original base value 4.0 for a B3, you receive only a 3.3.

· Let's pretend your base value was 32 overall? Once the GOE is added on it worked out to be a FINAL TES score of 30.60. You lost over a whole point on elements doing poorly.

· Of course, the good part about GOE, is your ability to gain the same way you lose.

· I have taken time to detail each element for you, but basically it comes down to this: Every Synchro Skater’s Pet Peeves. Edges, Shape, Speed, Placement, Pivot.

· We need to think about those 5 things on every element – if you can give a positive reason for 3 out of 5 of those things, you’ll receive a +1 for the element. It’s that simple. I’ll go into detail, but if your block has deep edges, maintains it shape, and has a pivot…you should receive a +1. Simple no?

Elements - What Judges Look For:
(I've only outlined the elements that are included in an Adult I program this year. Sorry!!!)

Intersection:
What a 0/+1 looks like:
1. Majority of skaters are in unison during rotation of linking steps.
2. Majority of the lines are accurately spaced AND/OR correctly formed, as well as even spacing before and after the point of intersection.
3. Consistent speed and flow – some loss of flow allowed during preparation OR exit (but not both).
4. Consistent speed and flow – some loss of flow allowed during approach or PI (but not both).
5. Majority of skaters, complete rotation/linking steps AT the PI.

Additional Reductions:
-1 for no shape BEFORE.
-2 for no shape AFTER.
-1 for stopping before or after an intersection.

Circle:
What a 0/+1 looks like:
1. The majority of the skaters use a moderate depth of edge AND/OR have unison on the free leg.
2. Maintains its roundness AND/OR symmetry for the majority of the time. Ability to CORRECT the circle shape. Skaters are evenly spaced.
3. Majority of the skaters keep the circle effortlessly rotating most of the time with the same speed. Moderate loss of speed is allowed by the end.
4. Maintain fast travel AND/OR good distance throughout the majority of the element.
5. Change of direction with turns and a loss of flow allowed.

Additional Reductions:
-1 for major loss of flow during change of direction.

Block:
What a 0/+1 looks like:
1. The majority of the skaters use a moderate depth of edge AND/OR have unison on the free leg.
2. Majority of the skaters are lined up OR the lines are spaced for the whole element.
3. Majority of skaters do not show effort. Some loss of speed allowed.
4. Moderate loss of speed or momentum as the team changes configuration AND/OR axis.
5. Majority of the lines must execute consistent speed OR corridors are maintained.

Step Sequence (Block and Circle):
What a 0/+1 looks like:
1. Majority of the skaters use a moderate and same depth of edge most of the time.
2. Majority of the skaters do not show effort.
3. Majority of the skaters have unison on turns AND free leg placement.
4. Some turns and steps can be repeated (variety).

Wheel:
What a 0/+1 looks like:
1. Majority of the skaters are evenly spaced AND/OR have the same lean for the whole element.
2. Majority of the skaters keep most of the spokes straight during most of the element. The spokes are evenly spaced during most of the element. The skaters have the ability to fix the errors.
3. Majority of skaters effortlessly keep most of the spokes rotating the same fast AND/OR consistent speed during most of the wheel.
4. Maintain fast travel AND/OR good distance throughout the majority of the element. Majority of the spokes maintain even and consistent speed during travel.
5. Change of rotational direction with a loss of flow.

Additional Reductions:
-1 for slowly rotating during travel.

Spread Eagles (MI):
What a 0/+1 looks like:
1. Majority of the skaters execute the element with ease AND/OR equal ability with unison.
2. Majority of the skaters do not show effort.
3. MI is smoothly linked and flows from one element to the next.
4. Symmetrical placement for most of the time during the element.

Additional Reductions:
-1 for the rest of the skaters not presenting the spread eaglers.

Line:
What a 0/+1 looks like:
1. Majority of the skaters use moderate, same edges AND/OR have unison of free leg.
2. Lines maintain straightness AND/OR corridor is even for majority of element. Ability to correct error.
3. Majority of skaters do not show laboring while gaining speed. Ability to lose some speed by end.
4. Majority of skaters are evenly spaced AND/OR holds are secure during most of the element.
5. Majority of the line has consistent speed AND/OR spacing maintained.

What Happens If I Fall?
1. There is an automatic deduction off the top of 1.0 on your very final score at the end of the day.
2. The judges also take a reduction IF it happens during an element (the above ones). If it happens in between then there is no additional deduction.
3. The reduction is based on how fast you get up – if you fall and it is considered “prolonged” it is -2. If it is “up/down” it is -1. If two skaters or more fall it is a -3. The judges will continue to mark an element pretending you didn’t fall – they will then grade it. Let’s pretend it was a really good wheel, but someone tripped and fell. They got up and in really quick – the judge will first give the wheel a mark – say they were going to give it a +2 before the fall happened. THEN they must reduce the score by -1 for the fall…so the team will actually get a +1 on the element.

What Happens If There Is a Break?
1. If the break happens DURING an element, the judge is required to take off -1 for each break that occurs. Again, if the element was fantastic and scores a +3, the judge is THEN required to take off the -1 given the final grade a +2.
2. This is also applied if there is a poor, sliding hold – you know when you’re barely holding on. This is a reduction of -1 during an element.

What Happens If There is a Collision or Stumble?
1. Again, during an element there is a required reduction taken of -1 to -2 depending on severity. Quite often this will make your element -3 or -2, because, quite often, this occurs during a poor intersection. Bad intersection will score say a -2. Plus a terrible collision during the intersection (-2). You technically reduce your score down to -4, but the lowest is -3, so it’s your lucky day.

That's all I wrote folks. None of this information is a secret. It's all available on the ISU website. You might just have to dig to find it all ;)
kortney elise xoxo

I received this email from my photographer yesterday morning!!! Read on!
kortney elise xoxo


Hi Kortney,

Hope you are doing well. I love reading all your updates about Alexys.

I just wanted to let you know that I have recently been selected as one of the "50 Essential Portrait Photgraphers" in Vancouver:

http://www.vancouvermom.ca/best-of/barbara-casey-of-bellies-and-babies-by-barbara/

I chose one of my favourite images of Alexys from the photo session to include in the interview. Hope you get a chance to check it out.

Enjoy!

Barbara xox

PCS Score in Figure Skating

I know, I said I was going to stick to labour/delivery/babies this month, but my judging course set me a little offtrack. I'm sorry. This post is for anyone who needs to understand figure skating judges, scoring, etc. I just needed to get this all out I think.

This section pertains only to the PCS score (the second score) that all skaters in all disciplines are given. I've included the video of Nexxice at last year's world championships in Zagreb, where they took home the GOLD medal and became the first Canadian World Synchronized Skating Champions ever. This program is good enough to give anyone chills and I believe it strongly represents high PCS scores (in the mid to high 9 range). Here's how you, too, can decode PCS:

• There is a second score that judges hand out and this is comparable to the old presentation score.
• It is not as objective as the TES score (which I will post about another day), because it is a subjective topic. Judges are never supposed to say “I think” but it happens, because it is hard to steer away from that. However, there is a focus and it IS heading that way. For now, however, it is imperfect.
• There are five parts to the PCS – Skating Skills, Transitions, Performance/Execution, Choreography/Composition, and Interpretation. Yes, they sound similar. And they are. Sort of. They are related, yes, but once broken down, they are different. The titles should just be more clear. The details are clearer.
• Each of this portion is given a mark by each judge. The high and low are thrown out, averaged, and bam. You add them up and that’s your PCS score. Simple.
• You then add your TES and PCS and that’s what your score is. You can compare your own score from competition to competition, but not to previous years as much, because standards/rules/etc have changed.
• Each PCS is graded on a scale from 0 to 10 in 0.25 sections (ie: 3.25, 4.75, etc).
• It is important that although they are different, they are related. Generally you will not receive say a 10 on skating skills and only a 2 on Choreography. A team that has the ability to skate with skills of a 10 will not be able to demonstrate this with a program given a 2 for choreography. It’ll make sense once we go though each section.
• It is important to note that there is no declared range for each level. An adult team could get a 10 if they skate that way. That has not happened. So you can get an idea, Nexxice Senior is the 9s range. Adult last year tended to range from a low of 1.75 to a high of 4.5 in the same event.

PCS Sections Broken Down:

Skating Skills:
-Balance/rhythmic knee action/precise foot.
-Effortless glide.
-Cleanness, sureness of deep edges, steps, and turns.
-Power, energy, and ability to accelerate (not necessarily go fast all the time!).
-Multidirectional skating.
-One foot skating.
-Equal technique of all skaters.

Transitions:
-Variety
-Difficulty
-Intricacy
-Quality (including unison)

Performance/Execution:
-Physical, emotional, and intellectual involvement.
-Carriage (upper body especially).
-Style.
-Clarity of movements.
-Variety.
-Projection.
-Unison and “oneness.”
-Spatial awareness between skaters.
-Ability to change holds.

Choreography/Composition:
-Purpose (idea, concept, vision).
-Proportion (too much time on transitions, sacrificing elements?).
-Unity.
-Pattern and ice coverage.
-Phrasing and form.
-Originality of purpose, movement, design.

Interpretation:
-Effortless movements in time to the music.
-Expression of music style, character, and rhythm.
-Hitting nuances in the music.
-Using other skaters to demonstrate character of music.

Hope that maybe this makes skating scoring slightly easier to understand next time you see it on TV, especially with Olympic season just around the corner.

Look for TES scores another day!
kortney elise xoxo

Cheating

I'm a lame blogger AGAIN today, but I am keeping up my commitment for NoBloPoMo :) So here's the post for today.

If you haven't read over to MckMama's blog lately, I would encourage you too. She's linked on my side bar and just yesterday her son, Stellan, underwent a successful ablation of a hear defect causing SVT. He's not out of the woods yet, but it looks like his SVT may be gone forever.


It's an amazing story of God's work, I think, and of one mama's ability to put her trust into God even when she's scared. I'm not sure how solid my faith could/would be in a situation like that. I'd like to think it would hold tight, I'd like to think I'd be strong...but well, no use wondering. Instead praise Jesus for a miracle in Stellan!!

kortney elise xoxo

A Breastfeeding Story

Here's the first story of a friend, Jackie, that I wanted to share with you. I think it's great to share other people's stories, because every woman and every baby are different...a nursing relationship varies from family to family and baby to baby. Here's Jackie's story of her and Finnian - he's just a few days older than Alexys and currently her family is living in Rome. Visit her blog to hear about her adventures! If you have a story you'd like to share (good or bad), please pass along! coachkortney @ gmail.com

kortney elise xoxo

Finnian and Jackie

11 months in, I can look back and say that breastfeeding in the first 6ish weeks was A LOT worse than I thought it was going to be! My nurse at the hospital was great! After they weighed Finn and checked him over, she brought him to me as asked me if I wanted to try nursing right away. I was so out of it that I could hardly hold him properly, so she helped me latch him on, and he took to it right away. I had a few issues the first day or two, just more getting the feeling of how to latch him on, but otherwise that wasn't a problem.

I bought a bottle before Finnian was born, but not a pump...the bottle was primarily to fill and freeze when I wanted to go out for longer than the 2-4 hours (which I never planned on doing often). I never had any issues with my milk coming in (other than the pain when my boobs were full) - but my nipples did crack a lot in the first few weeks and it was PAINFUL to feed him, even when he was latched on properly. But I just bit my lip, and would put lanolin creme on right afterward, and even though I never thought the cracking would heal, it eventually did, and I never had any pain after that.

I had a few friends that said that their babies weaned themselves at 3 or 6 months, and I can understand why they thought that, but I don't think their babies were actually weaning themselves. At those growth spurt phases Finnian was a MUCH more difficult nurser. He would cry and fuss, he would pull on and off for what felt like forever, and sometimes I would just think he didn't want to nurse, so I would give up frustratedly and try again in 2 or 3 hours. But luckily I had my mother-in-law around who is a huge breastfeeding advocate, and breastfed 7 of her own children for an average of 2 years each. She explained to me that those growth spurt times for babies weren't JUST for the baby, but they were also for the mother, to help her build up her milk supply again. After 3 months, breast milk would start lessening, so the growth spurt was meant for the baby to eat more so that they could grow more, but also to increase the milk supply until the next growth spurt.

The reason that Finnian would get so fussy was because he let down was too slow for him...after she told me that I would just put up with his fussing and on-off latching until I could feel my let down (which at first would take sometimes 5 minutes) and I would know I had let down, even if I didn't feel it, because he would stop pulling on and off and just eat and eat.

Other than that, the only other nursing issue I had was that one breast always seemed to be a lot stronger flow, and Finnian would often choke on the milk, and didn't like nursing from that side...I finally was able to get him to nurse from that side (this was probably around 4 or 5 months old) by holding him football style...this is my one regret. Because to this day he will ONLY nurse football style on the one side, which makes for very awkward public nursing!

Thanks for sharing Jackie!

Quickly - 2

I'm home from my seminar and man is my brain full.

Right now I'm working on developing something for my team out of what I learned this weekend. I need to get it all out of my brain on to paper for me to use it tangibly and to really engrave it.

So I'm cheating on my posting again. That's all I have to say - but maybe in the future I'll share my creation, entitled: "What Every Synchro Skater REALLY Needs to Know."

Maybe I'll even sell it.
kortney elise xoxo

Quickly

Just a quick post to share with you before I'm off to do schoolwork for an hour before bed.

I completed my first day of my Novice Synchronized Skating Judges clinic today - my head is full, but loving it. This is a lame post, I know, but let's make it better. Here's Alexys in her Halloween costume.

*AWWWWW*
Thank you Walmart for cheap, uncentered photos.

That's a whole 'nother story.
kortney elise xoxo

Just In Time…

...for cough and cold season.

I read this on my school website and just about peed myself laughing (it was part of a larger post entitled 7 Simple Life Solutions…but they weren't really that funny. Just this one point.):

"The perfect cure for a bad cough is laxatives. Then, you'll be afraid to cough."

HAHA.

kortney elise xoxo

PS: The section of school I'm now requires me to transcribe "verbatim" and I had to share how difficult this actually is. Sounds a LOT easier than it is in fact. You're thinking, well, just type what they say, right? Exactly that's right and that's why it's so hard. Everything we've learned up until this point is pretty much moot – on a verbatim account, you cannot change anything. If the dictator is ESL, then you type the poor grammar. If the dictator numbers a list as "1, 2, 4" then you type the list and omit number 3. If dictator uses "dangerous abbreviations" (which my computer is set to automatically change to the un-dangerous versions), you write them. It's really annoying actually and it's taking a lot longer than I first suspected it would. Just 4 sections left until my final!

Your Story?

Do you have a breastfeeding story to share? I'd love to hear your story – the challenges, the struggles, the successes.
I added a poll to the top of my blog today – if you have children, I'd love for you to answer. It's regarding breastfeeding and the length of time you CHOSE to breastfeed. There is an option if you chose not to breastfeed. There is also an option if you were unable to breastfeed. If you select the unable to breastfeed option, I'd really like to hear your story. What happened? How come? What efforts did you make to help your milk come in?

I wanted to share my breastfeeding story, except it's not a very long story (unlike my child. Get it? I'm so funny). Alexys came out eating. She latched on within minutes of being born. I called the nurse once during the night while I was in the hospital, because I was having "trouble" getting her to latch on. The nurse latched her on for me. Looking back, I think I was just tired and delirious and probably not aiming her mouth right. Alexys never looked back. My milk came in. Alexys ate. Alexys pooped. Alexys grew. Alexys was exclusively breastfed until she was 9 months (although I'll admit that wasn't necessarily a decision I made – she made that decision apparently). She is still being breastfed once or twice a day at nearly 11 months (11 months! I can't believe she's that old!). We're starting the weaning process as we speak, so that we'll be done by her first birthday. That's it. That's all.

In turn of our nearly perfect breastfeeding relationship, I figured it couldn't be that hard if you were determined. I took precautions – I didn't have formula in the house when she was born. I didn't pump at the beginning, because I wanted to sure that the supply and demand was appropriate to Alexys' needs, not my own. I didn't give her a bottle until she was 5-weeks old, just in case nipple confusion was experienced (hindsight, this part was smart. With future children, however, I will give a bottle more frequently after this point).

However, in the last couple of months I have had a couple of friends experience REAL trouble with breastfeeding – things beyond their control. In turn, I've been doing lots of research on breastfeeding. Why things go wrong. How they go wrong. Are they REALLY going wrong.

I'd love to hear your story. Feel free to comment it or send me an email coachkortney @ gmail . com
If you had a struggle/success story, I'd love to share it (I can leave it anonymous, don't worry…and I'll change details enough that no one will know it's you!).

kortney elise xoxo

PS: Your answers are totally anonymous on the poll, so I won't know who voted or how!

My Secret Addiction

Well, if you know me, you'll know it's not so secret. I love perezhilton.com. There. It's out. I know it's terrible, but I love reading celebrity trash. This is my way of not buying gossip magazines. So I'll just keep reading. I know it's not all true. I know there's other gossip sites out there with maybe more truth to them. But I like Perez and his sense of humour (usually).

But here's something that Perez wouldn't have on his site. I know it. He previously bashed the breastfeeding doll (I don't know what I think of the doll. I think mostly I think: Do we need to actually have a doll marketed for breastfeeding? Why can't I use a regular doll? Doesn't that happen anyways?) and so it seems that maybe he doesn't support breastfeeding. But who knows. Anyways. Here's my tribute to celebrities and breastfeeding.

Famous Nursing Mothers?
Click here for an exhaustive list put together by breastfeeding.com!
Angelina Jolie
Carly Simon
Carrie-Anne Moss
Brooke Shields
Celine Dion
Christina Aguilera
Cindy Crawford
Courtney Cox-Arquette
Debra Messing
Diane Sawyer
Gwen Stefani
Gwyneth Paltrow
Hillary Clinton
Joan Rivers
Kate Hudson
Kelly Rippa
Lisa Kudrow
Mary Lou Retton
Meryl Streep
Nicole Richie
Reese Witherspoon
Diana, Princess of Wales
Victoria Beckham

Heck, even Britney Spears nursed both her boys for a little while.

Who's not nursing their babies? Well, there's no extensive list, but a recent quote from Jennifer Lopez on her twins, Emme and Max:

"My mom didn't breastfeed and I think that was the thing for me. You read and figure out what's the best thing for them."

My question is, where did she read that it was best to give them formula? Perhaps she meant differently, but it doesn't seem so. I realize that there are circumstances and situations that arise where formula is the best and/or only option (and in those cases, those moms should be supported and cared for as much as the breastfeeding mom is), but when a celebrity makes a statement like JLo did, many moms, especially young ones, do take note. And that's too bad for so many. Remember girls, if Britney Spears can try it, so can you.

Just kidding. I know I'm hilarious.

kortney elise xoxo

*TMI

Here's a second blog post for you to enjoy today. Or not enjoy. It may actually be *TMI. I know this doesn't fit my month-long theme of labour and delivery, but maybe it'll make you laugh.

I had to share it because Jord isn't home from work yet, and this has so far trumped the rest of the dictations I've transcribed. Ready? Ready:

"I then incised the markings with the world's sharpest knife on the ventral aspect penis."

Really? The world's sharpest knife? Have you verified that? Because sure as sam, there is no such thing. This doctor made up the term. Like buddy, it's not even a good made up term. And it just made it funnier that it was the penis being cut. Didn't that put a lovely picture in your mind?

Glad I can brighten your day.

kortney elise xoxo

*too much information

Just in case...

Just in case I don't get around to blogging today for "real" - I wanted to share this video with you that my "cousin" (I don't know what she is...we're related somehow down the line...I'm Italian, remember? I'm related to a lot of people in weird ways) shared with me on Facebook. The end IS a little wonky (the last few minutes), but I do appreciate how this is information right out of the file you can download off the Health Canada website (click here for direct pdf file).

I know I've shared my opinion on this vaccine before, but here's a video that further shares my concerns about this (among other) vaccines.

kortney elise xoxo

PS: And as a side note for those of you who say to talk to your family doctor - my doctor specifically told me that if you're healthy, there is no need for the vaccination. You are actually in turn compromising your immune system by putting more unnatural things into your body. I don't normally like my family doctor, but this time, I'll support her.

A Man Experiencing Childbirth

Today's post is to provide a little bit of humour - what it would be like for a pain to experience childbirth...or at least labour.

Clearly it is impossible for this to really happen and there are lots of things *wrong* with this experience - many things that do not simulate a regular, first time birth, but overall, it made me giggle...and feel empowered as a woman.

Enjoy!
kortney elise xoxo

National Blog Posting Month 2009

Will you participate? I'm going to take my best run at it among everything else that needs to be done this month. Officially, this month is known as nablopomo! I really think it's cool – basically you just blog everyday all month – it's that simple!

I think I'd like to focus on birthing, babies, and breastfeeding this month. Why? It's something I'm finding a real passion for lately. I've done a lot of research on these topics lately and feel like I've learned a lot that I'd like to share. Being able to share is my way of learning something new every day. I'm looking forward to delving into new information with you and looking forward to learning along with you. Please feel free to share your favourite links and ideas as I go along. I should also add that I'm not pregnant, nor are we "trying" at this point in time – that's a long ways away for now. I just really enjoy this kind of thing.

Because time is ticking tonight, I'd like to share a link from a fabulous blog – Bellies and Babies. If you have some time, click over and read some of her articles, and watch some of the videos (mostly shared from YouTube). My favourite video section that I've watched is here – I appreciate the last video (the 2-part one) the most. It's just less than 20 minutes, but I love it.

I hope that this research and learning leads to something in the future that is solid and worth my time. Maybe I'll share this new-ish dream with you this month. Let's just say for now, that I am hoping that I'll get a transcriptionist account with an OB/GYN or a midwife. That would be so fabulous.

Enjoy this blog and the videos she's shared!

kortney elise xoxo