Off Again...

I leave tomorrow morning bright and early (funny how that works - I have a 10:15 flight...which sounded appealing at the time...) - we'll be leaving the house at 7am. Alexys is coming with me this time, but she's staying at her other Grandma's house...since we'll be in Leduc. I'm preparing myself for a long 1.5 hour flight (isn't it funny how long time can feel when a baby screams?). We'll spend the day together, hopefully with Auntie Anne (that's the plan anyways) and then Grandma comes to get Alexys.

I really feel sorry for the entire Story household - I don't think anyone is going to sleep - cross your fingers for my MIL :)

We have two practices on Friday and compete twice on Saturday. Sunday I spend the morning judging until my little darling comes back to me - we don't leave until Sunday night (again, 8pm sounded so appealing - why oh why did I not think about bedtime?)

This is our final competition this year and MY final competition for this part of my career. I've stood by my word and do plan on "retiring" after my skate Saturday night. I will be applying for my synchro judging promotion after the weekend though, hopefully, and I look forward to that part of my career.

We haven't had a stellar competition season this year and it's baffled our team. We've skated mostly great and thought we had it down pat - we made some more changes Monday and are hoping for the best - it's the peak of our season and against the top teams in the West.

If you're around and interested we skate at 10:20am and 7pm at the Black Gold Leduc Recreation Centre in Leduc.

kortney elise xoxo

Picture Update

I haven't posted many Alexys pictures on here lately. Here's some to hold you over a while - she's recently learned "CHEESE" and makes the funniest face when the camera is out - I love this kid.

Cousins

Well, it's been given the go ahead…I can announce to you that Alexys May will be getting a cousin sometime in mid-to-late July. I get to be an auntie (again).

Okay, okay…not a "real" cousin...but as real as it's going to get for a looong time (we hope!). My BFF Jackie is pregnant and I can hardly wait. I've known since day 1 and it's been a secret that has been hard to me to keep – but I did, and now I can share with everyone. FINALLY. Anyways, I'm very excited for Alexys to have another cousin (seeing as though Alexys calls my friend Courtenay Auntie, and her kids call me Auntie…I suppose that can make them cousins (Owen and Taelyn, if you're keeping track), right?). It seems as though since my brothers and in-laws are still very young and not married, there won't be blood cousins for some time.

Anyways, this is almost as exciting as if I were pregnant again (which I'm not). It's quite enjoyable to watch HER skinny little tummy grow (it almost even looked like a small bump the other day) and to hear about her terrible morning sickness. I think that we choose to forget the yucky parts about pregnancy right? It's nice to watch from afar and assure her that, yes, that's normal, and it too will pass.

That's all.
Wahoo.

kortney elise xoxo

PS: Alexys will only be 18 months when the baby is born, but it's strange to me to think, she'll probably be able to say baby and point to the baby. Weird right?

One of Those Days

Yesterday was apparently "Blue Monday." It's quantifiably the most depressing day of the year. I guess, then, my body is off a day, somewhere (perhaps years of jet lag DO add up!)…because today was much worse than yesterday. I don't suppose anything is really depressing and considering some of the world events going on right now, I really shouldn't complain…but I had a bad day.

At present, my daughter is walking around in a diaper, because she won't wear pants and pulls at them and screams until I take them off (my suspicion from not too long ago was right – she can't actually take off her own pants, unless they're too long and she's standing on the legs). She has a hanger in her hand and apparently that's her favourite toy. She's whined all day to be held, because I think going away twice in such a short period of time has made her sad. I feel guilty and so I hold her. She throws a fit if I go to the bathroom even. If I do put her down, she simply wanders the house knocking on doors, yelling for Dada. He should be home shortly, and when he is home, she won't go to him, she'll put at my legs until I hold her. She didn't nap for very long and I have a migraine. My practicum is done this week so I've started applying for jobs, but haven't had time to complete any of the testing today, which was my game plan, because of said above circumstances. End rant. We got a White Spot gift card for Christmas from my uncle and I'm really hoping that Jordon doesn't mind having that for dinner. I'm a bit grumpy and want a big, fat juicy burger. I've been pretty good with my New Year's resolutions, but today is going to be an exception. Because I said so.

I also had an appointment with the urologist today – and she rocked. That was the highlight of my day I suppose. She was just the most fabulous doctor I've seen in a while…since my endo doctor days of Dr. Williams. Anyways, she was a fabulous doctor – her name was Dr. Perks. She was young for a doctor, and totally listened to what you said, asked your opinion, and was awesome. I wish all doctors got the same memo this one did. Anyways, the results of this appointment aren't necessarily as great as the appointment, but I'm glad that something is going to be done about these kidney/bladder problems I suffer from. The good news is Dr. Williams and Dr. Perks are friends and use each other for solving problems quite often – a lot of bladder problems are endo related. I figured so. I mean, didn't I mention that not too long ago? No need to worry and stress about the unknown though. There are many possibilities – I'm getting a cystoscopy done in February and until then, I have a "front of the line" card to get pee tests done at BC Biolabs and a longstanding prescription to use when needed.

Anyways. There will be more on that section of life to come.

In other news, it's 6:30 and Jordon still isn't home from work and all I can think about is a White Spot burger.

kortney elise xoxo

And she's off...

It's an official milestone now. Alexys took her first "real" step on her birthday party night...December 5th. She held off walking for real for over a month though, just taking a few steps here and there...a couple times over Christmas, etc. However, last weekend, while I was in Toronto, of course, Jord let Alexys walk from the elevator to our door, just holding just one hand. A light bulb must have gone off, because that night she got up (on her own, wihout the help of anything), and walked. She's gotten better and better, and walks about 90% of the time now.

It's still odd seeing her toddle around...cracks me up watching her carry her toys around the house.

She's a funny girl and I sure missed her all weekend. More on that another day.

kortney elise xoxo

A Lifestyle

Figure skating is its own breed of sport. One of my favourite quotes says this:

Figure skating the sport that requires…
The elegance of a royal court,
The grace of a ballerina,
The speed of a sprinter,
The balance of a tightrope walker,
The agility of a high diver,
The endurance of a marathon runner,
The coordination of a juggler,
The strength of a high jumper,
The rhythm of a dancer,
And the performance of a mime!

When you talk about synchronized skating, you have to add the unison of the Rockettes, the uniformity of synchronized swimming, and the teamwork of soccer players. No matter what people say, figure skating is a sport, though it requires artistry as well, and I will defend that until the end.

What I find interesting about figure skating in general is the lifestyle that comes alongside it. This may sound strange, but I truly believe that skating isn't for everyone. There is a lifestyle and a personality associated with skating and if you lack either of these, chances are good you just won't make it. The skaters that don't fit in are often weeded out early. They don't have the dedication or the passion and it's evident from the beginning. The ones that slip through from singles, I think, often end up on synchro teams…where they are eventually weeded out entirely. This sounds mean and strange, perhaps, to those who aren't skaters and have never been. But if you're a skater and you're reading this, you know exactly what I mean. It is especially evident on an adult synchro team, I think. How else can 16 ladies of different ages, generations, backgrounds, and careers come together and bond so specifically in a weekend. How can 16 girls come together and get along, work together, and get to know each other comfortably enough to share about moments that are typically shunned and embarrassing – things like poop, farting, and your period. How often do you share these things with a stranger? Well, I'm here to tell you that in the world of synchronized skating it happens…and it happens quickly.

What is it that figure skaters have that others don't? It's hard to say. Were they born that way? Perhaps. All I can tell you is that figure skating is an obsession that no one but a figure skater can understand. Skating is in your blood forever and no matter what you say, it will come back to you in one way or another.

It fascinates me that as an adult skater on an adult synchro team, with a baby, a family, and nearly a career, how quickly the passion, energy, and adrenaline come rushing back the moment before I step on the ice to compete. It boggles my mind that for 4 minutes, I truly care about "spreading the eagle" and if our box passthrough was shaped like a box. My mind wants to think, "Really, Kortney…this is ridiculous. You're spending an insane amount of money and time for something that doesn't really mean anything." And yet, my heart is in there like a dirty shirt exclaiming, "Focus. Speed. Spread. Win, win, win." Ridiculous, perhaps, but it happens. And I can't stop it.

I am committed to retiring this year. I have 2 competitions left this year and I'm so looking forward to them. I look forward to the wine grape juice, the bonding, the medals, the ups and downs…but I know that it's time, at this time in my life, to move on. I'll be trial judging at the next 2 competitions, preparing for the years ahead I'll be involved in a different way. Will I be sad? Yes. But then, I know in my heart, I will always have skating in my blood…and that one day I'll move down from the judges stand, back on the ice…back where I'll always belong.

kortney elise xoxo

Milestones

I love the milestones we're hitting now. I think they're the most fun yet – even if they're just little ones and perhaps unnoticeable to anyone but a mama. It feels like everyday Alexys is turning more into less of a baby and more into a little girl. It truly is a mind-boggling concept.

Favourite milestones lately:

• "Playing." I love watching Alexys play. She sits with her toys and digs for certain ones. I love watching her chuck them over her shoulders until she finds just the right one. Sometimes it's a certain colour, sometimes it's a certain shape. The look of determination on her face is great though and she's so proud when she finds the one she wants.
  
• Mimicking a bit more. She's never been much of a mimicker, but lately she'll do things here and there that mimic mom and dad. For example, we were playing with her Little People earlier and I took a car and put an animal inside and was driving it back and forth. Previously Alexys would have grabbed the person out of the car and chucked it. Instead, she crawled over to a different car and put her person in that car and started driving it back and forth. I was a proud mama.
  
• Picking her nose. It's great and makes me laugh all the time.
• Climbing. She's not much of a climber, so I can appreciate this so far. She tries to climb up onto the couch by standing beside it and reaching her leg up onto it. She can almost do it this way too. It's adorable.
  
• Eating out of bowls. She'll sit and eat things (goldfish, puffs, etc) out of a bowl and doesn't dump them every time. Just sometimes. She has yet to do this in her high chair though. Bowls in there promptly end up on the floor.
  
• Pushing your hand away when she is done. She's done this for a while but I still think it's cute. If I'm not feeding her with a spoon and she's finished she proceeds to throw the rest of the food on her tray on the floor. Not a fan of that, but it IS kind of smart I suppose.
  

There are definitely more milestones that I enjoy, but those are the ones off the top of my head.

kortney elise xoxo

Poor Baby Bum

Last night was the biggest "scare" I've had as a mommy yet I think. I'm thankful that this was the biggest scare we've had so far and in the end it's really nothing.

Alexys has been having trouble with sleeping at night since we've been home from Alberta – or at least trouble waking in the middle of the night. I assumed it was because her schedule wasn't quite back on target yet and all would go back to normal. Except it kept happening. And she woke up SCREAMING. It was terrible. Usually a diaper change and a bottle could fix it. However, I noticed last night that her diaper rash had gotten a little bit worse and that her bum was pretty red. I didn't think much of it, because Alexys gets terrible diaper rashes when she's teething…she always has. I kept slathering on cream and figured it would go away.

During dinner last night though, she freaked. She flipped right out and started contorting her body all funny. We couldn't hold her and she was crying so hard she threw up everywhere. She was sweating profusely from crying so hard. I truly thought it was her teeth – I tried to give her some Tylenol (which she normally takes no problem) and she wouldn't even sit to take that. Finally, she laid down on my legs and seemed to be comfortable. It hit me – I lightly touched her diaper and the screaming and contorting happened all over. Her rash was terrible.

We got in the bath as fast as humanly possible I think and she wouldn't even sit on her bum in the bath. We called my mom and ended up driving there to see the doctor across the street (it was 7:30 and clinics usually close at 8; we didn't wanna risk not being seen). Anyways, turns out Alexys has a yeast infection. I didn't even know that babies could get those – but apparently anyone (boy or girl) can, at any age. Because of the diapers, yeast likes to grow in the warmth (and everyone's body contains yeast). We got some cream – apply three times a day, plus continue to slather on diaper rash cream as a "blocker" between bum and diaper. Doctor also recommended switching diaper brands again and so we switched back to gDiapers. I went last night and picked up some fillers and I think that the time has come to be a full-on cloth diaper mom. I'm contemplating ordering the cloth inserts or seeing if a friend could make me some.

Anyways, her bum is feeling much better right now already. Not as red, and she's acting like herself again…you know, eating puffs off the floor (yes, Mom, I'm vacuuming today) and spreading toys from one end of the house to the other.

Well, there is much to be done – must get some school hours in today for my practicum, as well as finishing the laundry (mostly putting away), tidying, vacuuming, making lists for my mom and hubby, returns to the mall, repacking, and a playdate with Owen and Taelyn….and then a visit from Auntie Bre later on too. Busy day ahead…and it seems it's already past 11. I leave for Toronto for our first competition on Thursday. It'll be my very first night away from Alexys, save for that one time when she was 5 weeks old and I had kidney stones. I've never left her so long and I'm having a little bit of anxiety over it.

Anways. That's another post. Another day. I don't know if I'll blog between now and Toronto. We'll see. Look for Twitter updates though on our progress…and perhaps a link to results? They tend to be slow at posting results in Ontario, online at least, so I don't know how instant they'll be. We'll see.

kortney elise xoxo

2010

How lame is it that I'm joining all the other bloggers out there posting their 2010 goals? How lame is it that I have 2010 goals? What was wrong with December 15th goals? Oh well. I always think that the new year is a lame time to make goals since "everyone else is doing it," but I've never been one to stray too far from the path (or do I? ;D), so without any more introduction:

Our 2010 Story Household Goals:

1. Diet Changes. I don't think I need to quite go on a "diet", but I most certainly want to change my eating habits. I'd like to lose the last ten pounds, but am not making any specific plan for this. If our dieting changes bring about weight loss, great…if not, that's okay too. These are Jordon's goals too since I do the majority (okay, let's face it, all) the cooking. We've already started over the past few weeks, but as of January 1st:
a) No more fast food.
Exceptions (because I know there will be exceptions – if I make them now I don't feel guilty): I can have a salad at a fast food place if I am in a position where I am at a restaurant with someone. It can't be my idea to go there. I can also order coffee from any fast food place or a drink if that appears to be something I need at that moment. Starbucks is not fast food. Just so we're clear.
b) No more pop at home. I will not purchase pop for my home. I know I can't give it up completely. I like it too much. If I happen to attain pop without purchasing it, then so be it. I can drink pop at my mom's house too.
c) Continue cutting out soy. Today we went grocery shopping and make an effort to read ingredients on bags as we were purchasing them. 80% of our food did not contain any soy. Our goal is to 100% soy free all the time to the best of our ability.
d) Less meat, more veggies. This seems to be something a lot of people are working towards in this day and age. We're meat eaters in this house, but we are focusing on veggies and fruits more. We're lucky to live in an area that fruit and veggies are not the most expensive food around.
e) I'm intrigued by Claire's post on her blog, about a book "In Defense of Food" by Michael Pollan. My goal is to get a copy and read it. We'll see how this effects my other goals.

2. Get a job. Haha. It sounds so white trash when I say it that way, but it's true. This is more a January 2010 goal, then a 2010 year goal, but I'm still posting it. It will be a lot of work simply finding a job, but it'll be worth it, I know it.

3. In line with getting a job, comes paying off debt. This is a huge goal for us. We're not massively in debt, but we're not massively out of debt either. We can survive as is on Jord's paycheque, but we're not making a dint much in our payments. In order of importance, we'd like to pay off:
a) Credit cards. Once mine are paid off, we're getting rid of them, and will just have Jordon's for emergencies.
b) Jord's car. It'll be done completely in September, but we'd like to try and finish it sooner if we could.
c) Student loan. For my school – it's a big one and we want it gone before the year is done.
d) My new car. Okay. Well, this is hopeful. I don't actually possess the new car yet, but we'd like to take on this payment once Jordon's car is paid for. Hopefully we can save enough to have just small payments for a year or so. My car isn't the greatest and I hate driving with Alexys in it. Plus I really want a minivan. It's true. Don't make fun. I've always wanted a minivan and I learned to drive on one…and cannot wait to have my very own!
e) Put away a nice chunk of money to start saving for our next new house. Not too soon in the future, but still a goal.

4. Find a home church and stick with it. This goal is going to have to wait until February, unfortunately. I'm only home 1 Sunday of the month this month and we really want to make an effort at this. We're doing it and that's that. It's been too long since we've been churchless and we both want Alexys to grow up with the church as a safe, comfortable place for Alexys.

5. Alexys' goals:
a) Potty training. Our goal is to have Alexys potty trained by her second birthday. Ambitious, but attainable. She's a smart girl and this something I believe strongly in.
b) No more bottles by 18 months. We'll be completely off bottles by 18 months…if not sooner, please and thank you. She loves her sippy cup and drinks enough out of it that this is attainable easily. We will start working on this in February.
c) Should I include walking? LOL. She's so close it's frustrating to watch. She almost stood up on her own in the airport yesterday and walked across the room twice – once to Uncle Matt and once to her Great Grandpa…any day now!

Perhaps this post will be ever-expanding. Perhaps this will be the last you'll see of it. Either way, here they are for all the world to keep accountable to me.
Happy New Year.

kortney elise xoxo

Home Sweet Home

Last night was a LONG journey to get home...yuck.

But we're here now and I'm grateful. More to come including pictures.

kortney elise xoxo