It's the Most...Busiest...Time of the Year!

Edited to add the crossed out stuff - it makes my head feel better :) 

It really is the busiest time of year...and in reality for me, it's less to do with Christmas than it is to do with the fabulous winter sport of skating! Strange, but true - December and January seem to be the busiest months...I'm exhausted mentally processing the amount of things to do coming up.

I'm learning to say no and not feel bad, but I do love volunteering my time for kids who love the same sport I do! I also don't mind saying yes more often right now, because I will be taking off some time from judging, come baby, of course. There's some things I'd like to accomplish before then (in terms of judging qualifications).  I'm also learning to say no simply out of necessity - Alexys has activities and things to be done at Christmas time too. Doing these things is even more important to me, so it's okay to say no to other things.

What is also interesting to me is that while my next 3 weeks are extraordinarily busy...I have absolutely nothing planned the week before Christmas. There is no school, activities, skating, events, etc. It's God's helpful way of helping us focus on Him this season. We're really making an effort to celebrate the reason for the season and focusing on Advent this year. We started with church last weekend and I realized how much I enjoyed it and need it. Alexys enjoyed the singing and I want her to grow up in a church environment she feels safe in. We didn't go this Sunday, as my in-laws were here, but we'll be back next week. It's taken time, but we're changing our focus in life...on things that mean something to me, deep into my core of being.

For my own purposes, so I can breathe and make it through...the next 3 weeks entail:
-5 low test days (Newton, Abbey, North Surrey, Aldergrove, and Ladner).
-1 evaluation day (LMSSC)
-Synchro Christmas gala
-Trialing at a high test day (North Surrey)
-LMSSC Christmas show
-Synchro meeting in Burnaby

-Alexys and Jord's actual birthdays
-Alexys' birthday party - went the easy route on this one - smart move by me :) No more supermom here!
-Organizing a family birthday for Alexys and Jord with my family (we did one with the other side this past weekend which was just simple and easy and perfect!)

-Ballet Wednesday nights
-Christmas Canskate family skate (Dec 15)
-Canskate Tuesdays
-Preschool Tues/Thurs
-Alexys' party day in December at school (make goodie bags for her b-day) plus that's actual Christmas party day and that entails making snacks for the class (gingerbread men attempt!).

-Christmas lights at Stanley Park (Dec 16)
-My in-laws leave Wednesday evening (drive to airport)
-Midwife appointment (23 weeks!)
-Moms group Bible study
-Potential friend's xmas party - Jack? Can I plan for this?

And then? A week of rest and relaxation. Good thing my Christmas shopping is done and my tree is just missing ornaments before its done :) I'm super glad I was organized early this year or I may lose my mind in the next few weeks. Oh and did I mention I'm still attempting to hit my 50 minutes 6 days a week working. Yes, that too.

kortney elise xoxo

Alexys' Preschool Photo

I had to share because it's so her and just WAY too cute :)
This is her "official" preschool photo at (just about) 3 years old.

kortney elise xoxo

21 Weeks

Excuse the no makeup, scrub look :) 21 weeks and 5 days

How far along: 21 weeks and 5 days. 

Size of baby: 8 inches - a spaghetti squash!

Total weight gain/loss: I'm up about 1.5 pounds since my last post (but that was nearly 2 weeks ago technically, hehe).  The goal is 1 pound a week from here on out. Still just under my starting weight :)

Maternity clothes: Okay. Yes. I admit it. I'm in maternity clothes now. I still fit my pre-preggo jeans, just with a belly band. I need maternity shirts for the length...because yes, my belly is now officially a bump. It's almost hard to miss most of the time :)

Movement: Yep. Lots. And strong. And last night I could feel it from the outside for the first time :) I can't believe how early and how strong, compared to Alexys. Either this is a strong freaking kid (Jordon does remind me it's a Story) or it really is a huge difference of what having an anterior placenta the last time made.

Sleep:  My head hits the pillow and I sleep. Like a baby. Not a newborn baby. Like a...really good sleeping baby. LOL - the kind that sleeps all night and doesn't wake up. Sometimes I sleep so well I awake with a tummy ache because I have to pee so bad.

Cravings: I craved an egg salad wrap today so I made one. And it was yummy. I also really wanted steak for quite sometime and Jordon and I went out for our anniversary last night (a week or so late) - and I had steak. And it totally wasn't what I wanted. It was good, but kind of disappointing to crave something for so long and then not even really want it.

Symptoms: I haven't puked at all this week I don't think. I definitely popped and have a bump - that's a key symptom. I have had terrible "round ligament" type pain though, but that's bearable. Oh and Braxton Hicks contractions have started quite frequently, at least 3 times a day - my tummy goes super hard and I can definitely feel it. They're almost painful, but not quite.

Best moment of the week: Feeling totally human. I still have a cough, but oh well. I can handle and not even whine much about the stretching pains. I just feel pregnant and it feels great. No puking, no headaches, no nothing. Hoooooray. Working on the hill "down" now - less than halfway to go (or so we hope LOL). It's also been nice to have my mother in law here since Wednesday...she did and folded and put away all my laundry. What a relief that is - makes this preggo mama pretty happy. I'm also nearly caught up on my goal of 50 minutes a day for work - I should be able to finish catching up tonight for the week. I've discovered how fabulous it is to have goals...and how much I need it.

Can you tell I've had a good week? :)

Fantasy Skating - Round 5 Results

Round/overall results aren't up yet.

Ladies:
A:  Tuktamisheva - I am a genius. Liza won by 3 points over Carolina and Alissa (who actually score the same points if you picked them for Fantasy Skating).

B: Viktoria Helgesson - Viktoria was indeed about 9 points over Meite.

C: Sonia LaFuente - Finished the highest of the 3 choices, but less than a point higher than one girl.

**Perfect fantasy team for Ladies - first time ever - couldn't have picked better**

Men:
A:  Patrick Chan - Not perfect, but still best possible choice by 16 points.

B:  Nan Song - Hooray for going with momentum - 7 points over Rippon and 24 over Amodio!

C: Kevin Reynolds - This would have made a perfect team for Men...except Kevin withdrew after the short. In some ways, this costs me a lot of points...but the majority of people probably picked Kevin, so I feel it won't affect my standings so much.

Pairs:
A:  Voloshozhar and Trankov - Yep - and by 10 points.

B: Duhamel and Radford - Hooray - beat the Americans by 7 points :)

C:  Dube and Wolfe - Hooray, also the best pick!!

**Perfect pairs picks too - wow, go me! Makes me even more mad about Kevin R**

Ice Dance:
A:  Tessa and Scott - Yep. Only by 12 points ;)

B: Anna and Luca - Yep. They're fabulous and growing on me. Beat the Russians by 13!

C:  Sara and Adria - Darn - screwed up here, lost at least 15 points here. Oh well.

Podium Picks:
Ladies:
Gold: Alissa Czisny
Silver: Liza Tuktamisheva
Bronze: Carolina Kostner
Results: Right podium (3/3), wrong order. Liza 1st, Carolina 2nd, Alissa 3rd (but Alissa won the free).

Men:
Gold: Patrick Chan
Silver: Nobu Oda - he's got something left to prove this time round.
Bronze: Nan Song
Results:  2/3 correct, but Nan was 2nd, not 3rd...and bronze went to Brezina who was my first spoiler - Oda bombed :(

Pairs:
Gold:  Voloshozhar/Trankov
Silver: Bazarova/Larionov
Bronze: Duhamel/Radford
Results: 3/3 - Perfect, and my spoiler was even 4th as expected :)

Dance:
Gold: Tessa and Scott
Silver: Pechalat and Bourzat
Bronze: Cappellini and Lanotte
Results: 3/3 - Perfect, and my spoiler was even 4th :)

Debt

I hate debt.

And soon and very soon we will be out of debt, save for our mortgage. I don't count that in the same way though.

We paid off a debt this month we had from a few years ago - to our dentist. We went over what we could spend on benefits and it hit us unexpectedly. We finally did it. It's gone. And it feels great. Especially since I didn't go to the dentist while we were paying it off because I felt bad. I've made appointments for all of us for January.

We paid off Jord's car last year sometime, so no payments there either.

Next up - I have a small tab on my credit card. It's not much, but I want it gone. And so I've made a goal for myself. Well, actually...first I made a goal, then I thought about it and then realized that wasn't feasible unless someone took Alexys everyday for me. So here's my goal - sharing it might make it more real to me:

1. Need to type approximately 1500 audio minutes.

2. In 15 days, that's 100 minutes a day. Doable, but not very easily. Therefore - 50 minutes everyday (except Mondays when we're not allowed to type), allowing for Mondays off, and a 3-day grace period seeing as though this will be over Christmas.

3. By December 31st, I will have worked enough audio minutes to pay off my credit card.

Putting that down on paper for me, makes it realistic and attainable. Isn't that part of goal setting? I remember (okay, I googled it) - SMART goals are specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely.

After this one, we have Jord's credit card (and yes, we are then cutting up our credit cards and keeping just one, emergency one) and the rest of my student loan. I am setting SMART goals for those too - after this first one of course.

Or maybe I'll just win the lottery instead. It's all part of baby steps to live and love my life NOW.

kortney elise

Baby Steps

"And don't be wishing you were someplace else or with someone else. Where you are right now is God's place for you. Live and obey and love and believe right there."  -1 Corinthians 7:17

Fantasy Skating - Trophee Eric Bompard - Round 5

I'm not really sure why this didn't post yesterday - it was scheduled too :) I wrote it before the competition started, I swear :)

Well after moving up so great the last round, I feel like there's so much more pressure this time, 'round...or something (just kidding!!). Alright, here we go:

Ladies:
A:  Tuktamisheva - This was super hard, like ridiculously hard - hardest one yet.  Here's the thing - I don't think Liza will necessary will. I think she will be on the podium, yes. Will Alissa or Carolina more than likely win? Yes. The thing is - Carolina and Alissa in the past have both been melt down skaters. We've not seen that yet from either lady this season - this is also Carolina's third event. So, my reasoning is that I can't predict which of these 2 will meltdown, but likely one of them will. Liza will probably be 2nd or 3rd, but still rack up enough points that she's a less risky pick. Phew. Glad I got that out.

B: Viktoria Helgesson - Meite surprised me last competition, but she is going back to back here, and Viktoria has much stronger PCS to keep her up there in the top 5.  She also medaled at her last event.

C: Sonia LaFuente - She's my personal favourite of the 3 and has the highest PB score, I believe. She'll probably be near the bottom, but in this field, who knows?

Men:
A:  Patrick Chan - Duh. Especially over inconsistant Oda and Brezina.

B:  Nan Song - I can't stand Florent - skating or personality - and so I'll avoid him regardless. Adam Rippon, I *want* to cheer for, but he seemingly always disappoints OR just doesn't get the marks - he's like Jeremy Abbott 2.0 - Nan Song surprised at COC with a bronze - and I think he'll be up there again.

C: Kevin Reynolds - I tossed and turned between Majorov and Reynolds...I went with Reynolds for the quads base points - his COC performance wasn't as bad as his placement made it seem, so here's hoping.

Pairs:
A:  Voloshozhar and Trankov - yep. That's fairly obvious barring meltdown.

B: Duhamel and Radford - I've said it before and I'll say it again - I just love the fire these guys have. They'll use that and take it far. Evora/Ladwig are typical American pairs and like to end up in 4th.

C:  Dube and Wolfe - I don't love them yet, but their last performance surprised me and they ended higher than I thought they would. Their PCS should keep them up high-ish.

Ice Dance:
A:  Tessa and Scott - Yep. Duh.

B: Anna and Luca - Firstly, can I say I LOVE their exhibition? Anyways. They've apparently upped their game and I see them fighting for bronze here with the Russians.

C:  Sara and Adria - I like this team - they have a sort of fire to them too - definitely better than the Chinese, I'd say.

Podium Picks:
Ladies:
Gold: Alissa Czisny
Silver: Liza Tuktamisheva
Bronze: Carolina Kostner
Spoilers: Maaaaaybe Murkami, but I doubt it. I'm wagering Czisny or Kostner for a meltdown - whichever one doesn't, will win.

Men:
Gold: Patrick Chan
Silver: Nobu Oda - he's got something left to prove this time round.
Bronze: Nan Song
Spoilers: Brezina, Rippon, Amodio, Reynolds...nearly the whole field - this is a deep competition.

Pairs:
Gold:  Voloshozhar/Trankov
Silver: Bazarova/Larionov
Bronze: Duhamel/Radford
Spoiler: Perhaps Evora/Ladwig (maybe if they weren't American, teehee!).

Dance:
Gold: Tessa and Scott
Silver: Pechalat and Bourzat
Bronze: Cappellini and Lanotte
Spoiler: Will be close for bronze between Italians and Ilikyk/Katsalapov

20 Weeks

Yes, I realize my face is cut out of the second one. I was too lazy to re-shoot that photo. I'm also aware I need new slippers.

How far along: 20 weeks and 2 days

Size of baby: 7 inches - the size of a large banana.

Total weight gain/loss: I'm up a pound :) Sitting down 5 pounds from starting weight.

Maternity clothes: I'm wearing pre-maternity jeans with a belly band still quite comfortably. I can actually do them up in the morning. I am wearing maternity shirts for length now, but still in my regular long sleeve shirts too, the longer ones. So yes and no :)

Movement: If I sit quietly, I can feel movement everyday. Sometimes it's really hard - it's weird to me because I didn't feel Alexys for another 3 weeks (because of an anterior placenta last time). I guess I don't have one this time :) Or else this baby is even stronger than Alexys...Jordon reminds me daily I'm growing a Story baby, hence it's size and strength. Great.

Sleep:  Yeah, I'm really good at sleeping. I have a cold and apparently I was snoring the other night. I wake up once to pee. I really like sleep, but only nap a couple days a week if I have the chance. I'm today will be one of those chances (who am I kidding? I totally slept while Alexys was preschool - that's right, I spent the 2.5 hours I could have been alone doing a million other things, sleeping. And I loved every minute of it).

Cravings: Nope, not really. And totally not even hungry like a crazy pregnant lady. Just normal hungry.

Symptoms: Well the protruding belly and massive boobs are good indicators. My boobs have officially grown 2.5 inches in 20 weeks - and the milk isn't even in. Sheesh. If you knew how much I hated this...I LOVE nursing and that's the only thing that makes me not want to chop them off completely. I'm still puking a couple times a week...but mostly good.

Best moment of the week: Can I say my ultrasound, even though it's tomorrow?  :) I know that will be the best pregnancy related moment of the week - and no, we're still not finding out the gender. We like surprises...I'm more tempted this time than last to find out - but also know that I have the luck that it'll be one of those freak cases where the gender is wrong ;) So just seeing the baby, being able to bring my mom (she never saw any of Alexys' ultrasounds!), and reassurance of baby's growth, all will be the best part.

(And can I whine and add the worst part is definitely this winter cold thing I have going on - sinuses are stuffy, sore throat, and a cough - and the worst part isn't even that you can't take drugs for colds while pregnant - it's that every time I cough, I either pee a little or gag myself causing me to puke. Lovely)

kortney elise xoxo

19 Weeks

How far along: 19 weeks (and 5 days...when I wrote this).

Size of baby: 10-1/2 inches...the first time it can stretch enough to be measured head to toe instead of head to rump.

Total weight gain/loss: I haven't weighed myself this week, but last Monday (1 day shy of 19 weeks) I had a midwife appointment and was still at 125...no weight gain. I'm sure I've gained something this week, but haven't gotten that far in life ;)

***Dear Baby - this is as far as mommy got last week in writing this - I did manage to get a picture in so I'll post that. You'll understand soon enough the craziness that happens in life sometimes and while I pray for you everyday and love to sit and feel you kick...sometimes as number 2, that's gonna be life :) Your big sister got sick with HFM disease and a staph infection in her eczema - we were all home-bound for the week. To top it off, Mom got the same HFM disease after that. And so, while I still think about you, love you, and pray for you...this post just never got finished.  Love, Mommy***

5 Minutes to Blog

I have 5 minutes to blog - and I'm doing it in point form simply to get things out of my head - there's too much swirling around and I just lose "To Do" lists if they're handwritten. Sorry if you don't wanna read my life. You're welcome to skip this post :)

• Drop off Novice report papers at house in Cloverdale. 
• Drop off jacket I sold on Facebook in Cloverdale. 
• Picture day - Preschool - Thursday. 
• Christmas gifts - need to make final list, go shopping Sunday, wrap before next Wednesday for Story family. The not knowing part is driving me crazy - include teachers, etc. on list. 
• Catch up on DWTS and Glee. 
• Treat bags for birthday party for Alexys - make a list of what to do day of and buy before.
• Book other party room - bring cheque book. 
• List new stuff on Facebook. Delete sold stuff. Get other stuff to Amber's house. 
• Sort through bills - mail appropriate items ASAP. 
• Pay cell phone bill, television bill, Visa bill, and loan interest - Thursday. 
• Look up directions for the calendar I saw on Pinterest. 
• Santa pictures Saturday. 
• Figure out ultrasound plan on Friday - pray for no snow *grin*

Okay. I think that's it. Or at least that's enough that I can make dinner without my head spinning.

Oh - in great monetary news...we paid off one debt officially 100% today. 2 more to go - a little bit at a time. Our mortgage is also officially 20,000 paid off finally - it crept down so slowly when I was watching it to go under that mark. It mentally makes a difference to me to see it go down. And encourages me that perhaps a new house will be possible one day...not so far away.

kortney elise xoxo

Fantasy Skating - Round 4 Results

Wahoo - my best result yet - 109th in this portion and moved up a lot to 136th overall. Go team "CoachKortney's Stars" (don't ask - it was an old name, LOL!). So how'd I do? Let's break it down :)

Ladies:
A: Akiko Suzuki - 1st! Mao would have been an okay pic too though - she was just a 1 point behind.

B: Ashley Wagner - Ashley was 5 points behind Leonova, but shouldn't have been. So we'll stick with that. As suspected, Agnes didn't fair well in her first appearance, finishing 2nd last in the free. Cynthia. Well, oh Cynthia.

C:  Elene G - She's on the rise. I give this girl credit and see great things happening for her - best choice over Meite (who surprisingly wasn't last in either portion!) and Ishikawa (who was last).

Men:
A:  Daisuke Takahashi - Yahoo. He won. And by 29 points :) If you didn't pick him, it sucks to be you.

B: Tatsuki Machida - Good choice over Mroz (who, as suspected, landed the 4lutz and promptly got the same PCS as about a Sr. Bronze skater :D)...and surprisingly Contesti finished 4th. Shocking, I know. But I still liked Machida better, so that counts for something.

C:  Konstantin Menshov - Sigh. Fail, fail, fail - well, it almost worked - it worked in the short. Figures that last time I picked Ross, he didn't fair so well (I do like him much better than the Russian) - and the time I don't, he wins his first grand prix medal with a bronze. Armin finished second last though - just not feeling him this year.

Pairs:
A: Aliona and Robin - After the short, I was right. And then Aliona and Robin blew the second half of their long - not terrible though - just 5 points behind. Shockingly, the Japanese team finished 2nd!

B: Iliushechkina and Maisuradze - Well, apparently I should have picked the Italians OR the Americans and been better off - this round left me 4 points to be desired behind either of those teams.

C: Castelli and Shnapir - Correctomundo on picking Castelli/Shnapir over the Canadians. Natasha and Raymond were very, very last - but got a great learning experience out of the deal, I'd bet!!!

Dance:
A: Kaitlyn and Andrew - In terms of fantasy skating points, the Shibs and Canadians tied - Shibs won by 0.09, so we get the same amount of points :)

B: Germans - Right again - Reed/Reed from Japan finished last while the Germans were 4th.

C: Kriengkrairut and Giuleietti-Schmitt - Best choice yet - Alex and Mitch withdrew after the short and therefore earned literally half the points of these guys. They were still 2nd last though.

BONUS - Podium Picks...
Ladies:
Gold: Akiko Suzuki
Silver: Mao Asada
Bronze: Ashley Wagner
Spoilers: Kiira Korpi, Alena Leonova
I was right on 2/3 (Gold/Silver) with bronze going to the spoiler, Alena...but should have been Ashley :)

Men:
Gold: Daisuke Takahashi
Silver: Takahiko Kozuka
Bronze: Konstantin Menshov
Spoiler: Tomas Verner
2/3 - I was right on Gold/Silver and bronze and spoiler blew it, with Ross picking up the back end.

Pairs:
Gold: Aliona and Robin
Silver:  Yuko and Alexander
Bronze: Iliushechkina and Maisuradze
Spoilers: Narumi/Mervin and Caydee/John
None right, but switch 1st and 2nd, and add Narumi/Mervin as the spoiler for bronze.

Dance:
Gold: Kaitlyn and Andrew
Silver: Shibs
Bronze:  Elena and Nikita
1/3 - I knew this would be your podium - just switch 1/2 (by 0.09!) and bam!

Just about...

...halfway!!! Can you believe it? I'm nearly 20 weeks and in North American terms, that's halfway done (some Scandinavian countries consider 42 weeks the proper length of a pregnancy as in North America we get the 2 bonus weeks - it's about 2 weeks after your LMP that ovulation occurs...but it's easier to count from LMP than ovulation, so doctors here give us 2 free weeks). Anyways, I try and prepare and think of my pregnancy as 42 weeks and therefore am due between April 3rd and April 17th :)

So I admitted to my midwife on Monday - I'm a birth junkie.  Since having Alexys, I think about labour and delivery all the time.  I read blogs, stories, watch documentaries, and think about it all the time.  This is like some strange confession, but I can't wait for labour to start (and not just because I get the baby at the end). I truly crave the experience again.

I've thought about this for sometime.  I relate pregnancy to the adrenaline rush of stepping onto the ice to compete at a big competition.  Obviously, very different experiences, but unless you've skated (or something similar, I'm sure) - you won't get it.  The adrenaline you feel is indescribable.  It's like some strange high and rush.  I love that feeling.  Others do not.  I think this is why some people fear birth, aren't good with birth, etc. - if you've never experienced that kind of adrenaline rush, I don't think you know what to do and how to deal.  Seriously.  It's like your not really there, you go through the motions, it happens, and then it's hard to remember...you just know it did.  Identical feelings in my mind.

So...because I think about birth so much, I wanted to share some of my thoughts for birthing this time around. I know it's early-ish, but I really do think about these kinds of things often.

• Firstly, I'm not an idiot - if there's something wrong or not right happening and any of these things is to be avoided in order to save baby...so be it. I wouldn't get hung up on something trivial. Baby and my own safety/health do come first.
• It almost goes without saying, but I'm hoping to avoid a c-section. I believe this is a lifesaving miracle that is way overused.  In fact, this time around I'm hoping to avoid all interventions, including all drugs, etc. The epidural will be avoided at all costs (yes, I am irrationally fearful of needles), but I don't want drugs and am aiming to even skip the laughing gas. I used it last time to help with my own breathing more than the relief of pain. I hope to control it more so on my own this time.
  
• I am quite adamant against induction, unless baby is in danger. There are other techniques before medical induction is used and I am prepared to embrace those. I am prepared to be pregnant longer than 40 weeks and will try my best not to complain.
   
• The part of the plan I'm excited for is staying home as long as possible. I feel like we went in too early last time, but because the midwives come to me now, I feel we'll be able to stay home as long as possible. Also barring any post complications and depending on time of day, we'll be leaving the hospital within 6 to 12 hours. Again, possible because my midwives come to me for 12 and 24 hour checkups.
   
• Now, mentally last time I went in with an open mind. Prepared for the worst without expectations. In some way, I'm the same this time...I have an open mind and won't be so determined I'm crazy or make poor choices, but who am I kidding? I'm a planner. A trainer. A repeater. I know you're laughing that I can compare anything to skating...but!!! If I go into a competition without practice or a plan in place, things often fall apart - of course they do, you're not trained. However, if you go into a competition, prepared for as much as you can be, and yet, still have a main plan in place, things often happen as planned. Not always, but more often than not. I realized a lot of things with my last birth experience - I wasn't acting like me. I was trying to appease other people, do as I'm told, etc. This might sound terrible, but I don't want someone else's help. Having the nurse tell me when/how to push and me trying to be a good patient and "listening" totally didn't work - it made things worse. Trying to include Jordon as much as possible and keep him in mind, totally didn't work. This time, it's about me. What my mind wants and how I want to do it. I'll still be me - I'll probably still laugh and smile between contractions. I'll still be on Facebook between yells. That's who I am - kind of low key and laid back...but when it comes time to concentrate and do what I need to, it's my way or the highway (well, unless of course something is wrong *grins*). This is possible because Jordon and I know what to expect...he knows that he can eat and will be hungry. He can go for a walk and I won't be mad. That's how we roll.
  
• I'm also looking into some more mental birth techniques - there's some books I need and want to read and some MP3s I'll be downloading (hmmmm, as soon I find an MP3 player). These are part of the mental plan. I haven't fully decided yet, but I'll write about it when that time comes.
  
• After babe is born, it'll be placed on me immediately (again, barring complications...do I need to keep saying that? I think I do...or my mom might worry LOL!). All goo and guck intact. Baby on me and breastfeeding ASAP. I don't care who comes in the room or at what point, but if you do, please deal with the fact there will be a baby on top of my boob. You can hold it when it's done there. Promise. We'll also be skipping the eye guck (I don't have any STDs and wasn't really aware of what it was for last time). Fairly positive I'll still go with the Vitamin K shot though. Oh. I'd still like Jord to cut the cord and say the gender...but it really won't bother me if he doesn't. To be honest, I can't remember the last time...and if it keeps him from passing out if he skips it, then so be it. I never knew just how squeamish he is :D
   
• Oh. Also, the cord will be left to pulse as long as it wants (don't worry Mom, save for something wrong). It will not be cut until it's stopped pulsating. I think it's weird we don't just let this happen - yet we'll take the cord blood and store it. Hmmmm - why not let baby HAVE the stuff it's supposed to have? Genius, right?
  
• It's also really important to me that the first time Alexys meets the baby that it is her alone in the room with Mommy, Daddy, and Baby.  She doesn't necessarily have to be the "first" one to meet baby, but I want her to know that she's still important and that the 4 of us are a family. I don't want anyone else in the room except the 4 of us at first. Baby will have a gift for Alexys and vice versa. 

Okay. So this post is getting pretty long. I'm probably not really done with it either. There's probably about 18 more paragraphs I could type. And, as if you were worried, I totally will add to it and reflect upon it some more. I mean. I do have 20.5 weeks until we're really at that point (or so).  So...for now, that is all.

Also - I know not ALL of you enjoy reading this stuff, but I totally love reading when other people post stuff like this (remember, birth junkie?!) - so if you don't like it, sorry. Hope you skipped it :)

kortney elise xoxo

Fantasy Skating - NHK - Round 4

Well, last week's rating proved not so hot. I'm kinda sucking this year. Oh well. I finished 328th at Cup of China (worst result yet), and am currently 214th out of 635. Here's my picks for NHK:

Ladies:
A: Akiko Suzuki over Mao Asada and Kirra Korpi - Akiko is coming off a glorious SC while this is the other 2's season debut. Because it's later, they may not have had feedback or they could be stronger with more training time. Kiira has been battling injury and while I wish Mao a great comeback season...I pick Akiko.

B: Ashley Wagner (over Leonova, Phaneuf, Zawadzki) - Again, the momentum and bronze from SC...plus I love Ashley and always have. Phaneuf, I want to love, Alena will probably be up there, and I really don't think Agnes will do as well (well, maybe in the short), as everyone seems to expect.

C:  Elene G (Over Isikawa and Meite) - pretty sure Ms. Meite will do well in the short, bomb the free - she doesn't have consistency yet, but I like her. Japanese skaters always do well, but I have high hopes for Elene. Perhaps Javier's outbreak will inspire her (same coach!).

Men:
A:  Daisuke Takahashi (over Kozuka and Verner) - I think it'll be close between the 2 Japanese, but Daisuke may have motivation to prove himself after his not so great SC (well, in terms of placement). Verner, while he could be the highest, probably won't be.

B: Tatsuki Machida (over Contesti and Mroz) - Contesti has sucked this season even in Senior B comps...I struggled between the Japanese guy and Mroz with his quad Lutz. I like Brandon, but his PCS just aren't there yet. If he hits all his jumps, he may be right near the top...but I have a feeling a nice consistent Japanese boy will score me some points.

C:  Konstantin Menshov - Remember Kortney, always pick the Russian. Plus Ross and Armin already screwed you major in past competitions.

Pairs:
A: Aliona and Robin (over Yuko and Alex and the Japanese) - I think the World Champs will be stronger in the end, though Yuko and Alex tend to do well earlier on - they are on their 2nd event in a row though. I love Takahashi and Tran, but they're not quite in this league yet.

B: Iliushechkina and Maisuradze - I honestly just picked the Russians over Americans (although I really do like Caydee and John) and the Italians.

C: Castelli and Shnapir - The last 2 times I've done this (picking someone over my Canadians), it's bitten me in the butt. But I'm doing it again. I just seem to feel like Natasha and Raymond are still too Junior-ish for the Senior ranks.

Dance:
A: Kaitlyn and Andrew - Over the Shibs and the Russians...I think our Canadians have a fire under their butts this season, but the Shibs might be pissed from last week. The Russians will score because they're Russian, but it's not their time yet.

B: Germans - over the Japanese. The Reeds have that brother/sister team thing going on. It doesn't fair well in Short Dances, I'm afraid (Shibs, neither).

C: Americans...ready? Kriengkrairut and Giuleietti-Schmitt (glad I don't have to say that) - I think they'll fair better than Alex and Mitch, though I'd prefer that Alex and Mitch have a comeback. I love them, but their programs really aren't that great this season and they've been kind of lackluster - never heard of Italians, so went with name recognition.

BONUS - Podium Picks...I actually did decent on this part last week - let's try again:
Ladies:
Gold: Akiko Suzuki
Silver: Mao Asada
Bronze: Ashley Wagner
Spoilers: Kiira Korpi, Alena Leonova

Men:
Gold: Daisuke Takahashi
Silver: Takahiko Kozuka
Bronze: Konstantin Menshov
Spoiler: Tomas Verner

Pairs:
Gold: Aliona and Robin
Silver:  Yuko and Alexander
Bronze: Iliushechkina and Maisuradze
Spoilers: Narumi/Mervin and Caydee/John

Dance:
Gold: Kaitlyn and Andrew
Silver: Shibs
Bronze:  Elena and Nikita
I don't think spoilers in this event - it'll be that podium, in some order.

18 Weeks

18 weeks and 4 days in the morning - click to make it bigger :)

 How far along: 18 weeks (and 4 days)...picture to follow once I'm dressed and groomed :)

Size of baby: 6 inches - the size of a mango (yum, that sounds good, actually, hahaha!).

Total weight gain/loss: Same as last week - still haven't gained the last few weeks. Still down 6 from my original weight (and yes, I did the math wrong last week LOL!).

Maternity clothes: I pulled out all my maternity clothes and washed and put them in my closet. I can still fit my pre-pregnancy jeans though by mid-afternoon I had a belly band so I can undo the button as it's uncomfortable.

Movement: Still not everyday, but perhaps I just miss it ;) It's not like I have ample quiet time to sit and feel it and pretty much the moment my head hits the pillow, I'm out :D

Sleep:  I'm finally starting to be able to stomach coffee again. I've been having a half-cup after lunch and that's kept my exhaustion at bay mostly - thankfully. I'm sleeping fine - on my belly still even. I do have some wicked back pain for the first 15 minutes or so that I lay down at night - it burns in the lower back. Once that is worked

Cravings: I think this is the first week I haven't craved anything really. Well, except for Chai Eggnog lattes - but I would have craved those even if I wasn't pregnant. Thank you Starbucks.

Symptoms: Well, I've moved on - I'm actually feeling much more human and functional now on a regular basis and with the addition of coffee, I'm actually really good. However, the carpal tunnel in my right arm is terrible especially on days I type for more than an hour (my job, remember?). I'm also maybe having some sciatica pain related to my back pain. Yuck.

Best moment of the week: Functioning, really.  I like waking up and just feeling human and knowing I'm pregnant. I still don't love being pregnant like I did with Alexys, but I'm finally just happy and functioning. Those were a loooong 18 weeks of terribleness - I hope they're over.

Fantasy Skating - Round 3 Results

Ladies:
A: Carolina Kostner - And we have the win here :) She was way above both Makarova and Murakami. Good choice.

B: Adelina Sotnikova - Well of the 4 choices, she placed 2nd best - but 13 points behind Mirai. Shoot. I don't know what to do with Mirai these days - she's up and down more often than a yo yo.

C:  Bingwa Geng - Bingwa was looking like a good choice after her short, but then Kexin pulled ahead and was the top Chinese lady by 11 points. Shoot.

Men:
A:  Jeremy Abbott - Confession. I actually switched my choice to Oda before the competition started - and then look at Jeremy - he goes an wins it. However, Oda was an okay choice this time around - just a point behind Jeremy.

B:  Ricky Dornbush - Well, Hanyu was the better choice absolutely - he finished 21 points ahead of Ricky. This is the choice I should have changed, but I just really like Ricky. Lesson learned. Sigh. Ricky at least did finish ahead of Kevin.

C:  Jialiang Wu - Stupid surprising Chinese kids. Wu came last. By a looong shot. The other Chinese guy? He WON the free program and finished third. I won't even tell you how disappointed I am I didn't pick the other guy. Hmph.

Pairs:
A: Wenjing Sui and Cong Han - Shoot. Worse choice ever. Okay, looking at the points not THAT bad. They're only 3 points behind the Canadians and 7 behind the Zhangs. I still think the Zhangs are boring.

B:  Kavaguti and Smirnov - Yep. They won. By 9 points.

C:  Klara K and Petr B - Okay. Should have changed this one. I don't want to talk about it. I'm depressing myself (another 20 point loss, sigh).

Dance:
A: The Shibs - Let me quote myself: "...not picking the Russians may prove terrifying for my score." Yep, sure was. The Russians won. By 15 points. I'd like to know who picked the Russians and if they really thought they'd win by a landslide.

B:  Pernelle C and Lloyd J - Good choice. Hopefully I can make up points here for the ones who picked either American team. These French guys were 21 and 25 points ahead of the Americans.

C: Yu and Wang - Shocking - but still the worse pick of the 2 Chinese teams - 5 points behind the other ones.

BONUS - how did my podiums do?

Ladies:
Gold:  Adelina Sotnikova
Silver:  Carolina Kostner
Bronze:  Mirai Nagasu
Right podium, wrong order - Kostner was first, Mirai second, and Adelina third.

Men:
Gold:  Jeremy Abbott
Silver:  Artur Gachinski
Bronze:  Nobunari Oda
2/3 - Jeremy did win, Oda was 2nd and the surprise (to me at least) was Nan Song in 3rd.

Pairs:
Gold:  Kavaguti and Smirnov
Silver: Sui and Cong
Bronze:  Moore-Towers and Moscovitch
Spoiler:  The Zhangs
2/3 - Kavaguti/Smirnov won, MT/Moscovitch were third - Zhangs did spoil and finished 2nd.

Dance:
Gold:  The Shibs
Silver:  Bobrova and Soloviev
Bronze: Carron and Jones
Right podium - Gold and Silver switched.

I'm sharing this movie - it's called the Greater Good and it's about vaccines. There is also a part on  Gardasil (cervical cancer vaccine) - and I think that one is very important - perhaps the most important discussion happening right now.

I'm closing the comments on this post because it is not my intention to start a discussion whatsoever.

However, regardless of your stance, it is worth watching - I'm not quite finished by the over an hour film is free to view in it's entirety for 2 more days.

If you're interested, click here and visit the website to watch. I think it's very neutral and brings up a lot of points that make you think, wonder, and question.

kortney elise xoxo

Fantasy Skating - Round 3- Cup of China

Alright. After last week's near disastrous (for me) Skate America, I finished 200th in rankings AT Skate America and moved up the leader board from 316 to 206th overall. Not bad - out of 605 players. I'm hoping for more success this week!

Ladies:
A: Carolina Kostner - the other options were Makarova and Murakami - the latter may surprise onto the podium, but Makarova is still off an injury. I don't see them challenging Kostner save for her having a meltdown.

B: Adelina Sotnikova - Here's round 2 of the Russian baby dynamite - last week's Russian baby WON. Will Adelina? It's possible - I definitely see her over Gao and Marchei - and well, sorry Mirai - I wagered and lost on you last week.

C:  Bingwa Geng - All 3 are Chinese ladies - I went with the one with the highest PB score and with Senior experience. I have no idea how any of these 3 will factor.

Men:
A:  Jeremy Abbott - I may end up eating my own words - I'm not picking the Russian...or even the Japanese boy. I went with my sentimental favourite and I just hope he doesn't blow up in my face like Mirai last week. Please don't disappoint Jeremy.

B:  Ricky Dornbush - Sorry, Kevin - I'm picking the American over you. I'd be okay if you prove me wrong, but I'll still be mad a bit. Kevin usually fails to put 2 clean programs together and Ricky has the PCS behind him I think...the Japanese boy, Hanyu, may have been a better choice, but I calls 'em as I sees 'em.

C:  Jialiang Wu - It came down to name recognition (never heard of the other Chinese guy) and a higher PB score for Wu.

Pairs:
A: Wenjing Sui and Cong Han - I hate their short and think she looks like a bobble head - but they have the tricks. I think the Zhangs are kind of boring really and failed to impress at SC. I love the Canadians of Kirsten and Dylan, but I think that somehow at this point the young Chinese team's technical will win out at this point in the season.

B:  Kavaguti and Smirnov - Actually surprised their ranking puts them in group B - I think they'll win or be 2nd actually, this was the easiest pick. 

C:  Klara K and Petr B - Why do I keep have to keep picking someone over Canadians? Again, group C often surprises, but I went with the higher PB and the fact that they finished 6th at Europeans. Taylor and Robert, the Canadians, have no Senior experience.

Dance:
A: The Shibs - I'm not sure how a GBR team is in category A (I must have missed them last year) and again, not picking the Russians may prove terryfing for my score, but the Shibs are coming off a world Bronze and a great last season. I think they'll win - but not in the same fashion as Voir or Marlie has the past 2 competitions.

B:  Pernelle C and Lloyd J - I'm picking these French ones over the 2 Americans. Charlotte and Dean are World Jr Bronze medalists, but that doesn't always translate to Sr success.  Emily and Todd are brand new, though success is in their future.

C: Yu and Wang - The other Chinese team didn't even register a PB so must be a debut? No idea. Figured they'll both be at the bottom. The end.

As a bonus, since it differs from the way the categories are chosen (and this is for my own waste of time, not points waste of time) - I bring you PODIUM PICKS :)

Ladies:
Gold:  Adelina Sotnikova
Silver:  Carolina Kostner
Bronze:  Mirai Nagasu
Spoiler:  K Murakami...I'm still somehow pulling for Mirai.

Men:
Gold:  Jeremy Abbott
Silver:  Artur Gachinski
Bronze:  Nobunari Oda
Spoilers:  Kevin Reynolds and Ricky Dornbush - bronze will come down to who skates the cleanest this go 'round.

Pairs:
Gold:  Kavaguti and Smirnov
Silver: Sui and Cong
Bronze:  Moore-Towers and Moscovitch
Spoiler:  The Zhangs

Dance:
Gold:  The Shibs
Silver:  Bobrova and Soloviev
Bronze: Carron and Jones
Spoiler: Lichtman and Copley and even Samuelson and Gilles