Jun 29, 2014

IT'S A LITTLE DUDE!

BLUE MOUSTACHE PARTY TIME!!!



Yup that’s right!  Our future son is on his way and we couldn’t be happier.  ONE OF EACH!?  How in the world did I ever get to be so lucky.  I’m so excited and I know deep down (even though he said that he would have loved another girl) that Nate is also over the moon that he will have his little boy.  I know everyone always says this but I’m already in love with him.  He’s captured our hearts and is going to be such a RAD addition to our growing family.


The only way I could get Scarly to put the moustache on her face was to give her the soother with it taped on.  Had to trick the kid.  


Even our little handsome cutie is dressed up!  #bluebowtie
Scarlet was right the whole time and I was not.  I can't believe how thrilled we are, I really didn't think I would be blessed with a boy, but here we go!  

Jun 25, 2014

19 week pregnancy update

Weekly Pregnancy Update

How far along are you?
19 weeks

How are you feeling?
Great!  Getting tired early on in the night and napping occasionally during the day but for the most part - good.

Any weight gain? 
2 pounds gained this week for a total of 7 pounds putting me at 122

New symptoms?
Pressure in my lower abdomen.  Baby is definitely growing.  

General mood?
Happy and excited.

Gender?
 It’s still a mystery for another day.  We find out tomorrow!  Oh man!!!

What foods are you craving?
Back to salty.  Salt salt salt.

  Do you miss anything?
You know it - white wine spritzers and sushi again this week.

Sleep?
 It was ok this week.  Nate was off with his Dad, Uncles and cousin on a fishing trip and I rarely sleep well unless he’s in the bed beside me.  I kept ‘hearing’ things in the house during the nights and it was hard to relax.  Eventually, I just ended up building a big barricade on the stairs out of outdoor cushions to prevent easy access to upstairs.  Then, when I was laying in bed I came up with an even better idea and also strategically placed Scar’s loudest toys in and around the massive cushion stair fort.  If anyone HAD decided to break in and come up to freak me out, they would have been really loud and I would have been ready for them.  Finally, I also placed a massive bottle of hairspray on my  bedside table and thought it could pass as a weapon.  Let’s face it, that would be super hard to get close enough to anyone dangerous to stab them and me shooting a gun? Ummm, I don't even know where the 'safety' latch is.  Hairspray is a WAYYY better idea ;)  haha.

Working out?
Walks and weights!

Best moment this week?
Getting Nate back home from the fishing trip

What are you excited about?
Gender reveal tomorrow!!!  AHHHHH!

Kate

xoxo

Jun 23, 2014

I Am Malala is a MUST READ

I’ve been affected.  

This book is haunting me, in a wonderful way.

I am Malala has rattled my beliefs and my comforts and has broadened my understanding of how many luxuries I have taken for granted.  I didn’t know I would be so obsessed.
You must, MUST read this book.  It is shocking what this sixteen year old young woman has experienced in her life thus far.  Unimaginable even.  You may have heard of her - she was the girl who stood up for education and was shot POINT BLANK IN THE FACE by the Taliban and then lived to tell the story.  Just so cruel and unbelievable.  I’m embarrassed to admit how totally different my life has been in comparison.  Embarrassed, because what I have had to do to receive the normalcies of everyday life: wearing what I want, the right to free education, choosing who I want to marry, not living with the fear of having acid thrown in my face on a daily basis, pales in comparison to what Malala Yousafzai and many other women have to do to even be able to learn how to read.  Going to school was a must, and then became an occasional hiccup in my social life during high school.  How could I be so selfish and blind?  I didn’t know what a gift, a luxury this was.  Can you imagine having to fight for the right to learn how to read and write?  To wear the clothing you want?  To walk the streets alone without a male family member escorting you around?  

If there is one book to take in this summer it would be this one.  Heck, I will drive to your house and lend it to you if you like or let you borrow my library card to take one out for a few weeks.  It will change your world when you take a look at how good we have it.   What some people are still dealing with in this ‘modern’ world that we live in is ridiculous.  Malala thought so too, and she spoke out in a very big way.  

I LOVE this kid!  Check out her interview with Jon Stewart on the daily show.
Just click on the dark purple/red link below:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjGL6YY6oMs&feature=kp

Jun 21, 2014

Spa Day


For Mother’s day, Nate bought me a massage and a pedicure (as per my request).  We had been so busy that it was only about a little while ago that I was able to go and get these treatments done.  It was so lovely and absolutely worth it.  I LOVE my white nails!  Perfect for the summer.  


Jun 18, 2014

18 week Pregnancy update

Weekly Update

How far along are you?
18 weeks

How are you feeling?
Hungry... all the time.  Haha.  I’m feeling really great.  Second trimester is the best part of pregnancy for me.

Any weight gain? 
Stayed the same this week.  0 pounds gained for a total of 5 pounds keeping me at 120

New symptoms?
  None

General mood?
 I’m really happy !

Gender?
A few nights ago I had a dream that I had three girls in a row so maybe that was a sign?  Honestly, though I really don’t know.  

What foods are you craving?
Sweet:
Lattes
French Toast
Popsicles

Salty:
Lasagna
Grilled cheese sandwiches
BBQ Hamburgers

  Do you miss anything?
White wine spritzers and raw sushi.  :(  Major bummer about being pregnant in the summer.  I was thinking about it yesterday and I thought, the first time I’m going to have a drink will be in the winter (since the babe is due in November).  Typically I drink red wine in the cooler months and stick to light white summer wines during the hotter ones.  I will have to wait not only the rest of the pregnancy but a whole other 6 months before really getting to enjoy a spritzer out on a patio somewhere.  Haha.  Oh the humanity!

Sleep?
Can’t complain at all.  I’m getting more and more used to the side sleeping which has been fine.  I’m trying to ‘load up’ on good sleep because I remember in the 3rd trimester I had a heck of a time getting and staying asleep.  

Working out?
Did some arm weights!!!  Also, walking around outside and chasing Scarly.

Best moment this week?
Feeling the baby move!  It is such a beautiful experience when it finally happens and you know for sure that the ‘tap’ wasn’t anything other than a little foot or hand patting you.  So sweet and exciting.  I’m just dying to find out the gender and see him or her again during an ultrasound.

What are you excited about?
I’m going out for dinner with a girlfriend (just us, no babies) and then coffee with another girlfriend (just us, no babies - she doesn’t have kids yet) so Nate is coming home early to be with Scarlet.  I’m so happy to be catching up with my ladies! 

Kate
xoxo



Jun 15, 2014

For my daughter


             Most parents understand the magnitude of the responsibility of raising children - it’s one of the greatest gifts and daunting duties for any human being to take on.  I believe that many parents think they will face different challenges with raising a boy versus raising a girl.  You hear that: ‘girls are easier when they are younger but more difficult as they age’ and ‘boys are quicker to learn how to be mobile and better at math and science’.  Stereotypical?  Yes.  These 'ideas' are laughable and need to stop being passed on.  After almost over two decades of teaching both public school and dance students from 4 years of age to 20, I can attest to the fact that all children, regardless of gender, are unique and dissimilar in perhaps all areas of their own worlds. 

But having said the latter, I can’t help but think about a few gender specific thoughts that I know are still important for my daughter(s) to learn.  I hope to be able to influence them while steering clear of any indoctrination so as to let her discover experiences on her own.  I really want to facilitate versus dictate.  

In no particular order here is a little ‘Code’ that I believe all females, (at least in our Weiland household) need to heed and try to abide by.

#1.  Discuss ideas, hopes, books - not other women.
Some people and some women are especially horrible for this.  Sadly, I’m occasionally guilty of it too.  It’s so easy to fall into the predictable old hum-drum of ‘Can you believe what she did?  Can you imagine wearing that dress out?  I can’t even begin to talk about how messed up that family is’.  Even something subtle like ‘She’s very… (snicker)…interesting’.  It’s gossip and it’s awful.  When I notice I’m in a circle where it’s starting to erupt, I ask others questions about their life, their day, their job - anything to get off the topic because I just feel rotten afterwards.  It’s not cool.

#2.  Let personality attract you, not looks.
This one is hard for females and males alike.   But what I hope to relay is that if you can remember that there is so much more substance on the inside you will be a million times happier with those that you have chosen to surround you.  If you can find someone who both physically attracts you AND makes you feel 100% - you scoop that person up asap and never let them go.  

#3.  Females are often mean to one another - consider their position, their history and then let it go.
A really small and funny example of this would be the world of social media.  Be honest, have you ever not ‘liked’ a beautiful or intriguing picture simply because it was posted by a particular person?  I saw a fabulous quote - “Don’t worry about what I’m doing, worry about why you’re worried about what I’m doing”.  HELLO!  YES!  Don’t we want to support one another?  We are not in a big competition to see who can get the most likes on a picture.  It’s not worth it!  In fact, just remember that it takes MORE energy to ignore someone.  I will tell my daughters, you have much MUCH better things to do with your time.

#4.  Mind your manners
It’s frustrating to hold open a door for a complete stranger and not get a thank you in return.  Or seem to always be the friend that is trying to make the plans for a get-together.  Or the girl that always seems to take unwarranted suggestions about child rearing, or what to do with your life.  But it’s worse to let loose on a stranger, or passive aggressively confront a friend, or spaz out at whoever about how your life is none of their buisness.  Why?  Because you are resorting to a level of carelessness that did not exist in the first place.  As hard as it is to let it slide off your back, you must pick your battles.

#5.  REALLY mind your manners
It’s a dying art.  The dinner table code of ethics.  Wait until everyone is seated to start eating.  Don’t crumple your napkin in the middle of your plate when you’re done.  Wait until everyone is finished eating before you leave.  Excuse yourself if you must use the restroom in the middle of dinner.  DO NOT blow your nose at the table.  DO NOT apply makeup in public.  DO NOT take your shoes off at the end of the wedding because they hurt and you want to dance.  DO NOT gossip about other people.  Their appearance, choice in clothes, choice in men, choice in anything.  Just don’t.  Scarlet is going to hear it time and time again: Hold the door open for others, be courteous on the road, work to make others feel important and loved, be your best you while staying mindful of how you are affecting others around you. 

#6.  We don’t discriminate. 
This goes for the boys too - the colour of someone’s skin is just the start.  Religion, demographics, weight, and sexual preference are also some of the qualities that make someone different and unique and they are to be respected.  Respect and acknowledge all - equally.

#7.  Make it your duty to ask others about their life and genuinely have an interest in their answers.
I love this one.  It can be so easy with some and so so so difficult with others.  I knew a girl (bless her heart) that it was literally a job to be around her.  It was ALWAYS about her.  I’m this, I’m that, this is happening with me, I’m going through that.  EXHAUSTING.  I felt like I had run a marathon after getting together with her because it seemed like she was draining energy from me to continue existing.  What I have learned though, is that girl actually needed to release onto someone else - she told me so.  She also said that I was the only one that ever took the time to listen to her without brushing her off and that meant the world to her.  She said that she knew that this was a problem with her and that she was working on it, but that my willingness to listen was everything.  I’ll never forget that.


#8.  Remember that love is different from infatuation.  
Tricky.  Both are intense.  Both are feelings.  Both are wildly exciting…in the beginning.  What I hope to tell my daughter(s) is that you may find yourself in infatuation if you find you can not make rational evaluations of what is going on to you and around you.  You will find yourself in love when you have a deep rooted affection for the other person and are able to communicate and negotiate with your partner in a rash and reasonable manner.  Also, if you’re under 24 or 25 - your brain has not yet fully developed (isn’t this a shockingly weird fact?).  Wait to do ANYTHING huge until after this birthday ;) 

According to recent findings, the human brain does not reach full maturity until at least the mid-20s. (See J. Giedd in References.)  The specific changes that follow young adulthood are not yet well studied, but it is known that they involve increased myelination and continued adding and pruning of neurons. As a number of researchers have put it, "the rental car companies have it right." The brain isn't fully mature at 16, when we are allowed to drive, or at 18, when we are allowed to vote, or at 21, when we are allowed to drink, but closer to 25, when we are allowed to rent a car.
(http://hrweb.mit.edu/worklife/youngadult/brain.html)

#9.  The way you make others feel when they are around you says volumes about you.
Yup

#10.  Education is the single most important tool in your life.  Don’t ever stop learning.
Remember that for some females around the world they are not even allowed to sit in a classroom.  Many had to fight for the right to become educated up to a jr. high level (if that).  Some will never read a book.  You are one of the luckiest groups of females on this planet to be given not only the right but possible FUNDING from the government through scholarships to continue onto post-secondary!  Respect and utilize this huge gift.  Enough said.

#11.  Stand up for what you believe in - even when everyone else is going the other way.
Whether it’s a small example of injustice in your classroom, or you feel someone is being treated unfairly by an adult, speak up and do so with regard to all involved.  Respect, tone, tact, timing all need to be considered before anything is said; but know you can stand up for what you believe in if you use your brain.

#12.  Know your stuff.  
If you’re going to open your mouth in any sort of enlightening conversation, know your stuff.  If you don’t, know it for next time.

#13.  Don’t be a follower
Create your own style, your own likes and dislikes, your own sense of self.  You are so special, it would be criminal to diminish that by following and copying somebody else and their ideas.  Find yourself and FLY CHILD!

#14.  Stay classy
What does this mean to me?  It’s remembering that your body is not an open book, from crossing your legs or ankles while in a skirt, from your behaviour at a party, to being intimate with a partner that you have exchanged more than just a date or a few drinks with.  There is a broad spectrum to this one - but common sense should be able to help you out if you find yourself wondering ‘is this staying classy?’  If you have to ask, you may already have your answer.  Nobody is perfect, but we can always aim to be our best ‘selves’.

#15.  Anything that a man can do, you can do as well.
This is not meant to be a feminist revolutionary thought and it’s not meant to bash males in any form.  It’s plain and simple.  Our expectations of ourselves as females have dropped and in my opinion have been dropping from an early stage in our lives.  I’m not good at math, guys are better.  I can’t pick that up, it’s too heavy.  I don’t want to push myself too hard, I've got my period.  WRONG!  You are WAY stronger than you think you are.  Your limitations are learned and self-inflicted.  Let those go and believe in yourself.

#16. Your monthly visit from Aunt Flo down from Red River is not an excuse to be rude.  
Attitude needs to stay in check during this time.  When a slip up does occur, apologize and offer immediate forgiveness.  Others will notice and do the same for you.  This rule also applies (unfortunately) when you are pregnant.  Nobody should be used as a personal punching bag just because your hormones are raging.

#17.  Resist the urge to let self-doubt creep in.  
Especially during your secondary school years.  This can be a hard time for many girls, but resist that urge and find your confidence. 

#18. Do NOT use your tears as a mechanism to get what you want.
I personally HATE it when I see women (yes fully grown women) do this.  It’s so obvious and fake and it makes me sick when it happens.  I have to try with all of my might to steer clear of letting this happen because it’s not fair to the person you’re speaking with, the situation at hand or to yourself - the end result will be completely skewed because whoever is on the opposite side will without a doubt crumble.  Keep it together, keep it together, keep it together.  Obviously everyone is allowed a few tears, but the full on ‘act’ that many girls play up needs to stop asap.

#19.  Cursing lowers your I.Q and/or the appearance of intelligence.
If you have little to begin with stop swearing immediately.  Although it can be totally fun and even a sense of release now and then, if you are constantly throwing around f-this and f-that, what’s up bitches, oh shit, it’s just for lack of an intelligent word to express what you’re feeling.  One of my students told me that every year, his family had a ‘Swear Dinner’ where they would sit down and have a regular dinner however they had to swear in every single one of their sentences.  He said at first it was super fun and totally hilarious and then it just got boring and old.  They weren’t allowed to swear for the rest of the year until the next swear dinner.  I thought this was an interesting concept.

#20.  Make time for yourself regardless of how old you are.
I remember when I was about seven or eight walking through the woods on a bright sunny day at Camp all by myself and loving every solitary second.  Take time, an hour, a full day if you can, a few minutes to be alone (WITHOUT YOUR PHONE) so you can hear your thoughts and your conscience.  It will tell you so many important things that you may miss if you block it out.  Trust it and your gut and you'll make the right choices.  

When asking Nate his top three he thought long and hard about it.  When I pestered him again (haha) he responded with the following three.  I don’t want to speak for him so I’ll just give you them, but he and I discussed our thoughts for a long time and it made for a wicked conversation between the two of us.  Here they are!

#1.  Don’t trust individuals too quickly

#2.  Don’t be impulsive

#3.  Don’t just give it away.  
He wanted to be very clear about this one, he talked for a good chunk of time about it and it was very cute.  He said he didn’t want people to think that he meant that the female had to be ‘paid’ or given a gift of any sort for doing something but that she should consider that she is so special and in control of what others ‘get’ from her whether it’s a first kiss or a conversation over the phone.  Her time, energy, existence is precious and valuable and therefore should be treated as such.  

The above were just some of the few that came to me while writing this post.  I know that there are probably a ton of other ‘better’ ones and if you feel like they should be mentioned please feel free to add them in the comment area.  Anywho, it was fun to brainstorm and think about the future teachings that these Weiland kids are going to get - especially the girls (if this next babe is another little girl).  If we are blessed with a boy, it will be neat to think about these for him too!  

Kate
XOXO



Jun 11, 2014

17 week pregnancy update

Weekly Pregnancy Update

How far along are you?
17 weeks

How are you feeling?
I’m feeling great for the most part.  My insides feel stretchy which is a little freaky, but Nate assures me I was feeling the same thing at around this point last time.  

Any weight gain? 
2 pounds this week for a total of 5 pounds putting me at 120

New symptoms?
  Heartburn and inner gut stretch.

General mood?
 Still very HAPPY!

Gender?
Storytime.  Nate and I were hanging out with Scarlet after dinner a few nights ago.  Nate asked her: ‘Scarlet, is Mama having a baby girl?  Are you having a sister?’ and Scarlet looked like she was considering his question and right afterwards shook her head no.  Nate looked at me and we laughed.  Then he asked her: ‘Scar, is Mama having a baby boy?’ and she immediately nodded yes.  We were surprised and thought WOAH!  She seems so certain.  Then just to be sure, about two minutes later Nate asked again: ‘Scarlet, is the baby in mama’s tummy a girl?’  Again, she shook her head ‘nope’ and went on playing with her toys.  I’m not so sure it’s a girl anymore…

What foods are you craving?
Had my first pickle craving this pregnancy.  We had pickles and cheese and crackers.  I also wanted blue cheese a few days ago which is wacky.  I HATE blue cheese normally but for some reason, I wanted some this time around.

  Do you miss anything?
Sleeping on my stomach :(  Bump is officially too hard and round to sleep on anymore.  

Sleep?
Has still been awesome considering the above.  I take one pillow and put it in-between my knees and the other and hug it all night.  It sort of feels like I’m on my stomach.

Working out?
Went for three long walks - like over an hour this week.  The area that we live in has the best walking paths around the prettiest wetland areas and BEACH!

Best moment this week?
Finding out that I did not have a corneal abrasion.  My left eye had been bugging me for days and days.  It got so bad that I went in on a Sunday to see an optometrist.  After quite a few tests she found that I had really poor tear duct quantity and it was causing a little stye in my eye.  No scratch, no detachment, no ulcer - I was very happy.  Other best moment this week was hearing Scarlet say a few new words like ‘ball’ ‘that’ ’nose’.

What are you excited about?
I’m excited about our ultrasound in two weeks.  Not knowing the gender is now on my mind constantly and I really want to start to decorate the nursery and go shopping for new cute things for this babe.  I will definitely use some hand-me-downs if it’s a little girl but I also want her to have her own items too.  We’re completely hooped if it’s a boy - we have zero blue, so I’m pumped either way!

New pic in the BUMP section!

Kate
xoxo



Jun 9, 2014

I'm such a fan. MAJOR Man Crush Monday

Where else can a girl brag about her husband than her own blog?

He's the best - a keeper FOR LIFE!

Today I felt compelled to write about Nate because I'm feeling such huge love for him and it's hard to be able to 'talk' to others about him without sounding like I'm gloating.  I just don't do it - ever.  So my feelings about Nate always feel like they're bottled up inside of me.  That's why it's so great to have an avenue to write!  Unfortunately, this short post won't even come close to doing him justice but it's still nice to give you a little slice of this one in a gazillion.  

Nate takes such good care of me.  He 'husbands' me the way a lady should be even in this modern world of ours.  Chivalry still exists with this man.  Doors and car doors open for me, I get to enter first, my chair is pulled out for me at restaurants,  he has picked me up and carried me over a rain puddle.  It doesn't cease to amaze me how it still feels like we're dating.  Not to mention his extreme care and concern for his daughter and next child on the way.  It's a gift to observe his parenting skills emerge while he helps me raise Scarlet.  His negotiation skills, calm demeanour and level headed 'smarts' get us out of countless conundrums.  

One word: Handyman.  If I can encourage Scarlet to marry one of these, her world will be exponentially easier and more enjoyable.  Ladies who are currently married to one of these guys - you know what I'm talking about.

It would be a very long post to write about all of the many MANY things that he does for me and our little family so I won't, but probably the strongest quality about this man is his loyal and caring heart.  He makes me feel like a queen every single day while still making me feel as though he is pursuing my interest.  I know his love is real and my world and heart are his forever.

Oh - and that beer in his hand in the picture above?  It's a near-beer because he offered to give up alcohol along side me because I am pregnant and he didn't want me to have to do it alone.
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Jun 6, 2014

29 Firsts

First celebrity crush?
I don’t know if this counts because I was so little, but ‘Bob’ on Sesame Street was a total crush.  Later in life when I was actually a teenager it was Ricky Martin which is totally hilarious and weird when I think about it now.  

First time in the principals office?
Don’t judge me, sounds WAY worse than it was or than I ever intended it be.  When I was in grade four, one of my little friends and I locked a boy by his wrists on the bicycle racks and told him he was our dog.  He complied and gave us his hands and started barking.  He was having fun, we were having fun but that stopped pretty quickly when one of the teachers saw us and got us in MAJOR trouble - I'm talking black book trouble in the principals office.  

First love?
High School and he broke my heart.  

First trip abroad?
Grade nine - Italy.

First love letter?
I received one from a boy when I was in jr. high, he was in high school.  OH MAN.  It was just his poetry that he had composed for me.  So sweet, but I didn’t understand it - it was pretty deep.  In the end, nothing ever came of us.  Just a lot of innocent and confusing poems.

What was your first car?
I’ve never driven a car full time - ever - still to this day I don’t drive a car.  My first vehicle was my mom’s sweet old mini-van in high school.  My second vehicle was my mom’s sweet second old mini-van…also in high school.  My third vehicle was my mom’s sweet new mini-van that I got to borrow to drive to university everyday.  So frickin’ rad I know.

Who was the first person who you cared more about their well being than your own?
Probably my little baby brother Daniel when I started babysitting him in around gr.5.

When was your first public speaking success?
Elementary school.  I was always the MC at the assemblies for some reason.  I was a total teacher's pet.

When was the first time you got stitches?
I was about three or four.  I put on my Dad’s cowboy boots and fell into the brick fireplace on my forehead.  Still have the scar!

When was the first time you stayed up all night and watched the sunrise?
I think it was about gr.9 at Deirdre Lanigan’s house when we were having a sleepover.

What was the first thing you learned to cook?
Cook well - lasagna
Cook in general - mac n cheese

First money earned on your own?
I won the overall dance scholarship in the 12 and under category at WRDAA (Wild Rose Dance Arts Association) when I was 12.  The following year, I won the overall dance scholarship for 13 and over category at the same competition (different judges).  The committee changed the rules the following year so that no dancer could ever win two scholarships in two consecutive years because so many parents complained.  I cried about it cause I thought I had done something wrong and wanted to have a fair chance to win again.  

What was your first paying job?
Babysitting

First real paying job?
I worked as a hostess at Earls and then later as a server.

When was the first time you flew on an airplane?
I was young, like 5 or 6 years old I think.  Maybe earlier.  Loved it.  Now?  HATE IT.

What was the first concert you went to see?
Green Day with the boy who lived across the street from us and another girl that he also invited. ??? I didn’t get a call back the next day so I guess I didn’t make the cut.  sniff sniff.  Hahaha.

What was your first bike like?
It was a bright blue two wheeler.  So squeaky, so used, so awesome.
 

First time being grounded?
We were in grade ten.  I told my parents I was sleeping at my best friend Jenny's house, and she told her parents we were sleeping at my house.  We went to a party and stayed out all night.  In the morning, we were driving to McDonalds for breakfast before Ballet class and there was a white van following us everywhere we turned.  I looked in the rear-view mirror and said to Jenny 'weird, the lady in the passenger side looks a lot like your mom'.  Sure enough, our mom's had driven around Calgary trying to find our vehicle and eventually found, and busted us.  The wrath that ensued...oh dear lord...the wrath.

When was the first time you shot a gun?
Still haven’t shot a gun.  I will whoop your butt in Lazar tag though.

When was the first time you moved houses?
We lived in a bungalow in Forest Lawn (GHETTO) and moved to another bungalow in Bonavista.  I don’t remember that move.

When was the first time you threw a punch?
I was in a Karate class and clearly I didn’t understand the concept of Karate.

First failing grade?
I got a 4/10 on a pop science quiz in grade 7.  I thought my life was over and started saving money because I thought I wouldn’t make it in the real world when I became an adult.  Awe, so much pressure at such an early age!

First broken bone?
I was at the National Ballet school for a summer and broke my pinky toe in my left pointe shoe.  We were jumping down the floor on top of these things without coming off of the toe part (if that makes sense).  After the doctor confirmed it was broken, I was still made to dance on it for the rest of the summer.  Maybe that's why my pain tolerance is unusually high?  No but seriously, it felt like a sharp blade was cutting into my toe every time I went 'up' on the shoe.  I think I was about thirteen years old and my parents where across the country, so I had no power over these slave drivers.  They just made me dance.  Talk about having to suck it up...

When was the first time you quit a job?
Haven’t ever quit, but slacked until my last day?  Yes.

What was the first professional sporting event you went to?
A hockey game.  Snore.  I like them now but back then…bor-ing.

When was your first regrettable hair style?
The claw-bang.  Here's a picture but it's not so awful here.
This is the only pic I could find in my home, but if I remember to get my grade four school photo from my parents house, I'll post it and you will be amazed at the atrocity.



How old were you when you first left home?
For a sleepover?  Grade five.
For good?  Twenty-something

When was the first time you cut class?
High school and I was a ball of nerves the entire time.

How old where you when you had your first kiss?
Peck: Grade six

A little racier: Grade nine.  This is yet another one of my most embarrassing moments.  I used to wear really bad dark lipliner and lipstick in grade 9.  I was ‘dating’ a boy and it had been declared by the other grade 9 kids that we were at the point where it was time to…french.  It was after school and thankfully nobody was there except for his buddy who was waiting out in the field.  The boy and I were in the hallway and we went in for the sloppy, pre-adolescent, awkward ‘french’ and after about 5 or 6 seconds we pulled away.  I opened my eyes, and the boy had smudged red lipstick and lipliner all the way around the outside of his lips - everywhere.  Kinda like Ronald McDonald but it was like a little kid had coloured out of the lines all over Ronald McDonald’s lips.  He was super cool and smooth and just said with a total Rico Suave drawl: ‘Ok.  See you tomorrow Katie’ cause he had NO CLUE, and I was just standing there with a surprised expression on my face ‘yah, see yah tomorrow’.  He turned around and left.  I watched him walk out to the field where his friend was waiting for him.  All I saw was his friend pause and then point at his face and then double over in a fit of laughter at my then boyfriend.  He was actually holding his stomach he was laughing so hard.  My boyfriend quickly wiped his face with the back of his hands and then RAN AWAY!!!  Well, the next day and for weeks and weeks and weeks afterwards, I was known as ‘Hoover’ by my boyfriend’s friend.  Worst nickname ever.  HAHAHAHA!!!

Jun 5, 2014

Throwback Thursday!

Here are three really cute pics of my middle brother Paul and I.  I’m missing him this week - it seems like I haven’t seen him in FOREVER :(  He lives and works in Toronto and we don’t know when he’ll be back in Calgary.  Chances are we won’t be going down there anytime soon either so it makes me sort of sad.  But these photos pick me back up again.  I love all my brothers.



My other brother Ted's massive foot in the backseat of the car.  HAHAHA!

Jun 4, 2014

Weekly Pregnancy Update #16

How far along are you?
16 weeks

How are you feeling?
Great.  I’m getting a fairly prominent bump so pants are starting to be uncomfortable around the waist.  Thankfully, I’m stocked with maxi dresses so we should be good for a little while.

Any weight gain? 
1 pound this week for a total of 3 pounds putting me at 118

New symptoms?
My sciatic nerve!  :(  Major bummer.  I was REALLY hoping that this wouldn’t happen this pregnancy, but I think it’s time to make some physio appointments again.  Basically, the pressure being put on the largest nerve in the body (the Sciatica) is responding with pain in the form of shooting, pin-like ‘jabs’ in mainly my left lower back.  In my research, I’ve read that it is NOT due to the baby and uterus stimulating it but I think that’s bogus.  The nerve will feel better when my pelvis decides to widen for all the pregnancy and baby changes and with some good old fashion icing and physio exercises it will be fine.  It lasted about a month with Scarlet and then returned around month 7 and lasted another month.  

General mood?
 Happy happy happy! 

Gender?
I still think girl.  We’ve been throwing around lot’s of girl names because it is WAY harder for us to name a girl.  We have about three absolutely wicked boy names picked already in case I’m wrong.  I’m so excited either way.

What foods are you craving?
I have been craving more sweet things lately, like FRUIT LOOPS!  ?!?!?!

  Do you miss anything?
Sushi and white wine spritzers

Sleep?
Has been great.  Can’t complain.

Working out?
I did a spin class this week for the first time in months!   BAHAHAHA!  Just kidding.  I sat on the recumbent bike and read a magazine.  No but seriously, Scarlet is my workout.

Best moment this week?
Date night with my husband.  WE WERE OUT UNTIL 11:30! 

What are you excited about?
Hanging out at the beach in our community.  Scarlet and I went yesterday and we were the first ones there besides a really sweet old asian lady.  We’re going to be living there this summer as well as up at the lake so I’m totally pumped to be in and around the water and the sand.  This momma, her hubby and her babe are total #beachaddicts

Kate
xoxo