Gamma Chapter Event: Corn Maze

The skies cleared and we actually had a pretty nice day for our trip through the corn maze!
Carrie, Natalie D., Sandra, Thomas, Sarah (and Curt and Robyn) met at the Meadows Maze in Pitt Meadows and embarked on a corney adventure (haha!)

At first we let Robyn decide which wa we went, but after going in circles a few times...and then realizing we had numbered stations to find...we actually started thinking about which turns to take! Sandra proved to be a whiz at following confusing tiny maps! Note to others: Don't ever let Natalie be your navigator, if you take a trip with her! hahah, j/k Nat! ;)

After we completed one maze, we found our way to the petting zoo and were met with some very friendly barnyard creatures!

Carrie, Natalie, Sandra and Thomas went on the hayride - while Sarah and Curt watched their newly 2 year old daughter fly-away on the barrel ride...and then come back spattered in mud!

We all took turns going down the (lame-o) slide....needs to be steeper...you kind of get stuck in the middle!!

Then it was time to part ways...until our next adventure! :)

RUSH

So, as a change from everybody's baby pictures and wedding pictures, I thought I would give you an update on rush. Robyn is doing amazing! They had 26 people sign up, and at the moment 11 girls are pledging. WOW! All the returning members (there are only 7) are working their asses off, and it shows. The pledges are all really cool. I have been to 2 events, and hosted 1, and the Fantasia is in an hour. (everyone's favourite)

It was really exciting to have Danya come into town. I finally got to meet one of these people I'm always reading about and emailing! We had lots of fun, even if we did bother Lonnie. oops... :( I will try to post some pictures of some rush events inthe near future. (they are all on the camera not on the computer).

Initiations will be on Oct 5, no set time as of yet. If you want to go, please email the sorority account. (Robyn is sitting beside me telling me what to write)

Update on Baby

Hey Guys, 

So no pictures or amazing news but I thought I would send you an update as to how I am doing and baby as the past week has been quite long and hard and I just need an outlet since I'm not really able to go anywhere.

Wednesday I woke up to some very unexpected bleeding and was taken into the hospital but after an examination they confirmed the bleeding had stopped and I was okay to go home.  They scheduled me for another ultrasound to check on the baby and make sure everything was okay so I was expected to return to the hospital the next morning.  

Unfortunately on Thursday I woke up and went to the bathroom to find that it had started again so Chris rushed me back to the hospital.  Thankfully, everyone remembered me from the day before so I didn't have to go through all the questions again.    After they completed the ultrasound and exam they could only tell me that the baby is fine and not in distress but they don't know what is causing the bleeding or where it is coming from.    I was admitted for observation with the goal of 24 hrs with no bleeding.    

As of this morning they released me and I am able to go home but under the observation of my husband and parents.  No strenuous activities - so preparing for the baby if completely Chris's job now along with cooking for and waiting on me.

We didn't completely make it 24 hrs without bleeding starting again but the doctor said he could tell I was getting more anxious being there and that possibly being home would help me to relax and overall be better for babe.

So our goal at this time is to obviously not have anymore bleeding - but to make it to 38 weeks as which point if the bleeding has persisted they will schedule a c-section.   If I an make it past 38 weeks without bleeding the doctor will let me continue on as long as the baby and I are doing okay.

Overall, as I said the baby is good.  At this time we are focusing on me and getting my iron back up as they are concerned since I lost quite a bit of blood and they want the levels up again in the event I do bleed again. 

I know we always focus on the good of pregnancies and most of us don't talk about the bad but I thought there are quite a few moms in our group and maybe some of you can relate to what we have been dealing with and provide some advice.  I have really been at the end of my emotional string the last day or two with fear of it starting all over again.

I would appreciate any suggestions of how to entertain and distract yourself during something like this as it is the only thing on my mind and being limited to bed doesn't make it easy to keep myself busy.

First Picture of Baby Frost

Nathan & I went in for our first ultrasound on September 14th and I thought I'd scan in one of the pictures to share with you guys. This is such an exciting journey and this was the coolest thing I've ever seen... you moms in the group know what I'm talking about! As you can see there is one baby (I've had so many family members bugging me about twins) and Baby Frost (we're not finding out the sex) is doing wonderful so far.

We're having all our windows and most of our floors replaced in the next month then I can start planning the nursery... I think it'll be my favourite home reno project so far!

Amanda :)

Triumphant Return from Europe!

Well, it seems that I've a lot to catch up on as far as your blogs go. It looks as though everyone has been busy getting married and having kids, getting jobs, turning into grown-ups...

As for me, I have had the busiest year of my life, I think. I spent the majority of the past year working as many overtime shifts as humanly possible in order to save up enough money to go to Europe for 3 months with 3 of my friends this summer. We went, we saw, we conquered (well, ok, maybe I only conquered a wine bottle or two, but that's a start).

Everyone is always wanting to know the details about the trip, so here goes! We rented an excellent station wagon/minivan crossover from Peugeot, as a long-term vacation rental/lease. We were planning to drive everywhere, and camp instead of staying in hostels, to make our money stretch further, so we went out, bought the smallest tents I have ever seen, and some basic camping gear and set off!

We started off in Paris, which I adored. I love the city. If you've never been, I highly suggest springing for one of those week-long vacation packages. We drove through France, down through Spain and into Morocco, where we spent 9 days. I absolutely loved it in Morocco; once you get over the culture shock, (especially being a woman, everything was so alien) you realize how beautiful the country is, how exotic, and how friendly the people are. Probably my best time on the entire trip was in Morocco, when we went on an overnight camel trek into the Sahara. The desert was unbelievable. So vast, and empty. It really helped put my life into perspective, which was something I definitely needed, since I'd been suffering from a case of the 'Omg, I just graduated with a degree I can't use to get a job...what do I do now?' anxiety.

Leaving Morocco, we drove back through Spain, where we celebrated the Spanish triumph at the Soccer World Cup with the frenzied crowds in Barcelona. Driving back up the coast of Spain, we spent many days on the Mediterranean beaches, sunning, and relaxing. The beaches were so beautiful, the sea that clear blue, with pure white sand and sun umbrellas lining the busy shoreline as far as the eye could see...the kind of beaches you see in calendars, really.

Next, we made a beeline for Munich, via Andorra, France, Lichtenstein (yes, it IS a real place, although it's a micronation, and I got a speeding ticket there...I got a speeding ticket in a country that you can drive across in about 40 minutes. Now THAT'S a good dinner-party story!), Austria and Switzerland. We met some really friendly folks in Switzerland, who gave us a ton of free beer and let us party with them for the night. One of the guys had a 70 L keg and tap system. In the back of his van.

I think we spent about a total of 12 hours in Munich, since we were just there to catch a flight to Istanbul. We spent a week in Istanbul, saw all the important sights, went swimming in the Black Sea, and stepped foot in Asia (Istanbul is on both sides of the Bosphorus, which divides Europe and Asia). After Turkey, we drove down to Italy, where we'd rented an apartment in Tuscany for 4 days. We spent a ton of time in Italy, and it is possibly my new favorite country. I have never felt quite so relaxed as I did in Italy.


After Italy, we hit up Slovenia for a few days, before I took a train back to Paris, for my flight back to Canada. I was only there for a total of 9 weeks, as I erm...ran out of funds, and had to return for the start of the school year.

Went to NYC for a week, met someone...we're trying the long-distance thing at the moment, which seems to be going quite nicely, and that's about it.

I have a few pictures that I've posted here, but unfortunately, not as many as I wish I had, since my laptop with the pictures on it was stolen. Alas.

Back in Canada, I set about readying myself to start the CNC/UNBC Nursing program (which I'm busily working away at right this second). Now, I spend all my days reading textbooks and being a student all over again.

A Future Sorority Sister...

Hi Ladies,

It's taken a little while to get this done, but I wanted to let you all know that we had our baby girl on August 22nd. Her name is Delainey Lillian Frances Kiteley (I have kids that have really long names, I know lol). She was 6lbs 12 oz and was 19.5 inches long. I was lucky that my labor was fairly quick and I only had to push for 6 minutes so I recovered fairly quickly and was back home within 15 hours. She now is a month old and is a pretty good baby. She is up to over 8lbs and a really good sleeper (Thank goodness!!). Marshall is adjusting pretty well to being a big brother. We definately are adjusting and have our very trying moments but he is nice to her (no hitting or anything, but he avoids her and consequenly us a fair bit). He is a really great helper and is always trying to put her soother in, or put on her socks and things. It has been wonderful to have our competed family. We have had a ton of guests so it has been really nice to have helpers around . Matt & I are still loving Grande Prairie and we were lucky that Matt could take a couple weeks off with us so we were able to spend lots of time as a family. Anyways, that's about it for us, I hope you are all well and thank you so much for all of the lovely facebook messages and cards. It is so sweet! I included a bunch of pictures of all of us from the first couple weeks.

Love Always, Your Sister

Gina

In our new home

Hey everyone! Sorry its been so long, lots of stuff has been happening.

4 1/2 weeks ago, I married my best friend in Chetwynd. It was a fabulous day, one I will never forget. We went to Edmonton and Grande Prairie for a few days for a honeymoon, just to relax a bit.

We spent three weeks after our honey moon in Chetwynd, working on our house and organizing for the move. On August 18, we moved to Hay River in the Northwest Territories. Tyler has been here for four months already, I've been here a total of a week. Its not bad, little so its not too hard to get used to. I've even found a job! I'm hoping that will help me get to know some more people. I have met quite a few already, due to my husband, so that has helped. I hope everyone is doing good! I think my current contact information made it to the contact sheet, so if anyone is up in this area, give me a call!

Before and After photos of my new house! As per your request!

Okay, okay... so it took me a while but I have loaded most of the "before and after" shots on facebook, and I still have a few coming. So, check out my facebook page and let me know what you think!

Looking forward to seeing you guys in Vancouver this weekend... if you live there, that is!

Bye for now,

Nat

Wow - Life is Busy!

Well, I thought it only fair I submit an update about what has been happening in my life, Suzy keeps telling me I have to get photos out there.

Lets see, this last year - not even - has been insane. In September Chris and I moved home to my parents to save a few dollars for our wedding. This was a brave move but in the end was the best thing we could have done. While I may have lost my sanity multiple times we were able to organize and pay for our wedding without incurring any debt - that was such a relief. But living at home had some other wonderful benefits as well. In October, I started to realize how little control I had emotionally when it came to work. There was always too much to do and such high expectations as the senior team member to be able to pick it all up and do it myself. After a short 5 week leave from work I returned feeling refreshed in control and no headaches, neck or backaches. Within a couple of days the physical pains returned and within weeks I was fighting to control my emotions again. It finally hit me in January when one of my best friends gave birth to her first baby and I couldn't stop crying because of work when I went to visit this angel that something had to change. I gave my notice - without another job lined up (Scary) and applied to start a nursing program in July. I wouldn't have done this without the support of my parents, knowing we had a secure home without my paycheck.


Honestly, this was the best thing I could have done - I felt physically, mentally and emotionally better within days of giving my notice as the stress started to evaporate.

***Big piece of advice, no matter how strong you feel or how much money you are making if you are not happy at the end of the day it is not worth it.***


So I finished my business management diploma just to say I did even though it wouldn't really work with my nursing (maybe management one day). I lucked into a job with Canadian Blood Services where I work at the donor clinics and I love my job. I love the people I work with, the donors and the fact that it is a great cause and when I come home I feel good about myself. I feel tired and exhausted but good.


So having gotten rid of the stressful job I thought 'oh, I can focus on the wedding plans," apparently my body thought the reduced stress meant this was a hospitable environment and low and behold days after leaving my old job I was en route to being a MOMMY! Ah, my wedding plans, my honeymoon in Tuscany, the nursing program in July, everything just changed.


So I am due October 26th, three days before my birthday and I am hoping the baby actually does come in October because it is my favorite month and this will just make it that much sweeter when I think of that month. We do not know what we are having - Chris does intend on finding out but he won't tell me - he'll torment me with it. Sorry, no ultrasound pictures as they are in a heap of boxes at this very moment.


With regards to the wedding, everything went as planned it was the most amazing day, we had beautiful sunshine on May 24th. I was unbelievably calm and grinning ear to ear the entire day.
The only thing I have to say about being pregnant during your wedding is the bachelorette party is so much more humiliating because you are sober and realize exactly how you look when your friends dress you up. Sober with large inflated penis around your waist all day - in broad daylight.

So all in all everything was amazing, our honeymoon to Italy is being postponed for a year and a half. It just wouldn't have been the same if we couldn't do the wine tours in Tuscany that originally made us decide on Italy. We did however have an amazing honeymoon along the Oregon Coast, we blew glass, went to the zoo and aquarium (my favorites), walked along the beach.

Finally the last few days have been insane, between us both working full-time (my work is considered full tie after 45 hours) we moved the Monday of the August long-weekend. I am so excited and so tired as I try to plow through unpacking and organizing so that I can start on the baby's room. Yeaaaah, a baby. Did I mention how excited I am about this unexpected surprise? Every movement is amazing and let me tell you he (again, don't know the sex but that is what keeps popping out of my mouth) is moving all the time and I get a good boot when I am about to fall asleep that says "mom, quit sitting and rock me back to sleep".

Anyhow, this is my post of my life I swear it never slows down but I am pretty sure we all feel that way at times. I can't wait to have the baby and while life won't slow down I can relax and enjoy the time together.

I miss you all, Trish.

Big News

I'm so excited to share this news with all of you...

I swear you girls are good luck or something because I must have conceived right around our retreat weekend. I think hanging out with so many women and mothers must have rubbed off!

Nathan and I found out on June 12th but waited until my brother's wedding was over before telling our families. I'm 12 weeks along as of today and everything is going well. I go in for my first prenatal appointment next week and am looking forward to getting my first ultrasound in the next few weeks. We want the sex to be a suprise so we are not going to find out if it's a boy or a girl but will instead be picking out names for either. I've got plans for rearranging our house to start planning a nursery.

The birthdate will be confirmed at my appointment next week but I entered my information into a baby website and it came up with February 11, 2009 as the big day.

I'm a little nervous and a lot excited about this big change and will be looking to the wonderful moms in the group with questions and concerns as we go along. Miss you girls tonnes and hope everyone is having a good summer!

Amanda :)

Gamma Chapter Walks Against Cancer

In June the APB Gamma Chapter participated in the Relay walk against Cancer. Sarah Watts was our Team Leader and organized the events. We all walked for friends and family who have been affected by cancer. Our Team name was "Going for Gail" in honor of Sarah's mother. It was a wonderful event and we had a great time visiting, walking, chatting and just spending time together while particiapting in a great cause. We raised several thousand dollars and had a great time doing it.

I want to send a special Thank You to Sarah for planning this, and to all the girls who gave up thier time to be involved, raise money and attend this event. It was also wonderful to have some of the island girls come over and join us for the day. It was so nice to have Jamie and Sam make the trip over to participate with us Vancouver girls. Also thank you to all the APB Sisters who sponsored us finacially for this event, your support was really appreciated.

Hopefully this will not be the last year we participate in this event, and hopefully our team grows in size each year.

Natalie's New Car!!!

Hi Girls,

I am so excited! I did something totally frivolous and bought myself a "toy" car!! I have been working so hard and I have had a pretty good year and I am a super-duper money saver... so this was really out there for me! I also knew that if I didn;t do it now, I would surely chicken out!!

It will be my second car, so driven mostly on weekends, with clients and during the summer. I will pick it up in 2 weeks when Corey and I fly to Texas. I bought it from a dealer in the states and we will road trip it back home to Calgary. I hope to go joyriding with you guys in the future!! Come visit me in Calgary!

Love, Nat

Susan's Bachelorette Party & Wedding Shower.

I just wanted to touch base with all of you and share a little about what has been going on in my life that is helping lead up to the big day when I get married.
As we all know the two major events that usually occur before a wedding is the Bachelorette Party and the Shower.

I had my Bachelorette Party on June 28 & 29th. I didn’t want to do the normal go out on the town drinking thing (can’t handle the hang over, and I wanted to remember the party. LOL). So I decided that I wanted to go Whitewater Rafting instead, and I am so glad we did. It was a great weekend all around. The weather was fatalistic, the guides were amazing, the rapids where crazy, and everyone who came had a great time. We went on at two day trip and slept on a little private island. We rafted the Elaho River and the Squamish River where the rapids go up to a class 5, we had a near death experience (I can tell you more when I see you), ate great food (all cooked over a campfire by men for us) and just enjoyed the beauty that BC has to offer. I could not have asked for a better Bachelorette weekend (minus being throw for the raft and landing face first in the rapids…LOL), I am so thankful to Shannon Jones (ABP Sister and bridesmaid) who went above and beyond what a Bride could expect from a friend to make this weekend fun and very memorable. I even got the change to sleep out under the star with Mel, another amazing APB sister who was just as excited about this trip as I was. I will never forget that weekend.

The wedding shower was last weekend on July 26th and once again we were lucky, the weather did cooperate so we were able to have the shower outside in my parent’s backyard. It was such a fatalistic feeling to have so many women from so many different stages in my life all in one place at one time. Family members, high school friends, travelling friends, Scott’s family and girlfriends & of course some APB Sisters were in attendance. It was great to have so many sisters join me for the day… I know all of you have busy lives and some of you even had to travel to attend the shower. But I am so glad you did, and it was very special to have you be a part of that day. I wish I could have had more time to spend with everyone individually, but the afternoon just flew by so fast. I received many wonderful gifts and lots of great cards with very sweet wishes. The support and love I felt was almost overwhelming.

The wedding is just around the corner and I still have a million things I need to get done. But I will make sure I do a post that shows some pictures from the wedding and the honeymoon when I get back for our trip. I am still not sure where we are going on the honeymoon as Scott is surprising me with the location for the trip on the day of the wedding. So who knows where we will end up!

I hope all is going great for all of you.
Lots of love ~Suzy~