Soon to be urban chicken farmers

It feels like we have so many things to do and just not enough time to get it all done! The weather is not helping either....

Paul and I spent some long days outside in the yard trying to get a good chunk of the outside tasks done before the rains came, and I would have to say - we did pretty damn good. Its a huge improvement from what it looked like out there before; Unfortunately, the yard had been badly neglected and had become a dumping ground over the past few years of having so many people come and go so often and leave their unwanted items behind. There were couches, chairs, lamps, tables, an old broken air compressor, 8 four foot logs, a half dozen wooden pallets and many other things stashed under the deck and around the yard. The garden had grown over almost completely, there are a few dead patches in the grass from where leaves had been piled but never picked up, the bushes have probably never been trimmed and the one tree has sent up so many saplings it is turning into a bush! The house itself is also badly in need of a paint job and the deck is sagging... Needless to say, we only managed to tackle a few of those things.. however, we started by doing a trip to the dump and got rid of most of the junk. What an improvement just doing that made!

The main garden outside of the house.
The garden has been a bit of an ongoing project but we finished digging up, put a boarder around it and even did a fair amount of planting!
In the process of reclaiming the garden from the quack grass, sod and dandelions, we extended the main garden plot to the length of the house and also made it a bit deeper. I also dug up a smaller plot against the fence to plant peas in and give us a bit more room to work with. As far as planting goes, there are several things that still need to go in- we still have some seeds sprouting in the house and we still have yet to order our other seeds from Salt Spring Island... however, I am happy with what I was able to get in and am only slightly worried that it may be a bit of time crunch to finish it off before the baby comes. At least we have lots of eager roommates that we can put to work if it does work out that way!

Our chickens are getting picked up on Friday and so Paul spent his days off working hard to get the chicken run framed in and also managed to get the majority of the coop itself done.
Paul has been putting in a lot of hours at work lately and was suppose to co-guide a a several hiking trip this week (it thankfully got cancelled) so we were really feeling pressured for time and it was really looking like we wouldn't be ready for them... but at least now that Paul has an unexpected day off we should be able to get enough done that we will actually be able to put them outside. We will still have to chip away at getting the coop insulated and figuring out windows, but at least that's something we can work on when the chickens are here!

When its all finished, the chickens will have around 50 square feet of covered in grassy area and about 60 square feet of more protected/dry area under the deck for their run. Their coop will be 6' x 4' with a nesting box coming out of one of the one 4 foot walls. This will give them more room then it is recommended that they have, but since they will be in the coop for most of the winter we thought it better to give them more space then just enough!

The nesting box being framed in.
The whole structure needs to be insulated really well so that it will (hopefully) be warm enough for them in the winter. Having the nesting box coming off the side is a bit of a concern since it may make it harder to heat with the heat lamps, however many of the designs that we have found on the internet sport nesting boxs much like this one. So, fingers crossed. A big perk to having this set up is that we will be able to hinge the roof and access the nests without having to go into or open the main roof (which will also be hinged) and collect the eggs without too much heat lost in the winter.

The run area.
I managed to get all the boards and most of the coop painted just before the rains came, but the chicken wire has yet to go up... Hopefully we will get some break in the weather otherwise we are going to have to get it done in the rain.

Paul!



36 weeks.
Fresh out of the shower and all oiled up.
It feels like Baby has been running out of room and is feeling a bit cramped. I am definitely getting pressure and kicks to the ribs now, which is odd feeling but thankfully not painful. I am happy to say that the midwives are no longer concerned about Babies' growth - after I upped the fats and sugars in my diet my measurements jumped from 29.5cm to 33cm in two weeks and then another 2 cm of growth with 3 pounds of weight gain the week after. I am exploding!
Baby is still head down, but has not dropped yet. I am getting a lot more Braxton Hicks ("practice") contractions now though, especially when I am working out. I joke that it is very likely that I could have a fitness induced labor which seems to concern Paul, however working out still feels really good and drinking lots of water seems to calm the contractions!
We bought a kiddy pool for the birth, but still have gather things like a piece to hook up the garden hose to the kitchen sink in order to actually fill the pool up (anyone know of something that might work for this and where to buy it?). Time seems to be going fast and I am now that I am full term, I feel like could pop at any time (not that I want to though, I actually love being pregnant!). We will have to put in a good effort this weekend to try to get the last of the things that we need in preparation for the big day...

Its been a while...

I know, I know - we haven't written in age, but I swear we are going to jump back on the blog wagon and keep everyone up to date as we enter the last few weeks of pregnancy!

To get you all filled in on what the heck we have been up to the last month or so wont take very long - we have mostly been plugging away at our jobs, and playing when ever we can.

Paul is gearing up at work to jump into the outdoor programs for the summer and has been trying to figure out the details and feasibility (what the-powers-that be will let them get away with and what the kids will be willing/able to do) of different trip plan ideas. Right now, he is even planning a trip for the other youth workers that would simulate the same feeling of challenge that the kids experience when in the outdoors - from some of the ideas we have been bouncing off each other it sounds like it will prove to be a interesting trip to lead and has the potential to really push the abilities and comfort levels of the staff. The idea is that if the staff are faced with the same degree of challenge as Paul will be providing for the youth that it will develop a level of compassion and understanding for how difficult these sort of experiences can be. I think its a great idea. I am a little envious that I wont be able to go on the trip though; whatever they end up doing- I am sure it will be fun!

Other then the trip planning Paul is still doing the 2 till midnight shift and is continually learning the in's and out's of youth work by just getting in there and doing it. Lately he has been out on the Bow River for hours at a time fishing with a few of the youth who are really into it. Its so good that they have the resources and are able to encourage those positive interests that the kids may have! Hopefully Paul will also be able to plant the seed of passion for the outdoors in the trips that they do.

As far as work goes for me, I am still doing the climbing wall thing - teaching and monitoring, and plan to keep at it until at least the end of May. With the warmer weather starting to be more consistent it is awfully tempting to use the baby as an excuse to say screw it to work and just play outdoors for the next few months. However, its nice to have a shift now and again! I am super lucky that when I do work its usually for only a few hours at a time and despite being very involved isn't terribly taxing. Its perfect - work a few hours here, a few there and it pays good enough that its all worth while.

When we're not working we still seem to keep busy doing this or that. We have grand plans of putting in a garden this summer and growing as much of our own produce as we can. The house that we are renting has a great south facing yard with a lot of space for us to potentially use. We are also playing with the idea of getting 3 or so chickens and building them a coop in the yard. Paul and I have both been eating eggs lately and it would be good to know where they came from and that the chickens are being treated humanely. The only problem - as of right now it is not technically legal to keep chickens in the city... however, the UN states that everyone should have free access of growing/raising/acquiring a reliable food source, so any charges that have been pressed against people keeping chickens in Calgary have all been dropped. I think the biggest consideration will really be bribing the neighbors sufficiently with eggs to ensure the bylaw officers are not called in the first place. We'll see how it goes!

I am now in my 34th week of pregnancy, still feeling great, saying active and getting bigger and bigger by the day. I am not having any issues with any of the common complaints of pregnancy, but am definitely starting to feel my hips and pelvis loosen and open up. It's a strange sensation and does mean that I have been taking it easier and am really starting to "feel pregnant". Saying that, Paul and I are going to yoga classes usually about twice a week, I am still swimming, climbing, biking, walking lots and will be starting up in some fitness classes next week! I get lots of rest between activities and am very conscious of how my body is feeling when ever I am doing something physical.

Baby still is feeling strong and wiggley. The midwives tell me Baby has been in a good head down postion for the last month or so, but want me to go in and have a ultrasound to make sure baby is growing well as my uterus mesurements have been a bit on the small side. I am still gaining weight at a steady rate and have started to expand outwards at a suprising pace, so I am really not concerned. All women carry differently and the Midwives say there really isnt anything other then add more protein and water to my diet anyways. I have been doing a lot of protein counts and I am usually getting around 65-75g a day, which isnt far off the 70-80g that are recommened. What I think may actually be more of a consideration for me is my fat and sugar in take; The one thing that I have personally found it hardests to really get enough of in a vegan or veggy diet is not the protein, but the fats! And, since I have been on a sugar restricted diet (I am not even suppose to have most fruits!) for the past few months, the baby may not getting the steady flow of lipid-building foods (fats and sugars). My weight gain suggests that baby is still growing though (it certainly doesnt seems to be going anywhere else thus far). I am gaining about 1 pound a week and am now up to 165lbs and am just now starting to not fit the last of the shirts that I had pre-pregnancy! I do not HAVE to go in for the ultrasound, and I am still trying to decided if I should or not - if there is really not much that we can do anyways (other then increase protien/fats/sugars (?), which I have done already) and its just to see whats up.... then is there really a point? I dont know...

32 weeks!

More recent Baby bump photos to come - I swear we have been taking them!

More updates to come soon (I promise!)

Shy

29 weeks

It was a rough week for me... Got food poisoning and then immediately afterwards got a kidney and bladder infection from E. Coli (probably because of the food poisoning). So needless to say it hasn't been a very fun week. The midwives checked baby out when I went in and at least baby is still doing great!

I am really starting to pop now! I have an outey belly button and am starting to grow out of the remaining cloths that I have... No major complaints other then my ribs get really cramped and achey pretty constantly. Otherwise feeling great!

Week 27

27 weeks and still feeling great!!
I have started to get cramps in my ribs though... It seems to be the worst when I sit for long periods of time and can become very uncomfortable, but doing yoga regularly and massaging the muscles between my ribs seems to help a lot!

Quick Update!

Its good to be home!

Both Paul and I are keeping busy between our jobs, friends, family and every days lives. It's been quite the change of pace since we arrived back in Calgary just over 2 weeks ago! Paul's work schedule runs 1pm till 11pm Wed-Sat, and mine is mostly random shifts in the mornings and afternoons... which means its been pretty challenging to get time together in. However, Paul is enjoying his new job and it feels good for me to be back at the Climbing Centre so we are making it work!

Being back in the house that we are living in is great! The place has such a great vibe; lots of original artwork covering the walls, a jungle of plant life (all still in pretty good shape), the most wonderful morning light exposure and a comfortable sense of space. There are four of us living there now, and I was a little worried that it may be a bit of a over stimulation compared to the island life... however all our roommates seem to be pretty busy with school and work themselves and we hardly see them at all! There are times where there are lots of people around, but the vast majority of the time I have the house to myself, so its been a pretty mellow transition all in all.


Baby incubating is still going really well - feeling great, baby is getting more and more active and its pretty fun having everyone rub and oo over my Buddha belly. I am still staying active by doing lots of walking (when the weather permits- I do miss the mild island temperatures), swimming, hitting the gym and even doing some bouldering. Swimming really feels amazing and I am notably more bouyant - I get a good giggle out of how my ass now sticks out of the water when I am doing kicking drills. Baby feels strong and healthy; active for extended periods of time throughout the day and night, Baby can make my whole belly visually roll and jumps with its movements. I feel like I am having a really smooth pregnancy with no cravings, only mild fatigue (I definately like to nap after being physically active), and just a little achyness in my one leg when I stand for long period of time (not a new development). My hunger is still unsatisfyable some days, but my weight gain had been modest - only 3 pounds in the past month bringing me up to 23 pounds so far. I still feel pretty small compared to some other ladies, although I certainly look noticiably pregnant now.

This is week 26 - only 2 and a half months to go!

One more morning of work and we'll be on the way home!

As of February 23 Ashley will be 24 weeks (six months) pregnant, so tomorrow

is the first day of the third trimester.

Also in new and exiting news; Ashley's nipples have recently started to leak

colostrum.

Today was a beautiful sunny day, so we decided to go for one last ski before leaving tomorrow.

The sun was shining and there were few clouds, but there was a strong cold wind. We decided to go cross country skiing at the nordic center where we would be a little more sheltered from the wind.

As you can see looking good and keeping up with the latest style is of the upmost importance

while cross country skiing.

A few days ago I brought my camera to work so I could get a few early morning shots.

This photo is actually from months ago while we were still in Calgary. I happened to see it while putting up the other photos and though it sort of foreshadowed our trip home; hours spent sitting in the truck and Ashley inevitably falling asleep.

Calgary Bound

Its has not been a long time since we wrote last, but a lot has happened in the last 10days...

The biggest news (that may be new to some of you) is that Paul was offered an amazing job in Calgary working with Enviros Wilderness School Association as a Residential Youth Worker. It's dream job that will having him planning, organizing and taking youth at risk on weekly trips into the mountains! He starts March 1st, so that means that we are leaving the Island and making the journey back to the other side of the Rocky Mountains. We are currently keeping busying getting everything ready to go, finishing up our jobs here and are very excited to be coming home after over 9 months of living, traveling and working in BC. It is sounding like we will be able to start the trek this coming Wednesday (the 23rd) and most likely be back in Calgary for Friday or Saturday!

Its going to be sad to leave the Island, but there is a strong feeling that this is the right time and the right thing for us to be doing. I thought that I may feel sad or disappointed to put so many months of adventuring, beautiful places, and living life on a whim behind us and go back to a more settled in life in the city, however it couldn't be any different. I (and Paul as well) am (are) very excited to start this new chapter and take on a different kind of adventure. It's going to be really amazing to see all of our friends and family again, be back in our house, and be able to enjoy the many wonders of the Rockies again - we have missed all of these things greatly. I think I am going to miss the quiet times where I can do yoga, mediate and focus inwards to myself and the Baby, but really hope to keep up these practices when back at home. I think that it just may be as much as an adjustment coming back to people, distractions and the Calgary buzz as it was when I came out here to the solitude and calm!

In the process of getting ready to come home we have to say goodbye to a really amazing Midwife, who has been an amazing support for the past few months. It is really to bad that she will not be there for the rest of the process! Hopefully I will be able to create just as good of a relationship with the Midwives back in Calgary! The timing is all going to work out perfectly so that I will see the Calgary Midwives one month and day since seeing Jen, and then I start the Centering Pregnancy Program (and information and support group with women at the same gestational stage as me) on the 17th of March. It pretty much couldn't have worked out any smoother.

One thing that isnt going smoothing in the whole coming back process is dealing with Alberta Health Care.... While we were in the city late this fall, I contacted Alberta Health Care to make sure that out of province Midwifery would be covered; Midwife care is stated on their web site as being "fully covered" and I was told over the phone that it would not be an issue, a note was placed on my account stating that I would be out of the province and was assured that with this note the charge would have no problem going through. Unfortunately, I am now getting a totally different story; the note is still on my account but they are adamant that no one would of ever told me that out of province care would be covered, since it is not. Which is crazy, every other "fully covered" cost (hospital visits...) are covered out of province and there is no indication anywhere that is it not. Anyways, it means that I have spent the last few days wasting hours of time being transferred between departments and playing phone tag with Patient Concerns Officers (who don't seems very concerned about their patients) trying to get answers and hopefully convince them that they should cover the cost since that was what I was told originally... I have a feeling its going to take a while to actually make any progress (if any is possible at all), so we'll have to cover the cost for now and hope for the best!

23 weeks.
Toes are gone, my (L) Wal-Mart pants are getting tight, and I have gained 20 pounds.
I am able to feel Baby moving much more now and have started to keep track of when I feel the quickening to try to get an idea of Baby active times. So far the only time that baby is really consistent with is 8am - I have been waking up to Baby wiggling kicking pretty much every day for the last few weeks!