Whoosh

Wow the saying "time flies" has never been more true for me. Despite what in some ways feels like neverending day/night blur, I can't get over how quickly the days pass! It has been 4 months since we had Ryder and sitting down with 2 hands to type a quick blog post is a luxury! 

In the past 4 months we have all began adapting to our new lives. Harley has gone from being depressed to really enjoying his 3 days a week at doggy day care. He also gets out with Ryder and I (and sometimes D) for walks. I am amazed at how well behaved he is when he walks with the stroller.

Darin has been working extremely hard to balance his work life, training for an Ironman, completing a continuing education course and of course being a fantastic hands on daddy to Ryder. I am the first to admit that him training for an Ironman this year may have been a mistake, but with only a week until the big race I am happy that he has been able to train hard and get into incredible shape for what will probably be his last long course race for the foreseeable future. I am so proud of his hard work and dedication. I am also really looking forward to having him home more so we can enjoy family time this summer.

Ryder is growing like a champ. The last time we weighed him a couple of weeks ago he was 15.5lbs. He wears 6-9month clothing and is growing out of his size one cloth diapers. I feel like every day I wake up and he has grown more! I am happy that he is such a healthy and happy boy (most of the time). He doesn't sleep through the night, but he does sleep better than he did. And he still has long naps most days which I really appreciate as that is my time to take care of myself and get things done around the house. He has no interest in toys or anything artificial that goes in his mouth- no soother, chew toys etc. And he's never had a bottle. The kid likes flesh best haha. He is really starting to be fun and funny. He has the best laugh, right from his toes. And he loves my goofiness :)
He is a super active boy already and loves bopping around in the jolly jumper.

As for me, I kind of feel like I've been a mom all my life. Or that this life only started when he was born...in any case I love being his mom. Nothing I have done in the past has held this kind of importance, nothing has been as satisfying, or as challenging.
I have been working out sporatically, but nothing I would call 'training'. I usually only have 30-45mins for a workout so I like to go hard and make it count. I stick to strength training and running on the treadmill primarily, although once D is done Ironman I'll be able to get out more and maybe dust off the bike and get back in the pool!
While it is true that pregnancy changes the body, I am pretty happy with how mine is bouncing back. I am not a spring chicken after all! Things are still shifting and I have more in some places and less in others than before, but I think all things considered I'm in pretty good shape for 4 months post baby.

Our holidays start next week and I can't wait to get out of this rain and head south to the heat! My pale white skin could really use some sun!!

Here we are!

Well, it has been exactly one month since little man made his entrance into the world. I haven't had the time to sit and post a blog, but here are some pictures of the day. It was as far from a 'natural' childbirth experience as it could have been unfortunately. I really wanted to do this the old fashioned way, but my

cervix wouldn't cooperate. In the end I am grateful for modern medicine that got our baby out healthy and safe. 

Ryder Darin Hunter, 7lbs 8oz of perfection! 

  Our family is complete! 

After begging to be released from recovery, I finally get time with my son

Recovery from a c-section is no joke, and add to that the 40ish hours of labor that preceeded it and you have one tired mamma. The first week and a half post partum was really really tough. Thankfully my mom was with us and she really helped.

Leaving the hospital

Daddy is in love

One week old! 

One month later and things are definitely better. We do have a baby that is quite vocal and demanding though. And he is only really happy when he is on his mamma. I spend almost 24hrs a day with him either on my boob or on my chest- thank god for the carriers! We have also slept together since night one, and while I never thought I would do it, with limited mobility after the surgery it was just easier.
And now we both sleep better and longer together. He will nap occasionally during the day in his crib which is great and I'm sure as he gets older that will improve.

We sleep like this every night

Cuddle Time with Daddy

Who knew I'd be a baby wearing, cloth diapering, co-sleeping mom? not me. The cloth diapers are a god send by the way. Disposables cause a nasty rash on his butt and tended to leak 3 out of 5 times. Since we switched his little bum is perfect again and we rarely have pee throughs.

I'd get nothing done without this wrap!

He loves it

I won't even get into post partum exercise for another 4 weeks, I don't plan to rush it as I really want my body to be 100% before I start. I will be starting from ground zero, that is for certain. I have almost no muscle left on my body!

In the end it is all worth it. I have never been happier or more fulfilled in my life. I can no longer imagine life without this little guy!

Getting more alert now

So peaceful and perfect

One month old today! 

Waiting

Well I sit here 38.5 weeks pregnant, just waiting for our boy to decide it is time to face the outside world. I am not great at waiting...in fact I pretty much suck at it. After nearly a year of being pregnant this last stretch seems to be dragging on FOREVER! It's like the last 5k of a marathon. You've come so far that the last stretch shouldn't be that big of a deal but the fatigue is deep and you wonder if you are going to make it to the finish line...

Of course I WILL get to the finish line of this pregnancy...and once I am there I will have what I am anticipating is the biggest physical and mental challenge of my life... labor and delivery. Strange as it sounds I am excited for that. It has been so long since I was able to train or race that I am actually craving the pain and suffering that is to come. I'm sure I'll eat my words once it starts...but for now I am just looking forward to the 'event'.

I'm also looking forward to all the things people are telling me to enjoy the absence of right now. The constant needs of a newborn, the night time feedings, the crying and lack of time for myself. I have waited a long time to become a mom and none of those things are unappealing to me. Again, I'm sure at some point I'll eat these words ;) As far as parenthood goes, we might speculate on what we think it will be like, but we really don't have a clue. All I know is we are a great team and will be able to handle the challenges as they come.

D has been the best husband through this pregnancy and I can't wait to see him as a dad. He has been so loving and nurturing to me through this all and I know he is going to be an amazing father. I can't put into words how much it means to have him tell me everyday how I'm doing a great job growing this baby, that I'm the most beautiful pregnant woman he's ever seen, and that he is proud of me.

At this point, beautiful isn't how I would describe myself. I go from pyjamas to sweats and one of a handful of oversized shirts that barely fit. I am swollen and the bags under my eyes grow deeper every week. Uninterrupted sleep is a thing of the past- and I guess the point is to get used to it! The night before last I got up a record 8 times to pee. And despite that I would rank it as a 'good' night's sleep since I didn't have to get up to eat or pace the floors for hours unable to get back to sleep.

Speaking of night eating, in almost 10 years of endurance sport training I never once had to get up in the middle of the night to quell a growling stomach. Yet through this pregnancy it has become a regular mealtime for me- ranging from 2am-4am. This is how I know I have D's son in my belly- his appetite is like his dad's already!

At our 36week growth scan we were told he is perfect and measures right on target for dates. At the time he was 6.2lbs which had him sitting at the 43 percentile. Now, 2 weeks later, he likely weighs around 7.5 pounds... another reason I am anxious to get this party started. I'm afraid of the possibility of another 2 pounds of growth!

They say lots of walking can trigger labor but I don't think it applies when you've been doing it through pregnancy. I've managed to exercise nearly every day- the last trimester only walking and swimming- so my body is actually dependant on it, rather than shocked by it. I did 5km on the treadmill and only managed two braxton hicks contractions... not impressive.

In any case, I can't force nature so I will continue to do a crappy job of waiting. At least I know what I am waiting for is worth every minute :)

Photo by Suzanne Sagmeister Photography

Nesting

I've been nesting for a while. It helps that I essentially shut down my business at the end of August and as of the beginning of Dec have been effectively unemployed.
The nursery has been a lot of fun for us. We wanted a theme that reflected our loves. Bikes, nature etc. I am not a fan of cartoony disney stuff so you won't find it here. We hope our boy loves it as much as we do!

 The teddy was given to me the day I was born :)

 Art that I made for the nursery

 The kid has LOTS of clothes. Thanks to generous friend and a big score on kijiji, he has enough to wear something new everyday of the first three months!

 The print is of Medicine Lake in Jasper. One of our favorite places.

 The moose on the shelf was a Christmas gift from Grampa.

Big Mamma Jamma

Well, I'm long over due for an update here. Thanks to Cherelli for the nudge :) Here is a shot from 33.5 weeks. I am officially 34 weeks tomorrow. The pic was taken at 7am pre swim, so excuse my bed head and sleep face. Truthfully, I don't look much different at any given time these days. Tired is my middle name! 

 And this is pic of our beautiful boy, at our 4D ultrasound we had in Arizona. He was 27 weeks then, and measured at 31 weeks. His weight was estimated at 3.1lbs at the time so I'm sure he is over 5lbs by now.

I have reached the "ready to be done with being pregnant" stage and am so excited to meet our son!
The nursery is complete, perhaps I'll make a post with some pics of that.

Growing Stuff

This summer has certainly been a unique one. It is the first time in at least 10 years that I wasn't training for a major event- a marathon....Ironman....the Death Race.

Instead, this year I have been laying low. Growing stuff. Like these beautiful tomatoes

This belly (13 weeks)

 

And this amazing little person :) 

 

February 2013 will see an addition to Team Hunter. We couldn't be more excited to start this new adventure :)

Green Smoothie Video

Green Smoothie Woman from Amber Hunter on Vimeo.


The videography is terrible and I call a cucumber a carrot. Don't hold it against me :)

Great Tips for Green Smoothies

I just watched this video- it would have been good to see when I started vitamixing! I have figured all of this out through trial and error, but if you are just starting to make green smoothies, watch this first!

From Green Smoothies Blog http://greensmoothiesblog.com/

Are You Still Here?

Yes I resigned the blog. I started a new one. But it just wasn't working out. I mean, this blog and I have been together almost 4 years! We have history. So we made up and got back together.
I'm not sure I'm going to be much more faithful than I was before the break up. My blogging mojo seems to have died, and since I am taking a year off training and racing what is there to blog about anyway?
Oh yeah...VITAMIXING!!!!
Yes, my passion for sport has been traded for a passion for blending and drinking my fruit and veg.
It is a beautiful thing.

Since getting our Vitamix the first week of January we have both been drinking 2 (Darin) to 4 (me) large cups of super foods a day. I am getting a handle on the art of blending greens with fruit to make the perfect blend. I am learning an amazing amount about what my body wants and needs and I can honestly say I have never been this consistent at getting my 10 servings of fruit and veg a day. We load up our fridge with produce and 3 days later we are re-loading. It is fantastic.

The Vitamix is different from a juicer, instead of separating the juice from the pulp, a Vitamix blends the entire fruit or veg to a perfect consistency so that it is easily absorbed by the body, and you get all the beneficial fiber! Additionaly, the vitamix is a powerful blender that allows you to blend in a short time so you are not heating and destroying the valuable enzymes in the food.

It is also a thing of art :) Check out our Saturday night special:
Variety of greens- spinach, broccoli, kale, grapefruit, oranges, blueberries, apples plus one can of organic coconut milk. And then of course the cherries on top :) and some mint. It was deelish.

Returning to my Roots

It has been a year of change. Lots of change. Not all of it good, but necessary. Cumulatively, it has taken its toll. I am ready for a new year. A fresh start. I decided that I was ready for a change in my look, to go along with the new year. This hair makes me feel tougher, more rebellious somehow. I can use the added moxie.
This month Skyloft celebrates its 1 year anniversary. As I enter the 2nd year of business I have a completely different mindset than last year at this time. I have one less partner, a bigger debt load (thanks to buying out a bunk partner), and a bucket full of lessons learned. I would be lying if I said my confidence was at an all time high, but I am used to being challenged. I am gearing up to go another round, this time a bit jaded perhaps, but a lot wiser and thicker skinned.
This blog is being resigned, and I have launched a new one. http://amberdawnhunterblog.blogspot.com/
If anyone wants to be included on the reader list, post a comment.
Onwards and upwards....

For my Poppa

I visited my gram and poppa at Easter. It was family tradition to travel to see them every Easter as a kid. Just like every year of my life growing up, my gram had home made cookies in the cookie jar, and I slept in "Ambie's room" with the doey eyed mexican kids painted on the wall. But this year some things were different. This year my poppa is no longer at home. And this year he didn't know who I was.
Aging happens. But it hurt my heart to see him looking so old and frail in the hospital bed. To hear him ask to go home and know he will never see home again. To see the strain it has caused on my gram's health. The sparkle I did see in his eye came after I referred to him as "stinky" and myself as "ugly" the names we have called each other for as long as I can remember. When I left I knew it would be the last time I hugged him.
While I was there I went for a run. As I was coming down my gram and poppa's street this song came on my ipod. I thought of my poppa. And the thought crossed my mind that one day this would no longer be my gram and poppa's street. One day there will be no one there to visit at Easter. Tears streamed down my face as I ran towards the house and I was painfully aware of how short life is, how fleeting our youth, and our health can be. That one day we will all be old and on our final stretch of life. It made me realize I want a big basket full of memories. I want to die with a body that is well used and a mind that has stretched every day.
Good bye Poppa. Here's hoping they have Lucky Lager in heaven.


Dan Mangan "Basket" (live) from Tyler Stalman on Vimeo.

We are young
We have years ahead maybe
We might fall in love
Fall apart
Fall apart
Before it ends
Well we should try to start

So I'll go but I'm telling you I don't wanna go
Could be stuck here and happy

So there's a puzzle I work on endlessly
And I've got the sides and all the corners
But there's a space
Yeah there's a space
Lost some pieces I can't replace

So I'll be but I'm telling you I don't wanna be
Just a wasted puzzle piece

We are old
And our son took the dog away
And fair enough, guess we're tired all the time
All the time
And you know dogs they need ample time outside

So I'll stay but I'm telling you I don't, I don't wanna stay
So I'll brace myself against the wall and hope to God that I don't fall
My bones are worn, my hip won't hold
I used to be so young, how did I get so old?
Won't you take my cane and hold my hand
You're holding onto all I have
Just a basket full of memories
And I am losing more each day it seems
But if I can make it to the street
I'll steal a car or a bike whatever there is to steal
And it might get cold I just don't care
I'm going 'til I'm getting there
I'll ride my steed all through this town
'Til I have looked and I have found
Your peaceful memory
Won't you return to me?
Won't you return to me?

Are You Ready?

I keep getting asked this question. And my answer is.... I don't know! I am as ready as I can be, but I have to admit, I am entering into a whole bunch of unknowns!
- Racing a half in March
- Riding a new bike
- Doing 100% of the training indoors
- Racing on a tropical island
- First triathlon after a year + off...

But there are also some things that I do know
- I've done the training
- I've done everything I can to prepare for the heat
- I have never been this fit in March
- I am feeling better in the pool than I have...pretty much ever
- I love my new bike and I can't wait to see how fast I can ride it!
- I am excited to get out of winter
- I am soooo looking forward to a holiday with my love! We both need it. 

I tried to order the gold bikini, Keith, but they were back ordered until April. Who know it was such a popular choice? I did get a couple of new bikinis at Ernie's and am looking forward to rocking those ones. Thanks to all the indoor training and sweating (and giving up wine!) my abs have returned from hibernation! :)

Sweat

There has been a lot of sweat around the Hunter house lately. Training for a race in a place where the temperature is 26-27 degrees everyday with 85% humidity making it feel like 35-36 degrees when you live in a place where it is -30 means you get creative.
We train with extra clothes, no fan and the heat cranked. We sweat like fools and drink as much as we can. Last Sunday I went through 6 bottles and only peed once. We sit in the sauna after our swims and today we discussed doing bootcamp exercises in there.
I fully expect to get slaughtered by the heat. My plan is to survive the swim (no wetsuits allowed) ride as hard as I can, and then survive the run. I really don't care, it is an excuse for a holiday and I am fully looking forward to every bit of it! I have another goal...to rock this bikini...

Training is going surprisingly well. I am surprised because I had an entire year off tri training and I expected it to take longer to feel like I've got my groove back. I finally hit 3k on my swim today, that has been the toughest discipline to get back. I feel amazing on the bike and running is coming. I was able to sneak in 24hrs in Jasper last week when D traveled there for work and Hdog and I enjoyed a 2 hr run in the trails. I have been doing all my running on the treadmill and the deep, narrow and uneven trails were a real workout! I was feeling it for a couple of days. But I loved every second.

I am more excited about triathlon than I have been in years. Maybe since my first one. I have this entirely new motivation and a goal that is pushing me to take it to another level. I know it is early in the season though, and I just hope this lasts. :)

Some shots from our 3 hr ride last Sunday...It was a true sufferfest. I rode hard for the entire 3 hrs and by the end I could barely make it up the stairs. I love it.