Exciting Times!

It seems my week is filled with excitement! This morning at 5:30am, my sister called me from Alberta to say that she had FINALLY had her very first baby girl! I'm still not sure of the spelling, but Ashley Gray Chovan arrived with a crown of fine dark hair and grey eyes, accompanied by some long fingers and big feet... not quite sure where she'd get big feet from, but the rest fits! I was a little groggy on the phone and think her birth weight was 6lbs, 12oz and that she measured 50cm. Great news! Baby, mom and dad are doing fine. Karen had been having false labour for days and was 6cm dialated when she went to the hospital at 3:00am... three hours later she's calling family with a little bundle cuddled up in her lap! To top it off, today was actually her due date! Amazing!



I am one proud auntie! I can't wait to meet the little 'un! I can almost feel my knitting needles clicking away with something PINK!



Yay!



Last night there was a temporary tsunami warning for the West coast of Vancouver Island. My parents run a campsite very close to the edge of a verrrrrrrrry large inlet on the island, and live in Port Alberni. You can imagine my worry, and then relief, when the tsunami alert was raised and then removed!



Monday night I successfully taught my first ever 15-minutes of yoga and BOY was I nervous! There I was, telling everyone to relax and breathe while my heart was hammering away in my chest and my hands were clenching and unclenching. It's such a strange thing that I have no problem asserting myself as an engineer on a daily basis, but that something as relaxing as yoga can stress me out so much! Anyways, I started off with some relaxation breathing to get everyone to "check in"... I got a few breaths in before I realized that it's not that much different than my regular classes, except slooooooooooooowerrrrrrrrr. Instead of rambling off all the memorized instructional and safety cues, I just looked at my own hands and feet. And then when I got people into pose, I looked at their hands and feet to see what I missed. I still sound "like an aerobics instructor" but I think that will get better with time. Thankfully my class is patient and understanding, not to mention supportive!



BTW Brian, the class is from 5:15 - 6:45 and it's beginner's Hatha.



This weekend is the 1/2 Ironman and I'm still getting over the tail end of this cold. SNIFFLE, sneeze, cough... the next few days are complete rest days for me to get fueled up and stretched out. I think I've come to terms with the fact that I *might* not be able to finish the run. But that is okay, there will be other years and other races. My promise to myself is to have fun, enjoy the experience and take what I can from it.



In wedding news, the party just keeps growing! Jason and I decided to go with a bit of a Caribbean theme, in tune with our travels there with his family over the past Christmas break. KillerBee rum punches for the toast and a steel band to play the wedding march! Both the ceremony and reception are being held at his dad's beautiful house. We've also decided to cater it ourselves, with help from Melina (my future step-mom-in-law) and my mom, then servers the night of the wedding. Melina is also making our cake, which I know will look like it came from a pro! Beer & wine is decided, dress and wedding bands are bought. Lisa, my fave photographer, is secured for the evening. Even the dishes are on order. Invites are out! The only things left are to get flowers and the JP.



Pinch me, I must be dreaming!