Captain's Log

Here's a photo reel of the last three weeks, mostly centered around visiting friends and the Cajun Queen. We went camping with Sitka friends and it was our first overnight onboard! Then, G & J came down from Anchorage and brought back home a filleted king salmon! Lastly, the Viators spent the holiday weekend with us, all the way from New York! They have the honor of catching the Queen's first halibut. I think the boat loves all the company and use. I know we do.

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Campsite on Strawberry Beach

Ladder Ball!

These tracks were discovered and made entirely by eagles. 

An eagle dance party.

Their talons are BIG!

First use of our dingy...heading out to grab the hot dog sticks on the boat.

Lone eagle Sunday morning. 2 mature and 1 juvenile eagle gave us their company for the camping trip.

I think they had the eagle beach party before we humans showed up.

Brushing teeth after a great night's sleep onboard. 

Check out that calm ocean water!

Totem Park with G & J

Yellow-eye rockfish in protected waters! Andy was stoked.

The Viators on water after a year in the desert overseas.

Welcome back to Alaska!

What a great June and start to July!

Youthful Transitions

As some people in my life know, and had to listen to, my job has been up in the air for some time pending an application to continue funding. Well, with 9 days notice I learned the program, and my position, would not receive continued funding. Of course, the agency and myself are extremely saddened by this change. In terms of my employment, discussions have taken place for an option to continue. So starting Friday I will no longer be a Youth Program Coordinator...but rather a title that we have not settled on yet! I have accepted working on our new contract with the State focusing on tobacco policies in all of Alaska's school districts (50-some of them!), and recruit a statewide youth coalition to also work on these efforts, and finally, organize the youth portion of an annual tobacco summit that will actually happen in NOME next year! Work trip to Nome--can't beat that perk.

I'll remain employed full-time on this contract, as well as a couple of other projects, until my eventual maternity leave in December. Once I'll return to work I'll drop down to 26 hours a week for the next 1.5 years on that tobacco contract. So a reduction is ahead but we hope it will pair nicely with having a baby in our lives!

In honor of the Youth Action Program, which sunsets Thursday, I want to share some fun pictures from the Youth Track I organized for our annual conference in Dillingham last month. We had 50 youth participate at some point or another during the week. I was so pleased and excited by how the conference turned out, and by the most awesome teens participating...some that I've gotten to know over the last 2.5 years and others I just met that week and who I now consider friends. Guess who I'm recruiting for the new youth tobacco coalition?!

Imagine my group shaking their hands and whispering,

"AWESOME!" because that's what they were doing. :)

Here's a video of an Eskimo dance performance by many of the youth. The entire song and dance was created with them that afternoon and they practiced it tons to get performance-ready. I love when one of our conference stakeholders, who worked with them on the dance, yells "use your spirit!" What strength and positivity among these kids from all around our state.

Finally, if you're bored online and interested to read an article I wrote about the youth in the program, you can go here and see the latest RurAL CAP newsletter (click on Summer 2011 and see page 4-5).

All in all, it's been a stressful and unknown period of time as we waited to learn "my fate." Now that the wait is over, I'm going with the changes and hoping its all for the best. I am kind of excited. Thanks for all the listening and support I've been given throughout!

*Amy

First Trimester Recap

Today I am 16w3d along (I'm picking up on prego jargon--that means 16 weeks/3 days, or simply 4 months). Considering all I've read and all that can happen I can say that this pregnancy, so far, has been treating me very well.

(knock on wood) I have not had any morning sickness, but just some general nausea early on. I was always able to eat, even if that meant forcing toast first thing in the morning. I think those weird stomach feelings helped kick off caffeine early because coffee didn't even remotely interest. Now I'll have a cup of decaf here or there. Then, after the uncomfortable appetite I treaded thru in the mornings I jumped into LOVING breakfast! Huge breakfasts (for me) I'd get a cookin' while working in my office. Now I'm back to a more balanced load, but gosh, hash browns sound good anytime.

As for fatigue, I had a healthy dose of that especially around weeks 7-9. As soon as my play ended in mid-April I was couch or bedridden. All my energy was gone and Andy took care of me with fixing meals and helping out. After that time period I only needed naps once in awhile, but those nap needs came on sudden and intense, and I could sleep hard and be instantly refreshed after 20 minutes.

I'm fortunate that I began feeling back to my normal self by week 10 and 11 because I needed to travel for work, and especially work hard during the week of our conference in Dillingham. I felt like a champ during those long days. Thank you, baby, for helping me out!

I've had other normal, random afflictions like increased acne, an occasional headache (rare for me), the dreaded constipation, etc. Right now I'd say the hard thing for me is staying asleep and comfortable all night long. Last night I was wide awake for two hours. I know it's said that insomnia helps prepare for interrupted sleep later on, but then I need a nap later to make up for it, and I'd just rather soak up the sleep I can now. I'm training my body and slightly bigger belly to sleep on the better-for-baby left side, so that's part of the nighttime adjustments. One of these days I'll break down and crack out my boppy body pillow birthday gift!

I have a chiropractic consult tomorrow which will clear the way to have insurance cover prenatal massages! My first massage is already scheduled on July 11th and I'm so excited to soak up this perk.

Andy and I are also trying out talking aloud to baby as I know the ear bones are developing and he/she will begin hearing us better. It definitely takes a conscious effort to do that.

No cravings to date aside from eating certain foods a few days in a row awhile ago. One week I ate 3 lunches in a row from Subway because their warm subs sounded so good. Another week I went to the local coffeehouse 3 days in a row for a specific bagel with cream cheese combo. Hash browns still rule. Other than that, I'm acting normal. I think, anyway...maybe Andy has something different to offer!

Again, thanks to baby for being gentle and easy-going on me---so far!

*Amy

Raising A Pole

More than a month ago the Sitka community participated in or witnessed a totem pole raising. It was quite special, traditional, but not entirely rare. We are living on Tlingit land. The Native culture is ancestral to here and has existed with nature, bloodshed, warfare, persistence, spirit, and much more. Totem Park is one of the most frequented places in town for casual walkers, tourists, eagles and ravens, a connection to the past....it is located in the Sitka National Historical Park, which turned 100 years old this past year. The culmination of the centennial was the raising of a dedicated totem pole carved for the occasion. Normally, the personable and talented carver Tommy Joseph gets many months for his commissions; I believe he employed a crew of volunteers to crank this pole out in several weeks.

The raising was to take place the weekend of the possible government shutdown and therefore postponed. The rescheduled date in May provided warm sunshine and ideal conditions for gathering the community over a special, exciting and revered occurrence.

Due to other plans we could only go to the ceremony rather than the actual raising. There was great energy tinged with celebrations waiting to burst once the pole was raised into its place. A video of the raising is here.

I think of them as "youth" and "elder" poles situated by one another. :)

See the ropes attached? Imagine the many people who grasped those ropes and pulled, heaved, and staggered along to heft the weight of not only this cedar, but the weight of a storytelling and identity-sharing tradition. They worked together and pulled this pole into its impressive posture, balancing how it will sit and look out across the waters and historical forest forever more.

Mother Earth rests before the raising excitement.

As I said, it was a gloriously sunny day for ceremonies.

Presenting regalia for recognition.

Lifted and standing tall. Enjoyed and celebrated.

When you visit us in Sitka we will take you through the Park to view and enjoy these totem pole treasures. They are long-standing members of the community and probably welcome the company and appreciation.

*Amy

A Lemon, A Birthday and A Friend-ly Visit

Normally when you say "you've got a lemon" that's not very positive. My parents used to say when I was growing up that our station wagon was a lemon. It went to the car shop/garage a lot. But, for this week only having a lemon is pretty cool! That's the comparison size for the first baby Andy and I are expecting by 12/10/11! Yes, there's no going back--we are preparing (or, we will at some point!) for becoming parents just as our future baby is learning to make facial expressions this week---as the size of a lemon.

14.5 weeks along

We found out the life-changing and wonderful news on April's Fools day (about 5 weeks at that point) and kept the change to ourselves until a 10-week appt. when I got to see our little fishy. I'll share perspective soon about "how it's been" so far adjusting to pregnancy. Blog archives with excellent documentation and stories shared by my friends, Sara and Kati, more than a year ago have been really enjoyable for me to review and reference. (you're the experts ladies!)

So it was a special 31st birthday for me this Monday when both Andy & I went to the doctor for the 14-week appointment and heard baby's heartbeat! I nearly missed the moment as it took awhile for him to find it. I had to ask when it was found, at which time Andy and Doctor both said YES. Then I started listening really hard just before it disappeared. I'm such a novice. It won't be the last time for sure as one our friends in Sitka is locating her personal Doppler for us to borrow! The heartbeat was at.....140 beats. Which, according to insights shared to us by other parents in Sitka, and the old wives' tale that held true for my friend, Sara, it could be a boy. We'll find out next month and let you know!

As my co-worker said, it was a special birthday to spend with our entire family "to-be." :) We have been really blown away by the kindnesses and excitement shared by friends and family. Well wishes, lovely messages, thoughtful cards and even generous gifts for our news has really made this journey more real and special. Thank you!

I had a great weekend prior to my birthday with the visit of Liz. We both used to live in Nome and she just moved from there to Cordova. And guess what? She's pregnant too! Baby Guthier is due 1/2/12. So we indulged in comparing notes, discussing what to eat, how we feel and all that fun stuff since we're just 3 weeks apart.

We took those babies-to-be on board and cruised around with the Cajun Queen.

Blue-green water reflected in sunshine

Grilling Dinner Grub

Liz and I went to the Alaska Rapter Center, less than a mile from our house. It was amazing; I had never been to an animal rehabilitation center before. The presence and size of the eagles astounded us and pictures don't do justice.

Eagle and a football. Seems pretty American.

I call this one FedEx speedy!

What an eagle eye you have

Thank you for visiting us, Liz! I'll send you pictures soon.

Next up for baby? Joining the ranks of "navel orange" on Saturday. ha!

*Amy, plus lemon

What's Up and Up Coming

So behind on so much we want to share with you!

Will still share a very belated recap from April's play Rumors!

How we love to recycle in a cool RRR-rated town.

A historic totem pole raising in Sitka

What's happening 'round the neighborhood.

Other assorted bits from our lives.

For now, Amy has been in Anchorage with its sunshine. On her way to Dillingham for the annual work conference in which youth from her program are brought in to attend. She'll be without cell phone service and possibly Internet for this entire next week.

Andy's hanging with the guys and learning more about the boat. That's some good productivity as the freezer fills with king salmon fillets.

Together, they shared one Skype call to connect for the 9.5 days apart. Time and again they're grateful for technology.

Hope you're having an enjoyable long weekend. Thank you to those who sacrifice for our freedoms.

Sitka Sound Cribs

Here's a video tour of the Cajun Queen's crib during her "baptism" with the Gorns weeks ago:

Since this first trip she's helped in the take of king salmon and some general touring of the "marine highway" around our Island.

On the way to the harbor

Layered up for the first windy trip out on the water

The weather was much warmer on another trip.

Our home is on the hillside just behind this visiting cruise ship.

Not only enjoying a day in a quiet bay,

but thinking ahead to summer camping trips