Life with my farmer.

I need to get my butt in gear on this blog. The massive trade show that we have spent all year preparing for at work is happening in less than a month so it is all systems go, and it doesn't end when I get home. So I'm feeling a little bit overwhelmed and a whole lot tired.

But I had to take a couple minutes to share this post on Wag'n Tales because it is brilliant. And sums up life with my (handsome) farmer.

Can't wait to reflect on 10 years of marriage with you, J.

p.s. Number 5 is scarily familiar. (seriously.)

3 years.

3 years since we tied the knot on the warmest day I can remember. 3 years since we stood in front of our family and friends, and committed to loving, honouring and being each other's other half forever and ever. 3 years since we danced the night away on our farm, in the barn that seemed almost magical all lit up against the deep indigo June night sky.

3 years may not be an eternity. But in those 3 years we have been through so many highs and lows. You have stood by my side through the death of my dear friend and my father. You held my hand every step of the way during the pregnancy and birth of our daughter, especially in those moments when it was all just too much (lets be honest... pregnancy isn't all sunshine and rainbows). You are my rock.

Love you J. Happy Anniversary.

What they don't tell you.

Maybe this isn't such a shock to every new mom. Or maybe I skipped this part in "What to Expect". But the moment T was born I was overwhelmed by 2 emotions;

a) everything I thought I knew about loving someone was obliterated the moment they placed her in my arms for the first time.

b) fear. 

All of sudden, my husband and I became totally responsible for this teeny, tiny person. Physically, mentally, emotionally, she was a blank slate and J and I were the ones entrusted with the massive responsibility of lighting the way for her future. 

That's HUGE. 

And I know I had 39 weeks to prepare for this. Heck, I had time before we even conceived to contemplate the ramifications of bringing a new life into this world but it's just something I couldn't even comprehend until I became a mother... and to be perfectly honest, and this probably sounds cocky, it wasn't even on my radar. I am not a fearful person. I was SO excited to meet my daughter and while I knew it would be overwhelming, I knew J and I would muddle through. We had each other, and we are pretty good pair. 

But that first night in the hospital with my baby girl, I didn't sleep. At all. I was EXHAUSTED. But my brain was in overdrive. Full of "What ifs". SIDS, choking, childhood diseases, allergies, car accidents, drowning... you name it, I had a minor panic attack about it that first night. T slept, well, like a baby and I couldn't stop staring at her. Overwhelmed by the love I felt for her and the unmeasurable need to protect her. 

I had never felt anything like it before.

I don't know if I ever expressed these fearful moments to anyone before, even to J. I know they are probably par for the course, especially for a first time mom. And as we found our groove as a little family of 3 not only did I find my own parenting style, but I calmed down. Don't get me wrong, its still terrifying as all heck to be a parent. And the fears I have are very real, and totally justified. But I know each and every moment of each and every day I love and protect her with everything that I am, and more. And if that's not enough, then I don't know what is. 

Fun away from the farm.

Since its winter time, it gives J and I a chance to get away from the farm a little more easily than in the summer when the responsibilities of planting, hay and harvesting keep us pretty close to home. (We are also VERY fortunate to have wonderful babysitters in T's grandparents). For the last 5 years J has attended the National Farm Machinery Show in Kentucky (because what else would a farmer do on vacation?!) in the middle of February. It's his big get away for the year and I'm pretty sure he started counting down the days for next year as soon as we got home.  I took a hiatus last year (having a baby sort of took priority at that point) but was able to attend this year.

Besides it being the largest indoor farm show in North America, it also hosts the Championship Tractor Pull.  Tractor pulling is J's thing. He LOVES it. He knows the ins and outs of each class, competitor, tractor, you name it. He travels all over the States to watch some of the biggest pulls. And when he can't watch it live, he is watching it on You Tube.

While its not my passion, the more I learn, the more I appreciate all the workmanship and skill that goes into these tractors. And I am just so glad he has a 'thing'. I think it is so important to have a passion for something in life, may it be horses, tractors, soccer, dance, whatever. One of my biggest hopes for T is that she finds herself a 'thing' that she can call her own (secretly I hope its horses... ok, maybe not so secretly.)

Source

I (stupidly) forgot my camera but please check out this site to see more amazing images from the 2013 Championship Tractor Pull.

One of the other things that was great to see at the farm show was Protect the Harvest. It's no secret that there are very mixed views on farming out there. There are many organizations that aim to destroy the publics perception of farming by presenting completely false information. I'm not going to say much more than that because this is something that really gets my blood boiling but I will say this; if you ever have any questions regarding where your food comes from, go straight to the source. Farmers, may they be dairy, beef, poultry, pork, or grain, are very proud of the hard work and dedication it takes to feed the world. Farmers wouldn't do what they do 24/7 if they weren't animal lovers. Please, ask a farmer before believing some ridiculous, radical animal rights group. Protect the Harvest's goal is to counteract these groups in the United States. Another great advocate for us farmers is Farm & Food Care, the Canadian equivalent. A well designed site with lots of resources... you can even check out a virtual farm tour!

Alright, off my soapbox (for now).

Ode to J.

I have been intending to write a little post about the recent vacation J and I took to a massive farm show and tractor pull, but as I listened to my two favourite people giggle away tonight in the bathroom as Daddy taught T how to splash, I knew I needed to write this instead.

J is an amazing dad. I feel guilty that I don't tell him this more often. Because he has honestly blown me away with how great he is with T. They are partners in crime, best friends forever and she is a total daddy's girl. She giggles with him like nobody else and loves to just be with him. And as much as I hate to admit it, he is the only one that can calm her down when she is having one of those toddler tantrums that seem to have become a common occurrence.

My husband loves his family. Fiercely. He is protective and proud. And after the birth of our daughter, the love I had for him was intensified to a point I didn't even know existed.

So J, this ones for you. Thank you for all that you do (I know I don't say it often enough). xoxo

Montana.

J and I just got back from a 4 day vacation to the most wonderful ranch in Montana.

We REALLY needed it.

It was basically our delayed honeymoon, two and a half years and a baby after the fact and it happened to coincide nicely with J's 30th birthday on December 31st. It was also our first time spending any significant amount of time away from T. (We had done a night here or there, but never 4 in a row). I was pretty nervous that I was going to be a mess for the entire 4 days, but I was fine.. actually, more than fine (thanks to e mail updates and pictures form her awesome GeeGee). For the first time in over a year, I could sleep whenever the heck I wanted and take a shower without the fear of not hearing her cry.

That being said, I was pretty excited to see her after those 4 days.

When we arrived in Montana I could not get over the breathtaking landscape. It is truly gorgeous! If I lived there, I don't think I would ever get used to it.

On New Years Eve (and J's birthday), I had arranged for us to go dog sledding. This had been a dream of his for ages and I am so glad we went. It was truly an experience I will never, ever forget. I had no idea what to expect but it surpassed every expectation I had (and J's too, I'm pretty sure.)

While we were getting the sleds organized and the dogs harnessed, I have never heard anything like it. Utter chaos and excitement from the dogs. As soon as we untied the sled, it was pure silence except for the sound of the runners cutting through the snow. For 14 miles I watched in awe as these hearty 50lb Alaskan Huskies pulled my husband and I up the mountain with nothing but determination and glee on their faces. 

It was truly magical. 

We had a quiet New Years eve, and made it to about 10pm mountain time (which was midnight at home, so we figured that was good enough). New Years Day was spent taking in more awe inducing landscape, but this time on horseback. J was a really good sport, and even though it kills his back, went on a trail ride with me. We spent over an hour exploring the national forest surrounding the ranch and taking in the wildlife and scenery. 

I can't think of a better way to kick off the new year.

This trip meant so much more to me than the absolute luxury, gourmet food and decadent scenery we experienced. It was a chance to recharge, relax, and most importantly reconnect with my amazing husband. It's so easy to get caught up in the daily grind of farming and a 1 year old, and I take for granted how lucky I am to be married to my soul mate. 

And I'm rested and ready to take on whatever 2013 throws my way. 

So happy trails, Montana. Until we meet again...

A picture is worth a 1000 words.

A couple weeks ago, a very dear and talented friend of mine made the trek out to the farm to capture some pictures of T and our little family, one year later (almost).

They are magic.

Bronwyn Coombs is a genius. And I will cherish these images forever.

These are the essence of us. Thank you, Bronwyn, for capturing it so beautifully. 

Go Pack Go!

Overwhelming excitement to be at Lambeau Field. 

This weekend, my family and I headed to Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI for the Green Bay Packer vs. New Orleans Saints game.

It was an epic experience.

Lambeau Field is not only an amazing facility, it is like Disney World for football fans. Having never been to an NFL game, I wasn't sure what to expect (especially with a 10 month old in tow!) but I had an AMAZING time, and so did T!

Tailgating Rocks

Because harvest season is in full swing, J's schedule has been crazy busy lately. He hasn't been able to spend much time with T, since she is normally in bed by the time he gets home. This weekend, they were inseparable. It was heart melting.

Daddy's Girl

Indescribable amount of love for these two.

This trip was more than just a weekend getaway to a football mecca. This was a memorial trip to honour my father. He was the biggest Green Bay Packer fan and we couldn't think of a better way to remember him 10 months after his passing. I know he was there from the first kick off til the last touchdown, making sure they kicked some Saints butt (despite the questionable reff-ing.)

This one was for you Daddio.

Us.

Some proper introductions. This is us! (and in an attempt to maintain a teensy bit of privacy I will be using initials. Yet Im posting pics. So ya, I guess thats a bit hypocritical!) 

Anyhoooo….

I’m C. 26 year old (almost 27… 27 sounds way older than 26 in my opinion!) mama to 1 beautiful baby girl and wife to J. I grew up in a large city (one of the largest in Canada!) until I decided to attend University in a small town about 45 minutes away and study agriculture (weird choice, maybe. But the best one I have ever made). I rode horses growing up and LOVE animals and the country so I figured this was the best of both worlds (and as an added bonus, those agriculture students know how to have a good time). This is where I met J.

J had long since graduated from the same university but had come back to the local country bar for one fateful night of partying in the spring of 2008. We met, we talked, we danced, and shortly after that we started dating. Within a year we were engaged and on June 19, 2010, we were married on the farm!

       

(David Goodfellow Photography) 

J (along with his family) are dairy farmers and own a lovely farm about 2 hours from the big city where I grew up. We milk approximately 65 cows and have 200 head on the property. It was a bit of a culture shock but 4 years on, I can honestly say I absolutely love the country life. 

We were bit hard by the baby bug in early 2011 and were thrilled to learn we would be expecting a baby in early December, 2011. On November 30th, 2011, we welcomed our beautiful daughter, T. (More on her birth story later). She has exploded our hearts and made everything we had so much better. 

          

(Bronwyn Coombs Photography)

We also have two giant, hairy Alaskan Malamutes that are a huge part of our family. Yukon is a 4 year old black and white female and Kodiak is a 2 year old red and white male. Yukon is the sweetest mother bear of a dog and Kodiak is the goofiest animal I know. They complete us. (Even if it does mean I have to vacuum every. single. day.)