THE GOODS BLOG: Erika's Precious Little Life - April Edition

Oh man, this is like a week late. Everything really went off the rails! First we were in Calgary, then I wasn't feeling well (I had a Covid test done and it was negative), then I forgot my computer's power cord in the hotel room in Calgary and my computer died, then it was Easter... All of this is to say that I'm behind on everything and that's why I haven't written sooner.

Covid has gotten worse, as I'm sure everyone has noticed. So that's annoying. As things currently stand, in Edmonton there is 0.16% of the population with known active cases. The active cases in Edmonton have gone up to 2,447 which is more than double what it was this time last month. However, hospitalizations haven't gotten out of hand and I think that's because Alberta was the first province in the country to have every resident of a long-term care home vaccinated with both doses. As of today, Alberta is returning to "Step 1" of our "Path Forward" which means that we're taking a step back in our freedom progress. (Are we calling it the "Path Backwards" now?) No more indoor dining (but patio dining is still okay). Alberta's Chief Medical Officer of Health said that “there is a race between the variants and the vaccines” and that's pretty much exactly how I feel about things right now. I'm waiting on the edge of my seat, waiting for the vaccines to push into the lead. I remain hopeful. Alberta is saying that every adult who wants a vaccine will be able to get one by June. I cannot wait! Thankfully, another month has gone by and the elementary school that Archie’s preschool is in still has not recorded any cases at all. I'm pretty impressed and pleased that this school has never had any recorded cases since Archie started going there. And the best news of all is that my parents are now both vaccinated!! They both got the Pfizer vaccine and I am so incredibly relieved. Like everyone, I've been most concerned about my parents throughout this whole thing and I could almost cry knowing that they have at least some protection now.

In terrible pandemic news, my yoga studio's physical location has closed down permanently. I was all excited that they were going to be able to re-open for in-person classes only to learn that they're closing the location entirely. This has been very sad for me. I loved that studio very much and it was like my home away from home. On the bright side, the teachers are still offering virtual classes so I've kept up with my practice just the same. Have I mentioned how grateful I am to have my own yoga room at home?? Sattva is saying that they're planning to open a new physical location once the pandemic is over and I hope that this is true. To stay on the Covid topic, I also had a Covid Serology test done. This is a blood test (which costs $50 in Alberta) and it will tell you if you've ever had Covid (even asymptomatically). I was incredibly curious to find out because there have definitely been times over the past year when I was convinced that I had it (but didn't get tested). However, the serology test came back negative which means that I have been Covid-free this entire time! So that was great news. Another thing in the works is that Tim has gotten the ball rolling to have a vasectomy done. He had an appointment with our doctor to talk about it and he's meeting with the surgeon this week to discuss the proceedings. I can't wait for this to happen! I have now stopped using hormonal birth control (I was on the Evra patch) which I have been on since I was 16 years old (except for when I was trying to get pregnant, pregnant, and breastfeeding). I'm not going to have any more kids and I don't want to continue putting birth control into my body anymore either. I'm done with all of it! My project of SELLING ALL OF THE BABY STUFF has been going amazingly well. I have now made $955 from my sales! And I'm not even done posting all of the items yet! In other Tim news, he got a promotion at work! He is now a Cinematic Director! (Which also comes with a raise.) This is the title that Tim has always wanted. In Toronto he was an Associate Cinematic Director and in Edmonton he was a Cinematic Supervisor. He's very excited to finally be all the way there, in the position that he has really wanted! I'm very happy for him. Maybe someday he'll even be able to go into his office, ha ha. March was pretty low-key but got busier at the end. The nice part is that winter seems to be fully finished and all of the snow has melted. It feels like spring and like a fresh start! It's even warm enough to start having outdoor meals with my friends! (We are allowed to gather in groups of 10 outdoors as long as we socially distance.)

We enjoyed another pandemic St. Patrick's Day at home, which was actually a lot of fun!

Archie had Spring Break off of preschool and I didn't want to waste the whole time just sitting at home doing nothing. So we took a mini vacation down to Calgary for two nights! We really just needed a change of scenery (and we were extra Covid-safe about it, of course). It was fun to explore a different city! We even drove into the mountains in Kananaskis and did a nice hike.

On the way home we stopped at Rachelle's house (near Red Deer) because I needed to congratulate her in person on GETTING ENGAGED!!!! I cannot even begin to contain my excitement! I am beyond thrilled that she has found the love of her life and that she and Sarah are going to share their lives together. No one is more deserving of this than Rachelle. Plus her ring is gorgeous! I CAN'T WAIT FOR THEIR WEDDING!!!!!!

Life with Archie: I am very grateful that Archie's preschool will be remaining open for in-person classes. Preschool has been such a positive experience for him, especially because of the pandemic. It gives his life something "normal" and socialization with other kids his age. He would be missing out on so much if he was just trapped at home with us.

With his best friend at preschool, Jona.

Archie also got to see his little friend Maia for a nature walk, which was a lot of fun.

We're definitely looking forward to spending a TON more time outside now that the weather is nice again!!

I'm happy for it to be April and for the beautiful spring weather! Everything is coming to life again! We started the month in Calgary, which was a fun way to spend Spring Break. Then it was Easter, which was lovely. I'll talk about it next month. The rest of the month should be pretty low-key but I hope that it will involve plenty of time outdoors, campfires and BBQs in our backyard, patio dining, and hopefully some socially distanced friend hangouts! THIS MONTH’S SHOUT-OUTS!:

April 2nd was Jaelyn Leonard’s 39th birthday!

I hope that your day was truly wonderful and that you felt spoiled and appreciated! I'm so glad that you have Matt to do that for you now! I miss you very much even though we only live a short distance from each other. Looking forward to making up for lost time and having plenty of coffee dates and hangouts ASAP! Love you! <3 April 7th is Melanie Watson’s 40th birthday!

How is it possible that you're 40?!?! I refuse to believe it. You're the most lively, talented, and outgoing 40 year old that there ever was. I'm always so impressed by all of the things that you do! Plus you kick my ass at virtual workouts. I hope that Ron SUPER spoils you on this milestone birthday and hopefully we'll be able to celebrate in real life someday soon! I love you very much and miss you a lot too. <3 April 10th is Amy Bull’s 36th birthday!

AMY!!! Why can't we have a Birthday Girls Night for you right now?!? Start thinking about where you want to go because once we're all vaccinated we are still going out and celebrating! I hope that Ray has something special planned for you! I love you so much and I wish that this whole thing could be over so that we can just get back to our natural environment: A giant love pile. <3 April 18th is Colen Quinn’s 39th birthday!

I miss you so much and I wish that our last few times together weren't so pandemic-y. I really hope that Jeff and the boys spoil you a whole lot because you do so much for all of them. I hope that your day involves cake and champagne! I LOVE YOU and can't wait to see you again someday soon... Until then I am sending you siamese brain hugs. <3 April 18th is Nadine Ottenbreit’s 39th birthday!

In a way, I feel like I WILL be able to celebrate your birthday with you just because we talk literally every day, ha ha! You are such a superhero mom and I am constantly amazed at what an incredible person you are. I'm glad that Kyle is spoiling you with new eyebrows!! I love you and we ARE going to hug this summer! <3 April 18th is Lacey Suttie’s 41st birthday!

I'm sad that we live in the same province again and that I still haven't seen you! I hope that this changes this summer and that we get to have a beautiful reunion! (As you know, I have planned out many perfect hangouts for us, ha ha.) You're an amazing person and someone who I admire so much. I hope that Dallas spoils you tons! Love you! <3