katieblundell.com

So I have started a new blog…..an adventurous mum blog!!! I will still update here time to time but my main focus will be the new one:)

http://megamum.com/

Check it out!!!

The lovely Shazin Alisha did an interview with me a couple of years ago now. Obviously a lot has changed in my life since then, but its nice to look back! Although im still as passionate about snowboarding….and cake!! Thank you to The Jones Family Project in Shorditch for having us for the interview and the yummy treats:)

Click on the image to go to the full interview

So i’ve been meaning to write this for 5 months, 1 week and 4 days! But it turns out having a baby takes up A LOT of time!! Gone are the days where I can straighten my hair, make a sandwich or watch a FULL episode of “How I Met Your Mother!!”

I just wanted to share my story of my lifestyle change from travelling and snowboarding…..into Motherhood…..the biggest adventure yet!!!

To cut a long story short, I had some medical problems that had bothered me for years and had been told that having a baby would be very difficult. So after a trip to Bali and a few cocktails later, imagine our surprise/ LUCK when I got those 2 lines of the home pregnancy test! Boom, the end of snowboarding and life as I knew it and the start of a new chapter:) I really felt like I was the luckiest person on earth, it was a bloody miracle!!!! I owe it to a chubby little Balainaise man who told me to go and stand under this “healing” waterfall as it had magical powers. Low and behold, a couple days later and I was up the duff!!!!! Must go back and thank him one day…….ill even take the baby!!

Pregnancy treated me semi well. Once those first few weeks of morning sickness (actually 20 weeks of all day sickness and living on a diet of Crumpets, Babybels and Wotsists) had subsided, I felt wonderful!! Having been signed off any strenuous exercise to safely cook the baby (only yoga and swimming for me), I was thoroughly enjoying getting fat and happy (pic at 30 weeks!)

But then I go SO FAT, like really really fat. Maternity jeans weren’t even fitting, I kept getting wedged into places, I couldn’t wear shoes and people started to question whether there was actually twins in there (please god no!!!). I was wider than I was tall and my worst fears had come true, my 6ft 2 husband had impregnated me with a heffalump! At 36 weeks even had to hit swimming on the head as I could no longer get out of the pool without flopping out onto the side like a baby hippo!

Turns out I had pre eclampsia (can make you very swollen) so mad rush into hospital 2 weeks early to be induced……..sh*t I wasn’t ready!! I enjoyed being pregnant and all the attention and excitement, but now it was dawning on me I was actually going to have a real life baby and I was definitely not the maternal type!!!!

I wont go into my birth story as its not for the faint hearted, lets just say it wasn’t pretty ( Arlo has a very large head) and ill never be the same again…..I don’t think Rich will either! And its also safe to say we will be getting dogs from now on!

But oh so worth it! After a week in hospital with a few further complications, we were sent on our merry way with this little ginger baby (baby Arlo….thank you Matt/ Holly Burt for the name inspiration). We were definitely feeling like we weren’t responsible enough for this yet and life would never be the same again

I had really been pining for snowboarding throughout my pregnancy, but as soon as we had Arlo with us, that went out the window. I literally didn’t even have time to think about snowboarding, let alone miss it. Your whole world just instantly becomes about babies……. you talk about babies, you read about babies, you dream about babies (if you sleep), you meet up with other mums and babies, everything’s just babies BABIES BABIES BABIES BABIES!!! BABIES COMING OUT OF MY EARS!!! Such a world away from snowboarding and everything I was used to

Bless little Arlo, he’s definitely not been the easiest of babies, but lets face it, I was never going to have a normal baby!! I think he pretty much cried for the first 3/4 months non stop, apart from when he had my boob in his mouth! And sleeping, that was non existent and still is unfortunately. There were points I was seriously considering drinking a bottle of vodka to help Arlo sleep (perks of breast feeding, the baby has what you have!!). He had/has Colic and Reflux and various hospital visits. All this is normal baby stuff but I can tell you, it was definitely a shock to the system!!! I was hallucinating at night through lack of sleep and I was a shadow of my former self!! There were times that I just wanted to drive off into the sunset by all by myself!!!

Nearly 6 months on and I am slowly beginning to surface. He still feeds every 2 hours around the clock, but im coping with it. Its amazing how your body adjusts!! Maybe all those all night house parties in Tahoe had been good training!! (thanks for the photo Addison!!)

I have learnt a great deal through becoming a mother…….that its ok to get your boobs out in public when you are not drunk!!! You ALWAYS need to put the break on your pram (long story). I know now that a babies pee can cover a good distance and that you should check that you have actually put your baby into the car before you drive away. Breast milk doesn’t taste good in tea and you will end up eating A LOT of cake…….. Also, if you’re having a bath with your baby and you see some bubbles, get out quickly!!!

Arlo is turning into a proper little character now, he’s so friendly and outgoing and loves being around people. Also a very VERY active baby, literally doesn’t sit still! You can already tell he has an adventurous spirit and doesn’t like to be tied down. He loves to be outdoors and gets agitated if he has to be in the house all day (which suits me very nicely!!) He honestly has a better social life than me!!!

(Photos by Ollee Turl)

And he even growls now, like a dog!!

Yes I miss snowboarding, so so much, and my travelling lifestyle. But Having a baby almost makes everything before seem insignificant in comparison. Its hard to explain, but having a baby puts everything into perspective. Things that used to matter to me just don’t really seem important now, or maybe I’m just too tired to think about it!!!  HOWEVER, I am even more driven now to travel and snowboard and have more amazing life experiences (lets face facts, im not cut out to be a house wife!!). This is mainly becuase I want to share all these adventures with him now:) I especially cant wait to see his face when he sees snow for the first time!!

And little does he know that when he’s 18 and wants to go backpacking around the world with his friends……..im going to go with him hahaha!!

So to finish, I knew having a baby was never going to be a walk in the park, but I don’t think anything could have prepared me for just how full on it was going to be. But I always remember that he was a total miracle for us and I will forever be thankful. I love snowboarding so much and the lifestyle it gave me, but honestly theres no better feeling then when your baby smiles at you!! Thanks Arlo!!

Its now my ambition to create a fun and adventurous life for Arlo so that he will be energetic and free spirited and make the most of the world! First snowy trip……Austria at Christmas!!!!

And I really hope that I can still snowboard and do a tail grab and that one day he will be proud of me and not embarrassed to snowboard together!!!! And WE WILL all live in the mountains one day, happily ever after!!!!!!!!!

And thank you to all my friends, family and of course to Rich for putting up with me and supporting me through the biggest challenge of my life so far (you’ve been way better at this than me!!!). Think I’m getting to grips with it now????? Maybe……

PS. Im so sorry about all the baby photos on Facebook, i just cant seem to help myself!!

PPS. Who knew dressing a baby was way more fun then dressing yourself!!

This is an article for this months Surf Girl Magazine:) Thanks to Jess Monk for involving me!

Surf Girl Magazine December 2014

Surf Girl Magazine Dec. 2014

Not too sure where these keep coming from, but this popped up today in another local paper, so thank you who ever sorted this out for me! It’s The Express and Echo 13th Nov. 2014

I have been doing some writing for The Board Basement in my local town of Exeter. They do all sorts of discounted but high quality snowboard gear, so be sure to check them out! Im going to be doing more writing for their blog, I quite like writing as you can probably tell from all the blog posts on my blog!! Anyway, click on the image to go to the piece…..

What Type of Snowboarder Are You???

This popped up in my local paper this weekend, somehow made the front cover!! Kinda embarrassing my big mug all over Tescos!!

Basecamp Blog

The Basecamp Group asked for my thoughts on being a female in a male dominated sport such as snowboarding. Here’s what I came up with…..click on the image to go to the article:)

At the start of Setember, Rich and I finally jetted off on our Honeymoon

So excited at the airport, look how happy Rich is (he wasn’t very well, man flu)

We wanted to see as much as poss so we were only going to stay 2/3 days in each place. First stop, Balangan Beach. This was a proper surf beach, big waves, in fact they were huge! We didnt fancy our chances with jet lagged and trying to surf. So just soaked up the sun and watched the surfers;)

Next stop Nusa Lembongan, an island just off the south coast of Bali

So many different beaches and places to see, so we rented a bike and drove around…..I say “we”, what I meant was Rich drove and I sat on the back in a bikini working on my tan. I tried to drive it around a car park but fell off…..Rich said it would be a while until I could hit the roads

Maybe safer just on a swing..

Rich just loves having his photo taken! Mushroom Bay was beautiful though

Happy camper, our boat to the Gili Islands

On the Gili Islands (3 islands just off the coast of Lombok), they don’t allow motorised vehicles, only bikes and horse and cart. Poor horses must be so hot

Gili Trawangan was the first island we stopped at. This rememinded me of Koh Phangan in Thailand, proper party/backpacker island. So obvs we had cocktails in coconuts in a swimming pool

Then went on a bike ride around the whole island (I was better on these bikes than motor bikes)

Stopped off to do some yoga in the sunset, as you do

Then found this mega chilled out bar with hammocks and watched the sunset

Tried to do that photo that everyone does (beautiful sausage fingers)

My favourite place to eat the whole time we were away, a crazy street market with the best food, and so cheap too

Then we headed over to the tranquil Gili Air after all that excitement. It really was stunning here

Trekking around trying to find some accom

We like to stay in cheap places when we travel, but thought we would splash out for 3 nights and get a posh place with a pool to do our honeymoon bit

Rich’s birthday, he wanted to go snorkelling. I just liked dressing up in the room and taking pics!

So peaceful on Gili Air

Another amazing sunset after a long walk around the island

Next we caught a boat to the main island of Lombok. Had breakfast on the drive up to the mountains/jungle

Trekked through the jungle to this amazing waterfall. I had a swim as the water is supposed to heal you of all troubles…it was bloody cold, but sure it will be worth it!

Had to walk through these pitch black water tunnels to get out, a rat ran over my foot, but it was very exciting!

Off to Ubud, thought id pretend to be the captain

The Monkey Forest in Ubud is honestly the craziest place ever. Those monkeys aren’t shy! One tried to steal my handbag but Rich rescued me. He is trained in Monkey Martial Arts

Cool jungle

I had heard so much about this amazing bike ride you can do in Ubud through the little villages and rice paddies, signed up and had a quick tea stop on the way up. Even drank coffee made from cat poo, was actually very tasty!

And stopped for breakfast with an amazing view of a volcano

Mid bike ride we stopped off at a temple. They gave us these lovely skirts to wear. Rich was so happy with his. Finally, his and hers clothes!

More holy/healing water, but there was lots of people so didn’t really want to jump in there and splashing around

They had made lots of offerings for the Gods out of cakes and pretty things. It made me really hungry for cake

Back to the bike ride. Was so beautiful just cursing through paddie fields

Just so pretty, I felt at one with the world!!!!

At the end of the 22k bike ride. Yes it was 90% downhill, but that 10% uphill was killer

So we definitely had to have a foot massage and reflexology to chill out

Next place was Kuta. We had heard such bad things about Kuta, but heard the waves we perfect for learning on. And they didn’t disappoint. I dont know much about waves, but they felt like they were good ones. It was my first time on a hard board too, not a big foam beginner thing (like Rich hahaha!!). It was way more difficult but I loved it

Then more yoag in the sunset

And more sunset pics. The beach at Kuta was way busier at sunset than during the day!

We actually stayed in Jimberan and day tripped over to Kuta, way more mellow and chilled….haha we are losers now

Corn on the beach, always a winner

And just your regular local band serenading you as your eating dinner

Some Balinese dancers, dancing

Sneaked in to a lush pool for our last day. This is a picture of Rich floating

See you later Bali!!!! We had such an amazing time, so many adventures and stories to tell. Couldn’t include them all on my blog as we would be here all night. Not so stoked to go back to the UK, but it means that winter is on its way and snowboarding is just around the corner. So its happy times ahead:)

Jazzin Seeing Spots, Natural
  

Jazzin (shearling) Clash, Black

Jazzin Shoe 8a Canvas, White

Jazzin (shearling) Sweet Tart, Black

Jazzin Ditz, Black

Jazzin Yucatan, Green

So its been a while since I updated the old blog, so here is a little summer update with lots of photos!

Im back home in Devon now, need to get my £££$$$$$ sorted out before I can think about the next move:) I’ve been having a lovely time back home, Devon is really not a bad place to be in the summer time

I live 10 mins away from the Beach so have been hanging out there A LOT

Been doing lots of walks….with the dog of course

Been going to weddings and hen dos, one of my best friends got married in Cornwall a couple weeks ago, it was so nice down there, it felt like we were abroad

I had a surf trip down the Falmouth/Watergate Bay to face my fears of the water and fish! Please to report that there were no fish attacks and I didn’t see any sharks. I actually LOVED surfing so much and want to do more of it, keep dreaming about it!!!! Its nice to have something to replace snowboarding for the summer

I’ve gone back to gymnastics!!!!! Adult Gym every Tuesday night, its the best day of the week. So weird to be back to my old gym club. Thanks to my friend Melissa for coming with me! Really loving it, although I’m sure I’m not as nimble as I used to be back in the olden days!!!! Keeping up the gymnastics over the summer is hopefully going to help me with my snowboarding in the winter

Got myself 2 jobs so I’m in saving mode for the winter, really want to have a good one next season:) Working in Textiles (actually using my degree…..) doing embroidery onto Clothing and Accessories, its nice to be able to make things all day and be creative! And then I’m working in Fat Face too which is awesome, surrounded by lush clothes and nice people!

Been trying to be proactive with taking pics of all the lovely summer stuff Rocket Dog shoes and O’Neill sent me……

We finally booked our honeymoon ( a year late haha), so we are off to Bali in September for some backpacking, cant wait!

But all this summer chat, and I’m still dreaming about the winter. I am GAGGING to go snowboarding, hoping its not too long before I can get my fix…….

A few nights ago I did a little interview with Tom Smith (Smithy) from The Reason Magazine. A catch-up from the season in Breckenridge and my edit. Click on the image below to see the full interview:

When I arrived home from the mountains, I had a collection of spring/summer shoes waiting for me from Rocket Dog, it made coming back down to reality not nearly as bad!!! I have been busy taking some pictures of my new shoes, and here they are. Still cant believe how lucky I am….and spoilt!!

                                                     Amaya Shoe: Sidewalk Chalk Blue                                                       Jazzin Shoe: Opa Blue

                                                       Tahira Boot: Stampede/Drum Circle Brown                                                      Andrea Shoe: Happy Flower Blue

                                                       Willow Shoe: Sand Bag Linen Natural                                                       Willow Shoe: Washed Canvas Black

The last week….well pretty much last day of the season, Kate Wood (awesome UK snowboarder…watch out for her), Jade McJannett (from OZ but has a British passport so figured she counts as British) and myself filmed our entry for the “Brit Weird” Video contest for Cooler Magazine. We had out expert Filmer/Editor/Motivator MUDESY on hand (thanks Mudsey!!)

We wanted to have fun so made it into a game….like a game of  “Skate” but with the word “weird” instead……thought we were being clever as the title is called “Brit Weird”…get it????

The theme was an old school video game, with 2 levels….Level 1 Breckenridge Terrain Park, Level 2 Woodward

Out of 21 entries we have made it to the final 5!!! But now its down to the public vote. Click on the pic below to take you to the page and our entry and details on how to vote…if you like it of course!

Was privileged to get to ride with these 2 ladies this season, hope you enjoy our entry:)

I managed to get some filming in this season over in Colorado. I wish I had got more on film ……..but here is what I have managed to put together. Hope you like it;)

Katie Blundell- Colorado Cruising from katie blundell on Vimeo.

Yesterday I arrived back into sunny England….and it is actually sunny!!! And I got to see the dog!!! I was so sad to leave Breckenridge though, especially as the last few weeks have been so fun

My days pretty much consisted of Snowboarding, gym, hot tub…….Snowboarding, gym, hot tub…chocolate…..sometimes woodward

Once the boys had all left, I moved into a room with a couple of my girls friends, as much as I missed the boys it was nice to have some girly company and chat!!

Even managed to get some sunbathing in at the end, who would have ever thought it in Brecken-fridge!!!

After having a close look at all my funds and figuring some stuff out, I was devastated to realise that I could no longer afford to go to Miss Super Park:(:( I had been looking forward to it all season. Really felt like this season I had been given some amazing opportunities but hadn’t been able to take advantage of them due to money:(

BUT I have to think how lucky I am, I have just had 3 amazing months in Breckenridge with some awesome people, getting to snowboard and do what I love pretty much everyday:) So I am just so thankful for that, I just hope that I haven’t let anyone down by not being able to do all the things I was supposed to this season

Looked like they were going to have an EPIC pow day, it was dumping down as I was leaving……

I have been on and off filming all season, putting it all together now into a little edit. Didn’t manage to get all the shots I wanted on film…but who ever does I guess!!! So I will post the edit when its done:)

I had some lovely summer treats waiting for me when I came home:) Massive thank you to Rocket Dog Shoes and O’Neill for all my new stuff! Still cant believe how lucky I am. The silly dog seems to get in every photo!!!

The bonus about coming home early is that I can now do a few days work, then fingers crossed I can go to The British Board Test…..SPRING BREAK!!!!! See you all there:) x