Halloween Parties for Maximus!

Last night Maximus' friend Bryon had a Halloween party, so he and his buddies got dressed up and played games. Today, he had a class party st school and all the kids dressed up. So cute and fun! And tomorrow we are having an adult and kid friendly party at our home for our friends and their kids. Fun times!

Sad Shape

Okay, I've been sick. So sick. Sicker than I've ever been in my life. Last night I vomited countless times and today I have been to hell and back. It took me an hour and a half just to stand in the shower, get dressed and pull my hair back. Pathetic, I know.

I had to go to the doctors office because they were worried about my hydration levels. (And I drink almost 2 gallons of water a day.) I got an IV put in my arm for over and hour and on my way home, I stopped at our health food store for miso soup. While I shopped, Maximus fell asleep in the cart. Suddenly, I had to barf. Uh oh. I pulled him out of the cart and put him on the changing table in the restroom (because I wasn't going to leave him in the cart out in the store or lay him on the bathroom floor, and I always obey the signs that say not to bring carts into the bathroom). I did my business and he slept, like a poor ghetto child, on the dirty changing table. I could have left him there for hours.

Lily Pad Lake

Another Friday hike in the woods with my borrowed buddy, Deni.

I'm my Father

When I was growing up, I used to roll my eyes when my father would plan his hiking trips. He would meticulously plan and lay everything out- from his maps, to his gear, to his food, to his hydration. He would take me along but I never appreciated it as much as him and would end up complaining most of the way.

Today, I spent the entire afternoon planning for a hike of my own. Since Fridays are Maximus' only full day in school, I have the time to spend hiking alone. And it's something I want to do! This Friday I'm going on a hike that will take me between 5 and 6 hours and I'm going to a couple of falls that are located between the 2 mountains we see from all our windows in our home. I mean, we are fortunate to live on the Gore Range in the Rocky Mountains...I'd be stupid NOT to do this. It's also an emotional weekend for me- the marathon I trained so hard for is Sunday and I can't run it. Most people reading this are like, "shut up, be happy you're pregnant and quit being selfish" unless they have trained for something themselves. When I found out I could no longer train, my dad called me and truly understood how I felt. He's run several himself. Being told I couldn't run was more depressing than I expected. Jesse didn't even know how much of an impact it would be. And it took me months to accept it. I made this little hike a goal to do while I was pregnant and around the time of the marathon, just to prove something to myself. I have to have a goal to work toward. I feel like I'm just going through life unless I'm working for a personal goal.

Today I drove to a few trail heads, researched maps and talked to the Dillon Ranger Station about my plans. I've spoken to a few experienced hikers who are my friends as well. My plan is to drop Maximus off at school Friday morning, drive to the Willow Creek trail head and head up the mountain. I will of course, carry my phone, a camera, first aid, food, water, flashlight, rain gear, matches, ID, my glucose shot, maps and a gun for protection. I decided to bring my dog because I know she would enjoy it. I am SO excited for this. It took me 30 years, but I truly understand and appreciate my father's ways. Thanks dad.

Week 15

I thought I'd give an update about my pregnancy. I'm in my 15th week, still very sick, but enjoying life. Since I can't run, I enjoy this crisp fall by riding my bike, hiking and being in the woods. Getting out is just so peaceful. I have to do it. (My hikes alone in the woods freak my mother out, but I have to for my sanity)

Last Friday I had a doctor's appointment. I had lost 2 pounds, my electrolytes are pretty imbalanced and my doctor discovered I'm hypoglycemic. But, everything else looked good and the heartbeat was strong! I've been given a syringe to carry with me at all times and to eat every hour. EVERY HOUR. That's much harder than you'd think. I carry the syringe because it'll help me if I am about to pass out from low blood sugar. My level was 24, and my doctor said she has never seen anyone with a level below 52 who was conscious. Her words were, "I can't imagine how sick you must feel". Oh I can! Anyway, I'm glad that was settled and I hope I feel better soon.

This pregnancy is SO different than the one with Maximus. With him, I ate and ate and ate. I was sick like, twice. I never exercised either. This pregnancy I am so sick, but I feel better emotionally. I'm excited for Maximus to be a big brother and he is too! I'm excited to meet this child who has made me emotional, sick, increased my love for the outdoors and drives me to walk alone in the woods and appreciate what's around me. Of course I was paranoid with everything with my first pregnancy, but this one I feel less controlling. We definitely live a healthy lifestyle and of course, that will continue with any children we have, but I've learned with my dear Maximus that head bumps, falls and swallowing buttons happens! I am SO excited to meet this little one in March. Maximus still has wonderfully creative names picked out...

October 21st at 11am is when we will find out if this is a boy or girl. Yeah!

Maximus and I went for another hike today. We hiked to a lake, had a picnic lunch, hiked and explored in the woods and enjoyed our afternoon. Look at the beauty that surrounds us here!