Elf!

The Elf on the Shelf has been moving! Yesterday my dad and I saw him above the fireplace and this morning he was spotted in the tree!

FOOD

Okay, I know I've posted blogs about how much this kid eats, but I'm pregnant and HE OUT EATS ME! He ate a large bowl of Cheerios this morning. He went to swimming lessons. I brought him home and make him a breakfast sandwich- 3 eggs, 2 slices of black forest ham on a whole wheat English muffin. He polished that off and said, "I'm still hungwy". He then ate a large banana dipped in Grape Nuts cereal and a gigantic cup of milk! He's a quarter of Jesse's size and eats almost as much! I've known this kid for three and a half years and I still can't get used to this.

On a different note...guess what?! I FEEL GREAT! I've had three days with minimal morning sickness and a bit of increased energy. I still don't feel 100%, but at least I'm not trying to get through the day feeling 15%. I can function better as a mom and a partner. I don't know if I'm out of the woods yet, but if I can have 3 days of feeling better, I would be sick the rest of the pregnancy because it's worth it. I don't think anyone besides Jesse truly understands how sick I've been. Some days I couldn't even stand. I suffered stroke symptoms. I have hyperemesis gravidarum- a form of extreme morning sickness that 2% of pregnant women suffer from. It's been hell. I can't describe how elating it is to feel somewhat normal again.

"Drinking"

Maximus got me out of the kitchen today and told me he had a nice surprise in his room. He was so proud of all his animals drinking! He loves doing things like this.

Rawr!

I was enjoying my morning coffee alone upstairs when this jumped out and scared me!

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!

Epic Names

Me: Hey, what should we name your brother or sister?

Maximus: Um..Thor Maximus. Thor a good brubber (brother) name.

Me: Cool. What about Thor Odin? What about a sister?

Maximus: Um...Truck.

Me: I don't know about that one. What about Ingrid Gladys or Adelyn Gladys?

Maximus: No, Truck Poopface.

Cuddly Spot

Friday night. Jesse is in the basement teaching me how to build my beautiful mountain bike that I've waited for all summer. Maximus has been busy filling tires, spinning wheels, having fun. He suddenly gets tired and lays on Jesse's legs as he knelt. Sweetest thing.

Last Race of the Season

Jesse's last mountain race was today. It was a beautiful, crisp, cool fall feeling day and we spent it in Breckenridge cheering him on.

Next is the most entertaining racing of all- cross! (Cyclocross) Hopefully my doctor will give me the okay to do a couple races this fall.

Maximus and I went to a tiny cafe after Jesse started his race this morning. I was feeling sick like usual and together Maximus and I had the best breakfast ever! I found a place in Breckenridge that is little, specialized and extremely cozy. Maximus had a whole wheat blueberry scone with a blueberry flax smoothie and shared my eggs with tomatoes and spinach, homemade whole wheat toast and chicken sausage. Our entire breakfast was not only organic, but everything was made from scratch. We sat at a small table with the sun coming in and warming us up, with views of the mountains. What a great little date.

We spent the rest of the time laying in the grass waiting for Jesse to come across the finish line. It was a really enjoyable day.

Handsome New Cut

Yesterday Maximus had his hair cut...three inches! He's so handsome!

Kayaking in Lake Dillon

I must say that I'm grateful to be in a relationship with a guy who loves getting out and doing things, like me. Luckily, Maximus isn't the type of kid to stay home either. We went kayaking in our beautiful Lake Dillon on Monday. We had planned to Sunday, but all the kayaks were booked, so we went to the Vail Farmer's Market and also enjoyed the "Gourmet on Gore" in Vail that day. What a busy, perfect weekend!

I had been kayaking before with my dad in Huntington Beach and Newport back bay. Such a fun thing to do with your kids, fyi. I'll never forget those memories. We rented a kayak for myself, and a double for Maximus and Jesse.

Lake Dillon has dozens of little forest islands in it. We stopped at a few and ate lunch on one. We told Maximus it was our new home, the kayaks were our new cars and the bathrooms were bushes. He took it so...seriously.

I mean, come on...look at our view. And it's not like we have to drive anywhere for a good view, all the views from our house are this great!

See that little speck to the left of the above picture? That's Jesse and Maximus in their boat.


I love my little family.

Warrior Dash!

Last week Jesse and I ran in "Warrior Dash". It's a crazy mud run that involves lots of mud, obstacles, climbing and fire jumping. IT WAS SO FUN! Our friends Jason and Sarah from Nebraska were in town visiting, so they hung out with Maximus and Jason took the pictures. I thought I would be able to finish in the front of our group, but of course, my morning sickness kicked in and I ran the race gagging. Jesse helped me over a couple of the hurdles and even offered his hand as I climbed out of the mud pit. I wore daisy duke shorts, soccer socks and my Viking hat. Jesse wore just his cycling bibs. No top. One guy called it a "onesie". Our tight clothes helped when we were weighed down with several pounds of mud!

Jason snapped this on the sofa before we left our house for the race. This is my mean warrior face.

Right when we arrived at Copper Mountain, where the race was held. So excited!

Strolling with Maximus and Sarah in the cute little village.

This is Copper Mountain. It's always this busy. There's still snow on the ski runs!

We found some granola to eat and posed for a picture.

Maximus waiting for us to start. The start line exploded with fire as each racing wave started. It freaked him out.

I'm in the pink shirt about to jump in the mud. Jesse is the dude on his hands and knees already in the mud.

A couple of the fire lines we jumped over.

Finish! Aren't we beautiful?!

This was taken after we showered in the outdoor "Warrior Wash" they provided for everyone. We were freezing. I was numb.

Jesse in very little clothing and me freezing once again. See what quinoa does for a body?!

Look at this picture Jason got of Maximus. Look at that perfect face and hair. We just love him!

USA Pro Cycling Challenge

http://vimeo.com/28246559
Click on that for the video.

Shark Attack!

Maximus ran in the laundry room and notified me that "Sharkimus Poop Face" was eating my latest crochet project.

Here we go...

My friend Sarah (who is also pregnant) taught me a trick for an expanding waist. Ah ha! A rubber band! When my jeans are freshly washed, they fit more snug in the waist and this makes them comfortable. I'm not gaining anywhere else, so this trick will get me by for a while! Thanks Sah!

Relax Stacey, Relax

I don't know if it's this pregnancy or what, but I have been stressed out of my mind lately. I can't cope with things like I used to, Maximus is in a tough and trying phase in his life, I am sick, I am exhausted and this stay-at-home mom who has a near perfect life needs a break. With all the visitors we've had over the summer, they've enjoyed their vacations spent here, but we need one for ourselves. Our last visitors just left this morning and their stay was great. Don't get me wrong- all of our family and friends who visited had a great time and we did too.

My life is wonderful and we're fortunate I don't have to work so I can stay home to raise our children. I am able to devote my days to giving Maximus the best possible childhood we can provide. We don't have to worry financially, we have a strong relationship, we are an independent family who is happy and we do whatever we want as long as it's fun, healthy and benefits us individually and as a whole.

Judge me as a bad mom, but I can't wait until Maximus goes back to school. Two more days.

I don't typically use my blog as a venting ground, but hopefully other moms who read this can relate. Maximus is at an age where he wants to be independent and challenges us. He talks back and tells me "no", so he gets in trouble. I feel like the last four days all I have been doing is disciplining him because that battle is constant and I'm NOT a mom who will be walked on by her toddler.

He needs to know he can't get away with certain things:

• He screams in a restaurant and disturbs others- he gets taken from the restaurant and receives a good hearty threat from Jesse.
  
• He kicks me- he gets put in his room until he's ready to apologize.
  
• He calls us a bad name- he gets a time out until he says sorry.
  
• He has drama over dinner- it sits there until he's hungry enough to eat, since I'm not a short order cook.
• He doesn't clean up his toys when I ask him to (before leaving the house, before dinner, before bedtime)- he doesn't get a treat.
  

Now, don't think that I'm a Nazi who whips him into shape, because I'm not and I DO know how to choose my battles, but this age is frustrating. He's such a loving and perfect child 98% of the time, but that small 2% is very difficult. Maybe it's because I'm so sick? Maybe it's because I'm tired? Maybe it's because I'm depressed about not being able to run? Maybe it's all of it?

I don't know why I'm writing this for everyone to read and certain people to judge me, but I've been down lately. I'm human. Anyone who can't recognize their own faults is kidding themselves. I'm thrilled about our little baby on the way, but the day to day is sometimes difficult. Hopefully my next blog entry is all roses and happiness filled with puppies and meadows of daisys.