Men At Work!

L-R: Andrew, Josh Steve, Mike

Quite the gentlemen here! At a typical get-together, the women usually assume the role in creating delicious food. Last night, the roles were unintentionally shifted as the men created an amazing "breakfast for dinner".

Steve has been trying to learn how to make the "perfect omelet" and is more optimistic having watched Mike bust out a dozen perfect and fluffy omelets. Josh, we were totally impressed with your seventh attempt to recreate your grandpa's pancakes. We thought they were AWESOME and that you've reached the pinnacle!

C470 Bike Day!

Heading out on a ride with people I haven't ridden with is usually a little nerve racking to me. What if I can't keep up? What if they're unsafe? Throw in being five and a half months pregnant, and the nerves were flared a bit more. Fortunately, I was able to talk with the girls before we even road and was feeling pretty good about our planned outing.

Connie, our fearless leader! (Obviously we're going to have fun!)

Kemora and Jenny ready to roll.

(Kemora, Connie and I work together and Jenny and Kemora are sister-in-laws always out for adventure.)

Steve adding the finial touches before heading out. Aside from enjoying riding with my Love, it's convenient, as Connie pointed out, to have a man around!


Regrouping. The mountains are so much bigger in person! The views along this trail were fantastic!

I realize this picture is blurry, but I was riding at the same time. This portion of the trail was gorgeous! At one point we were beside a creek that reminded me of a ride at Disneyland. It was like a bird sanctuary! Beautiful path, lots of shade (but still got a burn from Colorado's brilliant sun).

*Nicole* This reminded me of the stretch through the walnut orchards when we did the Lodi Wine and Cheese Century last year.

We passed a dog park at one point and I'll estimate there were 50 dogs out enjoying the water.

William was kicking along the way as well as sitting on my bladder which makes life interesting.
I'm SO grateful that I'm able to still head out for adventure! Don't worry, I'm not pushing myself the way I otherwise would, but I'm still out there. Because we're halfway through the pregnancy and everything looks "normal" I feel confident that our adventures are safe, really, beneficial for Will and I. Also, we're not out on country roads without a shoulder for cyclists. This is a huge peace of mind factor as auto traffic is not an unpredictable factor.

I took a moment to stop for this huge dandelion! It's about four inches in diameter- no exaggeration!

Because I stopped, I got to capture Connie in motion! We're incredibly spoiled with these trails in Colorado! They're wide enough for the flow of cyclists coming and going, passing etc. and so smooth. At one point while we climbed to the top of a reservoir, we were on regular road. I was reminded how it just sucks your tire into it!

More Memorial Weekend Fun!

As if biking wasn't a great enough thrill for just coming out of the cave, we went fishing and hiking with our friends Nick and Laura Lee. What a blast!!!!

Steve wasn't so excited about my bright green rain jacket frightening the fish off.

While our husbands fished, LL and I decided to hike/scramble up the closest hill. It was rejuvenating! It only took about 25-30 minutes to make it to the top. Once there we were delighted with the view of Estes Park. But one must never forget- what goes up, must come down. Our creative path up made for an even more interesting way down!

Successfully making it down a slab! Yea!

Laura Lee always looks terrific! Behind her is the "slab" we came down from.

Biking Days Again!

This past weekend proved better than ever! FINALLY we were able to do some of the things we love- for me- getting on my bike was a precious gift! I was a little nervous as pregnant women are trained these days to live in a cave. I've decided the cave just isn't for me- time for a coo.

Steve and I took it easy on the way towards our destination (can't give you numbers- it's sad) but on the way back, I was able to pick up the pace and felt much like my pre-pregnant self. Though I did play it much safer than usual (actually caring and monitoring my speed down hills and around corners) it's great to know that Baby Will can join us in the fun! Who knows, maybe he's the next Lance already in training!

Sick Steve

April was a really fun month! Steve came down with a horrible "bug" or stomach/intestinal virus that sent him to the after hours care at Kaiser.
While there, he experienced his first ever IV as they pumped him with 2 liters of fluid. Arriving home somewhere around 3 AM, we both took the next day off. The nurses were concerned that I would come down with it- being el preggo, people seem to care a whole lot more for your well being.

I sterilized the house, so I thought, but the next week, I came down with the exact same bug. Unfortunately, it happened much later and he needed to take me to the ER. On the bright side, it's the same hospital we'll deliver at, so it was like a practice trial. Also, they wanted to check out the baby and make sure it was handling my sickness well. Thus, we received an unexpected ultrasound (16 weeks- you usually only get them at 8 and 20). They discharged me after giving me 4 liters of fluids.

Steve was an AMAZING husband through my sickness! He held me up so I wouldn't pass out while puking and carried my IV bag to use the lavatory. The whole time he went above and beyond!