Parents To Be

Well, this isn't a photo we took, but you get the idea, right? We found out last Friday night (a total fluke) that we are going to be parents! We're not out of the "danger zone" of the first trimester, but as a friend at church said, if you keep it a secret, people won't understand why you're so happy, and if you lose the baby, they won't understand why you're so sad. If you're reading this, you know I have a hard time containing myself when I'm really excited about something as simple as candy, so I'm totally (with Steve's blessing) subscribing to this philosophy. Here's the run down on the most common questions we've been asked

• Yes, we have told our family. Everyone is really excited. The Walton clan is routing for a boy as currently the family is full of estrogen.


• No, we weren't "trying" to conceive, which is probably why it happened to us. Talk of beginning a family had definitey started, we were actually thinking of later this year. I already had plans with some friends to head up at least one fourteener a week and participate in some amazing rides and the Muddy Buddy (sorry I have to bail Connie!). Literally I had told people that this would be my last summer and I wanted to pack in as much in as possible. Yes, I know we will be able to do things even with a child, but I wanted to expereince more of Colorado's rugged mountians.


• Estimated due date according to the interent: Sept. 21, Sept 27 and Oct. 7. I hope it's Oct. as the nieces were both born in September. Also, there's little activity on the Walton side during Oct.


• Will we find out the sex? I was always vehemently opposed to this, I really don't care if it's a boy or girl- just healthy. So would I like to know so I can "plan the nusury" and receive clothes in colors other than green and yellow? Yes, but not for those reasons. I'm not concerened about the sex of the baby, I just want to get to know the little person growing inside of me. Could be the next president!


• Our first doctor's appointment is on Valentine's day- first available appointment. But really, what a great way to spend the day!


• Epidural? I've said, "no way", but Brian and Odette had some good thoughts: you can enjoy the process more and follow doctor's directions better because you're not focused on the pain. We'll see.


• I feel fine. Really, I feel great which explain why we've taken four tests over the course of five days. With my finiky stomach, I figured I would be a sicko during this time of my life, but I have been blessed!


• I took a test because Liz, a friend, jokingly said I should, based solely on the fact she loves pregnent people and wanted another pregnent friend (lol). Since I enjoy my glass of wine, I decided perhaps I should be safe than sorry. I took the test without Steve's knowledge and quicky called him in to view the test. Suffice to say, we didn't sleep that night at all. Steve was pretty tense for the next 24 hours.
  
• Steve is really excited and is already talking to the non-existent belly.
• I will continue to exercise for the health of the baby and myself. Heathy mom, healthy baby? I hope. I've added more strength training to my workout already. Running will be in my range as long as my knees allow it and it's comfortable.

How can you help? Please PRAY! Pray for a healthy baby and delivery, wisdom, for our baby's spirit to be tender and creative thinking on how to rearrange our life for this precious gift. We can't wait to meet this little one face to face!

Four Teeth- Thirty-Five Minutes

Really, I was spared the chipmunk cheeks- hallelujah! Yesterday was the day of reckoning for my wisdom teeth. Leading up to the appointment, I didn't allow myself to think about the procedure- except when getting advice and horror stories from friends.

Odette, baby Sarah and I went shopping for a few hours prior to the appointment, a planned fun time, but a pleasant and unexpected distraction from my hunger and nerves (no food 6 hours prior to the procedure and if you know me, I'm a grouch when not fed properly).

Since Odette once worked at an oral surgeons office, she became my sage. I am confident I asked too many questions! The moment the hygienist came to get me all nerves kicked in full gear. I knew I had to go, but was a bit hesitant. Good to have a friend take you- ego can work wonders!

The hygienist was fantastic and worked me through my nerves. By the time Dr. Cosby came in the room, I was ready. He promised it wouldn't hurt and I wouldn't remember anything due to the IV sedation (which originally I didn't want- but a week ago, Odette explained the benefits that made logical sense- glad I went for it) . I closed my eyes as the room began to spin; he had mentioned this would happen. My eyes remained shut during the rest of the procedure and I was pleasantly surprised when they announced they had finished.
Four teeth in about thirty-five minutes!

Odette drove me home and I was feeling pretty good. I will never be able to repay her amazing kindness as she stayed and cared for me, reminding me and coaching me through changing my gauze and taking the meds, getting an emergency bowl for pukies, playing games and watching a chick-flick. She is like many people we have met who have shown a level of kindness, support and helpfulness that is so Christ-like.

Pretty much a-okay 24 hours later. Steve's being gracious as I've been a bit moody. Slim fast (on back counter by coffee) has been my friend.

As a special door prize, they put my teeth in a sterile bag as a keepsake. My kiddos are going to love my show-and-tell this week!

Cool Chickas!

Having three older brothers, I'm usually more comfortable around guys. Girls once scared me because they can be so brutal, but these chicks prove there's nothing to fear. Thanks Liz, Odette and baby Sarah for being down to earth and totally cool chicks!

Beast and Heracles

A cross country ski trip at Alpine Lake by Bear Valley in 2003. Can't believe it's that long ago!

Best day of snowboarding at Bear Valley

My first Subaru was an '83 tan wagon my brother Matt and I shared. After high school graduation I was hit head-on by a drunk driver who drove away and when found had no insurance. My nose is crooked because of this.Short lived love, I learned to drive a manual transmission in this Suby and my dad took me to Bear Valley's parking lot (ice lot) to teach me some winter driving skills. I had to acquire 10 hours of "snow driving" before they would allow me to drive to the hills alone. (This was in addition to 150 driving hours in normal conditions before we were allowed to get our license. Oddly enough, I LOVE to drive!)

"Beast", my second Subaru, served our adventures quite well. Beast took us to Yellowstone, BC and many wonderful adventures. Beast was christened so due to the way he fearlessly raced up snowy passes (something my Volvo wagon could never accomplish safely). One day the snow was so bad we had to roll the windows down to allow the burm to keep us on course.

I loved the Acura, but two wheel drive was pretty unbearable. As I could go no faster than 20 mph safely on the snowy roads I threw in the towel on a car I love. Steve had been trying to get me to trade for a Subaru for a LONG TIME, but I just wanted to stick to a car for once (I've now had three since we've been together). My expectations for a different vehicle changed drastically from: must have LL Bean and all the bling to: just give me a car with AWD, heated seats and a heated windshield wiper (formerly the all weather package) the rest is rubbish. It was a journey to get to that point, I had to drive hyper cautiously in a few storms and rationalize that if I wrecked I was going to slow to be fatally wounded.

Reality really set in while I was driving to the dentist. As slow as I was going, there was no way I was going to be able to stop at an intersection; so I turned right. Following that glorious moment, it was like a slip and slide and I was grateful to arrive at the dentists parking lot. Locals tell us the real snow season hasn't even hit!

Online I had found what seemed like a really good buy on a "used" Subaru. (This was the same day Buddy ate all the chocolates, so I dropped him off at Deuter to hang with Steve.) With Steve's blessing, I headed up to Subaru of Loveland. I had my reservations about negotiating on the Suby, you never know with a trade-in. The sales team was nice and we were able to cut to the chase. Steve headed up with Buddy after work and three hours later we were given keys to our new-used Subaru.

Steve told me I couldn't call this one Beast. He suggested B2 (Beast 2), but it seemed a bit to "techie" for me. I gave a few suggestions which were too effeminate for Steve to use casually. As I got to know the Suby, I fell in deep love and found the name for it! Below are pictures of our new addition, Heracles (a.k.a. Herc). A Greek mythological hero, Heracles is known for strength, courage and ingenuity.

Finally Buddy can ride with me! I was a dog snob with my Acura.

Plenty of ground clearance.

It comes with "sportshift" which saved me while driving the Acura. Also, it has a mp3 jack!

Steve's diggin' on the cloth interior. He abhorred the black leather seats in the Acura.

I'm really grateful for a car that will keep us safe in our adventures!

Blossoms of Light

This photo is from the Blossoms of Light web site. The scene is even more beautiful in real life.

You know your destined for fun when you're with Brian and Nel!

There's also an art exhibit you can view day or night. Above is one of the pieces.

Nel and I stayed warm in our new down jackets- I am grateful for goose down!

Brian forgot to bring a had and borrowed Nel's scarf. He looked like a total hippie.

This area was a tunnel of red lights.

Brian and Nel had an excellent Sat. evening suggestions: Blossoms of light at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The sight was spectacular! We had special glasses that made the glow of the lights look like snowmen, snowflakes or "New Year". Steve was experimenting with his new camera and took notes from other photographers there. His wish list now includes a monopod.