the clan elliot

Some Good, Some Not So Good

2010-02-04T13:59:00.003-07:00

good: Tal Ronnen's EVERYTHING. Split Pea soup with Tempeh Bacon and Chipotle Cream last night; cucumber and mint salad side dish the night before... YUM! I need to give his black bean cakes a try again...

not so good: taking a regular recipe, changing 50% of the ingredients to be vegan, and expecting it to come out yummy. Martha Stewart's Dutch Apple Pancake case in point. Total Ick - had to have cereal for breakkie.

On to more experiments tonight - tofu ricotta ravioli's....

More Vegan Fun

2010-02-02T09:53:00.004-07:00

This week has been challenging and rewarding. I traveled to Atlanta and ended up having fish for dinner both nights - not really a vegan option outside of the garden salad. But I made up for it by finding a vegan-friendly place for lunch - the Dynamic Dish. A very cool small place.

I didn't feel very well for about two days after getting back to Colorado. I'm not sure if it was the fish or just general illness. But I'm feeling better now!!

I made a couple of my old vegan recipes this week - black eyed peas with spinach and a little cayenne; tofu and broccoli stir-fry; flatbread with rice-cheese, spinach and garlic... But I bought Tal Ronnen's The Conscious Cook cookbook yesterday and have many new recipes to try. Today I tried Moby's Vegan Blueberry Pancakes, and they were better than all of the mixes I've tried. His recipe is on Epicurious.

I hope to get to VG Burger in Boulder this week - they are all vegan! I want to support that as best I can.

Here are a couple of pics from this weekend's skiing. Ash had his last day of ski school, so Sean and I hit the slopes in Breckenridge. When we got to the top of the 6-chair, we could see they were just opening the hiking above the Imperial Lift. So up we went - amazing weather and views! Then I had to get the confidence to actually ski down one of the double blacks... :) We chose Snow White and it was pretty horrible - solid frozen chunks of avy debris... It would be epic on a good day - hopefully we'll have one this year...

The Vegan Experiment

2010-01-24T19:22:00.003-07:00

A couple of friends have recently 'gone vegan.' I hadn't thought too much of it - other than it was a bit stressful to think what to feed them when we get together. But they both sited the influence of The China Study. After picking a few arguments, I finally read it - and now I, too, want to Go Vegan. So I'm dragging the family through this with me - experimenting with a mostly vegan diet.

Here are some recent experiments - and the results.

Items I never thought I'd be buying:
Plain soy milk - not a fan.
Sweetened rice milk - fan.
Earth Balance - tastes just like butter!!
Cashew cream - good to thicken soups and on grilled pizzas / flatbreads.
TVP
Vegan-aise - still tastes like mayo, which would be great if I liked mayo.

A few surprise dishes - soy meatballs with yummy tomato sauce over sauteed polenta rounds. Soy-sausage with leek, fennel, red pepper, mushrooms, garlic then mixed with wild rice and some brown rice. Jarred tikka masala sauce with boiled potatoes, steamed cauliflower and lima beans. TVP (textured veg protein) chili, with red and yellow peppers and mixed beans. Black bean cakes with Slap Yo Mama and cilantro.

So, Sean and I are having a bit of fun trying new things, seeing how vegan we can be without feeling deprived or annoyed. I did have a little chicken twice last week and some lobster, but that was nearly it for non-vegan things. We won't get into Sean's huge hamburger!

PS - day 4 since Lasik - LOVING IT!!!

Woooooooo Whooooooo honk honk

2009-11-10T12:34:00.002-07:00

Ash's over-acheiver genes dictated that he would not be just a Fireman for Halloween, he needed to be the Fire TRUCK! Check out his 'Daddybilt' machine!!

My Digital History

2009-10-27T12:06:00.002-06:00

I'm committing anew to my blog. Not because I love talking about myself (oh, wait...), but because I just had a great lunch break reading through old posts, remembering the early days of the potato, and really enjoying the hubby's way of telling a story. Yes, I finally, after 10 years of marriage, can understand what the h-e-double-hockey-sticks he is saying.

So, with that, Themes as of Late:
-Huge crane arrived yesterday to plop 2 five ton boulders in our back yard. Pretty much entirely so Sean can have a slack line that holds up his heft. Yes, you can say 'excessive'!!
-Ash has declared that he no longer wants to be a fire truck for Halloween. He now has to be (HAS to be) a tractor trailer. Thank goodness I totally procrastinated getting started on his costume - think of the time I saved being lazy!
-Sean is actually cross racing!
-Ash now says, "Holler" and "Can I get a Whoop Whoop" on a regular basis.
-I am traveling like a madwoman, but focused on my free xmas vaca to St. Maarten with my lovely air and hotel points.
-I need to figure out how to connect this to Facebook...

Where Did January Go?

2009-02-02T19:58:00.003-07:00

Another year began and before we knew it, January was a thing of the past. We had an eventful month to say the least. Starting with a crazy-amazing trip to Bora Bora (thanks to Fair Isaac!!) and pretty much ending with a not so fun trip to the hospital with Ash (thanks to pneumonia).

But sunburns are turning back to pasty winter color and Ash is back to school and as feisty as ever. Here are a few brag shots in case you didn't catch them on Facebook.

Skiing

2008-11-26T08:28:00.004-07:00

The first day skiing with boy this past weekend. Some shuffling. The big winner was the gondola and bus ride to get on the hill.

Eee Eye Eee Eye Ohhhhh!

2008-10-27T08:50:00.003-06:00

Ash, Zoe Gomez and Milo had fun at the Pumpkin Farm this weekend - saying hello to sheep, cows and kittens - and don't forget the donkey!! A hay ride pulled by a tractor was Ash's favorite! He was still talking about it this morning!!

Don't Forget Your Hardhat!!

2008-09-16T09:37:00.003-06:00

Look who's driving dump trucks and excavators! The Children's Museum in Denver had a "Mighty Machines" exhibit this weekend - and Ash and mom went to check out the machines. Very fun day!!!

Toddler Bed Time!!

2008-09-15T18:06:00.003-06:00

We have offically rid ourselves of the crib!! After a couple of crib-escapes, we are offically in a toddler bed. And we officially no longer sleep through the night!!! OUCH!

Today, Ash had another great day at school - he just loves that place. And he got a new book in the mail from Aunt Kim - Richard Scarry in the shape of an apple!! He couldn't be more thrilled.

On another note, we parents were thrilled to get a WII this weekend. Ash was confused about the packages for the DVD's - he thought they were books and he wanted to read them! I guess that is better than a kid who tried to shove a book into the DVD player!!

Hope everyone who reads this has a little better day than they expected today!!

Birthday Memories

2008-07-28T10:33:00.006-06:00

We again had Ash's birthday party at a nearby park. I went all out with a choo-choo cake - and even Dad helped decorate it!!

Ash loves his ukulele!

Mother's Day and Camping Photos

2008-05-29T11:11:00.005-06:00

Dad and Ash work on mom's Mother's Day gift - LANDSCAPING!!! We planted over 50 xeriscape plants making a good improvement to our less than appealing front yard.

Ash was a great camper! He enjoyed running aroudn with his bike, chomping on apples, and dipping his toes in the lake. Unfortunately, our neighbors weren't such great campers and kept us up most of the night - so we bailed after just one night. Next time we will shoot for two whole nights! :)

Back in the States

2008-03-25T15:15:00.002-06:00

Hola!!! I had a fun business trip in Mexico City - there are some pretty loyal Coke drinkers there!! And some great breakfasts at the hotel. Yummmmmm. Huevos divorciados!!

And I can't help but post a shot of the 'tato...

Charming the Ladies!

2008-03-16T13:53:00.003-06:00

More shameless attempts to gain the favor of Zoe... He must have figured out that playing her a song just might work better than pulling her hair and taking her toys away.

Morning ritual

2008-02-26T10:58:00.002-07:00

Nice to sit down in the morning for breakfast with the boy and talk current events.

A little Bruce

2008-02-26T10:54:00.002-07:00

The zipper down, chest and belly bared reminded me of someone.

Vegas

2008-01-02T12:00:00.000-07:00

We sent Canada off in style! I think, I can't quite remember anything from that weekend except some mellow climbing at Red Rocks. Best Wishes to Canada and Down Under as they take the next step.

Over the River and Through the Woods...

2007-12-28T15:13:00.000-07:00

la la la la....

The Horse Knows the Way to Carry the Sleigh...

Oh, wait, did I just call my husband a horse?!?!

It was a very merry Christmas - awakening to a beautiful blanket of snow. Of course, we had to go play in it!

Thank you for all of the great gifts for the Potato. He can't stop playing with his new "TV", books, cars and his new BIKE! Loving the new clothes and everything else! HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Halloween

2007-11-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a potato!! With pillow case in hand to collect the bounty, Ash sped through the neighborhood getting candy galore. He quickly learned to knock on doors and grab a treat.

Of course, there was a learning curve. He liked to put his previous treat back into the bowl at the next house, and quite unfortunately, the cape did not help him fly or prevent him from tripping over his own feet and getting a big bloody nose.

So went our second Halloween.

He that has a good harvest must be content with a few thistles

2007-11-02T14:24:00.000-06:00

Here is Ash enjoying one of the last days at the Farmer's Market. It was a chilly Saturday morning. By Sunday, it was 70 degrees and we headed for the Sunflower Farm - a kid's dream with goats to feed, ponies to ride and dad to carry him through the hay maze. Hope everyone is enjoying the bounty of the season and the beautiful harvest moon.

To the desert

2007-10-27T10:42:00.000-06:00

Weekend away to Moab. Highlight was the big shuttle to Hazzard and down all of Porcupine Rim, 25 miles and nearly 7000 feet of descent! This ride has it all; fast, twisty, techy, singletrack, views, big ring FR bombing, and the gravity set. Fat mountain bikers in armor with flat pedals who couldn't pedal the moderate climb at the start and then bellyached that we were going to be in the way on the downhill, right! Nice to see the old Ned crew, its been too long since riding together. Thanks to Red for away time.

Changes

2007-10-22T14:30:00.000-06:00

Big changes makes the Potato tired. Preschool! A few hours a week of a whole new world for the Potato.

Trip to PA

2007-10-22T13:39:00.001-06:00

This about tells it all. Unhappy Potato. Teething, fever, sleepless nights, general crushing of Daddy's will.

Kubota and quad rides were highlights but not much else went well. The flights went smoothly but three out of four were delayed. Next time will be better, hope to see you guys soon. Ten or seven days whatever took its toll on us all.

RTD 100

2007-08-28T10:02:00.000-06:00

Weekend away for Dad to the mountains to ride. Great trails, production and people but very tired legs. Colorado trail to Alpine tunnel and west side to the Crest finally. Three days and around 100 mils. Second day photos below around the Alpine Tunnel area.

Nelson at the bottom of Williams Pass.
Looking back at Hancock Pass.
Top of the World section after the big hike a bike. This trail continues downhill for Ten miles! One of the best trails ever ridden. Babe, the big blue bike, showed her gravity fed abilities and may be getting closer to her potential, more than scary fast.

Lobstah with family

2007-08-20T10:30:00.001-06:00

We ate a whole lotta lobstah. Yum! Big thanks to D and R for coming out visiting with us. Hope to see you guys again soon.

Random silliness

2007-08-20T10:18:00.000-06:00

The Beehive

2007-08-14T22:06:00.002-06:00

On top of the Beehive. He made that face alot on vacation, I think he was crazy from all the O2.

A little hike in Acadia N.P. Look Ma one hand and one foot with baby on board!

More vacation adventures coming soon!

Hiking Around

2007-08-02T12:31:00.000-06:00

Here is a shot from our hike during the 4th of July week. He's a trooper in the backpack - and always enjoys being outside.

Not a zero anymore!

2007-06-07T16:07:00.001-06:00

Happy First Birthday Potato. One year down and seventeen to go til he is out of the house. He did celebrate the day by taking his first steps.

Michelin Man

2007-06-04T11:19:00.000-06:00

Ash has been working on his rolls all winter and ready to show off this summer. They kinda feel like sausage links. Mmm baby sausage.

Happy Mother's Day

2007-05-14T10:17:00.000-06:00

To you and yours. Treat those ladies well. We laid low and had a picnic on Flag, surprisingly free of the hordes.

One handed

2007-05-02T11:39:00.000-06:00

K is so proud of me for being able to cut the grass and drink a beer, one handed. A non-motorized reel mower was used so not to endanger the potato.

1st Vacation!

2007-05-02T10:28:00.000-06:00

A little biking, a little hiking and a little potato.

The Joy of Eating

2007-02-21T11:35:00.000-07:00

First we get the joy of cooking - steaming, boiling, baking and then to the food processor we go. Load up old baby food jars, fill ice cube trays, and pack the freezer with tastey delights - all made with love. Then there's the transfer from the jar to the mouth and eventual tummy. Sometimes food goes in, sometimes it gets all over. We do what we can... :)

First Christmas

2006-12-25T10:44:00.000-07:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! We all survived the Great Blizzard! Not really a big deal honestly, fair weather front rangers. Had fun shoveling out, I love snow shoveling! Almost went door to door for added pleasure and pocket money, the neighborhood kids were not out earning. The Ram had fun ripping around the hood "plowing" the streets and getting the sweet windshield shots.

PS Not responsible enough to get the cards out in a timely manner but two of the finalists are above for your viewing pleasure.

First he was an angel!

2006-12-11T17:37:00.000-07:00

First he was an angel! Then he was the devil! But not really a devil, an innocent? He can't even reach the top of his head to feel the horns sprouting (the image doesn't really show the horns but trust me they're there). The toughest 16 pounds I ever lifted, for as much he lifted us up he can crush. Love him no matter, forever!

More Respekt to my better half and all the others out there, the glue that holds it all together. Pulling down the cheddar to make it all possible and still take full advantage of the path to a man's (this man's) heart through his stomach. Onions and garlic in a skillet and glass of red in hand, simple and amazing, simply amazing kitchen time. In honor of Red, a new segment of recommended recipes and references.

Shrimp Pernod with the Spinach Cakes. Two thumbs way up. Louisiana Real & Rustic Emeril Lagasse.

Happy Half Birthday!

2006-12-06T10:05:00.000-07:00

Six months yesterday! Ash is happy, We're happy, and the doctor is happy.
16 lbs 6 oz
Gaining on the growth charts
25-50% by weight
50% by length
90% by head!!!
Red certainly missed out on that noggin at full term.
What is next for the Potato?
Spoooooooon!!!! feeding.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2006-11-22T19:19:00.000-07:00

To family and friends

We raise our glasses.
Thanks to those who are no longer with us and what they made us.
Thanks to he who is now with us and what he will continue to make us.
We only hope to do right by the past for the future.

Bozo? Crusty?

2006-11-04T16:45:00.000-07:00

No... It's Ash!

We're not walking anymore!

2006-10-27T13:26:00.000-06:00

I really wanted to take my singlespeeding to new level, so I threw 45 lbs (trailer + baby, heavier by the day) behind the bike and went for a ride. Big props to Boulder for all the off roadway bike paths, all in all a very nice experience away from traffic with the baby in tow. Coming soon, NCAR hill repeats and posted times in the Singlespeed Super Clydesdale (275 lbs + total weight) class.

This just in. Your bike gets 633 miles per gallon (31000 calories per gallon of gas). Go ride!

Hall passes

2006-10-27T13:04:00.000-06:00

A hike in the Flatirons with our favorite Canadian.

Nice to get out recently and ride the bike. Missed the aspens turn but certainly got to ride the gold before winter came to the mountains. Some of the best trails in the county mainly because they're not in county.

No photos but the season has started, first day tele at the A-Basin. Fingers crossed for snow.

Thanks to Red for letting me out. XOXO

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

2006-10-26T18:07:00.000-06:00

Daddy and Ash are off for a frolicking good time!

Just trying to introduce him to some of the finer things in life, like SICK POW! Must of felt like the Chariot was floating on a white cloud. But alas like all powder days they go so fast, Bear Canyon trail was like so tracked out by 9:30!

Sleepy Head

2006-09-29T12:26:00.000-06:00

Field Trips

2006-09-29T09:27:00.000-06:00

Another beautiful day in the Bubble and out on the trails with the little man. These hikes have become field trips with something new everyday. We have seen lizards and snakes and rangers warning of bears, oh my! The best places are the hidden vistas and off the map trails like the Mantis trail. No trailhead per say, starting from the home of the Magic Squirrel, a wide open draw ascending to the Mesa and so named for these rare, genuflecting hunters. Green, brown and even white ones lay in wait along the trail. The strange thing is on numerous occasions they have appeared to me only in threes. A sign? A gift to help me thru primary care giverhood, be like the mantis, grasshopper and be eaten, no wait. Be patient and learn mediative inner calm. Ok sounds a little hokey I know but the Magic Squirrel opened my eyes to beyond, "Wow cool, a praying mantis!"

The Magic Squirrel Story started out the same, another beautiful day in the Bubble and out on the trails with the little man. Along a thickly grown neighborhood trail came a squirrel running straight at us. He stopped right between my feet, I know he was from what he said, and looked up at me with slight turn to his head. He said, "..." Well what he said was profound and is beyond my ability to convey to you. Take my word for it, besides what he said was for me and me only I believe. Then he ran between my legs and Boscoe's legs and disappeared before she could even turn to give chase. These days amazing moments are often, for me alone with the boy and beyond me to explain.

How to sneak out of the house without the baby

2006-09-25T11:20:00.000-06:00

Who is watching the baby?

2006-09-10T11:52:00.001-06:00

Where is Mama?

There she is!
We all survived Mom's first business trip and the house was cleaner than when she left!

Growing fast

2006-09-10T11:44:00.000-06:00

Only two months ago

Now, look at the size of that noggin!

Home Alone

2006-08-29T13:49:00.000-06:00

I am now home alone with the baby, Mom went back to work yesterday. Trying to build a schedule around feeding, sleeping, laundry, cleaning and at least one outdoor activity. Big news is last night he slept 11:00 to 5:30, hurray! Bigger as well 10 1/2 lbs! Me close to 10 lbs lighter carrying him over hill and dale in the sling, 60 miles to date in neat little 90 minute naps. Everything is good here except I am officially old now, thanks to all who have let me know it.

PS Camera is out of service currently, more photos soon.

Change of policy

2006-08-17T14:09:00.000-06:00

Comments posting has been changed to registered members only. Unfortunately a number of anonymous comments have popped up with links to who knows where or what. Sorry for the change but hopefully all will be safer for it.

First Blanket Fort

2006-08-12T13:11:00.000-06:00

Update: Over 8 1/2 lbs!

First Climbing Trip

2006-08-07T11:05:00.000-06:00

Extreme diaper bag delivery service.

Enjoying the Great Ash in the Great Outdoors.

K looking for beta from Ash before her 5.6 ascent.

Not photo documented, K heading out the trail with Ash in the car seat during a late day shower while I am on top of the rock. Thanks to our foreign friends for getting us out on the rock.

Sling baby

2006-07-27T13:49:00.000-06:00

Hiking

2006-07-25T16:04:00.000-06:00

Went for his first real hike yesterday. We took his whole sleeping window, 90 mins, since the sling just puts him straight to sleep. A major perk of the new house, hiking to spots like this door to door in an hour and a half. We found this vista between Bear and Fern Canyons off the Mesa trail just two miles out the door. The little man is now 7 lbs & 13 ozs, dr. appointment today, and we can ween him slow off the fortifier. Carrying this rapidly growing package uphill will certainly help me drop out of the triple digit kilo club, bye bye beer belly?

What went right

2006-07-17T22:59:00.000-06:00

Things that have gone right.

- cloth diapers, the mini-shower attachment on the toilet makes all the differance (thanks Chris for the diapers!!).
- breast feeding & pumping (practice at the breast once a day because he still needs his fortifier).
- a regular schedule for all.
- his steady weight gain.
- a beer fridge in the garage.

Things that have not.

- my steady weight gain.
- the failed escape plan to breck.
- cuttting the lawn at 11:00 pm by headlamp, neighbor friendly non-motorized push reel style.
- the ever growing to do list.
- the birth plan.

Most important things.

- a healthly, happy wife and baby at home.

Ash 2 - Us 0

2006-07-16T00:25:00.000-06:00

Notice the look of defeat, the little man has once again exacted his will. Sure we spotted him the first point, babies do hold sway over parents sleeping habits. Who would have thought that he cared for such worldly things as Real Estate! A little escape to Breckenridge, change of venue, Boscoe swimming in the Blue, altitude training for the babe (no more EPO) Besides triple digits on the Front Range and Summit County a high of 80, maybe and a low of 45, ahhh. This issue will be revisited come winter, because you will do anything, "unless it dumps."

p.s. The defeat of a early retreat back to "the bubble" was lightened by the August 06 Outside magazine waiting in the maibox. On the cover,"I Hate Boulder, Colorado! Why perfectville drives me nuts." A hilarous column by Marc Peruzzi, "The Gore-Tex Vortex."

Eat, Play, Sleep, Repeat

2006-07-09T18:49:00.000-06:00

Mainly sleep, sleep, and sleep when he sleeps. Play at this point being changing the diaper and burping after feeding. Eating not glamorous, two people handing him to the next so the other can finish eating. Do it again in three hours.

Home SWEET Home

2006-07-04T14:09:00.000-06:00

We're home and loving it! We arrived home on Saturday afternoon, and are so glad to be here! At the hospital, after they said we could go home since he ate all his feedings from a bottle for two days straight, there was a battery of tests. Ash had his hearing tested, his car-seat test to make sure he could breathe while in there since he's so tiny (thank you Nicky for the car seat!!), and he had his circumcision (which Sean so generously offered me the chance to attend rather than him. Can't imagine why...). His final weight was almost exactly 5 pounds - good improvement from his low of 3 lbs 5 oz!!

The house was a bit of a mess since we'd been only dropping by and picking things up / dropping things off for a month. And we really didn't have our stuff together - so his first diaper change was kind of funny. No changing station thing, where's the diapers? Do we have any wipes? He just peed all over himself. Where are the clean onsies? and so on... Then we realized we hadn't really washed and prepared everything for him - like washing the bedding, all the blankets, etc. I think we honestly did 7 loads of laundry before going to bed.

After two trips to Babies R Us (a.k.a. BRU) and a few to Target on Sunday & Monday, we're pretty much set up and have a bit of a groove down. (I had to drive all the way to BRU and leave the bubble of Boulder just to get preemie diapers since my order of preemie cloth diapers hasn't arrived yet and I couldn't find that size anywhere in Boulder... grrrr)

Mary gave us a bedside co-sleeper thing she used for her twins that we're using as his crib while he's in our room that has worked perfectly for Ash to sleep in (THANK YOU MARY). It is right next to the bed (my side of course) and its easy to settle him if he's making noises. He's been getting up about every 3 hours or so to eat - sometimes it stretches to 4 hours, sometimes it's every hour. We're still learning his schedule, but we did learn to read his cues so we can get his feeding going before he cries. One thing is that he is eating a lot more than he did in the hospital. I think that's kind of weird, but maybe a sign that he is happier here.

When he isn't in his 'crib', he's really into being held. We can't use the snuggly thing that holds him against your body (baby bjorn or something) until he is 6 lbs. Can't wait for that!! So now when we need our hands free, we either prop him on the couch with supporting blankets (rolling them to make a little 'nest' for him like they did in the NICU) or he hangs in the bouncy seat.

When I'm not feeding, holding, pumping, changing, rocking, etc., I've had time to get back to cooking! Dad & Kim - I found a great shrimp and pasta recipe that I made last night - it tastes JUST like the dish at Cami's. Let me know if you want the recipe. Today I'm tackling a blueberry tart - also a new recipe. We'll see if I haven't already messed up the pastry cream...

Last thing to note - Ash had his first doc appt yesterday, and he passed with flying colors. Since we've left the NICU, he's gained 4 oz - that's 2 oz a day and their target for him was 1 oz a day! Whoo hoo!! He also had his blood drawn for a final hermaticrite (sp?) test, and he passed that so no more blood doping for this little guy.

Now we just have to decide where to watch the fireworks... Big decision for his first 4th of July!

Where's the baby?

2006-07-03T07:48:00.000-06:00

Showing a little smile after getting the news. HOME! A bit of a whirlwind right now but we will settle in somehow without the nurses. Big thanks to all the fine ladies of the NICU, nurses, nurse practitioners, NAP team, Boulder County Public Health preemie outreach and the doctors. And of course Plotnick. Without all of them the past month would have been much more trying. To those who still remain, Stay Strong and Take Care of those little ones.

Thankful

2006-06-29T19:34:00.000-06:00

Yeah its nice he has ten fingers and toes but we are really thankful for the freakishly big hands and feet.

Get in my belly

2006-06-29T19:18:00.000-06:00

He has been pretty hungry and his belly is showing the workout results.

They grow up so fast.

2006-06-28T17:16:00.000-06:00

The dream is over. The little one has moved beyond his preemie phase into full on baby mode. Gone are the lazy days of parenting when the babe only cared about looking cute and sleeping all day. He now does FUSSY. I have no idea how he learned this wholly undesirable trait but I have an idea. I believe the other babies of the NICU may hold some sway over my son. They speak to him with crying, the primary method of communication for babies. A secret language adults can barely understand. Maybe it all goes much deeper, maybe a baby cabal exists. The sole purpose of which would be to control the breeders (parents). A sly group they are hiding behind big funny heads and disgustingly cute little fingers and toes controlling a pair of entities many times larger, stronger, and smarter? They set the tiniest of hooks and you are at their beckon call, cry? Move over K someone else controls my life now.

Ok he was fussy one night. All is good, almost 5 lbs and eating very well from the bottle. I will let Red fill you in on the female specific feeding efforts but I will say he is just like pop, a ****** man.

Postponing the inevitable

2006-06-23T18:53:00.000-06:00

Quite possibly the last warm meal Mama will have for years!

Big enough to wear clothes,

2006-06-22T09:17:00.000-06:00

Almost. At the ripe old age of 17 days (36 weeks and 3 days developmently) he has packed on over a pound from his lowest weight and is gaining more than an ounce a day. A minor triumph yesterday, a complete bottle feeding of 40ml twice in one day. Being able to eat all his feedings from the bottle is the last major hurtle to going home. He has moved out of the isolette "chicken hatcher" and is able to keep himself warm. Still day to day but getting closer.

Scandal!

2006-06-20T11:39:00.000-06:00

Boulder couple caught blood doping preemie! A two week old baby has getting regular EPO shots in order to raise his hematocrit. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has been notified in order to blacklist the child from future athletic competition. Admittedly pressure in Boulder is extremely high to produce world class althetes - with unparalleled competition to get athletic scholarships to preschool. When asked for comment the boys' father said, "I only wanted to give him a leg up on training, besides he'll be clean by the time he's competing. WADA can jam that suspension straight up its ***, besides with the joke they're making of themselves with the Armstrong thing they won't even be around much longer." The mother only said, "Would someone please just give my husband some of that EPO so he can stop whining about not being able to keep up with the average Boulderite."

"What are we going to do tonight Ash?"

2006-06-19T09:20:00.000-06:00

"The same thing we do every night, try and take over the world!!!"

That new parent joke

2006-06-17T09:56:00.000-06:00

There is an old joke about new parents. If you ask the mother and father of a newborn, "How is the baby sleeping thru the night?" The mother would say, "He's up every few hours." The father would say, "Great, he sleeps straight thru the night."

Miss You Boscoe

2006-06-14T11:04:00.000-06:00

Thanks again to Pat & Karen for looking after our furry baby.

All Challengers

2006-06-13T11:09:00.000-06:00

The small but mighty Ash will take on all challengers in a Boulder Community Hospital sanctioned Lexan Cube match for preemie supremancy.

He's a week old today!!!

2006-06-12T16:37:00.000-06:00

More little steps... Ash's little belly button fell off yesterday. Why on Earth I think that is cute, I don't know... He also moved from his bed under a heat lamp to a little enclosed incubater-looking thing since they confirmed with a second blood test that his jaundice is gone. He already seems more comfortable in there - he's been out like a light all day. And he also had his little IV removed. They were giving him additional electrolites and other such liquids, but now he's eating enough milk that he no longer needs it.

The NICU here is now busting at the seams. When we arrived last week, there were only a few rooms taken. Now they have all 6 rooms full (3 sets of twins!) plus one overflow room full and a NICU set up in a regular Labor & Delivery room for yet another family. I think I just heard another baby has now checked in, so they are entirely out of NICU beds. I'm glad they had a space for us when little Ash arrived.

How Ash Got Here

2006-06-11T11:32:00.000-06:00

No, I'm not going to explain the birds and the bees. I'm sure you can Google that if you have any questions...

Up until May 26th, I had a pretty easy, low-risk pregnancy. All of my pre-natal visits went very well, I had virtually no negative side-effects except for just a couple of weeks of nausea early on... Then, the week of May 22nd, I spent the week in Atlanta for work. By the time I got home, I had swollen ankles - not surprising considering the long plane ride and the hot and humid weather down south. I woke up Friday morning, May 26th, and the swelling just hadn't gone away yet.

Since it was the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, and Sean was down in Texas visiting Eric, I decided I'd give the doctor's office a call just to see if I should come in. They suggested I should, and when I arrived, my blood pressure was a 'little high' and the swelling was still there - although going away. They decided to do a quick blood test to just make sure I wasn't showing any signs of pre-eclamsia. Friday evening the doctor called back to say the blood tests were mostly fine, and since my regular doctor's visit was that Wednesday, she was ok with me going on with my weekend.

So, I went camping Saturday night (couldn't miss the Iron Camp Chef contest!!) and when Sean came home Monday, we went for a bike ride down to the Creek Festival here in Boulder.

Then Wednesday at my doctor's appointment, my pressure was up again. She asked that I take it easy and do a 24 hour urine test to check for protein, which I guess is released with high blood pressure and is a sign of concern.

We went back on Friday to get the test results. And that was the 'beginning of it all'!! The test results showed a TON of protein. My doctor put me on a monitor to watch the baby's heart rate; called a high-risk pregnancy OBGYN, Dr. Plotnick; and then gently told us that we'd need to go to the hospital - the baby may need to come early.

Needless to say, Sean and I were . We did drive home, packed a bag or two, called Pat to pick up Boscoe (THANK YOU AGAIN, PAT) and drove to Boulder Community Foothills Hospital.

Once at the Hospital, they sent me to the Labor and Delivery area where they checked me and Ash out. They decided that his heartrate looked stable enough to see if he could stay inside a while longer. The next morning, Saturday, they had me start another urine test while I was on bedrest and they monitored Ash's heartrate the whole time.

When the results from the second urine test came back on Sunday, the protein had more than doubled. Although we had REALLY hoped that the bedrest would bring down my pressure and allow Ash to stay inside longer, they made the final decision that it was time for Ash to make an appearance. So, on Sunday night, the started giving me medicine to induce labor...

Monday morning, I had contractions for a few hours. I kept pushing the nurse to turn up the volume on the medicine giving me contractions because I was DETERMINED to have this child on 6/5/06 - not on 6/6/06 which would just stink as a birth date (The Omen...). We were going through contractions until it was noticed that Ash's little heart rate would continuously drop with each one. It was determined that natural childbirth was going to have to be forgotten, and I was prepped for a C-Section. At this point, I think we were both feeling pretty defeated - keeping him in didn't work, natural childbirth didn't work, and now we were going with the 'last resort'. In a way, it was at least a relief to know there wasn't going to be another plan. This was it. We were having a baby today.

Sean snapped a few photos after putting on his very sexy scrubs, and we wheeled off to the operating room to meet the baby and find out if it was a girl or boy!!!

During the procedure, Sean was behind the curtain next to me. It was a very weird feeling to mentally know what was going on, but not being able to feel a darn thing. After what seemed like an eternity and a flash of a second all at once, the doc said, "OK Dad, time to look now". Sean stood up, peeked over the curtain (a vision I'm so glad I don't have in my head!!) and out came the baby! They told us it was a boy. I cried.

Sean will probably have to tell his story about what happened then. I know they took Ash to a little warmer in the corner, and then brought him over to me and set him on my chest. I cried.

All in all, when and how Ash was born was not exactly our 'birth plan'. But I have to say that I'm so thankful for the great pre-natal care at the hospital here, my great team of doctors and nurses that worked with us (and continue to work on little Ash), and Sean. He was cool as a cucumber towards me when I lost my sh** every few hours - I don't know what on earth I would have done had this all happened when he was in Texas!! (Eric, you are so lucky as I'm sure I would have figured out a creative way to blame ya...)

off the beach

2006-06-11T08:10:00.000-06:00

the billy rueben (spelling?), jaundice has been stopped by the phototherapy lights. another small step forward.

slowly forward

2006-06-11T07:57:00.000-06:00

Ash came into the world at 3 lbs 9 oz. the initial dip to 3 # 5 has been countered to a hefty 3 # 11. little steps.

mom & baby

2006-06-10T11:52:00.000-06:00

its a boy

2006-06-10T10:53:00.000-06:00

June 5 2006
Little Ash joined the family 6 weeks early. 3 lbs 9 oz and 16 inches long. Mom and baby are doing fine. More info to come.