Our baby is now 2!

On March 30th, Sarah turned the big 2! We can't believe how fast time has passed. I had flashbacks to the days before her delivery and the delivery itself. We went to the doctor the week before the due date, April 1st, to find Sarah was retracting and not making her way into the birth canal. The decision was made on that day to schedule a C-Section for Friday, March 30th. We had to be at the hospital before the crack of dawn for surgery prep. I remember waking up at 3am in a total panic because I thought we overslept and lost our opportunity to have her that morning. After calming down, Kirk and I went back to bed but couldn't sleep because of the excitement. We were originally scheduled to have surgery at 7am but my doctor, Dr. Mark Richey who is superman, was called to an emergency delivery. Unfortunately the moon was full that week and there is an old wives tale about the full moon and the increase in babies delivered. We were convinced of that because the maternity and labor ward was full...there were no beds available. The only place for Kirk and I to wait was in really uncomfortable chairs in the hallway. I was sitting naked in my hospital gown with my IV and hospital issued hair cap + socks on. We watched the nurses come and go as they scurried to help patients. We waited for two hours...the longest two hours of our lives. We were both nervous, excited, scared and growing inpatient. Then, it was time. Deep breath...I was a bundle of nerves as the nurse took me through the operating doors and I had to leave Kirk behind for the time being. They administered the spinal and laid me down on the table for all the world to see. At that point, I didn't care who saw me buck naked, I just wanted to finally meet my baby girl. They escorted Kirk in and in no time, there she was. The emotion that comes over you the first time you see your child is hard to describe but so overwhelming and powerful. If the world was full of that emotion, boy would this place be much happier. After recovery, they took me to the room. Shortly after arriving and getting settled, in walked Kirk pushing the bassinet with Sarah. He handed her to me and I had fallen in love. I was a mommy and couldn't imagine life otherwise. We were complete.

That baby is now 2 and she is growing so fast and becoming a very smart whipper snapper. Her personality continues to blossom on a daily basis. We are truly blessed.

Our original plan was to have a birthday celebration Saturday March 28th with both set of grandparents. But thanks to the random spring blizzard in Denver, my parents did not make it which was a bummer. Kirk's parents were able to join us and we had a great time. Sarah received many wonderful gifts from family and friends. Her big gift from Kirk and I was a big girl bike made by Kettler. It's the cat's meow and is adjustable so will grow with her until it's time for a 2-wheel.

We enjoyed "Horton Hears a Who" strawberry cupcakes, recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart. Sarah wasn't too interested in the cake part...she would rather just lick the frosting from her fingers. We enjoyed another favorite of Sarah's that night - lasagna. We took cupcakes to school on Monday to share with friends as well. Her 2-year well child check up is scheduled for April 16th as well as her first trip to the dentist. Stay tuned for the stats...

Go Orediggers!

Kirk and I celebrated EDays Around the World last Thursday with local alumni from Farmington and Durango. I volunteered about a month ago, to be the CSM alumni section coordinator for the Four Corners area. Kirk, poor guy, got sucked in by default.

We had a great time catching up with an alumni that worked with BP in Alaska while we were there along with others in the area. Our babysitter had to cancel last minute, so poor Sarah was subject to hanging out with us but she was a trooper.

Wish me luck

I'm about to embark on a new adventure...new to me and intimidating to say the least. It's something I've always wanted to do but never had the guts to get er'done or wanted to deal with the crazy competitive women in Anchorage. After meeting Brandyn Roark Gray, super Xterra triathlete and coach for the Four Corners Aquatic Team, I can now swim for the first time in 34 years. Sad but true. Sarah was a big motivator to learn plus I can't tell you how many times I had a mental breakdown in the ocean while snorkeling due to the lack of swimming skills or confidence. Kirk may be able to relay his painful memories from trips to Hawaii or Mexico.

So, now I can swim. And once we arrived in Farmington last fall, I purchased a new road bike. Given those key ingredients along with training off and on since December, I feel I'm as ready as I can be for my first triathlon. In less than two weeks, I'll be participating in the Tri the Rim triathlon on the Fort Lewis College campus. I say participate vs. compete because it's more of an event for me to try and finish (without coming in dead last). If anything, I'm competing with myself. I've had great support during all of the preparation from friends and family especially Kirk. But I do want to thank my friends and co-mommy triathletes Mikie, Jennifer Starck, Jessie C. and Shannon Titzel. Ready or not!

Update as of late

It's been sometime since the last post. After my published detail of the trials and tribulations of dealing with the consistent wave of illness with Sarah, Kirk and I proceeded to get hit. Kirk continued his fight with the man cold but this time the battle seemed to be easier. He did some research online to find a homeopathic site detailing the healing powers of apple cider vinegar. It's nature's antibiotic of sorts: 2 teaspoons and 8 oz of water 2-4 times per day and poof, you are healed.

I, on the other hand, looked like this two weeks ago. (minus the blood, sweat and my pained look was less dramatic) Two trips to two different doctors, two different eye antibiotics to kill the pink eye I caught from Sarah, another dose of antibiotics for an upper respiratory/sinus infection and a shot of steroid in the rear to combat seasonal allergies and I'm cured! (kind of) Last week I battled a new cold and chest congestion and this past weekend Sarah was coughing up a lung. It doesn't help that mother nature keeps us guessing on a daily basis and things are in full bloom. 70's and sun, then cold, windy, snow, cold, windy, warm, windy, cold, more snow and now sunshine today. But I think at this point, I'll take the random southwest weather over Alaska's cold, snowy and now ash fall plagued spring.

Let's see...

Let's see...

Three days of throw up (Sun-Tues) followed by discolored goop in the eyes on Wed leading to sealed shut and swollen eyes yesterday morning. I finally threw the towel in and made the trip to the doc yesterday where we found out that Sarah has a double ear infection and pink eye. The doctor was amazed on how calm, cool and collected she was given what he witnessed in her ears. So needless to say, we are in the midst of another battle with the day care cooties.

I must give a shout out to the following for helping make the past week a bit more bearable in dealing with my limp noodle daughter:

1. Dr Seuss rocks! Particularly, "Horton Hears a Who" movie, the Cat in the Hat and Robert the Rose Horse books. Thank you, thank you, thank you! We now have a small obsession with movie so have decided to make "Horton" the main birthday theme for next week's celebration.

2. Annie's cheddar bunny crackers, Horizon Cheddar Cheese slices, New Mexico tortillas, Honey Nut Cheerios and fresh berries. That's the list of food that Sarah was remotely interested in and kept down for the most part once we turned the corner on the throw-up episodes.

3. The Gucci of antibiotics that even with insurance co-pay costs $70. Good times. And, Tylenol.

4. Corona. I needed a cool adult beverage at the end of the day a couple of times this week to help me find my center again.

I hope that in the end, Sarah has a strong immune system like a steel trap come kindergarten. Oh and now I have a husband with a man cold to finish off the week and carry us into the weekend. :-)

On a positive side, even though her eyes were swollen again this morning (she could be a mini-Rocky Balboa if it were Halloween) my daughter is now singing, laughing and eating well again.

School and Skiing

Sarah's first school picture @ 23 months.

Last week was a busy one and this week hasn't been so great. We are battling another round of the flu bug or at least just Sarah. But she seems to be getting better, knock on wood.

We attended Sarah's first school gig last week. It was a spring concert with the babies through pre-K classes. Each class wore something different to highlight the various elements of spring. The kids sang 7 nursery rhyme type songs but that was mostly the older kids. The younger ones, including Sarah, sat in their chairs remarkably well and stared out to the crowd like deer in headlights. Sarah participated on occasion with the teacher sitting next to her egging her on. It was super cute. Plus she finally fit into a dress that I purchased for her in Anchorage many moons ago.

Kirk and I went skiing with our new gear last Friday at Purgatory. It was nice to finally ski on gear that was comfortable. The snow was hard packed and starting to get slushy at the bottom which is another sign that spring is definitely in the air. We had plans to go on Friday again, but given the battle with sick kid plus flu, we are going to take a rain check and maybe get up there one more time before the mountain closes early April. We will see.

I never wore a helmet before on the hills but really liked the new one I purchased. It was warm!

Sarah's 2nd birthday is on the 30th but we are going to celebrate next weekend with both sets of grandparents. We are hoping everyone is happy and healthy for the big celebration.

Sarah in the bathroom with us "getting ready" for the day. Love the accessories.

My helper while I wrap presents for our friends. Kirk put the ribbon on her head.

Cats, Gear and Catholics

We went to the Farmington Library on Monday to celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss' birthday. They put on a bilingual puppet show (English and Spanish) of "Green Eggs and Ham" and Cat in the Hat himself stopped by to visit with the kids for photo ops. Sarah was interested in the cat once he left her sight but if ever in her sight, she freaked big time with the full on climbing up my chest and holding on for dear life while crying. Good times. She still asks about the cat and we get out of the repeated questioning by saying the cat went to Texas. Random, I know, but the questioning usually stops.

Sarah with her "Cat in the Hat" hat at the library.

Sarah wearing her hat again at home and sporting her new CSM sweatshirt. Go Orediggers!Our trips to Durango last weekend were successful on many fronts. We finally got to eat at Steamworks Brewery which had one heck of an IPA on tap (a close competitor to Moose Tooth IPA), I ran a good 5k race on Saturday and we now own quality downhill ski gear (we got smokin deals!). We have already blocked out the calendar this month for a least two trips to Purgatory (Durango Mtn Resort) before they close shop for the season in April.

Kirk showing Sarah how to climb at the park in Durango.Cutie pie!!
Good run.

Sarah sacked out in the car in her pjs post dinner and shopping in Durango.

Ready to go for another trip to Durango on Saturday morning to cheer on mom. I think she had everything she needed: Elmo, panda bear, Pooh book about Easter eggs, water and sunglasses. Whew!

Kirk and I also wanted to post the picture below for some time but kept forgetting to bring the camera. We drive by these signs on a daily basis on our way to/from work. Leave it to the Catholics (I'm a 'recovering Catholic' as a friend put it) to place guilt on the patrons of the adult video store. Got to love it.

Sarah having a difficult morning. She has major bed head just like mama.Life is better after a bowl of "O's".