OH CHILD OF MINE

Oh child of mine,
Where have you been?
I've been waiting for you
Since I don't know when.

Now that you're here,
I could never be sad.
I don't remember what if feels like,
Because now I am glad.

I can't imagine
My life without you.
I wonder who you'll be like,
And what you will do.

Will you be like your father,
So curious and spry?
Or will you be like your mother,
More mellow and shy?

Will you travel the world,
Or stay close to home?
Whatever you do,
Please...make it to Rome!

I will always support you,
No matter what you do.
Please follow your dreams,
And shoot for the moon!

I love you Rome!

ROME'S 1ST CAMPING TRIP

Oh, how time flies when you’re loving life!  I can’t believe it’s already the end of June!  This past weekend was going to be a scorcher in Denver, so we decided on a whim to take off into the mountains for our first ever camping adventure as a family.  It’s not easy to get a camping spot in advance in the summers in Colorado, let alone last minute.  There are a lot of first come, first serve campgrounds though and luckily we have a book on all the best ones in Colorado.  I picked out a few in the book and packed everything so we could take off as soon as Travis got off work on Friday.  We had a couple spots in mind near Winter Park, so we took off hoping we’d get lucky and find a spot. 

It’s a good thing we have the truck because packing for a weekend camping getaway has gotten noticeably more, well, packed.  With the car seat in the middle of the back seat, we now have to make Nollie ride in the back of the truck.  I felt bad, but we need to get used to the fact that she is, indeed, a dog!  She loves it back there with the wind blowing through her hair and flapping her big dog cheeks.  Everyone wins!

We got to Winter Park around 6pm and the campsite we were heading for was about 20 miles to go.  We passed a first come, first serve site that had some openings just before Winter Park and when we saw signs for a Blues Fest in Winter Park this weekend, we decided to go back and claim the site we just saw instead of risking it with the next one.  It was close enough that we thought we could come in to the Blues Fest on Saturday, which would be fun.  We went and got set up and a fire started.  It turns out there is a path along the river from the campground all the way into town, so we were excited to take a hike along the river to the Blues Fest on Saturday.

Getting Rome changed for the night

Ready for the camp fire

Life is good!

I don't know where I am, but I think I like it

The first night went off without a hitch…except for my paranoia.  I have watched way too many television shows and have overtime become extremely paranoid about…bears.  Travis tells me I’m ridiculous and that there hasn’t been any humans hurt by bears in the state of Colorado in a long time and it rarely ever happens.  I still am just terrified of ever seeing one in person.  I want to turn into stone if it ever happens.  I don’t know what I would do…especially with my own cub to protect!  Ugh.  So, it turned out that this campsite has had a lot of “bear activity” and there were signs everywhere to take precautions and put food away, don’t feed them, yada, yada, yada.  Needless to say, I didn’t get much sleep that night.

Travis woke up early on Saturday morning and took Rome outside so I could get some sleep.  All of a sudden, I am awoken by Travis yelling my name and saying “stick your head out, you gotta see this”!  I thought to myself, “this better not be a bear”.  As I cautiously unzip the tent door and stick my head out, I saw the biggest Moose I’ve ever seen in my life…and it was only about 30 feet away from Travis and Rome.  Travis was holding Nollie so she wouldn’t bark at them or chase them away (there was a baby Moose too).  I had to rub my eyes and squint to make sure it was real, and sure enough it was!  My first reaction was amazement, and then second was “bring me my baby!”  The Moose didn’t look bothered by us, so we just sat there still and watched it.  I tried to get the camera in time, but then it started trotting off down the valley by our campsite and toward the river with it’s baby.  It was so cool!  This thing was easily 6 feet tall to it’s back, 7 feet to it’s eyes, and then it had the most monstrous rack I’ve ever seen!  It was amazing!  Definitely, something for the eyes to see!  And, I can’t prove any of it without a picture, dang it!  Sorry readers, but you’ll have to take my word for it.  I can’t wait to tell Rome about it when he gets older.

On Saturday, our friends Chris and Ryan came up to join us.  Once they got there, we walked on the trail into town to check out the Blues Fest.  It cost $30 to get in, so we just sat in the park outside and listened from afar for a while before we decided to walk back to camp.  It was hot, even up here at higher elevation.  And, we’re even closer to the sun, so we were all getting a little toasty.  

Some kids loving on Nollie in the park

We walked back and chilled at camp for a while and then the boys all went down by the river to take a dip.  That night, we grilled out and sat around the campfire.  Aaaaahhhh, I’ve been craving a campfire!  The boys had a few brewskis, and then the story-telling got started!  I laughed right along with them for the most part, but after listening to the boys tell stories about everything from girls to “souping up” cars to high school fights, I made a note-to-self to think twice about being the only girl on a camping trip ever again…and then it occurred me: “Oh. My. God…I’m raising one of these monsters!”  Time for bed, sleepy head.

Chillin'

The first of many Rome and Daddy camping trips to come

All swaddled and ready for bed!

HAPPY 1ST FATHER'S DAY!!!

Today was Travis' first Father's Day.  Rome got Daddy a card that had a picture of a father and son on a fishing boat with an elephant.  The inside read: "Life's an adventure with you, Dad".  This fit Travis perfect!  I always call him my "Big Fish", which is one of my favorite movies of all time.  He reminds me of my Grandpa (whom I miss dearly).  They both could tell a whopper of a story.  But hey, truth stretched or not, it always makes for a better story than I could tell.  So, Rome...I hope you get the story telling gene from your Dad so you can entertain all your friends someday!

Today, Rome, myself and Nollie agreed to tag along on any adventure Daddy wanted to take us on.  Knowing that this would be the first of many Father's Day adventures, I prepared myself and Rome.  We started off the day with a hike on the Chicago Lakes Trail by Mt. Evans.  We bundled Rome up in the Bjorn and took off.  It was a little chilly, but once we got hiking, it warmed up a bit.

View from the road

All bundled up - Echo Lake

On the trail

The trail winds down switchbacks into a forest and finally to a river.  When we got down to the river, there was a girl being loaded up on a stretcher who had fallen while hiking.  They were able to bring a truck down a dirt road and she was being helped with the proper care.  Then, we turn to head up the rest of the trail and there were three llamas tied up to trees.  Who the heck hikes with llamas?  Anyway, we made sure the girl was OK and we turned to head up the trail (past the llamas).  I thought they were cute and started taking pictures.  Travis walked ahead of me with Nollie and Rome.  Now, Nollie is not the kind of dog that gets riled up at other animals.  She'll just look one over if need be.  She doesn't bark or scowl.  A llama was definitely a new animal to see for this urban dog.  She was looking at them, but not making any sudden moves.  Well, apparently the white llama didn't like it and as Travis walked by, it started bolting toward them full speed!!!  I about jumped out of my pants.  It got about 5 feet from them and the small tree that it was tied to snapped back, and with it went the llama.  It was so scary.  I was ready to get medieval on it's hump-butt.  Momma's gotta protect her baby!  Luckily we kept walking and it went back to it's tree and the owner came over to calm it down.  Whew!

Travis and Rome crossing the river

Nice llama

Bad llama (the white one strategically placed furthest from the trail)

Then we walked up the river a bit and stopped to take a load off and feed Rome and get Nollie some water.

Daddy and Rome on top of a rock

Awwww....love it!

Daddy's babies

Chillin' by the river

Mommy and Rome

Daddy and Rome

As we were walking back, here comes the llamas and their owners.  Here we go again!  We stopped dead in our tracks and so did they.  Finally, the owner asked if we could climb up the hill some to get away from them while they passed.  He said the white one (the one that tried to attack) is a new one that they are training and he's not friendly yet.  So, Nollie and I start climbing the side of this hill so they can go on past.  They did, and we were all safe again.  THEN, on the way back up the trail, we met a jack russel terrier.  This one had little dog syndrome and didn't like the looks of Nollie.  It started barking and running toward her.  The owner had it on a leash, so she pulled the dog back and tried to pick it up and when she did, the dog started biting her!  Holy cow...I don't know what kind of scent Nollie had on today, but the other animals didn't seem to like it.  What a trip!

Back up the trail

We made it back to the truck safe and sound.  We went into Idaho Springs and had lunch at Tommyknockers, a brewery and pub, and then we went home to take a nap before Jazz in the Park.  After our nap, the weather turned bad, so we ended up staying in and making lasagna and Skyping with the grandparents.  Who knows what could have happened if we would have ventured out again!  What an adventure!  Happy 1st Father's Day!

Happy Father's Day to Rome's Grandpas too:

Happy Father's Day, Grandpa Ferguson!

Happy Father's Day, Grandpa Bostic!

DEAR ABBY

For the past six weeks, I've had a new kind of extremely potent "love" pumping through my veins.  I've felt "on top of the world".  I'm so in love I could explode!  Unfortunately however, every ounce of love is dished out to my new son...leaving little left for dog and Daddy.  I don't pretend to be an overly compassionate person.  It's not my personality and admittedly, something I need to work on.  I'm not an ooey gooey, lovey dovey kind of person.  Never was, never will be.  I do, however, show complete compassion and public affection for Rome, which probably makes it worse for Travis and Nollie.  I know they feel love deprived, but at the end of the day, I just can't find enough left in me to sprinkle around to everyone.  I want to keep everyone happy and I feel like I'm failing two of the three.

Travis tries so hard to help.  I know most of my "drained" feeling is obviously due to lack of sleep.  He tells me every day before leaving for work to take a nap.  And if I haven't napped when he gets home, he offers to watch Rome while I take a nap.  He also offers to take a nighttime feeding, but I feel bad making him do that because he's going to bat for us every day by waking up and going to work when we get to stay home.  Oh, see!  I do have compassion ;).

And Nollie...well, as I sit here I just realized I forgot to feed her this morning.  Note to self.  Travis and I both have discussed how we "forget" to take care of her!  One day around 8PM she started peeing on the floor right in front of us (it wasn't a leak due to her urinary incontinence...which we are used to) and then we realized we hadn't taken her out since that morning.  Seriously?  Are we going to forget to take care of Rome once #2 is born?!?  LOL(CI).  Speaking of peeing, however, Nollie has decided to have an ornery streak the past two days.  The other day she walked right out on the balcony and peed like it was her every day behavior (luckily our neighbor wasn't outside or she would have gotten a golden shower).  She came strutting past me and I said "Excuse me?  What the hell was that"?  And just last night as Travis and I were taking care of our son playing Words With Friends, she peed on the living room rug - right in front of us!  Hmmmm, do you think someone is trying to get our attention?  I can't imagine why?  To clarify, Travis does not show this same childish behavior ;).

Doesn't this picture scream - "But, why don't you love me?"

I know I'm not the only new Mom out there with these feelings, because I've asked around.  But does anyone have any advice on how to spread the love around?

Sincerely,
Loved Out

WHAT DOES YOUR PUMP SAY?

I had the chance to go to Happy Hour with some girlfriends (and new mothers) last night.  Finally, a real grown up social hour!  All we did was talk about our kids, but still...it was so nice to get out of the house for a couple hours.  Anyway, one of the questions that came up was: "So, what does your pump say"?  Its the (new) age old question between new mothers.  We all laughed and we all had a different answer.  Depending on the pump, and the day you're having, your pump talks to you.  Either due to lack of sleep or the lack of entertainment that having your nipples being sucked into a plastic trumpet provides, the continuous sound of the pumping turns into a saying.  Mine says "We Pump, We Pump, We Pump".  Cassie posted this question on Facebook and I'd like to share some of the answers:

"Bob Hope, Bob Hope, Bob Hope..."
"Richard Mole, Richard Mole, Richard Mole..."
"Pull 'em out, Pull 'em out, Pull 'em out..."
"Party Poop, Party Poop, Party Poop..."
"Picachu, Picachu, Picachu..."
"Weak Sleep, Weak Sleep, Weak Sleep..."
"Do it, Do it, Do it..."

So, what does YOUR pump say???

GRANDMA & GRANDPA BOSTIC VISIT & MORE ADVENTURES!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Bostic came to visit for the first time last week.  They were soooo excited to finally see you in person!  

Their first visit with you

You really liked laying on Grandma's chest!

Grandpa giving you a bottle

Daddy took the week off of work and planned lots of adventures for us (imagine that).  On Sunday, we went to your first Rockies game.  The Rockies were playing the Cards, so we were a split family.  Grandma and Grandpa wore Cardinals gear and Daddy and I sported Rockies.  Since you’re a “native” of Colorado, you were decked out in Rockies gear (although we will always be Cardinal fans too).  You were just shy of one month old.  I kept you in the Moby wrap and Travis found seats in the shade to keep you out of the sun.  You slept through the whole game!!!  The Cardinals ended up winning, but the Rockies almost made a come back in the bottom of the 9^th inning. 

Rome is in the moby wrap...kinda hard to see ;)

Grandma and Grandpa dressed you up in the Cardinals outfit Kadi sent

Monday was Memorial Day.  There was an Arts Festival downtown that we wanted to take Grandma and Grandpa to.  We walked downtown because it was such a nice day.  We walked around and looked at all the cool art pieces and then we stopped for a Margarita to relax for a bit.  We took the bus back home and grilled out for dinner.

We match!  Your outfit says "Mommy's Little Man"

On Wednesday, we headed down south to Princeton Hot Springs for a night.  The Collegiate Peaks area (near Buena Vista) is one of our favorite places in Colorado.  It’s not too far from Denver and the scenery is amazing.  We got to the hot springs after lunchtime and checked into our room.  We stayed “cliff side” and we had the most beautiful view from our patio!  It was another gorgeous day.  We got changed and went down to the hot springs.  We put you in one of the pools that was about 80 degrees.  You loved it!  Just like in the bath, a peacefulness comes over you.  You must feel like you did in my belly…all warm inside! 

We stopped at the Collegiate Peaks overlook

Hot Springs!

Lovin' it

Daddy thinks the world of you!

And so does Mom!  You melt our hearts.

How lucky are we?

The following weekend was another festival weekend!  We went downtown again to the People’s Fair at Civic Center Park.  We had lunch there and then we rode the Mall Ride down to Larimer Square for the famous Chalk Art Festival.  On the Mall Ride, a gentlemen asked how old you were.  I answered, “one month old”.  He said, “oh, this must be his first trip out”.  We laughed and told him all the adventures you’ve already been on in your first month of life.  I said “he’s gonna be a COLORADO BOY”.  We hope our love for traveling and experiencing new things rubs off on you and that you continue to travel, try new things and simply love life!

Artist on Larimer Square - this is CHALK!!!