Baby Hut 2009: It doesn't always go as planned

This year, as we have for many years now, we spent Christmas with some of our best friends up at one of the 10th Mountain Division Huts. [ http://www.huts.org/hut_details/belvedere_hut_details.html ]

We were supposed to have 3 families with new babies there this year and we were really excited about it. 
[ http://jakeanderinlewis.blogspot.com/2009/12/skiing-with-xander.html ]

This was our chance to prove once again that
#1 We weren't the only parents crazy enough to drag their kid along on adventures many single people wouldn't brave

#2  That our investment (and our friends'
[ http://jakeanderinlewis.blogspot.com/2009/03/receiving-our-chariot.html ] ) in the Chariot and all the accessories was worth every penny

#3 We would still get out and play in the winter, just like we did in the summer and fall.

#4 Xander is the coolest kid ever- and we are the luckiest parents!

Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned, and both of the other baby families had to back out of coming with us this year.  Alex Spuhler is a very fast walker, and smiley mischief-maker; his parents decided that the open room with the 300-400 degree wood burning stove was just too much temptation, and too much danger, even with constant supervision.  At the same age, Leah Brown doesn't move as fast, and generally is better at listening to Mom's rules, but both Sarah and Leah caught a nasty cold- and hiking at 11,400 ft is tough even on the healthy, so they stayed home as well.

The hike in on Christmas morning was good, but bitterly cold (-10* F) .  We had Xander bundled up in a snow suit, a down sleeping bag and his blanket inside his recently improved super wind and rain resistant Chariot, so he was toasty warm.  No such luck for our friend Karyn who unfortunately got frostbite in her fingers on the way up (but was still gung-ho enough to ski the next day).

Xander and I came down with a cold Christmas Eve and we struggled with it the entire time we were up at the hut, especially Xander.  I'm not sure if it was the altitude, his stuffy nose, the fact that I'd changed his formula on him, or what exactly, but Xander started refusing his bottles... even water or juice.  He also wasn't sleeping well because he was so stuffed up, so I spent a lot of time as his "pillow".  By Sunday morning, we thought it best to leave early in the morning and get Xander back home.

Xander wasn't the only one wanting an early departure- the whole group left earlier than usual on Sunday.  Russ came down with the stomach flu on our last night at the hut, and was bravely miserable until morning when it was safe to get him home. 

As much as went wrong on the trip, we still managed to have a great time, and once again we were reminded of how beautiful our home state is and how grateful we are for the friends we have.  Not only are our friends loving, caring, fun and adventurous people, but they are also extremely able and prepared and smart.  These are people that we can count on completely.  In a crisis, or even on a bad day, they are there, ready to do whatever it takes to help pull you up and keep you well. 

And for those still wondering if Xander's okay- he's just fine.  As soon as we were home, we went back to his normal formula and he got some good rest and started hydrating again.  We both still have a cold, but are on the mend.

Teeth #3,4,5,6... all at once!

We had to take Xander to the doctor 2 weeks ago because he (and I) had had a cold for over two and a half weeks, and I was beginning to wonder if he (we) needed antibiotics to get rid of it.  He checked out fine, no ear infection, clear lungs, etc. and as the doctor predicted, we got each over the cold a week later (finally).  While we were there though, we got Xander's new official weight (23.4 lbs) and the doc also predicted that he'd have all 4 of his top teeth come in within the next week or so.  She wasn't far off.  Xander has been a drooly mess for weeks and tooth #6 is coming in now.  The top teeeth are still small- not fully in, but they've all broken through.  Xander has been a champ about the teeth and has hardly fussed (except when I poke in his mouth to take a look, which he hates).  I think we are all looking forward to a few weeks or months with no more teething!

100 bags of formula on the wall....

I just got back from Safeway where they are having a promotion giving away (it says 1 cent, but it's free) 1 day (32 oz) trial packs of Mom to Mom (Safeway brand) formula- one per customer.  I checked the ingredients and nutrition label and it was almost exactly the same as the more expensive Enfamil formula I usually buy, so it was worth a shot!


And since we are about to leave for a 4 day trip into the mountains, I asked if I could come through 4x and get 4 bags.... they said they didn't see why not, I could have as many as I wanted.

Okay..... I asked, can I have them all? They said Sure!

Wha-wha-what????

The assistant store manager then retrieved the entire display and brought it to me in the checkout lane... and I got 100 packets of formula FOR FREE.  At approximately $25/week, I figure I just saved $300.

Merry Christmas!

Whiteoaks for a pre-Christmas celebration

Thank goodness for all that training as a kid in Rochester, NY, and more recently lifting and carrying Xander, because I needed every bit of muscle I had to shovel away the 18 inches of wet snow that fell on Whiteoaks this pre-Christmas!  Jake helped out too, of course, but pulled a muscle in his back early on, and couldn't do as much as he normally would have.  Thank goodness Jen had a small snowblower because she has one huge driveway! Unfortunately the snowplows in Virginia were not as well-equiped nor practiced, and as a result, the annual Christmas party was delayed so we missed the opportunity to see many of our friends. 

We did at least get the chance to watch the Radio City Rockettes with Gran Jen and Rod McFadden, as well as see the Spences, the Robertsons, and the Albostas.

Being snowed in wasn't all bad- Xander got a lot of quality time with his Gran!

Skiing with Xander

We headed up to Brainard Lake this weekend with the Munchkin Mafia to try skiing with the little ones.  It was a beautiful day in Boulder, but as always, it was COLD and WINDY at Brainard.  We put the skis on the chariot and headed out.  Once we got into the trees it was a little less windy, but still chilly and snowing lightly.  The kids all did really well, Xander, as usual, didn't much like sitting still and was bored and cranky until we got going, but was generally happy once we were moving.  With marathon training and little snow this early in the season, this was my first time on skis.  I didn't expect my first turns of the year to be pulling the chariot, but fortunately all went smoothly and we had a great time. 

I was pleased at how well the chariot did in the snow.  It floated well, even when we had to venture off trail around a few windblown and bare spots.  It also was fairly easy to control when we turned around to head down hill.  I don't think we'll be skiing any double black diamonds with it, but it should be just fine for our upcoming hut trip over christmas.  Xander is such a trooper, he puts up with, and generally even enjoys all of these adventures we bring him on.

Jake

The last of Mama's milk

Today we used up the last of the frozen bags of milk I'd saved up for emergencies or travel.  Xander made it past 8 mos with getting at least some Mom's Milk every day.  Given our challenges, I'm pretty proud of that.  On the other hand, I'm liking how easy formula is in comparison.

In other news, I gave Xander an awesome haircut today, his first total trim-up.  He looks so handsom.

-Erin

Xander has learned how to clap!

Xander started clapping tonight- a nice, proper, exclamation of joy- immediately followed by similar exclamations from both his proud parents.

St Nicholas Day, A Best Race Ever, and Rule #9

Dec 6. was a very, very busy day!  Ever since 1985, the McParlands have celebrated St. Nicholas day, and have come to expect wonderful Christmas ornaments to magically appear in our shoes.  This year was no exception.  Despite our being 1300 miles away in California, ol' St. Nick was able to find us- and especially Xander, to help him celebrate his very first St. Nicholas day properly!  Thanks to Grandma Kathy for letting St. Nick know how to find us.

Saturday was our travel day, and on our way there we almost met St. Nicholas's best buddy, Santa.... we were right next to the Flight to the North Pole and if we didn't have big plans for our weekend in Sacramento, we just might have hopped aboard!  We settled for meeting a very nice police dog who was helping out.

We got to Sacramento with no mishaps. Xander was again a very good traveler, with only a small amount of (probably justified) fussing.  We had a quiet night, and Jake got ready for the race on Sunday.  It was bitter cold to start the race, only 25 degrees in the morning, but warmed up a little as the race went on.  Xander and I stayed bundled up while we cheered on the racers, and especially Jake, who ran a spectacular race! 

We were racing from one point to the next trying to see him as often as possible.  No matter how many times we saw him, he was smiling- I really don't think he ever stopped smiling or passing people during the whole race!  We did miss his finish though- in our racing to one of the sighting spots, I lost the keys to our rental car and it took a few hours before I could have a tow company help break in and I get the paperwork to call the rental agency and find out that a kind soul had put the keys in a safe place for me to retrieve again.  All ended well for Xander and me, and for Jake too!  Jake finished the race in 3:02:30 which is a significant personal best for him and was much faster than he had hoped for.  Best of all, he finished still feeling well and strong.

Monday we had a little extra time before our flight home and we were able to drop in on Cousin Rebecca Martin at her winery in Napa.  Nothing like getting a personal tour!  Rebecca looks wonderful and clearly has a passion for her profession.  What fun!  Only one regret there though- we forgot to get a photo!!

Just before heading to the airport, we stopped to get a late lunch.  Here is where rule #9 comes in- No dumping chili on the Mama, *especially* when she only has one pair of pants, it's cold out, and we're about to get on a plane. Hmmm....  Those inquisitive baby hands are trouble!

We had a wonderful weekend, but I was very, very glad when we made it safely home and into our own beds.

Thanksgiving in Crested Butte!

Our Favorite Holiday!!

You all know by now that Xander really gets into his food, but when it comes to Thanksgiving, Xander and Jackson are well matched in their enthusiasm!This is how Thanksgiving should be!

Of course, when you are going to be eating delicious holiday food, it's good to get out and go for a brisk walk to get the appetite going ahead of time.  Crested Butte did not disappoint with any number of trails for us to explore!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Ski Passes!

Yes that's right!  Xander has a PLATINUM child membership to Creste Butte Ski resort- where there are more double black diamond runs than any other run.... combined.  How long do you think it'll take before Xander can out-ski either of his parents... combined?