tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-94921022024-03-13T06:29:49.856-06:00Slip AngleChrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.comBlogger647125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-85829234693593297132017-01-19T10:48:00.002-07:002017-01-19T10:54:21.287-07:00Get your beets?<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yrLakdCaG4/WIDxQVnVNhI/AAAAAAAAHwg/77ru0BJuh2AzYCaDTd191dCbjZEEI7BFwCLcB/s1600/IMG_7062%2B2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3yrLakdCaG4/WIDxQVnVNhI/AAAAAAAAHwg/77ru0BJuh2AzYCaDTd191dCbjZEEI7BFwCLcB/s320/IMG_7062%2B2.JPG" width="320" /></a>Among those in the cycling world, using beets for increased performance isn't exactly a new topic. Chris Baddick covered it for Training Peaks in an <a href="http://home.trainingpeaks.com/blog/article/using-beet-juice-to-improve-performance">article</a> over two years ago and there are plenty of scientific studies investigating the topic as well. I'll let Google guide you further in that regard and share my personal story here.<br />
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Last fall I began training for Tour Divide again and it was my second season working with a power meter. Through diligent training and great <a href="https://lwcoaching.com/">coaching</a> I've been able to inch my power upwards over this time but I've likely reached the point where huge jumps in power development are gone. As such I started focusing on more marginal gain areas for an amatuer athlete such as better sleep, healthier eating, my <a href="http://elevatedlegs.com/">Elevated Legs,</a> and nutritional supplements. By nature I'm wary of supplements and I've been pretty cautious about what I might use. However beets being a real food seemed like a great place to start so I emailed Lynda to get her opinion. Her impressions with other athletes were positive with no drawbacks other than cost so I decided to give it a try.<br />
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Overall my impressions of beet products are very positive and my preference has evolved over time. When <a href="http://redaceorganics.com/">Red Ace Organics</a> offered to send me a case of their products for review I was happy to give them a try. In addition to the Red Ace beet products I have also used <a href="http://www.beet-it.us/">Beet It</a> shots, <a href="https://www.humann.com/products/beetelite-box/">Beet Elite</a> powder, and <a href="http://www.iherb.com/Sunny-Green-Organic-Beetroot-Powder-7-4-oz-210-g/70168?gclid=CMXeqtHbztECFQMtaQod39IF4w">Sunny Green</a> organic beetroot powder. Recently I've tried <a href="https://endurobites.com/collections/all-products/products/beta-red-performance-formula">Enduro Bites Beta Red</a> powder as well but I don't have a significant enough sample of experiences yet with it to comment. It does include things other than beetroot which is different from these other products. Red Ace sent me three types of beet products to test: Beet Performance, Beets and Greens, and Beets and Turmeric. Their Beet Performance shots are the most comparible to the other products I have used but I'll talk about the other two types briefly as well.<br />
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One thing that you'll notice is that the cost varies among all the products. I'll try to compare them using real world costs in my area so bear in mind that may be different for you. The cheapest option by far is the Sunny Green organic powder. The cost per serving is much less than the other options and if that's your biggest concern it's a winner. I have a canister at home that I still use but it's definitely less convenient than a shot. It takes quite a few tablespoons to get the right amount of beets and mixed with water or juice it's fairly gritty. My preference is to use it in smoothies for loading where I don't notice the taste and texture at all. I have made my own performance shot with it by mixing it with tart cherry concentrate and it's tolerable but not exactly enjoyable.<br />
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The other powder that I've tried is the Beet Elite black cherry. It's about $3 per serving and comes in a packet as well as a bulk container. The packets are handy in that you can throw them in your bag and mix up when you need them before a workout. The black cherry flavor is much better than the plain organic powder but it is still a powder and you have to mix it to not have any lumps.<br />
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This school year I've been in a hurry to squeeze in workouts regularly and so the shot type products have been great. I can slam one before I get dressed for a workout or on my way to a climb and it's in effect for my workout an hour later. At King Soopers I found the Beet It products and they are frequently on sale for $2-$3 a shot. Performance wise they work as well as the rest and the convenience of grabbing them at the local grocery store is great. However the taste of these shots leave something to be desired. They're better than the plain powder but worse than the black cherry Beet Elite for sure.<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mM-SyNwvexc/WID59JvDCwI/AAAAAAAAHw8/4und4G37r5wmeeOqogRpwXDfGacFrknCwCLcB/s1600/IMG_7032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mM-SyNwvexc/WID59JvDCwI/AAAAAAAAHw8/4und4G37r5wmeeOqogRpwXDfGacFrknCwCLcB/s320/IMG_7032.JPG" width="240" /></a>This brings us to the Red Ace Performance shots. I tried them once before however I have to order them or grab them from a store other than my local grocery store. They're about $3.75-$5 a shot depending on where you buy them. In a larger bulk amount you can get them cheaper. I found in heavy training where I'm doing several interval sessions a week (where beet products seem to help) the taste is definitely the best. I can throw a Red Ace Performance shot in my school bag and not hesitate to slam it down before my workout. The flavor is great and the performance is equal to the other products. They pack a lot of beets in a small shot without the off putting smell or taste I've found in some of the other products and the shot is super smooth. I'm going to order them in a larger amount now that I've been able to try them in depth and that should bring the cost down significantly. The Beets and Greens shot and Beets and Turmeric shot will likely see lesser use in my personal rotation. If cost was no object they'd be great to use daily. One great use I could see for the Beets and Turmeric is recovery from sickness, injury, or heavy training. In limited amounts ($) I'd love to take a Beets and Turmeric shot at night to maintain loading and increase my turmeric intake in an easy way.<br />
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Also the reason I'm focusing on taste and cost is that I feel it's fairly disingenuous to claim as a single data point athlete that one of these shots is head and shoulders above the rest. Power gains from using beetroot are small but when you're looking for small gains they're worth considering. For me the ease of use and great taste of the Red Ace Performance shots is a pretty awesome combination and worth the cost over the other options, especially with a larger and cheaper order.<br />
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If you would like to try the Red Ace products yourself you can also use coupon code <strong style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">singlespeed </strong>for a 15% discount.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-55672621898773296702016-06-30T14:02:00.002-06:002016-06-30T14:02:03.482-06:00Why Singlespeed?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I get asked directly or indirectly all the time, "why singlespeed?" Why give up modern gearing when it's so good, so wide ranging, so fast? Hell if you stick with XT level components it's not even that expensive, though XTR and XX1 are as pricey as ever.<div>
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It's a valid question in this age of Di2 capable, 10-, 11-, and 12-speed mountain bikes. I'll attempt to put some words to the issue here though they represent my feelings alone. I don't promise your satisfaction in my answers or reasoning. </div>
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For me singlespeed all started as I got sick of breaking Trek Fuel frames and maintaining rear derailleur cables in the dusty Front Range of Colorado. I got a Redline Monocog for Christmas from my wife one year long ago and quickly grew to love it's simplicity. There was nothing to adjust and minimal maintenance besides the occasional tightening of the chain and some lube. I just got to hop on and ride. When I moved to Boulder from the flatland triathlon scene of St. Louis, MO I tried to keep the climbing at bay. I stayed to the east, getting promptly thrashed by the hills anytime I ventured west. But something unexpected happened when I started riding that heavy 26" Monocog. I got faster. I became a better climber. The better I climbed, the more I began to love mountain biking. I ventured into longer rides in more difficult terrain. Probably a year later I ditched my front suspension for a rigid fork and haven't looked back since. To be frank, the lack of front suspension is a far bigger detriment to my speed on the local XC and Endurance scene then the lack of gears ever has been.</div>
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So what logical reason is there for riding and racing a singlespeed, especially down the 2700 mile Tour Divide? Well there are a few. First it's lighter by a couple pounds. My rig was one of the lightest out there despite me carrying more weight in gear than I did on my 2009 run. Second it's weather resistant. In 2009 the weather was pretty horrendous by comparison to 2016 and the mud was out of control. The singlespeed trucks right on through most of the time without any major issue. A straight chainline and some steel drivetrain components stand up to conditions that put a pretty serious hurt on geared bikes. My drivetrain this year went from Banff to Mexico without needing anything but a few shots with a hose and chain lube. Too bad I can't say the same about PF92 bottom bracket bearings. Third a singlespeed is cheap. I'm not sponsored in any serious way and pay for the vast majority of my gear and parts. Cheap drivetrain components are nice when you put serious miles on your gear training and racing. Most of my steel cogs are a decade old, the chainrings last thousands of miles, and chains are replaced for $30 or less.</div>
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People's biggest misconception (I think) is that a singlespeed is just so much slower than a geared bike in the vast majority of terrain. With proper training I'm not sure that's actually true and looking at Strava segments of quite a few pieces of the Divide seems to at least support my theory. I turned in the 3rd fastest all time segment (that's uploaded to Strava...) for the final 105 miles of Tour Divide in terrain that should punish a spun out single speeder pretty severely. While most geared riders train to optimize power in a preferred cadence range and then gear their bikes to keep themselves there, I chose a gear and trained my body to produce power over a wider range of cadences. I can make reasonable power for long time periods from 25 rpms all the way up to 110 rpms. Would I be faster I could stay at 85 rpms all the time? Maybe but I'm not totally convinced of that. My Tour Divide moving average speed was 11 mph, not a whole lot different than Mike Hall's. He still kicked my butt but probably not because I was on a singlespeed. </div>
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At the end of the day though, none of these what-ifs, how-comes, or whys even matter. </div>
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<b>I just flat out love riding my singlespeed. It excites me. I'm passionate about it. Every time I throw my leg over my singlespeed and mash down on the pedals, the direct drivetrain connection feels so good. </b></div>
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Long ago I gave up any hope of being a "professional" athlete. Giving up that fantasy gave me the freedom to do what I want, ride what I want, and race what I want. (Again) this year singlespeeders in the Tour Divide have shown that they're more than capable of being competitive, no matter what the conventional wisdom might say. And with that maybe the why doesn't matter. Or maybe those who ride one gear are just so passionate about riding their chosen bike that it overcomes any obstacles the single gear brings. Either way I'm not likely to give up my singlespeed any time soon.</div>
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Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-20956570708058836552016-05-27T13:16:00.002-06:002016-05-27T13:16:45.471-06:00Stay Tuned...Tour Divide updates coming soon...<br />
<img src="https://scontent-dfw1-1.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/13265936_10210144571917619_3470320281329447310_n.jpg?oh=5bfbb62a388cab9d856681ef1479d249&oe=57E03F51" />Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-44664553041898861892013-09-28T14:08:00.003-06:002013-09-28T14:08:52.069-06:00Another spaceThe blog is certainly not something I have time for at the moment. Find me on Facebook or message me for Twitter/Instagram info as it's semi-private.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-89581944043652798902012-04-08T19:42:00.002-06:002012-04-08T19:45:57.222-06:00Finally Official!My job for next school year is finally settled and official! I'm teaching 6th grade math and science at Henry. Woohoo!<div><br /></div><div>12 more weeks of DTR to go!</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-25803628965384779832012-03-15T20:47:00.004-06:002012-03-15T20:59:40.957-06:00Progress<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDx8alOMS6c/T2KsCYnc1gI/AAAAAAAAHd4/6VfTPGYN5MM/s1600/DSC_0028.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HDx8alOMS6c/T2KsCYnc1gI/AAAAAAAAHd4/6VfTPGYN5MM/s320/DSC_0028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720323633681585666" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10nfDHHkd-0/T2KpzbYwqEI/AAAAAAAAHds/22Y_Af3Qa98/s1600/422073_3251507178135_1580679375_2600556_1177699037_n.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-10nfDHHkd-0/T2KpzbYwqEI/AAAAAAAAHds/22Y_Af3Qa98/s320/422073_3251507178135_1580679375_2600556_1177699037_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720321177703983170" /></a>Marni and I had a date night on the home wall tonight. It was 60 degrees out and almost too warm for anything slopey but much nicer to hang out in between burns without wearing a down jacket. And it was beautiful out during my lunch time run at work. After JJ was in bed I warmed up on a handful of problems and then got to work. <span style="font-size: 100%; ">I finally made the second ascent of Pink Tiger V4 (FA Chad) after my 2nd night of projecting it. To celebrate, cake!</span><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; ">Marni did a great job cruising the green traverse several times and sending the leopard traverse for the first time. Now to link them into the circuit ;)</span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: 100%; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Next up is getting these guys into a regular rotation to get some endurance back...<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFhYuEAi6C0/T2KsVIdOJvI/AAAAAAAAHeE/wZgipkv_rlM/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oFhYuEAi6C0/T2KsVIdOJvI/AAAAAAAAHeE/wZgipkv_rlM/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5720323955761227506" /></a>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-32307612971746606572012-03-13T13:19:00.003-06:002012-03-13T13:21:58.455-06:00Sore all overClimbing, running and more climbing over the past few days. So awesome. My road bike is almost ready for commuter duty as well. Hopefully I will know about my job for next school year this week and things will finally assume some positive stability. <div><br /></div><div>Fatty can't wait to train more and get back to the alpine! More to come...</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-16869817550102279622012-02-26T18:51:00.003-07:002012-02-26T19:05:07.560-07:00The light gets brighterAs my semester ramped up (and my blogging vanished) I was given a chance to get my final long stint of student teaching done early due to some unforeseen issues for another resident in my program. What that meant was a full throttle month of teaching and graduate school throughout February with less than a week to prepare by the time my "plan" was approved by the powers that be. Nevertheless I jumped on the opportunity to tackle the "known" ahead of time rather than wait and deal with an unknown load of spring classes.<div><br /></div><div>The last month has not been easy. Burning the candle at both ends with limited exercise (just enough to stay sane) is trying on a person and a family. Marni has been fantastic as always, supporting a stressed out and tired spouse. I'm grateful JJ is so young. He won't remember that I had to lock myself downstairs to work instead of play with him. With the month almost over and very successful, everyone is looking forward to respite. My winter evaluation at school was very good. For the first time in a long time we have a family vacation planned to Moab for spring break and our sweet lodging should be finalized this week. With "only" grad school to look forward to for the next month and a half, I feel like a big weight is lifted off my shoulders and another chapter of these crazy 13 months is finished.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is more to go. The paper writing will not be finished until June 30th and June itself promises to be a whirlwind month of hard work with both of us teaching summer school, a final mini-semester of classes, plus two endorsement tests. The battle for the job I want is just beginning though so far prospects look promising for me. But Marni and I have Friday off to spend with JJ and the light at the end of the tunnel seems a whole lot brighter.</div><div><br /></div><div>And damn I can't wait to climb, ride, and run outside a whole lot more in March and April!</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-1951347922133447782012-01-02T18:50:00.004-07:002012-01-02T19:01:27.163-07:00Here goes nothing...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--AI89VeMBZw/TwJfN_nwGoI/AAAAAAAAHdI/TdF7Q0oEsls/s1600/JJclimbBRC.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--AI89VeMBZw/TwJfN_nwGoI/AAAAAAAAHdI/TdF7Q0oEsls/s320/JJclimbBRC.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5693217572970830466" /></a>Winter break has been fantastic even though I didn't get to do everything I wanted. I packed all my bags for Zion but had to bail last minute. I'm tentatively rescheduled to try again in another couple weeks. Our plumbing backed up and the guy took forever to show up and things just didn't feel right to go on the trip. Then JJ got sick and I was glad I was home to help. A sniffley baby doesn't sleep well and while Marni is a great mom, it's hard to care for a sick baby alone and tired. <div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow Marni and I go back to work and that means back to my program full time. This will be the real test of sticking to my workouts. At least break catapulted me off to a good start. I ran two days in a row for the first time since either broken ankle and today Marni and I took JJ to the gym. Climbing with a toddler is difficult but he actually did really well. We both bouldered for about an hour and a half, trading off watching JJ and working problems. I managed to flash my hardest indoor boulder problem yet, who knew? I'm even planning to ride home from work on Wednesday and Friday so anyone still reading, feel free to poke me on this blog or Facebook and hold me to it. Hopefully I can start riding at least one direction (20 miles) 3 days a week plus keep up my running and climbing. It's going to be a challenge for sure but at least now it's January and I've got less than 6 months to go to finish my program.</div><div><br /></div><div>Alright now time to organize my stuff for another semester while Marni is at yoga!</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-74133667295792987722011-12-26T12:59:00.003-07:002011-12-26T13:25:10.544-07:00Merry Christmas!<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V4hNnDNPnTk/TvjXzZG8hBI/AAAAAAAAHcw/fy7BR7n3mwQ/s1600/407316_2678637776758_1580679375_2384851_711368443_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V4hNnDNPnTk/TvjXzZG8hBI/AAAAAAAAHcw/fy7BR7n3mwQ/s320/407316_2678637776758_1580679375_2384851_711368443_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690535407095940114" /></a>Yesterday was too busy for a blog post but I'll try to keep up the every other day thing at least. JJ loved his new kitchen and Marni and I had a great time opening our budget presents to each other :) Marni's parents surprised me with a few DMM offset nuts at dinner too which is pretty rad! <div><br /></div><div>Hope everyone out there had a fantastic Christmas, Marni and I sure did. We found out JJ was coming 2 years ago on Christmas morning so it's a little extra special now. Tomorrow my sister and her boyfriend roll into town and we're very excited to have them come stay with us. She's a third year law student so she is busier with studying than me and doing fantastically at it. One more week off work for me but I've got some homework to do. Lots of training and climbing going down too. It feels really good to be getting regular workouts in and I'm slowly starting to sleep better.<div><br /></div><div>This morning I took a friend from my teaching program out for her first ever ice climbing. She was psyched to go out and it was fun to pay it forward in teaching a new climber. So many people have taken me out climbing and taught me key skills I like to return the favor for new climbers. Now JJ and Marni and napping, then more fun of some kind.</div><div><br /></div><div>Day 7: Rest</div><div>Day 8: Ice 420 ft</div><div>Weight 164lbs (too much holiday candy!) I think I need a run or a ski later today...</div></div><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGdFaoBdG8U/TvjX_uBR-CI/AAAAAAAAHc8/acLH1_jZJSw/s1600/390771_2681610291069_1580679375_2386984_775700544_n.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vGdFaoBdG8U/TvjX_uBR-CI/AAAAAAAAHc8/acLH1_jZJSw/s320/390771_2681610291069_1580679375_2386984_775700544_n.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5690535618867755042" /></a>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-87555890254341997382011-12-24T09:16:00.003-07:002011-12-24T11:30:59.797-07:00Day 6<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c32H0y_ApwQ/TvYSHRmBxXI/AAAAAAAAHcY/TuegmxBvrZ8/s1600/028.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c32H0y_ApwQ/TvYSHRmBxXI/AAAAAAAAHcY/TuegmxBvrZ8/s320/028.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689755095420487026" /></a>Yesterday I got out to TR solo some ice and mixed in Boulder Canyon (2 laps mixed, 3 ice). To be honest, the ice there is pretty lame this year and the top out is sketch since everyone has blasted all the ice away. Clear Creek isn't in at all yet which means it's an hour drive at least for any decent ice and 2 hours to fun stuff. Bah. I was going to play on the hard mixed lines anyway but the bolts were buried under 14 inches of powder and I already had to clear a bunch of snow off the first mixed lines I did. I should have put my crappy picks on before I left home too, oops. Lesson learned, I'll be filing today.<div><br /></div><div>I debated going to Vail this morning with Chad and Erik but with lots of Christmas stuff to finalize and a dinner to cook I nixed it. Instead I'll do some 4x4's at the BRC and a quick run. Probably a better workout than I could have gotten in a short trip anyway. Now to finish cleaning and wrapping Marni's presents while she and JJ are at the kiddo museum. Marni and I are a budget so tomorrow will be really fun to see what she came up with this year. Luckily we've got JJ and he's the best present ever :)</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Day 5 - 250ft ice/mixed</div><div>Weight: 163lbs</div><div><br /></div><div>Day 6 - Run ~35min, Gym Climb 4x4's (routes)</div><div>Weight: 163 lbs</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-35908927261832091472011-12-22T22:00:00.004-07:002011-12-22T22:22:22.453-07:00Day 4<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4YlXALST9iY/TvQPFEyYVKI/AAAAAAAAHcM/hUzuM07z29I/s1600/jjboots15mo.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4YlXALST9iY/TvQPFEyYVKI/AAAAAAAAHcM/hUzuM07z29I/s320/jjboots15mo.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5689188809134593186" /></a>Yesterday was a rest day which is always difficult for me unless I've done a lot of big workouts recently. Nevertheless it was planned and needed and I managed to stick to the plan. Today I skipped my run and instead went xc skiing for an hour with Turbo since it snowed a foot overnight. Between that and shoveling I was tired by the time I hit the gym this evening but I still had a pretty good bouldering session. Working on power is not my favorite (meaning I suck and have no power) but at least I get to cruise my favorite type of terrain during the warmup. If I'm ever going to climb the Flatirons 13a I have in mind then I need plenty of V6 power before I get to the fun vertical crimping part.<div><br /></div><div>Day 4:</div><div>~1:00 XC ski</div><div>~1:30 steep bouldering</div><div>1:00 Ikea assembly (haha)</div><div>Weight 162lbs</div><div><br /></div><div>Tomorrow I'm planning to swing some tools locally and maybe take a walk to check on Flatirons ice conditions after this big storm. Hopefully this new snow will settle out and I can get on a few big routes during my holiday off of work and school.</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-16549832866050749242011-12-20T19:13:00.002-07:002011-12-20T19:23:00.515-07:00Day 2Quick post, trying to get in the habit.<div><br /></div><div>Ski and climb today, mostly working on technique and getting comfortable on ice again. Felt pretty good by the end of the day and home in time to put JJ in bed. It appears I fixed the oil leak in the Civic too. Marni had burritos ready for dinner, yum. She's still the best.<div><br /></div><div>1:30 xc ski</div><div>~750 ft ice/mixed climbing (WI3/4 and M5)</div><div>Weight 162.5lbs</div></div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-24500922324925402882011-12-19T14:25:00.004-07:002011-12-19T14:54:42.015-07:00Day 1<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jD5wOfLvjO0/Tu-tKJWrdFI/AAAAAAAAHcA/Bv3inoUGYtc/s1600/S_Face_McKinley.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jD5wOfLvjO0/Tu-tKJWrdFI/AAAAAAAAHcA/Bv3inoUGYtc/s320/S_Face_McKinley.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5687955244213564498" /></a><div>I feel fat, out of shape, lazy. It's been over a year since I last blogged. No time or rather, time spent somewhere more important. So much has changed since I last wrote regularly, almost all good except for a pair of broken ankles. My cycling is non-existent, replaced with climbing and my new career in teaching. I love to teach but my program is extremely taxing. Luckily for me it's only 13 months long, leaving me exceptionally prepared and with a job and master's degree to boot. I'm halfway done now, finishing at the end of June 2012. 7 months in and I finally feel like I'm getting the hang of things. JJ is getting so big and he's a joy to raise. Watching him learn new things every day is so cool and I love being a father. Hopefully he'll grace these blog pages as he gets older with stories of his own adventures or if I'm really lucky, our adventures together.</div><div><br /></div><div>I'm posting now in order to try and document a new adventure the same way I did before. June 2013 I wish to head off to Alaska again, this time without a bike. Undoubtedly I'm shooting high but I was when I decided to do Leadville with no training and ended up racing the Tour Divide on a singlespeed. Go big, fail big, succeed big. I'm giving myself plenty of time to learn along the way and get back to a high level of fitness.</div><div><br /></div><div>I have a lot of stories to tell. Maybe some will make it here. Maybe they won't. Either way, it's hard to imagine what life was like before I believed I could do anything. 6 more months of school and an 18 month countdown. </div><div><br /></div><div>Weight 163 lbs<div>Run 4 miles 34:41</div></div><div>Climbed ice/mixed yesterday in Vail (Day 0?)</div>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-58126085347345823462010-09-18T14:23:00.005-06:002010-09-18T14:37:27.469-06:00More picturesI don't have a clever title for this one but I've got more pictures. Selma and I have been hitting up all the local trails lately and running laps.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUhDdIYX_I/AAAAAAAAHXs/13uT_aO-U3M/s1600/IMG_4298.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUhDdIYX_I/AAAAAAAAHXs/13uT_aO-U3M/s320/IMG_4298.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518353261655515122" border="0" /></a>Jersey, shorts and a water bottle is all you need to rage for a couple hours.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUhDHupPwI/AAAAAAAAHXk/TYrS9tGNQqI/s1600/IMG_4299.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUhDHupPwI/AAAAAAAAHXk/TYrS9tGNQqI/s320/IMG_4299.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518353255910424322" border="0" /></a>At home JJ and I are practicing being similar.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUhCgntGzI/AAAAAAAAHXc/LcCgrGB_yKo/s1600/IMG_4269.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUhCgntGzI/AAAAAAAAHXc/LcCgrGB_yKo/s320/IMG_4269.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518353245412334386" border="0" /></a>And he's found some short track socks like Looney and Cyn.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgwE5-uxI/AAAAAAAAHXU/JGc03bjQ4i0/s1600/IMG_4271.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgwE5-uxI/AAAAAAAAHXU/JGc03bjQ4i0/s320/IMG_4271.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518352928735148818" border="0" /></a>He likes to chill on his blankets sometimes.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgv5a-cxI/AAAAAAAAHXM/484flt8kn7U/s1600/IMG_4278.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgv5a-cxI/AAAAAAAAHXM/484flt8kn7U/s320/IMG_4278.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518352925652316946" border="0" /></a>And get baths.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgvtNIffI/AAAAAAAAHXE/ou3mBHjmt20/s1600/IMG_4280.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgvtNIffI/AAAAAAAAHXE/ou3mBHjmt20/s320/IMG_4280.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518352922373029362" border="0" /></a>Turbo approves.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgvHpVVyI/AAAAAAAAHW8/DE93lH1DDM8/s1600/IMG_4281.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgvHpVVyI/AAAAAAAAHW8/DE93lH1DDM8/s320/IMG_4281.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518352912290764578" border="0" /></a>Warm and squishy baby.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgunwK4gI/AAAAAAAAHW0/SobqnFP1QCc/s1600/IMG_4282.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgunwK4gI/AAAAAAAAHW0/SobqnFP1QCc/s320/IMG_4282.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518352903729504770" border="0" /></a>Momma love.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgQUw-c8I/AAAAAAAAHWs/iQPRMlL_V6I/s1600/IMG_4285.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgQUw-c8I/AAAAAAAAHWs/iQPRMlL_V6I/s320/IMG_4285.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518352383236535234" border="0" /></a>Sleepy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgP-xl_II/AAAAAAAAHWk/o5mEmbljaME/s1600/IMG_4289.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgP-xl_II/AAAAAAAAHWk/o5mEmbljaME/s320/IMG_4289.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518352377333546114" border="0" /></a>Pacifier and pants, quite a big day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgPt8kWHI/AAAAAAAAHWc/sbsVXaUR9aQ/s1600/IMG_4290.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgPt8kWHI/AAAAAAAAHWc/sbsVXaUR9aQ/s320/IMG_4290.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518352372816173170" border="0" /></a>I like to go in the car, not so much getting strapped in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgPTa5ViI/AAAAAAAAHWU/76ec2wnaSRw/s1600/IMG_4291.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgPTa5ViI/AAAAAAAAHWU/76ec2wnaSRw/s320/IMG_4291.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518352365695620642" border="0" /></a>Dueling bottles!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgO2i3YTI/AAAAAAAAHWM/5E49Usyc_6A/s1600/IMG_4294.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJUgO2i3YTI/AAAAAAAAHWM/5E49Usyc_6A/s320/IMG_4294.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518352357944418610" border="0" /></a>That's all for now!Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-30635888625342884092010-09-16T18:41:00.002-06:002010-09-16T21:36:13.781-06:00Three weeks inThey say you don't get a lot of sleep as a new parent but I don't necessarily agree. Maybe I just have a good baby and a rockstar wife. Sure you don't get to crash out for 8 straight hours but we've been generally getting to bed at a reasonable hour and JJ will sleep until at least 7am. Subtract a little time for feeding and diaper changes and you still get a decent amount of rest. Plus it's easy to justify naps though I usually dedicate those to Momma as I don't have to feed JJ every night and get extra breaks. Of course I could have just jinxed the whole thing and it will all go south tonight...<br /><br />In other news JJ likes his bath time. We've been giving him a little bath every other night now and he seems pretty pleased about it. Mom is the washer and I'm the holder. Little babies are slippery but no incidents yet ;)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK6AUwYGlI/AAAAAAAAHV8/kLLX0k8RCCU/s1600/IMG_4251.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK6AUwYGlI/AAAAAAAAHV8/kLLX0k8RCCU/s320/IMG_4251.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517677008216660562" border="0" /></a>Turbo is once again very interested in what's going on at bath time despite the fact that he doesn't like baths.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK6A2RmKVI/AAAAAAAAHWE/z0Dv3fVFtxA/s1600/IMG_4255.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK6A2RmKVI/AAAAAAAAHWE/z0Dv3fVFtxA/s320/IMG_4255.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517677017214363986" border="0" /></a>We're slowly learning which things are nice to have lots of and which aren't as critical. Laundry is a necessity every other day so certain items you only need a few while others it's nice to have a stash. Little onesies, even just the plain white ones, are one of the things I'm glad we have a lot of.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK5zzr6DPI/AAAAAAAAHV0/cGQDBwfVBSY/s1600/IMG_4254.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK5zzr6DPI/AAAAAAAAHV0/cGQDBwfVBSY/s320/IMG_4254.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517676793181113586" border="0" /></a>JJ likes to sleep in funny positions :) We generally just swaddle his body and legs now but he'll break out of that if he wants to.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK5zlIR__I/AAAAAAAAHVs/2r1SrfZpESU/s1600/IMG_4259.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK5zlIR__I/AAAAAAAAHVs/2r1SrfZpESU/s320/IMG_4259.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517676789273591794" border="0" /></a>I love getting to spend time with him. I had some training for the new job today and it was strange to be away from Marni and JJ all day. I'll be working at least part time after we get back from an upcoming trip to St.Louis to see more family and slowly getting towards working most days. The flexibility of subbing will really help on those days when JJ isn't feeling well and when Marni is sick I can probably even cover her classroom now!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK5zHfOIuI/AAAAAAAAHVk/OKoCdtTyzlk/s1600/IMG_4264.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK5zHfOIuI/AAAAAAAAHVk/OKoCdtTyzlk/s320/IMG_4264.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517676781316743906" border="0" /></a>I don't think JJ is smiling on purpose yet but the accidental ones are pretty cute!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK5y3Fwq5I/AAAAAAAAHVc/yKc-udphTPU/s1600/IMG_4271.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK5y3Fwq5I/AAAAAAAAHVc/yKc-udphTPU/s320/IMG_4271.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517676776914987922" border="0" /></a>He also likes to see if he can eat Turbo's fur. Good thing since it will be all over him for a long time to come.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK5yTXj6RI/AAAAAAAAHVU/AQ9wrcYQOnI/s1600/IMG_4273.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TJK5yTXj6RI/AAAAAAAAHVU/AQ9wrcYQOnI/s320/IMG_4273.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517676767325972754" border="0" /></a>Training is still going well. Monday I got in a good ride on the Selma for a while in the afternoon that was mostly dirt and some good rolling climbs. Tuesday I got into the BRC for a good session and last night I got out to the flatirons for the first time since JJ's arrival. I took a new climber for his first multipitch trad route and he seemed pretty psyched to get out. I ran into Stefan soloing the face, or he caught us rather and it was fun to catch up about each other's newborns for the first time. Tonight I cranked out about 75 minutes of good mountain biking on the Selma again with a small set of technical intervals in the middle and a bunch of 30 second hill sprints. Almost every ride I'm getting more psyched about 2011 and plenty of ideas are running through my head about training events as well as the yet to be unveiled "big ride". I've got about another week to ramp up the training in September before taking it easier while on our road trip. Perhaps while I'm gone I'll start putting together a bit of a plan for October. The desert is starting to beckon and fatty wants to see White Rim...Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-46619294135454548262010-09-12T13:26:00.004-06:002010-09-12T13:56:02.139-06:00I grow!I kept thinking that I updated the blog but today I realized I only updated the Facebook pictures. A lot happens in a few days of baby time! Little guy likes his mini baths and today we'll give him a real one for the first time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qpTKE_GI/AAAAAAAAHVM/5U5S-a6rUZg/s1600/IMG_4213.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qpTKE_GI/AAAAAAAAHVM/5U5S-a6rUZg/s320/IMG_4213.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516112007604272226" border="0" /></a>Turbo makes sure to keep a close eye on him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qo6N5RHI/AAAAAAAAHVE/13eyP4vRYBA/s1600/IMG_4214.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qo6N5RHI/AAAAAAAAHVE/13eyP4vRYBA/s320/IMG_4214.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516112000909395058" border="0" /></a>He's been a lot more awake now that he's growing. A few days of a little less sleep during his growth spurt but the last two nights he's back to doing pretty well. Plus he's sleeping in his crib for some of his day time naps.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qeTxe-dI/AAAAAAAAHU8/K0n_sujixOg/s1600/IMG_4222.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qeTxe-dI/AAAAAAAAHU8/K0n_sujixOg/s320/IMG_4222.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111818790992338" border="0" /></a>He makes lot of cute faces.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qdxnXhnI/AAAAAAAAHU0/dCuAVWrG8cg/s1600/IMG_4223.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qdxnXhnI/AAAAAAAAHU0/dCuAVWrG8cg/s320/IMG_4223.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111809621755506" border="0" /></a>And Turbo is getting more used to him. He still checks on all crying activity.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qdYWGHdI/AAAAAAAAHUs/_Z4NFkWq1gk/s1600/IMG_4231.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qdYWGHdI/AAAAAAAAHUs/_Z4NFkWq1gk/s320/IMG_4231.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111802838425042" border="0" /></a>Marni is doing great and starting to feel better. She's taken Turbo and JJ for a couple walks when I've been out of the house.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qdPOT3hI/AAAAAAAAHUk/ociDfcRDdyY/s1600/IMG_4233.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qdPOT3hI/AAAAAAAAHUk/ociDfcRDdyY/s320/IMG_4233.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111800389852690" border="0" /></a>On Thursday JJ had his first doctor's appointment. Mostly he liked it except for the whole getting naked and weighed part. Burrr!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qcOs_M9I/AAAAAAAAHUc/zUtWulMdDOQ/s1600/IMG_4235.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qcOs_M9I/AAAAAAAAHUc/zUtWulMdDOQ/s320/IMG_4235.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111783070217170" border="0" /></a>He's growing great though, from his low point of 7lbs 2oz to 8lbs 9.5oz in a week! Other than his height he's a pretty average sized baby at this point. The doc said he looked perfect and there were no concerns. He doesn't have to go back until his 8 week appointment where he definitely won't like getting a bunch of shots.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qE3Y3CEI/AAAAAAAAHUU/pAJBq8ySw4Q/s1600/IMG_4236.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qE3Y3CEI/AAAAAAAAHUU/pAJBq8ySw4Q/s320/IMG_4236.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111381674788930" border="0" /></a>Lucky for me he likes to nap a lot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qEXhtqzI/AAAAAAAAHUM/gUh7oAQTkUs/s1600/IMG_4240.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qEXhtqzI/AAAAAAAAHUM/gUh7oAQTkUs/s320/IMG_4240.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111373121989426" border="0" /></a>And since he's doing so well growing I'm going to get to start feeding him a bottle once a day, that way mom can be a little more free. He ate 3.5 oz today no problem and got the hang of the low flow bottle pretty fast.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qEBSFedI/AAAAAAAAHUE/7ZW-qeip29o/s1600/IMG_4244.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qEBSFedI/AAAAAAAAHUE/7ZW-qeip29o/s320/IMG_4244.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111367150860754" border="0" /></a>He really checks you out while you feed him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qDZW2xYI/AAAAAAAAHT8/KZVCcXjXeG0/s1600/IMG_4245.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qDZW2xYI/AAAAAAAAHT8/KZVCcXjXeG0/s320/IMG_4245.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111356433450370" border="0" /></a>He's quickly out growing his smallest outfits and he got upgraded to the next size diaper pretty fast. Soon we'll start to transition him to his cloth diaper system so we can stop throwing away so many diapers every day.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qCxbwRDI/AAAAAAAAHT0/qX43iL6Ci78/s1600/IMG_4247.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TI0qCxbwRDI/AAAAAAAAHT0/qX43iL6Ci78/s320/IMG_4247.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516111345716577330" border="0" /></a>We're slowly learning how to get him back to sleep at night as quickly as possible after eating and when he likes to nap during the day. Right now the naps are great for Marni to get her grad school homework done (yay online classes) and I'm usually trying to get the latest pictures posted. I'll be substitute teaching for Marni's school district this year so very soon I'll be gone at least some of the week days. We're darn lucky to have had all this wonderful time together to transition from pregnancy to birth to having the little guy be part of our daily lives without too much else to worry about. We're even planning a road trip to St.Louis in a couple weeks to attend a friend's wedding and show off JJ to his Aunt Jessie, great grandparents and other family. At the very least driving to St.Louis with a newborn will be interesting. ;)<br /><br />The reintroduction to regular training for me is going well. I'm taking September as a month to build consistency and not worry much about anything else. I've been riding almost every day and even had to take an easy recovery ride day yesterday. Thursday night I hit up Buff Creek with Brett and a friend of his and it was awesome night riding on the Selma. I have a feeling that will become quite a bit more common now. Friday I spent my first longer day away from Marni and JJ and went to Vedauwoo with Chad. We came home in the early afternoon but not before getting spanked by some sweet offwidths (Right Parallel Space, Handjacker and Lower Progressive were the highlights) and also getting to meet <a href="http://www.petetakeda.com/journal/alpinist-20">Scarpelli</a> himself. Things are going well, more to come I"m sure.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-25131128827445237872010-09-06T18:56:00.003-06:002010-09-06T20:59:25.327-06:00The swingA week or so at home now and we're getting into a routine. Little JJ is a pretty good sleeper for a newborn and most nights we get at least one ~4 hr stretch. Of course he always wakes up when I try to get pictures of him in his bassinet. He says he does his best thinking in there. Once he's sleeping a little longer we'll move him into his crib.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWh9lOpr3I/AAAAAAAAHTk/tPoWGMzmpx8/s1600/IMG_4202.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWh9lOpr3I/AAAAAAAAHTk/tPoWGMzmpx8/s320/IMG_4202.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513991398122696562" border="0" /></a>During the day we've enjoyed hanging out. JJ likes to practice his baby shark imitation.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWh9e0C3vI/AAAAAAAAHTc/-aoapUznyLc/s1600/IMG_4203.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWh9e0C3vI/AAAAAAAAHTc/-aoapUznyLc/s320/IMG_4203.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513991396400488178" border="0" /></a>I've been getting back into riding more regularly with Marni's help. My summer 2011 project is slowly becoming a reality and I want to be in top form when the time comes. Being a dad does help with motivation for sure. I love being out on the bike or out climbing but it's been a little more focused time wise so I can get back to my little boy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWh89ix-WI/AAAAAAAAHTU/2ylbe2Sto94/s1600/IMG_4204.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWh89ix-WI/AAAAAAAAHTU/2ylbe2Sto94/s320/IMG_4204.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513991387469707618" border="0" /></a>Today I spent a couple hours out on the Selma working on the hills and pushing in the wind. From the high points you could see the fire that is just to the west of Boulder. It's pretty massive and I hope they can get it under control soon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWhpM-2VwI/AAAAAAAAHTM/UXAlYKT0g-g/s1600/IMG_4206.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWhpM-2VwI/AAAAAAAAHTM/UXAlYKT0g-g/s320/IMG_4206.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513991048016582402" border="0" /></a>The Selma is such a sweet bike. I have to say it's the nicest mountain bike I've ever owned. Mine weighs in right around ~20lbs at the moment and with my impending return to work, maybe I can lighten it up this year. I'm positive 16lbs is doable though I'll probably be shooting more for 18.5 lbs with a completely bomber endurance build.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWhonu81yI/AAAAAAAAHTE/iS4HKyUD6po/s1600/IMG_4207.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWhonu81yI/AAAAAAAAHTE/iS4HKyUD6po/s320/IMG_4207.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513991038017787682" border="0" /></a>I'm starting to hear rumblings about Fall and it's got to be true. The shadows are coming earlier now and the light is beginning to find that late day warmth. Something about the angle of the sun makes for such pretty light in fall and winter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWhoerIF5I/AAAAAAAAHS8/l0-7jj7YkgU/s1600/IMG_4208.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWhoerIF5I/AAAAAAAAHS8/l0-7jj7YkgU/s320/IMG_4208.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513991035585828754" border="0" /></a>Happy to be out pedaling and starting to feel stronger. I've got a way to go to get my volume in the right place but the speed is there lurking just below the surface.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWhn9m5RBI/AAAAAAAAHS0/agNLofit6yk/s1600/IMG_4209.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWhn9m5RBI/AAAAAAAAHS0/agNLofit6yk/s320/IMG_4209.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513991026709709842" border="0" /></a>I'm lucky to have such an exceptional training ground near my house. I've got several dirt and road loops right out my front door with rolling hills and great scenery that aren't too effected by the weather. And with a little more time there are multiple 3k+ foot climbs just a few more miles away. I'll be that much more grateful to get my workouts done and get home to JJ this year.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWhnpRY-DI/AAAAAAAAHSs/tVxKRkBJVX0/s1600/IMG_4210.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIWhnpRY-DI/AAAAAAAAHSs/tVxKRkBJVX0/s320/IMG_4210.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513991021250803762" border="0" /></a>It feels good to get back into a routine and back to blogging too. Lots more exciting stuff to come.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-47420278768078482562010-09-05T08:16:00.005-06:002010-09-05T08:16:00.415-06:00First Outings and Grandma JudyJJ says..."I was thinking on Friday that I should do something exciting today."<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL-YEMuFeI/AAAAAAAAHSk/X6sSWzGHidk/s1600/IMG_4178.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL-YEMuFeI/AAAAAAAAHSk/X6sSWzGHidk/s320/IMG_4178.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513248583252317666" border="0" /></a>I thought about it while I made Mom put on my awesome shirt.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL-XuBsaSI/AAAAAAAAHSc/XXjBQIjP3eU/s1600/IMG_4179.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL-XuBsaSI/AAAAAAAAHSc/XXjBQIjP3eU/s320/IMG_4179.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513248577300490530" border="0" /></a>Dad told me it was a good idea.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL-XcPFLiI/AAAAAAAAHSU/gxXC9rMRmzo/s1600/IMG_4183.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL-XcPFLiI/AAAAAAAAHSU/gxXC9rMRmzo/s320/IMG_4183.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513248572524801570" border="0" /></a>So we got in the car and went to go pick up Grandma Judy from the airport. Then we went to Starbucks. I like second hand whipped cream!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9_eqcB-I/AAAAAAAAHSM/tvqq52PjEtc/s1600/IMG_4184.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9_eqcB-I/AAAAAAAAHSM/tvqq52PjEtc/s320/IMG_4184.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513248160859555810" border="0" /></a>When we got home Grandma Judy was real nice and good at holding me.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9-yB1_mI/AAAAAAAAHSE/eojsM3gLg7M/s1600/IMG_4186.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9-yB1_mI/AAAAAAAAHSE/eojsM3gLg7M/s320/IMG_4186.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513248148878130786" border="0" /></a>Mom liked to show me off.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9-n_XkKI/AAAAAAAAHR8/QwkLPufWcfI/s1600/IMG_4188.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9-n_XkKI/AAAAAAAAHR8/QwkLPufWcfI/s320/IMG_4188.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513248146183393442" border="0" /></a>So did Dad.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9-IoQj9I/AAAAAAAAHR0/7IltI2a6ufE/s1600/IMG_4189.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9-IoQj9I/AAAAAAAAHR0/7IltI2a6ufE/s320/IMG_4189.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513248137764966354" border="0" /></a>Even Turbo was very happy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL995C_JhI/AAAAAAAAHRs/jICrD4gxaSs/s1600/IMG_4191.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL995C_JhI/AAAAAAAAHRs/jICrD4gxaSs/s320/IMG_4191.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513248133582104082" border="0" /></a>I got tired so I had to rest for a while after my great idea.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9ve7OruI/AAAAAAAAHRk/Dol5ahRKaQg/s1600/IMG_4193.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9ve7OruI/AAAAAAAAHRk/Dol5ahRKaQg/s320/IMG_4193.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513247886052077282" border="0" /></a>Then later we went to Proto's and I was a great boy again. I decided to sleep while everyone ate pizza. Really I knew this would lead to second hand pizza. I like second hand pizza!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9u6FMzLI/AAAAAAAAHRc/pMZpn7WpEZQ/s1600/IMG_4194.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9u6FMzLI/AAAAAAAAHRc/pMZpn7WpEZQ/s320/IMG_4194.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513247876161785010" border="0" /></a>Everyone always has those flashy things out. Dad calls them a camera. Here are my little fingers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9uikeNwI/AAAAAAAAHRU/4kPMWwOK6l4/s1600/IMG_4199.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9uikeNwI/AAAAAAAAHRU/4kPMWwOK6l4/s320/IMG_4199.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513247869850498818" border="0" /></a>And also my little Rhino feet.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9uQO7ySI/AAAAAAAAHRM/J-Q3xcARN2c/s1600/IMG_4197.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9uQO7ySI/AAAAAAAAHRM/J-Q3xcARN2c/s320/IMG_4197.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513247864928323874" border="0" /></a>I like when people hold me, it makes me sleepy. Speaking of which, I'm getting pretty sleepy right n...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9uFAmxuI/AAAAAAAAHRE/MXrHTwSo9TI/s1600/IMG_4201.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIL9uFAmxuI/AAAAAAAAHRE/MXrHTwSo9TI/s320/IMG_4201.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513247861915436770" border="0" /></a>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-60516607012107031612010-09-04T08:14:00.006-06:002010-09-04T15:18:20.237-06:00The big DThe Diamond. Cool enough to have a Mountain Profile in <span style="font-style: italic;">Alpinist</span> and the most badass big wall that I can see from many of my bike rides. Marni and I scoped it out from Chasm View last year when we climbed the north face of Long's Peak and it looked big bad and intimidating. And you know what? It still is big bad and intimidating, though also now infinitely cooler and I can't wait to go back.<br /><br />Aaron and I had wanted to climb the Casual Route on the Diamond all summer. We did a couple grade III walls and the harder but shorter Good Evans on the Black Wall of Mt.Evans. We felt like we were ready, the weather was improving after the monsoon cycle and all signs pointed to go. But by this point it was late August and JJ's arrival was getting close. Marni and I waited until a doctor's appointment to make the final call. It was nerve wracking but we didn't *think* JJ was going to come on that Friday so Aaron and I packed two small daypacks with as light of gear as we dared to take and left my house at midnight for the Long's Peak trailhead. We figured that busting the route out in a day was the best plan. The night before I talked to Stefan and he agreed to be on standby should Marni go into labor. He would run up to Chasm View and yell across to us so that we could hopefully rap and make it back to town in time.<br /><br />We left the trailhead at 1:50am, the first group on the register heading to the Diamond, but no guarantee we were really first since many parties bivy at the base, on Broadway or at Chasm View. On the hike up another party caught us and briefly passed us having started just behind. One of them knew my name from Mountain Project and they seemed friendly enough. We caught them again at the Chasm cutoff and we all left the last privy site together. Aaron and I quickly pulled ahead until contouring around the lake where we all ended up helping each other find the best path in the dark. From there Aaron and I powered ahead and found the base of the North Chimney, pairs of headlamps stretching back far below us from other groups. It took us exactly 3 hours to get there despite a couple short stops. The only problem was that it was now still almost an hour until the sun came up and we weren't 100% sure we were in the right spot. However since we were first to the base it would work to our advantage all day long.<br /><br />While we gave the sun a bit of time to rise we donned our puffy coats and geared up. By the time the next party's headlamps made their way to the North Chimney we were ready to rock. Luckily that party was headed for D7 and they had climbed the Diamond before. We followed them up to Broadway in 3 rough pitches with some simul-ing. We could have easily simuled the whole thing if they hadn't been in front of us but it was best to give them space in the loose areas. I barely kept one giant rock from plummeting downwards after hardly touching it. One party headed for the Casual passed us soloing up the chimney but they had done it before and we assumed they'd move quickly and know the way.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVz1zn0aI/AAAAAAAAHQ8/H1gPvmCn90g/s1600/41054_430120229258_784649258_4724620_613225_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVz1zn0aI/AAAAAAAAHQ8/H1gPvmCn90g/s320/41054_430120229258_784649258_4724620_613225_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513063242960196002" border="0" /></a>Before long we were standing in the sun on Broadway at the base of the Casual Route, roped up, ready to go and just waiting for the experienced party's second to make it to the belay. I had led the North Chimney and blasted up the easy first pitch of the Casual, trying not to waste any time, running it out between pieces and generally ignoring the fact that we were launching head first up the biggest rock climb of my life. When I got to the end of the first pitch the party ahead of us still had both climbers there so I set up an alternate belay wherever I could find below them. It wasn't my favorite belay ever but I had a good stance and the climbing was easy and I knew Aaron would blaze up it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVvohfTxI/AAAAAAAAHQ0/-7gysGoxn-w/s1600/58477_430120264258_784649258_4724621_4683136_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVvohfTxI/AAAAAAAAHQ0/-7gysGoxn-w/s320/58477_430120264258_784649258_4724621_4683136_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513063170675003154" border="0" /></a>And blaze he did. He arrived in no time and we swapped the rest of the gear. Neither of us are sling wearers but we've been practicing belay transitions all year. With the exception of a snafu on the lower part of the Culp-Bossier we've been making good time climbing all our routes lately. He led off on the 5.9 finger crack and right into the 5.7 traverse. I laughed when I watched him wave the rope at me near the end of the traverse, a mandatory big runout section that I was going to have to deal with too. Luckily I trust that he knows my climbing and if he ran it out there then I knew that I could to. He stopped when he ran into the prior party again and started to belay me across.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVvGYlACI/AAAAAAAAHQs/LTheg0W9I-M/s1600/40790_430120279258_784649258_4724622_5436136_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVvGYlACI/AAAAAAAAHQs/LTheg0W9I-M/s320/40790_430120279258_784649258_4724622_5436136_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513063161510821922" border="0" /></a> I cruised the finger crack which Aaron and I both felt soft for 5.9. We sort of hoped that trend continued on the later pitches. I even bootied a nice nut with no problem at all. I fired into the traverse and made it across with only minor hesitations.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVuyxNvII/AAAAAAAAHQk/oZWvZUTXBIU/s1600/46444_430120299258_784649258_4724623_1093582_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVuyxNvII/AAAAAAAAHQk/oZWvZUTXBIU/s320/46444_430120299258_784649258_4724623_1093582_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513063156245445762" border="0" /></a>The exposure was already really cool and while the wall is probably the steepest we've done yet, it's not 100% vertical so all the climbing felt nice and controlled with minimal ticking of the pump clock, at least so far.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVuWUf-uI/AAAAAAAAHQc/GaJYhEzDcWA/s1600/47972_430120314258_784649258_4724624_121737_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVuWUf-uI/AAAAAAAAHQc/GaJYhEzDcWA/s320/47972_430120314258_784649258_4724624_121737_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513063148608813794" border="0" /></a>The great thing about the Diamond is that other than the traverses, all the climbing follows major crack systems. This means generally good jams (secure) and awesome protection. We swapped the rack again and I led off into the first of the 5.8 pitches. The climbing went great except for the short squeeze section. While I was secure deep in the chimney, progress was difficult wearing the pack and it was a good fight to mantel out of the slot onto a small ledge to rest. I must have stopped there to breathe for a good couple minutes and I knew we faced another offwidth section above us. Thank goodness for my offwidth training this year. I finished the pitch to an obvious sloping ledge and the next corner loomed above me. I brought Aaron up and realized that I lost my hydration tube nozzle during the fight with the chimney. Luckily, haha, I was almost out of water already so it didn't much matter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVuF-NaSI/AAAAAAAAHQU/MHA1M67IBvg/s1600/46964_430120339258_784649258_4724625_1472836_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVuF-NaSI/AAAAAAAAHQU/MHA1M67IBvg/s320/46964_430120339258_784649258_4724625_1472836_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513063144220354850" border="0" /></a>We were making good time but the sun leaves the Diamond early in the morning and now that we were in a large right facing corner it was as good as gone to us anyway. From here on out the belay jackets would make occasional appearances. We decided to split the next 200 foot pitch in half to give Aaron a rest before the crux pitch. We figured he would be a stronger and faster leader on the crux and in return I tried to lead more pitches overall. He climbed solidly to the ~100 foot mark and went off belay. I followed cleanly on the steep corner. Several times I thought about hanging on the rope but I always fought onward to a good natural rest stance.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVZPYrkVI/AAAAAAAAHQM/uI_zxjELQKM/s1600/46439_430120364258_784649258_4724626_5349386_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVZPYrkVI/AAAAAAAAHQM/uI_zxjELQKM/s320/46439_430120364258_784649258_4724626_5349386_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513062785970049362" border="0" /></a> I got to his belay and slowly grabbed the gear. Starting to get tired I offered my lead to Aaron but knowing he had the crux pitch shortly I sacked up and led off to finish the 5.8 corner. The climbing was utterly fantastic and I tried to place good gear as I got tired working hard at nearly 14,000 feet. We brought double cams from BD 0.5 to 2 and that was awesome, always leaving at least singles for any given pitch and nuts placed really well too.<br /><br />Soon I popped onto a little ledge, made a powerful move onto another one and one last step brought me to the Yellow Wall Bivy ledge. I laughed. This dirt and grass ledge is all of eighteen inches wide though long enough for two climbers to sleep lengthwise. It's home to a solidish flake and one less solid looking bolt. I'm not sure how sleeping there would really feel. Regardless I put Aaron on belay and brought him up while inspecting the crux pitch above.<br /><br />We swapped the rack again, ate and drank a bit and Aaron got psyched up for the battle ahead. My stomach had been bothering me all day and I still wasn't able to eat much but I drank a bit more and I was happy enough. I put Aaron on belay and he fired off. The thin crack went quickly enough and he was soon in the infamous squeeze. He left his pack clipped to a slung chockstone and battled his way up and out of the chimney. It was tiring work and he made it to the top of the pitch with a couple short hangs.<br /><br />Now it was my turn to follow and figure out how to get the packs up. This is the only thing I would change next time. Climbing the crux pitch pulling one pack and pushing another up the chimney was not that fun. It would have been easier to bust out the tag line and haul for one short pitch. The thin crack was good climbing but definitely more difficult than the earlier 5.9 section. Lots of hip and shoulder scumming helped keep me in balance. I got to the squeeze and relaxed a bit, feeling more at home despite having to deal with the packs. Exiting the squeeze I got one of the packs stuck and finally gave up and hung to fix it. I pulled out the bulge and took another short hang at the crux before pulling the moves cleanly with a little beta from Aaron. Hanging on the rope on this pitch was the only points of aid I'd use all day and something I'm looking forward to cleaning up next time. Thanks to the splitter weather all day, we didn't have to hurry a bit and one last traverse would lead us to easy ground.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVYmPzxqI/AAAAAAAAHQE/URdyrED4fvE/s1600/59309_430120394258_784649258_4724627_274696_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVYmPzxqI/AAAAAAAAHQE/URdyrED4fvE/s320/59309_430120394258_784649258_4724627_274696_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513062774926984866" border="0" /></a>The last belay location wasn't very comfortable (but bomber gear) so once Aaron grabbed my pack off the sling at my feet, I took some gear and headed right into the exit traverse. The people who rap the route definitely have an advantage here as there is much less climbing to get down to the rap anchors as opposed to our intended destination of the summit.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVYeVWojI/AAAAAAAAHP8/cBEDqbbZOEE/s1600/41002_430120444258_784649258_4724629_6511221_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVYeVWojI/AAAAAAAAHP8/cBEDqbbZOEE/s320/41002_430120444258_784649258_4724629_6511221_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513062772802757170" border="0" /></a>The traverse, while extremely exposed with 2000 feet of air at your heels, is not that poorly protected. I found gear frequently and played follow the pins to find my way across. The first move is pretty intimidating but a high piece keeps you on top rope and it eases up slightly after that. I did royally screw myself with rope drag for the only time all day here and ended up bring Aaron across at a couple of bolts before finishing leading the exit onto Kiener's route.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVYGeBohI/AAAAAAAAHP0/_ecXfg_4mRo/s1600/47149_430120494258_784649258_4724631_7090539_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVYGeBohI/AAAAAAAAHP0/_ecXfg_4mRo/s320/47149_430120494258_784649258_4724631_7090539_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513062766396678674" border="0" /></a>On Kiener's I pointed out the way ahead to Aaron and let him start off up mostly 3rd class terrain on the edge of the Diamond while I cleaned up the gear and belay. I told him to stop if he wanted more than a running belay and I followed him up when the rope came tight. I belayed him at one spot before the summit and then scrambled up behind him. We topped out tired and happy around 4pm. Since we had the summit to ourselves we took a couple pictures, ate a little bit and cleaned up the gear. We put on our hiking shoes again and stowed most of the rack. Finally we rousted ourselves off the summit, if only because we still had no cell service and I was eager to check on Marni. A bit tired, I led us the wrong way toward the north face raps and luckily Aaron wondered aloud why we could see Glacier Gorge. Ooops. I righted our path and soon we were scrambling down to the raps. "If it doesn't look like easy 3rd class, it's not right". I found the main cairn quickly and we rapped as far as humanly possible down towards the boulder field. Other than a quick stop at Chasm View to admire the wall we just climbed we headed down to the usual stares of the boulder field campers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVXoBNyjI/AAAAAAAAHPs/ucD-YJRMraI/s1600/46598_430120469258_784649258_4724630_4729065_n.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIJVXoBNyjI/AAAAAAAAHPs/ucD-YJRMraI/s320/46598_430120469258_784649258_4724630_4729065_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513062758222776882" border="0" /></a>All that remained was the death march. Somewhere in there we found cell service and we knew that Marni was doing okay and the girls were going to a movie. They now knew we were okay and would undoubtedly see the SPOT moving back to the car. Out of water and with my stomach still upset we death marched through Granite Pass, down Jim Grove and out the Longs Peak trail. I thought we might pull off not having to extract our headlamps but we didn't quite make it. Perhaps 40 minutes of slogging in the dark with a couple sit down breaks led us back to the car some 19+ hours after we left. Our first grade IV climb and a successful Diamond day.<br /><br />Gear notes:<br />60m 9.2mm Sterling Nano dry rope<br />6mm Mammut ProCord tag line (for bail rappels, never needed) thanks to Erik<br />BD C4 0.3 to 3, doubles .5 to 2<br />BD C3 00 to 2<br />Assorted nuts large and small<br />~12 trad draws/slings<br />Only daypacks each, tag line in my pack and lead rope on my back. Rack in Aaron's pack. Personal tech/rescue gear, food, water, rain jacket and light belay parka in each pack. I climbed in lightweight long underwear with softshell pants (Pati Trav) and jacket (Pati Ascen).<br /><br />EDIT: I forgot to include this link. Fabulous picture of the Diamond and parties on many routes. The Casual is easy to pick out of you can find the major features (first broken pillar and long right facing corner). There are at least 2 parties on it in the photo. Click <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/foxep2001/4948609960/sizes/o/in/set-72157624687303383/">here</a>.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-46013706766252223072010-09-02T15:48:00.002-06:002010-09-02T15:57:58.741-06:00More firsts!Yesterday we took JJ on his first walk in the stroller. Of course we went at the hottest time of day so it was was a short one but we all still had lots of fun.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAcG9WJN3I/AAAAAAAAHPk/Jh2LNtIwhGA/s1600/IMG_4154.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAcG9WJN3I/AAAAAAAAHPk/Jh2LNtIwhGA/s320/IMG_4154.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512436849773721458" border="0" /></a>Turbo was especially pleased.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAb-CNVdPI/AAAAAAAAHPc/TmAizl6clUo/s1600/IMG_4156.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAb-CNVdPI/AAAAAAAAHPc/TmAizl6clUo/s320/IMG_4156.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512436696460129522" border="0" /></a>The little wheels did fine on the gravel path though eventually the big wheeled BOB or something will probably be better. JJ seemed to like it a lot.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAb9hqj29I/AAAAAAAAHPU/2RoILw7C-I4/s1600/IMG_4159.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAb9hqj29I/AAAAAAAAHPU/2RoILw7C-I4/s320/IMG_4159.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512436687724338130" border="0" /></a>Now that all systems are functioning well, JJ has increased his outfit per day quota. That's good because we have a lot of cute ones to get through while he's still small.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAb9CguTdI/AAAAAAAAHPM/At0EGTApY34/s1600/IMG_4169.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAb9CguTdI/AAAAAAAAHPM/At0EGTApY34/s320/IMG_4169.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512436679361580498" border="0" /></a>Mostly JJ has settled into a routine that centers around eating and sleeping. Throw in riding and he's ready for a blog and can join the enduronut crew.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAb83uJ4WI/AAAAAAAAHPE/rKIvOpN8Fag/s1600/IMG_4173.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAb83uJ4WI/AAAAAAAAHPE/rKIvOpN8Fag/s320/IMG_4173.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512436676465123682" border="0" /></a>This morning he was chilling on his monkey blanket with Turbo while Marni fixed some pancakes, it is Thursday after all. I was busy getting ready for an interview. It seemed to go well so crossing my fingers again and hopefully I hear soon. Last night I met the Wednesday night ride crew at Red Rocks and got in some riding on the Fatback. I have to say that it rides technical trails much better than the Pugsley and I cleaned almost everything I normally clean despite the 100mm rims (aka tanks). It will be in the regular riding rotation a lot more now to get my knees totally happy with the 100mm bottom bracket.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAb8gvR8CI/AAAAAAAAHO8/VIDyLvQak5s/s1600/IMG_4175.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TIAb8gvR8CI/AAAAAAAAHO8/VIDyLvQak5s/s320/IMG_4175.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512436670295830562" border="0" /></a>Tonight we get to see Leslie and Derrick and tomorrow Grandma Judy arrives from St. Louis!Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-29897086910532151112010-09-01T13:01:00.005-06:002010-09-01T13:28:39.175-06:00What a difference...the milk makes. I'm not going to lie. Life got a whole lot easier when Marni's milk started to come in on Monday. First we started to hear swallows, then the diaper timing started going in the right direction. JJ gained 5 oz between Monday morning and Tuesday morning making the nurses very happy and Monday night we finally got some real sleep. The picture below is our "yay we slept for several hours at a time" faces.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jwZ38RLI/AAAAAAAAHO0/m_Bwus0dfr4/s1600/IMG_4128.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jwZ38RLI/AAAAAAAAHO0/m_Bwus0dfr4/s320/IMG_4128.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512023045922636978" border="0" /></a>The little guy has just been 10x more content now that he has a full belly all the time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jv_mbHwI/AAAAAAAAHOs/iVzbWxfxS3M/s1600/IMG_4126.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jv_mbHwI/AAAAAAAAHOs/iVzbWxfxS3M/s320/IMG_4126.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512023038869839618" border="0" /></a>I can only do so much to help but I can cook and change diapers. Deluxe omelet (bell pepper, chicken, cheese, avocado, tomato) and donut for breakfast with a sleeping baby on the side.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jvsm4UEI/AAAAAAAAHOk/-4hyHMEH8eY/s1600/IMG_4129.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jvsm4UEI/AAAAAAAAHOk/-4hyHMEH8eY/s320/IMG_4129.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512023033771479106" border="0" /></a>Since the nurse was slightly worried about JJ's weight on Monday, we got to pump a little extra milk and feed him once from a bottle to supplement the breastfeeding before a recheck on Tuesday. I wasn't expecting to get to feed him for a few more weeks so while not part of the plan, it was welcome surprise. Huge, giant thanks for Marni's parents for showing up with the pump on Sunday as we needed it unexpectedly on Monday and all I had to do was unbox it and sterilize it to have it ready to go.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jvACa7eI/AAAAAAAAHOc/Q73O2Elf--E/s1600/IMG_4134.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jvACa7eI/AAAAAAAAHOc/Q73O2Elf--E/s320/IMG_4134.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512023021807398370" border="0" /></a>Happy daddy with JJ's first small bottle (~20mL).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6juqgYCQI/AAAAAAAAHOU/MnJPx0JtOvY/s1600/IMG_4135.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6juqgYCQI/AAAAAAAAHOU/MnJPx0JtOvY/s320/IMG_4135.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512023016027457794" border="0" /></a>JJ likes his swing now too. Turbo likes to check on him every time he cries. Plus he peeks his head into JJ's bassinet every morning to sniff him.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jat8wuiI/AAAAAAAAHOM/PvaUepYUlWo/s1600/IMG_4139.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jat8wuiI/AAAAAAAAHOM/PvaUepYUlWo/s320/IMG_4139.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512022673354439202" border="0" /></a>JJ is also loving his tummy time now. He keeps picking his head up really well and has even somehow turned over twice. We thought we were imagining it but he did it again yesterday. I'm sure it requires the right surface or something but still really funny.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jZ2KHvxI/AAAAAAAAHOE/Hg_kLroPrz4/s1600/IMG_4140.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jZ2KHvxI/AAAAAAAAHOE/Hg_kLroPrz4/s320/IMG_4140.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512022658378088210" border="0" /></a>I love getting to spend so much time with him and Momma. I'm a lucky guy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jZt-ig-I/AAAAAAAAHN8/LSNcpUzRVVk/s1600/IMG_4145.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jZt-ig-I/AAAAAAAAHN8/LSNcpUzRVVk/s320/IMG_4145.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512022656182027234" border="0" /></a>Now that JJ is feeling better and sleeping soundly, I even snuck out to the BRC yesterday afternoon for a quick session. It was just an hour but it was fun to climb and other than my skin paying the price for a week and a half of time off I felt great. I think being a new daddy is cheating as I jumped right back on and onsighted a new easy 12. Must be the extra daddy happiness.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jZAxk7vI/AAAAAAAAHN0/IsZ7bb8Uxi0/s1600/IMG_4149.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jZAxk7vI/AAAAAAAAHN0/IsZ7bb8Uxi0/s320/IMG_4149.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512022644048064242" border="0" /></a>Today we've had a brilliant morning following stretches of 3 hours of sleep at a time last night and JJ is going to go on his first stroller ride!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jY-CMv-I/AAAAAAAAHNs/G_wa62V37hY/s1600/IMG_4151.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/TH6jY-CMv-I/AAAAAAAAHNs/G_wa62V37hY/s320/IMG_4151.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512022643312476130" border="0" /></a>It's nice to be back to blogging too. I guess the secret is to have a cute baby and tons of pictures to share. Haha.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-75943551640206463552010-08-30T15:53:00.007-06:002010-08-30T20:52:32.421-06:00The first daysI tried to parse down the more than 100 pictures we've already filed into the save folder into just one blog. So this is my best shot at the early greatest hits. For those dying for more, there is a larger set on Marni or my facebook page.<br /><br />Marni and I on the way to the hospital. There is a matching picture with smiles but this second one we took as the "how do you really feel?" picture.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxkY-chiEI/AAAAAAAAHNE/EYE0PU96AcA/s1600/IMG_3994.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxkY-chiEI/AAAAAAAAHNE/EYE0PU96AcA/s320/IMG_3994.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511390424236918850" border="0" /></a>Marni walking into labor and delivery on a beautiful early Colorado morning. Good thing we stopped at Starbucks on the way in. I wouldn't really eat or drink anything for the next 13 hours or so besides water and a few crackers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxkYkfTfuI/AAAAAAAAHM8/oyt1ZoxNBQQ/s1600/IMG_3996.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxkYkfTfuI/AAAAAAAAHM8/oyt1ZoxNBQQ/s320/IMG_3996.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511390417269260002" border="0" /></a>Marni chilling in the delivery room with a Popsicle, waiting for that last centimeter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxkYLpukYI/AAAAAAAAHM0/YiW8ctlDYCY/s1600/IMG_3997.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxkYLpukYI/AAAAAAAAHM0/YiW8ctlDYCY/s320/IMG_3997.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511390410602090882" border="0" /></a>Almost there.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxkXjW7cZI/AAAAAAAAHMs/XgnbBOuMZnY/s1600/IMG_4004.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxkXjW7cZI/AAAAAAAAHMs/XgnbBOuMZnY/s320/IMG_4004.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511390399785824658" border="0" /></a>John James arrives and we were happy to hear his cries.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxkXV1RiBI/AAAAAAAAHMk/vGCWB6rO8ow/s1600/IMG_4011.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxkXV1RiBI/AAAAAAAAHMk/vGCWB6rO8ow/s320/IMG_4011.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511390396155004946" border="0" /></a>Momma and baby meet for the first time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxj6fN0FfI/AAAAAAAAHMc/9PYYxv1gscw/s1600/IMG_4018.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxj6fN0FfI/AAAAAAAAHMc/9PYYxv1gscw/s320/IMG_4018.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511389900457645554" border="0" /></a>Daddy gets to hold JJ for the first time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxj6JjcmnI/AAAAAAAAHMU/zv9vSfTddyQ/s1600/IMG_4035.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxj6JjcmnI/AAAAAAAAHMU/zv9vSfTddyQ/s320/IMG_4035.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511389894642801266" border="0" /></a>JJ meets some of his cousins and his aunt.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxj55cyYtI/AAAAAAAAHMM/nankzgg_8Rs/s1600/IMG_4040.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxj55cyYtI/AAAAAAAAHMM/nankzgg_8Rs/s320/IMG_4040.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511389890319901394" border="0" /></a>Peaceful sleeping. We haven't got too much of this since night one though it's getting better.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxj5ljIjwI/AAAAAAAAHME/IJzRXcG-eEI/s1600/IMG_4042.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxj5ljIjwI/AAAAAAAAHME/IJzRXcG-eEI/s320/IMG_4042.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511389884977811202" border="0" /></a>Look at those long legs!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxj5EdMy3I/AAAAAAAAHL8/sfhMPUU84r8/s1600/IMG_4057.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxj5EdMy3I/AAAAAAAAHL8/sfhMPUU84r8/s320/IMG_4057.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511389876094552946" border="0" /></a>Momma almost ready to go home.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxi24vACnI/AAAAAAAAHL0/hKRQb3mLyEE/s1600/IMG_4071.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxi24vACnI/AAAAAAAAHL0/hKRQb3mLyEE/s320/IMG_4071.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511388739076622962" border="0" /></a>Comfy and cozy back at home in bed.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxi2U8txZI/AAAAAAAAHLs/9WfdAbGcjMs/s1600/IMG_4084.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxi2U8txZI/AAAAAAAAHLs/9WfdAbGcjMs/s320/IMG_4084.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511388729470469522" border="0" /></a>Sleeping peacefully for the moment.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxi2BW80oI/AAAAAAAAHLk/gmrJgRB08nc/s1600/IMG_4087.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxi2BW80oI/AAAAAAAAHLk/gmrJgRB08nc/s320/IMG_4087.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511388724211798658" border="0" /></a>JJ loves Grandma and Grandpa Berry.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxi1rFQJmI/AAAAAAAAHLc/Go3_5a4Hv6M/s1600/IMG_4093.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxi1rFQJmI/AAAAAAAAHLc/Go3_5a4Hv6M/s320/IMG_4093.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511388718231987810" border="0" /></a>A few little zzzz's.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxi1eH15YI/AAAAAAAAHLU/O_uHEAQtGvs/s1600/IMG_4098.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxi1eH15YI/AAAAAAAAHLU/O_uHEAQtGvs/s320/IMG_4098.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511388714753189250" border="0" /></a>Monkey!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxiXi9DU5I/AAAAAAAAHLM/6i7lwFxksc0/s1600/IMG_4100.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxiXi9DU5I/AAAAAAAAHLM/6i7lwFxksc0/s320/IMG_4100.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511388200654033810" border="0" /></a>Resting with Momma.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxiXdSZRtI/AAAAAAAAHLE/TIg5vMBzavw/s1600/IMG_4106.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxiXdSZRtI/AAAAAAAAHLE/TIg5vMBzavw/s320/IMG_4106.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511388199132939986" border="0" /></a>Testing those lungs. It's been chilly in the house with the AC on :)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxiWh2kBwI/AAAAAAAAHK8/k-qApq1EveQ/s1600/IMG_4110.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxiWh2kBwI/AAAAAAAAHK8/k-qApq1EveQ/s320/IMG_4110.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511388183178512130" border="0" /></a>Giving Momma some nap time.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxiWXdTbaI/AAAAAAAAHK0/abuNVcVB2HY/s1600/IMG_4117.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxiWXdTbaI/AAAAAAAAHK0/abuNVcVB2HY/s320/IMG_4117.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511388180388212130" border="0" /></a>Turbo came home last night and he's really interested in his new brother.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxiV0tqGOI/AAAAAAAAHKs/_jE29PEhYG0/s1600/IMG_4121.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THxiV0tqGOI/AAAAAAAAHKs/_jE29PEhYG0/s320/IMG_4121.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511388171061565666" border="0" /></a>And I leave you with this. Cliche for new parents but Hootie has it right. I even reminded Marni of it last night during some extended crying. It all changes so fast already.<object height="385" width="480"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/at_lUnFjXg8?fs=1&hl=en_US"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/at_lUnFjXg8?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" height="385" width="480"></embed></object>Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-91505282132660070622010-08-27T13:11:00.003-06:002010-08-27T13:50:28.325-06:00Welcome my son<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THgOBODe4gI/AAAAAAAAHKk/02LJhdP06Mg/s1600/47482_155021231175219_100000020306989_493832_2095486_n.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THgOBODe4gI/AAAAAAAAHKk/02LJhdP06Mg/s320/47482_155021231175219_100000020306989_493832_2095486_n.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5510169558203163138" border="0" /></a>What an amazing last week. Yesterday at 7:37pm, Marni and I welcomed John James Plesko into the world. He is doing wonderfully and so is Momma who is a rockstar. Us bike racers have nothing to brag about, labor is incredibly hard and I feel humbled by comparison. At 8lbs 0.2oz and 22" he is a big boy for a little Marni but she did spectacularly. The birth story is hers so I won't steal it but 5 days of contractions led up to a sleepless night complete with full moon midnight walk (Turbo's favorite) and more than 12 hours at the hospital until birth. She's a bit sore today but otherwise upbeat and doing fantastic. JJ had a great night is feeding and sleeping well already. Plus he's a poop machine and I'm proud to say that I've changed every diaper save one where I was gone getting his car seat inspected. We're overjoyed to have so many family and friends come to see him already and it's great to know we'll get to see more tonight and this weekend as we settle in at home. Grandma Judy gets to come visit very soon as well which we cannot wait for.<br /><br />Like all good things in life, this one did not come easy from start to finish. From fertility treatments and miscarriage to yesterday's birth, JJ gave us one heck of a ride. About the pregnancy we cannot complain much. Well I can complain none since I wasn't toting JJ around for 39 weeks. But as pregnancies go we were lucky. Other than some minor scares and an extra meeting with a geneticist, we enjoyed it as much as we could. While it's not all roses growing a human, Marni was all smiles and we both tried to experience all we could about an only couple times in a lifetime experience. Now that he's here of course we're thrilled. Lucky again to have decent insurance, I sit here writing this watching small storms roll across the foothills of the Front Range while wifey and baby sleep in our quiet private room. Nurses and doctors have been poking their heads in all day offering checkups and assistance where needed but generally it's been happily quiet. And tomorrow we should get to go home where we can bond and recover in peace, introduce Turbo to his new brother and even have JJ's first pediatric checkup in a few days. Life is grand.<br /><br />I'm sure JJ's photos will grace the pages of my blog many more times from now on. After 4+ years of waiting I cannot stop taking pictures of him. And little by little he'll grow into his own man, where I can teach him to be a good and kind person and show him the wonders of this world. Surprisingly I haven't cried yet but my eyes have welled with tears dozens of times in the past 24 hours. There is nothing in life like labor, working so hard to take care of the two people you love most in this world at the same time, in a situation where total success is not guaranteed. Racing bikes nor alpine climbing can even come close.<br /><br />Someone asked me yesterday if I was scared or overwhelmed and I said no. I've wanted a baby for as long as I can remember and being able to share this with my wonderful wife of 6 years is incredible. As hard as it has been to get here, I wouldn't trade a second of that time for anything. Sleep deprived nights and poopy diapers are cheap payment for the experiences to come. From his first bottle I get to feed him (hopefully in a month) to his first bike, his first race car bed and maybe someday his first Tour Divide I cannot wait to see what happens.<br /><br />Better than any television, I have to get back to watching my son sleep.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9492102.post-9279142403971235102010-08-24T08:00:00.002-06:002010-08-24T08:22:14.038-06:00Waiting game<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THPQqE18-nI/AAAAAAAAHKc/LzuRZ6S3yGY/s1600/33%2Bweeks%2Band%2BHallet%2B053.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_YuHT3tfbMoY/THPQqE18-nI/AAAAAAAAHKc/LzuRZ6S3yGY/s320/33%2Bweeks%2Band%2BHallet%2B053.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508976190477367922" border="0" /></a>The time is near. After years of trying and disappointment, followed by a wonderful pregnancy, our <a href="http://littlepivvay.blogspot.com/">little boy</a>'s arrival is imminent. <a href="http://mrspivvay.blogspot.com/">Marni</a> is back at work, somehow finding energy to teach 24 little Kindergarteners at 38.5 weeks pregnant. It's difficult but every extra day she spends there before means an extra day bonding with our new little bundle of joy after. Our family and friends have been amazing. Our home is filled with everything we need and then some. JJ has a closet full of clothes, way more than his father, and the nursery turned out even better than I imagined it thanks to Marni's parents and her aunt Jackie.<br /><br />Yesterday I spent the day with Marni at school to be an extra pair of hands and eyes but today she left me at home to catch up on rest of my own. It's hard not to be there today but I do need to be full on sleep myself I suppose since soon my support will be crucial and the timing of such support very much unknown. On Friday I snuck off to RMNP one last time before JJ's appearance and climbed the Diamond on Long's Peak with Aaron. It was a fantastic, hard and rewarding 19 hour day. While it was no Tour Divide type effort, it was the crowning athletic achievement of my summer because when I woke up at midnight to head out, I didn't know if I could actually do it. But we summited safely and survived the crux drive home and now I'm (happily) tethered to activities with cell phone reception.<br /><br />And now the house has been cleaned again. The nursery is arranged just so. The clothes and blankets and toys are all washed and put away. Baby monitors are setup and our hospital bags have been packed. Marni's been having regular contractions since Friday but they keep stopping. While this could go on for a while longer, it doesn't seem like that's going to be the case. Hopefully the next blog post here will be the one that everyone is waiting for. Until then my son is going to teach me just a bit more patience.Chrishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14960740006971546039noreply@blogger.com0