Fall Fun

What an amazing fall day yesterday was!!  Dustin rode up to Estes; I met him up there for some coffee by the river, a fun(ny) :) bike around the lake, and a picnic lunch. 

There's nothing better than a beautiful fall day in the mountains --- except for maybe a visit from Jeff and Kelly!!! :)  Jeff and Kelly made their way up yesterday evening.  We had a great time and took some final before-delivery pictures (Kelly's 38 weeks and ready to meet their little girl anytime - can't wait!)... at 34 weeks and another 2+ before I can start walking again, I hope that this wasn't our "before delivery" picture!!! :)

We were laughing so hard - that was the most fun, goofiest bike ride ever.  I couldn't even get my leg all around one rotation, so D had to do all the work - great laughs and GREAT fresh air:):)!

Going for a hike? :)... almost:)

34 and 38 Weeks :)

Go D Go!

I had to fight off the little guy for honors on this one...:) 

Dustin traveled to Oregon last weekend for the USAT National Triathlon Championship.  It was quite an honor to qualify for this as only the top 10% of previous sanctioned race finishers get in.  After weeks of chronic IT Band issues in his right leg and a cortisone shot that was starting to wear off, D had high hopes of health above all else.  Surprise, surprise though, D was able to pull off way more than just racing with pain.  Thanks to all of you who prayed, his leg held up and he completed the race in PR (personal record) fashion with a time of 2 hours, 09 minutes and 54 seconds, and finished top 25 in his age group.  He bettered his best time by over 9 minutes.  Yea D!  The greatest thing for him was having his dad, Roger, there supporting him and experiencing the awesome day.  We're so proud of you D! 

Fast as Fast can be...I'm proud of my daddy:)

I'm almost ready to be born you know, so I thought I'd get in on the blogging fun.  Mommy took me to watch Daddy swim, bike and run on Sunday in the Fort Collins Triathlon.  WOW!  He's really fast.  We could hardly keep up with watching him (That's probably because mommy moves at a snails pace right now having to crutch around...don't tell her I said that:))  Anyway, I was able to catch some good glimpses of my daddy and he raced so fast that he beat everyone competing in the race.  Way to get 1st place daddy!  I love you and can't wait to run the last bit with you soon!  See you in November:)

Little D

Top 10 things I've learned from Heather's accident:

10.  The body heals so much quicker than I ever realized.  She is making great strides each week, in both her arm and leg (mobility and strength)

9.  Heather is very resilient through challenges

8.  Baby Camping is right where he needs to be through all this...fully protected and unharmed

7.  I've mastered how to make a "mean" lunch box of food for her to take to school

6.  How much I took for granted a fully functioning, healthy, athletic wife

5.  I've gotten a glimpse of what it must feel like to be a mom...many tasks...always on the go...cooking....cleaning...washing etc. WOW!

4.  I've learned how to slow down and enjoy each step/moment as we don't get places real fast:)

3.  How we can bless people in the future through cooking meals as MANY have done for us.  Again, WOW!

2.  If we stay connected, we can literally get through anything that life throws at us.

And the Number 1 thing (Drum roll........)

Starting the day off together eating breakfast, just her and I has been a really neat time to kick off each day (In the past, we're at the gym etc...)

Even in the midst of all the inconveniences, LIFE IS GOOD!

D

Can we say "Growth Spurt"?

Well he finally decided to grow a bit.  It is so cool to see how quickly Heather is really starting to show even in the last 5 days.  This is fun.  I had to give you a glimpse of her progress...in the tummy that is.  Enough about all this injury stuff huh?  I can give it a rest...

Love, D

Cast Away!

Bye Bye Cast! Don't come back:)  Today was a great day and it's not even over.  Heather and I visited (and I literally mean both of us...I'll explain in a moment) Dr. Baer for another post-operative follow up.  As you can see by the pictures, she got her cast off and after viewing the x-rays on the knee and arm, both areas are healing great and look "very good" according to Dr. Baer.  He is very happy with the progress of bone growth and also her mobility thus far in her knee.  We will continue to get in the pool several times a week and work on mobility.  She will not undertake formal routine therapy on the leg until she's closer to weight bearing (Appx 4 weeks).  Reason being?  We can simply do things on our own at this point with continuing to move that knee back and forth and more importantly getting as straight as possible (That's the biggest concern long term is getting the knee/leg to be able to flex straight).  She will also start getting on a stationery bike and even doing some leg extensions to work on muscle strength...like she needs it:)  She is in a removable splint on her arm (picture above) that she can take on and off for showering, resting etc.  All in all, it was a great appointment and good news for us.  Oh yeah, when I said "we" visited the doctor, I really meant it.  As many of you know, I am preparing for Nationals in Oregon in 2 1/2 weeks (Sept 20th) and have really had some great progress in terms of training time and feeling stronger and stronger.  However, I have been struggling (even through a few physical therapy sessions and 4 deep tissue massage sessions, icing almost daily, and stretching literally 20+ minutes a day) with my IT Band on my right leg while running (Doesn't hurt while biking or swimming).  It has been an issue that has been sporadic and painful to say the least.  I didn't even get 5 minutes down the road on Monday before having to walk.  So, I ran this scenario by Dr. Baer and before even finishing my explanation he pulled out a large long needle and injected a shot of cortisone in the side of my knee and after 3 or 4 days I will be pain-free.  I am so pumped.  This brings concern to many of you I'm sure, but I know it's the right thing to do as I will be "hanging it up" after Sept 20th and resting my leg for a good month or two (At least not running).  So, a double dippin' great appointment I'd say:) 

 Again, thanks for all the meals, prayers and support.  We're making it and we are starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Oh yeah, Baby Camping appointment today at 4pm:)  We're almost inside 8 weeks left!  YES!

Daddy D