Our First Tri

This weekend Mark and I battled the elements to complete our first triathlon. We've both participated in tri events with my family over the last couple of years - Mark cycling, and me swimming. But we hadn't done one on our own until this weekend. I'm not gonna lie... I'm pretty proud of us.

So when I say "battled the elements" you're probably thinking that we're lazy wimps who only had to battle our own lethargic instincts to make this thing happen. And you would be WRONG. I will prove it to you. In a list. Yes, a list is necessary to make my point.

The Elements:
1.) Slow swimmers. Since this race had a pool start, we each had to enter our 100-yard swim pace before the event. Notice I said pace, which means people should have entered the time it would take them to swim each 100 yards of the 500-yard swim. In fact, lots of people entered the time it would take them to swim 100 yards if that's all they had to swim. As a result, Mark's starting seed was 532 out of just over 600. Mine was 261. After plowing through many mis-seeded swimmers (which was easier for me than Mark... by the time he got in the water, people were apparently just swimming in clumps and it was hard to pass them), I finished 47th out of the women and Mark finished 229th out of the men... way, way better than what we were seeded. What have we learned from this? Next time, we should choose open-water events where we aren't stuck in a lane behind swimmers with falsely fast times..... or we could just falsify our times too, I guess. I mean, isn't that what the sport is about? Who gets to start first?

2.) Falling off our bikes. You'd think that if Mark and I find ourselves to be savvy enough as athletes to sign up for a triathlon, we'd be coordinated enough to stay on our bikes for the entirety of the cycle portion of the event. Turns out, we aren't. Picture this: I have pulled on my bike shorts after the swim, but apparently not all the way... I was still wet, you see, and dampness doesn't make pulling tight shorts over thick thighs any easier. I swing my leg over the seat to mount the bike, and I crash to the ground, caught and tangled by the crotch of my shorts. Do you know anyone else who has fallen off a bike after being tripped by the crotch of her shorts? Didn't think so. Now picture this: I have fallen once trying to mount, have picked up myself, my pride, and the bike from the aquatic center parking lot, have laughed in the face of the volunteer standing nearby who found it necessary to clap her hands and say "good recovery; good recovery" during the whole debacle. I mount again, get my feet in the pedal cages, start pedaling.... and... nothing. The chain has fallen off. My legs are spinning fast circles and I am going nowhere. Fortunately I did manage to get my feet out of the cages and get off the bike before I tipped over again. After a quick chain fix, I managed to get on the bike and stay on for the rest of the cycle portion, including the hills I had assumed I would need to walk. Go me!

Mark's crash was a little more noble, mostly because he has battle wounds to show for it. I wasn't there to witness it, so I can't give you the play-by-play here... but I understand it went something like this: Boy takes turn at high speed. Boy notices pothole. Boy swerves to avoid said pothole while still taking turn at high speed. Boy ends up in concrete median, still clipped to bike. Policeman at intersection inquires about boy. Boy is ok but embarrassed. Boy continues to ride, but covered in significantly more blood and gravel. Poor Marky.

3.) Rain. About 6 or 7 miles into the bike ride (that's halfway, for those of you keeping count), the rain started. We're in the middle of a record-setting drought, and it rains on the day we're doing a triathlon. Of course. Did you know that bike brakes don't work as well in the rain? Mark and I knew... we used bikes as our main means of transportation when we lived in the Netherlands (where it's always raining or almost raining), and our experience with the knuckle-numbing sensations of biking in wind and rain probably gave us an edge over some of the other cyclists. Or maybe not, since at least a hundred people passed me on the bike. I was counting, but I lost track somewhere in the upper 80s, and that was with several miles, a big hill, and a hailstorm still to go.)

4.) Hail. That's right. I said hail. Apparently it was hitting the ground hard and bouncing back up, but I wouldn't know because my sunglasses (ha! didn't need those after all!) had fogged up by mile 10 or 11, and I could barely see where I was riding. But I did feel the pelting on my helmet. I was 95% sure Jesus was coming. Hail always does that to me, but apparently being on a bike and being soaked to the bone highlights the premonition.

5.) Mud. After 500 yards of swimming and 20k of biking, I was almost convinced to just quit the race. I was shivering, and I had finished the cycle portion (which is what I had been most worried about, and which was the hardest thing for me) and I had pretty much convinced myself to just be satisfied with that. But then I decided that even if I had to walk the 5k, I wanted to finish it out. Well, it turns out I would have frozen to death if I had walked (Dad reminded me of that at my transition off the bike), so I ran it after all. And ran it better than I thought I would... I guess avoiding the cold is a good motivator for me! So imagine my dismay when, in the last quarter mile , the course turns to mud and I have to stop running to pick my way through it. It was ankle-deep in some places; I am not exaggerating. And of course the very last portion before the finish chute was downhill, on a curve, in the mud. Which would be fun if we were hot scantily-clad coeds getting paid to mud wrestle. But since we were athletes (did I really just call myself that?) who had just been pummeled by wind and rain and hail, it wasn't all that amusing.

I found this disclaimer on the website of the event's photographer: Note: Due to extreme weather conditions, our staff was unable to photograph all the participants of this event. Um, excuse me? I was out there running and biking and you couldn't stand under an umbrella and take my picture to prove I finished? Actually, though, I forgive them for not getting my picture - they're a small business and they need to protect their equipment... that's a legitimate excuse. And they were probably a lot colder than I was, considering they weren't working out in that mess.

This picture isn't me, but this looks about like I felt, right before the bottom opened up. Cold, blind, slightly confused, a little naive about what was still to come.

In all of the elements, though, I had a surprising ally -- my dad. He came before I even started the swim, and was there at every transition and at the finish, rooting me on. Dad and I have had a rocky time over the last couple of months, but I really appreciated his support this weekend. It was surprising how encouraging it was to have him there, especially when I wasn't expecting it. (Plus, he rescued our towels and sweatshirts out of the transition area and kept them dry in his truck so we had them at the finish - yay Dad!) Mom's trainer Michael also made an appearance driving down the road during my run (and yelling my name.... yes, some things about Huntersville remain small-town and southern!) and then at the finish line too.

At the end of the day, though, we're proud of ourselves. It's nothing compared to what my mom or sister can do, and nothing compared to what our fellow athletes did at the Half Ironman in September, but it's a good start for us.

On an only slightly-related note, Nathan slept through the night at mom's house (for the second time in a row!), and then took a nap the next morning at my MIL's house. This is earth-shattering, people. Just when we had decided he would only sleep well in his own crib, it turns out that he'll do great anywhere - as long as we bring Uncle Nick along!

For more pictures of our triathlon and visit with Dad, click on the bike and me (while we were still friends), below.

by mgoetts

Elite Eight!

Davidson College has made it into the Elite 8 in the NCAA tournament. I don't normally care about basketball, but since Nathan has a good bit of Wildcat running through his veins, I thought a picture was appropriate.

Thanks for the shirt, Marmie and Ashley!

I assure you the relatives and the church family (who almost all went to Davidson, it seems.... what gives, anyway?) are more excited than Nathan is. But maybe someday Nathan will look back at this picture and remember he enjoyed a tiny part of 2008's sports history!

Eight-Month Update

Nathan is eight months old today! Although the past 6-8 weeks have been difficult, Nathan is still a sweet and very easy baby.

Lots of you have been emailing and calling to ask about the update on his health. We had been sort of worried about it since he very rarely gets the standard 50 calories per day per pound of body weight (at least how we track it... and we were very conservative on the breastfeeding estimates, to avoid a falsely high intake number). But we found out earlier this week that he is up to 16 lbs, 4 oz. It's barely the 5th percentile, but it's on the chart, so we'll take it!

Another piece of good news about all this (besides the no more hospital thing, obviously) is that the nursing is apparently going better than we were estimating. Since getting back from the hospital, my milk has seemed off somehow -- less of it, increasingly difficult to pump, etc. They had told me to stop nursing on demand... well, that lasted about 48 hours! I don't let Nathan "nip" the way he used to (snacking when he's just had a meal, or during playtime), so I think even while nursing on demand, the goal of having him hungry enough at mealtime to get the hindmilk is being met (what was that about intent of the law vs letter of the law? hmmm). Trying to feed him by the clock was frustrating both of us; ultimately I followed that mommy instinct (you know the one everyone tells you to trust but I don't so much anymore? yeah that one) and decided that Nathan is definitely still an on-demand nurser, even though The Books say that's wrong. Knowing that the nursing is back on track, unharmed by the hiatus in the hospital, is incredibly reassuring to me.

But his doctor said we're not fully in the clear yet... after all, one point does not a line make. So we will continue to track his intake carefully for at least the next month. We appreciate all the prayers and support more than you know. We feel blessed that our son is so loved.


Besides eating constantly, Nathan has spent the last month rolling fairly consistently (finally!) and sitting unsupported with some regularity (finally!), outgrowing many of his 3-6 month sized clothes (finally!), laughing his head off, chewing on everything with his big-and-getting-bigger bottom teeth, trying lots of new foods, learning to sit like a gorilla -- which other people call a tripod (like in this picture), learning to pick things up with his feet and put them in his hands (I kid you not), and swimming at the pool.

If you're in a picture-viewing mood, I have updated the Washington and hospital posts with links to pictures.

Nathan's First Easter

Happy first Easter, Nathan!

You're too young to understand this now, but Jesus died and rose again to take your sins away. For you, little boy! That's how much He loved you, even thousands of years before you were born.

But you're not too young to understand that this is a time for celebration and fun.

Last week, we took you to the church for an egg hunt! We had pancakes and eggs and bacon and grits (you ate green beans) with lots of new friends, and then everyone hunted for eggs on the playground. There were lots of kids there and you seemed a little overwhelmed, but don't worry... Mommy and Daddy were overwhelmed, too! Of course you couldn't find eggs by yourself yet, but Daddy helped and you came away with your very own Easter egg. It was orange, of course. You liked it, but you liked the plastic grass in your Easter basket even more. You tipped it all out and you thought it was hilarous!

Then today after church you ate a yummy Easter dinner of ham and egg yolk and squash. We spent the afternoon playing with all the toys and treats in your Easter basket. There was candy for Daddy and me, and there were bubbles and teething biscuits and a bright yellow recorder for you! You didn't understand how the teething biscuits and recorder were supposed to work, though... you tried to suck on both of them like they were bottles! Daddy and I tried to play some tunes for you on the recorder (Daddy did better than I did) and you liked it but couldn't quite figure out how to do it yourself.

I love you very much and I'm thrilled that you shared the malted milk ball eggs and Lindt chocolate from your basket with Daddy and me.

Happy Easter, little one!

(For more pictures, click on Nathan and the egg below.)

by mgoetts

The New DH

I spent part of the weekend in Upstate SC. I got to see Ryan while pigging out on seafood, Spartanburg-style. I got to go to Kelley's house and visit with her and several other college friends, and purchase several awesome new bags from Jill. I got to spend the night in a hotel room (where Nathan does not do well... you know, since it's not his own crib which he is unnaturally attached to). I got to visit with Dr. O, possibly the best academic advisor of all time. I got to have brunch with my mother-in law. I got to watch Nathan gobble up bananas for the first time.

And of everything I did on our road trip, know what stands out most to me?

How fabulous Furman's DH makeover is. Y'all, they have an Einstein Brothers in the upstairs. And hardwood floors in the downstairs. Mezzanine seating (when I was there, we just had to wonder about the view from those upper windows). Computers everywhere. And word on the street is, they've got brick oven pizza as an everyday menu item. Don't you miss the days when the panini grill was the coolest thing ever? These kids seem so over it.

And we thought the library makeover was good.

Visit with Sarah

Nathan had another good homecoming surprise - a visit with Sarah! She was in town shopping for wedding dresses with Katie and spent one night with Nathan and me before she went home. I know I have said this before, but Sarah is really good for me... the foundation of our friendship was a pattern of looong late-night conversations in the hall on Gambrell 300, and this weekend we talked (and talked and talked) just like old times.

One fun (new) part of our friendship is her comfort level with Nathan. Every time she is with him, they pick up just like they're old friends themselves. Sarah is passionate and knowledgeable when it comes to working with children, and it is so fun to see her playing with Nathan. In a few years, she'll have children too, and I can't wait to see all the kids playing together. She gets a lot of hugs from the children she teaches, I'm sure... but for this one weekend, I'm glad Nathan got all the snuggles she had to give!

In other weekend news, we sang the Schubert Mass in G as a Lenten offering, and it went quite well. I won't say I loved it as I was learning it, but after singing it twice on Sunday, I have more of an attachment to it. I know many elite musicians ascribe to "higher callings" than church music. But I'm really starting to buy into the mindset that there is no higher calling for musical gifts than to praise God.

Now that Sarah has gone home, our house seems suddenly emptier. But I am sort of glad for the complete halt in chaos... especially after the hospital, I think the whole family is happy to be back into a boring routine!

Coming Home to Spring

When we left for the hospital on Monday, Nathan had on long pants, shoes, and his hooded winter coat. When he was discharged, we went outside, and suddenly it's spring.

The sun is out, the air is (almost) balmy, and the ever-present southern smell of new Bradford pear blooms is on the breeze. (Not that it's the loveliest smell in the world... those of you in the south know what I mean... but it is most definitely the smell of spring.)

So I fgured I'd better post this picture of Nathan (taken last weekend in Washington) bundled up adorably in his winter gear before it's too late.

Nathan - 7 months

It's so nice to be out of the hospital. Nathan has been sleeping almost constantly since we got home... he must have been exhausted. We were discharged with instructions on keeping a strict high-calorie, high-protein, high-fat diet and closely monitoring intake for the next few weeks. Assuming his weight is still up (today he is 14 lbs 13 oz, seven oz up from last week but still a full pound behind his 6-month checkup at the end of January), we will totally dismiss this whole thing as a feeding problem that has been corrected... and at that point we will be able to assume we're free of further hospitalizations, and feeding tubes, and no-fun blood tests. I never thought I would ask for such a thing, but y'all... pray for fat!

WakeMed (Take 2)

This week we have journeyed a few miles down the road to the place of Nathan's birth... the hospital [insert "ick" here]. It's been rough on him - he doesn't sleep well away from home under the best of circumstances, and being poked and prodded and tested and woken up every three hours (inevitably right after he falls asleep) are certainly not the best of circumstances!

When he was admitted yesterday, he was down an additional 6 ounces since last week. And then this morning, he was down another 4 ounces (total loss is slightly over 2 pounds in the last month). But he remains in good spirits, except when he's missed more than one nap in a row.

All of the blood work from the lab has come back (fairly) normal, ruling out the most likely culprits for not absorbing calories... which leads everyone to assume that it's an intake issue. Since there's no way to tell exactly how much Nathan is taking in when he nurses, they had me stop breastfeeding yesterday so that I could spend the next 24 hours pumping and feeding him bottles, so they could get an idea of how much milk I normally produce in one day. ("Normally..." assuming that every day is just like a day in the hospital... and that the pump is just like Nathan.... and that Nathan would only nurse at meals, just like on the bottle... never for comfort or when stressed, which certainly wouldn't happen in the hospital.... right.... normal.) Since Nathan and I were both struggling with the no-nursing thing, Daddy took the reigns and stayed at the hospital all night to feed him the pumped milk.

Which means we both survived the first night without each other (Nathan and I)... even if it wasn't on good terms.

And after counting calories and intake for the last 24 hours, we know... [dramatic pause]...

...that no one knows the clear answer. People have differing opinions on how much he should be eating. The lactation people seem certain he just needs to eat more calories. The nutritionist - based on number crunching along - seems to think he's getting plenty each day... for his current (under)weight, anyway. The physician seems to think he's getting the right amount of calories for his current size, and maybe even enough to get him back on the growth chart (he fell completely off of it last week)... but he still needs more to "catch up" to his normal growth curve. That makes the most sense to me (although it still doesn't explain the continued weight loss since we've been in the hospital). And all of these hypotheses, mind you, are based on data collected during the last 24 hours - you know, the most "normal" day of Nathan's life, where his intake was exactly what you'd call typical. HA.
So for now the plan is just to eat more, and work on keeping him focused at mealtime. Unless some follow-up labs come back with odd results tomorrow, we're hoping to be discharged with instructions to stop the on-demand nursing (having a normal meal schedule for him will teach him to eat until he's full, getting the calorie-rich hindmilk, instead of just snacking all day since he knows he can always come back for more) and increase the solids to three meals per day.

So all these tears, and all this stress of being in a hospital, to find out that he likely just needs to stay focused when he's eating... you know, care more about the food than the world around him. (The fact that he doesn't already is just weird. I assure you he did not get that from me. )

I was worried that Nathan would be attached to a bunch of tubes and machines, and that Mark and I would have access to him (I don't like peering at my son through a glass wall), but he's in his own room and has mommy or daddy with him all the time. He's Mr. Personality here in the pediatric wing, and our close proximity to the nurses' station means there is always someone to grin at (and Nathan usually obliges). You can see that he is coping as well as can be expected (if not better!)... and that he loves his new favorite toy (hospital bracelet! yay!)...

We hope to be out of here tomorrow (they originally said Thursday, so we'll see). I'll be glad when WakeMed (take 2) is done!

For all the pictures of hospitalized Nathan, click on his ankle bracelet below.

by mgoetts

Washington DC

Nathan and I had a great weekend together visiting Betsy (and seeing Merritt for the first time since her wedding in 2004) in Washington DC. We found out on Friday that Nathan will have to be hospitalized due to his weight loss, but his doctor was kind (and rational) enough to recognize that there was no emergency before Monday, so we had a nice, sane, hospital-free weekend on the road visiting with friends.

I am pleased to report that we did not get through the weekend without saying "a bag? like, a plastic bag?" which means it was truly a weekend with Betsy. I am a little bummed that no one, at any point, said "Dang, Gina!"

I am also pleased to report that Nathan slept through the whole night. After the disasterous non-sleep at my mom's house a few weeks ago, I was kind of worried. But we put him in his pack & play the night before we left for DC, and he fussed but eventually settled down... so I think it was a little more familiar by the time he had to sleep in it in Betsy's room. I felt sort of bad that he took her rooom while we camped in the den, but I figured at least we slept that way. Better than being awake all night, even with a real bed. And you know Betsy can ball up and sleep anywhere (I don't mean that as sleazy as it sounded).

I really needed a weekend of connection, and Furman memories, and good dialogue with someone who really, really gets me. We talked so much I lost my voice (imagine how much *I* would have to talk to strain it!) but it was worth it!

For more pictures of Nathan and me in The District, click here.