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As I write this LONG post, I’m now 2 weeks from my official due date of August 11, 2014. Technically, it could be any day, which is exciting to think about! It’s also maddening to imagine having to wait another 3 weeks. It’s so strange that such a momentous and life-altering day is also one big mystery. When I prepared for our wedding, I knew the date of the big day. Now, I have no clue other than knowing that it will eventually come!
WEEK 27
I started my third trimester in mid-May. Our “other” anniversary, on Saturday, May 17th, marked 23 years of Eric and I being together as a couple. No one can tell us we rushed into having kids, now, huh? 😉
WEEK 28
On Tuesday, May 20th, I had another midwife appointment. It was another opportunity to hear the heartbeat:
I also noted more “big rolling movements,” rather than distinct kicks. Baby was tough to catch on video, but I got a pretty good clip here:
28 Weeks
28 Weeks
That weekend, we went for a short hike at Meadowdale Beach Park. I was eager to be with the trees!
Meadowdale Beach Park – May 24, 2014
Afterward, we had the Vegan Sofritas, at Chipotle Mexican Grill. YUM! I love that they give you a LOT of guacamole!!
Vegan Sofritas at Chipotle Mexican Grill
WEEK 30
30 Weeks
On the same day that I wrote, “most active day yet” in my calendar (June 3rd), I received this baby shirt in the mail. It’s from my #NSNG friend, ScottyO, from Aspen. Sweet!
Thank you, Uncle Scotty!
On Wednesday, June 4th, I took the day off work, to go to a 3 hour midwife appointment. The purpose was testing for gestational diabetes. I had to fast the night before, and get my blood drawn at 9 AM. Then I drank 75 grams of glucose. Icky! My blood was drawn again at 10 AM and 11 AM.
I felt a bit ill and headachy after consuming the drink, but it was okay. The worst was that I didn’t eat any real food until shortly after noon, and by then my blood sugar was really crashing. As I sat down to eat my lunch, I was shaky and sweaty.
Gestational Diabetes Testing – June 4, 2014
Fortunately, my results were excellent! They want your readings to be: fasting glucose <95, 1 hour glucose <180, and 2 hour glucose <153 mg/dL. My readings were: 87, 104, and 90 mg/dL.
WEEK 31
On Sunday, June 8th, we hiked to Heather Lake, which is right next to Mt Pilchuck. It’s ~4.7 miles round trip, including circumnavigating the lake. It starts at 1400 ft elevation, and the lake is at 2400 ft. It felt really wonderful to be in the mountains, and I saw 2 other pregnant hikers, too!
31 Weeks – Heather Lake
Heather Lake – Sunday, June 8, 2014
My first baby shower was on Saturday, June 14th. It was fun to socialize with family and friends. And, I “made” each person pose for a picture with us when we opened his or her gift. I am a picture taker!
The venue was the Shire Cafe, a vegetarian restaurant in Arlington, WA. All the food served was vegan…of course! My sister made this adorable diaper cake…
Diaper Cake by Karin
Baby Shower – Saturday, June 14, 2014
WEEK 32
On Friday, June 20th, we drove to Bend, OR to visit my family for the weekend. On the way out of Seattle, I finally had the opportunity to satisfy the vegan donut craving I’d been fighting way back in January/February. Mighty-O for the whole family!
Mighty-O Donuts (Vegan)
We met up for lunch in Bend at Salud! Raw Food Cafe. It’s pretty much the polar opposite of vegan donuts! You gotta have balance in your life, right?
Eric’s Salad
My Plate
On Saturday, June 21st, Eric went mountain bike riding with our brother-in-law, while my sister and I hiked along the Deschutes River with her kids.
Hiking along the Deschutes River – Saturday, June 21, 2014
WEEK 33
On Monday, June 23rd, I had a special surprise waiting for me at work. My ~95 year old former patient, Lillian, had left me a baby present. Lillian never had kids of her own and she was so happy for me when I told her I was pregnant. She was way too generous!
Gifts From Lillian
WEEK 34
This week I officially decreased my work schedule from 5 days per week, down to 4. It was time!
At my midwife appointment on Wednesday, July 2nd, I found out that baby was head down and facing toward the back. To date, he’s stayed in that good position. We also met with my doula, from Serene Doulas.
34 Weeks
For the 4th of July holiday, we headed to Wenatchee for our last “just the two of us” weekend at our condo. I put on my bikini and we cooled off in the pool.
34 Weeks + 4 Days
For comparison, THIS was me exactly a year prior!
What a Difference a Year Makes – July 4, 2013
On Saturday, July 5th, we hiked 4.6 miles of the loop trail at Icicle Gorge, just outside of Leavenworth, WA. More wilderness therapy…I need it to remain grounded!
Upper Loop at Icicle Gorge
Mountain Views From Icicle Gorge
Along the Icicle River
After the hike, we had a tasty and beautiful vegan pizza at Lemolo Cafe & Deli, in Wenatchee.
Vegan Pizza at Lemolo
WEEK 36
Thanks to my friend, Molly, we got a nice car seat and stroller set. Here, the fuzzy frog from Nana tests it out for us!
Looks Comfy!
36 Weeks
On Wednesday, July 16th, I started my weekly midwife appointments. I also had my 2nd baby shower. My thoughtful co-workers at my last job put it together for me. I hadn’t seen these gals since last October. I especially thank Sharon for being the host and Julie for making the cake. I felt very special!
Anacortes Baby Shower – July 16, 2014
Vegan & Gluten Free Cake with Coconut Bliss Ice Cream
Before I left work on the evening of Thursday, July 17th, I suddenly leaked some watery, clear fluid that gave me a brief scare. It wasn’t much, but it didn’t seem like urine, and it wasn’t anything typical for this pregnancy. I called my midwife and she told me to wait and see if more fluid leaked out. It didn’t…phew! I was glad that it wasn’t my water breaking. I was only at 36 weeks + 3 days.
For the weekend of July 19th, we traveled to Ocean Shores, WA, to visit Eric’s parents. It was our last “long” road trip before baby comes. Now, we’ll stay close to home!
WEEK 37
At my midwife appointment on Thursday, July 24th, I found out that I am a carrier for Group B Strep. That means I will take IV Penicillin during labor. GBS can cause serious problems in newborns, even though it’s not harmful to the healthy carrier.
WEEK 38
At this late stage, I’m thankful for a LOT. Top on the list is not having our baby premature. But, I’m also thankful for no stretch marks, and for being able to keep my navel ring in. I’ve had the ring since 1996!
38 Weeks
38 weeks
Now– Just WHEN will this #minivegan be born??? I hope soon!
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3rd Trimester Weights (Weeks 27-40):
May 13, 2014 = 124.6 lb
May 20, 2014 = 126.4 lb
May 27, 2014 = 125.6 lb
June 3, 2014 = 126.0 lb
June 10, 2014 = 128.6 lb
June 17, 2014 = 128.0 lb
June 24, 2014 = 130.2 lb
July 1, 2014 = 130.2 lb
July 8, 2014 = 131.2 lb
July 15, 2014 = 131.4 lb
July 22, 2014 = 132.8 lb
July 29, 2014 = 131.0 lb
August 5, 2014 = 131.4 lb
August 11, 2014 = ?? = Due Date!
Friday July 5, 2013
For this mountain bike trip, we started from Wenatchee, WA and drove south on Hwy 97 (Blewett Hwy) for about 45 minutes. We turned onto Iron Creek Road #9714, located south of Swauk Pass and the old Blewett Pass Road #9715. The trailhead for Iron Cr/Bear Cr Trail #1351 is at the end of Iron Creek Road.
Our final destination for the day was the 6000 ft pass between Earl Peak and Navaho Peak, where you are treated to views of the Stuart Range.
Elisa & Eric at the 6000 ft pass. (Stuart Range)
TRIP SEGMENTS: (This trip is an “out & back”)
- Iron Creek portion of Iron Cr/Bear Cr Trail #1351, to the junction with Teanaway Ridge Trail #1364 (1.8 miles)
- Bear Creek portion of Iron Cr/Bear Cr Trail, to Stafford Creek Road #9713 (3.5 miles)
- Stafford Creek Rd to Stafford Creek Trail #1359 (about 1 mile)
- Stafford Creek Trail to the junction with Standup Creek Trail #1369 (4.8 miles)
- Continue on Stafford Cr Trail to the pass (1.2 miles)
- Reverse order back to the car (~12.3 miles)
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SEGMENT 1 – Iron Creek portion of Iron Cr/Bear Cr Trail
From the trailhead, at 8:00 AM, we were surprised to notice that it was only about 33 degrees Fahrenheit. But, I was able to start out in just my short-sleeved shirt because it warmed up fast.
The 1.8 mile Iron Creek portion of the Iron Cr/Bear Cr Trail is an easy climb on smooth ground. It starts at 3800 ft and ends at 4400 ft. For the most part, the trail hugs a somewhat steep sidehill. In one place you definitely don’t want to fall off the side. The trail is wide, so you’d have to really screw up big to get into trouble.
Elisa climbs Iron Creek/Bear Creek Trail
Eric approaches the junction with Teanaway Ridge Trail.
Flora
SEGMENT 2 – Bear Creek portion of Iron Cr/Bear Cr Trail, to Stafford Creek Rd
From the 4400 ft saddle, the Bear Creek portion of Iron Cr/Bear Cr Trail is all downhill. The first half mile is pretty steep, but rideable. I counted about 9 little creek crossings as we screamed the rest of the way down to the Stafford Creek Rd, at 3200 ft. This was 1200 ft of grinnin’ good fun!
Bear Creek and Bear Creek Trail
Elisa at the Trailhead for Bear Cr/Iron Cr Trail, on Stafford Creek Rd
SEGMENT 3 – Stafford Creek Rd to Stafford Creek Trail #1359 (about 1 mile)
This is a short section of road connecting the 2 trailheads. It’s a descent of about 100 ft in a little under a mile.
Eric at the trailhead for Stafford Creek
SEGMENT 4 – Stafford Creek Trail to the junction with Standup Creek Trail #1369
The Stafford Creek Trail starts at 3100 ft. The trail surface is quite varied as it parallels Stafford Creek. First, it’s nice and smooth. Later…it’s not so nice and rocky. It’s a real mixed bag of riding and pushing. In general, the higher up, the rockier it gets. This section of trail is 4.8 miles long and ends at 5000 ft near a wide meadow/camp.
Elisa on the smooth section of Stafford Creek Trail
Who put all these rocks in the trail?!
Scarlet Gilia
Navaho Peak (7223 ft)
near Earl Peak
Meadow/Camp near 5000 ft
Jeffrey’s Shooting Star
SEGMENT 5 – Continue on Stafford Cr Trail to the pass
Another 1000 ft is gained in 1.2 miles to culminate at a 6000 ft pass. We were glad to get a break from pushing and get back to pedaling! The desolate Serpentinite landscape seemed out of place, and the surface was hard and gritty.
The views at the top were worth the effort to get there. Mt Stuart (9415 ft) is the 7th highest peak in WA.
Eric climbing the Serpentinite landscape
Just below the 6000 ft pass– looking past wildflowers (foreground), Serpentinite landscape (middle), over to the Earl Peak ridge (far).
Stuart Range
Stuart Range
SEGMENT 6 – Reverse order back to the car
Elisa descends the Serpentinite landscape
Fortunately, we were able to ride down much of the rocky terrain that we had to push our bikes up. Yay!
On very loose rock, you can’t go too slow or else every rock will try to throw you. There’s a very fine ‘sweet spot.’ It’s actually kind of fun…in a weird, slightly out-of-control way!
Elisa descends on loose rock
Of course, the real fun began once we got below the upper rockier slopes and back onto the smooth trail. This is what it’s all about!
Elisa descends smooth trail
Eric got a flat tire partway down the Stafford Creek Trail. While he fixed the flat, I had the opportunity to watch a butterfly go from one Tiger Lily to the next.
Butterfly on Tiger Lily
Once we descended Stafford Creek Trail, we had a pleasant climb back up to Teanaway Ridge. Before getting to the top, we had to get off our bikes one more time, to walk the ~1/2 mile extra steep section that I mentioned earlier. A shot of caffeine helped get me through the last push with extra energy to spare!
Here’s the Iron Creek Valley. Almost back to the car…
Iron Creek Valley from Iron Cr/Bear Cr Trail
Eric descends the Iron Creek portion of the Iron Cr/Bear Cr Trail, at the “don’t fall” section.
The Iron Cr/Bear Cr Trail cuts horizontally across that slope ahead. Can you see it?
Would I repeat this trip?
YES!
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TRIP STATS: (Using the Bike Tracks App for iPhone)
- Total Distance = 24.1 miles
- Total Vertical = 10,543 ft (climb 5321 ft, descend 5223 ft)
- Elevation = 6003 ft highest, 2938 ft lowest
- Time = 9 hr, 22 min (start 8:00 AM, finish 5:20 PM)
- Eric had to change his flat rear tire at 2:45 PM during the descent.
MAPS USED:
- Green Trails Mount Stuart, WA – No. 209
- Green Trails Liberty, WA – No. 210
Freeheel Vegan 