She did great, we did great- it all went so much better than I had expected! It was good that we didn't have much down time to think about her & then start missing her. The only thing that happened was that she went on a "bottle strike" and for a few days, she wouldn't drink her milk bottles, nor would she drink water from her sippy cup. This surprised me because although she is primarily nursed when it comes to her milk feedings, there have been times when I've been away and during these times, she is used to taking a bottle (with breastmilk). My sister said she took it for the first day and a half, but then started pushing it away, throwing it down...etc. Then when they tried to give her water, she did they same thing. I got concerned thinking she would dehydrate, but then one morning, she was so thirsty, she took her entire bottle and wanted more. But again, after she re-hydrated, she went on another strike. Atleast she was eating good otherwise. All in all, she did very well!
I didn't realize how much I missed her until we got off the plane in Texas and were headed to meet her in the baggage claim. When I saw her, it hit me how much I missed her. She caught eyes with Anthony and I and looked puzzled, like she knew and remembered us, but couldn't quite put her finger on it. As I got close to her, and she heard my voice (all the while, still studying my face, trying to figure out who I was), she reached for me, I grabbed her and that's when the tears started to roll. I just broke down! The tears were a mixture of happiness to see her along with worry that she would remember who I was. It took her a little longer to warm up to Anthony and she was acting like she was embarrassed for some reason. But as soon as we got in the car, I asked her if she wanted to nurse and it was like a light went off! She started her little grunt (which means YES, please, I'm ready...what are YOU waiting for!?) and I think that's when she knew me. The following few days she was pretty clingy to me, especially at nap and bed times, afraid I would leave. But it passed fairly quickly and now we are pretty much back to normal.
Okay! Now to Colorado! We had such a great time doing things I've never done before amidst a landscape of breathtakingly green summer beauty. The place was Beaver Creek Ski Resort (close to Vail and about a two hour drive from Denver).
We hiked mountain trails & Anthony later biked some of the same trails; saw some amazing wildlife.
We went on a white water rafting excursion, one that was an all day activity. The rapids were level 3 (med-high) and luckily, I did not fall out (which I was very much afraid of)!
And I enjoyed a horseback ride (on a sweet 'ol horse named Trout; notice the white marking on his neck looks like a fish) to the top of the mountain with my mother and brother in law.
Some on the trip had fun on an ATV excursion and on another day took a stab at fly-fishing. One night, all 25 of us took a wagon (tractor) ride to a mountain top restaurant for a lovely 5 course dinner. On our last day, we headed for a fun filled morning of zip lining through a marvelous Colorado canyon.
In our down time, we were able to shop, relax at the condo as well as get in a little tennis! What a fantastic time! I almost chickened out about leaving Olivia as the trip approached faster and faster. However, I am glad I didn't now as I look back. I SO needed that trip, packed with nights of full sleep, and days of action packed adventure. Made memories that will last a lifetime!
