Changes

Katie, Kai, and I went for a xc ski with our friend Mandy this afternoon. The first 100 yards was a struggle to stay on top of the snow as the consistency had changed to total slop. It was a harsh reminder - along with the swaths of muddy earth - that winter is on its way out - fast. Once we got a little ways up valley the snow got better, but it was really wet. There has been snow about every day for the past week, but we are at the time of year where the net loss is always growing. More and more bikes are passing on the road or on racks on top of cars. Idle conversation has changed from powder days to fishing or shoulder season road trips. I always like this time of year. Skiing up the valley staring into the rugged peaks, its hard to believe the season is changing, but the snow under foot and dirt poking through on the roadside tells the story.

As for changes with the family, Kai is doing really well. He learned a new face the other day, the "white man over bight." I hope this is just a passing phase. He sucks his lower lip in 'til it disappears. It makes his already ample cheeks look gargantuan. He continues to fill Katie and I with more love and happiness. Katie is staying busy with being a mom, massage therapist, and trying to stay active running, skiing, snowboarding, and now doing a little biking, too. I am really busy at the school - which is moving forward with a big move to merge with the IMG Academies. I have been really nervous about a lot of the factors involved in this process, but feel good that it is the best thing we could do as a school.

My hip is still sore, but generally much better. I have been using a powdered mix in the morning and a gel in the evening, both having gelatin and/or pectin. I don't know why this stuff is supposed to work, but Mom says this is the stuff that makes her feel good so I am down. I saw my doctor again yesterday morning while I was going out with the kids. He said he spoke to a second radiologist who also found nothing out of place. I asked if it could be arthritis and he said that he would have been able to see that as well. So, the mystery continues...

Ribbit

This video stuff is sweet. Kai is really distracted by the camera, though. I guess that is ok. I have been shoving it in his face since day one. He is wary of the media already. Maybe that is a good sign.

I am getting ready for a long April. I may end up on the road for more than half the month. While the adventures should be good, I am really sad about missing my family. It is hard to believe, but the winter is almost over. We have worked all year to get the kids ready for and into the Nationals, and we did a good job earning 21 qualifying spots, but that marks the end of the year for us. We will take a group out for spring break, and then it is time to hang up the boards and take out the skateboard, mountain bike, and raft. Actually, as soon as everyone is totally ready for the spring, it starts snowing again. I could use a few more powder days.

By the way, the hip is doing ok. It is still sore every day, but it has been better. I have been trying to take it easy. Katie and I have been on the bikes a little bit this week and I am happy to report that that has been easy on the hip. Plus, Kai likes to be towed around in the Chariot and it is great for putting him to sleep.

We are really looking forward to June when we are slated to travel east to hang with our peeps. Kai will have traveled from Alaska to New England before he is a year old. Pretty cool. I never even got into a plane until I was 14. Kids these days, they have it so good.

Kai

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Well, the MRI experience was pretty interesting. I had to lay on a table that was drawn into a tube, then lay perfectly still for half an hour. My hands fell asleep and I was on the verge of claustrophobic meltdown by the end of the half hour. But I had been disected and photographed using magnetism. I reviewed the images with my doc yesterday. Neither he or the radiologist could see anything wrong. So, that is good news. No bursitis, no torn labrum, no degenerative bone issues...just a big question mark and accompanying bill for the work. Sweet.

My mother has hip issues and she has been telling me about having the same symptoms. She also has a remedy that has been working for her. Some kind of gelatin that she mixes with her juice in the mornings. I started this morning.

The snow conditions have been of the epic kind as of late. We had a week of tiny storms followed by a string of storms of substance. The last wave has left 18 inches of snow on the ground. The riding has been incredible - more so because it corresponded with the end of term two at CBA and no training. So I was able to go out and just ride. Most of the resort is open and the snow was deep. My hip feels fine while I ride, so I rode hard. At the end of the day I am extra sore, but it is worth it seeing as how this is the first real system of the season and the base has just reached 60 inches - the level at which the mountain really starts to come to life. I had my camera in my pocket, but didn't take it out one time. Too busy. Rode with Christian and a few other friends throughout the day on Wed. That was the best. When terrain you have been poo-pooing all season looks totally inviting, things are changing for the better. I have to shovel the deck and driveway again this morning. A good sign that the conditions are going to continue to be goooood.

Finally and most importantly, Kai continues to grow like a weed. He is a dense little fella. Katie and I are in love with our son. One smile on a salty morning is like gold. He squirms and grabs, twists and rolls, and he is totally observant and sharp about what is going on around him. He's got a couple buddies already, our neighbor Lucy (7 months) and friend Kellen (5 months). They aren't exactly playing board games together yet, but they are all nice little people. We have started giving Kai some water, juice, and rice cereal. He is too hungry for Katie to keep up with. He is kind of a pork roll. But its a solid kind of pork, don't get me wrong. He is certainly a handful, but it is fun trying to discern what it is he needs; better view, chow, a nap, something to stuff in his mouth, or maybe a little tickle.