September 12th - 17th
We just got back from a camping trip in Buena Vista and a quick trip to Aspen. Right now I'm lying next to a napping babe, editing pictures and thinking about how awesome he did at 4.5 months old. I know he won't remember these little things we do with him now, but I'm hoping telling him about where he's been from the very beginning will inspire him to keep being adventurous and know that his Pop & I didn't stop doing things we loved just because he came around. In fact, he makes them better because we see things differently now. Staring at the leaves blowing on the tree or putting our feet in the stream or sitting by the fire all seem so much more meaningful when we have ever curious new eyes watching intently the world around us.
Blake's parents got an RV & tent spot at Chalk Creek Campground. Blake & I set up camp a few spots away, just on the creek. The days were beautifully warm with fall fast approaching. The nights were freezing like winter had arrived.
The first Broncos game of the season was on the first night we got there so we set up & watched/listened to the game while grilling vegetables for dinner. Kingston & I toughed out the first night in the tent with Blake but it was so stinking cold! Kingston stayed warm with me cuddled next to him but nursing every two hours didn't allow me to stay warm. So we spent the next two nights in the RV with Grandma & Grandpa & the heater! ((I knew it'd be cold & we probably wouldn't have gone if we didn't have the option to stay in the heated motor home. I'm so thankful!)) Blake, K & I hung out at the camp spot the first day. We checked out the creek, played on the playground, napped in the tent, read in the hammock & ate watermelon & bananas. We then headed to Cottonwood Hot Springs & met up with the grandparents who went ATVing with their friends ((who were also camping with us)) all day. It was Kingston's first time in a pool and it was amazing. Blake & I couldn't stop smiling at our little boy enjoying the natural, warm hot springs. He had such a good time! We went back to camp & slept hard.
The next day we all went to a great 4-wheeling spot. Robert & Lauri, Blake's parents' friend, took Blake & I on an awesome trail with an amazing view of Mt. Princeton. Grandma & Grandpa watched Kingston while we cruised the back roads of the mountains. It was so fun to get the adrenaline pumping for just a bit. Then Blake, K & I headed back to camp for a nap. Blake left for Denver that night. He went to see Damien & Stephan Marley play at the Fillmore. K & I grilled out with Grandma, Grandpa, Robert & Lauri.
On Wednesday everyone packed up camp and headed their separate ways. My little family headed west to Aspen for the night. We stayed at this really cool old Swiss hotel, The Mountain Chalet Aspen, right in the middle of town. It was a block from the BellyUp venue where Blake was seeing Tribal Seeds, The Expanders, & Arise Roots that night. We walked around town & grabbed lunch before napping in our room. For dinner we walked to this great wood oven pizza place ((we love our wood oven vegan pizzas!)) K did so go good, I picked him up from napping on the bed and put him right in the stroller. He slept till we were almost done with dinner. I remember this split second feeling I had about how much I missed Blake & I's farely uncomplicated and quiet dinners we used to have with each other. Then K woke up & made the moment even better.
It is funny how true it is that your whole life changes when a baby comes. There's a rush to take a quick shower, or the few minutes of quiet while he is napping to watch half of a tv show, or the need for someone to hold him while I run to the bathroom, or how much stuff we bring on our camping trips, or how car rides can seem so daunting because my little pooper hates riding in the car. It's unreal how exhausted I can be but yet still semi-functional. It's hard to find a quiet moment with Blake, where we aren't talking about life plans or work or grocery runs. It's hard to know I'm not just Melanie, I'm Kingston's mom. But I'm not just Melanie, I'm KINGSTON'S MOM!! I'm so thankful to be this boy's mama! He makes every waking ((and the few non-waking)) moments so precious. I've thought about him my whole life, wanting and waiting. And he is more amazing & special then I could have ever imagined. I'll take all those complicating trips, short showers, zero privacy bathroom breaks, poopy diapers, dirty hair, bags under the eyes, sweat pants, flabby belly days to forever be Kingston's mom.
Anyways, back to our little trip!
After dinner we met up with some friends outside of the venue and chatted with some band members. I wasn't planning on seeing the show but our friend had an extra ticket so Blake & I decided to bring K and take turns outside with him. While I was wearing K in my carrier & Blake was inside, I could hear Arise Roots play. I was dancing & singing & Kingston fell asleep. Everyone coming out of the venue was so kind to us & supportive of having baby out there. I was able to go inside to see The Expanders play while Blake hung out with Kingston & E.N. from Tribal Seeds outside. He's also a vegan & we've had a good time getting to know him the last few shows we've been to. While I was inside I was talking to Karim of Arise Roots & found out he has a four-year-old son named Kingston! So awesome. Kingston & I went back to the hotel to go to bed while Blake saw Tribal Seeds play. It was a really fun day & night.
We woke up and took Kingston swimming right away. It was niceto take him in the pool while the morning sun came up. When we packed up & went to breakfast at the hotel, the Arise Roots & Expanders guys were there too. We got to talk to them a little more and Karim held Kingston. I think he enjoyed holding a baby again because he was saying how we should appreciate this phase now before they start running everywhere and talking back! We said goodbye & walked around town for a bit. We got some juice & stopped at a dispensary, you know, just because we can.
The drive home was beautiful. Independence Pass & Twin Lakes were stunning with bright yellow Aspen trees & crystal clear blue water. Kingston was amazing in the car!! He slept for most of the trip home! We stoppedin Buena Vista at a local grocery store that had a juice bar & organic sandwiches inside.
I'm so happy we were able to go on this trip. We made some amazing memories with the grandparents and conquered some new-parent adventuring fears. We hung out with our favorite bands who got to meet Kingston ((last time I saw both bands I was pregnant, so it wasn't Kingston's first time hearing them.)) It was perfect timing to see the last warmth of summer & the new leaves of fall in the mountains. Next up is Kingston's first adventures with snow!!
