My 30th: Part 3 – Cape Cod

My fascination of Cape Cod started with Nantucket in middle school. Instead of Snapple, my cafeteria served Nantucket Nectar. I would faithfully drink one each lunch period and learn a fact about Nantucket on the inside of the bottle cap.

Since then, my fascination with Cape Cod and my love of lighthouses has grown to an unhealthy amount.

Oh, and I'm happy to report that I saw 13 lighthouses this trip. Eeek!

Day 3

Our hotel was in Dennis. The logic was being, it was in the center or Cape Cod – so it'd be easy to get to everything. This was great in theory...unless you fall madly in love with Provincetown and spend all free time driving the hour to get there.

We stayed at The Breakers Resort, and it was rather fabulous. I went the cheap route and booked the studio apartment, which came with a kitchenette, balcony, fireplace and jet tub. The only downside was the murphy bed.

We did score a front room, with a view of the ocean.

Then we started our lighthouse road trip to Provincetown (and I fell in love). Let me explain. Massachusetts is basically all woods, because of this, you see nothing from the highway but trees. But once you reach Provincetown, everything opens up and you see this amazingly tall monument and it's just so beautiful (but more on that later).

That afternoon we walked halfway down the water break:

And walked Herring Cove Beach at sunset:

By the time we got back into the car, it was dark. We drove past the mysteriously tall object, which turned out to be the Pilgrim Monument, and then headed back to Dennis. There, we chilled on our balcony and enjoyed some local beer.

Day 4

We took a high-speed ferry to Nantucket from Hyannis. While high-speed is more expensive, you'll save an hour each way – so worth the money in my opinion.

When we got to Nantucket, I'm pretty sure I was glowing. My first view was this:

Followed by this:

Yep, this was exactly how I pictured it.

We did the senior citizen thing again, and took a 90-minute bus tour. I'm so happy we did, because there's really not an easy way to get around the island...plus we got to see an amazing lighthouse The tour guide was a Nantucket native, and we learn lots of fun facts about Nantucket, such as residents only have 12 exterior paint color options.

Once back to the Cape Cod mainland, we enjoyed another beach/lighthouse at sunset.

That night I tried to finalize our plans for the following morning. We were supposed to explore the west side of Cape Cod, but all I could think about was Provincetown and that amazing monument, and how great it would be to see again. I talked about the monument enough that I'm pretty sure Brent knew the question I was going to ask before I even knew what I was getting at.

Day 5

That morning we drove to Provincetown...again. I'm pretty sure I was giddy to entire drive, but how could you not be when the trees open up and this is your view:

I find the Pilgrim Monument to be completely unexpected, and that's why I find it so amazing. Provincetown is this old-school looking town with white churches and whatnot, and then there's this giant castle-looking tower. It doesn't fit in at all. It's eerily beautiful. Even now, I'm completely mesmorized by it.

Because my pictures don't do it enough justice.

This monument is 238 feet of fabulousness, and it's worth the exhausting journey to the top.

I didn't want to leave Provincetown. Thankfully, I got distracted quickly by the thought of our upcoming lighthouse tour in Truro.

And then on to the lighthouses in Wellfleet:

And then it was on to Martha's Vineyard, where we stayed overnight. We stayed at Harbor View. I don't think I'll ever forget that hotel. It was my happy place.

Even better? It's across from the lighthouse.

Yep, I was in heaven.

Aside from a nice dinner out at Seafood Shanty, Brent and I spent our time relaxing at either the lighthouse or our hotel's giant wrap-around porch.

Day 6

We had to jump back on the ferry at 10 a.m., so we made the most of our morning by watching the sunrise.

Once in Falmouth, we visited one last lighthouse.

And then it was time to head back to Boston.

I can't say enough good things about this trip. I especially love Cape Cod, and already have dreams of going back.

My 30th: Part 2 – Plymouth

Day 3

The original plan was to drive to Salem and then Plymouth, before heading to Cape Cod. Sadly, time wasn't on our side – so several days prior, I decided to cut out Salem, since it was out of the way.

Brent and I were only in Plymouth for several hours, but it was a fun detour and worth checking out. Plus, it let us get our history geek on.

We went to the Jabez House, which is the only house left in the US that pilgrims actually lived in.

And of course, there's the Mayflower replica:

And Plymouth rock (aka: the hardest thing in the world to get a picture of because of all the shadows):

Plymouth is the type of place I want to take Audrey once she's older. It's filled with history, touristy fun and beautiful beaches.

My 30th: Part 1 – Boston

I pretty much started focusing on my 30th birthday right after I got sick.

Pre-heart condition, I always pictured spending my 30th around friends while having my own version of Brent's beer-tasting party. But that all changed. I quickly developed a "bucket-list mentality" and knew the best thing for me was to just get away.

Brent left the location completely up to me. I think that's why it took me 5 months to finalize it. I told Brent we were definitely going to the west coast – the debate being between Portland or Seattle. Then one day I changed my mind and never looked back.

Boston and Cape Cod were what I needed.

DAY 1

In Boston, we stayed at the Marriott Courtyard in Chinatown. We did this because we had Marriott points. Even if it wasn't free though, it was a great hotel and walking distance to a lot of things – including several subway stations.

Once unpacked, the first thing we did was leave Boston and take the red line over to Cambridge to see Harvard. Brent and I are a sucker for a college campus – the older the better, so this destination was a given. The campus was beautiful, and we loved the Cambridge Square area.

We ate burgers at Mr. Bartley's Burger Cottage, which was feature on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. (Wherever Brent and I go, we always go to at least one DDD restaurant). I had The People's Republic of Cambridge:

Then we went to a Red Sox game. I know it's blasphemy, but I'm not a baseball fan. That said, I love baseball stadiums. And going to Fenway during their 100th anniversary was a once in a lifetime experience.

Our hotel was across the street from Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery. We stopped there for a night cap (aka: try all their beers. The pumpkin was the winner.

DAY 2

I know it's an old person thing, but I love a good tour – and since today was my birthday, Brent couldn't deny me. If you're not in a city for long – it's the best way to see all the sights. We did the Hop On, Hop Off Trolley Tour, and it was worth the $34.95. As suggested, we did the entire tour once and then hopped off the second time at the stops that intrigued us.

We went to Charleston to see the U.S.S. Constution:

The Holocaust Memorial:

Back to Cambridge to see MIT:

Enjoyed cupcakes in Antique Row:

Had several beers at the Cheers bar:

 Saw the shortest suspension bridge:

And hung out with the duck statues in the Public Gardens:

The tour also included a free harbor cruise:

That night, Brent and I had dinner at Giacomos. I found this Italian restaurant on Yelp – with more than 700 reviews – it maintained a 4.5 star rating. How can you say no to that? Brent declared the cesaer salad as the best he's ever had. The crab cakes with corn salsa were fabulous, as was my lobster ravioli was cream sauce. I'm drooling was thinking about that meal.

This is the part of the story where I played "good wife" and we went to a sports bar to watch the rest of the Kansas State game. As a Kansas grad and someone who finds football boring, this was my least favorite part of the trip. Since KSU beat Oklahoma though, this is one of Brent's favorite parts of the trip. Sigh.

Day 3

We were in our rented Jetta by 10 and ready to start the next leg of our journey...Plymouth.

Health update...10 months later

Post-partum cardio myopathy is a disease that affects the heart’s left ventricular ejection fraction (basically you don't produce enough oxygen for your body, causing your heart to work overtime and become enlarged). While what causes PPCM is predicted to be hormone-related, what the actual trigger is, is unknown. What is known is that PPCM starts somewhere between the last month of pregnancy and the first five months post-partum. Somewhere between 1 in a 1,000-4,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with this heart disease.


I had my 9 month echo in September, and while I have a ways to go, I was really happy with my progress. My ejection fraction (EF) is at 30-35%. (A normal EF is between 50-60%. When I was first admitted onto the cardiac floor in January, my EF was 15%).

So, while I still have 15-20% to go, hitting 30 (or possibly above) is huge.

Some EF percentage milestone:
- At 30% of higher, the risk of cardiac arrest has lowered greatly and is now closer to that of a normal persons
- At 40% the pacemaker conversation goes away
- At 40%, while I wouldn't be fully recovered, I would have a normal life expectancy
- At 50%, I would be considered fully recovered (and would finally get doctor approval for cardiac activity)

On the scary flip side, a decrease in EF would be cause to skip the pacemaker and start talking heart transplant.

My next echo (and cardiology appointment) isn't until March. Dr. M is really happy with my progress and thinks all my new medications (and higher dosages) are doing the trick. After my appointment, Dr. M bumped me up to the highest beta blocker dosage possible. Medicine adjustments are hard, but I've gotten used to be exhausted that following week.

As for how I'm doing, I'm having a lot of good days now. Sadly, those good days are always followed by a bad day. I know it's because when my energy is high, I now get excited and want to do as much as possible. Dr. M refers to this as a "heart hangover."

I learned the hard way in August, that having a weakened heart also means having a weakened immune system. I was admitted into the hospital with pneumonia for 4 days, because my body couldn't break a 103 degree fever. I now have a pneumonia vaccine, so at least that illness is now crossed off my list for awhile.

This is the second time since May that I've gone to the ER with a scare. I must say I feel so medically saavy when I talk to the check-in attendant "I have PPCM with an EF of..." It always gets their attention, and there's no waiting room waiting for this girl.

Yep. I'm always looking on the bright side.

Photos!...And some excuses

Worst. Blogger. Ever.

In my defense I've had a lot going on. It's football season, so we're away on the weekends a lot now. Brent and I also celebrated my 30th in Boston and Cape Cod. Then several days later, my neighbor friend and I threw our 2nd annual block party. And that doesn't include the photo shoots for Audrey I was obsessing about planning. Then next weekend, I'm co-hosting a twins baby shower at my house. And in the last month I've also had another echo...oh, and the month prior I was admitted into the hospital for 4 days with pneumonia. So yeah, just a tad busy.

But more on all of that in future posts.

One of the things I'm most excited about are the family photos I just had done. Aside from the random, drunken Christmas Eve photos I have with my family (see, you thought I was exaggerating), we haven't had any done since Brent's and my wedding 5 years ago (holy cow, it's been 5 years!). And now that we have Audrey, it was definitely time.

My friend Brooke with Brooke German Photography took them, and I love them.

Four generations shot (one that isn't in the hospital!):

Those are just a few of my favorites, but it really was hard to pick.

And a month earlier than that, we did some 7 month photos with Top Spot Photography.

It's shaping up to be a picture-heavy fall, and I couldn't be happier about it.

6 months

I don't know how Audrey is 6 months, but she is. Time is flying. She's 18 lb. 8 oz. and 27.25" tall – 90th percentile in both. Yep, she's my big girl.  :)

Happy 4th!

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th!

Aside from the pinwheel, Audrey was definitely not a fan of the day. She spent most of her day napping or being cranky.
 

I'm still working on removing the wallpaper in the hall bath. What I thought would be an easy task, turned into 3 times the challenge (aka: 3 layers of wallpaper). I'm finally on the last layer though, so the end is in sight!