Friday, May 21, 2010

Life as we know it..

I haven't written much about life at our house in a while. To be honest it has been a bit of an up and down lately. We are very blessed and thankful for the life we have, just feel a bit beat down more often lately. The last month or two is seems that at least one of us is sick (which means some short nights with Autumn), we've been to 2 funerals (the sad but happy because they were ready to go kind), learning the new trials that come with Aaron running his own business and having friends that seem to be under attack with different things as well. I guess this is real life - struggles that have the potential to make us stronger.

On a brighter note - we are excited about the future God has for us. Although it means we have a somewhat erratic schedule, we are enjoying spending 1-2 weekends a month in Glenwood Springs with my parents. I've picked up some work there and we plan to help my parents with some projects around their home. This summer Autumn and I get to fly to Washington to see a good friend and then a month later to Baltimore area to meet my new nephew that is due very soon! After that we have a fun road trip planed where we start off with my 10 year HS reunion and then get to see quite a few friends up the west coast, surf and visit 4 national parks. To put a Cherry on Top we were able to use FF miles to book a 2 week business trip/vacation to Hawaii for $15! We'll take it - we are so thankful for the friends that will host us and sooooooo excited to have Autumn meet our friends as well as introduce her to Hawaii and the ocean we miss so much!

Past the summer... our life plan is currently to get Aaron's business so it self sustains our family, I'll continue to work PRN and make hats for the winter craft fair season and then we are going to try to be able to be on the Big Island or Maui for at least a couple of months between January and April each year. This plan is of course pending God's leading and income possibilities! We are hoping that this flexible lifestyle also allows us opportunity to see what God might have for us in regards to 3rd world missions - maybe going to the same location for a chunk of time each year?? We shall find out in due time!

Our Autumn Bear: we are both thoroughly enjoying being parents to our Autumn. Aaron gets to spend all day Mondays and Tuesdays with her while I'm at the hospital. She has become quite the mobile little girl - she can now cruise on her hands and knees and always has the objective of getting to something to either stand up or get into something she shouldn't. For some reason electric plugs, night lights, computer cord and the plug in carbon monoxide detector are the most appealing things in the house. We are learning how to baby proof the house, prevent visits to the ER and attempt to get her to understand what is and isn't for her. Fun stuff! It has been an interesting adjustment having to watch her like a hawk - not as much gets done around the house - that is for sure! In addition to the motoring abilities she is acquiring, she has started to repeat us more and I'm sure she called Ella - Elwa the other night. She also seems to be calling Aaron baabaa while patting his chest. Everyday she endears our hearts, gives us snuggles and toothy kisses - we are so blessed!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

8 months old

Autumn, another month gone by and you are now 2/3 of your way to 1 year old! It has been a busy month with a bunch of new milestones! The biggest one - you are on the move - crawling everywhere and trying to pull up on everything!

You are busy, busy, busy but still enjoy snuggles. Recently you fuss for a few seconds when we put you down - even though you love exploring! Your little personality continues to blossom and you seem to know what you want! You love to stand up and make yourself as stiff as a board if we try to put you down. You enjoy dumping your baskets of toys and sorting through all the toys. You enjoy being read to and holding your plastic books open. Just yesterday you lifted your blanket up over your eyes and dropped it and smiled as if to play peek-a-boo like mommy does with you. You continue to like to pet and pull on Ella. Last week she brought her toy to you and you kicked and giggled while she bumped it into your feet. She however has becoming less tolerant of the rough petting and moves away when you reach for her. So far you have pulled yourself to full standing position independently in the pack and play, on mommy and on your high chair to another chair. You try to stand everywhere - even in the middle of the floor with your little butt straight in the air. You also love to talk - the other day you made ahh, ohhh, aye and yeah all the way to DIA and it made your voice hoarse! This last week we flew to Montana for your great grandma Brown's funeral. You were such a sweetie during all the many hours in the car and you enjoyed all your relatives. You even got the nick name Autty from Uncle David!

This last month has been rough for sleeping. You got a little cold and were up more often and that hasn't really stopped. This month mommy plans to try to rub your back instead of feeding you when you wake up at night to see if you can fall back asleep without night feedings. Currently you are sleeping 8-10 hours total at night and are up 1-3 times. During the day you take 2-3 short naps. While mommy is writing this you fell asleep in the middle of the living room floor on your own!
This month we also publicly dedicated you to God at church. This means that we promised in front of all of our friends that we will raise you with the knowledge that Jesus loves you and died for your sins. We also asked all of our friends to hold us accountable to be Christian examples for you and to love you with unconditional love! You were dedicated with your friends Aaron and Elias.

Your milestones this month!

Pushed up onto your hands and feet
Crawling

Prone (belly) to Sitting
Pulling to standing
Saying La la, ella ella, yeah, yah, and mmmm when kissing
Got your 1st two teeth - bottom ones
Had your first really solid poop
Got your 2nd hair cut
Drank from a straw
Played the baby piano
Went to your first 2 funerals - for our dear friend Marie Hoch and for your great Grandma Vi
Foods you have eaten so far - quinoa, rice, oatmeal, spelt, barley, avocado, applesauce, apricot, applesauce, sweet potatoes, green beans, peas, carrots, banana, puffs, mangos, soy beans, pear, butternut squash, and acorn squash. Your cousin Camry offered you a piece of her cinnamon twist, this was so very nice of her, but I declined for you (-: you will have to wait a bit longer for sugary goodness!

We love you our little Autumn bug!
Mommy and Daddy