Frustration

My baby is at that not so fun stage where she wants to be able to do more than she actually can. She wants to stand and run, this crawling thing is no fun! Unfortunately I can't hold her fingers and let her walk all day (well I guess I could, but yeah no...). I set her down and she yells at me and gets crocodile tears. No fun really for either of us. She does eventually calm down and will play with her toys - but it is drama every time we put her on her knees or bottom. Once she does settle down she likes to practice crawling, but spends a lot of time trying to stand! Last night she pulled herself to standing using my legs and shirt as hand holds! I think I've got a very determined little girl on my hands! I'm happy and scared at the same time - as I think she will walk and run in the same week, be into everything, be a climber and have many more determined yet frustrated moments ahead! We shall see!!!

On a fun note - Autumn is a lovey - she likes to give me big sloppy kisses every time I pick her up!!!!

Frontline: Sick Around the World - my two cents

Here are my two cents on health care reform after watching an interesting documentary on health care in other countries.

My overview of the problems:
1. We spend too much (some doctors, equipment manufactures, liability insurance companies, insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, some hospitals and other medical drains - make a lot of money). Statistics from the documentary - the US spends 16% of its GDP on Health care (and I don't think that includes out of pocket costs, only the government programs) and the average insurance company spends about 22% on administrative costs.

2. Many people have no coverage (which ends up landing on those with coverage if those bills don't get paid). This means many people do not get preventative care or are scared to go to the Dr. when a problem is small because the cost is so great and then finally do get help when it is late in the game and the fix is much more costly both to their health and in $$s for everyone.

3. We are not a healthy nation - overall we don't believe in a healthy diet or taking care of ourself. Capitolism has fed us lies to make a profit and mass media and ads tell us that the "High Life" includes delicious and un-nutritious fast food and a pleasure seeking sedentary lifestyle. In addition, we don't handle stress well and tend to have poor work/life balance. Many of our nation's health care costs are the result of poor decisions - and though obesity is an issue, it is far from the only issue. During the segment in Japan and Taiwan, it was apparent that they had different beliefs about taking care of yourself - both in diet and exercise.

4. We are sue happy with a capital S. Do we need to minimize mistakes? Yes! Should people be paid millions upon millions when mistakes are made - maybe not. When will be put limits to liability? The rest of the world laughs and runs Saturday night live type jokes about our Sue happiness. If we could see in really money how much more we would each get in our pockets each year if we limited medical law suits - would we change our minds? Because - yes we the health care consumer and tax payer are paying those bills too.

5. I'm not going to dive into this one too much - but many illegal immigrants don't pay into any system and use state health care systems and hospitals that can't deny them. California might have more insight, as many of their hospitals are going bankrupt due to this problem.

6. End of life costs - another hard topic - but I've heard estimates that the last 3 months of a person's life typically costs more medically than the rest of their life combined. Does this make sense?


Okay solutions - or thoughts on solutions - because the problems are way too big for a quick fix and also way too big for a band-aid (which is kind of what I think the current administration(House and Senate and all) is doing - putting a 1" gauze pad on a head wound).

I'm going to phrase my solution ideas as questions - as I am far from believing that I have the solution. However, I do believe after watching the documentary and living in New Zealand and speaking to friends there about health care - that our system is far, far, far from taking care of people as well as our other 1st world friends. In addition to not taking care of people as well, our system also is the leading cause of bankruptcy (talk about stress which causes more health care problems) - which all the other Universal health care systems say this problem is unheard of.

Solution thoughts:
1. Will there be people willing to be our providers, manufactures, pharmaceutical makers, insurance companies ... for less? (in most countries these people make significantly less) - this is a huge task to limit profits and to change the way we do things (like administration and end of life decisions).

2. Will we some how incentivize healthy decisions and preventative care?

3.Will we limit medical suits?

4. Will we own up to the fact that privatization mixed with state insurance for uninsured, poor and retired mixed with the non-insured isn't working and is going to make us all broke - one at a time?

5. Will we figure out how to manage immigration so their medical costs are covered?

Okay - so these are truly thoughts and not solutions - I'd need a book for that and like I said - I don't have the solutions! However, after being faced with $1300 a month group insurance on a less than $45,000 a year salary (which we said no thank you to), hearing my OBGYN say that his uncle's last words in the ER at the age of 50 something were "I can't pay for this, I don't have insurance" and knowing friends who make a decent living and can't afford insurance or get denied because of asthma when they are in their 20's, and ER visits that cost $10,000+ - something has gone terribly wrong.

If I were to vote today - I would select a fully universal system like Taiwan or Japan or even the UK over what we have now. A system that forces cost cuts, limits administrative costs, incentivizes preventative health, simplifies plans and takes care of everyone. I know that initially the pain would be severe and the headache big - but I believe it would be worth it. Ten years from now I think we would be happy with the decision and wish we had done it 20 years early.

If expecting education for everyone is not being a socialist, then can't expecting health care for everyone be the same?

7 months

Really - it is April 8th? I think this is hard to believe because I scraped snow off my car this morning! Autumn, you are now 7 months old- and growing and changing daily! You continue to be a heart breaker - cuddling in close, giving lots of sloppy kisses, and smiling at most everyone who coos at you. This month we are away from home for your month birthday and so I'm going to have to try to remember your milestones without the help of my handy calendar!

You have started rolling all over the place and pivoting on your stomach, pushing yourself backwards, and occasionally you pull up on your knees
You went swimming for the first time and loved it.

You met your Uncle Chad and Aunt Christie

You went on your first family trip to Estes Park where you were the center of attention, tried avocado and watched the fire while sitting on great grandpa's lap.
One night you slept 11 hours in a row and I'm okay if you want to do that every night
You gave me a look and pulled a spoon I was trying to get from you away
You started crying when I come home from work, but you want me to hold you - I think you become emotional because you missed me and crying is your outlet. As long as I don't know I can imagine it is that (-:
You walk around looking at everything with the towel under your arms.
You had your 6 month doctor visit and did very well getting your shots and Dr. Marler still thinks you are adorable.
You had your first professional photo shoot and were easy going and smiley.
You sat next to your friend Aaron and baby played - he took your sock off and tasted it, you shook Easter baskets together, cooed at each other and sucked on plastic eggs together!
You had your first Easter and you were bright eyed and curious during church. You stared at and grabbed your cousin Ashton. We spent the afternoon with our family and you sat in the grass, swung in a swing (which you loved) and cuddled with your grandma and aunt. Grandma got you a baby pinwheel that you loved playing with.
Baby Autumn, we love you so much and are so blessed that God gave you to us here on Earth! You are such a delight and a lover. We can't wait to see you grow up into a little girl - I can imagine from your current personality you will continue to be curious, motivated, active, tender hearted with streaks of strong will and giggly. Hugs and Kisses, Mommy and Daddy

More Pictures!!!

Taking a walk in Estes near our cabin with my family

Milka What?????

Meeting Aunt Christie

80s punk rocker

Sweet babe sleeping in the car - which has been nice since we are in it so much!

Frustration...

A while back I had predicted that the safety commission would recall Infantino slings. After reading the report today and after spending hours immersed in infant death statistics in the last couple of weeks, I'm having a hard time with the recall. Not because it is a bad thing to expect safe products, but because I believe that if we want to save babies, the mass media needs to focus on the big killers as well. 14 babies have died in the last past several year in slings. In 2005 alone 515 babies died by strangulation and suffocation in adult beds, another approximately 250 babies died in suffocation related deaths, and 1271 died of unknown causes. (typically the unknown causes is when it looked like SIDS except the baby was in an unsafe sleeping environment) From the reports I've read the SUIDs rate has been on the rise each year since 1999. Each year about 4500 babies die suddenly and unexpectedly. About half of these are SIDS and half are SUIDs. Of the SUIDs deaths, it is estimated that 80-90 percent died in unsafe sleep environments (on soft bedding, in adult beds, on their stomachs, with loose blankets...). That is about 1870 babies who's lives may have been saved if everyone, including the media would shout from that mountain tops that safe sleep environments for babies will save lives. The statistics are clear - now our nation must actually believe it and change our habits. After becoming a mother I now know that it is not as simple as "just do it" - exhaustion and doing anything so your baby will sleep are real threats to a safe sleep environment. Even worse some health care workers, infant care takers and parents don't have the information to make good decisions about an infant's sleep environment. But the risks are real - at least 5 more babies will live each night in America if we protect them while they sleep.

http://www.firstcandle.org/new-expectant-parents/about-sids-suid/
http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/03/24/baby.sling.deaths/
http://wonder.cdc.gov/

Some favorites!

Fun with the Schugs!

Our friends the Schugs are in town and came over for a visit! I believe all were entertained - Ella entertained the kids and the kids entertained us! (-:

Sleeping through the night!

Autumn has had some nice long nights of sleep, but this was the queen of long sleeps - 9:30pm - 8:30am (after accounting for DST). It was glorious and strange. The strange part is what kept me from sleeping the whole night. Aaron and I did make it to bed by 10:30 and then I woke at 5:00 leaking and needing to pump and needing to check on Autumn to be sure she was okay. )-: I woke again at 7:30 to feed the dog and check on her again. At 8:30 I walked in and she was wide awake smiling at me. Let's try this again tonight - maybe my body/mind will get used to it and I'll get a nice long rest as well!!!!

6 months old

Wow, that went by fast baby! You are now half a year old. It has been another big month for you with many changes in growth and development and for us as a family around the house.

Six months is a big baby date - we started feeding you solid foods, which also means the beginning of stinky poops. You can now sleep in your own room and the risk of SIDS dramatically drops. Mommy is working to help save babies who die of SIDS and so this is a huge one for me.

Let me go get the calendar to recall your firsts this month!

Grew out of your first pair of jeans
Rolling - back to tummy, tummy to back and the double roll - back to tummy to back
Your first cold - which was not too bad
First grin, different than your smile
First all day with daddy and mommy at work
First intentional wave
First noticeable growth spurt and worst night of sleep to date
First food - quinoa
First time in a swimsuit (now we need to take you swimming).

It has been a good month - let me tell you more about you! You continue to be very sweet natured with soft cues and little giggles. You have grown into quite the curious little girl reaching for everything in site including drinks, our phones, the keyboard and really anything. It was much more difficult to take your picture today because you wanted the camera. In the last few weeks you have become more vocal about when you want to be held and when you don't want to go in the car seat. You will let nearly everyone hold you and enjoy silly faces and peek-a-boo. The most common comment I get is "she is so beautiful!" I tend to agree with them - you have big blue eyes, a sweet little nose and a fun little smile! Another common comment is, "she looks just like Aaron." This one I tend not to agree with so much. He is cute and all, but looking at my baby pictures it is pretty undeniable that you are my girl!

Ella continues to captivate you and you enjoy reaching out to pet her. She now likes to lick your hands and is going to have a hay day when you start throwing food over your high chair - I know you will be her new best friend.
The beginning of the month was filled with nice long nights of sleep, however you have had a harder time in the last week. A couple of nights you have been up every hour and a half. My sincere hope is that it is just a growth spurt and sleepful nights are ahead soon. You have also shifted your sleep hours from midnight to 9 to 9 or 10 to 5 or 6am. I'm a fan of this when I have to work and not a great fan when I want to sleep in! You started kicking in the bath tub and play in the water when we shower.
I went back to work this month as well - you stay with daddy most days I work. Of course my first day back - you rolled over for the first time. I miss you but really enjoy helping people at the hospital. You have adjusted to the change pretty well, I always tell you to go easy on daddy. He likes to take you on walks, read to you and play on the floor with you. You already have him wrapped around your finger - don't take too much advantage of that in the coming years!
My sweet babe - you are so wonderful, fun and a joy to watch! We love you more than you can imagine and are excited for all the change in the coming months. In the next 1/2 year you will start to crawl, likely walk (I got scared when I looked in my baby book and it said I walked at 8 months, 18 days), start to talk, and eat most everything we do! CRAZY!!!
Love you! Mommy

Back to Work

I started last Monday working for our local hospital - it is 5 minutes away and where I had Autumn. I'm a per diem occupational therapist (I take overflow and extra hours they have) on the inpatient floors. There are a variety of patients on ICU, acute (ortho, neuro, tele, medicine) and a small TCU. So far I think it is a great fit for this stage in my life! I'm able to work with people and families to help restore their abilities and to be able to return home once again. It has been 2 years since I have worked in a hospital - so it is taking some time and refreshing to remember all the medical terms, specific diagnosis precautions and regain some smoothness in my evaluation abilities. It has been an interesting orientation period for me - the main OT at the hospital had a skiing accident and will be out for a while. Luckily my good friend Elyssa who is also an OT for Banner Health was able to spend a couple of days with me - showing me the ropes and helping me with the not so fun electronic medical records. Today was my first day as the only OTR in the hospital - but luckily the PTs and OTA are great! Other than being grossly inefficient at electronic charting, I think I'm getting the hang of things and will enjoy working there! The other great perk is that I can come home and feed Autumn during my lunch - so I never feel like I've been away for too long! God is good!

God's Children

It is late - I'm fighting off a cold and cannot sleep.

These are some of the thoughts floating around at 12:30.

I've been dreading this - Autumn's first cold. I'm grateful that it has been minor for her, not much snot and only a little cough - that she made it to 5 months old before we had to deal with it. Myself being sick and having Autumn 2 feet from my head, I've been able to sleep okay, however the last 2 nights Aaron said he checked on her every 30-45 minutes all through the night. I admit we are anxious parents, we struggle deeply not to worry and to find the difficult balance between minimizing risks and worrying. I don't know if I'll ever find that balance on certain issues.

Where does my worry come from? 4 friends of mine have lost babies - 2 in the hospital and 2 before their beautiful babies made it to their first birthdays. My mother is a baby nurse and came home numerous times during my childhood and sat and cried after they lost a baby at work. I went to my first infant funeral at age 15 when our youth pastor and his wife lost their baby at birth. During my 2 and 1/2 week stay at the House of Moses in Lusaka - 3 sweet babies went to heaven. God takes children home to Him more often than we would like. Some with explanation, some without answers and all painful.

I titled this post "God's Children." After having a child, it is impossible not to think about the possibility of losing them. It is a possibility. The likelihood is not great, but the risk is real. I knew that we were getting into the one thing in life that can bring the greatest joy and has the risk of the greatest pain known to man - parenthood. The only way I am able to not be paralyzed by my fears and worry is to remember that my children are like Samuel was to Hannah - God's Children - a gift to me from Him for me to care for. I can only do my best - and know that God's plan is greater than my own - even if I don't or can't understand it. God is pretty clear about fretting and anxiety - yet I'm human - but I will try Lord - I will keep trying.

Back to bed - hopefully now that I've dumped my brain onto my virtual diary, sleep will follow.

I stole this from a friend who writes a food blog!
I want to try them - they look so yummy!!



Peanut butter oat bran cookies
adapted from Hodgson Mill

1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup of granulated sugar
1/2 cup of light brown sugar
2 egg whites
1/2 cup of creamy peanut butter
1/2 tsp of vanilla
1 cup of unbleached flour
1 1/2 cup of oat bran cereal
3/4 tsp of baking powder
1/4 tsp of baking soda

Preheat oven to 350degrees. Combine flour, oat bran, baking soda, 1/4 tsp of salt, and baking powder with a whisk. Mix butter and sugars together. Add in egg whites and mix well. Add in peanut butter and vanilla, beat until smooth. Add in dry ingredients being sure everything is incorporated. Drop onto a ungreased cookie sheet, using about one tsp per cookies. Make criss-cross pattern on top of each cookie with a fork. Bake for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Makes about 36 cookies. Enjoy!

Articles and abstracts on lower risks of SIDS

An article on SIDS over the last 30 years in New Zealand.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/fulltext/122615903/PDFSTART23e

Why using a fan may lower risks?
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/162/10/963

Breastfeeding and reduced risk of SIDS.
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/123/3/e406

Back to sleep.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19996049?itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum&ordinalpos=1


A listing of many more articles.
http://www.cjsids.org/resource-center/sids-research/recent-research.html

Safe Sleeping for Babies

Okay - this posting is a bit of a jump start for myself - I need a bit of accountability and prayer as I move forward in my roll of Content Developer for the Hand of Grace Foundation. I've set a deadline for myself to have a rough draft created that covers current statistics related to SIDS and other infant morbidity. I attempted to tackle this in November and found myself unable to sort through stories and statistic regarding infants Autumn's age. Focusing too much attention on these topics when Autumn was in the danger zone created too much fear and anxiety for me - something I was hoping I could fight through, but didn't. So here goes!!!

My starting point is to read through research and statistics First Candle has gathered and produced.

If you are a mommy, daddy, grandparent, or caregiver and want to read their safe sleeping recommendations - here are a few links.

http://www.firstcandle.org/new-expectant-parents/bedtime-basics-for-babies/

http://www.firstcandle.org/new-expectant-parents/bedtime-basics-for-babies/adult-beds-are-not-safe-for-sleeping-babies/

http://www.firstcandle.org/new-expectant-parents/bedtime-basics-for-babies/create-a-safe-sleep-zone/

5 Months Old

I know it is cliche to say "they grow so fast." But it is true! This month went faster than the last and Autumn, you are starting to look more and more like a little girl and less and less like a little baby. This was a big month - a first airplane ride, first time at the zoo, first time in an umbrella stroller, first time to play in the Johnny Jump up and first time to grab daddy's beard.

Right now you enjoy standing in our laps grabbing everything in sight, putting our cup to your lips and sucking on it, sucking on toys, feeling tags, being with us, watching Ella play, smiling when we smile, following us around the room with your eyes,and handling your sheep and baby polar bear dolls. You are so close to rolling over - you can squirm, twist, turn 180 degrees and whip around, but haven't gotten your arm out of the way to get all the way over. You love, love, love to stand up and marching or dancing in your jump up. Sitting down is a bummer - in both your car sear and bumbo you arch and fuss when initially put in a sitting position. Everyday your hands become more coordinated. At the beginning of the month you batted at things and now you can turn, inspect and manipulated toys quite well.

Your are such a mellow baby! We flew to Portland and stayed 4 nights. You were a champ! We breezed through security, you humored all those old ladies that cooed at you with smiles and sat or slept almost silently the whole trip both ways. I doubt the people 2 seats away even knew there was a baby on the plane! In Portland we hiked to the top of a 500 foot waterfall in the rain, went to the zoo, out for sushi with friends, for a long walk along the river, to the Chinese gardens and up to Olympia and back. Never did I have to change plans or leave because you just went with the flow! If I don't thank you once you are able to remember it, Thank You!


Well that pretty much sums up month #4! We love you baby girl - keep growing strong and healthy!

God Will Lead, We Will Follow.

Rose of Siam taken at the Hawaii Botanical Gardens 8/2008

I thought I would share my thoughts and more details about our family's future.

On Monday Aaron submitted his 2 weeks resignation. This was a long, hard, well thought out and prayed over decision. I don't feel at liberty to share too many details to the world wide web - but it is for the better for everyone. We both feel like it is the best decision for our family and that it was God's arrangement that the events that led us to that decision occurred when they did. So Tuesday is Aaron's last day - it isn't 2 weeks, but we had already planned a trip to Portland for a Business as Missions conference for the rest of the week.

So - how are we going to pay our bills? I've got a job at the hospital here in town lined up to start as soon as my background check clears (living in 4 states and 2 countries in the last 7 years is slowing things down a bit). I will work at least 2 days a week and possibly more if needed. Aaron is starting his own business as a web services contractor. He will offer businesses affordable web services to help them get the best use out of their website and email campaigns - as well as other techy things that he is really good at. It may take a little while to get everything up and running, but I am confident that he can serve people well and support our family in this new role. The third venture is that we are going to try to get Rocky Mountain Wacky Warmers fully up and running to sell hats year round on the web and at local Craft Fairs October - December each year.

In my mind - here are the huge benefits to this new found lifestyle
1. Aaron will be home a lot more often to watch our children grow up.
2. Aaron will be free so we can be flexible in where we live each year (more on this later)
3. I get to spend some time each week in the role of OT, which I really enjoy.
4. Back to that where we live thing - we plan to live in Loveland most of the time - however - if this new found career path works out we have a lot more freedom. Our dreams include longer mission trips to support small business in the 3rd world, living in Hawaii a few months out of the year (specifically - the winter months) on an OT contract and longer road trips to see friends and family, being able to spend more time in Glenwood with my parents and other options that are endless!!!

So - here's to 2010 - A new Brown Adventure - trusting God and Following Him as we pursue our God given career paths and dreams!

Thanks for all the support and love through this transition!

Quinoa! Health! and Diet Choices!

So, I know Autumn is still 6 weeks away from 6 months old, but I've started researching how and when and what to introduce as first solids. I've decided that I really do want to wait until at least 6 months and see if she is ready then. I know some doctors say after 4 is okay, but based on a few stories I've heard and the low risk of allergies I figure it doesn't hurt to wait. AAP and WHO recommend waiting until after 6 months. Every baby is different, but this is what I'm comfortable with. From what I've found these are the signs of readiness.

1. Loss of tongue-thrust reflex
2. Ability to let you know she is full from a "meal" with signs such as turning away from the bottle or breast. (which Autumn does not do yet - she still at times still eats until her tummy looks like it is going to burst and then give a big spit up - icky)
3. Ability to sit up and hold head up unassisted
4. Doubling of birth weight
http://www.wholesomebabyfood.com/readyforsolids.htm

I thought I had decided to do fortified rice cereal as Autumn's first food, however now I'm pretty sure ground red quinoa will be my 1st food of choice. It has more iron than fortified rice cereal, is low allergenic, and is gluten free. I can't wait!
http://www.vegfamily.com/babies-and-toddlers/starting-solids.htm

I know food is a touchy subject and every does it different - but after watching a couple of food documentaries and reading articles - here are the things I want to commit to for my children.

1. Organic unprocessed foods
2. Homemade and not from a jar.
3. A diet with lots whole grain and fresh fruits and vegetables

My own diet -
I feel like I've been a pretty healthy eater my whole life (doing lots of research as a middle schooler and trying to keep up) - however, I have learned a lot in the past 2 years about processing, additives and such that I didn't prioritize before now. Here are some of the changes I am trying to make and commit to. I need to put my money where my mouth is (literally) and start doing my grocery shopping differently. I will point out my weaknesses as I list my priorities.

1. No High Fructose Corn Syrup - this means no Gatorade, no Soda, using organic dressings, BBQ sauce, Ketchup, and many other sauces, many breads, crackers, snacks and other foods also contain HFCS - so lots of label reading!

2. No Artificial Sweeteners - This is a hard one - I like the occasional Diet Soda - but guess I will stop and wait for a fizzy pop with stevia for my occasional indulgence. So for now and for most of the time - lots of water, tea and 100% juice. About 2 1/2 years ago we were introduced to Stevia and use it often - it is now more common and available - but enjoy Sun Crystals (5 calories of cane sugar and stevia - no artificial fillers) or 100% Stevia Drops from the natural food stores. https://www.suncrystals.com/difference/stevia-and-sugar-cane/ http://www.stevia.net/

3. Limiting preservatives -Plan to eat more raw fruits and veggies and limit processed foods. The great thing about raw foods is that they are fast and convenient - banana - peel and eat, Pepper - slice and eat, baby carrots - just eat!!!

4. Very very little fast food. I admit - I like Arby's, the occasional Wendy's spicy chicken sandwich and McDonalds Eggnog shakes. However I really don't want my children to think we get it more than a couple times a year - so that means I will only get it a couple times a year!

5. No trans fat - I changed this habit about a year ago - I kind have a thing against saturated fat, so this was a brain shift for me. Transfat is a horrible thing for our body - so I decided since I don't cook with much fat anyway, having a better fat was good. I now use oil and applesauce or real butter to bake with and oil to cook with (olive oil for baking - not good at high temperatures, canola for skillet cooking) and I buy SmartChoice for Aaron to spread on things like toast and corn. http://www.bantransfats.com/

6. #6 is the change that I'm challenged by - because it is so expensive - organic, locally grown meats. I can buy a bag of chicken at Sams for super cheap - but it isn't telling the huge corporations that I disagree with they way they handle my food, the GMOs, hormones and icky treatment of animals. So this is my next challenge - buying local or organic meats. This is where my pocket book is going to take a hit. So as soon as the meat is eaten out of my home, the challenge begins. The first step might be to reduce the protein in our diet, as we certainly don't need as much as we like. I'm sure I'll have updates on this - I have a lot to learn about how to do this in an affordable fashion! Maybe someday we can live on a shared farm with other families and raise our own chickens and cattle?? (-:

So - there is my health challenge for 2010! God challenges everyone in different areas at different times - so please don't feel like I'm judgmental about these issues - this is just where I'm at right now as I feel like I'm needing to make decisions for our family with children - a new thing! God Bless you for seeking His will for you and attacking the things he has to show and change in you in 2010!

Life is one big adventure!

Well - I write this with great anticipation for great change here at the Brown house! God is pointing us down a path that is a bit scary, a bit amazing and totally exciting. As soon as I can, I will describe these changes in greater detail. For now I just have to praise the Lord for being our strength, guiding us always and challenging us in new ways. Our dreams come true everyday!

Thank you for prayers from those of you who know a bit more about what God has up his sleeve!!!

Kuʻu Haku Malama Pono!!! The Lord makes things right and takes care of us!


On other fronts -
I'm starting work for McKee Medical Center as a Per Diem Occupational Therapist either the 1st or 15th (depending on how quickly they can get my background check done).

I've started working on our 2009 Shutterfly Photo book - hope to be done by Feb 4th to take advantage of the 20% sale. It is fun to look back and remember all the great parts of a great year.

Autumn is changing daily and is such an amazing blessing!!! I'm currently working on getting her down to sleep before mid-night (her currently programmed bed time). Last night she fell asleep a little after 11. Maybe 10:30 tonight!

My sister in law is currently working on a icon for Wacky Warmers and it is going to be completely adorable - I'm so excited!!! And I need to get back into production mode to get ready for next winter!

Cloth Bums - A learning experience

If I were to know then what I know now... I would get

Diapers
24 to 36 Chinese prefolds
6 Small Bummis Super brites
16 Bumgenuis All in ones with Velcro and microfiber inserts
6 Medium Bummis Super brites (which you wouldn't need to get until your first is big enough)
6 Large Bummis Super brites (may not need - if your baby gets big enough)


Accessories -
2 Bummis wet bags
Flushable liners
Safety 1st Easy Saver Diaper Pail
Grandma El's Diaper Cream
Country Save Detergent
Oxy Clean for striping
3 hemp insert doublers for night diapering
10-15 cloth wipes (easy to make from flannel)
Wet Wipes (I tried using only cloth wipes for a while and I prefer to wipe down with cloth and then finish with a wet wipe, I just feel like I can get it cleaner that way)
Regular Washer and Dryer - Not HE (the more water the better for washing diapers!)

4 Months - Keeps getting Sweeter!!

It has been a very busy month little girl. You just keep growing - you have now doubled your birth weight coming in right around 12 pounds. You are mostly wearing 3-6 month clothing, but still fit some 0-3 month jeans and shirts. I am also still using your newborn footie pants - shouldn't all pants have footies for your age, socks sure don't stay on! Your smile is getting bigger and you started giggling! You first busted up laughing at Ella playing fetch on the 26th of December, but now we can get you to giggle when we give you funny looks, play peek-a-boo, tickle you and kiss your neck. You love your daddy very much and like to gaze at him, and now you are playing with his goatee. You like to be held by me and sometimes get upset when I'm not around. You have such a sweet temperament, and are happy most of the time. However, you do voice your opinion at times as well. At certain times you want to be held, don't want be in the car seat or want to stand up. You are starting to take steps when we hold both your hands, can sit up in you bumbo, roll all the way onto your side and almost on to your tummy, lift your head up high when on your tummy and stand on your feet for 20-30 minutes at a time. This month you decided you don't really like a pacifier and much prefer putting your whole hand or 3 fingers in your mouth and sucking. You like to talk a lot but also can be very quiet too. I love your sweet little voice. You've graced both your Nana and Granddad with phone conversation. You are an amazing sleeper. You recorded a record 10 hours in a row the other night and regularly sleep 6-8 in a row. You are a night owl like your momma, never going to bed before 10:30 and usually between 11-12pm. You don't have a strict schedule, but a typical day looks like this:
9am - rise and shine hungry - momma feeds you
9:45-12 - Momma eats breakfast while you play on your mat, we hang out, play, and do chores
12ish you lunch and then momma eats lunch
12-5 you might take a nap or not, some days, like today, you stay awake from 9am to 4pm and then only take a short 1 hour nap. We cook, clean, eat again, play in the exersaucer, do tummy time, run errands, take pictures, see our cousins...
5-6 We make dinner
6 Daddy gets home and we eat dinner
6-10 You play, watch a little TV with daddy, and hang out with us - you enjoy watching what we are doing and checking out everything in a room
10-11 you eat and eat and eat and eat and then sleep until morning



Your first holiday season:

You went to your first Nutcracker and made it the whole show without fussing. You ate and watched and ate some more. Catherine and Rachel were great ballerinas!



We went to the Willm's for Christmas Eve dinner and then went over to Grandma and Papa's until the Christmas Eve service. You sat quietly and ate during the Christmas Eve service while we listened to Jim's nice service about God's love for us in the gift of Jesus. We then went and had desserts at Grandma and Papas.

Christmas morning we woke up around 9, you ate, Momma started bread and potatoes and then we opened gifts. You got an Around the World exersaucer from Nana and Granddad, a cloth Christmas book from Great Grandpa and Grandma, a stocking full of pacifers, rattles and other baby stuff from Santa and a Certificate of Deposit for college from Daddy and Momma.

We then headed over to Uncle Jeremy's for Christmas with the family: Grandma, Papa, Aunt Lisa, Uncle Josh, Ashton, Addy, Uncle Jeremy, Camry, Uncle Dan, Aunt Cindy and Saleem. We ate a delicious meal and then opened gifts. You got a beautiful Autumn Doll, a talking book, a talking purse, and a Best Buy gift certificate. We spent all day there and you cuddled with your Grandma and Aunties.

The day after Christmas you went for your first snowshoeing trip - you were a trooper and then slept much of the way back to the car!


Over Christmas time you met many people for the first time! Uncle Dan, Aunt Cindy, Saleem, Todd, Alissa Kaitlin, Amanda, Olivia, Eric, Mendy, Dustin, Tiegan, Rhonda, Stephen, Shannon, Aunt Laurale, Uncle Dean, Rachel, and Aunt Paige and many others.

For New Years - we went to Nana and Granddads. You had fun showing them your giggle, playing and cuddling.

We saw your Great Grand Parents twice and went to Grand Junction twice to see friends. Olivia loved you and wanted to hold your hand! This trip we also found out that we are glad that cloth diapering works for us because in disposables you blew out and of about 7 diapers - icky icky to clean up! Then we came home to clean up all our holiday fun and Wacky Warmers messes! It was a great first holiday season - you are our little angel!!!!

Happy 4 Months Autumn Keanna!!! We love you!!!!

Autumn's 4 month photo shoot

Free Zoo Days

Less is open - but fun none the less!

2010 Free Days

Tuesday, February 16
Wednesday, October 13
Thursday, October 21
Sunday, November 7
Saturday, November 13

Bye bye 2009

1. What did you do in 2009 that you'd never done before?
Gave Birth - it was everything I had hoped it to be!

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions and will you make more for next year?
Didn't really make any resolutions

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Me, Lindsay and Heidi

4. Did anyone close to you die?
No

5. What countries did you visit?
Sad - none

6. What would you like to have in 2010 that you lacked in 2009?
Surf - that I can ride - being pregnant and living in Colorado seriously hampered my surfing addiction.

7. What date from 2009 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
September 8th, 2009 - the birth of my daughter Autumn

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Becoming a mother - the best job in the whole world.

9. What was your biggest failure?
Giving up on working with 2 children in Maui because I couldn't tolerate their parents.

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Fortunately not.

11. What was the best thing you bought in 2009?
Fleece (-:

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Our Maui parents the Hassells, my husband, my doula, my mother, all my family

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
plead the 5th

14. Where did most of your money go?
Honda Accord, home repairs

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Autumn, New nephew or niece on the way, friend's pregnancies, swimming with like 20 dolphins, seeing whales from the kayak, swimming with manta rays, starting a business

16. What song(s) will always remind you of 2009?
Sadly in loving memory, Winter Song

17. Are you happier or sadder?
Happier - Children are pure joy from God

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Spent more time with friends, surfed, hiked, traveled

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
work at Pukalani Elementary

20. How will you be spending Christmas?
With my dear in law family

21. Did you fall in love in 2009?
With my baby - more and more ever since January 6th - the day we knew she was inside me!

23. What was your favorite TV program?
Chuck - the only program I'll watch with Aaron.

24. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hate is a strong word...

25. What was the best book you read?
Ina May's Guide to Natural Childbirth

26. What was your favorite musical discovery?
Didn't have one )-:

27.What did you want and get?
A healthy baby and a sewing machine

28. What did you want and not get?
To stay in Kona for the Spring semester.

29. What was your favorite film of this year?
Up!

30. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
28 - Church, went shopping and had lunch with my niece that has the same birthday and shared a family birthday at my nieces house.

31. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being transported to a Hawaiian beach everyday the temperature got below 40 here in Colorado.

32. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2009?
Mommy friendly, Hawaiian print, Kona Boys logo gear


33. What kept you sane?
God, husband, family, friends

34. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Jason Borne

35. What political issue stirred you the most?
Giving money to corporate America and Health care policy

36. Who did you miss?
Angie and Kaitlin

37. Who was the best new person you met?
Denise and Harrison, Judy

38. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2009.
Patience and Grace - slowly learning more everyday

39. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
Being a full-time mother is one of the highest salaried jobs in my field, since the payment is pure love. ~Mildred B. Vermont