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

3 Months Young

Wow!!! I can hardly believe that Autumn's birthday was 3 months ago! She is growing like a weed - putting on almost 5 pounds. She now smiles on cue, loves to kick and hit toys hanging over her, enjoys the swing, coos and awes at anyone, LOVES her sea life mobile, and is sleeping 4-6 hours at a time most nights with a new record of 8.5 hours last night. She is cuddly, sweet and wonderful in every way!!

Thanksgiving~

Thanksgiving snuck up on us this year. I'm still in a bit of denial that it is already the end of November. This day is a wonderful day to reflect and praise God for all the blessings that surround us daily!
In no particular order - I give thanks!
For God's unending love, my incredible husband, my wonderful family, my healthy babe and all the joy she brings to my life, a warm home, a free country, loving friends, good neighbors, warm showers, the mountains, the waves and the inventor of the surf board, easy transportation, extra time with my mother-in-law lately, my crazy fun nieces and nephews, cell phones and the friends/family on the other end, soups, Joann's sales, my puppy dog (most of the time), cooking, enjoying butter avocados the size of my head, whale tails, mountain lakes, friends with accents, sunny skies, mail, good doctors, footed baby pants, not having to use an alarm clock right now... (-: -Thank you Lord for all my blessings!!!!!

My ideal life

January-April: Occupational Therapist in Hawaii
April- September: In Colorado playing with my children and PRN Occupational Therapist one day a week
October-December: Hat making and spending time with my family in Colorado

Give the Gift of Water!

www.charitywater.org

Diapers Ruined!

I was really hopeful that today's post would say "Problem Averted!" After all the washes, dishwasher detergent scrubs and 2 washes in the dishwasher, a soak in Borax and another 2 washes to get the chemicals out - I've given up hope that the Bumgenius pocket daipers will ever be absorbent again. Luckily the inserts are still absorbing, so the wrap/liner with pockets have officially become wraps instead of pocket diapers. It is a bit upsetting that Butt Paste in one diaper and on a few cloth wipes washed with the others ruined my entire set. )-: I do have prefolds too, so I will hopefully be able to use them and the microfiber Bumgenius inserts inside the diapers. I'm hoping for the best and praying away leaking problems!

So lesson learned the hard way - diaper rash cream is deathly to fleece liners inside pocket diapers, let anyone diapering your child know how to use the flush-able liners when using creams and wash all cloth wipes with diaper cream on the separately!

Arrggghhh...

Okay -
Bumgenius liners are still repelling water... I've washed them 10 times, soaked them in oxyclean with no luck. I'm pretty sure zinc oxide is the culprit - however it was only on one of the diapers without a liner used because I forgot to mention that a liner needs to be used. However - all 12 of my liners are now repelling - did washing them spread the problem to all of them? Ughh...

I keep reading 'ruined' when I search getting zinc oxide out of the fleece liners.

Rebecca - did vinegar baking soda take out diaper cream?

I've also read to give Dawn a try and scrub with a grout brush?

I want to rip my hair out - well - maybe not - but what a frustration. I'm going to get rid of all of my zinc oxide creams - does anyone that uses disposables want it??

One of those mornings!

After a very long, exhausting and good birthday weekend (2 craft fairs one in Highlands Ranch and one in Loveland and 2 birthday dinners) Autumn slept well last night - which was great - but it meant that I had 20 minutes to get ready for her 2 month Dr. appointment. Luckily my parents were still here and my mom changed and dressed Autumn while I got ready. We ran out the door and I got to the car and realized that the base for the car seat was in Aaron's car - oops. I remembered that I could put it in the car without the base before I freaked out. Then I backed out and - clunk clunk. Oh dear what did I hit - the trash can had been placed behind my car for pickup. I got out, picked up the dumped trash from the street, re-parked it in another spot, had a good laugh and headed to the Dr. office. Dr. visit went well - Autumn is growing well - 60th % for height, 10th % for weight and 6th% for head size. She got her 2 month immunizations and peed out her diaper. I told the nurse that it didn't make sense as these diaper should absorb for a toddler. Sure enough I opened it and and the pee didn't absorb and was sitting on the diaper - not good, not good at all. I came home and checked the other diapers and they are repelling water too! What the heck happened. I'm triple hot washing them in hopes that they start absorbing again. So here's hoping!!!!!!!!!! If you have other advise I'm open ears!

My Hat Model

The Mad Hatter

Well... I've started my own home based business. What!! Last weekend Aaron completed the online paper work and I'm the official owner of a limited liability company called Rocky Mountain Wacky Warmers. I think I'm crazy - but I guess that is okay. I've always enjoyed making things and growing up I always had a great idea of what I should try to make and sell. In elementary school I sold lanyard key chains and earrings at my cousins' grandparent's fruit stand, in middle school I sold hair scrunchies and assorted chocolate covered foods and in high school I made practice shorts for my HS BFF and myself. If I think back hard enough I'm sure there are other crafty items I've tried to sell and usually made enough money to at least subsidise my current craft addiction.

Five weeks ago when my mom and I were trying to come up with photo props for Autumn's one week photo shoot - I remembered these hats I made for my nieces and nephews a few years back. I cut 2 out - a red one and a pink one. I tied ribbon around them, one together and the other in pig tails and then used a safety pin to hold them together in the back. There the idea was born - the photos of Autumn in the hats were adorable. Two weekends later on our 16 hour drive to and from my one of my best friends' wedding I kept thinking about the hats, crunched some numbers and dreamt about the possibilities. Doesn't every little girls basketball team need matching basketball hats with cute little ribbons to keep their heads warm after a game? Doesn't every baby need a fun little hat to take pictures in?

So there you have it - in the last 3 weeks I've started base level branding, marketing planning, designing, supply buying, display making and hat making. This weekend I was able to set up for my first craft show. Luckily I've been blessed with a marketing/web designing/small business knowledgeable husband, a mother and mother-in-law helping to sew, a father-in-law with a fancy camera, a grandfather that can build anything and a grandma and dad with small business advice. Without all their help - I would not have been able to pull off getting ready for my first show.

I called my mother-in-law this Friday morning as we both were driving to the craft fair and proclaimed my craziness. The night before we had dinner guests and then Autumn didn't fall asleep until 2am. I got up Friday morning at 7am and got everything in the car, drilled a hole in a 4x4 for my Christmas tree topper, got Autumn fed and dressed, got myself showered and dressed, frantically searched for the price cards I had printed the day before, resent the price cards to Sam's club because I couldn't find the originals and then took off for west Loveland. I really didn't want to do this craft fair since it was so soon and I wasn't sure I'd be ready. However, it was free and I really wanted to get an idea of what people liked before my bigger show at Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch. The craft fair was a bust as far as customers - I don't think more than 150 people walked in to look at the vendors. But boy did I learn a ton!! The gal and fellow next to me are basket weavers and they had valuabe knowledge about local craft fairs, small business taxes and craft ideas. I also learned about the patterns and hats I think will sell best from the few customers and the other vendor's children. Most importantly I got the feeling that I have a viable part time home business - the feed back from people was very positive. I only sold a whooping 10 hats - but now I have little bit of exposure, I learned so much and have a small network of crafty friends!

So we shall see where Rocky Mountain Wacky Warmers goes from here!!! It will be fun - and hopefully it at least helps me to afford my current addiction (-:

5 weeks

I can not believe that it has been 5 weeks. Part of me feels like it has been forever and the other part feels like it was yesterday. Autumn is a nearly perfect baby - her job right now is to eat, sleep, potty and grow - and she is quite good at all of them! We are truly enjoying our little girl so very much! She wakes up a little more each day giving us more eye contact and attention. She has shared a couple little awake smiles, but it is still hard to tell how intentional they are. Today she watched the mobile above her swing intently for the first time.
It has been fun to have the cousins around - my 4 and 5 year old nieces are so sweet and pretty funny as well. The other night the whole family came over and I was feeding Autumn under my cover. Both girls came over and lifted the cover and stuck their heads under to see how everything was going. It was so cute and hilarious! I'm sure some dolls may find themselves eating in a new way this week! Well, she has finally fallen asleep, so off to bed we go!

One year

My heart has been heavy this week. Sorrow lingers and the pain of loss continues. I started my blog about a year ago after a tragedy. One of my dear friends lost her infant to SIDS - gut wrenching, awful and not understandable. One year ago we celebrated the life of sweet Grace singing "In Christ Alone" and shedding painful tears at her memorial service. Tonight I am shedding tears with a slightly heightened understanding of the pain - as Autumn is sleeping on my chest. Aaron and I now have the one tangible thing in life that brings the most joy and also has the potential to bring the absolute most grief and heartache - a child. Only God can ease the brokenness and comfort the aching souls of those who have lost a child.

Over this year I journeyed through trying to figure out how to be a long-distant friend after tragedy. I still don't know how. Sometimes the best I can do is quietly cry and pray in the shower.

Another thing I have learned more about this year is graciousness. The explanation given at Grace's memorial service of what grace is was completely convicting. It is something I struggle with - I am way more apt to blame, accuse and get angry about wrong doing and I tend to assume that people's intentions were harmful instead of accidental. Grace is undeserved favor - a gift God gives us and that we are to give each other. I need more grace in my life and I continue to pray that God helps me to grant grace to those around me so that they may see a better picture of God's grace. I pray that my gut reactions are gracious, assuming the best and not the worst. It is a work in process.

This next year I look forward to being part of my friend's non-profit foundation. I'm completely honored and eager to start my roll on the Board of Directors as the Content Developer. I get to be the researcher and help write content related to prevention and education regarding SIDS and infant death.

Please continue praying for my friend, her husband and their family and friends. The road is long, ugly and hard. My biggest prayer is the name of my blog - that in the land of the living we will see God's goodness. Not all things are good and tragedy is real and most difficult - but I want to see that He will prevail.

Psalms 27:13,14 I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD