The Great Fish Rescue

B and I picked Jobe up at school today and we were SO happy to see him. Jobe had that terrible, nasty flu that is going around. He was sick the weekend he was supposed to come out, so we missed that weekend. We felt sad about missing a weekend, but didn't think it was wise to make him travel or to expose B to the flu.

When we got home, we went for walk to the river. After throwing rocks for a while, we discovered a few dried up pools with baby fish. There were Salmon about 3 inches long and a bunch of sucker fish about 2 inches long.

At first we thought all the fish were dead, but then discovered that some of them were breathing. Jobe and I got right to work moving the fish back into the water. B stood next to us and practiced signing and saying fish. We even found a baby lamp ray eel. In all, we saved about 25 fish. Jobe was very proud of the effort!

B was so excited to spend time with his brother. He loves him sooo much! Jobe is such a great big brother - I feel so lucky!

Doctor Visit

Peek-a-boo!

We went to see Dr. Burnett today for a Well Child Check.

Braedan weighed in at 20 pounds 3 ounces and 29.5 inches. He is a developing well and he charmed the Dr. with his signing.

He also got his 2nd DTAP shot. Poor baby! It seems so deceptive to hold him and distract him while the nurse sticks him in the thigh.

I was kind of worried about the visit because Breadan is a littler guy and hasn't really followed the CDC growth chart. Our last Dr. was worried about it and wanted to start a bunch of tests. I felt she was over reacting and went for a second opinion. The second Dr. agreed with me and felt that he was right where he should be considering his genetics. His dad and I are both smaller people. At that point, I decided to go with the 2nd Dr. as our primary care. So far, I'm happy about that decision. Dr. Burnett seems to be on the same page as we are.

The DTAP is the only vaccine B has gotten so far. I have done so much research around vaccines and came to many conclusions. I found Dr. Sears to be very helpful in making decisions that I felt were right for us. I believe that vaccines are helpful and an important method for controlling disease, but I'm not confident that they are risk free and I feel that the medical establishment is over-zealous in immunizing the smallest, most vulnerable portion of our population - our babies. They were very pushy about giving B a Hep B shot when he was 2 days old. I couldn't see him swapping body fluids with anybody for at least a few years. I later read an article about aluminium in the shot having possible side effects.

I am delaying those vaccines that he is very unlikely to come in contact with - polio, Hep B and measles - until he's older and forgoing those that I don't feel are necessary - Chicken Pox and Rotovirus. I also won't give B more than one shot a visit. My research found while the effects of the individual shots have been studied, the effects of giving 2, 3 or 4 together have not. The dosages that are given to babies, as well as the additives, also raise some questions among some Dr.'s.

I have thought a lot about this and done A LOT of research - including online, books and talking to Dr.'s and other parents and feel that I've come to a plan that limits the risks of the vaccines and protects B from the diseases he should be protected against.

This is a VERY controversial subject where I live - and for good reason. We are talking about the life and health of our most precious people. I would love to hear what you think about vaccines and the decisions that you've made for your babes.

Spaghetti Monster!

Spring Hike

What a beautiful day! We spent the day searching for signs of spring, watching birds, playing in puddles and exploring the garden. Braedan and I went on a hike by the river. We had to cross the little creek, so I carried Braedan and left the stroller behind. My big boy was quite the hiker.

On our hike we saw lots of birds including – Stellar Jays, Turkey Vultures and Mallard Ducks, and of course, Canada Geese.

My Big Hiker

The mountains are all covered in snow.

The beavers have been busy this spring!

Sophi by the river

Old Bosco loves to hike!



In the garden with a cool stick.

Signing

I am loving signing with Braedan. My sister Careylynn inspired me to sign - she signs with her 2 kids.

I started signing with Braedan when he was a teeny, tiny baby. He did his first sign - milk - at 7 months old. For a long time, that was the only sign he did and he used it for everything. Now he is a signing machine. He is driven to communicate and I am happy that signing gives him a way to do it. If I don't know a sign, he'll make one up. A few of the signs we use (bear) are ones that B made up.

I was concerned that using sign might delay his speech development, so I did some research. What I found was that the signing develops one side of the brain, while speech develops the other. Signing helps to develop communication between the 2 sides and helps the child to develop more than one way to understand a word.

I have been using My Smart Hands to learn useful signs to share with B.

Here is a (partial) list of Braedan's signs:
Dog, Milk, Cat, Monkey, Tree, More, Eat, All done, Hat, Flower, Bird, Elephant, Potty, Giraffe, Apple, Bear, River, Ball, Book, Dinosaur, Fan, Light, Daddy, Mama, Car, Banana, Up, Help, Fish, Lion, Baby, Bat - and I'm sure there are more that I'm not thinking of

Daddy's Helper and Thanks Mom and Dad

Braedan loves to help Daddy. Whenever Jerry has his tools out, Braedan is right there to assist. I have to say nothing warms my heart more than watching Jerry with Braedan - it is true love!

Working on the cabinets

Putting in the door to the office.

Figuring out the next move.

There's a picture of me as a toddler "helping" my dad study - I'm sitting on the table next to my dad's books. This picture reminds me of that picture. I'm thankful that Braedan has a dad as loving and involved as I do. Dads are so important!

I can honestly say that I have never known love like I do as a mom. I had NO idea that my whole life would be taken over and transformed and I would LOVE it! What a true blessing my little Braedan is.

I also didn't understand how much and how deeply my parents love me. It's only in the experience of feeling that all encompassing devotion for my child that I can recognize it in my parents. I am so thankful to have such incredible parents. Thanks Mom and Dad!