We Made It To The TOP

of Pinnacle Mountain. For those of you who don't live here in Arkansas, Pinnacle is not what I would classify as a "mountain", but merely a hill. But don't tell my body that, I am sure I will be hurting tomorrow.

It was a beautiful January day in Little Rock. We took the entire family and hiked the trail to the top. It is about two miles round trip. The first half of the hike was pretty easy. Not too steep, and there is a pretty good trail. I helped Emily, Eddie carried Danielle in the Mei Tai, kept a close eye on Brian and carried the backpack. However, the trail gets very rocky (big rocks), about 3/4 of the way up. I was thinking that we should just stop, but part of me really wanted to get to the top. I was concerned about the kids getting tired, Danielle was getting fussy and I was wondering how we were going to traverse the rocks going back down. Since I knew it was easier to climb up the rocks than it would be going down.

Once on top, we rested, had a little snack, let Danielle stretch, and made sure she had all of her needs met, before we headed down. I am glad that we succeeded, and completed our mission. It was very cool to look out over the lake, the river and the rolling landscape. I was still thinking we were a little crazy, and wishing that perhaps we could go down by helicopter.

Danielle was definitely not happy about being stuck in the carrier, but that was the only option. The kids did great on the way down. I had them scoot down the rocks on their bottoms, I used the same technique. We arrived down the mountain, I mean hill, with only one minor stumble. It wasn't that bad.

I now have another fear to add to the list though, someone tripping and cracking their head on a rock! I don't know if we can do that hike again. I am also glad that we went when it was 60 degrees (perfect) in January, and not ninety degrees in July. We are definitely planning on doing lots of free or cheap outdoor activities with the kids this year. It was a fun day. Eddie and I were tired, but the kids had enough energy that they still wanted to play at the playground when we got to the bottom. We are going to have to get in better shape so we can keep up.

I Went To School Today

...well to Brian's school. I took him to school in the morning and stayed until lunch. Daddy took Emily to school, and then he and Danielle got some time alone together.

Brian's school starts at 7:40, and they have a very structured schedule throughout the day. First, we sign in, mommy signs in, and then the kids have their very own book where they write their name each day. They have to put away their take home folder, backpack and lunch, and also wash their hands. Then there is free time in the centers until 8:00am. The National Anthem begins the official start of the day, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

The next 30 minutes is an instructional time, where they go over the "morning message." They have a line leader, and talk about what day it is, the letter of the day, and work on sight words. The day I went was a Thursday, and the letter was "K".

Then there is another round of centers. I think Brian really likes the "art" center, and most of the girls played, in the dress, house, kitchen area. The new center was "workbench" and it was a big hit. When the bell is rung by the line leader, we get ready to go to P.E. There is also music and library.

Whenever they went somewhere, they sang about colors, numbers or other catchy learning tunes. When they have to wait, they look for the letter of the day on the walls. Every minute is fun learning, even in the bathroom.

They have snack, and go outside to recess for 30 minutes. Recess is Brian's favorite part of the day, and he usually rides the trikes they have during this time.

Back inside the classroom, more centers, and then another instructional period before lunch. Todays focus was a science lesson. The teachers had all received a habitat for ladybugs, so we learned about the ladybug life cycle, what they ate, and got to see the class ladybugs. I even learned something I didn't know.

I left as they were getting ready to go to lunch. But the rest of the day is lunch, recess, story time, nap time, and then free play until 2:30.

I love Brian's teacher! She is awesome. She is very entertaining, and loves the kids. She plays with them, even during recess, sings funny songs all the time, and uses lots of rhyming words. I am so thankful that Brian is in her class. This year has been wonderful for Brian. We will definitely make sure that Emily gets in Mrs. Kriz class in a couple of years.

Where Were You On Innaugration Day?

Barack H. Obama was sworn in as the 44th president of the United States. He is the first African American to hold this office. This fact has made it a historic day to remember. But the press has mad a very big deal of the event. For me, today was just another day, I went to work, and did the things I normally do. I didn't vote for him or watch his inaugural address. I know many Americans were moved by his address, (he has awesome speech writers :-p), but I have respect for this occasion and love of this free country, where we can vote and be heard. We are blessed to to live in a country that has peaceful changes in leadership. Obama is now everyone's president, and we have to pray that he will earnestly serve this country and keep true to the promises he made.



I don't like the fact this everyone made such a big deal about it. Really, did it deserve all the press, and pomp? When I asked Brian if they did anything special, he said "we watched Barack Obama on TV." He didn't know who that was, and we talked about his new job. It will be interesting to see how the next four years unfold for our country. Just my thoughts...

Danielle Laughs

Last night Danielle started laughing hysterically at Brian. I grabbed the camera to try to take a short video. Of course she wouldn't do it again! Like all of our children, they never perform on demand. Then tonight she laughed at Brian again, she really loves him, and apparently thinks he is funny too. Hopefully I will be able to capture the cute laugh soon, but at least I wanted to document it happening.

Safety Patrol

I have been reading about carseat safety, as I have been trying to figure out what will be my next carseat purchase, in anticipation that Danielle will soon outgrow her infant seat. I have always been of big advocate of infants riding rear-facing until they are at least one year of age and at least 20 pounds. But as soon as they hit that mark, it has been somewhat of a milestone to turn them forward-facing. However, I will not be doing that this time.

"The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that all infants should ride rear-facing starting with their first ride home from the hospital. They should remain rear-facing until they reach the highest weight or height allowed by their car safety seat’s manufacturer. At a minimum, children should ride rear-facing until they have reached at least 1 year of age and weigh at least 20 pounds."

I now realize that the 1 year, 20 pound rule is a minimum. When we move from rear-facing to froward facing, it is a step down in terms of safety. So when Danielle moves to her next carseat which will be a Britax Marathon, she will be able to ride rear-facing as long is she is under 35 pounds, and 49", it also has a seated shoulder height limit of 16".

Both Brian and Emily have been a Britax Marathon since they moved from the infant carseat. They were rear-facing until they met the minimum standard, and then we ceremoniously turned them around. I love the Britax seats, they are comfortable, easy to use, and safe. The Marthon will accommodate a child forward-facing to 65 pounds, 49", and a seated shoulder height of 16".

So Brian still fits in his marathon for now, he weighs 44lbs, and is 42" tall. I will give his seat to Danielle, and buy him the new Britax Frontier. Danielle will be able to use his seat until it expires (which is 6 years from the manufactures date).

The Britax Frontier is a combination Harness-2-Booster seat. This means it will be the last seat I will have to buy for Brian. He can continue to be in a 5-point harness with this seat to 80 pounds, and 53", with a seated shoulder height of 18.25".

Remember a 5 point harness is the safest for your child. The step up to the booster, is actually a step down in safety. A 5-point harness restricts movement, which ensures that the child is in the proper position should a crash occur, and it also distributes the crash forces over a larger area of the body when compared to a safety belt and booster. Therefore, a child should be mature enough to sit in a booster seat properly; not slumping, reaching for a dropped toy, etc.

Can you spot the Safety Violation?

This from the AAP: "Once your child has reached the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of the seat for rear-facing, she can ride forward-facing in a convertible seat. However, it is best for her to ride rear-facing to the highest weight or height allowed by the manufacturer of her car safety seat. She should ride in a forward-facing seat with a harness until she outgrows it (usually at around 4 years of age and about 40–65 pounds)."

Then, the Frontier will convert to a booster seat to a maximum weight of 100 pounds, and 60" with a seated shoulder height of 21.5".

From the AAP: Booster seats are for older children who have outgrown their forward-facing car safety seats. It is best for children to ride in a harnessed seat as long as possible, at least to 4 years of age. If your child outgrows his seat before reaching 4 years of age, consider using a seat with a harness approved for higher weights and heights.

Don't let the advertising on the box guide your decision!

So to recap...

• Keep your infant in the safest position possible, rear-facing until 35 pounds.
  
• Keep your toddler in the safest position possible, rear-facing until 35 pounds
  
• Keep your child in the safest seat, a five-point harness until at least 4 years of age (40-65 pounds). The Frontier goes to 80 pounds.


• Move your child to a booster seat when they have outgrown the safety seat.
  
• Children under 12 should never ride in the front seat.

From the AAP: Seat belts are made for adults. Your child should stay in a booster seat until adult seat belts fit correctly (usually when the child reaches about 4' 9" in height and is between 8 and 12 years of age).

Please do your research and consider taking a step back to a child safety seat for your child.

Here is a video about a 3 year old who was involved in a car accident while using a booster seat.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPBSEQ4xbTw

Danielle is 4 months

My baby is growing up :( I can't believe that she is already 4 months old. I think this is the turning point where she is no longer an infant and she is turning into a little person. She has outgrown all of her 3 month clothes. She is learning new things everyday, and is starting to develop a personality.

She is still a wonderful baby. She is so patient about waiting her turn, and letting her brother and sister love on her and play with her. She sleeps great, and only wakes me up a couple of times a night. She rarely cries, and it is only when she is dirty or if she gets run over by a remote control car, kicked in the head with a shoe, or been hit by a UFO. She has learned to defend herself, she pulls hair, pinches and scratches if mommy doesn't keep her nails trimmed.

She is very strong, and will lift her head and try to do a crunch. She is very aware of her surroundings and loves to watch her siblings play. She is starting to grab everything, including my newspaper, or files I am working on from the office. She is starting to play with toys. She also discovered her voice this weekend, and has been practicing her new sounds.

Here are some of the things she likes to do:

Reaching for toys while laying on her boppy

Having a little tummy time

Sitting in her Bumbo, playing with toys like a big kid

Playing in the exersaucer

Laying in the bouncy seat

Snuggling with someone you love after a long day

Bumbo

I bought Danielle a Bumbo chair with a tray from Craigslist while we were in Denver. I didn't know if I would like it, and I have never had thought I needed one with the other two kids. But it is great. Danielle will sit in it for awhile and watch the kids play on the floor nearby. She sits on the dinner table to watch us eat, it makes her feel included. When she is ready to eat we can use it as a booster seat. She watches TV, and it makes it easier to do her hair while she is sitting up.

Erin and Steve also bought Danielle a "tummy time" mat for Christmas. This was also something new that we didn't have for the other two kids. It is fun to have different things.

Fuzzi Bunz

I have to keep up my crunchiness, and my latest venture is cloth diapers. Just for the record, Eddie didn't make me crunchy, and I didn't make him crunchy, we are crunchy together. I was first introduced to the "new" cloth diaper concept about 4 years ago. I certainly did not want anything to do with that (POOP). Gross! Then a little over a year ago, one of my childbirth clients showed me her "stash", I was somewhat intrigued, but not convinced. I was however considering it for my next baby. I began researching all of the options and just got overwhelmed and confused and put it on the back burner. My reasons for cloth were different than most. Sorry I am not "Green" save the planet, don't put disposables in the landfills, that take a million years to decompose. My reasons were for my own sense of what I consider natural. We try to keep our children's bodies as free from chemicals, drugs, additives etc. So with that in mind, I knew that disposable diapers contained chemicals that make them super absorbent, and I didn't want those on my babies skin 24/7 for the first 2-3 (or more) years of their life. Another client was planning on using g diapers, which are a hybrid between cloth and disposable. It seemed like the perfect option, even though they still contained some of the chemicals I was trying to avoid. I did try them, and they were OK, but the disposal inserts were expensive, and overall they were a hassle. Another friend was using Fuzzi Bunz, and really liked them. So I bought six (got one free), bottom line, I love them. I got six more, they were seconds (not used, just imperfect). So my investment is only about $150. I am washing every couple of days, but it is not that bad. They are cute, soft, no chemicals, no leaks. I am saving lots of money, not buying cases of diapers at Sam's Club each month. And an added bonus, no bags of smelly diapers that Eddie has to take to the trash each week.

Doesn't Danielle look cute! And I can match her diaper to her outfit.

Happy New Year!

Better late than never. I am off to a slow start this year, I hope I catch up. Anyway, here is to a fresh start, resolutions and goals for 2009. We actually went out for New Year's Eve this year. We took the kids to dinner at a new restaurant that opened near the house, Sekisui. It is a typical hibachi type Japanese Steak House. Eddie and I have tried almost every one in town and our favorite is still Benihana. Then we saw "Bedtime Stories" with Adam Sandler. We really liked it and the kids did pretty good. I think this is only the second movie we have been to since Danielle was born. Quite a change from when Brian was a baby, and until Emily was about a year old. We used to go to movies once or twice a week!


So here are my goals for 2009...


1. Teach our children more about the gospel.

2. Obtain a 3-month food storage for our family.

3. Keep up with this blog.

4. Continue to eat healthy meals, and stop drinking coke.

5. Spend more time doing family things: reading together, eating together, playing games, going camping, and enjoying the outdoors.