Happy Halloween

Wishing you a fun-filled Hallow's eve! We are headed out now for some trick or treating with a very excited little girl. I can't wait to share pictures of tonight... we've got both kids dressed up!

These days

we are...

The Confession

Please Megan (Riley-Poindexter), forgive me, for I have sinned.


"So here it goes... Eden, as you know, has had some crazy feeding issues in her short little life, starting with a lack of interest in breastfeeding/bottles/formula. We finally found a bottle and specialized formula combination that she would tolerate by the time she was about 9 months old. I told myself that I would never take away the bottle/formula as long as she was eating and growing. Boy did I regret those words!


Finally, for the last year or so, we have been ever so slowly inching her off the need for the bottle (because, frankly, it is VERY socially unacceptable at 3 years old) and formula (because, frankly, it is VERY expensive ~ $10 a day). Let me repeat that... her formula cost us roughly $10 a day, for years... well, until I found it at Wal-mart.


Here comes the confession...


For some time now, I have been purchasing Eden's formula for almost a dollar less at "the enemy" and I feel the need to apologize for these selfish actions. (Sometimes it would go on sale for $4 or $5 less and I would buy them out of stock!) In the beginning, I would wear a hat, go at odd hours, and dash in and out with my loot. (By the way, the "hippie alarm" never went off. I was totally expecting some overhead announcement about my presence, but they didn't really seem to care...)


Anyway, like I said, in the beginning it was just quick trips. Then, I started looking around. Cheap diapers here, cute craft paper there... and it got completely out of hand. In fact, I would hide the Wal-mart bags from Brian until the debit card notices totally ratted me out!


Now, I am happy to say, I am in Wal-mart recovery. Eden has given up that nasty, devil conjuring formula and bottle - yay! - and I will be clipping coupons to find my deals elsewhere. "


Whoo! I feel a hundred pounds lighter!

(P.S.S. I realize that there are many sides to the "Wal-mart argument" and understand that they have made some improvements to their controversial practices. However, my friend Megan witnessed the disruption of small town businesses first hand. She is an avid boy cotter and who I think of as I walk in those doors.)

The point is: NO MORE BOTTLES!!

Halloween Cupcakes 101

Eden's job: Pouring (and tasting), mixing (and tasting), stiring (and tasting).

Mom's job: Keeping the wisk in the bowl, the bowl on the counter, and the batter (with raw eggs) out of Eden's mouth!

Eden's job: WAITING for the cupcakes to cook and cool. Then, testing the frosting beforehand - of course.

Mom's job: Focusing the icing on the cupcakes and switching out silverware that has gone in Eden's mouth.

Finally - the reward!

Eden's Flu Shot Clinic

This is what happens in our household when there is too much talk of "the flu", "flu shots", "H1N1", "clinic times", "vacine availability", etc, etc. :

Eden sets up shop in the living room!

A breath of fresh air

Last weekend we attempted our annual drive through the mountains to admire the fall foliage, but we missed it. There is typically a peak weekend where you can view the aspen trees at their perfect stage of golds and reds. Last year we really lucked out. We've had an odd start to autumn with some unseasonably cold days... they must have altered the leaves.


We made the best of it by entertaining an energetic Eden at the park in Golden and topped it off with a nice cup of hot chocolate.

Oh, how we LOVE this time of year!

Proud mom moment

I know I've said this before and I'm sure I'll say it again...

...sometimes it surprises me how well her little brain works

...and then I laugh at the former "syndrome concerns" and "oxygen deprivation worries"!

Happy Birthday, Grammy!

Brian's mom, Susan, is celebrating the beginning of another year in her life today... and we are too. We hope that your day was filled with all that makes you happiest and we look forward to celebrating with you next week!

Three Rivers

Did anybody else watch this?

A show entirely devoted to organ transplant drama. (The key word here is "drama".)

Well, I couldn't help myself. Of course you know that Eden has had a heart transplant, so I know a thing or two about being a recipient. But you may not know that my first job in Denver was with the Donor Alliance extracting tissue from donor bodies. An interesting coincidence, huh?

I am going to have to give this show a couple more weeks because so far, I am way too caught up in the lack of reality. For instance, a pregnant woman of 28 weeks (I'm 29) presents with Dialated Cardiomyopathy (what Eden was born with). After 45 minutes of "drama", she is given a c-section and a heart transplant just in the nick of time. She did so well that she came out of the surgery without intubation or any of the other tubes and lines. Also, her 28 week baby was born fine, without the need of oxygen, etc. Yeah, right!

Oh, it's just a show, I know. Hopefully, it will give a positive representation of organ donation and encourage the conversation in homes across the country.

Have you talked to your family about your wishes?