One Month Old!

Sweet Baby Girl -

One month ago today you came into our world, and we are more and more in live with you every day. You are so sweet and gentle natured. You remind me a lot of your daddy in that way. I love how expressive you are with your face and your sounds. From you whimpers and whines to your cries you are adorable.

It is St. Patrick's day, so you are dressed in green today. I took a picture and told a little about 1 month old Autumn on it. I hope you enjoy it later. :) You are the greatest thing I have ever done and every day you show me more and more how incredible you are.

Happy 1 month birthday, baby girl! We love you to pieces (but not really, because every time I say that your daddy asks that I just continue to love you in one piece.). :)

Just Be You

One of my favorite things in watching you as a newborn is that while you are very sweet and aware of your dad and I, and are social with us, you are not self conscious. You are who you are, and aren't concerned with adapting who you are based on situations.

You might be thinking, 'Well, duh Mom. I was a baby.' True, however this has made me aware of how much being self-conscious is trained into us by society. You don't know that you 'should' be self-conscious. You are here, you are a sweet and innocent person, and are so kind. That is all that matters.

You aren't aware that you're wearing pajamas in public, and if you did... I don't think you would care at this stage. You are just happy to be out (or in) with me and Dad. I hope this is something that I continue to encourage in you. Being a kind, good person isn't something you need to apologize for, nor is it something that you need to be self conscious about.

There will always be people who don't get it, who are rude or bullies. Don't let mean people, or even nice people who are having mean days, take that away from you. Don't let yourself lose sight of who you are for the sake of the crowd either.

I'm going to ponder on how I can teach you this by example, because at this point it is something I'm not good at. However I hope your sweet innocent example can help me to break out and follow your lead. That way by the time you start to think you need to be worried, I will know how to help you with this.

You are awesome, my baby.

Cystic Fibrosis

Hi Sweet Autumn -

The last few days have been trying. We received a call Friday that your PKU came back positive with the enzyme found in cystic fibrosis. It doesn't mean that you have cf, just that you have the enzyme present in your blood that indicates CF. There is a Pulmonologist who specializes in CF here in town who asked for us to come meet with him on Friday evening so your Daddy and I wouldn't be too confused while we wait for your diagnostic test, which is tomorrow morning.

He told us lots of positive info. For example, your numbers are low, and your weight gain indicates that if you do have cf you will fall into a group of 10% of those with cf with sufficient pancreas function. There have also been great advancements in the world of cf. The quality of life is greatly improved and these days with proper management, a normal life can be lived, and the advancements indicate that a normal life span is possible if you do have it.

If you do have Cystic Fibrosis, you need to remember a few things. IF it is positive... You are a healthy girl who happens to have CF. You will have to be slightly more diligent in taking care of yourself, but you don't have to worry about limitations. You can do anything you decide to. You are beautiful and amazing. You are the best thing to happen to me and your Daddy.

My cousin Mandy sent me these two links that have been amazing today.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=T0ip40j82ws&feature=youtube_gdata_player&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DT0ip40j82ws%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata_player

http://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/ces-devotionals/2013/01?lang=eng&vid=2201224691001

Especially the broadcast is amazing. I just want you to have faith that if you do have this trial, we will 
All be fine, and your daddy and I are here to support you 100%. We love you and are so grateful you
chose to come to us. You are incredible and strong. We hope this enzyme just happens to be present and isn't 
connected to CF, for our sweet baby's sake. You are perfect in my eyes.

We love you, Princess.