Friday, August 28, 2009

Some of Eric's Thoughts

Let me explain a little something. First off, I have tried to stay out of politics for the last few years because it did nothing but upset me and I really didn't feel like I could do anything to make a difference. With that said, I begrudgingly starting researching about health care because it impacts me directly as I want to become a doctor. I started my research by questioning first hand the Doctors and Surgeons in the Operating Room at Alaska Regional Hospital where I work. The question I asked the docs was, "What would health care reform (like it reads now) do to you?" In EVERY case the doctors have told me it would damage or ruin health care as we know it. Most expect their average yearly income to be cut in half due to reduced compensation for procedures. Tell me how a doctor who has spent his life 10 years plus....studying and working to practice medicine is supposed to get by on half of what he make now and still owes on average $150,000 in medical school loans. I will take a break here so you can listen to one of my favorite messages about health care reform......watch the video below.



After watching that....ARE YOU KIDDING ME? I'll let you decide if that sounds like the direction we want our county heading in.

To change the tune just a little bit. Medicare was started in 1965 and was allotted a budget of 50 million dollars. Not 45 years later Medicare now has a budget of 400 billion dollars. Do YOU want to do the math? This is how the government runs programs. Tell me how the government will run a health care "option" any better that this? In the Canadian province of British Columbia their public health program which provides health care for all of its citizens now consumes 2/3 of their federal budget. It started out cheaper....but bureaucrats can't run businesses. One final example of how awesomely big this proposal is can be seen in the UK. The three largest employers in the WORLD are 1st the Red Army in China (3 million employed), 2nd the Indian Railway (1.4 million workers), and 3rd UK's pubic health care system in which 2 out 3 are administrators. Tell me how efficient and cost reducing that system as to be.

Anyway, if you feel strongly about this do something...email or call a senator or representative... I have... tell a friend some fact that is outrageous. Or if nothing else just become a little more informed so you are not surprised when things like this start happening. Comment if you want more information or if you have some info of your own. Things could be changed but change the things that will actually make a difference. Tort reform would save billions and lower insurance premiums. Preventative care is the GRAND KEY to cutting health care costs. At Alaska Regional Hospital we do 20-50 surgical cases daily. From my point of view it is obvious to see that the great majority of the patients we treat are obese. It just causes problems. Joints wear out, hearts wear out, they are not healthy. These are things that would change health care and reform it into something I could one day be proud to be a part of.

Friday, August 21, 2009

4 Months!


I seriously cannot believe Chase is 4 months old this week! Didn't I just come home from the hospital with him last week? So much has happened since he was born and we've been so busy that its just been a blur. But that doesn't mean I haven't made time to enjoy my sweet baby, he is such a good little man and always so happy! He is such a joy to have in the family, and Ethan enjoys his brother as well!

He had his 4 month check-up yesterday and here are his stats:
Height- 27.5 in (greater than 97th percentile)
Weight- 16 lb 3 oz (75th percentile)
Head size- 40 cm (50th percentile)

Ethan was 18 lbs at a year, Chase is so much bigger than he was at this age and he goes through clothes a lot faster! I'm sure it won't be too long before they are sharing clothes.
In honor of his 4 month birthday, we decided to try him on some rice cereal. Success!! He loved it! Ethan was never a fan so this is a good change.




Every time Chase wakes up Ethan asks to get in the crib with him and they lay and laugh at each other for a few minutes. Both like to such on their fingers :)
I'm so lucky to have 2 (well, 3) boys!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Chase face

Chase has the best sad face ever, and we've labeled it the Chase face.
Doesn't that just make you want to cry? :)

I just can't get enough of this cute little boy! So I thought I'd share.

About to sneeze, it was funny that I took a picture right then...

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Strong man!!


Just after a big diaper blowout today (hence the no clothing) I rolled Chase onto his stomach and he all of a sudden was able to hold his head up and prop himself up on his arms! Now hopefully tummy time will be a little more enjoyable. He'll be 4 months in another week, he's getting so big!


Jayme's Shower

For those of you who don't know, my little sister Jayme is getting married!! We had a bridal shower for her last week, and it turned out AMAZING! I helped a little with the invitations but all of the credit goes to Tammy Hogge for the incredible way it turned out! We had it at Kim Lowry's house, and when I walked in the day of it was completely transformed. Jayme's fiance Cody is a farm boy from Idaho so naturally we played up the theme, The Farmer Takes A Wife. She spend so much time on it and it really paid off. Here are the results:

Tammy's husband matt painted the barn-- it took up her entire wall!

Woman of the day- Tammy! She didn't want me to take a picture and I'm sure she'll kill me for posting this one, but here it is. Love you Tam! :)

More helpers- Allie and Linda Shriver
Lemonade in real cups...or jars
She brought in a hay bale and saddle and everything

So many little details!

Tons of amazing "down home" food

The cupcakes to take home after looked like sun flowers and even had M&Ms painted to look like ladybugs!
Thanks to all who came it was way fun, and CONGRATS JAYME!!!

Monday, August 3, 2009

Mini Tour

We have moved into our new place! It's nice not to commute into town anymore, or be between 2 houses. We're not all the way moved in, but we're working on that a little at a time. We've been slowly collecting furniture and things from people we know (thank you!!!) and garage sales to fill the unfurnished home we are renting. So for right now I'll show just pictures of the upstairs, where we live and where its organized :).
Upstairs there are 3 bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, and a big living room, and downstairs is a big open area that reminds me of a studio apartment, with laundry and a bathroom. It's definitely an older home but I'm not complaining because of all the space we have.

Don't you just love all the red carpet? Kidding....


Recognize the couch, Grandpa and Grandma?!



So thats the living area, with Ethan eating breakfast in the background.

Chase- 3.5 months and happy as can be! He's such a smiling kid, and laughs every time his big brother comes around.

Intently eating cereal
Sorry I got distracted by some cute kids in the middle of the tour... to continue:
Here's the kitchen, very old stove (all the printing on the dials are worn off so you can't read the temperatures) but the fridge and dishwasher are new.

The deck out back-- and we got a grill for free on Craigslist just because the push igniter doesn't work!

A crib we got a smoking deal for at a garage sale, and Mom Rindy bought the bedding-- thanks you guys!!
Close-up of the quilt.