First Day at Creative Dance

Okay, I have to admit that it has always been my dream to have a little girl who loved to go to dance lessons as much as I did (and whould love to still do). Well, I thought for sure my little Drama Queen would easily turn into a Dancing Queen...I was so wrong!

Reghan had her first day of Creative Dance class last Tuesday. The class is only a half hour long. It is full of three-year-old girls. So, I got my little girl all dressed in her beautiful outfit complete with a bun and a ballet bow. We headed off to class with Reghan's big cousin Kennedy in tow. Kennedy takes ballet from the same dance studio and so I thought it would be a good idea to have Kennedy attend the first class to help Reghan get used to the new place.

I was so wrong and all of my "expectations" of the first day were turned upside down by my beautifully dressed drama queen! Reghan would have NOTHING to do with dance class. The first half of the class I spent chasing her back into the dance studio. She was laying on the floor yelling at me to go home. The second half of the class Rehgan spend sitting on the bench inside of the classroom with Kennedy. By that time I had to be thankful that she was sitting there watching the other girls dance and not out yelling at me.

At the end of class the other little girls were given a sticker for their participation and Reghan was not. Of all the things to bother her the most about class was the fact that she did not get a sticker! I was glad that the teacher did not give her once because it gave me a chance to talk to my three-year-old about having to do what Miss Joy says to get a sticker.

Now I am quickly realizing that tomorrow is Tuesday again and she has class again! This time I am praying that she will at least step onto the dance floor. I guess I have learned my lesson about having expecations for a three-year-old. Here are some of the pictures I was able to get.

Big cousin getting the little ballerina buckled up into her carseat. On our way to class. Still happy (for the moment)

Rehgan just realized that she was the only one without a sticker!

Reghan + Camping = Pure Happiness

Robbie and drove up to Pinecrest last night to pick up Reghan. She had been camping with Granddad, Grammie and her two cousins. Reghan was not too thrilled to see us arrive at the campsite. She was not sure she wanted to go home. I can tell you that even after one night of camping my pretty little girl looked like a true camper. She was dirty, messy hair and smelled like the woods and campfire.

Robbie and I ate dinner with them and got to hear story after story of how much fun Reghan had had. They hiked half way around Pinecrest Lake and back. Reghan walked the entire way. They went to the outside movie and she slept through it. Reghan and Kennedy slept in the bed above Grammie and Granddad's bed and early Tuesday morning Reghan woke up the entire trailer with a bang. She feel off the bed and landed ontop of Granddad's chest. It scared the life out of Granddad and Grammie. Granddad finally was able to get a flashlight so he could make sure Reghan was okay and much to their surprise Reghan was still sound asleep. She fell a good five feet and slept right through it! That's my girl!

This morning after we got up and started moving around the house I asked Reghan if she would like to take her bath. She quickly replied back "not yet Mommy, I like my campin' smell". Well, after much begging I finally got her in the bath for a good post-camp scrubbing. I will post pictures of the camping event once the other campers return home and I actually have pictures. I think I truly have a camping girl! It's okay though, we can resolve it by Robbie taking Reghan camping and I will find a nice hotel to "camp" in.

Cleaning Solutions

Well, this may come as a surprise for some of you, but I have ventured into the relm of "organic" cleaning products. I know, I never thought I would be here either. The economy and trying to save money has forced me to try to find a way to make the cleaning products in my house a smaller part of my household budget without sacrificing cleaning power. Folks, I think I actually did it. My new "weapon" of choice is vinegar. Yes, you heard me right, vinegar. Just plain white (super cheap). About a week ago I purchased a gallon of vinegar at Winco for $2. I have to admit I am not a fan of the smell, but I have found that it goes away in about ten seconds after spraying it. I filled up a spray bottle and started cleaning. So far I have found that it cleans the kitchen, fridge, toys, tv, bathroom and carpet. If something is really dirty then I can add baking soda (just like in jr high science class) and the bubbles start removing the grease. I tried it on the bbq and it actually worked.

Okay, now on to my next "natural" and cheap product. I have discovered how to make a mask that my sensitive skin actually responds well to. I promise you cannot get any cheaper than this for a moisturizing mask. Here is my secret recipe...1 table spoon of plain/vanillia yogurt mixed with 1 tablespoon of honey. If you want a thicker mask then you can add a table spoon of rolled oats.

Well, now I am off to finish cleaning my house. The true test will be if Robbie comes home from work and asks what the funny smell is in here. Have a great day!

Two Kidneys CONFIRMED!!

Yes, it is true! Reghan does have two kidneys and they have been offically confirmend today!! Both are growing and look perfect. I am in shock still. Today was Reghan's annual ultrasound appointment to check the kidney/kidneys and the technician immediatly found the right kidney that had not been there the first two years of her life. There is no question about it that this kidney is present and has grown since last years ultrasound where it was first discovered.

We have quickly realized over the past year that the medical community has no explaniation for the creation and growth of this right kidney. The body itself is not able to create kidney cells once a baby is formed in the womb. It is physically impossible.

As Christians, Robbie and I know that God has created this kidney just for Reghan when she needed it most in her life! It is a true, modern day miracle in every sense. Reghan's doctor, Dr. Eden, believes it too. How else does a kidney form after birth yet in a two-year-old? There is no way it can happen unless God creates it. We have been praising God over the last year for this new kidney. This has allowed her to have seizure medication that she would not have been able to tolerate if she only had one.

My mom went to the appointment with Reghan and me. In the past Reghan has struggled through the ultrasound appointments and now she is even stronger. Last year it took my mom, another tech and me to hold her down for the ultrasound that ended up taking two hours to complete. This time was much better (another God thing). She cuddled up to me and let the tech look for the kidneys. She even got excited when the right kidney was found. The tech was kind and compassionate towards Reghan.

As soon as the appointment was over and we got the news we ran to Pier 1 (the closest store to Kaiser) and purchased a picture frame to frame the two kidney pictures. Now they are proudly displayed on the wall in our entry. Every time I look at them I am reminded how good our God truely is! Reghan is our miracle!

Birthday Pictures

Yes, it is true...Reghan is turning 3 on the 25th! The past year has sure flown by and she is no longer a baby. She is offically a little girl. Potty trainned and all. Reghan will be starting dance in June and hopefully preschool in September (first on waiting list).

Reghan has not been to any doctor since January! This is the longest she has gone in her lifetime. Her and I both are enjoying the break from the semingly constant line up of doctor and specialists appointments she had for so long.

Yesterday, Reghan and I met Jana at Stanislaus State to take Reghan's third birthday pictures. Jana did such a great job! She is talented in so many ways including behind her hi-tech camera. Thanks Jana for blessing us with these great pictures! You are a great auntie, friend and sister. Here are some of the pictures. It was hard to narrow it down to my favorites since she took 175 of Reghan. My friend Tiffany Sill made Reghan's tutu! It is adorable and Reghan loves it. You can see all of Tiffany's amazing creations by checking out her site http://www.prettylittlethingsboutique.com/ . Thanks Tiffany!

Parade Article

Yesterday my mom called to tell me about an article in the Sunday Parade that comes out with the Modesto Bee each week. I had glanced at the article before she called, but did not pay much attention to it. The article is about Susan Axelrod and her child who is now 27 years old who lives with seizures. Most of her life the daugter, Lauren, lived with uncontrollable seizures until a new "miracle" drug was approved and placed onto the market by the FDA. This drug is Keppra. The same drug Reghan is on to control her seizures.

For Lauren, just as with Reghan, Keppra immediatly changed her life. It stopped her seizures and allowed her to regain the ground that she lost due to the disorder. From what I have been told, Keppra actually heals the neurons that are mis-firing in the brain causing the seirzures. From what I have read, Lauren will never be able to be off her meds, but Reghan has hope. Within the next few months Reghan should be able to be taken off the Keppra and be medication free for the first time in two years. Since surgery in December, Reghan has not had any "episodes" of seizures, night terrors, or sleep apnea. She is now sleeping WELL!!!! Thank God!

Okay, I hope what I am writing makes sense. I found the article intersting and you can read it by visiting www.parade.com. The article is titled "I must save my child".

Reghan on Meds

This picture was taken the night before the big surgery day. We spent time in downtown Alameda.

Here are the pictures that I promised from Reghan's surgery day. These were taken after she took the medication that made her act drunk. She was laughing uncontrollably and singing. She was not able to hold her own head up by the time I had to walk her down to the OR. We were laughing along with her. It took some of the anxiety away for a few moments.

Reghan has recovered perfectly! She amazes us constantly. No bleeding and no real complications. She has also had NO seizures or night terrors since! Life continues to get better around here.

As for me, Laurie, I am hobbling around the house today on crutches. I may spend the next few days on them too. Last night I went out into the garage in the dark with no shoes on to get something out of my car. Well, I stepped on a stack of construction staples for a staple gun. They went all the way into my foot. I managed to pull them out before Robbie made it out to help me. My foot is swollen and is very painful. And to top it off, I had an allergic reaction to the pain medication last night and had to spend all morning drugged on Benedryl. It has been such a wonderful day. I have a doctors appointment for tomorrow incase it is not better. I am really hoping it does not get infected.

Well, that's the update for now. Oh, yes, Reghan went snow skiing for the first time on Saturday. She was amazing! She actually managed to ski a little on her own by the end of the day. Robbie and Reghan road the chair lift and skied down many times. I think I now have a ski bunny. Robbie proved to be a great teacher. I will post pictures when I can.