More good news

Raegan has made so much progress in the last few months, that she gets to take a break from physical therapy for a few months. We are hoping that this break will give Raegan time to figure things out on her own, and let her sharpen the skills that she all ready has. She is crawling, pulling up, and walking around the coffee table. It took 7 months of physical therapy to get this far, but it has all been worth it. I always wondered when we would get to the point when we had to move the dogs water and food bowl! Amy had said that she would work with Raegan until she was mobile, I told Amy that it might be a while. Thank you Amy for sticking with Raegan and helping us get this far.

Hearing Test part 2

So Raegans hearing is fine, the only issue is the in her right ear the sound is delayed by a few seconds. We will continue to follow up with the doctor to make sure things are fine.

Hearing Test

Today is a big day, I am taking Raegan up to Doernbecher fora special hearing test. Raegan will be sedated and then they will do an Auditory brainstem response (ABR) test. For this test, tiny earphones are placed in the ear canals and small electrodes (which look like small stickers) are placed behind the ears and on the forehead. Usually, click-type sounds are introduced through the earphones, and the electrodes measure the hearing nerve's response to the sounds. A computer averages these responses and displays waveforms.With these test results they can see how much hearing loss Raegan has. This will help us to determine if she needs speech theraphy, or made hearing aids. I will let everyone know how it goes when we get home tonight.

10/31/2009

Happy Halloween!!

Raegan Crawling

Halloween Costume Pictures

Looking back

I thought I post a picture of Raegan from last year and this year. Looking back at the last year I am amazed at how much Raegan has grown. (5lbs 7oz then, 18lbs 3oz now)

Pumpkin Pie Bites

I came across this recipe for these pumpkin pie bites and thought I would try it out. I just got done making them and they turned out great. I hope everyone will like them.

Of course, it didn’t hurt that I used ready to roll refrigerated pie crust. It comes two to a box and if you roll each round pie crust a little bit thinner with a rolling pin, you can get 24 mini pumpkin-shaped pie crusts out of them. Make sure you use all the dough scraps and re-roll to maximize quantities. Then, stuff each one in a mini muffin baking pan. This one holds 24.

Press the dough down, in and around the edge of each muffin cup. Make sure the stem for the pumpkin stays sticking out. You’ll notice I alternated cups above. I did this mainly to make sure the pie crusts didn’t touch each other. So I ended up baking these in two batches. Fill each pie crust with pumpkin filling all the way to the top.

When they come out of the oven, they’ll be puffed up like this. Too bad they didn’t stay that way. That would be pretty darn cute. But no, after they cool for a few, they’ll fall and be flush with the pie crust.

Pumpkin Pie Bites

2 refrigerated ready-to roll pie crusts

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 cup sugar
1 cup canned pumpkin
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
Pumpkin-shaped cookie cutter

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Use cookie cutter to cut 12 pumpkin shapes from each pie crust. You will need to roll the dough thinner than it comes out of the box.
Press dough shapes into a 24 cup mini muffin tray. (Make 12 at a time, alternating cups to make sure pie crusts don’t overlap each other.)
Apply egg whites from one egg to the top edges of each pie.
Mix cream cheese, sugar, canned pumpkin, remaining 2 eggs, vanilla and pumpkin pie spice together until thoroughly combined.
Spoon mixture into each pumpkin-shaped pie crust.
Bake for 12-15 minutes.
Remove pies to cool and repeat with second pie crust. Place the muffin tray in the freezer to cool it quickly for re-use.

Makes 24 pies. Keep refrigerated.

Pumpkin pie spice is a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and allspice.

Enjoy!

You can check out Bakerella.com for the full recipe.

Christmas Countdown

I found these great tips for Christmas over at Simplemom.net. They are posting a new article every Friday counting down the weeks till Christmas. Only 9 weeks left!

Love Christmas, but hate the chaos? I’m with you. It’s a shame that the holiday created to focus on the birth of Christ somehow means overspending, crowded malls, and constant busyness. It shouldn’t be this way.

I’m all for holiday traditions, but only if they’re done sanely. Each year, Simple Mom starts exactly 12 weeks before Christmas and delivers one small task to do each week. In doing this, we’re eliminating the need to do these tasks all at once in December, which makes the holiday of peace much too stressful. You can still enjoy the height of the season and relish in the little delights that Christmas brings. You just need to plan ahead, so that those things don’t make your end of the year a chaotic train to Busyville.

Plan ahead, and enjoy the season sanely.

2009 Checklist

12. Prepare Your Holiday Budget – October 2
11. Gather Your Addresses and Plan Your “Greetings” – October 9
10. Start (or finish!) Gift Shopping – October 16
9. Make Plans to Give Back – October 23
8. Inventory Your Decor and Watch for Sales – October 30
7. Finalize Your Family’s Holiday Calendar – November 6
6. Prepare a New Family Tradition – November 13
5. Get Your Christmas Cards and Address the Envelopes – November 20
4. Decorate for Christmas – November 27
3. Make Meal Plans; Batch Cook and Freeze Meals – December 4
2. Make and Freeze Cookie Dough and any Food Gifts – December 11
1. Prepare for guests, or Prepare to be a Guest – December 18
0. Celebrate! – December 25

Build A Bear

Today we went to Build a Bear to build a very special bear. We wanted to go today too celebrate Raegan being home for one year and to make something the Raegan could remember her grandpa by. I wanted Raegan to be able to take grandpa where ever she went. So I put some of my dads ashes in a special container and then when we built the bear we put the container inside the bear. Now Raegan can hug grandpa whenever she wants.

Dear Raegan,

Today marks one year since you came home from the NICU. You spent 105 days there after being born 10 weeks early, weighing only 1lb 9oz. Today you weigh 18lbs 3oz and your 26in long. You have come so far in the last year. Your birth 15 months ago was the most painful, intense, passionate and beautiful experience of my life. I can hardly remember what life was like before you arrived. A little more empty, a little more selfish I suppose.

This last year has been the greatest and most challenging year of my life. All my life I worked for others - as a student I worked for my parents and my teachers, then once I graduated I worked for bosses and employers. It wasn't until you arrived that I found true happiness and peace within myself, gaining a sense of fulfillment and meaning that no report card or annual salary could ever provide. Becoming a stay-at-home mom was the best decision I ever made.

You are a thriving, beautiful, strong, bright, happy little girl who is deeply loved. You bring to much joy to my day. I am less stressed, less anxious, and more myself than I have ever been. We have not been perfect parents, but parenthood is life's greatest learning experience and you cannot learn without making mistakes. It's been quite an adventure since you arrived. We've shared sleepless nights, loving bottle feedings, and countless firsts, tears, giggles, cuddles and more firsts than most people thought you would have. Your my miracle.

My dad told me the love I'd feel for you would be unlike any other love, and it wasn't until you were born that I truly understood. My love for you is stronger, purer, less selfish, more giving, and more forgiving than any love I've experienced.

As you grow and become the brilliant, kind, beautiful woman I know you'll become, I have only a few hopes for you. I hope that you are able to know yourself and stay true to yourself no matter what. I hope you find happiness in life no matter where the road may lead. I hope you are fulfilled, balanced, spiritual, and at peace with who you are and the decisions you make. I hope you make tons of mistakes but that you aren't too hard on yourself for them, as it's really the only way to learn and to live life to the fullest. I hope you know that I will always love you - no matter what.

As for me, I hope to give you the freedom to express yourself, to make your own decisions, and to make plenty of mistakes. I hope to encourage you every step of the way, even if what you want for your future differs from what I want for you. I hope to teach you to explore, to learn, to trust your instincts, and to stay true to your beliefs even if they conflict with my own. I hope to nurture and guide you as you grow, to help you find yourself so that you know and love who you are - not who I want you to be.

I have tried my best this past year to be the parent you deserve. I thank God every single day for blessing me with you. Thank you Raegan, for showing me who I am, what I want to be, and what it really means to live life.

Love Always,
Mom

Raegan Video

My goal is to get a video of Raegan everyday. I may not post a video everyday, but I will try and post one at least once a week.

We went last Friday to Bizi Farms to get are pumpkins. Raegan really enjoyed the pumpkin patch. I think that Bizi Farms is where we will be going for years to come to get are pumpkins.

Long time

I know it has been a while since I have blogged, but life has been nothing but busy. Over the next few days I am going to be updating my blog, and I am going to start blogging on a regular bases again.

...

Jack L. Johnson, 56 of Vancouver, WA passed away on September 15, 2009 after a long battle with cancer. He leaves behind his wife, Kay, of 35 years, children, Kristine (Jamie) Hoysa, Jack (Sherri) Johnson, Cyndi (Aaron) Witbeck and 8 grand children. He is also survived by his mother, Mary, sister, Cathy (John) Thornton, and brother, Jeff (Kellie) Johnson. Jack’s passions were his family, golf, scuba diving, traveling, camping and his work. A celebration of his life will be on Saturday, September 19 at Mountain View Christian Center, 2810 NE 259th Street, Ridgefield, WA at 1:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers a memorial fund has been set up to support leukemia research at any branch of Columbia Credit Union in Vancouver, WA under Jack L. Johnson Donation Fund.

My Dad

Jack Johnson II, January 14th 1953- September 15th 2009

Last night I lost my dad in his battle with cancer. I know that my dad was a great man, and a hero to many. My dad has left a lasting impression in all of out hearts. He will be missed, but never forgotten.

Thank you everyone for you thoughts and prayers.

Happy Birthday

Happy 1st Birthday Raegan!!!

Count down

It's hard to think that Raegan is going to be 1 year old in 9 days. This year has gone by so fast. It has been a good and bad year all wrapped into one. I can say as a person I have really been tested this last year to see how much I could really handle. With everything I have had to handle it has given me a new out look on life. I am so grateful for everyday I have with Raegan, besides medical struggles, I couldn't have asked for a better baby.

I know it has been a few weeks since I have blogged, but I have nothing but busy. On June 2nd my dad was admitted to the hospital to start chemo, to get him ready for his bone marrow transplant. He has been doing great up there, and will have his bone marrow transplant around the 6th of July. Raegan and I haven't been up to visit him in about 3 weeks, since her and I have been sick. The week after he went to the hospital Raegan got sick, and had a high fever followed by a really low temp, so I took her to the emergency room just to make sure there wasn't a problem with her shunt. After a long day with lots of test's she got the all clear and got to come home. Then this last week I got really sick and ended up at the emergency room myself. Turns out that I had strep. After two trips to the doctor, and a trip to the ER I am feeling better. Why does strep have to take such a toll on a person? I think back about 5 years ago to the last time I had strep, and I remember having it for over 16 days, and being so sick. Having my gallbladder out, and a c-section was not even as bad as strep.

Well Raegan is starting to fuss, so I better get going. I am hoping this week Raegan and I will continue to feel better, since next week is going to be a big week, oh and we really want to go see grandpa!

Bath Time

Raegan's favorite time of day, bath time!

Movies

Raegan playing!


Raegan grabbing her toes and laughing!

Pictures

This picture was taken on Saturday June 6th

Carrot any one

Raegan eating a carrot!

Robin

We have a Robin who has made her nest in our cherry tree. Over the last few weeks we have been checking the nest to see how many eggs she has laid. It was two, then three and now there is four eggs in her nest. I can't wait tell the little babies hatch!

Happy Mothers Day

Raegan on mothers day!

Cinco de Mayo

I was a day early for Cinco de Mayo. I made taco's for dinner last night, and tonight is pasta with garlic bread! I should have planned the weekly menu a little better. I guess there is always next year!

So I am trying to figure out what the weather is going to do today. It was sunny when I got up, then it was cloudy, and now the sun is back out. I am waiting for Raegan to get up from her nap and the weather to stay nice so we can go for a walk. I am going to keep my fingers crossed. Oh the joys of living in the northwest!

I thought I would give a little update on Raegan. She is getting so big, 10 months old and weighing 14 pounds. The last 10 months have gone by so fast, yet so slow. I am going to have to start planning her 1st birthday here soon.

Well I hear Raegan waking up, so I have to get going. I have new pictures that I will try to post later today.

31 Cent Scoop Night

Join us for 31 Cent Scoop Night at Baskin-Robbins®

and help us honor America’s firefighters with a $100,000
donation to the National Volunteer Fire Council (NVFC)
National Junior Firefighter Program.

Participating stores will reduce prices of small ice cream
scoops to 31 cents*. At some locations, you may also have
an opportunity to make a donation to local fire charities.

Everyone is invited!!!

Click here to visit the Baskin-Robbins website

High Chair

I found a high chair for Raegan today at a consignment sale. The one I got her retails for $120, and I only paid $40. I am very excited. Raegan also enjoyed sitting in it. She still not eating solids, but one of these days she will be eating in her high chair!

Sayde is licking her toes!

Pictures

Raegan sleeping on the boat!

Aaron was brave and rode on the tube. The water was only 60 degrees.

Pictures of Raegan out enjoying the swing in our backyard!

Always chewing on her thumb! One of these days those teeth will come in!!!

Pictures

These pictures were taken last weekend on the new swing in our back yard.

Park

Raegan on the Swing at the park!

The last few weeks have been very busy are our house. We have had nice weather and we are trying to spend as much time as we can outside enjoying it. This weekend we did yard work at my parents, and then came home and planted a garden in our backyard. I don't have much space that gets sun all day so I got very creative with my planting. The veggies are planted in the dogs old kiddie swimming pool, the strawberries are planted in an old wagon that I found at my parents while doing yard work, and the herbs are planted in pots. We also brought home a swing from my parents house. It needed to washed down, but now it looks great and Raegan loves to go out and swing on it.

Raegan has had a lot of firsts in the last few days.

• She sat up twice on her own for about two minutes each time.
• She started grabbing her feet.
• She went to the park, and loved swinging on the swings.
• She went out on the neighbors boat last night and loved it.

Raegan is doing so much these days, she has been shaking her head no. I have been signing to her since she came home from the hospital and she is now starting to sign milk and eat. She doesn't do it all the time, and some times I wonder if that's what she is doing. She does understand what the signs mean and gets excited when I do them. For now we do the basics, but as she gets older I will start signing more.

I am trying to think of everything that has been going on. Raegan is 9 1/2 months old and her weight is at 13lbs, and she is 23 inches long. She did have a little cold about 2 weeks ago, but is over that and feeling great. She had an eye doctor appointment on Monday and the doctor said her eyes look great and she wont have to go back for a year.

I enjoy everyday with Raegan and look forward to the many more firsts that she will have.

Raegan and a few of her friends at the park (she is the oldest)!

Ladybug Cupcakes

Ladybug Cupcakes

Ingredients:

• 1 can (16 oz) vanilla frosting
• Green food coloring
• 12 unfrosted cupcakes baked in green paper liners
• ½ cup green decorating sugar
• 12 green gumdrops
• 3 Tbsp granulated white sugar
• Red food coloring
• ½ cup red decorating sugar
• 12 Mallomars
• ½ can (1 cup) chocolate frosting
• 24 brown M&M's Minis
• 1 Tbsp chocolate sprinkles

What you'll need:

• A rolling pin or a heavy bottle
• Kitchen shears or scissors
• 1 resealable sandwich-size plastic bag (Ziploc)

For the leaf cupcakes:

1. Tint 1 cup of the vanilla frosting green with the green food coloring.
2. Spread the green frosting evenly on top of the cupcakes.
3. Place the green decorating sugar into a small bowl. Roll the edge of each cupcake in the green sugar to coat.
4. Using a rolling pin or a clean, heavy bottle, roll out the green gumdrops in the granulated white sugar to flatten. Using kitchen shears or clean scissors, cut each flattened gumdrop into 2 leaves. Arrange the leaves on one edge of a cupcake. Repeat with the remaining gumdrops and cupcakes.

For the ladybugs:

1. Tint 1 cup of the vanilla frosting with the red food coloring.
2. Spoon the red sugar into a small bowl.
3. Cover each Mallomar with red frosting. Roll each frosted Mallomar in red sugar to coat completely.
4. Place one sugar-coated Mallomar on each leaf cupcake.

For the decoration:

1. Spoon the chocolate frosting into a resealable plastic bag and snip a small corner of the bag. Pipe a line of chocolate frosting down the center of the red cookie; pipe an oval onto the front of the red cookie for the ladybug's head.
2. Place 2 brown M&M's Minis on either side of the chocolate line; stick 2 chocolate sprinkles upright into the ladybug's frosting head.
3. Continue with the remaining cupcakes.

I found the recipe for these cute cupcakes at Parenting.com.

Tax Day

Today is April 15th 2009, Happy Tax Day! I hope everyone got there taxes done, or what they needed to get done to file them later. I wanted to share with everyone that many eateries are offering great freebies and Dinning Deals . I have found and compiled a list for you (thank you 24/7 moms) - Be sure to check with your local eatery to be sure they are participating in the listed deal.

Cinnabon will be giving away FREE CinnaBites on April 15, 2009, from 5 to 8 PM. This offer is only good at mall bakeries and not at airport or travel plazas

Dunkin Dounts makes Tax day little sweeter with FREE donuts on April 15th, 2009 Tax Dunkin Dounts is offering a free donut with any coffee purchase.



Taco Del Mar is giving away FREE tacos. On April 15, 2009Taco Del Mar will run a promotion: "Taxes Suck. Tacos Don't." at its 275 restaurants in the West. You can register at the Taco Del Mar website for an e-mailed coupon for a free tax day taco.



Papa John's Tax Day Pizza Special- Get a large cheese pizza and add up to three free toppings for only $10.40 when you order online at Papa John's Valid until midnight at participating stores. ON April 15, 2009



T.G.I. Friday's will give customers $5 Bonus Bites gift cards for food and beverage purchases of $15 to $25 and $10 cards for those who spend more than $25. Members of the 1,000-outlet chain's frequent-customer program also will get double points. On April 15th, 2009.



P.F. Chang's China Bistro is giving 15% off your bill on Tax day April 15, 2009.



McCormick & Schmick's will be giving every tax payer on April 15, 2009 a $10.41 dinner certificate to use towards future meal and re also offering a selection of meals for only $10.40. Call ahead to be sure they are offering this at your local McCormick & Schmick's.