Goings On

It is definitely the start of cold and flu season around here. Reagan just got over her third cold in a little over a month and now Katya has a nasty cough which developed into a fever this afternoon. Reagan has gotten more illnesses then Katya which makes sense since she has had less time to develop her acquired immune system. It always amazes me how well kids handle the minor illnesses. Nights are often the worst but then they are ready to play! Katya has had a bad cough for a few days now so I was surprised when she wanted to lay down this afternoon at 12pm (NOT like her!) and woke up with a fever. Poor baby! Craig thinks he might have brought the germs home because some of his co-workers have had bad coughs lately. I am impressed with how well my immune system has fought the bugs that the kids have been getting. Again, our good old acquired immune system at work!

Yesterday we took the kids to Kelly Point Park. Here is my sweet Katya:



Katya impresses me with the amount of empathy she has for others. Reagan bonked her head pretty bad the other day and Katya ran over to kiss and snuggle Reagan with me. When I occasionally take off my seat belt to reach for something one of the kids needs, Katya always tells me "Be careful mommy!" She is definitely the oldest child!

Reagan is happily falling into the little sister roll. She is copying her sister a lot these days, both the good and the bad. She loves to make us all laugh and of course, is talking up a storm. She is walking more and more and while she still crawls a little, it feels like it is about time we mark down that milestone in her baby book!



We purchased a year membership to the Portland Children's Museum instead of to OMSI a few weeks back. We decided the change of pace would be nice and it is so great to have somewhere like that to go to through the rainy months. We have already about paid for the membership with the amount of visits. Pretty fun!

My favorite diaper, Bum Genius Elemental (i.e. Organic all-in-one).


I am almost done filling out an application for a retail sales associate at the new Cotton Babies store that is opening in Vancouver. I would love to work for that company, as you all know, but I am a bit hesitant because it will be hard to fit it in my schedule. Of course, I have Sat and Sundays open but then we would never have time as a family and that is really important to us. But I think I will apply anyways and see what happens. Unfortunately, I would not make enough there for Craig to quit Widmer but that would be a possibility after a future Dow raise. It would replace the income I was bringing in watching Sterling, which is not essential but is really nice. Mostly, it would be something I would enjoy and it makes me feel good to contribute to our household finances.

The only other news here is that I have finally gotten into the dentist (first time since Bozeman) and have an appointment to get my wisdom teeth pulled. Goody. The dentist said I could fill the cavities and save them but there is a possibility of needing a root canal. I decided just to pull them and be done with it. We have good dental insurance and the extractions will be free. I am bringing Katya with me to my cleaning appointment in a few weeks and then we will be making her an appointment.

I hope everyone has had a nice weekend. Love and prayers to all!

Olympia visit

The playhouse is coming along! Larry and Grandma decided to re-shingle the playhouse instead of trying to restore the old ones (which would have been pretty tricky). Grandma thinks that the playhouse was probably originally unpainted cedar like the old house and that her parents likely pained it white to match the new house when it was built. Regardless, it sure looks cute and the girls had a blast playing in it.

Katya loved running back and forth between the house and the playhouse.

Grandma's friend gave her a box of these funny little plastic toys. The kids had fun with them!

Such a little Reagan, crying every time I left the room. The next day she was asking for "baba" (she means Grandma) all day long!

Classic Katya look!



Through the glass...


Another 'through the glass' shot that is reflecting the porch railing, my coffee cup, and the senery behind me. I like this photo.

Grandma Bev reading stories.

So fun!


We had a lovely, albeit short visit. Katya did great sleeping in the bed in the computer room. I offered for her to sleep with me in the guest bed but she didn't want to. That is my independent girl! Next time I am up I will have to remember my sewing project:0)

Ryan's party weekend

We are home safe and sound from a weekend in Seattle and then Olympia. The party for Ryan was very fun and it was great seeing everyone. I have not yet announced on the blog but Ryan and Shannan found out a few weeks ago that they are expecting twin boys! It was fun hearing name ideas and their plans for making their small house work with 3 children. Ryan and Allen arrived to the party after minivan shopping, a difficult thing for Ryan (or pretty much anyone in our generation) to accept. But there are just no good options for fitting 3 car seats. Craig and I are thinking a lame minivan is in our future. Practicality wins out over ego in this house.

Our poor Jeep has been looking kind of sad lately with the mechanical window broken and dirt everywhere from our camping trips. Last night Craig was able to install the new motor for the window and it works great! Saved us lots of money, yeah Craig! Today I changed the oil, checked fluid levels and vacuumed out the interior. I hope to wash it tomorrow or the next day. Much better:0)

Here are some Seattle pictures from our trip. I will post Olympia pictures separately.

Japaneses Maple in Doug and Sharon's front yard.

Addison, Katya and I had so much fun playing hide and seek!

Addison and a dahlia from Sharon and Doug's beautiful garden.

Our Blessed Mother statue at the Harkins home (Shannan's folks).

Katya on a trike and Reagan behind. They had so much fun with all the great toys!

Ryan and his mom enjoying the refreshing taste of the Rockies (a rarity for Deborah, we had to capture the moment!).

Miss Reagan playing on the driveway.

Ryan and Craig (slow shutter speed, "No blinking Ryan!).

Miss Payton Loreane.

Happy Birthday Uncle Scott!!!

A big happy bithday hug to my wonderful brother-in-law Scott! We love you SO much! If your gift from us hasn't made it to Hanford yet, it will be there soon:0)

Black and White

The girls and I had such a fun morning at the park on Tuesday. They look so cute pushing their toys up the street. Reagan with lion and Katya with her baby and stroller. I played with some of the functions on my camera and taught myself a few things. Very fun! I have always really loved black and white. I am not sure if there is a benefit of shooting in black and white verse changing the image to black and white after. But it was good to play with settings. Here are some of my favorites.



I really like the next three.



Reagan had the cutest little smirk here....if only her face was clean! Dang!


Here is a monochrome photo with a yellow 'filter,' digital filter that is.

Rett Syndrome Strollerthon!

Most readers know who Suzanne is, and how we know her, and her two wonderful daughters Alex and Hannah. For those who don't; she met Cindy Tillman and Angie Godfrey in collage at U of P and they have been great friends ever since. I think the first time I met Suzanne was at her 'ladies only' Superbowl party about 8 years ago. Her little brother crashed the party for a few minutes and so that was also the first time I meet Rich. Melanie and Rich started dating a few years after that party and have been together ever since! Some readers may also recognize Suzanne's presence in my life, as she was the chief conspirator behind "Nerf Assassination" and the founder of the book club I attend. I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know Rich, Suzanne and the rest of their family better since we moved back from Montana. They are wonderful people and I look forward to years of friendship with all of them.

Suzanne's 12 year old daughter, Hannah, has Rett Syndrome. Craig and I are participating in a strollerthon to help raise research dollars for Rett's. If you would like to contribute it is very much appreciated. Every little bit helps! You can donate through my fundraising page at: http://www.firstgiving.com/brendafaulkner
Or click on the "Donate Here!" tab at the top right of my blog.

You can also show support by voting for Rett Syndrome through Pepsi Refresh Project. You can find it through International Rett Syndrome Foundation's website at: http://www.rettsyndrome.org/2.html?option=com_content&Itemid=1000 (I vote by logging in through facebook). It goes till the end of this month and you can vote once a day!

My other purpose with this post is increasing awareness of this developmental disorder. Here is a little about Rett's:

*Rett syndrome is a unique developmental disorder that is first recognized in
infancy and seen almost always in girls, but can be rarely seen in boys.
*Rett syndrome has been most often misdiagnosed as autism, cerebral palsy, or non-specific developmental delay
*Rett syndrome is caused by mutations on the X chromosome.
*Rett syndrome strikes all racial and ethnic groups, and occurs worldwide in 1 of
every 10,000 to 23,000 female births.
*Rett syndrome is a developmental disorder. It is not a degenerative disorder.
*Rett syndrome causes problems in brain function that are responsible for
cognitive, sensory, emotional, motor and autonomic function. These can include
learning, speech, sensory sensations, mood, movement, breathing, cardiac function, and even chewing, swallowing, and digestion.
*Rett symptoms appear after an early period of apparently normal or near normal development until six to eighteen months of life, when there is a slowing down or stagnation of skills. A period of regression then follows when she loses communication skills and purposeful use of her hands. Soon, stereotyped hand movements such as handwashing, gait disturbances, and slowing of the normal rate of head growth become apparent. Other problems may include seizures and disorganized breathing patterns while she is awake. In the early years, there may be a period of isolation or withdrawal when she is irritable and cries inconsolably. Over time, motor problems may increase, but in general, irritability lessens and eye contact and communication improve.
*Rett syndrome can present with a wide range of disability ranging from mild to severe. The course and severity of Rett syndrome is determined by the location, type and severity of her mutation and X-inactivation. Therefore, two girls of the same age with the same mutation can appear quite different.
*Rett syndrome presents many challenges, but with love, therapy and assistance, those with the syndrome can benefit from school and community activities well into middle age and beyond. They experience a full range of emotions and show their engaging personalities as they take part in social, educational, and recreational activities at home and in the community. (IRSF, 2008).

Click on following link to veiw a really beautiful and heartbreaking video about Rett's. Be warned, especially for moms with girls, it is very emotional. The video is called Hope for Hannah, which is just an appropriate coincidence (it is not the Hannah we know). Thanks so much for taking time to learn about Rett's!

International Rett Syndrome Foundation, 2008. http://www.rettsyndrome.org/%20%20index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16&Itemid=1000

Park Pictures

Here are some cute pictures of the girls at the park this week. We went downtown a couple of days which is a fun change of pace. I like being downtown, it always makes for some good people watching! We visited Powel's, the huge bookstore and some fun parks. Enjoy!

"Boo!"




I really love this shot of Reagan!

Cotton Babie Butts

After e-mailing my sister Rena about my favorite cloth diapers (she wants to buy some for her sister-in-law) I decided it has been a while since I plugged for cloth diapers on my blog. I realize I am not influencing a large audience, but what the heck. It is something I really love....when our local cloth diaper store was hiring I wished I could apply!

I have been using cloth now for almost 2 years. I have to say that I am happy to only have one baby in cloth now, but really they are not as much trouble as many moms might think. Cloth is the BEST thing on sensitive bums, they are nice on the pocket book and to think of the mounds and mounds of disposables I have saved from the landfills is pretty gratifying. I am no hippy mom; I really got into cloth for the savings but when you think of the gallon bags of nasty, plastic diapers that fill up each week, I think most people would agree. Plus cloth diaps are so cute! I have been thinking that a Bum Genius photo shoot is in order.

I still LOVE my Bum Genius diapers....though I also like the new Flip system that Cotton Babies (my favorite, fantastic cloth diaper company) put out. All my diapers are one-sized and have held up beautifully with both kids. Katya still fits into them for naps and night-time. I will admit that cleaning up poop diapers are more work in cloth, and not very fun (I am meticulous about rinsing them) but the urine ones just get thrown in the pail. Wash every other day, a few cycles, and done. Very, very environmental friendly laundry detergent (the name brand 'free and clear' detergents are a joke, they still have additives) is essential in caring for your diapers so the only impact is the extra water and energy used to wash.

I love sharing my knowledge about cloth diapers. I am a total convert and never thought I would be using cloth so I know were the non-cloth people are coming from. I am always happy to talk cloth if any readers out there are interested! I am taking good care of my diapers and hoping for one more cloth diaper butt in my future...

Fort Vancouver

We had a nice and quiet Labor Day weekend. It was the first three day weekend we have had since Craig stopped working Monday nights. It was SO nice to have a real holiday with him. We had some friends to dinner on Sunday night and on Monday made a quick visit to The Great Grands. We then headed to Ft Vancouver, which I have been wanting to do for a while now. We didn't have much time to spend there because it was close to lunch and nap time. We drove down Officer's row, checked out the barracks and the old fort. I definitely want to go back when we have more time.

I-5 bridge in the background.

Katya checking out the canon.



I had to include this because I thought it was funny! It was behind a store near the barracks that are in use for the reserves (can't remember which branch).


The barracks

Reagan with a messy, sad face; looking super cute.

Miss Katya had a blast running in circles on a gazebo.

Sunlight!




Our busy summer continues with Oktoberfest next weekend for Craig and book club for me. The following weekend in Ryan Ross's 30th birthday party in Seattle. Early October is a stroller-thon benefiting Rett Syndrome which I will post more about. After that things seem to be quieting down. But it does seem to be time to talk about holiday plans! It always sneaks up so fast.

October is my last month watching Sterling:( His mom is moving to day shift and since they will need 10+ hours of care for him, they have decided to put him in daycare. I will miss him but I am happy with their decision. It has been great for both families for over a year now...but we all knew I wouldn't be watching him forever. Now that he is a toddler, I think he will get a lot out of daycare and they found a place they really love.

That's about it for now! Nothing big to report about the girls. Reagan is walking well when she wants to but still not taking off yet. It's all about confidence. She walks more often than crawls, but pushing something for support.