*Sniff Sniff*

Come on, Mom! Let's go!!!!

I am officially the mother of a preschooler! I have shed a few tears as she started school this week. What a big girl! The first couple of mornings we drove her in. I can't believe how much she has grown up! We waited by the buses, and then she walked in with her class...She didn't need mommy and daddy walking in with her! Then, at the end of class (2 1/2 hours a morning) we wait again, and she walks out like a big girl with her class! The transition as been great! She has been so excited when we get home, and in a great mood! Then today it was like the beginning all over...

We decided that Caitlyn would ride the bus to school in the morning to save some time, cuz Mommy wouldn't have to get ready to leave the house. So, this morning was Caitlyn's first trip on the big girl bus! I took her outside at about 8:05am to meet the bus...About 5 minutes later it arrived. Her driver is really nice! Caitlyn pulled her leg up high enough to make that first step. The driver helped her into the seat, and buckled her in. (state law requires her to have a car seat.) She looked a little nervous as I waved, but she wasn't crying. Mommy on the other hand...that's another story...I waved and off drove the bus with my baby on board! I proceeded to go back inside with my eyes full of tears. So when I went to pick up Caitlyn today, she tried to steer me towards the buses!! She wanted to go home on them! We'll have to think about that one some more....I just like being able to hear from the teacher how her day went, since she can't tell me herself...

Let me tell ya...I can't believe how much of a baby itch I have after sending my daughter to preschool! She is a big girl now! The only signs we still have of her being a baby is diapers! I have been looking for the pause button...I haven't found it yet...Have you seen it?

Getting Creative with PediaSure: Take 2

Just when we were about to throw in the PediaSure towel, I decided to give it another shot...If you read the original Getting Creative with PediaSure post, you are familiar with the challenges of getting a picky drinker to take it on. After success with freezing it, a new challenge developed: Timing it right throughout the day so that she wasn't full, and would still eat food. Some recent weather changes have caused her a little bit of an appetite change. She hasn't been too interested in food of any kind...Sunday morning we all slept in, so we had a snack then had lunch...She was doing great...Then all of the sudden, with out and warning coughs or anything, out it all came! Since then, she hasn't eaten much in a sitting...

So, I went to the store and got a couple new PediaSure flavors to try out: Strawberry and Vanilla. Caitlyn's grandma suggested using it whenever we would use milk, just to add calories...So, we've tried that once so far for a typical breakfast:

• Corn Flakes
• 1/2 a banana cut up in cereal
• Banana Cream flavored PediaSure, instead of milk...

Well, Eric thought it stunk, and was gross...But not Caitlyn! She ate it up just like she does with the milk in it! So we'll keep up with that. She doesn't get much, but it does add a little bit of calories! Lastly, I am pleased to report that the Strawberry PediaSure was a huge hit! She even drank it! Slowly, but there wasn't any spitting it out!!!! Hopefully this will work after all! Then again, school starts next week..And who know what will happen when Caitlyn comes home with her first bug. Stay tuned!

Another Poem for my sweet girl!

I had forgotten how relaxing, and yet stressful, it can be to come up with just the right words to tell a story. I took this picture after Caitlyn's bath a couple of weeks ago. I was trying to capture the spirit in her eyes. (I wasn't counting on the bare shoulder, tho...I hope it's not too risky.) Anyway, so I did a scrapbook page to go with the picture...And a poem came out of it...here it is

The Eyes of an Angel

From the Angel's mouth,
No words are heard.
Yet all those around her
Know just what she says.

From the Angel's eyes,
We hear her story.
Through her eyes we learn
Her every want and desire.

Look into the Angel's eyes,
And a story you will be told...
A wordless story full of joy...
The story of a Rett Angel.

That's it...I hope you enjoy the poem. Caitlyn's daddy liked it...He said he was impressed that I wrote it. I guess it's time to bring home my writings from my mom's house. It was my outlet in highschool! Hopefully I will find the inspiration to write more in the future!

All about music

As you can hear, we finally have our theme song up and running! "In My Daughter's Eyes," by Martina McBride. This song just seems so perfect for Caitlyn.

My Attempt at a sales pitch....Whether you are the parent of friend of another Rett girl, or know our family directly, please check out this link that I found through the Rettnet. If you have children in your family that loves to dance, please check out the Girl Power 2 Cure! cd. All the proceeds for this cd go to Rett Syndrome Research. We are so close to reaching a cure. (well, closer than we were 5 years ago.) Researchers know that Rett Syndrome is caused by a mutation of the MeCP2 protien on the X chromosome. (technical terms I never knew before Caitlyn) They have been able to reverse the symptoms in some lab rats....Please check out this cd. If you think your kids, or any kids you know might like the music purchase the cd and help fun research for Rett Syndrome. Thank you so much!


A general update: We are all doing well. Caitlyn and mommy are ready for summer to be over. We have an open house Thursday September 7th at Caitlyn's school. Then on Monday she starts school! My baby is growing up! I'm sure she will enjoy the break from me, as will I. The following week mommy jumps back into the school scene with three classes this quarter: Creative Expressions: teaching young children about art; Special needs children in Early Childhood Education; and another one that I can't remember the title of at this time, but is a class on Curriculum development. I am really looking forward to classes this quarter! It is the starts of my 3rd year in a 2 year program. I guess having children makes it all go a little slower! The diagnoses of Caitlyn in January made for an emotional winter and spring quarter. Luckly my teachers know Caitlyn because she attends the campus childcare, so they knew her history, and our journeys to helping her succeed. Unfortunately, I had to put off one of my required courses, setting me off for Graduating this Spring. As of today, I will graduate some time next year. I'm sure it will all be worth it when I'm all done!

Don't forget to check out the Girl Power 2 Cure! cd!!!