wonderful family

I often have people say things to me like, "I can't believe how well you handle Reagan's CF," or "Reagan is lucky to have a mom like you." Although it is reassuring to hear that others think I am doing a good job taking care of a child with Cystic Fibrosis, I cannot take all of the credit. I am incredibly blessed to have an extremely supportive family! After the past couple of stinky weeks, I have been in a bit of a bummer mood. Then this morning I opened my email and had an message from my niece Nayeli (and her dad, Nick). It made me start crying when I realized just how great my life is. I have the most amazing daughter who fights Cystic Fibrosis every day, and she isn't fighting alone. Hope you don't mind me posting this email Nick!

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"(This is Nick writing for a moment, just to explain this e-mail from Nayeli. As I was walking her to preschool today, she mentioned that she missed Reagan. I told her that we would see her over the holidays, and mentioned that we were going to do a walk for Reagan in the spring. Being her inquisitive self, she asked me all about the walk for cystic fibrosis and I explained to her that we were going to raise money to help cure Reagan's illness. We changed topics as we entered the school, but as she hung up her backpack and gave me a hug, she said: "Can I help make money for Reagan, too, Daddy?" When I told her that she could raise money just like Daddy, she said: "I'm gonna beat you." So now Nayeli wants to compete with me in fundraising for Reagan, and we've set up a site where she can raise money with her little sister, Karyna. I will include the URL at the end of this e-mail, for those of you wanting to donate money to the cause under their names. Now, here is an e-mail that Nayeli dictated to me this evening for all of you to enjoy!)

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Hi! I'm gonna beat Daddy to make money for Reagan. Reagan and Karyna played by the entertainment center. She has cystic fibrosis and eats enzymes. We're gonna make money as the whole family. Daddy, what's cystic fibrosis? Grandma Miller and Grandpa Miller and Grandma Namie and Grandpa Namie and Cameron and Brittany and Emma are going to visit in November! Austin is my best friend. Please give Reagan money so I can beat Daddy. After bed it will be tomorrow. I love you, Daddy. Bye!

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(I might add that she dictated this to me under the heavy influence of Halloween candy!)

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(To donate to the CFF walk in their names, please visit: http://www.cff.org/Great_Strides/NayeliandKarynaMiller)"

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My family is amazing!

st. louis

Two weeks ago we took a road trip to St. Louis to visit Nick, Allison, Nayeli and Karyna at their new home. The trip was well worth it! The car ride itself went smoothly and Reagan was an angel! We arrived in St. Louis around 2 am our time, caught a little shut eye and began our tour saturday morning. We walked to the zoo, which was a little further then any of us anticipated. Here is a picture of the Miller family by the super cool Elephant fountain. The miracle - Nick has a real smile on his face!

Reagan was quite exhausted from the car ride, the heat and the time difference, so by the time we made it to the zoo she had decided to snooze. Good thing I took pictures of the zoo for her, since she didn't wake up till we were done.

There were lots of elephants to see! There was even a baby elephant! Did you know that a baby elephant can weigh 300 pounds at birth?!

After we looked at the animals, Nayeli and Karyna entertained us at the waterfall! I really wanted to join them! Our next stop was Washington University at St. Louis aka Nick's home away from home. We were privileged to see most everything, including the coldest men's bathroom on campus! Rick left the camera in the car on our tour, so we were only able to take a few pictures after the tour. Reagan took a bath with the girls one of the nights, and we of course thought it was a great picture opportunity! Reagan loved playing with her cousins, and missed them once we left! Aren't they too cute for words?!

Nick and Allison are great tour guides! We highly recommend their services - just make sure you wear good walking shoes! Oh, and if you are ever in St. Louis you have to eat at Nachomama's!

uncle john's cider mill

We had a chance to take Reagan to the cider mill with my family on friday. It was a little chilly and Reagan was getting over two ear infections, but it was still fun. Here are a few highlights:

one more thing

I'm pregnant!

picture fiasco

After a whole year had passed and Reagan never had professional photos taken, I decided the time had come. I made the appointment at Portrait Innovations because Steph had great results when she took Skyler. I guess I should have made sure to get the same photographer. Mine apparently had never worked a digital camera before. We did an entire photo shoot, got some great smiles out of Reagan, only to find out the camera was in some "white out" mode that made every picture so bright you could hardly see Reagan. Needless to say I was a little upset. Their remedy: come back in a half hour for a new photo shoot and we'll give you $70 worth of free pictures. That sounded okay to me, but have you ever tried to make a 13 month old sit pretty for two photo sessions?? Not easy. We got some okay pictures, but overall I was disappointed. We definitely had better pictures in the first photo session, but oh well. Nothing I can do about that. Here are a few of the okay ones from session number two...

new pastime

Reagan loves to cuddle. Not so much with humans, but with her stuffed "doggy" (it is really an elephant) and her stuffed "ducky." She also really loves my old Mickey Mouse sheets from when I was a kid.

family fun

Reagan was very excited to meet her Aunt Jeni and her cousin Addison for the first time! She already met Brayden and Bryce, but was very happy to see them again. She has already learned how to say "At-sin" for Addison, and says it every time we walk by her picture. Although they could only stay a couple of days, we were very glad to see them. Too bad they don't live closer, Reagan especially misses them already!

she turned one

Reagan's 1st birthday was an exciting week. She got to see lots of family and friends, and was given lots of wonderful gifts. She probably would have enjoyed her party more had I not taken her to get her one year shots the day before. Oh well! Thank you to everyone who helped to make her birthday so sweet!

Reagan got a kitchen playset from her parents...

There were a bunch of animals that showed up to Reagan's party!

I made Reagan a duck cake, which I must admit I am quite proud of... Reagan had lots of little helpers when it was time to open her presents!