New Concerns

A recent ultrasound showed a possible problem with our unborn daughter, as did the follow up ultrasound. Our doctor felt it wise to refer us up to University of Washington. While my prayer was that the possible problem would go away this was not to be so. The ultrasound again showed fluid at the base of our daughter's brain. She was diagnosed with Dandy-Walker Variant. I have researched this some but am still at a lost as to what it all means. We won't know the full effect until after she is born in April, it can be nothing to something major. The UW would like us to come back at 28 weeks (late Jan) to have an MRI done on our baby and to have us meet with a neurological specialist at Children's hospital. Basically the doctors want to do close monitoring on her to see if the fluid mass grows or diminishes. They would also like us to deliver up north in Seattle. There is still a chance that this could resolve itself before birth.

Please pray that the fluid diminishes and that the cerebellum connects properly to the fourth ventricle in the brain. I know that God can do all things. In addition pray that I can accept his plan as perfect, even if our child is born having developmental delays or motor-skill issues (both are a possibility). Finally pray that our insurance will cover all the things we will need to do to make sure our daughter has the best care before and after she is born.

Roller Skates

Ethan always has the ability to be good at anything he tries. So his expectations of success are fairly high. He seems to have brought this expectation to roller skating as well.

All he asked Santa for were roller skates.


But then he got a bit cocky....

My Adventure

I figured I would post about my adventure on the blog. I have tried to alert all family through other means.

I got my first 911 call, my first ambulance ride, and my first visit to the ER.

Why you ask? Well, I was experiencing shortness of breath, racing pulse, faintness, and light headedness. I was also told that I suddenly became really pale. The nurse on the phone told me to call 911. When I told Ryan I almost passed out. So we called 911, well Ryan did. I got a fire truck and an ambulance (plus a private ambulance to transport me later). Ethan and his friends thought that was cool. Then because they came I had to ride in the ambulance to the hospital. After laying for 3 hours and having all my test results come back normal I feel fine. A bit weak but fine. I will talk to my midwife on Monday to find out what the next steps are.

To those of you who were contacted tonight, Thank you all for praying. Ryan and I truly appreciate having family that we can call and alert to concerns at odd hours….LOL

Love lots,

Katie, Ryan, Ethan, and “baby”

Children's fair

Our town has an amazing tradition! Each year they throw a Children's fair. This event is just what it sounds like: completely focused on Children. There are various booths, games, and entertainments available. This was our first year attending the fair. We had so much fun! Ethan especially liked the four bouncy houses. He has been talking about a bouncy house for about four months. There was also two inflatable slides, Home Depot workshop, Karate lessons, and a bug gourmet...yep just what that sounds like, a guy that cooks with insects! One bank had a money in the straw hunt. Children searched for coins in the haystack. Ethan found forty-five cents.




I think we will attend the fair next year. We will have to get there just as it opens like we did today....to beat the crowds.

Last Camping Trip

The second weekend in September singled the last camping opportunity of the year. Of course it was our only camping trip this year. But hey, we did go camping. We went to Ocean Park. The camp grounds were secluded and fairly large. we had friends at the four adjunct sites. That was fun! Ethan had a friend of the same age in the site right next to us. They were inseparable the entire weekend.
Ethan buried in the sand.

(our group)
We spent as much time as we could on the beach.


Ethan practiced riding his bike.

And enjoyed our campsite


Camping is a wonderful opportunity to get the family away from electronics and spend time with good friends. The weather was wonderful and everyone had a nice time.

Riding the bus

Ah the excitement of being a school kid. Every thing is fun...going to school, doing homework, and yes....even riding the bus.



Now Ethan tries to get us out of the house early enough to catch the bus. My pregnant body does not like to get up early. But I do it every once in a while so that Ethan can ride with his friends.

First Day of School

Ethan has now moved into the world of "School Kid." School started for him on September 2nd. This kid was so happy!

First day of school outfit.
(do I have to wear this? Yes...you have no choice on the first day of school.)


We are here! Oh can't wait!


Meets a friend/ classmate.


Takes off for the classroom. Guess he doesn't need mom. Ethan put his stuff away and ran out to the playground for the last few minutes before school started. I went ahead and left. Couldn't see standing by his room for 15 minutes waiting for him to get back. He didn't even say goodbye. According to Ethan "I said goodbye at that time." LOL
(by the way check out that awesome backpack!)