Sticking To It

Have you gotten your seasonal flu vaccine yet?

I've had several people ask me what I think about the flu vaccines (both seasonal and H1N1). Having worked in healthcare and emergency preparedness for years, I'll be the first to admit that I'm biased. From a public health perspective, I am all for getting vaccinated and doing our small part to help protect ourselves and minimize the spread of disease. I remember being hospitalized as a child with the Russian flu and would like to avoid the same experience with my own child. At the same time, I appreciate that the choice should be personal and left up to individuals.

Please, make it a priority to take the time to review the facts and then do what you feel is right for you and your family. The West Coast Wagners have all been "stuck". Little Miss didn't even notice and was just excited about the Dora band-aid.

There you have it folks, that's my opinion and I'm "sticking" to it.

Just Checking In...

...with you all Dear Readers! Sorry we've been absent for awhile. We've been busy in the yard (editor's note: Clarification, Mr. Wagner has been busy and the results are nice!). Yours Truly has been working a lot of extra hours the past few weeks (thankfully most of which have been from home). Work is crazy because it's budget season so household chores, exercise, blogs, sleep and a well-functioning brain have pretty much gone by the wayside. As I write, Mr. Wagner is taking our Little Miss on a "daddy/daughter date" so her mommy can get a much needed reprieve. Isn't he just the best?! Now I just have to decide how best to use my time, finish the dishes or veg in front of a computer? (Obviously the dishes are still sitting in the sink!).

Time to sign off to watch some mindless pop culture on TV! Since I can't remember when I last just sat down to watch television (that wasn't meant for a three year-old), I'd best be taking advantage of the downtime.

Catch up with you soon, ciao for now!

Happy 3rd Birthday Miracle Girl!

Our Little Miss officially turned the big THREE today! We recognize how blessed we are to have our sweet "Miracle Girl" and have no doubt that God has amazing plans in store for her. In some ways it seems like just yesterday that she was our teeny, tiny 2.5 pound baby. In reality, our "baby" has turned into a little girl.

(Photo courtesy of Wally Curtis; cake by Jessicakes; dress created by Joani)

We celebrated this past weekend with a party for family (including all of our "adopted" family members) in the area. She had a terrific time with everyone and only wishes her birthday could last longer. Little Miss looked adorable in the darling flower dress that our friend Joani made for her. Thanks Joani!

I'd like to say that I made her spectacular birthday cake but you are far too smart to fall for that bluff dear Readers! In truth, a friend from college (Jessica @ Jessicakes) honored us with the incredible garden-themed cake. You can read more about her creation here. It's extra special because Jessica is also the infamous photographer behind the first pictures of the Little Miss when she was just a few days old. Thanks Jessica!

(Photo courtesy of Jessica Harris)

Our teeny, tiny preemie has officially grown into a healthy, thriving, amazing little girl. Thank you Jesus!!!

Little Miss Independent

Turning three years-old seems to have changed our Little Miss almost overnight into "Miss Independent". It first hit Yours Truly last week when I took her "big girl" gymnastics. We've had her enrolled in a parent-child class since last Spring which allowed us to participate with her. As a three year-old, she "graduated" to a class with just the other kiddos and a teacher. The parents are relegated to a viewing area. The teacher told me that the transition may be hard at first and could take several weeks so I was prepared for the worst. I was wrong. Our Little Miss, the one who typically likes to be held during the warm-up session, just took hold of the teacher's hand and walked right in, sans mommy. I got a bit choked up as I was left to watch from afar. I was the proudest parent there while also being hit with the realization that our girl is truly growing up.

The next independent streak came today when the Little Miss insisted over and over that she get to ride Lucky "all by myself". While she's ridden the big guy numerous times, it's always been with me holding her securely as we ride along together. That was not to be today. We took Papa and Mimie out to the barn with us and they got to witness our girl's first "solo" ride. We started off with her just sitting on Lucky while he was tied up:

I was going to leave it at just sitting but she declared that she really wanted to "walk" too. Our brave girl is now ready for her first official "Lead Line" class at a horse show!

What an amazing blessing to get to witness our girl learning to ride on the very same horse I learned on 24 years ago! Not to mention it being extra special to have her Papa there with us, after all the years and years he spent watching and supporting me with Lucky.

Dear Mr. Wagner is feeling anxious because there's now no doubt that there's another horse-lover in this family!

The End Of An Era

Last week marked the end of an era in my professional career. My boss, Bob, whom I started working for in 2001, officially retired and will be greatly missed. Bob and I had a very unique working relationship; we were more like father/daughter and deeply respected each other. That family-style relationship also exhibited itself in numerous "lively" debates and pranks (like decorating his office pink for his birthday).


I worked for Bob for about 6 months before I moved away to complete my post-graduate fellowship. A couple of years later, I received an e-mail from Bob asking if I'd be interested in returning to work for the organization I'd previously left. My initial thought was "No way!" but after a lot of prayer and "wrestling" with God, He made it clear that I should take the offer. I would not be where I am today without having had Bob's unwavering support. Most importantly, I should thank Bob for being an instrument to help bring me back to the area so I could reconnect with Mr. Wagner. Without his job offer, I may not have been the Mrs. to my Mr. Thank you Bob and Happy Retirement!

In Honor of the OSU Football Season Kick-Off...and Jack

Our dear friend Joani took this picture of the Little Miss and baby Allison last week, after we decorated OSU themed cookies (and a few anti-UO cookies for our favorite Duck friend, Jack). You can read more about our fun time here. Most exciting about this picture is that it's the first time our girl held a "real" baby. She absolutely loves babies and baby dolls (and the car seats/carriers that they often come in) so she was beaming from the moment she got to touch little Alli. Love these girls.

Go Beavs!

Family Pictures

Emily, a good friend of a good friend (following that?), took pictures of our family this past weekend. She posted a few on her blog plus she blessed us with special words about our Miracle Girl. Really, you should check it out here. Thanks Emily!

Photo by James Lyn Photography