Artic Blast 2008

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Oh..the weather outside is frightfull!

We are snowed in! Yesterday we got hit with about 3 inches of snow, and today we stayed in the twenty's. Now all you Utah people are probably saying wha'st the big deal.. Well us Oregonians can deal with rain and flooding but not SNOW! No, studs, no chains, no going anywhere! Although today after I about lost it with cabin fever, I talked Dane into going to FredMeyer (the store that has it all!) We bought Christmas presents, food for the next couple of days, and some entertainment for the kids...oh yeah, and snow gloves!

Tomorrow it's gonna stay in the lower 20's and then Wens we'll get dumped with some more snow, but ohh we're not done yet! Saturday possibly a FOOT of snow and maybe even some freezing rain!

Now I've always loved the snow..but that's because in Oregon it usually melts by the next day..letting us all go on with our busy lives. I guess this is Gods way of saying slow down! I just wish our house was bigger to spread out in, we're driving each other bonkers!

BTW - See our lights on the house! At night it's lit up like a Gingerbread house! It is so bright!

Making a list, checking it twice!

Just look at all the people I buy Christmas presents for. I'm done with most of them...but still have to hit the stores again this week.

Mom

Dad

Dad

Robin

Mom in-Law

Dad in-law

Grandma

Grandma

Grandpa

Sasha

Troy

Logan

Aiden

Chris

Jen

Gracie

Alex

Secret Santa for Brandy

Secret Santa for Dane

Heath

Heather

Han

Hunter

Noelle

Logan

Hailey

Chase

Tyler

Jenny

Lauren

School friend for Maddy

School friend for Christian

CHRISTIAN

MADDY

SAMUEL

Wow! Writing it out makes it seem even more daunting!!

Another Holiday Brunch

Yes my in-laws spoil us rotten. This last Sunday all 15 of us when to Multnomah Falls for brunch. Here are some pics.

Multnomah Falls

My diaper stash!

For a surprise, I sent Candina and Natalie one of my favorite cloth diapers, a minky (so soft inside and out) Preston Pants. Candina is very interested in cloth diapering Sienna. So, I thought I'd take this opportunity to show off my diaper stash. These aren't as cute as the newborn diapers that I had when he was just a little guy. But these are the workhorses in our house. A few are missing, as some were in the wash. Yes, I wash my own diapers..there's nothing to it. When you figure the average cost to diaper a kid from newborn to potty training is $1,400 an initial investment of $200 is not bad!

Here's most of it.. washcloths (I made), inserts, diapers

My favorite... Fuzzi Bunz

Close-up of my favorite FB's Bugs, and trains!

Dane's favorite Thrirsties All in Ones...although you can stuff more into them. He likes them because of the Velco tabs :)

Super thin and absorbent hemp inserts 

Also very absorbent microfiber inserts

Dyed infant-size Prefolds (these are what our grandmas used) - I use them for stuffing diapers and burp rags. Have a ton of these!

Diaper liners both fleece (yellow are handmade) and flushable liners! What a great invention...baby poops...you just flush the insert!

Update on the kids

Samuel

On Dec 15th he will be 7 months old, and I'm guessing he will be mobile by then. AHHHH! Part of me likes spending time w/ him on the floor upstairs (carpeted) teaching him how to crawl. Another big part of me would like to stay a little lump baby for eternity! Maddy and Christian have so many small toys, that we will have to babygate the toy room. Also 2 maybe 3 more gates around the house. Stairs are a biggie! We had a gate up at the top of the stairs when Christian was little, but it was not strong enough and he pushed the gate over and flipped about 5 times down our Very steep stairway. He was ok...but gave us a big scare!

So as soon as the big event occurs we will shoot some video and post it here! Stay tuned!! He still has no teeth...although he constantly drools and chews on everything! Loves the watch the kittens run up the drapes in the living room. Is easily entertained by his brother and sis, in fact, his day is pretty blah until the noisy kids come home from school. Driving to and from school (once to pick up Maddy and then later to pick up Christian) is a different story, he still Hates the car!! Sam's pretty little, still in 3-6 month clothes. Although he looks very proportioned! Not skinny at all! More to come!

Maddy

Maddy had a rough time getting back into the swing of going back to school over the holiday. She would break down crying in the morning saying she didn't want to go. But after a couple of days, I think she's back to her old bubbly self again! She already planning her B-day party and which of her friends she wants to invite to her "friend" party. I love all the crafts that she brings home to me. For Christian it's something he's very used to doing...but for Maddy, it's like she's giving me a most valuable gift! :) All of which I display either on the fridge or the hanging thing over our island that is supposed to hold beautiful pots and pans (that I do not own :) She now looks forward to every morning going downstairs to open her advent calendar (this year she has the littlest petshop)

Christian

Christian also looks forward to his morning advent calendar, he has Lego City. YES, he still is very much into Legos. Although he has been enjoying doing puzzles lately! Every day after school he does a puzzle. Even though he only has 3, he does over and over again. They are 100 pc puzzles but he keeps begging me for bigger ones. Maybe for Christmas! He is doing excellent in school! During the first-grade period, he came home with straight A's. Must take after his dad :) On the not-so-happy side of things, he has to have an operation on Jan 8th. This is to have tubes put in his ears due to frequent ear infections and hearing loss that he has been experiencing for over a year now! During the surgery, he may also have his adenoids taken out, as we think he has sleep apnea. Christian can you believe he is actually excited to have the surgery...he wants to be able to hear like everyone else again! I'm really praying that his adenoids are of normal size and they do not need to be removed as I know the recovery from that can be very painful! Hid Ped doc said at one time that his apnea spells and snoring could be caused by a very small mouth and throat structure, and if that were the case surgery would not help the apnea spells. Keep ya posted!

Dane

I know Dane isn't really my child.... but lately he sure seems like one :) Yesterday was his first day back at work following the surgery he had on Nov 21st! He still has a lot of pain from the incision sight. Yesterday at his doctors appt, the doctor informed him it was infected and gave him some antibiotics. NOW he should start feeling better! But he still can lift anything heavy for the next 6-8 weeks! So I guess I'll be the one putting up Christmas lights this year! UUGG!

Zoo lights!

Sunday night Janice and Wayne aka Mom & Dad, treated us all to buffet dinner and zoo lights! All were there except Kim :( We all had a lot of fun! The lights were so beautiful, and it now feels officially like Christmas! This was Sammy's first zoo lights, Maddy and Christian have been going for years now! This year we toted him around in my front carrier and stroller! Maddy it think had the most fun driving the stroller! She also loved the baby elephant, who is now about 5 months old! She was so cute! The mama elephant was just getting her lo to sleep by stoking her back and fourth with her trunk. Christian ofcourse loved the train and the gift shop.. This time it only took 1/2 and hour for all the grandkids to pick out a trinket! AHH progress! Last year I think they were in there for about an hour! Gotta love GAGA's patients and generosity! Thank you Janice and Wayne for an awsome evening!

The family

The extended family

Pretty lights

More pretty lights

Sammy in zoo stroller

Maddy the little mommy

Maddy, Noelle, and Rudolff

More pretty lights

Eating an Elephant Ear

Samudra the baby Elephant

(my picture didn't turn out too well as you can't use the flash inside his exibit)

Sammy loved the lights!

Maddy's follow up appointment

Maddy's doctor's appointment went great! She has gained 3 pounds since September and has gone from the 4th percentile to the 10th. Initially, the doctor was a bit concerned as this could be an indicator of hyperthyroidism, but fortunately, her test results came back normal. Maddy continues to be a very healthy little girl, which I am very thankful for. As for the hair, I guess it's just a phase and will hopefully pass soon. Between my hair falling out due to postpartum and Maddy going through this phase of hair coming out in globs, our bathroom is looking pretty hairy! :)

We celebrate Danes B-day on Thanksgiving

Dane's birthday is on Nov 14th, However we usually celebrate on Thanksgiving! So here are

area a few of his favorite things..

Favorite cake! German Chocolate ummmm!

He wants to get one more assault riffle to add to his collection before Obama puts a ban on them

The monkey thing...is just his way of being silly the kids think it's funny that Uncle Dane.. or Daddy always says the wants a monkey! NOT gonna happen

Dane loves cell phones... this may be his next present to himself.

Maddy doc appt

Today we had a doctor appt for Miss Maddy. Her hair has been falling out in globs lately and is very brittle. The doctor ran some lab tests to check her thyroid level. Now of all my kids, Maddy has always been my healthiest child, so I'm sure the test will come back fine. Better safe than sorry! 

Sunday Meditation

I'm am very thankful today that Danes surgery went great! The biggest worry is the part about waking up from the general anesthesia! We had an awesome anesthesiologist who took very good care of Dane. Although we didn't make to church today due to Dane being extremely sore, I'm sure by next week he should be back to his old self.

Dane's Surgery

Well tomorrow Dane goes under the knife to have a testicular cyst removed! EEEEK OUCH! As a woman I can't fully know how painful this will be for him, but I do know the feeling of being scared to have surgery and the hard road ahead of recovery! I Pray that every thing goes well for my guy! Please keep him in your prayers!

BTW - No I'm not prego again! I just love this pic...It reminds me of how he is such a goofball and he always makes me laugh! I love you Daneo!

Grandparents Day at Trinity Lutheran School!

Trinity is an excellent school for my kiddos. Christian's 1st/2nd split class has nine students, and Maddy's Kindergarten class has seven. I appreciate the small class sizes, which allow teachers to give more individual attention. 

Co-sleeping

Yes, I co-sleep with Sammy! I also co-slept with Christian and Maddy as well. I bought a crib for Christian when I was pregnant as all expectant mothers do, but he never ended up using it. There's a great debate on whether babies should co-sleep or not. For me, the decision came very easily. Baby Christian one morning stopped breathing for about a minute and was subsequently diagnosed with sleep apnea. He was only 2 months old, it was about 5 in the morning and he was sleeping next to me. I'm a very light sleeper and I've always slept in sync with him. I could always tell when his breathing pattern was changing and he was about to wake up to nurse. Having him in bed with me made late-night nursing easier and I got more sleep that way. However that morning I felt him become very still, too still, with no rhythmic breathing. I took a second and put my hand on his chest, when I felt nothing I woke up Dane freaking out. We carried him to another room where there was more light. Together it took what seemed like forever (was actually like a minute) to get him to wake up and start breathing again! After a few nights in the hospital with the diagnosis of sleep apnea, doctors said I had probably stopped SIDS! After that day I researched a lot about SIDS and talked with his pediatrician. I came to the decision to continue to co-sleep, rather than put him to sleep on a movement monitor every night.  I learned babies' brains "remember" to breathe when they are next to a parent and can hear/feel them breathing! I'm not saying it's for everyone! Some parents are heavy sleepers, they might roll over on them or get the baby caught up in the bedding. Me, however, I've always been cursed as a light sleeper. I think becoming a mom does that!

All this said the thing I love the most about co-sleeping is the closeness! Every night Sammy likes to reach his little hands up and rub my face, or pull on my hair until he falls asleep. This is the best feeling in the world!

The picture up top is of him in his Amby bed. He loves to take naps in it. To the left is a picture of Sam napping in the cradle Grandpa L* made. He looks so tiny rolled up into a little ball.

Samuel's 6mo check-up.

Today Sam had his six-month check-up, and guess what he's gotten bigger! He's now 4% for weight and 10% for height, and is finally on the growth charts! He's on a new diet to get him to be more "regular" if you know what I mean. Prunes w/ baby oatmeal in the am...and pears at night. I hope this helps him feel better!

We have moved on to a different carrier.... he LOVES to be carried ALL the time. I first used a sling, we now tote him around in the Baby Bjorn. 

He also has a few more toys - a Jonny-jump up, and an Excersaucer! I know I'm getting picture-happy, but can't help but share a picture of him in one of his newest cloth diapers, and a pic of his Swedish moccasins from Hanna Andersson, which is one of my favorite stores!

Praise

Today's sermon was about how Christians need encouragement from time to time to keep their faith alive. Whether they're a Sunday school teacher who needs a pat on the back to tell them that their doing a good job, or by keeping your commitment to the choir director by showing up to choir practice every Wednesday night.
So here is my encouragement to all of you who read my blog.
Dane - Thank you for going to your job everyday so that I may stay home and raise our kids! I could go to work and put our kids in daycare..but you know how much it means to our kids to have me at home with them everyday!
Brother in-law Kim - Your such an awesome Dad your kids look up to you and love you so much! And you so inventive and creative...check out Kim's blog on making an airplane!

Sister in-law Kari - You amaze me that you are taking such a huge role in your kids education, deciding to keep them at home with an online school and mentor them everyday! That takes an awful lot of patients!

Sister in-law Tani - Your kids are growing up to be great independent people! You have taught them through example how to live in a Christian way! Your walk with God inspires me! You are the nicest person I know! You always have open hear and ears to listen! Thank You!

Janice (mother in-law) You are like the energizer bunny you can go, go, go! And you live for others happiness, especially your grand kids! I don't know how you get everything done...but you do it with such grace! You always have a smile on your face that brightens my day!

Wayne (Father in Law) I know if you could have it your way you would be living in Easter Oregon living up your retirement. But instead you put up with the rest of us! All the grand kids look up to you and admire you! And your really great at reading to the grand kids and rocking them to sleep!

Brother Chris & wife Jenn- You both had a ruff start and I'm very proud of you both that for the sake of the kids, your pulling things together to give them the healthy family they need!

Mom - I really appreciate all you do for me and my family. You mean so much to me! Not only do you help me with the kids, but you are always someone that I can call and feel better after talking with you!
Sasha- Your thousands of miles away! And you are very missed! I can't wait to be close again! You are my favorite sister! I love you so much!
Dad- I miss you as well, and can't wait to see you! I would love for you to be more apart of my life! Miss and love you so much!
Grandma Lloyd - Thank you for the advice you always give to me, I know that it comes from someone who is very wise and has lived a christian life.
Grandpa Lloyd- Thank you for always making me laugh. But ha! I know you didn't loose that finger from picking your nose :)

Cousin Nat - Thank you for helping me and encouraging me to start and continue this blog, it has been very enlightening to me! Also, congratulations at being a mom of 3 now, it can be very challenging at times as you know by now.. and no it does not get easier (at least it hasn't for me) but you are now blessed x3! And have a new photo subject! He is so cute!
Cousin Nicole - You're career and projects are not just taking off they are soaring! Seeing what you have accomplished is very inspiring! Keep up the good work!
Cousin Dee-Dee - Being a new mother is very magical time! Although the changes can be difficult it is all worth it when you look at his beautiful face! He is sooo cute!
Cousin Mary - Your new baby is so cute! And her big sister looks like she adores her! You are very blessed! And can't wait to hear more from you! I'm so glad I found your blog!
Aunt Nancy - Your family and your life is very inspiring to me! You battled breast cancer and won, and your boys are accomplished athletes and scouts! I love how your family always does everything together! Even climb mountains!
Aunt Linda - You did an awesome job at raising you kids! Just reading their blogs everyday must make you very proud! Thank you for your words of encouragement and suggestions on improving my skills at being a stay at home mom.
Aunt Patty- You are living your dreams right now, which you deserve so much! You had a ruff go at the start of your life..and look at what you have become! Your a gifted artist, have owned your own art studio and now your yachting around the Caribbean! How cool is that! I love reading your blog! It's soo exciting!