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!

Happy Birthday Dane!

"I know it may be a little late, but I just wanted to wish you a very happy 32nd birthday! I feel so blessed to have you love and care for me for over 14 years now. I truly believe that I have found my soulmate in you. Even though you can be a goofball at times, you are the best at showing me love and affection. You always prioritize my needs and make sure that I am taken care of. I understand that sometimes I may take you for granted, but please know that I love you more than words can express. You are an amazing person and I feel incredibly lucky to be your wife and the mother of your children! Oh, and by the way, I'm sorry but you can't have a monkey for your birthday!"

Maddy the photographer

I let Maddy have my camera this weekend and this is what she took. Not to bad huh! Later I will have her title each picture.

I love cloth diapers!

I need cloth diapers AA! I LOVE cloth diapers! They are so cute and cuddly! A lot of people use cloth diapers because it's more affordable and more "green" than using disposables. But others, like myself love them because they are so cute! I wish it were still summer so he could hang out in just diapers, Here are some pics of some diapers in our stash! The majority I use are Fuzzy Bunz pocket diapers. 

Grandma Lloyd's homemade diaper 

My family

Mr. & Mrs. Dane Wenzel

First came love! Dane and I met through a mutual friend. Although we had gone to the same school for years, we had never met before our friend introduced us. I was just shy of my 16th birthday. NO ONE thought our relationship would last! But love did prevail! Dane is the most loving, kind, sweet natured and generous person I know! He he is my best friend! No matter how hard times get, I can always look into his blue eyes and know that I am loved and adored. He has a special way of making my darkest most grim days sunny again! Dane proposed to me on my 18th birthday, and shortly after my 21st birthday we were married and off to Maui for our Honeymoon. Dane worked full time at his company that he and his brother-in-law established, Pharus Inc. The company was a web based quality assurance lab. Unfortunately the company only lasted a couple of years before Dane, Kim and another employee decided it was time to move on to more stable careers. Families needed a more steady income. During that first couple of years I was busy in the fast lane of work as a 911 dispatcher! And I loved it! Everyday was an adrenaline rush! It felt so good to put my multi-tasking to work. And of course I loved the fact that I was making a difference in peoples lives, heck a lot of the time I was helping to save their lives!

After a year of being married... infact it was on our 1st anniversary, we found out we were expecting. We were very excited, and a little bit scared of what to expect.

After nine months of being a prego hormonal dispatcher, :)ahh insert memories of cops bringing me Hershey bars to keep themselves on my good side :) I took my maternity leave. Christian Wayne was born on April 9th 2001 weighing 7lbs 4oz. I ended up having a c-section due to him being sunny side up! OUCH!! After about a week of being home I knew I couldn't go back to work. I was so in love with my baby, there was no way I was gonna hand him over to a daycare to raise him. Unfortunately work couldn't replace me right away, so I did work occasionally to fill in staffing gaps. I dispatched for 4 hrs once or twice a week. During those few hours away Christian, who was home with Daddy would cry the entire time.

Mr. Christian

When Christian was about 8 months old, I was away at work and Christian started once again to get cranky. Dane got out a Christmas train. It was the kind that ran on batteries, I believe it was an O-scale (big tracks). Dane configured the tracks into a circle and sat Christian in the middle. When I came home that night, he was the cutest little boy just sitting there watching the train go around and around him. His eyes would follow the train around until it passed behind him then he'd look to the other side as it came back around.

Dane said, I think he's terrified to move and crawl outside the circle. But no he wasn't scared he was enthralled!!! From that moment on he LOVED trains! Now I'm not saying that he just liked them as toys like every little boy does...no he was obsessed with them! I can remember at night we had a train in our town that would sound it's horn at about 11pm. In the summer time with our window open he would hear it and sit up in bed..."choo choo?" I DESPISED that train! We watched Thomas the Tank Engine movies all day long, he had tons of toy trains and track, and we did lots of train outings! Including the Mt. Hood RR (see left pic). I thought he'd never grow out trains. I was really getting sick of them! He did move on, and when he did I was very sad! I will always treasure those days! Who knows maybe some day he'll become an engineer! At about 6 yrs old he was into Star Wars (still is), and now he loves Indiana Jones. Yes, I know he's a little young to be watching these movies. The first time we watched "Temple of Doom" together, I thought for sure he would be scared! Nope didn't phase him! He can't get enough of the action and adventure in these movies. While we were waiting in anticipation for over a year until the big blockbuster hit "Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull' (yes he was into Indiana Jones movies before we even knew this movie was in the making) we found other Indiana Jones movies. "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones" made for TV series. They are incredibly boring, that is at least to me.. but Christian sure likes them.
The hat that he always wears, he paid $50 online with his own money to get it. The leather jacket is a hand me down from his cousin Han. It used to have basketball patches on the arms, but Daddy took care of that :) His Aunt Jen made him a brown leather satchel, Daddy made him a whip, khaki cargo pants and a white shirt complete the Indi look.

Christian is now in 1st grade at Trinity Lutheran School (also our church). He is in a 1st/2nd split with a total of 11 kids in his class. He is very good at math (must get that from Dad), and he loves to read as well. Everyone always comments on how polite and sweet he is. He truly is a very kind and generous person! Always saying please and thank you, and always thinking how others feel... even his little sister who always likes to push his buttons! I am truly blessed to be his mother!

Miss Madelyn

Or Maddy, as she likes to be called. Was born on May 12th 2003. On Grandpa Wayne's Birthday. Infact we were celebrating his birthday & Mothers Day when contractions started comming on. Labor was not the plan, the plan was to do a repeat c-section. When I got to the hospital, I found out it was true labor and everyone was called to come up to the hospital. Maddy was born just after midnight weighing 7lbs 10oz with a full head of dark brown hair. She was whisked away to the nursery where she cried the entire time until they brought her back to me. We've been inseparable every since! She's very much a mama's girl! As I did with Christian, we co-slept until just recently. And she breastfeed for a very, very long time! She is by far more clingy than Christian ever was, but that's ok.. I know someday she won't be, and on that day I'll miss having her so close to me!

Maddy is a very sweet, but very head strong little girl! My mom likes to remind me all the time, that I was exactly the same way when I was young!

She just started kindergarten this year, and as a reward for being an independent kindergartner, the first week of school we bought her a kitten.... actually 2 kittens! She is a huge animal lover (again like her mama). Although she's not too creative with the names. We have "Blacky", and "Greyey".

Maddy is like two different persons. Shy around strangers and a firecracker with everyone else! I'm so proud to be her mother, and am truly blessed!

Mr. Samuel

We decided after Maddy to wait and see if we wanted another child. Having Christian and Maddy 2 two years apart was difficult. We decided to wait for at least 5 years! Well Maddy turned 5 on May 12th and May 15th 2008 Samuel was born :) His birth into this world was anything but smooth and easy! I was once again scheduled to have another c-section. This time the doctors wanted to be sure I didn't go into labor, due to the fact the doctors found something on ultrasound that could spell trouble if I went into labor. So, I was scheduled to deliver at 37wks pregnant, 3 weeks early! Only I had to have an amnio first to make sure his lungs were developed. Very safe procedure with only about a 2% chance of me going into labor. This simple 1 minute procedure lasted almost 10 min with this gigantic needle fishing around my abdomen to find the missing pocket of fluid! It was by far the most painful experience ever, as I had 2 contractions during the procedure. The doctor later told me that he had never had an amnio last that long :o Well shortly after leaving the doctors office (actually before I had even gotten into the car) I went into labor! This time it came on fast and hard! Good thing my mom was with me! She drove me as fast as she could to the hospital that was about 20 min away. By the time I got there the contractions were 2 min apart! I called Dane on my way and told him to meet us at the hospital. He must have been driving very fast as he arrived shortly after we did. He walked in just as the doctor started having me sign papers for the c-section! My mom was about ready to go buy a camera from the hospital gift store when the nurse told her there was no time! :( I was in so much pain I couldn't even sit up for the spinal block, the anesthesiologist had to do it with me on my side. But what a relief once I got that block! Now that I wasn't so concentrated on the pain, I was more in fear of how the baby was doing.

He first came out not doing so well with his breathing, so they had to take him back to the nursery for some oxygen. In recovery I finally got to hold and meet my little man!

Everyone that sees him tells me he looks exactly like Christian did as a baby, but I see qualities of Maddy too! The first couple of months were spent trying to figure out why Sammy kept having trouble eating and gaining weight. He was hospitalized and was found to have GERD (painful acid reflux) and a milk protein allergy. This was heartbreaking to me because even though I took all dairy out of my diet, he showed no improvement. So the doctors decided for me that breast milk was not best for him. Samuel has to stay on a prescription formula until he is at least 9 months of age. Even though he is bottle fed, he is very much bonded to me. He's already saying mama! We're working on dada! Sam's now at a very fun age where he is easily entertained by brother and sister, but not yet by the mobile! The next couple of months will be very exciting! Crawling, teething, talking, walking!

Halloween 08

Dane and Christian - Indiana

Maddy - Cat

Sammy - Monkey

Brandy - Mom

This Halloween was such a blast! The kids dressed in costumes around 2 pm, eagerly waiting to leave. The plan was to be at Auntie's house at 5 pm for pizza and doughnuts. Unfortunately, our car had a dead battery, so it took some time to get going. We ended up being a bit late, which made Christian very upset! Fortunately, the rest of the family was late as well, making us the first to arrive! Tehe, Wenzels are never on time.

Auntie Lo-Lo's house. Dane says the neighborhood reminds him of the Halloween Michael Myers movies, and it does! It's one of those rare 

neighborhoods where both kids and adults dress up to enjoy the spooky night. 

After everyone arrived and had their pizza and donuts, the grown-ups FINALLY said, "Yes, we can go now!" I went along for a few houses with our group of 15 but decided it was way too cold for Samuel and me to continue. BTW - No rain this time! The frozen kids returned at around 8:45 with their bags filled with a ton of candy! After sorting through it all, Ga-Ga (my mother-in-law) asked which kids wanted to go with her to Hardens Rd. At this point, Christian looked up at me with anticipating eyes. You see, every year Ga-Ga and Auntie Lo-Lo take the bigger kids back out for a second round of trick-or-treating to a neighborhood that gives full-sized candies. Extremely extroverted and can't stand to see the night end! Every year, I tell Christian, "Maybe next year." He asked me about this weeks ago, as he remembered my promises from the years before, so off Christian went with the big kids! Dane, Maddy, Sammy, and I stayed behind to watch scary movies (which ended up being cartoons after the kids started looking up at the TV).

YAWN! The older group got back around 9:30 pm! I'm sure they stayed out until the porch lights went off! Sammy and I very much wanted to get home and snuggle in bed!!! Next year, Sammy will toddle up to the doors with all the other kids.