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!"