Lana is 2

2! How has 2 years already passed with our Lana. She is such a funny and fun girl. She calls herself Lani and so we all do too for fun. She loves to run and sing. She's oh so ornery and loves to make us all laugh. Her facial expressions alone make us laugh. She also does so by making funny faces and doing funny dances- especially at the supper table. 

Lana has developed quite the vocabulary in the last few months. I feel like since we moved, she really has grown up a ton. She likes to play with her babies and often says they are poopy. She also likes to look at books both independently and likes it when someone reads to her. Eli has been a big helper with this lately. 

3 days before her birthday, Lana became a big sister. I'd say she is navigating it really well. She sometimes wants mommy to "huggy Lani no bae bruther" (hold Lana and not brother) but does a pretty good job of being patient until mom can lay him down or pass him to someone else. She loves to give him hugs and kisses. 

She loves her blankets and takes the corners and rubs them by her eyes, between her fingers, and toes. She takes naps almost completely willingly- sometimes putting herself down after lunch. Lana can be terribly stubborn and naughty at times, but is quick to apologize and get back to business. She is independent and doesn't want to be left out. She keeps up with her siblings in almost everything. 

We love our Lana Mae and love watching her grow and develop. Can't wait to see what God has in store for her future! 

Height: 36"

Weight: 30lbs. 

Knox Joshua Wichert

On Christ the solid rock I stand

All other ground is sinking sand;

all other ground is sinking sand.

8lb 4oz 20.5"

Knox Joshua was born on April 27th at 3:15pm. He was our biggest baby by almost a pound! Several have asked where we came up with the name Knox and to answer is to say, we just liked it! It took us a long time to come up with a name we agreed on. We had several others that we considered. In the end we liked how it sounded with the other kids names, we liked that it had an x in it like Papa Wertenberger, and the night before when we told the kids his name we looked up the meaning and it means the same as Brent's name. Joshua is after my brother Josh who if you've met him, you know why he'd have a kid named after him. He's selfless, always puts others ahead of himself, a hard worker, committed husband (and soon-to-be daddy), he loves Jesus, and serves the youth in his community through his profession (teaching) and through youth work. He really is fabulous, and as tough as it was a times following in his footsteps (because he's practically perfect) it is an honor to be his little sister. We hope and pray that Knox Joshua grows up to be like his Uncle Josh in the way he loves Jesus and others really well. 

 Birth Story: 
We checked in at the hospital about 7:00am. They got my iv started and then my doctor came in and I was dilated to a 2 so she broke my water and around 9 I got my epidural. My birth experience was very similar to that of Micah's. As they upped the pitocin, his heart rate started to go down with my contractions, so they backed off and we took it slower. At around 2:30 my nurse checked and I was at an 8. I knew that it wouldn't take long. Thankfully, the next person I saw walk through the doors was my doctor (she's the BEST). She said "if Cindy's at an 8, it's probably time to push". She was right. 2 big pushes later our sweet big boy was here! He came out covered, quiet, and ready to eat! We noticed his mole behind his right ear and thought he was as big as Lana was. 

 Ready to go meet my brothers and sisters! 

I was sitting beside Eli when I looked over and said "all three of my boys right there!" to which he replied "the three musketeers". 💓

 💓💓💓💓💓

Micah is 6

Micah turned 6 on April 17th. 

Micah continues to be our little creative. He loves to build Legos, mostly his own creations, and has developed a love for drawing, coloring, and painting in the last year. I think Kindergarten really helped develop these loves. Also, since we've been school at home, I've noticed that his math papers take a long time when he's supposed to draw something to compare in size to another thing. When given an "open door" to creativity, he always walks in. 

This past year, he also played basketball. I was his coach and he really seemed to enjoy it. Sports still aren't his first pick, but once he's out there he's competitive and coachable. 

He's still super passionate, but it is fun seeing his maturity mold his passion. He has much fewer meltdowns and fits and is able to communicate much easier. He really notices if someone (or himself) is being left out and will call it out. He's super observant of people and cares deeply for them. 

He and Eli have really taken to the outdoors since we moved to the country. They have been working on a house in the mound of dirt. A few weeks ago, Eli came up with the idea to make a flag to represent their home. Eli found some cardboard and talked while Micah got to work with markers. It's really fun to see them work as a team like that. 

Micah really enjoys playing Legos and house with Haddie. They play similarly and if playing Legos they do their best to keep Lana away from their creations. House is a little easier to accommodate a little sister. :) This may have been the case a year ago too, but whenever they play house they play that their parents are dead and they are teenagers. 

It's been really fun to see Micah and his heart for Jesus at school this year. He is pretty bold and his awesome Kindergarten teacher sent us a book of what the kids wanted to be when they grow up. His said he wanted to be a "Christian who loves his family". Me too, buddy. 

Height- 3'10.5"
Weight- 44lbs

Haddie is 4

Haddie Joy is 4! And in typical fashion, of late, I'm about 4 months late in posting. :) 

Haddie still loves all things girly. She loves pink, flowers, babies, Frozen, dresses, makeup, and beautiful things. She often says "oooooooh, it (or you're or she) is so beautiful". She also loves singing and I love to hear her sing. With all her "slow start" challenges she had, I'd say she has completely made up for lost time. She's still small, but she doesn't know it!

Whenever we go shopping and she sees a baby outfit, she says "aaaaah, it's SO cute. Baby brother would look so cute in this!" It's a little dangerous when we're together and daddy isn't there- who am I kidding, it would probably be worse with him there. Haddie has him wrapped around her little finger. 

Haddie still doesn't like animals, but there are a few dogs in our life that she will tolerate from a distance and not cry when she sees them. She has mentioned wanting to get a fish, so maybe that'd be a good first pet for us. Since we're heading to the farm soon, I've tried to tell her to prepare for some kitties. It's crazy that she doesn't want them. :) 

Our girl is really good at playing with anyone! She loves playing legos with Micah and they create all sorts of imaginative worlds. She also is great at playing with Lana and will try to be in charge of her, which doesn't always work in her favor but she is pretty patient with her. And then anyone else that comes to our house no matter their age, she will play and play basically whatever they want. 

The year between 4-5 I always have a little bit of panic- only one more year before kindergarten! But I'm enjoying our time and not putting as much pressure on either of us. We will play and snuggle and giggle all we want. 

Haddie has asked a lot of questions about God this year. It's fun to see her process what her brothers are learning and see how it applies to her. Also her Sunday school and Wednesday night teachers are awesome. She loves singing "the wise man and the foolish man" song and I think it's just such a good reminder for me too! 

Height: 

Weight: 

Eli is 8

Time has gotten away from me and I haven't taken the time to sit down and do Eli's 8 year post. 

8 seems like a big number. I guess because Eli's my oldest, his birthdays will always feel that way. 2nd grade feels like a big step into kid-hood too. In the last year Eli has grown in his love for sports and knowledge. He loves to read non-fiction books and is constantly asking me questions of "did you know..." or "you've gotta hear this". In the fall Eli played his first year of soccer and ended the season with a hat trick in the championship game. Neither Brent nor I are avid soccer fans but it was so fun to watch him take to the sport. He also loved watching football this season. The Cowboys are still his favorite team, but he does cheer for the Chiefs too. 

If there's an opportunity for competition, Eli is in. He loves playing board games and athletic things. He also played basketball this winter and compared to last year, he was much more aggressive and into the game. I think he attributes this to playing with his big cousins. 

He also enjoys asking questions like "if you HAD to get bit by something, would you rather it be a shark or a jaguar". I usually try to come up with an answer, but sometimes I tell him that I just don't know. 

He continues to be a good big brother. He occasionally needs a little encouragement but he really does take his role as "biggest brother" very seriously. I sometimes feel bad that he has such a big job with 3 littles and another one soon, but he seems to enjoy it. Funny how God has that all figured out. 

We continue to be amazed with how God is growing and challenging Eli. We are thankful for His provision and care for our boy and trust what He's doing in Eli's life. 

Height: 51"
Weight: 63#