Tanner's 3 month Cardiology Appointment

We had Tanner's 3 month Cardiology check up today at UCSF with Dr. Teitel. Tanner started with an EKG (top photo) and then had an ECHO (bottom photo) to check for any accumulated fluid (previous problems). But THERE WAS NOTHING TO BE FOUND! Yipee! When they tested his oxygen levels, normally a child that just had a fontan procedure might register at the most, 94. They put the little tape on his finger, and it automatically read at 97. The cardiologist was amazed. He also said that because Tanner's left side of the heart was the strongest with the defect on the right, everything looks awesome! He even took Tanner off the lasix (diuretic) medicine! It'll make a difference for that late night pee! The ECHO tech said that Tanner was his best patient of the day...it felt good to hear after we had to keep him from racing around the office! Hard to keep this kid under wraps these days...even harder to believe he had heart surgery 6 months ago! Our next piece of good news was that our elevation limit has lifted! Tanner might have trouble breathing at high elevations, but it's okay for him to travel...even fly! Good thing to hear, since we had gone to the snow last weekend at 5000 feet. (pictures to come...) We even got to meet with our Nurse Practitioner, Julie and she got to see Tanner running up and down the hallway, amazed at the difference. We now don't have to go back until September...one year after surgery. It seems unbelievable to be at this point...I wasn't sure if we'd ever get here. Baby steps...patience...and an incredible little boy.




After the appointment in the city...we jumped out of there because of the commute traffic window (have to be on the Bay Bridge before 3:00 or wait until after 6:00...believe me, we've timed it!) and headed out to the Hayward mall to get Courtney's ears pierced! She started a few days ago asking if it felt like a shot, will the earrings fall out when she jumps on the trampoline...it was adorable. So because Mark had taken a half-day off work, we decided to continue with our "family fun day" and take her to Claires to get her new earrings. The little princess didn't even flinch. I was so impressed with her. In fact, the back already fell off while she was in bed tonight and she brought it right to me so we could fix it. She can't wait to go back to school next week to show all her friends. Another wonderful day to add to our treasure box.

Engagement Photos

Nothing like a trip down memory lane to make you jump on the treadmill pronto. How fun it's been finding "old" photos with our 12-year anniversary approaching. Such ups and downs...but stuck together like glue. I'll never forget my cousin in Canada telling me years and years ago, over drinking beer and mowing the lawn (or is it cutting the grass up north?) "You have to WORK at marriage. Don't take anything for granted." Always tried to keep that in the back of my mind especially when I have wanted to scream and pull my hair out! Haven't we all?





c. 1997


Look how faded this one has become...and the photographer had snapped it in-between takes...catching us "in a moment"...one of my favorites of all time.

Computer Frustrations

Wow...It's been awhile. I have tried on several occasions to post cute videos of the kids but now my FLIP video is saving files in MP4 formats which the blog won't accept. I need to find a way to convert them without spending a fortune (or dime). I think part of the problem is the files are too big. What? You don't want to see my kids running around to cute music? Go figure. It's just the way of life for us. Lots of challenges. But I'll make it work! Might take awhile...but I'll do it! (haha laughs Mark, as he watches me scream and yell at the computer!) I have started babysitting again, a 16 month and 2 year old (plus Tanner) so for those readers (but really, no one here!!!) who are under the impression that stay-at-home moms watch soap-operas and eat bon-bons all day (even though I look the part!) ... COME VISIT ME! If fact, here I am typing away and Tanner is driving his cars on the wall, turning the volume up and down on the TV, and banging the doors open and shut on the hutch asking, "are you done yet?"! Today is one of those rare days it's just him and I, but if I even float towards the area of the computer, the two toddlers think it's an open invitation to stuff the toilet with paper or unload the tupperware closet. Aye! This morning I had to dress the kids in pink to suppport the teachers in all of CA getting pink slips because of budget cuts. Even Callahan, whom I had to reassure, REAL BOYS WEAR PINK! He mumbles and grumbles, but he is a good sport.


Okay...have to get Tanner some snack...more later...

Remember when there was just 2?

Okay...I found more in the collection of "lost photos". These are from back in the days when I would (try) to take Mackenzie and Callahan in to have their pictures done every 3/6 months. We kept Sears Portraits in business there for awhile. Heehee! Gotta love my new scanner!



September 2001



December 2001



August 2002


June 2003

REAL oldies

Moving is "sort" of like Christmas. (Come on, trying to stay sane here!) You find a lot of hidden gems you thought you had either thrown out, lost, or just plain forgotten. Here are a few photos we found in our sorting.


Our first car...bought in downtown Brentwood. I think I ate that skinny girl!



Halloween...on our way to "scare" my first graders



At Mark's cousin's wedding...as a married couple




New Year's Eve...2000-2001...pregnant with Callahan

Forgotten UCSF story

I had completely forgotten this funny (now...not then!) story that happened on that Monday before Thanksgiving. Mark mentioned it in our "Thank you" poem...the leaky ceiling. I had arrived back at UCSF for the switch after the weekend to see Mark and Tanner playing the XBOX. So Tanner's new spot was the chair Mark and I had been sleeping/living in and Mark had been sitting on Tanner's bed. So while Tanner was showing me how he played his game...I changed his pillowcases and switched his blankies for Mark to take home and wash. Mark was busy packing things to go home and when I was done, I sat on Tanner's bed (since he was busy "driving McQueen Cars on the XBOX game...go figure...more McQueen stuff...)and leaned back, threw up my arm and it landed on WET PILLOW. Now, at this point, I could have walked out of the bathroom with toilet paper on my shoe and out my pants and never noticed (or cared!) So I questioned myself if I had just brought and then put on a wet pillowcase. Hey, it happens, right? So while I'm questioning my sanity, a nurse comes in to do something "nursey" (I just can't remember...I'm trying to block it all out now! Seriously, I read back and cringe at some of the days we had...) And I'm telling her about the wet pillowcases when she looks up and SEES WATER DRIPPING FROM THE CEILING! We all started laughing because this would ONLY happen to Tanner. One more outrageous experience. We were kind of wondering about the room above us...leaking water? Uh oh! So as Mark headed home to beat traffic and pick up the kids from school, the maintance crew arrived. Apparently, there was a water pipe in the ceiling that had been leaking before and it was only fixed with a "bandaid". So Tanner and I headed to the playroom while it was being repaired...and 90 minutes later, the leak was fixed and we were getting word that we were getting released in 2 days. Only part of the Wieland Adventure!

Thank you, Thank you

OMG...how fun to have the blog linked to Facebook now. It's supposed to notify "fans" with new posts automatically...hopefully it'll work! I tried to sit down yesterday and write my thank you notes to friends and family who have sent food and money to us during the holidays...so overwhelmingly grateful...but it was constant "mom, mom, mom" and Mark yelling, "come see this..." Jeez! And if I didn't run right up to see what Mark was hanging...it might have ended up upside-down or in the wrong room! PLEASE be patient with me...I am sooooo thankful for all the wonderful gifts for our family...and I WILL get those notes out! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for continuing to support us!



Summer 2006