I will Always be you light. |
We are participating in the March of Dimes, "March for Babies" in Memory of Aria and to celebrate the lives of our 3 beautiful NICU graduates.
DONATE HERE
Our Story: March Of Dimes
Dear Friends,
In the spring of 2012, we formed a Family Team to help the March of Dimes raise money for Moms and Babies. Our Team's name is Wendo:In Memory of Aria.
We formed our team in honor of our daughter Aria, who was born 20 weeks too soon and passed away a few hours after birth. Not only did we lose our daughter on October 11, 2008, Cole, at the age of 6, lost his sister. As heart breaking as it was to lose Aria, we need to celebrate the lives of Cole, Athena and Alexa who were also premature. Without medical interventions while pregnant and then later in the NICU, Athena and Alexa may not have survived either.
By sharing our story, we hope to remind everyone of the urgency of the mission of the March of Dimes and inspire our friends and family to join or donate to our team.
We hope to make this an annual tradition.
Hope to see you spring 2013!!
~Team Wendo
2013!
For you my sweet Aria
2014
Wendo 2013
Wendo 2012
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Held Your Hold Life
A Proper Portrait
Team Wendo: Here is the baby you work so hard for each year.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
5-19-13 March for Babies
The Memorial Garden: Each flag represents a baby lost. Remembering my Aria!! |
The March of Dimes has provided 75 years of support for research, treatments, educational and prenatal programs that has saved lives, reduced the suffering and improved the quality of life for countless children and the parents who love them. I hold a carnation to honor my daughter Aria. However, the 3 preemies who stand beside me today are success stories and a wonderful example of what March of Dimes efforts have accomplished. We want to thank you for coming out today to support such an important cause.
Dr. Ravi Agarwal, from Geisinger Health System and I were sporting our "Club 39" hats for being top fundraisers.
If you have the misfortune of needing a doctor in a NICU, Dr. Agarwal is the man you want.
My Wendo Warrior Shirt won FIRST PLACE for best shirt!!!! |
Super Hero Ninja Frank- |
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Times Leader Article
http://www.timesleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?avis=TL&date=20130512&category=news&lopenr=305129878&Ref=AR&source=RSS
WILKES-BARRE TWP. – Celebrating its 75th anniversary, the March of Dimes will continue the organization’s tradition of research to promote healthier babies by holding a fundraiser walk called March for Babies on Sunday.
Founded in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to fund the fight against polio, the March of Dimes is a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of mothers and their babies.
The March for Babies will be held at King’s College’s Betzler Field in Wilkes-Barre Township. Registration begins at 9 a.m. and the walk starts at 10.
After the walk, the day will feature family fun, including refreshments, entertainment, activities for children, and much more.
The longest running walk-a-thon began in the 1970s as a way to raise proceeds for research to prevent premature births, prenatal wellness programs, research grants, neonatal intensive care units, and family support programs.
Last year the walk-a-thon raised $130,000 nationally, said Deborah Pollock, executive director of the March of Dimes.
The March of Dimes has yielded health advances that have decreased infant deaths from infectious diseases and birth defects, said Pollock.
After experiencing four premature births and one infant death, the Wendolowski family, of Peckville, knows the importance of these health advancements.
Chosen by the March of Dimes as the family ambassador for the local event, the Wendolowskis have taken their role seriously.
“It is surprising not a lot of people know what they do,” Nicole Wendolowski said, referring to the organization.
With various fundraisers planned throughout surrounding areas, she hopes to raise awareness of the March of Dimes as well as funding for her family’s team, Team Wendo in Memory of Aria.
Aria was the family’s second child, born at 17 weeks. Aria lived for two hours after birth. Her memory is still strong and is a driving force for Team Wendo.
“The March of Dimes gives me a positive way to deal with the negative,” Nicole said.
The Wendolowskis now have three children: Cole, 11, Athena, 3, and Alexa, 2. All were born prematurely, despite Nicole’s best efforts to be healthy. The longest term baby was 35 weeks.
RAFFLE WINNERS
Holly Jacobeno
Marc's Tattoo
$100 GC Donna Cool
$50 GC Sherri Rudaski
Electric City Tattoo
$50 Ali Fedor
$25 Cara from Julie Arditos
Rockin Willies
$50 Aubree Blaker
Homemade Afghan
Ron from Idle Hours
Tubby Basket
Naomi Spewak
Andy's Pizza Mother's Day Surprise
Rhea Carey
Sanderson State Street Manicure
Kate
The Eatery Gift Certificate
Patrick Skeen
Steve & Irene Gift Card
Mark Entwistle
Pehrs Pizza
Mike Umphred
The Clocktower & Andy Gavins Gift Cert
Bill Marraffini
La Cocina
Kathy Fedor
Sambuca Italian Br & Grill
Debra Nolan
Carmellas
Colin Skeen
La Cocina
Marianna Vanderburg
Anna Maria's Gift Cert
Devin Walker
Jillys
Wendy Cox
Trolleys
Rhea Carey
Trolleys
Matt Michaylo
Wrapping Basket
Joan
Baby Basket
Mallory Hamm
Relaxation Basket
Rose
Signed Sports Illustrated
Tom McGuire Sr.
Hopscotch
Wendy Cox
Hansel & Gretel
Renee Tanner
Dress Me Up
Argia Domski
$50 Gerritys Gift Card
Paul W
CrossFit Vertex
Holly Jacobeno
Nepa Fitclub
Jen Potter
NEPA Fitclub
Elizabeth Rae
Kitchen Basket
Ralph Swire
Vera Bradley Bag & Wallet
Kathy Possanza
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Mother's Day Bakesale 2013!
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
ThredUp
Join my group to raise money for the March of Dimes.
Group link: http://thred.me/17cWyWd
This is an online consignment store. It is a great place to shop for brand name clothes from the comfort of your home.
Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Valley View Intermediate Center
In 1938, at the end of the Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt went on the radio and asked everyone to send a dime to the White House. American families responded, sending in millions of dimes to help defeat polio.
The classroom that “fills” the most dime wrappers will receive a special 75th Birthday celebration.
More than 4 million babies were born in the United States last year and the March of Dimes helped each and every one through 75 years of research, education, vaccines and breakthroughs. Let’s work together as we celebrate 75 years of stronger, healthier babies.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Sunday, April 28, 2013
THANK YOU ANDY GAVIN'S PUB!
Friday, April 26, 2013
2 HAPPY HOURS!!
Please join us at Andy Gavin's from 5-7pm.
$20 Cover includes all you can drink domestics and snacks such as boneless wings, pizza, veggies etc.
Music by DJ Matt of UNA Entertainment
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
PA LIVE!
http://pahomepage.com/fulltext/?nxd_id=334562
In "Your Community Live!" Tammy Krolick, Nicole and Athena Wendolowski talk about their support of the March of Dimes. "Wendo Warriors" Event For the March of Dimes: Saturday, April 20th from Noon-4:00pm Crossfit Vertex, Dickson City
Monday, April 15, 2013
THIS WEEKEND APRIL 20 CROSSFIT VERTEX
How does CrossFit differ from other programs? It is a high intensity workout done in a short period of time. It is FAST AND EFFECTIVE!!!! You don 't need to be in shape; they will get you in shape. :)
Heats will run every 30 minutes from 12-3:30pm, you'll be signed up for the next available heat upon arrival and check in so please plan to spend some time mingling with your fellow CrossFitters, family and friends :-)
If the thought of sweating scares you, you can watch. In addition we will have a raffle which includes Tattoos from Marcs, & Electric City, 4 pack Dorney Park Tickets, Gift Cards to Restaurants & gyms, baskets and much more. The drawing will be held on Mother's Day.
Parking will be offsite, additional details will be posted throughout the week
Thursday, April 11, 2013
Thank You Fred Forte:State Farm Insurance!
THANK YOU!!!
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
3 babies,1 Star-My Angel
When I was 25 I lived in Brooklyn, had a wonderful OBGYN, and became pregnant with my first baby. After 9-11, I moved back to Pennsylvania and this is where my story begins.
Our First Baby: Surprise it is a boy!
At 25, what does a person know about being pregnant? I really didn't know what to expect.
Around the 20th week of pregnancy, I started having pain. Because it was early into the pregnancy, I was seen by an emergency room doctor. I was sent home because I was not dilated; however, I was never placed on a monitor. I was told that UTI's can cause horrific pain. Thankfully, I made it to 34 weeks when I started having that "UTI" pain again. I thought, not again!" When I used the bathroom, there was a trace amount of blood so I decided to go to the hospital. Thank goodness for the blood, otherwise, I may have had Cole at home. When I arrived at the hospital, I was 9cm dilated. It was too late to stop the labor and too late for medication. Within two hours of arriving to the hospital, my son was born on 2/17/02. He stayed in the NICU until 3/3/02. I know now that I was in labor much earlier with Cole.
Our 2nd Pregnancy In 2008, I became pregnant again. I was so excited. The excitement would soon turn to fear and worry. At 8 weeks, I started bleeding and thought I was having a miscarriage. The baby still had a heartbeat and the reason for the bleeding was unknown. For the next few months, I experienced bouts of bleeding. I felt as though something was wrong but the doctors could not find anything. At 17 weeks my amniotic fluid was low, I was placed on complete bedrest by the Maternal and Fetal Specialist.
Needless to say, my gut instinct was right. There was something terribly wrong. I went to the hospital on October 11 because I was having contractions. The doctor said," I am sorry but I think you are going to have the baby tonight." In my heart, I already knew this. I will leave the details of the birth out, but you can read them on my other blog.
She was so tiny and fragile. However, she lived for two hours following birth, which is miraculous for a baby her size. I wish someone would have suggested that I take a picture with her. I was in shock and getting pictures of my tiny baby was the furthest thing from my mind. The pictures that I have do not reflect how small she was. Her little hand grasped my pinky. Her foot was only an inch long.
Words cannot accurately describe feelings as you hold your dying baby. You are totally helpless and in a state of shock. Then reality hits, the baby that you carried for twenty weeks is gone. You can hear babies crying and sounds of joy and laughter from the rooms down the hall. Sadly, in your room, there is only sadness and loss. Lives forever changed.......
What if? What if the doctor didn't send me home the day before? What if my body could have held her until 24 weeks of gestation?
March of Dimes conducts critical research that helps Moms carry their baby to term. The March of Dimes research would help me during my next two pregnancies.
3rd Pregnancy
At this point, it is a known fact that I have problems carrying babies. I began seeing the Maternal and Fetal Specialists from Lehigh Valley Hospital. I set goals or mini milestones for the pregnancy. First lets make it to 12 weeks- celebrate. Next 24 weeks because a baby can be saved with medical intervention. Then 28 weeks because the survival rate triples from 24. Finally, 32 weeks because that is what the NICU doctors hope for.
From the beginning of the pregnancy, I began taking aspirin, and a few weeks in, I began taking hydroxyprogesterone 17, a weekly injection to prevent preterm labor. You can read more. http://www.marchofdihttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/17-
Hydroxyprogesteronemes.com/news/feb4_2011.html
In addition, My cervix was measured every two weeks to watch for any changes. Despite these interventions, I went into labor at 28 weeks after discovering I had gestational diabetes. Thankfully, labor was stopped with various medications. At this time, I had steroids to quicken the baby's lung development and I started taking insulin 4X per day to get my sugar under control. Because of my diabetes, I had an excess of amniotic fluid and the baby seemed to be growing faster than she should.
Despite the obstacles, this was the longest that I ever been pregnant! A full 35 weeks; woohoo! Athena needed to spend time in the NICU because of her glucose/ sugar. Once her glucose was regulated, she was able to come back to my hospital room. This was the only normal aspect of my pregnancy.
4th & Last Pregnancy:
This pregnancy was truly an unexpected surprise. Because of all the meds used to treat me in my last pregnancy, they were unable to do much. I did take aspirin daily, weekly injections of hydroproxyprogesterone, had my cervix measured every two weeks, got steroid shots for lung development at 24 weeks. Yet, at 26 weeks, I had a positive fetal fibronectin http://www.marchofdimes.com/pregnancy/pretermlabor_fetalfibronectin.html, which means you can possibly go into labor at any moment.
By 27 weeks, I was fully effaced and because of the positive test the week before, I was placed directly in the hospital for complete bedrest. The NICU doctor came to speak to me and explained all the potential problems of having a baby this early.
I set a goal of 32 weeks. I tried to stay as positive as possible believing that each day that I spent in bed was one less day Alexa would spend in the NICU. This was not an easy task with Cole and an infant at home. However, I made it to 31 weeks!! I impressed the doctors with my spirit and will power. They could not believe that I stayed pregnant as long as I did.
We will always have our light. The shining star lighting our way. We will be together again one day.