Merry Christmas!

So life has been a little nuts since my last update!! We've been slowing down since the landscaping season and seeming to get busier with the apartments and remodeling around the house. Have I ever mentioned that I really dislike being a landlord?! Let me tell ya... not so fun! But we are working out some kinks and making it work! Let's just say that there are a few people that live in our apartments that probably RUN the other direction when they see me coming... oh my husband is so happy he put me in charge of all this now! :)

Along with all this we have had a very interesting week in the Yoder Household! Sunday night a guy who used to work for us a couple years ago called Caleb up and said he had no place to stay... in short he's a homeless alcoholic with lots of problems. Caleb has kept touch with him over the last two years and was mentoring him in a way... keeping up with him and trying to keep him on the right track. So he ended up spending the night in our basement both Sunday and Monday. We did a lot of pouring into him those couple of days... trying to find him other places to go, filling out job applications for him, giving him rides places (yes, he has no car either), feeding him, and praying with him. I was hopeful when he left Tuesday, sober, that he would take some of what we had told him and move in the right direction. Well I'm learning more and more that a person in that type of predicament needs to WANT to change in order to get better. It is defeating and it made for an exhausting week... even though he isn't in "our care" anymore he is still calling and we are still dealing with him but he sure has shown Caleb and I LOTS!

After the shooting last Friday and just encountering another Christmas season I feel like I've been confronted with the importance of sharing Christ, wearing Him on my sleeve per say. The man that stayed at our house showed me once again the vital importance of this concept. When you see a person that has nothing, I mean NOTHING, you can really only offer him one thing... and that's hope, and that can only come from God. It was a great time to share with him about my Savior who he actually shares. He has accepted Christ during one of his alcohol rehabs, but like us all... has gone through valleys and mountain tops. Let's just say... he's in the valley right now! Like the Grand Canyon! Anyway, it was good for Caleb and I to be reminded of our blessings because we have chosen to honor Christ with our lives and live a certain way. And it was good for him to see that we believe all we are and have is because of Christ... and the discernment and wisdom that comes from following Christ. It has just become more and more evident to me that Christ is nothing to be afraid of sharing, I should never be shy of my Savior, whether it offends someone or not...

 "If we disown him, he will also disown us." 2 Timothy 2:12

We have an extremely loving and gracious God, but if we continue to deny Him it separates us from that love and grace He so badly wants to pour out. 

Oh yeah... remember the reason for my post? I'm pregnant still?! Awesome! Two weeks past where I delivered the boys!!!! 

27 weeks 5 days

The boys wanted in on the action... showing me their "babies" too!

How far along? 27 weeks 5 days
Total weight gain/loss: A little over recommended... so it's still my secret! ;)
Maternity clothes? Yup! But the sweater I'm wearing is just a regular one... still mixing it up!
Stretch marks? None, so far!
Sleep: I told Caleb last night that I am already starting to mourn my loss of sleep. Between getting up often with Luke (who seems to be having lots of bad dreams lately), my hands going numb and aching constantly  and just knowing what a newborn is like... well let's just say I was tired and overwhelmed at the thought! Ha!
Best moment this week: Having Caleb get to feel his son do some crazy flips the other night! He was moving around a ton and Caleb was able to feel some feel really good kicks, flips and punches. Along with watching my belly move around too! We were having a blast!
Movement: A lot... see above :)
Cravings: I'm starting to see more and more that yes, I have another little Caleb-boy in my belly. I've been into hot stuff again lately, and really liking the veggie sub at subway since it's only $2. I get pepper jack cheese, ALL the veggies (even peppers) and chipotle southwest. Mmmm... I don't even miss the one slice of deli meat they usually give you! Ha!
Gender: BOY!!!!
Labor Signs: Still none so far!
Belly Button in or out? Still in! But I don't think for much longer!
What I miss: Being able to sleep, talk on the phone, put on my mascara, do the dishes, etc... without my hand(s) going numb!
What I am looking forward to: CHRISTMAS! With my family this weekend and then with Caleb's fam over New Years!! Looking more and more forward to meeting  this boy. It just makes me so curious to think of what he is going to be like... more like Max/Me or more like Luke/Caleb or a whole new mix?! Also can't wait to experience one baby... and prayerfully a positive birth?! I'm just excited!

Also... I was just telling Caleb that the baby is about 14.8" from head to heel. This week the baby's brain is also developing its folds and grooves and he continues to add layers of fat to his body. This may not seem to mean much... but I remember these gestational phases as if they were seared into my brain forever. My boys were two weeks old at 27 weeks 5 days and I was educating myself as a first time mom about how to increase their brain development by approaching their isolettes from both sides, talking to them in different tones and from different sides of their brains. I was encountered with the sobering reality that if I was not proactive about these things... they would merely not happen. I would demand the nurses to change their positions even though it was aggravating for them to work opposite, but I was paralyzed by pictures in books that showed a premature baby's brain at 37 weeks and a full term baby's brain in utero at 37 weeks. An amazing difference and I was determined to change that for my boys! What I am saying with all this is I feel beyond blessed to be able to bond with this baby in my tummy! I feel like everyday I'm given more time to get to know him and more gifts of his development. I am thankful that with two crazy toddlers to take care of I really don't have to worry about their little brother... God is forming him as we speak! Ah... amazing! Cheers to 12 more weeks!

So if you think about it... say a prayer for "that man" who is homeless, controlled by a substance and just like you and me... a sinner who needs God's grace. And also...

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!!!!!

Half Way There!

So we're half way there... 20 weeks down and 20 to go! Below is my picture taken at 20 weeks 3 days... but get this... I had a doctor appointment yesterday and measured at 26 weeks!??!?! Crazy, huh... the doctor said it is no big deal and that it could be because my uterus is tipped different, I had a growth spurt, or I just have a big uterus?! Who knows! We know baby isn't overly big because the ultrasound showed baby growing just on track... this could make for a BIG pregnancy!?

21 Weeks with the twins... for comparison to my singleton... that is measuring 26 weeks?!

How far along? 20 weeks 3 days
Total weight gain/loss: 15 lbs +
Maternity clothes? Yup!
Stretch marks? None, so far!
Sleep: Still the same... waking up lots to pee which makes sense now since my ultrasound. The tech said the baby's head is way down and resting on my bladder.
Best moment this week: Getting to see our baby at the ultrasound!
Movement: More and more everyday! Starting to feel the difference from the kicks and punches.
Cravings: Hmm.... soup from the bakery, with a hard roll still. Nothing else new the past two weeks.
Gender: BOY!!!! We found out at our ultrasound last week. We went into the ultrasound and told the tech that we did not want to find out the gender and then a couple minutes into it ... there it was! Boy parts for all to see! :) I did later ask if they could just confirm the gender so they put the it in an envelope for us to look at later when we got home. We waited until we went to bed and looked and saw just what we thought, a boy. I am really happy we did end up finding out. I think that the opportunity I had to go through some emotions was good before the baby came. Now I can take time to get ready and be more prepared and be ready and excited to welcome another boy. Because just to be honest... I was really thinking it was a girl so the shock was good to get over!
Labor Signs: I had a little bit of a scare the other night and I think it just ended up being growing pains. I had my doctor check my cervix yesterday at my appointment and so far so good! All closed!
Belly Button in or out? Still in!
What I miss: Energy... but I honestly think that is missed because of trying to potty train and parent two 2 and 1/2 year olds and not being pregnant!
What I am looking forward to: Nothing really related to my pregnancy but I am so looking forward to a weekend away in the cities with my mom! We have not gotten away alone since before the boys were born. I can't wait to have girl time, go out to eat and best of all... SPA DAY!!!!!!!!!! :) It will be great!

This last weekend we got away to celebrate my Grandma Gerrie's 75th birthday! It was a great time with family!

Going for a ride on Papa's hay wagon! We all JUST fit! 

Grandma with some of her girls... and Jason! :)

Papa and Max sitting on the porch at the cabin!

Papa with Luke and Max!

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Our family... all 5 of us! :)

18 Weeks!

WoW! I can't believe I'm 18 weeks already! Seems like this pregnancy is really flying by so fast! I think that is one of the benefits of having other children while pregnant... it just goes by faster!

The board says... 18 weeks, baby is 5.6" from crown to rump. (A sweet potato) 

I'm sorry, but that seems crazy to me... already that long!? Super exciting!

The bump is really starting to BUMP! And just so I know, for future reference looking back on these pictures, I think I look lots bigger in person?!

How far along? 18 weeks 3 daysTotal weight gain/loss: I figured I better document this because I will be mad that I never did... so far... 13 lbs... that seems like a lot and I think it's a little more than average or recommended but I just feel better when I eat... so, yeah.
Maternity clothes? Ah, yes... maternity clothes! I forgot how comfortable you are! I am officially wearing them daily! I still have a mix of shirts but I am now in my maternity pants and it's hard to go back! :)
Stretch marks? Curious to see what will happen this time... so far so good though!
Sleep: I tend to wake up between 3-4 am every night for a bathroom break and have trouble getting back to sleep after that. Best moment this week: Caleb got to feel the baby kick last night!Movement: Really starting to ramp up... the baby definitely has it's busy and quiet times... starting to figure out when that is more regularly.

Cravings: Hmm.... soup from the bakery, with a hard roll. Mexican. Really... junk... that's bad I know! AND... to trump all the junk... I have really been craving salad!?Gender: We don't know and won't! And that is final... I think! ;)Labor Signs: None yet, thank goodness!Belly Button in or out? In, but it's looking a little distorted and stretched out.What I miss: I miss not feeling so, well round when I see myself in the mirror before I take a shower... I almost think... wow... how much longer do I have to get how much bigger! Ha!What I am looking forward to: My twenty week ultrasound on October 24th! Just excited to see baby again! Also looking forward to being out of that stage where you feel like you're showing but to the rest of the world you pretty much just look like you just left and all-you-can-eat buffet...

Just had to share some sweet photos of the boys with their newest cousin, Eli. While the guys were in Montana Rach and Eli stayed with us a couple nights and the boys just LOVE Eli and loved that they were staying here! 

This one cracks me up... I think I must have told Luke not to touch Eli!!!

SO sweet!!

Love how all three are in their own world here!

 Crazy to think that pretty soon I'll have three babies!!

Pictures...

So I have a lot of pictures but not tons of time... so here's a speedy update, in pictures!

The other night the boys were playing outside with me and I sent Max in because he was cold. I knew that Caleb was in there doing bookwork at the kitchen counter but I figured Max would just be busy playing with toys... nothing for him to get into to...

Well much to my surprise I walked in about fifteen minutes later to a disaster! As Caleb was obliviously engrossed in his paperwork Max was running around the house with a full (now empty) bottle of baby powder... just having a blast flinging it EVERYWHERE!!! There was almost a white haze when I walked in... and I said to Caleb as calmly as I could... "do you see what is happening behind you?!?!" He turns around and says... "oops, no." Well... it is just a good memory now... and Luke joined in right away too as you can see! The pictures really don't even do it justice... ha ha!

We got away for our six year anniversary in September!! So fun! We just went the cities and shopped, stayed in a hotel and ate lots of good food! I got a haircut which was beyond needed and it was fun to be away and have the time to go get it done! 

Eating out at the Cheesecake Factory! Yum!

My anniversary present... along with getting spoiled all weekend... a second band for my wedding ring!

The only picture of us from the weekend... and really... a not so great one...

These pictures below are from the second weekend in September. We went up to my mom and dad's cabin in Mason to celebrate my brother's birthday! So fun!

Max, Nevaeh and Luke!

Papa's hay wagon... all done now!

These two are partners in crime!!

Nana's gourds!

Just in case your are not aware... we are movie stars! Ha! We filmed a commercial and took pictures for print ads for Essentia clinic. It was fun, actually!

Did I say it was fun?! I meant exhausting! Ha!

The boys in sweaters from great grandma Clara!

Billboard that is in Duluth... haven't seen it in real life yet. 

My puff paint pumpkin!

The boys said they wanted to be babies... like Eli! :)

Sweet go-cart their dad got them!

My fall mantel... believe it or not... the banner is still up!!

Daddy's boys... night before Caleb left for Montana! He's home now though!

Phew... done! :) Now to do my 18 week update!

16 weeks... a little late!

I am a little late at my biweekly update... this picture was taken at 16 weeks 5 days, but I got it done! :)

Sorry about the scowl and the awkward arms... I couldn't figure out what to do with my arms?!

So the "Mexican" themed board is in honor of my friend Dawn. When she was pregnant with her first she mistakenly said her baby was the size of guacamole at sixteen weeks instead of an avocado and we have never let her live it down since!

As far as my questionnaire thing I did at 14 weeks, not much has changed really! But I guess there was enough to document either way...

How far along? 16 weeks 5 days

Baby Size: Baby is the size of an avocado

Total weight gain/loss: hmmm... this will be a question I would just rather avoid! :) So far I would say gain... no other info is necessary! Ha!

Maternity clothes? I am still wearing regular jeans but I officially am done buttoning them all the way! It is just too uncomfortable. I did put on a pair of maternity pants the other day and my body sighed with relief. I think it's time but I just don't have many pairs of maternity pants/jeans that fit me. All the ones from my last pregnancy are quite large because I bought everything in anticipation of blowing up to the size of a house! 

Stretch marks? Not really... I mean I have a couple from last time that are still there. Weirdest thing... I got stretch marks AFTER I had the boys. Like as I shrunk back down. I did read that can happen but it just doesn't seem to make sense!

Sleep: Sleeping ok... as far as pregnancy. 

Best moment this week: Had an doctor appointment the other day and got to hear the heartbeat again!

Miss Anything? I miss not feeling FULL all the time. I just feel like I always just ate a big meal!

Movement: Just starting... and starting to get a little more frequent.

Food cravings: Salty & Sweet... lately I am into Starbursts and Mexican food.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope.

Have you started to show yet: Yes. Belly is sticking out more and more. 

Gender: Our plan is to not find out! We'll see if I can stick to my plan in 4 weeks! 

Labor Signs: No... my prayer is to have no signs until after at least full term!

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On.

Mood? Good... normal?

Looking forward to:  Can't wait to be able to feel the baby move more and have it move to the point where others can feel it when they put their hands on my belly! Love that!

I have a ton of family updates I have to make too so I am working on another post I will get out tomorrow for that!

14 Weeks

So I am officially out of the first trimester and on to BIGGER and better things... so they say. Below is my picture comparison of 14 weeks with one (second pregnancy) and 14 weeks with twins (first pregnancy). Crazy difference, I must say. Makes total sense, but it's just interesting. 

I'm bummed that my newer picture is so blurry but that is what you get when you are running to get there for a self timer and a camera that I think was about to fall! So I didn't think that I was going to do a questionnaire type thing with my pregnancy because I don't know how much will change if I update every week but I thought I would maybe do them every once in a while... as things progress for the sake of keeping track!

How far along? 14 weeks 1 day

Baby Size: Baby is the size of a lemon

Total weight gain/loss: hmmm... this will be a question I would just rather avoid! :) So far I would say gain... no other info is necessary! Ha!

Maternity clothes? I am still in my jeans and buttoning them... until after supper and then I just have to unbutton them to get comfortable when I sit. Thinking I will be needing some maternity pants in the next few weeks. 

Stretch marks? Not really... I mean I have a couple from last time that are still there. Weirdest thing... I got stretch marks AFTER I had the boys. Like as I shrunk back down. I did read that can happen but it just doesn't seem to make sense!

Sleep: Sleeping ok... as far as pregnancy. 

Best moment this week: Starting to feel movement.

Miss Anything? Nothing at the moment!

Movement: Just starting...

Food cravings: Salty & Sweet... lately toast always hits the spot?!

Anything making you queasy or sick: I made some type of seafood pasta the other day and I just about LOST it with the smell... turned me off for the rest of the day.

Have you started to show yet: Yes. Belly is sticking out more. I can still wear certain things to hide it, but overall anyone who knows me can tell. I am just thicker overall.

Gender: Our plan is to not find out! We'll see if I can stick to my plan in 6 weeks! 

Labor Signs: No... my prayer is to have no signs until after at least full term!

Belly Button in or out? In

Wedding rings on or off? On... waiting to get my original wedding ring back this weekend for our anniversary. Caleb got some work done to it so he has been waiting to give it back to me until our anniversary!  

Mood? Good... normal?

Looking forward to:  Actually looking forward to having a belly, even though I know I will regret that as soon as it's really here. Also looking forward to the future of a growing family, being "done" and moving on and watching our family grow, meeting the baby... and just knowing what it is... it just might kill me to wait! :)

13 Weeks

Right off the bat... sorry no picture. Nothing has changed since my last picture so I thought it was irrelevant. I did want to update quick though..

- Started feeling baby move this week!!!!! I really thought there was no way, but it was undeniable after a while. I looked it up and "they" say that second time mom's can feel movement at 13 weeks. So I'm going with baby and not gas!
- Sorry, that was really my only reason to update! :)

I will post a picture next week and I have an unbelievable comparison picture to post of me at 14 weeks with the boys. It will BLOW your mind. I couldn't believe the difference myself! I will say that is the one marked difference so far, besides feeling better overall. I can't believe how much slower you grow with a singleton?! At first I felt really big with this one... just bloating and being a second pregnancy my uterus was ready to inflate it seemed like automatically. But now, I feel like I'm waiting to get into maternity clothes and so far I'm still buttoning all my pants? I am not saying my belly is little, trust me. But I am saying I can tell there is only one in there! Maybe a petite little girl?! Who knows! :)

Also, just some rambling... but I have been thinking and praying for my dear friend Dawn... she is moving next week... to NORTH DAKOTA! And I am going to miss her terribly! I also am "extra" sad because we are both pregnant right now and I love having her to talk things through with and laugh about and really... laugh at ourselves! I am just so thankful for phones! We will be talking a lot, I'm sure. But Dawn... I just want you to know that I love you dearly and am praying for you, Mike, John and little Baby M. Know that even though we will be 12 hours apart our friendship will never change. Thanks for being there for me over the last 10 ish years and for being such a beautiful example of consistent, Godly, loving friendship in my life! Can't believe I'd ever say this, but I can't wait to go to North Dakota...... so I can see you!

Ok... check back next week for the 14 week bump update!

Big Brothers

As you've probably guessed... we are expecting! Our one little baby is due in March, March 17th. So a St. Patty's Day baby! At this point that is my prayer... to make it to the end! We are very excited and I am a little nervous... just praying that my body will do what it is supposed to do this time around!

The Proof!

We found out we were going to have another baby in July... Funny thing is, with the boys I can still tell you the exact day I found out... and with this one, I would have to look back on a calendar or something to figure that out. I think that is just pregnancy the second round in general. You are too busy with other kids to think about some of the details.

Trying to get the boys to "pose" with the pregnancy test... not so successful!

I took the test early in the morning, before Caleb and the boys were up. And when I got the boys out of bed I gave Max the test to hand to Daddy... it was a fun way to surprise him. However, Caleb was not surprised in the least. We had been trying and we were both anticipating a positive result. 

Here is a "letter" I wrote to the baby just moments after I took the test!

Dear Baby or Babies,

I just found out about you. Really only moments ago. My head is spinning. I haven't even told Daddy about you yet, he's still sleeping and so are your brothers. Mama just doesn't want to forget how this feels so I'm writing it down...

Anxious, excited, overwhelmed, joyful, scared, shaky, did I say EXCITED?!?!

We have been thinking about you, planning for you and waiting for you for quite a while now. I am just so pleased with how God works. You will learn soon enough that we have a Savior, someone who loves us beyond words that wants to take care for us. He has perfect timing and we do not. And He has decided we will hear about your arrival now...

You are due March 19th, 2013 but Mama is not holding her breath. If you are anything like your brothers you will be jumping the gun. So I will be patient, hopefull and super duper prayerful that you stay put. Mark my words now... I would like you to even be a tad overdue. I'm sure I wouldn't say that come 40 weeks,  but I hope my attitude is still the same then... the longer the better!

Well I just heard your brother Luke cry, thinking he might be ready to get up, Max too I'm sure. They will be so excited to meet you! I can't even imagine! I can't wait to find out more about you... like are there two more babies to love in there, just one? A girl? A boy? My prayer overall all is whatever you are, one, two three, boy, girl... is that you are healthy, that you are strong, and most importantly that this pregnancy honors God, because He is the one that gave it to us!!!

I love you little one(s)!!

Mama

This is my plan to document my pregnancy... take weekly picture updates as I go... 

So far my weeks have turned into TWO months! Yikes! In the picture above I'm 12 weeks 2 days. Things we know so far...
- There is just one baby. Confirmed by ultrasound at 7 weeks.
- My official Q1Q211Q1Q1 (oh yes, a little help from Max!) due date is March 17th
- We have heard a heartbeat by doplar at 10 weeks and we saw the heartbeat at the ultrasound too
- I am craving sweets, general junk food... along with...

- Starburts... any flavor, but some I crave more than others!
- BLT's!!! Love them with avocado too!
- Weirdest and probably one of the strongest cravings around 10 weeks... HOT STUFF! Like Frank's Red Hot Wing sauce, on just about anything! Just so strange because I have been the girl that mixes sour cream with mild salsa because I think it's too hot and I have now been eating jalenpenos with my husband at night!??!

- I feel bigger with this one than with the twins?! But I know with it being my second pregnancy it is typical to show faster and "expand" quicker!
- Overall I've felt really good. No severe morning sickness... really nothing compared to the boys. I only feel icky come late evening. But never close enough to even lose my cookies... so that has been great.

Excited to switch gears on here for a little while and document my pregnancy! I will obviously still be updating about the boys with pictures, etc. but I am going to try my hardest to be good about staying consistent with pregnancy updates. I was bad about it with the boys and it is still a regret of mine! So I'm hoping to update soon!

It's August Tomorrow?!

I CANNOT believe that tomorrow is August! This summer is flying by! So far we've had a lots of fun things going on and lots of general summer busyness. Here are some pictures of what we've been up to...

Going for a test-ride on Papa's hay wagon that he has been so diligently working on! They loved it!

It is all done now!! And ready to go to the cabin to be pulled by the big orange tractor!

My hoarders! I just don't know why they love this so much, but they can't seem to get enough of taking all of the most random household things and shoving them in corners of the house! 

My little Luker! He loves his motor sports... already!?!

I found these two like this the other day... up on the table, reading books together. 

My sweet little Max, bringing me flowers!

So, speaking of hoarders... I went upstairs to make a quick phone call and this is what I came back to... they got the door open to the laundry room and proceeded to fill the washer with shoes, toys etc!!!

Oh my sweet nephew Eli! I got to finally see him again! He is just too sweet! I haven't been able to see him as much as I'd like ... between my boys getting hand, foot & mouth and then just having two two year olds in general... doesn't make for the easiest combo to get away to see baby! 

Naked dinner time!

So this naked dinner time needs some explanation... these boys, Max, Luke and Johnny, were swimming in the kiddie pool right before dinner. So we figured it would be fine for them to just eat dinner naked and then jump back in the pool to clean up. Well during dinner we could hear Johnny tooting on the plastic table and I kept telling Dawn, his mom, that he was going to do his business before too long! Well... not even a couple minutes after that and after this picture was taken my little Luker decided to humble his mama... you guessed it! He did his business... and let me tell you... I was just so happy my husband was there with a high powered hose, because it was almost more than I could handle in the middle of dinner!!! Oh good memories! All the things we will tell them someday...

The awesome new play set that Daddy got the boys! 

I'm sad in some ways that summer is almost over, but we have a busy August filled with lots of fun things to look forward to! And fall is by far my favorite season so I can't wait for the change!