It's FREEZING!

As I write this our wind chill is around -20 and it doesn't look much better until the weekend... brrrrrr! We are happily hunkering down inside... working on endless projects awaiting this baby's arrival! Caleb is doing some trim downstairs and I've been organizing baby clothes and sorting things along with rearranging,what feels like, EVERY room in our house! We are in the process of moving the boys out of the nursery, into a new room down the hall (that was the guest room). They will be transitioning into "big boy" beds once in there! Then I am redoing the nursery and we have been working to finish the basement so we still have a guest room and an additional living space/toy room! So far so good! We've been getting lots done daily!

Taking some time to play in the snow!

Going down double!

  CHRISTMAS!

We had a great time with both of our families celebrating Christmas! We had my family at our house for Christmas Eve dinner and then spent the following day opening presents and hanging out!

Waiting for the feast!

I'm really bummed that this is sideways but I can't fix it! It's my "new" dinning room! Since we now have the toys downstairs I got my dinning room back and a new table that we got SUPER cheap from Slumberland! I love it in the room, which is a relief because we never even saw it in person! Just ordered it from the pic in the flyer!

Nana reading books!

The boys' tree they were so proud of!

This little boy wore this hat for three days straight! Then I  hid it! :)

Christmas shopping in Menards... I lost these two elves for a minute!

The boys in their Christmas outfits from Nana!

Hanging out and reading at the Yoder Christmas!

Modeling their new gloves, jammies and hats they got for Christmas!

Playing some play dough with Uncle!

Hmmm... do they look guilty to you? Well, they are! Cousins riding on a skateboard sneaking Christmas candies by the handful!

Playing with a new Christmas toy! A train set!! 

We went to a water park in Eau Claire for Caleb's birthday.  The boys loved it!!

 We went to Duluth a couple weeks after Christmas to get Luke checked by an allergist. It just pretty much confirmed his lactose intolerance but it was good to learn more and help alleviate some of his discomfort! Feel like I could write a book about all of this... so I'll just move on to the next picture! :)

POLAR PLUNGE

The "boys" were at it again for Caleb's birthday this year! They haven't done the plunge for a few years and Caleb declared it as a must this year since he was turning 29... forever young? And dumb? Ha!

He jumped in and out so fast I couldn't even get an action shot! Just IN and OUT!

Our basement project! It's almost done! We had carpet installed this last week and now it's just trim and the finishing touches!

The new guest room!

Getting some furniture moved in!

As you can imagine there is a lot of construction being witnessed around here... and then interpreted by our boys... Cracks me up when they come up with these types of combos all by themselves!

The boys had a biannual physical the other week and their stats looked great! Max was 28.5 lbs and 35" tall and Luke was 27.8 lbs and 34.5" tall! Dr. Hyser was also beyond pleased with their communication and problem solving skills! It was great to have such a positive check up! The boys have also remained very healthy so far this winter. Really praying it stays that way the rest of the season... especially with a new little one joining us soon!

SO about that baby... we have some updating to do! Last Friday, well two Fridays ago I guess (the 11th) I woke up and was feeling some tightness in my belly. As I was in the shower I got about eight Braxton Hicks type contractions... tightness in my belly but no pain. I had a doctor appointment that day but called in anyway and talked to a nurse in the OB who told me to come in...really because of my history! It was just too surreal... I was in the same room, with the same nurse as I was when I went in with the boys. As she hooked me up to be monitored it was the same question... Are you feeling anything in your stomach right now? Me... No? And the nurse said the dreaded same words... Well you're having a pretty good contraction right now. Ugh.. my heart sunk and I just kept thinking... this is not happening again, this IS NOT happening AGAIN! My doctor came over to the hospital and checked me and I was so surprised when she said my cervix was completely closed and thick! I immediately said... Praise the Lord! And my doc and the nurse said... Amen! Ha!

They monitored me for about 3 hours and after seeing no cervical change in that time they sent me home... with a peace actually. It's hard, because if I was "normal" meaning never have had twins at an extremely early gestation, this would be routine... no biggie! But given my history it makes us all a little panic stricken! Since my hospital visit I've been getting about 6 contractions a day, but nothing painful. Just Braxton Hicks I'm guessing! So please say a prayer for this little boy... that he stays put! I would love a 42 week 10 lb-er! Ha! And I know in the next 8 weeks I will be more and more uncomfortable, but NOTHING... no discomfort is bad enough for me to want this baby to come any earlier than 40 weeks! Everyday IN is making him healthier and stronger! I'm so thankful that God has given me a peace to feel that the baby is in his hands and will be just fine! I feel like I was given a second chance this time by being sent home. Last time was all too similar, but the outcome so far is way different! I'm just doing whatever I can to make this little guy feel no rush to come out!

This was taken the morning I went in to the hospital... 30 weeks 5 days... my first thought was hurry up and take a last picture!

I have a confession... just took this picture today... and I'm actually 32 weeks 2 days! 

How far along? 32 weeks 2 days
Total weight gain/loss: 30 lbs! Ooops! Let's just say I've enjoyed eating this pregnancy!
Maternity clothes? Yup ... but still mixing it up!
Stretch marks? Well I have found four little ones so far! They are just kind of extra stretching from my old ones... like extension marks! :) Oh and when I was in the hospital at 30 weeks 5 days I measured at just about 33 weeks. So my whole measuring huge tendency is starting to level out I guess!
Sleep: It's still difficult with this whole hands/arms going numb thing. But we did buy a recliner on sale at Menards the other week... and that is kind of my new best friend!
Best moment this week: I think I have to get rid of this question... since I only update every 4-5 weeks... it's hard to pick! But THIS week... getting things done and ready for the baby! Caleb was saying to me the other day that it sounds so nice to think that we can have a little room all ready with the baby's new clothes and things. I agree! Sounds much more fun than doing construction while he sleeps in the living room... like his brothers did! :)
Movement: Starting to get more exaggerated! Lots of pushes and noticeable punches and kick from the outside. Along with rolling where my whole belly shifts!
Cravings: Still into HOT stuff and bacon and BLACK PEPPER! I can't seem to get enough spice! I went out to lunch with a friend the other day and actually unscrewed the top of the black pepper so I could get some extra out! :)
Gender: BOY!!!!
Labor Signs: Well you now know that story...
Belly Button in or out? I honestly would call it an inny-outy! Depends on my position and baby's. Mostly out though. 
What I miss: Hmmmm... the big thing that has bothered me lately is snuggling my boys! I miss holding them real close and putting them on my lap. Just running out of room!

What I am looking forward to: Continuing to get ready for baby! Organization... what can I say.. I'm as Type A as they come! Unfortunately, Type A with two boys that are two... looks more like procrastination... it's just not by choice! Ha!

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!