February 2014 Photo Dump

20 week Ultrasound

Half way there!  I can't even believe that.  This pregnancy is flying by and you will be here before we know it.  I finally have a baby bump and you are already making me uncomfortable, but I will just blame that on you being the third and not on you yourself.  We are still struggling on names but I am desperately trying to convince your Dad your name should be Veda if you area girl.  He wants Heidi.  If you are a boy, well all we have is Jack.  Jack, because that is what Brody says your name is. 

This week was your anatomy ultrasound and you looked great. Dave ended up having to travel to Atlanta so he was unable to see you but I enjoyed watching you flip flop around and fan out your little fingers.  At one point it even looked as if you were trying to suck your thumb, maybe you will be a thumb sucker like Jett.  I still don't know your gender and it was really hard not to look this time.  Since your Dad was not there I had no one to hold me accountable and I really want to know what you are.  I will be patient though and wait just like we did for your brothers. 

14 weeks Baby #3

Well its been a wild ride #3.  I have been so sick and have needed so much medicine that we have all been so worried about you.  We had our NT ultrasound last week and luckily you measured a day ahead and checked out 100%.  I am so glad you are doing well despite the issues I have had.  I can't believe I am already 14 weeks pregnant and it feels like before I know it I will be 20 weeks and you will be halfway here.  Brody has finally come around and on his own told us he was so excited for the new baby.  Jett still has no clue what is about to hit him.  I am really feeling better now and am starting to show which I can't decide if I am happy about or not.  I do look forward to finally feel you making those summersaults in my belly.  I am savoring all of the ups and downs of this pregnancy because I know it will be my last.  Three children is what I know we were meant to have and I happy that you will soon be here to complete our family.  I am also kind of sad that this is my last pregnancy and last chance I will have to experience this gift.  So far we have a few names picked out for you.  If you are a girl, your name will be Veda (my pick) or Heidi (Dave's pick).  If you are a boy we are currently thinking Miles.  I have my own gender prediction for you but I am keeping that a secret, and I have only told your Dad what I believe you are. 

Christmas 2016

Ohhh Christmas!!! By the time I get around to writing about all of the aspects of Christmas it just seems overwhelming. 

Christmas was good to us this year.  We all were finally feeling better from our health issues and were able to enjoy ourselves. We spent the weekend before Christmas at Peggy's and my parents again.  I just can't get over how well that works for our families.  I know I say it every year but I just can't get over how nice it is to spend time with our immediate family and not feel rushed or overwhelmed.  The boys of course received way to many presents, and we are going to have to get rid of more old stuff than I thought to make room for new but it was great to see their faces and enjoy their excitement. 

Christmas Eve we had planed to go to aunt Terri's house and spend it with the rest of the Kaiser clan.  Dave and I were actually really looking forward to this because Christmas Eve fell on a weekend and we wouldn't feel rushed trying to get there and prepare for Santa's arrival at our house back in Lex. Unfortunately we ended up not going.  We both decided that we were all just started feeling good again and didn't want to risk the germs that come along with a big group.  I know that sounds crazy but we all really were sick for so long that we really needed to keep it that way for awhile before we started back up again on winter colds.  Staying home did give us time to watch plenty of Christmas movies, read "Twas the Night Before Christmas," throw out reindeer food outside and set out reindeer food and cookies and milk for Santa.  Jett followed along with Brody but it was so fun watching the magic of Christmas and Santa work on him. 

Christmas morning, was so fun!!! Brody came down and was so excited to see all the presents under the tree.  I want so bad for him to be that kid that screams in excitement but he shows his excitement his own way.  He looked at the stocking and all the gifts and careful picked out the ones that had his name on them.  Peggy had come down before the kids woke, which was fun for all of us to have her there.  We spent the day opening presents, watching more Christmas movies and playing with all their new stuff.  It was a wonderful Christmas!!!

Will we ever get well?!?!?!?

Once we returned from Hilton Head everyone's health seemed to decline.  Well, everyone but Dave.  My grandfather had surgery and had a super rough recovery, but thankfully pulled through just fine.  Jett and Brody ended up with Bronchitis, that lasted weeks, and I found out I was hypothyroid, developed Pneumonia, Pleurisy and broke a rib from coughing, all while trying to navigate the difficulties of first trimester pregnancy.  Needless to say it was a bad 4-5 weeks and I am so grateful that we all are currently healthy and have overcome all of out sickness and baby # 3 seems to be doing great despite it all. 

Polar Express

This year we bought tickets for the Polar Express train ride with Brett and Andrea and the boys.  This event sells out quick so we bought them back in August and had looked forward to this night for a long time.  All 5 boys were over the top with excitement. 

Once we arrived the boys excitement grew uncontrollably and the adults expectations of the event went on a steady nose dive.  When we checked in we were told there were no bathrooms on the train.  WHAT?!?!?!?  No bathrooms on the 90 min train.  We just couldn't believe it.  What kid friendly even has no bathrooms.  So we scrambled and because we arrived so close to departure time we ran the kids outside and had them pee by the car.  Once we boarded were instructed that we all were to remain seated for the duration of the trip.  Dave, Brett, Andrea an I quickly looked at each other all thinking the same thing.....That's not happening.  Our kids were bouncing off the walls excited.  By the grace of God we were seated at the end of the train and had a few empty rows around us, so the boys could jump from seat to seat. 

The train left the station and we were off........but it was dark so you couldn't really tell we were moving.  There were very few lights outside so you really didn't know you were going anywhere.  They passed out hot chocolate (which since there were no bathrooms we didn't let the kids have) and cookies but that was it for the 45 min out.  Once the train stopped there was a pretty sad depiction of the North Pole.  To our surprise the boys totally bought it.  Brody even told us they couldn't get out because we might see the elves and all the presents.  At this point Santa and a big walking teddy bear boarded the train and walked threw to say hi to all the kids.  Then we headed back to the station.  That was it, and like I said before the kids loved it but we all thought it was a joke and could have been so much better with just a little effort.