Christmas Celebrations of 2012

2012 has come to an end and the Christmas celebrations have ended.  We always enjoy spending time with family and seeing the excitement in the boys eyes but it's also nice to get back to routine.  December 23rd was our first Christmas celebration at my parents house.  It was a fun day.  We went over early so the boys could have some time to play with their cousins Bjorn and Norah.  Bjorn is just 6 weeks younger then Caleb and both Isaac and Caleb get along so well with Bjorn.  Norah is 6 and a girly girl but she's been known to tag along with the boys once in a while :-)

Grandpa Johsn came over to celebrate with us which was nice.  It was also a bittersweet feeling.  It was the first Christmas without Grandma and still hard to grasp sometimes.  It's hard think that she's not with us anymore but she's not in pain, that's what matters most.  Grandpa was quiet and took it all in.  We're hoping next year and the years to follow will be a little easier on everyone.

Chad was there as well and he brought his girlfriend Jamie and her son Gibson.  Jamie is really sweet and I think she's a great match for my brother.  We all really like her and think she is a "keeper".  Gibson is 9 and the boys loved playing rough with him.  A 9 year old boy is the best in the eyes of a 4 and 5 year old! 

For Christmas Isaac got a Cat combine from Grandpa and Grandma B and Caleb got the big John Deere loader tractor he had been asking for.  Both were quite excited when they opened them and we had to get them out of the box right away.  Norah drew Isaac's name and he got Ice Age 3 which was good because he's a movie boy and one we hadn't seen.  Emily drew Caleb's name and he got a fun alphabet and number tracing book and a John Deere small tractor. 

Christmas Eve I worked until noon and then spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning up the house a little.  The Children's Christmas Program was at 7:00 pm.  Both boys knew their parts so well.  I was a little worried thinking Caleb would be too nervous to say his part but both boys amazed me.  They sang their hearts out and said their part loud and clear.  It's too bad Isaac couldn't have stayed up with the rest of the kids to sing the other songs because I think he knew the songs better then some of the bigger kids, ha!  My boy loves music!  After the program we went back to our place and Grandma and Grandpa Kooiker, Grandma and Grandpa Bronson, Uncle Nolan and Great Grandpa Winter came over for pizza and snacks.  It was a fun evening.  We let the boys open one joint present and another small one.  Caleb got a John Deere baler, Isaac got a small lego set and together they got a Spiderman basketball bath toy.  We then set out cookies and milk, carrots for Rudolph and sprinkled food outside for all the reindeer.  The boys were super excited Christmas morning.  They got a bunch of fun stuff.  They each got a movie, a book, a wind up car, socks, Fisher Price ixL gaming system, Isaac got a transformer (Santa must not have realized when it says for 5 years and up, it's really for older kids).  Caleb got another small John Deere Tractor with loader and a haybale and I'm sure there are some other things I'm forgetting.
Christmas night we went to Great Grandpa Winter's house for pizza and snacks.  The boys got a game for their Fisher Price iXL system from Great Grandpa and their $5 grab bag gift was Knex blocks.
Our final Christmas celebration was held December 30th at Grandma and Grandpa Kooiker's house.  The boys got a lot of fun things.  They got winter coveralls, swords, Bible book, big truck and dart guns.  They were super excited to get everything and we had a nice time with family.  Ross got his gift from Gina and Brad which was frozen meals that will be great for after baby is here and box tabs to get a free pizza.  Erin drew my name and I got an Itunes gift card and a monogrammed bag.  It was all great.

Here's a few pictures from the holiday celebrations:

35 week ultrasound and checkup

Today I had a growth ultrasound so they could double check babies growth.  At 32 weeks he weighed about 4 lbs 1 oz. and was in the 79th percentile.  We knew he was on the bigger side then but I never realized he'd be this big at 35 weeks 2 days.  He weighs about 6 lbs 15 oz. and is in the 88th percentile.  His head and tummy are in the 97th percentile alone.  Babies usually gain about 1/2 lb a week towards the end so if I go all the way to my due date he could be 9.5 lbs.  Of course ultrasounds can be off by a lb in either direction.  However, considering I am measuring a good 4 weeks ahead I am certain he is a big baby.  They checked my amniotic fluid since it was a little high at my last ultrasound and this time it was normal so that was good to hear.  I didn't see my own doctor as she was on call during the holidays so I saw the Practitioner Assistant today.  I told her my worries about a big baby and that my last labor was only 6 hours and we are an hour from the hospital.  She said they will continue to monitor how big baby is getting and also consider induction at 39 weeks if I haven't had him by then.  My doctor checked me and I am not dilated at all and the baby is still pretty high up yet so it could be a while yet. 
I'm still hoping to deliver this baby vaginally but I know my chances of a c section with a large baby and induction are increased.  We'll just be open to whatever happens.

The boys are getting excited and asking me just about every day when baby will be here.  I told them a few weeks after my Birthday but I know they don't really get "weeks" yet.  Hopefully only 3 weeks to go.

No ultrasound pictures because baby was being a stinker and had his feet in front of his face the whole time!

33 week check up

I had my 33 week check up today.  Only 7 weeks to go!  I feel like I'm finally nearing the end, but it still feels a ways away.

I talked to my OB about my ultrasound and she said she was pleased with baby's grown but since he's on the larger size she wants to have another scan done to see how big he gets.  The ultrasound showed me measuring 1 week ahead of my due date but when the OB measured me, I was measuring 4 weeks ahead.  It could be baby's position or the size of baby or the extra fluid I have.

We may consider an induction at 39 weeks depending on how things are going.  We shall see.  I'm very anxious to meet this little guy!!!

My next appointment and ultrasound are scheduled for December 28th!

32 week ultrasound

I had to have another ultrasound because at 20 weeks one of the baby's femurs was measuring really small (8th percentile).  While my OB was pretty certain it was just an inaccurate measurement, she wanted to double check.  It's amazing how much he's grown in just 12 weeks.

He was quite active and we got a couple good face shots in 4d.  I think he resembles Caleb.  He is still a BOY that's for sure!  He's going to be bigger than Caleb I am sure.  He's now measuring in the 79th percentile.  The femur was remeasured and it was in the 65th percentile so it's obvious that they just didn't get a good measurement before.

The nurse did call me after my ultrasound to tell me that the measurements look good and that baby is on the bigger side so she wants to do another growth scan at 35 weeks to see how big he is getting.  I also have extra amniotic fluid which can be a normal side effect of having gestational diabetes.  I'll be anxious to talk to my doctor herself about the results next week.  The boys are getting very anxious to meet their little brother.  They keep asking me if he'll be here tomorrow.

31 week update

Well I am now 31 weeks.  9 weeks to go but yet it still feels too far away.  I've been having a lot of pressure so my doctor checked me and everything looks good.  No signs of pre-term labor.  She thinks it's just because it's a second pregnancy and I probably never felt it with my last pregnancy, or if I did it would have been when I was in labor.  Everything else looked great, she is pleased with my blood sugar levels.  Baby was quite active but she got the heart rate at 155.  Next week I will be going to Sioux Falls for a 32 week ultrasound.  At 20 weeks one of baby's femurs was measuring small so just to ease our minds we're doing a follow up.  I'll be happy to see him on ultrasound and again and see how much he's grown in 12 weeks.  The doctor thinks everything is fine and that baby was just in a bad position for a good measurement as everything else measured good.

I'm now going to be going for check ups every 2 weeks so I know it is finally getting closer!  We're ready to meet this boy!!!!

Finally a birthday party

Isaac's family birthday party was scheduled for Sunday October 21st.  Caleb woke up around 5:00 am with the stomach flu.  Ross tried to convince me he was just coughing up some mucous but as a Mom I knew better.  I stayed home from church with Caleb and threw up about 2 more times.  Since Isaac was so disappointed that his birthday party couldn't happen, Grandma and Grandpa K took him out to eat and he got to pick where.  That made the day special for him.  Caleb was still not able to keep anything in his stomach so Ross took Isaac to Sioux Falls shopping for a few hours.  Monday Ross stayed home with Caleb because at 4:00 am he had still been throwing up.  He was finally able to keep some crackers, water and Sprite down Monday so that looked promising.  Then Monday night he threw up yet again.  In actuality, it took Caleb 4 1/2 days to get over this nasty stomach bug.  Caleb threw up the last time Wednesday evening just as Isaac started in.  Isaac lasted almost 3 days and again we had to postpone the birthday party.  I don't know how, but Ross and I managed to escape this nasty bug.  We're just praying the boys stay healthy now the rest of the winter, especially with the baby coming in a few months.  I started the boys on a probiotic and myself so we're trying everything to stay healthy.

So November 4th the party finally took place.  Isaac was quite excited.  My mom made him a sheet cake and we put some Transformers on it.  Grandma K asked Isaac what kind of cake he wanted (we always have 2 cakes) and no he did not want a chocolate cake or an angelfood cake, he wanted a Banana cake.  So banana cake is what the birthday boy got.  We ordered pizza, had gift time and had a good day.  It's too bad the original date didn't work though because that was such a nice day and the kids could have played outside but instead it was rainy and cold and everyone stuck inside.  Isaac got a new sit of plyers since he lost his other ones, he got a lot of money, a basketball game, a truck that carries his hotwheel cars, walkie talkies (or as Isaac calls it, talkie talkie's).  He also got cousin Caden's firetruck which is a big hit!  New toys are always fun but so hard to share with siblings :-)

Happy Halloween

Thankfully the boys were healthy and able to go Trick or Treating 2 nights in a row.  Tuesday night was Trick or Treating in town and Wednesday was the Halloween parade.  Daddy took the boys around to the houses on Tuesday night and Grandma and Grandpa K took them through the parade so I could stay at work.  Wednesday night at Awana they had a fun carnival going on and they got even more candy.  The amount of candy each of the boys got is crazy!

Here's Mr. Isaac aka Optimus Prime and Mr. Caleb aka Bumblebee.

27 week update

Today my OB came back from maternity leave so I had a check up with her.  She travels to Rock Rapids once a month so it is nice not to have to travel to Sioux Falls for all my OB appointments.  I had my 1 hour glucose test and my regular check up.  Baby is measuring 1 week ahead and has a good strong heart rate.  The nurse called me that afternoon to tell me that my 1 hour glucose test came back.  My levels were a little high.  Normal is between 74-134 and mine came back at 165 so I was required to do a 3 hour fasting glucose test.  Ross took me to Sioux Falls so I could complete this.  I stayed in the lab while Ross did some shopping.  I was technically there for 4 hours which seemed like forever.  Thankfully there was an area for people doing the 3 hour test.  I got to sit in a recliner and watch tv and I also brought my kindle to help pass the time.  I had my blood drawn 4 times.  We left there around 1:00 and went straight to Fryin Pan so I could eat dinner.  By that point my blood sugar had dropped and I was getting very shaky.  I ordered a regular Coke and that seemed to help.  The nurse called later that afternoon and told me a few of my blood draws were abnormal which means I indeed do have Gestational Diabetes.  They scheduled me for an educational and follow up class in Sioux Falls on November 8th and 14th.  Unfortunately Ross is unable to go with me to the educational class so I am taking my Dad with me.  Who better to taken then someone who has dealt with diabetes for a while now.  I will have to test my blood 4 times a day and watch my carb intake.  Hopefully I can keep it under control and avoid medication for the remainder 12 weeks of my pregnancy.  I always figured I was having a big baby because Caleb was 8 lbs 3 oz. and Ross was a big 10 lb baby.  But now with the gestational diabetes diagnosis I believe I have a better chance of having a big baby. 

The holidays are going to be the hardest of all but it's all worth it for this baby.

Isaac turns FIVE!

It's hard to believe that we've had Isaac for 5 years.  Isaac has made so many changes in the past year.  He's overcome a lot of obstacles and is turning into such an amazing little man.  We've made great progress with his Sensory Processing Disorder and he's now willing to wear his Crocs, cowboy boots or work shoes whenever we go somewhere.  We no longer have struggles and we no longer try to get him into any type of tennis shoe.  Isaac started a play therapy program and we have done 11 out of 12 weeks and have seen amazing changes in him.  We just needed a little extra help in figuring out what works for Isaac in regard to listening and discipline.  The last 2 months have been amazing and Isaac rarely misbehaves.  I know a lot of it has to due with his age and that he's growing up but I really believe our therapy sessions have helped us become closer to Isaac and to be able to find what he needs and what works for him.  He is in Preschool this year and seems to enjoy it for the most part.  He has a little bit of an attention problem but nothing the teachers can't handle.  In fact the teacher told us at conferences that she's seen a lot of changes in him since September and he's willing to try a lot more things instead of giving up like he did in the beginning.  He's not real interested in school work yet but he's getting there.  He's at least attempting to write his name and he's recognizing a lot of letters and numbers. 

Isaac woke up on his Birthday at 6:30, came in our bedroom and announced "It's my Birthday today, I am Five".  He was so excited that I let him open one present which was a Transformer.  His favorite Transformer Optimus Prime.  He was beyond thrilled.  That evening the 4 of us made a trip to Sioux Center.  We let Isaac pick where he wanted to eat and he chose McDonalds.  We ate supper and then I dropped Ross and the boys off at the swimming pool while I did some grocery shopping.  The boys really had a blast. 

I've heard so many times over the past 5 years how lucky Isaac is to have us as parents.  In reality, we're the lucky ones to have Isaac.  Adoption is no easy journey and there was a couple months this summer that Isaac started to process what adoption meant.  He's emotionally not there yet and so we will revisit the questions when he's older.  I know it's only going to get harder as he gets older but I truly believe Isaac is where he needs to be and God planned our family exactly how it was meant to be.

We love you Isaac Avery.  Happy Birthday Buddy!

24 week check up

I had my 24 week check up and things seem to be going as well as they should.  I saw the PA again this time because my OB won't be back from maternity leave until the end of October.  She said I must have quite the active little one because it took a long time to get a good strong heart beat.  He kept moving away from the doppler, little stinker!  She finally did get a reading of 152. 

I asked the PA about my 20 week ultrasound.  Another PA had mentioned that one of the measurements had shown a small femur measurement and that it was only in the 8th percentile so I asked about it because I've been a little concerned.  The PA told me that the final report came in and they aren't doing any follow up so it is not a concern at this point.  Apparently, since the overall size of the baby was in the 32nd percentile and all other measurements were within normal range they think it was just the way the baby was positioned.  Of course what do I do when I get home, yep I google "short femur" and of course I really shouldn't have done that.  Everything popped up with possible "Downs Syndrome" or other chromosome issues.  I'm not super worried yet because nothing else measured abnormal and they said they would probably see another measurement not accurate if this was Downs Syndrome or something similar.  Of course I'll probably ask my actual OB when she comes back just to ease my mind.

My next appointment is at 27 weeks on 10/31 and I have my glucose test done that day too.  Hopefully I will pass!

This little guy is moving more and more and I'm just starting to be able to feel him from the outside.  Hopefully Ross and the boys will be able to feel him soon too.

20 week ultrasound!

I've made it to the halfway point so that's good news.  We got to see the baby in regular Ultrasound and 4D which was really neat.  Baby was more active then at 13 weeks but still quite laid back.  Everything looked good with baby.  Baby is about 10 ounces right now and right on track.  The tech let us hear the heart beat and said the rate was 157.  Considering Caleb's heart rate was 160 about this time I had a strong suspicion and I was right....WE'RE HAVING A BOY!

All along I had this feeling I was carrying a boy, I just never admitted it to anyone.  Contrary to what most people think, I am very happy.  I honestly always had a easier time picturing myself rasing 3 boys instead of 2 boys and a girl.  We have all the boy clothes and toys and 2 pretty awesome big brothers!!! 

I picked the boys up from daycare and told them in the van.  Caleb was excited but as expected Isaac was sad.  He prayed and prayed and prayed for a baby sister.  Every night before dinner he would ask God for a sister.  He was certain this was going to be a girl.  He was very disappointed to say the least.  Once I started reminding him of all the things he could teach his little brother and do with his little brother he came around.  He seems pretty excited now and hasn't mentioned anything about a sister. 

Here's some ultrasound pictures and the video reaction of the boys!!!  Priceless!

First Day of Preschool

Okay I cheated a little bit.  We took the boys over to the school the weekend before they started school and took their pictures.  I didn't want to be taking pictures with all the parents and kids around at 8:15 am so I thought this was a much better idea.  I "thought" it was a better idea and it was where Caleb is concerned.  But for Isaac he wanted absolutely nothing to do with pictures.  This is really no surprise to me because my strong willed Isaac likes to do things when HE is in control :-)

It took some coaxing and it took Caleb's cooperation to start off with pictures together before he would agree to any individual pictures.  I had printed some signs off of Pinterest but of course Isaac wanted nothing to do with holding the sign.  Caleb was a big helper!

The first day of school for the boys was September 4th (Tuesday) which also happens to be the day I have off each week.  It worked out perfectly and I was able to take the boys to school and pick them up.  The boys are in separate classrooms this year which I think is going to be very beneficial to them. 

Isaac has the ability to go to the sensory room the first thing in the morning which I think is really helping his focus/attention.  I'm glad that since we don't have a lot of sensory items at home, he's able to get this help at school.  Isaac has made a lot of progress in the past year.  We're even overcoming his shoe issue.  We're now up to him being able to wear cowboy boots, hightop work boots or crocs without any issue.  I really beats the hours of tantrums we had last year.  Who knew that Sensory Processing Disorder could cause such a huge impact on a little guys life.  Speaking of little, my guy is going to be FIVE next month, where did the time go???

After school the boys said they had a great first day and it sounds like they may just enjoy preschool!  I hope they do anyways.