24 Weeks

The newest Cheney is growing, that's for sure. And he's making his mark already. I have already put on 22 lbs at this point...only 3 shy of my total weight gain with Kai. And I didn't start to feel better until well into the 22nd week. Despite not moving a whole lot, he lets me know often enough to reassure that he's doing okay. He's appropriately been named "snug bug" because he seems to have just snuggled down in. He was measuring about a week ahead at the 18 week ultrasound and I have already started having people comment on what they assume is fact of me "nearing the end". Little do they know I have 14-16 more weeks to go. 

 Already as big, if not bigger than with Kai at 25 weeks...go here to see it.

(Kai was too busy pouting about something to want to be in the picture. But Kadyn quite enjoyed himself)

Brotherly Love

Tonight I asked the boys each separately what they were both nervous and excited for in having a baby brother.

Mommy: Kadyn, what are you most excited about?
Kadyn: Everything.
Mommy: And what are you most nervous about?
Kadyn: Nothing.
Mommy: Oh good! I thought for sure you would say you were nervous about being asked to change diapers. I guess that means you'll help us change them!
Kadyn: NOOOOO!!!!!!! (laughing)

Mommy: Kai, what are you most excited about?
Kai: That it's a boy. (melt my heart)
Mommy: And what are you most nervous about?
Kai: I'm not nervous.
Mommy: Yay! I guess that means I have 2 diaper changers.
Kai: nooo (whispered with a slight look of disgust mixed with cuteness)

Little baby brother, your big brothers love you so much already. They are so excited for you to join our family. I don't know if you know this little one, but your biggest brother loves to give you kisses by kissing my tummy and he gives you special love pats. And he's constantly wondering if you can hear him. And though your other big brother may not fully understand, he is, and has been, so excited that you are you. He has wanted to be the big brother to a little brother since we announced you were coming--before we knew you were a boy. Our hearts are ready sweet boy.

He is Risen!

Our Easter started bright and early as the boys crawled in to bed with us ready to start their Easter egg hunt.

Still figuring out "smile nice"

After finding all the eggs that could be found at our house we dressed in our Easter best (which, for the boys, meant wearing the only pair of jeans that don't have holes in them) and headed off to church to celebrate the true meaning of Easter. Kai sat with us the entire service because he didn't want to go to his classroom. And low and behold that child DOES know how to sit still for an hour (well, 51 minutes...the last 9 at least he was quietly not sitting still). 

After Church all the grandboys headed back to Nana and Papa's for another round of egg hunts. And of course the obligatory group photos requested by all the adults.

 And then they were off to find their baskets...they had to hold hands of course. That way Kadyn couldn't leave them all in the dust. Ingenious Papa.

Then, after a delightful afternoon, we headed over to Grammy and Pops for another round of egg hunt, a basket scavenger hunt, and Easter dinner.

 And of course since Pops will be away for his real birthday we had to throw him a birthday party complete with cupcakes, ice cream, and way too many candles ;)

Love the glow on their faces from all those candles.

Love all the smoke. HappyBirthday Pops!

Boy Cousins

We've thoroughly enjoyed having the Bergmans in town this past week. The cousins all got along so well and it was so fun watching Kadyn and Kai practicing out their big brother skills. 

The usual picture face of both Kadyn and Kai.

 We managed to squeeze in quite a lot of fun in a short period of time. The 3 older boys rode bikes one afternoon...Kadyn and Kai on their pedal bikes and Isak on the strider bike.

Kadyn's 'smile nicely' face.

And sweet little Ben was quite content watching all the activity of the older boys. It's hard to believe in a couple years there will be 5 of them (Kadyn, Kai, Isak, Ben, and our baby in tummy) out there cruising around and probably at least 1 other baby taking Ben's spot as spectator. Fun! This week went way too fast.

Gender Reveal

Just over a week ago we had the baby's big ultrasound. It had been scheduled for a few days later but we bumped it up as a surprise. Beforehand we did a lot of talk about how we don't get to choose what baby is and that God has the perfect sibling picked out. Regardless, we were all excited and had in our heads what baby's gender is. As the boys were referring to it...Kadyn, Ryan and I were all on "team pink" and Kai was on "team blue." The boys came to the ultrasound with us and did a fantastic job of sitting still. Kadyn watched with much excitement while Kai was quite content looking up every now and then while he was coloring. 

We did the same thing as far as learning baby's gender as we did when we found out about Kai. Only this time it was so fun to include the older brothers in the process. We all marched down to the Carter's Outlet after the ultrasound and the boys got to each pick out a girl outfit and a boy outfit. 

 The choices for the gender they thought baby was were easy. They weren't too interested in picking something from the other gender, but we insisted know that they would be disappointed if their choice wasn't in the box. Kai's favorite boy was the one above.

 Kadyn's favorite girl (after a very hard decision) was the green one above with the flower binkie.

 The box. Inside holds the outfit for the gender of baby #3. At this point we had NO idea what was inside.

 The envelope with all the ultrasound pictures and proof of baby's gender.

 Immediately following Carter's we went out to a family dinner.

 It was waiting for dessert to come that the box was opened.

It's a BOY! Boy #3 on his way.

Kai couldn't have been any more excited. Kadyn was disappointed at first but primarily because he wasn't right. Although he did say a few days later "Mommy, we really need a sister. I'm happy and all that we're going to have another brother...but can we keep having brothers until we get a sister too?" He was all too thrilled to share all his toys with "all the brothers" just so he could have a sister in the mix.

As for Ryan and I? We're doing great. We were glad we had the night to ourselves with no one knowing we had the ultrasound to let the fact that we'll have THREE boys sink in. But we're in love with this little man already. And it's comments like this one from dear friends and family  "I believe that raising a boy to become a good man, today, is such an incredibly important task, God wisely chooses special people to get that privilege. And now that I have a daughter, I'm praying for parents like you to have boys, so that someday Paisley will be loved well by one of them. Congratulations!"    that put smiles on our faces and leave us feeling oh so blessed to be having another boy.

And p.s. the most important part is baby looks healthy!

Fun in the snow

 These were taken a few weeks ago...pre stomach flu. Thanks Nana and Papa for coming up to take pictures!

Epic Weekend

No, I do not have pictures of any of the events that took place this weekend, but boy do I have stories. And such wonderful memories.

Event #1--We officially have added 2 skiers to the family. Ryan and I took the boys up to Mt Bachelor on Saturday and they LOVED it. It was perfect ski conditions to learn on. We started off with having them walk in the snow in their ski boots. Then we added 1 ski, traded feet, and then added the other ski. We thought they would last until lunch. We went until almost closing time...3:45. After lunch both boys wanted to take turns going up the free lift with Daddy. They did so great skiing between his legs. And while one boy was up, the other was skiing at the bottom on the "mini" hill with me. I would position them at the top of the mini hill, then jog down to the bottom and they would ski down to me. Two things to note: The faster Kai went, the louder his laugh. No fear. And Kadyn even learned to turn on his own on his very last trip down the little hill with me. What fun. We are so excited to take them up again. And I am so excited to join them actually skiing next year!

Event #2--I borrowed a home doppler from a friend to try to find baby's heartbeat. I wasn't sure I would be able to since it's so early still, but I did!! I didn't think that I would find it so magical this time around, but it was almost more so since I've been so concerned about having everything okay since I haven't been as sick with this one as I was with my other 2. What a blessing, a relief, and a beautiful sound. All fears relieved. I guess during your 9th week the heartbeat is at it's highest and then it slows down to between 120-165 around the 12th week. I'm estimating it was right around 174. My first appt is this coming Friday. I will be 10 weeks on Wednesday.