Due Date...

So yesterday was my actual due date for Kade. It's weird to think about actually having just had him yesterday instead of 2 1/2 weeks ago. I'm very thankful that he was born when he was. Not only was I absolutely sick of being pregnant, but he would have been more likely in the 9lb range rather than his tiny little 8 lb weight:-)

Already it feels like he's been a part of our family forever and we're getting in the swing of having 3 kids. I thought I'd post some more up to date pictures since he's already changing so fast and all the pictures I've posted are hospital/newborn pics.
What a great dad! Reading, "The Saggy Baggy Elephant."
Third baby to use the cradle Grandpa made!

New take on a "bear" bottom!

Cole taking a nap with his baby. Doesn't he look so big!

My Aunt Kathy made me this sweatshirt when I was a baby so I passed it on to Kade.

Sweet baby

Not liking bathtime yet. Cried till he turned purple and started holding his breath.

Mason love being a big brother!

My 3 boys!

Oldest brother and lovin' it!

Great Grandpa Johnson

Granny

Papa

Grandma

Grandpa

Kade's Wild Adventures

So our 3rd boy has arrived and I'd better get a blog post done before he is 6 months old! Today is his 2 week birthday and I can't believe how fast that time has already past!

Proud Daddy

Our nurse Bridgette was great.

The BEST doctor ever!

The weigh in...

Don't mind what I look like, I just gave birth:-)

Kade Phillip Bucher arrived a little unexpectedly on Sunday February 6th at 10:51pm. We were all set for an induction the following Friday and I had my week planned. Get groceries, clean house, change sheets, take boys to Chuck E. Cheese, etc. Well, my best laid plans usually don't work out so I should have known better. I worked an 8 hour day shift on Sunday and then came home to get the fam together to go to a Super Bowl party at Keith and Michelles. Instead, I found myself in the bathroom telling Cole to go get Adam, I was pretty sure my water had broken. We scurried around throwing clothes in bags for the boys and Adam (I was actually ahead of the game in that area) and then we jumped in the car to meet Adam's parents at a gas station to take the boys. Never mind that my house was a disaster, with no food in the cupboards or fridge.

I had a few mild contractions on the way to the hospital but nothing to get worked up about. I had to tie my coat around my waste though on our way in because my pants were soaked down to my knees and I was praying I wouldn't see anyone I knew. They checked me and said that yes, my water had broken (no kidding) and I was between a 4 and 5cm dilated. Not bad for minimal pain and agony:-) After about an hour though, I was only about 5cm and Auntie Fay thought some pitocin would help speed things along. Not really wanting a long drawn out labor, I agreed and we got that going. I was asked if I wanted an epidural and I decided to wait and see how things went, since at the moment they seemed to be going pretty well. Adam and Auntie Fay watched the Super Bowl as I laid there having more painful contractions thinking, "If these get any worse, the game is done!". Before I knew it my contractions were extremely painful and I was getting ready to push. Okay, bad decision before hand because now it was too late for the epidural. Oh why didn't I get it before?!? After what seemed like an eternity of excruciatingly painful contractions and pushing, it was all worth it. Kade was placed on my stomach and I got to see and hold my baby for the first time. Such an amazing miracle and blessing! He weighed in at 7lb 15.8oz (which basically equals out to 8lbs.) and was 20 1/2 inches long. His head was 14cm which though they said was good size, was small in comparison to our other round headed babies.

After getting him wrapped up and a short bout with the NICU nurses making sure he was breathing okay, we got to take him upstairs with us. At about 3am our nurse came in and said that Kade was going to be moved down to the NICU. His bilirubin levels had started going up already and with our history of isoimmunization with Mason, he would be best cared for there. So we loaded me into a wheelchair and headed down to see our baby and talk to the doctor. Of course he was under phototherapy by the time we got down there and we found out that we wouldn't be able to hold him and I wouldn't be able to feed him at all until his bilirubin levels were under control. I was so thankful for the time I had to hold and feed him in the labor room. He was going to get some IVIG, an immunoglobulin that Mason had also gotten, and they were starting him on IV fluids to keep him hydrated and give him nutrition. This routine went on for the next 3 days and his bilirubin started to even out. Then, in the middle of the night on Wednesday night, they came to let me know that his bilirubin level was up to a dangerous level and they needed to do an exchange transfusion. This is where the neonatologist takes syringe-fulls of blood out of the baby and replaces them with donor blood. It takes about 2 hours and is supposed to greatly decrease the amount of harmful antibodies and bilirubin, making it much easier for the baby to manage the bilirubin level on their own. The first doctor did about half of the process and then his umbilical cord IV stopped working very well and they had to stop. Later that day they put a new line in his umbillical cord and finished with almost twice the volume they had already done that day. By the end of that day, his bilirubin level had gone way down and everyone was breathing easier. The next day it continued to drop and they decided to take the phototherapy away and see how he did. The best part about that was that I could hold and feed him for the first time since in 5 days! He did marvelously and his bilirubin levels came down even further with every lab draw. After we weaned him off the IV fluids and made sure he was nursing okay, they let us come home on Monday afternoon. We didn't have to do phototherapy at home and we don't even have to do follow-up labs unless we feel like there is a problem.

It has been so wonderful to be home and be back with my boys and hubby! The boys absolutely love holding and talking to Kade. Cole is such a helper and gets me diapers or burp rags when I need them. Mason love to bounce him in the bouncer and almost catapolted Kade right out of it one time. He means well but needs a very close eye kept on him! We've been adjusting to live as a family of 5 and are counting our blessings! God has taken such incredible care of us and I'm so thankful that we can have comfort and peace, knowing that He is in control of all situations. We had people praying for us throughout the whole hospital stay and God even woke people to pray in the middle of the night when Kade was getting ready to have his exchange transfusion. He provided me with a room at the hospital every single night so that I could be close to our baby and take care of him. Although having a baby in the NICU is very trying, it is so worth it to have him home and healthy now. We had such incredible nurses and doctors caring for him and are blown away by the things they are able to do for babies now. Our families dropped everything and helped take care of our boys and us and we are so thankful to them and thankful that we live close to them!

A week of being home does wonders to make things start seeming normal again. Before we know it it will all seem like a distant memory and we'll just be enjoying our baby boy! I'm looking forward to the time to come and watching him grow!!!

Updates...

I haven't posted lately because our computer is totally down and out. Jenny and Chad loaned us their laptop while Chad is rebuilding our computer for us and I can't download pictures from my camera to this computer. I thought, well, I just need to post and add pics later. So here's what the last month has been like at our house.

We spent New Years Eve at my parents house for a little party. Played some games, ate some food, chit chatted a lot. Everyone made it up to midnight, including the kids. Amazingly they did so well and just played but then crashed on the way home. Even though we all looked like a bunch of zombies sitting on the couch waiting for the countdown, the point was that we made it! We then spent the middle part of New Years Day at a really cool hotsprings just outside of Emmett. It's called Roy's Rocksprings and we went with Adam's family. It was lots of fun and everyone enjoyed the 98 degree pool, despite the 20 degree weather outside:-) I'm thinking about that for Cole's birthday party next year.

We've been enjoying a low key January so far. No trips anywhere, not too many plans, etc. My parents were kind enough to take our boys for the whole weekend a couple weeks ago and let us have a kid free couple of days before baby boy number 3 arrives! We went to PF Changs for dinner, went to a movie, rented a movie, ran errands without kids to pack in and out, and went out to breakfast! Yeah, it was so relaxing!!! We'd forgotten what it was like to get up at whatever time we wanted, go sit in the hot tub by ourselves, and to not have to think of anyone but ourselves for a little while. We adore our kids and it was fun to get them back and hear about their fun weekend with Granny and Papa but we had a very nice time alone:-) The kids got an invitation and got to fill out a questionaire about their favorite things prior to their special weekend. They got to go see a movie and then went to Chuck E. Cheese's. They did lots of crafts, including sun catchers for Cole. Cole got to bring his BB gun and shoot it with Papa and Mason got to help Papa feed the mules. They really did not want it to end. Hopefully it won't be the last:-)

We've joined in the wintertime illnesses with coughs lasting for weeks and Mason having Bronchitis. Thankfully that is all on the mend and we're getting back to normal. Last night both boys slept all night which was a blessing, I've really been praying for that! Mason has been sick and hasn't slept all night in a while. Cole usually sleeps like a champ so that's great. Now that both boys are in the same room, its a little nerve racking when one wakes up crying or something but they've done great and I think they like sharing a room.

I'm now almost 35 weeks along. I had an ultrasound yesterday with Dr. Koszalka and things looked good. As anxious as I am to be done with pregnancy, it is definitely too early to have him. I'm anticipating he'll have a stay in the NICU due to all the antibody issues, so we don't need any premature issues as well. We're just taking it week by week and seeing what the ultrasounds show. They have gone up a little but are still at the non-anemic level. The last growth measurements we had (about 3-4 weeks ago) showed that this little boy was already around 5lb. 7oz. and that he has a big, chubby tummy. So even though now is a little early, I wouldn't mind him being a little early and not coming out a 12 pounder or something. I feel like my belly is huge and it must be because I'm getting really tired of hearing comments about how I must be due any day and, "what, it isn't twins?" or watching people's eyes get huge when they look at me. Oh well, I know he's nice and healthy:-) I'm having lots of Braxton Hicks contractions which are uncomfortable but not painful and his knees are really giving my ribs a hard time. He's been head down for quite a while now and has been getting the hiccups at least once a day. We still don't have a name, I'm starting to think we really will be picking at delivery. I'd love for the boys to get used to a name but Adam just isn't ready to decide on one. I have a regular OB appointment with Auntie Fay this afternoon so I'm hoping that everything looks good there too. Mostly that I haven't gained much weight!

That's our last few weeks in a nutshell. I'll be adding pics soon. I'm really hoping our new computer will be done prior to baby so that I can get baby pictures on here as soon as able when he's born. We'll keep you updated on our next few weeks, they are going to bring lots of excitement!!!

Happy 2nd Birthday to Mason!

Yesterday was Mason's 2nd birthday. We had a fun little birthday party for him on Sunday afternoon with our families so the actual day of his birthday was fairly low key. He got up and snuggled with us for a little bit. Then he got to have his birthday breakfast, blueberry pancakes, eggs, and little smokies with hot chocolate to drink! He is such a sweet boy and makes our lives so much more joyful! We had his 2 year check up today and here are his stats.

Weight: 31 lbs

Height: 35 inches
Everything checked out good and healthy.

His favorite words/sayings:
No, "I know it", "I don't know either", Cole, yells Mom and Dad very loudly from his bed every morning, Gananna (bananna), apple juice, please (as he still signs it), "thank-you, thank-you, thank-you", bless you (if you sneeze or cough).

His favorite activities:
Playing with Cole (mostly chasing around the kitchen and living room loop), building towers with blocks, climbing on anything and everything, taking baths, going in the hot tub, playing with trucks/cars, got a plasma car from Grandma and Grandpa for his birthday and loves it!

He is getting ready to move into a room with Cole, we'll keep you posted on that:-) Still not potty trained but has sat on the potty a few times with success and thinks it's really cool. Not sure I'm ready to start that endeavor before the baby comes!

Mason, we love your sweet smile and contagious laugh. Your mischevious ways keep us on our toes and make us laugh! In two short years we can't imagine life without you and are so blessed to have you as our son! We love you TONS!!!

Baby Boy #3

29 week profile - his little hand is up by his mouth.

I've been meaning to take some belly pics and put some ultrasound pics up so I'm finally doing that. About a month ago he looked to be about 1 1/2 weeks bigger than scheduled and was about 2lb 5 oz. I'm expecting another big boy so I wasn't surpised. Mason up'd Cole's weight by 6 oz. so this little guy may try to top that. I'd rather not reach the 9 lb. range but we'll see. Still no name figured out but we'll get it figured out at some point:-) So far he looks great and is healthy and that's an answer to our prayers! We can't wait to meet him in a couple of months!

No question, it's a boy!

20 weeks leg and foot

20 weeks - fingers

20 weeks - profile

25 weeks - ear

25 weeks growth chart - everything looks good, just big!

28 weeksThey are kissing me, not eating my belly:-)

29 weeks!

Christmas Tree cutting

We decided that if we didn't go cut down a Christmas tree this weekend, it probably wasn't going to happen. Our weekends are filling up for the month and today happened to be the day it worked. So we went up to Idaho City with Adam's parents and Neil and found a nice tree. Being 7 months pregnant I opted out of a long hike and mostly sat with the boys eating snow while Adam searched. We ultimately found one that was off the side of the road:-) We then went and had lunch in Idaho City which was fun and headed home. I am glad we got to cut it down and that we now have it and can decorate for Christmas! Yeah!!!

Cole enjoying hot chocolate in the truck:-)

Adam pulling it up to the truck.

HEAVY!

Mason enjoying some snow.

Now I just need to decorate:-)

Friendship (our elk) looks right at home!

Thanksmus

The Thanksgiving table:-)

The Johnson crew - (from back left)

Cole, Adam, Shaanti, Jason, Chad, Troy, Casey

Gramps, Missy, Jenny, Cooper, Kim

Mom, Mason, and Dad

We went up to my parents cabin to celebrate Thanksgiving with the Johnson family this year and decided to kill two birds with one stone and celebrate Christmas as well. We'll all be with our in-law families for Christmas this year so it worked out well and got half of the Christmas shopping done a month early!

We had a really great time up there from Wednesday to Sunday. It was bitterly cold for a couple of days which was perfect to just cozy up in the cabin and and enjoy the fire. We got out in the snow a little bit to play and the boys snowmobiled but not enough to actually say we were active of the time:-) Okay with me, Kim and Casey brought up their Rock Band and we all rocked out to that!

Auntie Fay, Uncle Charlie, Kate, and David were up there to celebrate Thanksgiving as well. Gramps was there too which is great and makes me miss Grams tons and wish she could know my boys. I have such a great family and we have so much fun together! We were commenting as ALL of us were in the kitchen preparing our usual seafood feast for Christmas that not many families can do that without major chaos or fighting! We love it and though we always eat about an hour or so later than planned, it's so great to sit down to a meal with my whole family and enjoy their company.

Besides having sick boys for part of the time, we all had a blast. The boys were spoiled, Cole getting a remote control monster truck and some of his favorite movies - Cars and The Incredibles. Mason got a big dump truck that makes sounds and goes on it's own too. We are so thankful for our time up there and the relaxation and fun it gave!!

Casey, Kim, Missy, and Jason waiting patiently
for the "big kids" turn to open presents:-)

Cole showing off the goods.

Dad reading a family Christmas Eve

tradition, "The Littlest Angel".Granny and Mason snuggling.

Mason trying on Troy's tool set goggles.

Cole, Mason, and Troy on the snowmonbile sleigh

Mason's new dump truck

Adam and Mason opening a present.

The silly picture with Thompsons added.