Friday, July 31, 2015

First Ultrasound

(AH! Sorry a bit out of order!)

6.16.2015

Today was baby Lancaster #3's first ultrasound/doctor appointment.
I was a nervous wreck from the moment I woke up, which I had just woken up from a dream about the dr.'s appointment and it was not a pleasant dream at all. So it woke me up in a jolt, relieved that it was just a dream, but it was one of those dreams that stuck with me. Didn't help the nerves.

Though I have done this 3 times now, it's still so nerve racking. I took a pregnancy test... yes, again... just to make sure I still was pregnant. People, I know I'm weird and it's just time for you to accept that.

Our appointment was early this morning, and so I brought the kids and Dan drove separately so that he could go to work after the appointment.

When we got called back, my heart was in my throat. I was so nervous. I was so scared there wasn't going to be a heartbeat....

Then we heard the little thump thump thump. Instantly I felt a weight of my shoulders and I could breath. I know we are still in the scary zone, but it was so amazing to hear that heart beat. Obviously confirmed, I am for sure pregnant. Hahaha.  7 weeks & 6 Days. (8 Weeks technically)

I am still youngish and healthy, so I do have that going for me. It doesn't clear me of anything that could go wrong and I seem to always go to the worst scenario route, but for now my nerves have been calmed and we are having baby #3.


We decided to tell June and Owen that night once Dan got home from work. It was a pretty adorable conversation....

Dan explained what happened, and what June saw at the ultra sound today. She said she saw inside mommy's tummy. Then we told her that there was a baby in mommy's tummy and that she was going to have another sibling like Owen. This is what she said:

"Well that just makes me incredibly happy!" As she's clapping her hands. She then started asking a few questions about the baby, but then she got all excited and told us how she cannot wait to babysit and be a big, big sister!

Then she asked when she could have a baby in her belly. We told her once she's older and gets married then she can have a baby of her own. 
She asked who she was going to marry... We said we don't know yet, we haven't met him. She then asked if she could marry Owen. After explaining how she is already apart of Owen's family and we can't marry our brother, She told us that she doesn't want to marry any boys, only girls because then they can dance! She was so dead serious, that we were trying so hard not to laugh and that we would just have to worry about that once she gets older. It was pretty comical.

We think she gets it, and we are curious to see if she can keep the news to herself. We really try to not have "secrets" in our family, but we told her that since we all know within our family that we can all be in on this special secret. We will see!! 



Dr. Appointment before road trip!



7.9.2015

Had a Dr. appointment today! Almost out of the 1st trimester and I CANNOT wait! I am just hoping that I will finally get my energy back and not feeling nauseous all the time. My other two pregnancies, I hadn't gone through this bad of nausea, so I am hoping it will subside soon. It is already getting better, and the Doc. got me a prescription to help with the nausea. I hope it helps! Fingers crossed! 
I have down 4 lbs and  I am actually now back down to my pre-pre-weight before I had June. I know that number on the scale won't last long, so I'll take it for as long as I can. I know once I get my appetite back, so will the pounds. The doctor wasn't too worried, so neither am I. Haha Dan joked the reason I'm not gaining anything is because 
all I eat is cereal and popcorn. He's right. But that's all that sounds good right now. 
I still am having a hard time with chicken, and really just depending on the day, any food. I really have to be in the mood to eat something, or it makes me sick.  

I have been really tired this pregnancy, so I feel super lazy and kind of like a bad mom not focusing on the kids as much as I should. I'm just so tired! I saw this sign the other day on Pinterest and it made me chuckle. It's so true! 
I leave for my big massive road trip tomorrow and feeling a bit nervous about it now that its here. Hopefully all goes well and I don't regret driving! I'm really excited to see my family and to get to tell them in person! It's always so much more fun seeing peoples reactions! 
I'll blog about that once everyone knows! 

9 Weeks

6.24.2015

Hitting 9 weeks today! Still just starting out, but slowly making progress. We are in Canada this week and somehow word got out that we were pregnant. (Cough, Cough, June!!) We had NO INTENTIONS on telling people this soon, but it happened. It honestly was good that it was out, because I was pretty sick throughout the week. And SO TIRED!  I learned that I no longer like Tuna and small smelly petting farms are not all that great either. Haha. Thankfully I wasn't sick the entire time, and only lost my appetite a few times a long with losing my breakfast or lunch. It was really nice not having to tiptoe around people, or try to keep the gagging noises to a minimum... I'm hoping the morning sickness starts subsiding soon and my energy level boosts back up. I'm kinda ready to get my life back, along with my appetite!

My family still does not know yet. I plan to tell them in person, when I see them in a couple weeks!
Can't Wait!!

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Pregnant, Round 3!


 5.29.2015

So I've never done this before, where I blog and then save it for a while and then post it... I don't really know how to write it. I'm just going to pretend that I would be posting this today. 

I also have never blogged this early about my pregnancies and I have regretted it every time, so I hope to do a little bit better with this third baby....

Ok. So I'm pregnant! What What?! I honestly cannot believe that we are going to have a third child!! Like how much more grown up can we get!?! 

I just casually took a pregnancy test one morning, just out of curiosity, well low and behold it was positive!! Of course I go into panic mode and just stare at it forever. I hear Owen in his crib yelling for me, and June sitting at the kitchen table waiting for breakfast... I'm just sitting there, holding a stick I peed on and trying to breath. It just happened so fast! I mean it's good, its super awesome! But Dan and I were not expecting to get pregnant so quickly! With having such struggle before, I never thought it would happen this quickly for us, and I am so beyond thankful it did! I think. It's still a lot to process. I mean 3 kids! 

I loaded the kids in the car later that morning, and grabbed three more pregnancy tests. I just had to try different kinds to make sure. I'm anxious about that kind of stuff...  

I knew this time around, I had to tell Dan instantly. I waited a week to tell him about Owen, and I was not about to hold my tongue that long again. 
I made this little sign, of course got a dinosaur, which I have done with every pregnancy announcement to Dan, and had it sitting on the bathroom counter where I knew he would see it when he got home from work. 

OF COURSE HE WAS LATE FROM WORK!! I was busting at the seams!! He came home right as dinner was on the table, so he sits down and eats with us. Then after dinner, he goes to help with the dishes, and I was frantically, basically begging him, to go change his clothes!! 

I heard the cheer and knew he found my note! It was so good and it got me even more excited with how excited he was! 

We obviously haven't told anyone yet. We are only 6 weeks and have yet to go to the doctor. We also haven't told June or Owen, which Owen won't understand, but June will and we are excited to tell her.  Once we hear a heart beat we will then let June know and start telling our family! 

Exciting times people!! 

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

Announced

On July 28th, We announced to all of our friends and family, (who didn't already know) that we are expecting baby #3. Here is how we shared the big news!! 


I have actually been blogging about this pregnancy from the beginning, just not posting them until we were ready for everyone to know. I plan to share those soon, so be aware that there are going to be a bunch of pregnancy posts all close together. I really wanted to document this pregnancy as soon as possible. I do regret not keeping better track of my last pregnancy with Owen. I very much enjoy looking back as reference to how it all was going, so I really have tried to keep better track this go around! SO CRAZY!! 3 KIDS! WHAT?!? 
No, for reals though, I can't express how excited we are. I absolutely LOVE being pregnant, so I just dwell on that and try not to think about how our lives are about to change, yet again! A new baby always brings new challenges but so far it's been totally worth it! 

Monday, July 27, 2015

Road Trip! Part Four: Colorado & Traveling

On Sunday we loaded up from Idaho Falls and I planned to drive straight to Colorado. 9 hours. I knew it would be long but the kids have been awesome travelers up to this point, so I wasn't too concerned about it. I was right. The kids did awesome! We all did awesome! 

After about 3 hours we stopped at a great rest area, that had a restaurant, gas, and a playground for kids. We stopped there for a while and gave our legs a good stretch! It made for a great stop and also helped a lot for the next 6 hours. 

All June wanted for lunch were crackers, cheese and turkey. So that is what we had for lunch! She was pretty proud of her stack! 

And this little man was free and happy! 


There was a large plastic dinosaur that the kids were having the best time playing on it, and sliding on the tail. It was hard to get them back in the car. 

We drove and drove and drove some more. Had one more rest stop and then pulled into my parents house around 8pm. It took us about 10 hours. Only an hour longer with stops and everything! I was pretty proud of our timing! 

The kids were pretty beat, but my mom had dinner waiting for us. The kids had  a couple bites, then it was off to bed.
Owen is such a mischievous little man, and he definitely wears me down. I mean how can this precious little thing have so much power?! It's killer and on the road makes him even crazier, but when he lets me rock him, and snuggle him (Which he is the best snuggle) then just sleeps so perfectly... It fully consumes me and I love him to the fullest.  


I stayed an extra day at my parents house, since Dan wasn't at home and we didn't really get time to hangout on my way to Idaho, so it was nice to let the kids play for an extra day.

We went and met a few missionaries at my parents mission office, and talked with the Couple missionaries working in the office. It was nice putting names to people who my parents talk about. 

My dad got home from meetings and other missionary stuff and he let me and my mom escape for an hour or so to go get lunch and shop a little bit. 

Once Owen woke up from his awesome 5 hour nap, we packed some snacks and went to a really fun lake surrounding a pond. It was really pretty there. 


He's so grown up! 

Feeding the ducks... even though we weren't supposed to. oops! Haha 


Owen was loving the ducks and geese. He just kept chasing them around yelling quack quack! It was pretty adorable! 



When we got home, we had dinner and then got ready for bed. My Dad was having is AP's over for a meeting and my mom had Sister Missionaries come over to practice a song, so we made cookies for them and of course June helped and was rewarded just how she wanted! 

After getting the June to bed, I ended up falling asleep on the couch. Lame I know. I was really tired. 
I ended up going to bed while my parents worked on stuff for their zone conference the next day. 

So The plan was to do the exact same thing as I did coming down to Idaho. Stop in Colorado, stop in Kansas and then home. Two, six hour days. 
Honestly, the thought of staying in a hotel again really didn't settle well with me. I was tired of packing and unpacking. Loading the kids up a million times and just not being home. 

I talked to Dan about just driving straight from Colorado to Texas. 12 solid hours of driving. I had my mind set up, Dan felt confident that I could do it, as long as I felt good and the kids were ok. 
So I woke up the next morning, and headed out. My parents had to be at zone conference by 8:30, so I left with them. Said our goodbyes and we both went our separate ways. After stopping for gas, and getting all situated with movies and snacks, we were officially on the road by nine. I planned in my head to stop every 4 hours. It worked out, though I think the kids probably could have used more breaks.... Sorry kiddos. 

No really, the kids were amazing. They played, colored, watched movies, slept (though never at the same time) and really just were content. I was so relieved with how happy they were for sitting in a car that long! 

This is my "I am going a bit crazy" face. I had been on the road for about six hours. Half way. 

About seven hours in, both kids fell asleep. It was so nice! They slept for a good 2 hours too! I listened to my audio book and it made the time go by so fast! 

Once the kids woke up, we stopped for dinner and had a really long break outside of the car. We stretched, we played tag for a long time and just got ourselves all refreshed. I knew it would be getting dark soon, so I gave myself a little pep talk, that I only had three hours left and I would be home! I can do this!! 
I changed the kids into pajamas, got them all set up with new movies, games and toys and we were on the road again. It turned dark pretty fast once I hit Texas. A storm blew in. A big Thunder and lightning storm. The lighting across the sky was really cool to watch, but then the rain came and it came hard. I had to slow down to about 40, and watched the white strip on the side of the road to make sure I knew I was actually on the road. It was a bit scary for an hour or so. Thankfully the storm blew over, and it all cleared up. I had about an hour and a half left to get home.

With it being so dark outside, the kids actually ended up falling asleep! The ride was quiet. I just listened to my book on tape and thinking of walking into my own home and sleeping in my own bed! It made me all that more eager to get home. 

It was about midnight when I pulled into the garage. 14 hours later. We did so good and I was so proud of the kids for being so amazing! And really I was amazingly proud of myself for doing what I just did. I got the kids to bed, and I headed to bed myself leaving everything in the car to be cleaned out tomorrow. 

The next day we all slept in. It was a very lazy day of not going anywhere. Well except we did have to go get some groceries. Dan had left the Thursday before we got home, so there was literally nothing to eat, except he did get us milk! What a good man. 

The kids reaction to getting back into the car. It was June who was not too pleased. 


I took a picture of our speedometer for Dan and I guess for my records as well. It was a bit sad to but 3000 miles on a brand-new car that started with only 87 miles on it. But I was so so so glad to have
 it! 

In the end I totally would do it again. I plan to do it again. I really enjoyed it. I finished three audio books, Sang countless songs, played the alphabet game with myself dozens of times and I really enjoyed just the quiet time, talking with June, singing with Owen, and just being all together. It really was such a fun trip and I'm looking forward to our next adventure!! 

Road Trip! Part Three: Idaho

We left for Idaho on Wednesday and spent the remainder of the week there. Us girls loaded up the car and headed out. We stopped at some outlets on the way and shopped for a minute, went to McDonalds for lunch, I got mad about something, we had a tiff, we got over it in two seconds, and the rest was smooth sailing from there. Ya, we fight, but we also get over things really quick. Mostly. Haha. 

We all followed each other and made it safely to Rexburg. We only planned to stay in Rexburg one night, since my parents are not there, and my brother lives in Idaho Falls, where we were staying for the rest of the week. We really wanted to do our usual Rexburg things though, and since my bro, and his family were just moving into a new house we gave them an extra day to get settled. We got a hotel in Rexburg and let me tell you, it was weird spending the night in a hotel in your home town. I didn't like it. I really missed home. 

I had my own room, Meg had her own room because of our babies and then Mich and Brooke shared. Though my nieces Lauren and Reese came and slept in my room. 

Little Miss Diva again. She loved laying down the pack n' play mat as a runway. She is becoming a total girl. I like it. 

I can't even begin to tell you that there is always something that goes wrong when we all get together. When it does go wrong it usually happens to my sister Megan. I'm telling you, every time something happens that leads to an hour or longer for Megan to fix. This trip was no exception. 

The hotel was full. We had our rooms booked and all was great. Megan walked into her room and there was a massive stain on the bed, the toilet had pee all around it and the bathtub had a black ring around it. Super gross. So she went to the front desk and simply asked for a different room or maybe someone could come clean it. Well the cleaning ladies weren't there and the only room they had available was the "Jungle Suit" She thought at least that room would be clean. 

She goes into the room, we follow and about die. This room was super super super creepy, and we don't know how anyone could ever stay in this room. It was so dark and dingy and just was, again, super super creepy! My dear sister Megan, held it together and realized her little three year old would have nightmares in this room so she went back to the front desk.

Meanwhile, we were laughing so hard. It was just so funny to be in this room and seriously expect people to sleep here. 


In the end, Meg went back to her old room, and a trip to Walmart for us to buy cleaning supplies. 

First we went and had dinner at Fongs. Good old nasty Fongs. How we love you. 

Then to Walmart. Of course. 
June fell asleep in the cart five minutes into our trip. We spend a lot of time at Walmart, so she got a good nap in. 


That night, Meg got her room cleaned, we all went swimming, we put babies down and all just talked in Michelle's and Brooke's room. 

The next morning we woke up arranged our day and then headed down for breakfast. 

After breakfast we went our separate ways for a bit to get our rooms packed up and checked out of the hotel. Just for the record, Meg did end up getting a huge discount on her room. The Manager was outraged with her cleaning crew and was very apologetic. It all worked out. We did our usual shopping trip in Porter's. It felt so good to be back in there! And then we headed over to Rexburg Rapids. Well actually everyone did except Owen and I. He fell asleep in the car and was in desperate need of sleep so June went with cousins and I drove around my old stomping grounds. 

I went and drove past my parents house. I wish I hadn't. The people renting it for now where outside on the front porch talking to people and it just put a weird taste in my mouth, like thats my parents house and you shouldn't be there. I don't know when I will be in Rexburg next, but I definitely won't be going out to the house again. 2 years is all!

When Owen woke up we headed over to the Rapids and played with the fam. It was really cold. In the water wasn't bad at all actually, but getting out and going to our towels it was freezing! I forget about Rexburg wind!


After we swam all afternoon we headed to Idaho Falls to my Brothers house. Now let me tell you, that they literally just moved into their house not even a week before we stayed with them. They are so amazing and I have the best most calm patient sister-in-law in the world. She was an amazing host and her house was so organized for just getting the keys 3 days prior. P.S. Their house is beautiful!!!! Like really beautiful!!! 

June asked me if she could go lay down for a minute. I didn't think she would actually fall asleep but she did. at 5:30pm. She hasn't been sleeping the best, and late nights with cousins so I honestly thought she would just sleep the night through. Nope! Around 11pm she woke up, and was ready to seize the day! Luckily her cousins were still up and she was hungry so she got to chill with the adults for a while, and ate a bowl of Lucky charms. Lucky Lady. 

About midnight we finally got everyone to sleep, including June, and us adults headed off to bed as well. We still had a long week ahead of us. 

The next day we went to the zoo in Idaho Falls. It's a tiny little thing, but perfect for little kids to roam around in for a couple hours. 


My niece, Lauren, was my life savor that week. I honestly don't know if I would have survived without her. She was so awesome with my kiddos! Love her to pieces! 

The girls were more interested in their maps then the actual animals. They liked telling us where to go. 


Feeding the goats 

Ah, the famous Lion head drinking fountain. Everyone was so cute all lined up!



All the grandkids - Minus Andrew. 


After the zoo we got home and put babies down for naps and let the kids play. Us girls decided we wanted to go shopping for a minute and realized that Mini Bizarre was Open. A fun little boutique that is open only certain times of the year. We felt bad for always making Lauren stay home with the kids so we let her come.... Not sure it was the best idea leaving all the kids home, but we were only gone for an hour and the older kids did awesome with the younger ones, and the babies just slept. So in the end it did work out. 

We were really missing my mom. Shopping in Mini Bizarre was always so much fun with her. So we sent her this picture. 


We got home, Mike got home from work and the boys from Utah got there as well. The kids played outside all night. I loved it. I loved how the weather cooled down, and I love just watching June run around with her cousins. It really makes me want to live closer to family to have these times more often. 

Mike and shay made the best dutch oven chicken I have ever had in my entire life! It was so incredibly good! Wish I had some right now! 

After dinner, Mikey set up a large screen in the back and the kids were able to watch a movie. The kids watched the new "Minions" Movie. 

Later that night we put the kids to bed... well I mean downstairs playing, and us adults went out and watched "Jurassic World". It was good. 

After the movie, I brought June into bed with me and just snuggled her. She was such a good girl this trip, as she always is. I sometimes just get so overwhelmed by how much I love this little beauty. She is such a special little soul and I am so glad she is all mine! 

The next day, (Saturday), we had a family reunion with my mom's side, extended family. It was great seeing everyone who I haven't seen in years!

My Gramps and I 

We played water balloon battle ship. All the little kids went first and then us adults played. It actually ended up in a huge water balloon fight between everyone, but it was still really fun. 

A lot of the Cheney side. We obviously are missing my parents, and My Aunt and Uncle Kevin and Marcy. Plus some more cousins.  

Playing at the park 

June refused to leave the park and I was battling Owen to no end, so it wasn't worth fighting her as well to come get a picture. Sure do love my grams and gramps! 

Owen was a beast towards the end of the trip. He refused to sleep and also refused to let me out of his sight. It wore me down. In a 24 hour period the kid slept for five hours. He was killing me! So I left the reunion early, and went back to Mike and Shay's house. He fell asleep in the car and stayed asleep in my arms. I didn't dare move, but I had to pee so so so incredibly bad. But I suffered through it because I wasn't going to let him wake up for anything! 



Later that day everyone got home from the reunion. It was our last night all together, so we had Lauren babysit and we all went out for sushi. 

Love this crazy bunch! 



It all came and went so quickly! It was sad knowing we were all heading home the next day. I still had a few days at my parents house and traveling ahead of me, but it was still sad leaving my siblings. We always have a blast together and this trip was no exception! Meg was driving home to California that day too, so we both got on the road early that morning. I was headed to Colorado, my longest drive yet. Or so I thought... 

Next blog post!