The *Terrible Two's* are Over! (?)

My little Sethy poo is three. My hardest two year old ever is three! And guess what, things are getting better! Sure, he still sneaks into my bed nearly every night, and is grumpy after his naps, but he's so much more enjoyable! He's got PER-SO-NAL-I-TY! He likes to play some of the Wii sports game... boxing being his very favorite. He goes around the house boxing, and will find anything from socks to empty sippy cups to use as his "boxing gloves". He went through a purse phase for a few weeks (yes, it went to the store with us, tucked safely under his arms). One time in Costco he suddenly asked (in a panic), "Where's my purse, where's my purse??" (He had left it in the car.) He likes to watch movies over and over and over (and over) again... Wall-e and Cars being the most recent victims. He knows how to use the potty for #1 and #2, and will go when he gets a diaper change, but it not interested in making this a permanent habit. And I'm not about to force it (I learned my lesson about pushing the potty with Zack). So it continues.

Seth's birthday was on a Sunday. The good thing about a January birthday is that the toys are on CLEARANCE. I think I spent less than $25 for his birthday. The very sad thing is regarding the Speed Racer toy (another one of his favorites, although I only let him see that movie once). Less than two hours after he got his remote control speed racer car, Haley accidentally drove it into the vent under the kitchen sink. The cover never got put back on after the floors were done... unbeknownst to me, there was a hole there. Roman tried to get it out, but ended up pushing it down further. It is stuck for good. Luckily, I checked the next week at Target, and the toy was marked down to 75% and I got another one for $3.19! The poor little guy was so traumatized by "The Hole Incident", that he still will not let that car out of his hand while in the kitchen... even if we cover the hole with the rug (no, Roman has not found or replaced the vent register yet).

Happy Birthday little Sethy. Also known as Seffers, Sethy Poo, Seth, and my favorite (and this is what he calls himself), Sessy.

The Yoder Baby Guessing Game!

Many times, when asked which sibling Logan looks the most like, I say - "You've seen one, you've seen them all." My kids just seem to look the same at the newborn stage. I decided to round up some pictures to see how they really do compare - side by side. I tried to find ones of the kids from the hospital, and another one of them at 2 months old. See if you can guess who is who!

First off though, you have to see a couple of pictures
from the past of Roman and me...

Pretty silly. I'm 1 in the top left picture, and 2 1/2 in the bottom left. I'm not sure how old Roman is in these pictures. I'm guessing 5 or 6 in the top right, and about 1 or 1 1/2 in the bottom right.

OK, back to business. In your comment, make your guess of who is who. In my header, my children are pictured in order starting with the top left, working down, and then back up on the right, working downwards. The order is: Aaron, Haley, Megan, Zack, Seth and Logan. Try to guess before you open the comment and see other people's comments! I'm pretty sure you can click on the picture and it will open in a new window in a larger format.

Here are my babies:

Now, here are the pictures of my babies around 2 months of age.
They are in a different order than the newborn picture collage.
Give it your best guess! I'm sure this is much easier!

I will reveal the correct answers next week... have fun! (It sure was fun for me!)

Summertime Fun - The Yo Yo Way

Frog Snorts School

Aaron started reading the Harry Potter series after school got out (I think he is on book 6 now). Last week he started teaching the little ones to say (and I'm sure I'm spelling this wrong) *EXPELIOMOUS!* This slowly evolved to Haley and her BFF Kira to make up this Harry Potteresque game that they titled "FROG SNORTS SCHOOL". They did a mild version of this Wednesday afternoon. After Kira left, Aaron and Haley started concocting elaborate ways of playing this - which included spray painting lines on the grass (in the back yard) to make different classrooms, typing up class schedules (see above), and making multiple wands out of sticks and good ol' duct tape. Thursday afternoon BFF came back and they began their playing...

Disclaimer: I am not up to par on all the Harry Pooper, oops, I mean POTTER, language... so I'm sure I've misspelled or butchered some of these names and words. Please forgive me and don't hold my ignorance against me!!!

I'll let the pictures do most of the talking now!

I just have to ask you to notice in this picture the cups.
Kira hunted down two dead rolly pollies for use during her *Potions* class.

Professor Winder (aka: Kira) teaches Potions Class to the studious student *Sara*

Professor Dumbledor (aka: Aaron) teaches *Isaac* about Transfiguration

Professor Rumple (aka: Haley) teaches the class about
Charms (I learned that this means "spells")

Haley and Kira

After Kira goes home, the kids call for reinforcements (enter cousins Jacob and Jordan!)
The teaching of *Caring for Magical Creatures* continues...

Thursday evening - 10:30 - they are FINALLY starting to fizzle out!

Friday afternoon the game continues - and we've added to the bunch! Ben becomes "Ron Weesley", Sami becomes "Kyley", Jacob continues to be Jacob, and Zack is determined to be "Harry Potter" (he even wrote on his forehead).

The kids, um, I mean *Professors* were excited to have additional students to teach.

It sure is fun when kids get away from the electronics and use their
IMAGINATION!!!

HE'S HERE!!

Some of you know that I was bound and determined to have this little guy last Friday. Well, I had a few things to do first, so I did all the morning stuff, cut Zack and Seth's hair, gave them baths, and cleaned my bathroom. By 1:00, the three older kids were off playing with friends, so I took the boys over to my parents house so Seth could have a nap. At 1:30 I sent Roman a text message and asked him to come home, cuz we were going to the hospital! I still wasn't having any real consistent contractions, but as I mentioned earlier, the doc said if I went to the hospital at a 4 or 5, they probably wouldn't send me home.

So we get there around 2:20 and go up to Labor and Delivery triage. They bring me in and get me going on the monitor (in my little heart, I knew there wouldn't be much action on the monitor). We sat there for about 20 minutes and I think I had 3 contractions at the most. So the nurse sent me walkin (I was in "the gown" by the way - although she gave me second gown to wear the opposite direction - like a robe - so I'd have FULL COVERAGE on the backside!).

So off we went. First we went down the hall and visited my little sister, Carolee, who was working that day. She is a nurse in the NICU. So we got to visit with her for a minute (I wanted to keep moving!). Roman kept getting caught up with all the pictures/stories/news on the walls, so I was walking by myself at times - pacing back and forth to him. We went up to the 8th floor to the new mommy/baby unit. I walked by the window of babies (although only one was in the nursery at that time) and was even more determined to be holding my baby, rather than my belly, in a few hours! I refused to look at people in the eye - I didn't want the "oh, that poor miserable thing - she really wants to have that baby!" look.

Well, that was a very long hour. About 45 minutes into it I had to use the potty. I went back to triage and my nurse was talking on the phone to my doctor at that moment! After I used the restroom, the nurse told me that my doc said to send me home if I hadn't progressed. (GROWL!!!) I said, "That's not what he told me two days ago!! He's forgotten!" For some reason he was thinking I was set to be induced this coming Monday... At this point I was ready for a fight. There was no way I was going home today!! So I asked the nurse to unlock the stairwell (they leave it locked for security), and let me do the stairs!!! After 10 minutes of 3 flights up 5 flights down (and a short elevator ride), I was back in triage. She asked about my contractions in the past hour - I had no idea. All I knew was that my lower back was aching. So she put the monitor back on me and my doctor called again. While she talked to him, she checked me and I was at a...... FIVE!!! So doc asks if I want an epidural and tells the nurse to admit me. She leaves the room and I look at Roman and say "YES!" (you know, the way our little kids do - with the hand action and everything).

At 4:45 pm I get into my L&D room and get hooked up to an IV and she drew my blood, and she said in about 1 hour I could get the epidural (in my mind I was OK with this since I had zip-o pain!).

At 5:45 the doctor comes in to break my water and check me... holy cow - I was at an 8 and he said my cervix was "melting away - fast"!! Roman had just gone downstairs to get some dinner, so I called him and said - "hurry up!". At this point, I was still not feeling much of anything (how in the heck did that happen!?!?).

At 6:15 I got the epidural. I think at this point I felt one strong contraction. They are still around 5-7 minutes apart. An hour later, I was still at an 8 (7:15 pm). So at about 7:30 they hooked me up to pitocin. At 7:50 the nurse checked me and I was at a 9! At 8:05 (I had been feeling the *pressure* at this point) she checked me and I was at a 10 and ready to go! The nurse called the doctor, who said he'd be with us in 6 minutes (he was at home with his family). So we waited - fairly easily thanks to that epidural! Doctor arrived and got all ready and there we all were - I was literally "in the spot light" as we stared at each other waiting for the next contraction (they never did get super close!). Just as the nurse increased the pitocin level, the contraction started. Doctor said that baby was still up in the birth canal and it may take a few pushes. Time to push!! Suddenly I hear a "splash" - a whole ton of amniotic fluid burst out of me and sprayed everywhere - everyone said "Whoa!" and I thought the baby had landed on the floor! No worries - it was just his head that I delivered in half a push!! Doc said "Stop pushing!!" and was able to pull the shoulders out one by one and before I knew it, I was holding my little Logan!!

MY "BEFORE" PICTURE

MY "AFTER" PICTURE!!

Logan Joseph Yoder

7 pounds 12 oz

20" long

Born at 8:20 pm on June 6, 2008

"MY DADDY IS MY HERO!"

Here he is, all cleaned up and looking handsome as ever!

Roman brought the big three kids Saturday afternoon (after their race - more to come on that). Here we are with big Sis Haley!

Sunday after church Roman brought all five of the kids up to see Logan. Here are proud big brothers Zack and Aaron.

And another big sis Megan
And Seth - who is so excited to have a baby in the house!
Here I am with my SIX KIDS!!!!!!!!!!

WOOOO HOOOO!
WE MADE IT AND IT WAS WORTH IT!!!

FAMILY BIKE RIDE

Monday Night for FHE, we decided to go on a bike ride. Now stop - don't start laughing... I know you're trying to picture me, 9 mo prego whale, riding a bike! No need to worry - I didn't! I walked and my kids and Roman would ride slow, or circle back to me. We had a fun time and went about 2 miles. It has been a mild spring so far, and I for one have been grateful we haven't had many hot days! I love the 70 degree weather! Here are a few shots I took of the kids.

HALEY YO

ZACK AND MEG YO
AARON PULLS LITTLE SETH YO
RO YO DOING A WHEELIE
CAT YO

Unfortunately, the spicy Panda Express I had for dinner and the two mile walk didn't put me into labor, but for a couple of hours early this morning, I sure thought it had! At 3:30 am I woke up with some lower back pain, and again at 4:30 (more intense this time). I finally went back to bed around 5:15, but at 6:09 woke up from a pretty intense contraction. For the next hour they were anywhere from 2 to 8 minutes apart. Roman delayed going into work to see if this was the real thing or not. Having never been through this aspect of pregnancy (going into labor all on my own), I'm not too sure what to expect. Anyway, by 8:30 it had subsided, and I've just had mild contractions all day. :( It was raining tonight, so we couldn't go on a walk. Instead we were invited by some sweet friends for dinner. A whole day to not to have to worry about dinner - what a joy that was!

I never posted the results of my doc appt last week. I was dilated at a 3 and 70% effaced. I am going in again tomorrow (Wednesday) so we'll see what all the action has done to my body! I still can't be induced until the 16th... but I'm really hoping and praying that I can go all on my own before then!

A Little Video

I finished the YW video last night! Since I was in "video mode", I decided to throw one together of my little ones (when they were small). All I can say is that I truly LOVE being a mom to these five little people!

DOUBLE TROUBLE

I've been spending a lot of time on the computer, working on the video for the 7 Young Women in our ward who are graduating. They are doing a spotlight on each of the girls on Sunday as they transition them into RS, and I get to do the video spotlight portion of the meeting. It is a lot of fun, and I enjoy doing it. But I'm a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to this, so I've been spending a little too much time on it... Anyway, Megan comes to me and says, "Mom, you won't believe what the boys are doing... it is very very bad!" I'll let the pictures do the talking...

THE ARRESTING OFFICER

CRIME SCENE PHOTO #1

CRIME SCENE PHOTO #2

CULPRIT #1

CULPRIT #2

THE WEAPON

ASSISTING OFFICER

So, as you can see, I went to the kitchen to find that the applesauce jar that was previously 4/5 full, had now been emptied all over the counter, the boys, the wall, (even some on my clock!), the bar stools, and the floor. I tried very hard to remain calm, and then decided to take some pictures and make it a memorable moment. As I started taking pictures of the boys, Seth's skin was getting irritated (he has eczema/sensitive skin), so that is why he is crying in the picture. Zack just kept on eating the applesauce, even once he had been caught. As I stripped them down, Aaron started the bath tub for me, and I sprayed them down in the tub. I let them stay in there, thinking they would be contained, while I cleaned up the mess. I also called to see when "reinforcements" (aka: Daddy) would be in, but found out he was detained at a local Man Store (aka: Lowes) and ETA was 20 more minutes at minimum. So I cleaned up that big mess, and then went upstairs to get the boys out and found the bathroom floor was soaked with water. At this point, it was no longer funny and I couldn't muster any amount of positive attitude to continue on with the "memorable moment" in a cheerful way.... I won't go into anymore details, but will say the evening did include some toothpaste on pillowcases, courtesy of Zack. I don't know what is up with that boy... he is most often so easy going, and lovable, and well behaved. I guess I need to be giving him more positive attention. So there is my effort at trying to "make the best out of the situation."

Last day of Preschool!

Well, today was my last day of teaching preschool (this school year). I enjoyed it and it was a lot of fun to watch the little ones change and progress! My dad had a great idea to have the neighbor from the ward come over and give the kids a train ride. He made a train from his riding lawn mower and pulls the "cars" behind him which are made out of barrels. It is so cool and the kids had a blast! Seth got to ride as well, and was DEVASTATED when it was all through. He came inside the house and threw himself to the floor.

Here is a picture of my little crew. With a few more additions - Ben and Zack (this one is mine) are in the front, then you see the back of my Megan's head. Behind her is Julia sitting nicely with Seth (another one of mine). Then there is Bryce and Lindsay - my dad's neighbors children who are nearly the exact same ages as Zack and Seth. Then you can see the back of Tai's head, and on the caboose is "Little Megan Huffy" - as my children affectionately call her (my sister's daughter who is 4... born 2 1/2 years after my Megan. My sister thinks I'm so cool, she had to start copying me on the whole name thing... but I am winning in the end because I'll be THE ONLY ONE in my whole entire family with SIX KIDDO'S!!... Woooo Hooo! Oops, I'm getting off topic).

~~~~~Back to the preschool fun~~~~

The pictures are funny because the there is flying hair, so it looks like they were going fast... they weren't - it was just a very windy (but warm thankfully!) day...

Here is Megan and Seth having a great time on the train ride!

And here is a little video of the fun and excitement..