Keen Gregory Beutler

Monday August 13, 2012 started out early for Josh and I. I was scheduled to be induced that morning at 7:00 but I woke up around 1:15 with some pretty steady contractions. I was not about to let what happened last time happen again, so after about 45 minutes of counting contractions we packed up and headed to the hospital. We called my dad to come over and stay with the kids and luckily we caught him before he had gone to bed (yeah it was 2:00 and he hadn't gone to be yet - who does that?) He raced over and fell asleep at our house and we raced off to the hospital. When we got there they hooked me up to the monitors and told me we were going to stay. The nurse said it was actually great timing since I had to have antibiotics for 4 hours anyway before I delivered the baby. They started an IV and the antibiotics then checked me and I was at a 3.5. Our nurse Julie told us that we could just take it easy for the next few hours. So that's what we did. The anesthesiologist gave me my epidural (ah heaven) and then we laid back and waited. Josh reclined his chair and I laid the bed back and we tried to get a little sleep.

At 7:30 Julie came in and gave me another dose of antibiotics and said that we could now actually have the baby. Dr. Smith came in about 30 minutes later and broke my water. My contractions started coming faster and stronger (and luckily I didn't have to feel anything!) Julie checked me again and said I was at a 5 and that once someone gets to a 5 it usually goes pretty quick after that. Sure enough, about 30 minutes later I started to feel a lot of pressure even through the epidural. Julie came back in and said that I was complete and ready to have the baby! Unfortunately Dr. Smith was in the middle of surgery and we had to wait about 15 minutes for him to come in. Once he got there it was quick and easy. I pushed for one contraction and then Baby Keen made his appearance at 10:37 am!
The one thing I kept hearing was "wow look at all that hair!" Keen has a head full of dark hair. It is so cute! The next thing I heard was "he's a big boy!" And yes, he is a big boy. Weighing in at 8 lbs. 5 oz. and 21 inches. He is my biggest baby so far and so so darling!

He has his own look. He resembles Rhen slightly but really doesn't look as much like the others as they each did when they were born.

We had a little skin to skin time right after the birth. He is the sweetest little guy and we are so glad he came quick and easy and healthy!

The proud father!

Our newest addition - it's so crazy that he is actually here!

Keen Gregory Beutler - welcome to our home!

Slip N Slide

Rease got a slip n slide for her birthday and the kids love playing on it.  Josh sits at the top and sprays the water and the kids can't get enough of it.  Over and over and over.  Liev gets going fastest with no clothes on so we let him go in the nude.  Cutest nude boy ever!

I happened to get this next sequence of events on camera and I am so so happy I did. 

Liev stressing over the grass that is stuck on his hands.  Doesn't know what's about to hit him.

 Still doesn't realize that Rhen is coming full speed.

And down.  What a way to end the day!

I couldn't stop laughing - what kind of mom am I?

Wicked

We went to see Wicked at the Capitol Theatre as an office this year.  It was our Christmas present from mom and dad last year and we were so excited to finally be able to go.  Mom was out of town the day we had tickets so I was able to take Rease with me.  We both had a fun time and loved the show!  I wasn't sure I would be able to go since Baby Keen is due any second.  But so far he has held off and I was able to enjoy one more thing while being hugely pregnant!



Baby Update

I thought I'd give a 37 week update on Baby Keen. I went to see Dr. Smith on Tuesday and I am dilated to a 3 and 80% effaced - he said the baby could come any day. I am used to having my babies early so I am expecting it to happen any time. Dr. Smith said that I will most likely have a fast delivery again so he is submitted a special request to the hospital that I be induced at 38 weeks. With Liev I was strep B positive but didn't get to the hospital in time for the antibiotics. I am also positive with this baby and Dr. Smith wants to be sure I get my antibiotics with this one. So he submitted a request to the hospital and they accepted it! So I am officially being induced on Monday which will make me 38 weeks (and ready for the baby.) Yeah! A great day to look forward to!

Here I am with a big belly but happy that a new baby is about to be here!

My sweet girls are always giving the baby kisses.

And Liev wanted to get in on the action too.

We are all super excited for the new baby and can't wait to add #4 to our family!

Fun with the Cousins

We had such a great time with Chad, Britt and the boys living so close this summer.  They came down for one last weekend before heading back to Boston for the fall.  These 4 older cousins had a blast with each other and were crazy as ever. 

 Sunday dinner - the kids had the bar to themselves which was super fun for them.

 I love this picture of all the babies in their high chairs.

 The kids had one last wagon ride with Papa.  This wagon got a lot of good use this summer.

 As Chad and Britt were getting their kids in the car, Rease realized that this was goodbye for a while and couldn't hold back the tears.  It was a sad farewell but so cute that these sweet cousins love each other so much!

What a fun summer we had - can't wait to see the cousins again!

18 months

Yeah I'm 18 months old.

Yep I'm a big eater.

And yes I'm chubby.

What's it to ya?

Wanna see my stats?

Weight: 24.91 lbs. - 33%

Height: 33.46 in. - 76%

Head: 19.8 in. - 97%

What do these numbers tell you?  Liev is tall, skinny and has a big head.  I have a feeling that Josh #2 is in the making. 

Liev is the sweetest, quitest little guy.  He is very content to just hang out and play with toys or sit on my lap and read a book.  Not a lot of drama and not a lot of fuss with this boy.  Dr. Erickson doesn't seem overly concerned yet that he isn't talking much.  He does say a few words - mama, thank you, bye-bye and sometimes a couple others.  Other than that he keeps to himself.  Dr. Erickson says that he'll come around and start talking when he's ready.  He does want Liev to be saying more within the next 6 months though so we are going to keep working on it.  For now we love having this little person in our home!  

Piney Place

Chad and Britt and the boys are in Rexburg for the summer doing an internship at BYU-I.  Since they are so close, we have been able to see them much more often and the kids have loved being together with the cousins.  We decided to head their way for a week and spent some time at Uncle Alan's cabin in Island Park with all the Losees.  We had such a fun, relaxing time and loved being together.  Here are the highlights of our week.

We stopped in Idaho Falls at The Great Bambinos for dinner on our way up - this place was recommended by a friend of ours so we tried it out.  It was different but good.

 Once we got to the cabin, Grammie immediately distributed goodies for the kids.  They each got a bug catcher and some treats.  The bug catchers were a big hit and the whole week was spent finding all sorts of bugs and creatures. 

 Papa brought his new Ranger along and it was a perfect place for it.  The kids had to wear helmets and looked oh so cute as passengers.  Everyone had a blast taking turns on the fun new toy.  (Except me.  Josh wouldn't allow an 8 month pregnant lady to ride.  I guess he didn't want to deliver a baby in the woods?)

 We went through lots of plastic cups and paper plates during the week.  We tried to minimize that by having everyone write their names on a cup and keep using the same one.  The kids went one step further and drew pictures and designs on their cups.  And actually the kids cups lasted most of the week - the adults should have followed their example.

 Of course there has to be some sort of competion when we get together.  Hayley organized a Losee Olympics (just in time for the real Summer Olympics to start) and we spent the week playing games and having fun.  She separated us all into teams and made wristbands for all of us to wear.  Team Canada, Team Brazil and Team Italy. We even had an opening ceremony to distribute the bands and get our teams organized. 

 First group game was Ping Pong Blowing.  Each team had 3 ping pong balls painted as our team flag and the goal of the game was to blow everyone elses ball off the table and try and keep your own team ball on the table.  We played the best of 10 rounds.  I'll admit, this game got a little heated but in the end we all had a great time.

 We also had individual tournaments and the winners contributed to the overall team score at the end.  Ladder ball was one of them (this is one of my favorite games to play.  Super fun.)

 Another team game - the Sock Game.  One member from each team competed at a time.  Wearing a pair of gloves you had to try and get as many socks on your feet in a certain amount of time.  Looks easy, but really was hard.  Once again - we had a fight or two break out during this game.  What are we, competitive?

 After the game, Justin stuffed Ranger's clothes full of socks and turned him into Sumo Wrestler.  So cute!

 Water balloon dodgeball was our next group game.  The kids loved this and adults got really into it. 

 Bocce ball.

 At the end of the week, we had a closing ceremony and the medals were awarded.  Team Brazil took home the bronze, Team Canada the silver and Team Italy the gold.  Hayley did a great job organizing everything and we had fun all week playing our games and doing activities!

 There was plenty to eat while we were there. 

 And the kids loved playing/exploring/laughing and just being together.  It has been a summer of fun with the cousins!

 The four oldest kids, Rease, Nolan, Rhen and Wyatt were inseperable.  We didn't worry about them much because we knew the four of them were together and having a blast.

 The dads took the kids down to the river to play and swim.  The water was cold but it didn't stop anyone from getting in!

 One of the days we drove up to Yellowstone and spent the day.  We had fun seeing all the wildlife and the beautiful park.

 Notice that Josh and I and the kids are only in a few of these pictures.  Halfway through the day I started having some pretty good contractions and was afraid that I would be stuck in the middle of nowhere without an epidural - so we headed back to the cabin early.  False alarm in the end, but we know better than to test our luck with having a baby in the car!

 Liev was in heaven playing in the dirt all week.  Just what he always wants to do - get dirty and not get in trouble for it!

 We had some fun nights around the campfire, singing songs and making yummy smores. 

 And we enjoyed some beautiful sunsets.

 We had a fabulous week together.  Before we left, Justin wanted to get some pictures of the whole family together.  Mom, dad and the five kids.

 This is us trying to do a squishy face picture and I felt like more than my face was being squished.

 The whole gang. 

We love being together and being in such a beautiful spot!  Thanks for the fun memories everyone!