Apr 17, 2011
LOOKING!!
We are now desperately seeking child care!!! I just posted an add on KSL, but I don't know if it will get answered in time, so if anyone out there in my blogging cosmos knows of anyone who could work, please pass this along. We need this ASAP!!!
Apr 3, 2011
Ok. What's the point of trying to recap the last little while? A lot happens in 6 weeks!! So I'll just do the highlight! Chloe turned 3!!! I can't believe it.... She is such a little princess and I love it. I never wanted a Tomboy so I could not be more thrilled with her girly-ness. She freaks out if she gets dirt on her toes :D
Chloe is SO smart and turning into such a little person!!
Of course my pictures are way out of order so just read the captions!
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| One of the cutest feet I have ever seen... |
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| One of the cute pics my sister took of Chloe - she really is a little "Fancy Nancy" |
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| Pretty boy :) |
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| At the zoo - after the carousel |
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| She wouldn't go near the big elephant statue or the fake gorilla. But she'll practically lay down and nap with the tigers! |
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| HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! |
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| Enjoying some new books |
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| Daddy's helping blow out the candles |
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| Notice Adam.... He is stretching his head around to watch the basketball game. |
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| More "Happy Birthday!" |
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| Napping at our niece's birthday party. |
Feb 21, 2011
*sigh* I feel bad that I haven't posted in a while -- not bad for you people, but bad that I haven't documented almost 2 months of my new baby's life. So I'll start with that.
He didn't have a 4 month checkup since we don't have health insurance - but we did our own measurements:
16 lbs
26 in
He's eating solids now - loves them all!
He hasn't rolled over yet, but he does try to sit himself up!
SO happy - SO laid back - SO perfect :)
When he wakes up, he just sits and coos and squeals, just like Chloe did.
I got his 4 month shots done at the health department last week - he did so well! He didn't even wince when she gave the first shot. The second one stung, but he only cried for, literally, a few seconds. He's such a tough little guy. He is so much fun and we love having him around. We're so lucky to have had two easy-going, adorable little babies.
Chloe is finally potty trained. She's had a few moments where she regressed, but she's doing great now. She just has to wear a pull up at night - just in case!
She is still so smart. She is so observant of everything around her - so we have to be extra careful of what we say around her!!
Work is going pretty well for me. Can't complain....
We just repainted our house again. It just seemed so gross after our renters left and they ruined our carpet - like actually ruined it. So we replaced that as well. Shane was able to get the carpet at cost as well as just work off the cost. So we didn't have to pay anything "out of pocket". It feels so much better in our house now. I'm still working on the decorating though...
Below are just some pics of just what's been going on around here.
He didn't have a 4 month checkup since we don't have health insurance - but we did our own measurements:
16 lbs
26 in
He's eating solids now - loves them all!
He hasn't rolled over yet, but he does try to sit himself up!
SO happy - SO laid back - SO perfect :)
When he wakes up, he just sits and coos and squeals, just like Chloe did.
I got his 4 month shots done at the health department last week - he did so well! He didn't even wince when she gave the first shot. The second one stung, but he only cried for, literally, a few seconds. He's such a tough little guy. He is so much fun and we love having him around. We're so lucky to have had two easy-going, adorable little babies.
Chloe is finally potty trained. She's had a few moments where she regressed, but she's doing great now. She just has to wear a pull up at night - just in case!
She is still so smart. She is so observant of everything around her - so we have to be extra careful of what we say around her!!
Work is going pretty well for me. Can't complain....
We just repainted our house again. It just seemed so gross after our renters left and they ruined our carpet - like actually ruined it. So we replaced that as well. Shane was able to get the carpet at cost as well as just work off the cost. So we didn't have to pay anything "out of pocket". It feels so much better in our house now. I'm still working on the decorating though...
Below are just some pics of just what's been going on around here.
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| The beautiful flowers that Shane sneakily had delivered to me at work :) |
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| Lily and Adam share a bed... Didn't you know?? |
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| We went to my sister's house in Twin Falls a couple weeks ago and we stopped at Shoshone Falls on our way home. VERY pretty. |
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| Adam loves his baths. If he's fussy, I can just run him a warm bath and he's happy as a clam! |
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| My darling little Chloe. |
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| He's always got this "what?" look on his face. It's priceless! |
Jan 6, 2011
New Job, etc
Well, I started my new job this week. Not the most exciting but SO easy (thank goodness).
I got the call last Wednesday that I would be starting the following Monday. Before I even hung up the phone there were tears forming in my eyes. I knew the day was coming, but I just was not ready to leave my babies. I was really struggling, especially not knowing exactly what the "day care" situation would be. We are still slightly flying by the seat of our pants! We just cannot, in any way afford to pay someone to watch the kids. It's unreal how much that costs. And of course, we "make too much" to qualify for any sort of assisted programs (of any kind). But it is incredibly hard leaving them every day. It still has not set in that this is not just a temporary thing. I will be doing this for a very long time now. Of course I wish that I could be a regular stay-at-home mom. But that I not in the cards for us right now. Sure, I could have said, "I will not have children until I can be sure that I will always be home with them," but that is completely unrealistic. Even the Church leaders have said to not put these things off until you are "ready". If you do, the time will absolutely never be right. I hate leaving them, but the joy I get from the time I do get to spend with them is immeasurable. I cannot imagine my life without them. Nothing would be worth having waited. I am someone's Mommy and that is the absolute most important thing I can ever do.
Anyway, enough of the mush. I started on Monday at 9 AM. I am literally an operator. I find out what the basic issue the customer has is then transfer them. So nice. I am not making NEARLY what I need to to compensate my old income (barely more than half), but at least it's money coming in. My daily schedule is 8:30 to 5 which is good and bad. I get to spend some time in the morning with the kids and I get to have regular sleeping hours, but I don't get home until at least 5:30 (that's only is Shane is watching them). If I have to pick them up from somewhere, I'm lucky if I'm home by 6. Then dinner, clean-up, bath time, and bed. But at least I can be the first person they see when they wake up and the last person they see before falling asleep. I love going in to get Adam in the mornings and seeing his big, gummy smile. Chloe always walks in [whatever room I am in] with this half-asleep look and her adorable bed head. Her potty training is going really well. She has had a few accidents. I really think it is because of the sudden changes in routine. But still, she is doing great.
I am trying really hard to keep nursing. I feed Adam in the morning and after I am home. I pump on my (VERY SHORT) 30 minute lunch break in my car. I am just not producing as much as I should and he is starting to eat a lot more (he is getting SO HUGE!) so of course we have to supplement with formula. He does great with both so it's going well. Luckily we got several samples of formula in the mail so we haven't had to buy any yet. We're still on our first can! He will start eating solids this month. I am so excited. I am going to try to make most of it myself since each little jar is a complete rip-off -- so expensive. I realize that we are saving so much money this time around. Chloe did not nurse and I bought all of the baby food in jars. I won't lie -- it is very convenient, but just too much money. Making the food is really easy so I'm not too worried about it.
Let's see... We sold our Monster Sak (yes, that is how it is spelled) and couch so we could get "grown-up" furniture. RC Willey had an awesome After Christmas deal on a Sofa/Love Seat combo so we got it. They are lovely :) Oh, Shane has been Mr Mom this week and is totally making me look bad! I came home to a totally clean downstairs (I have been totally lazy lately) and dinner on the table. He was like a wife from the 50's! Janell watched the kiddos on Tuesday and she did a better job than I do also. Adam took (I think) two 3 hour naps. *sigh* Oh well. Someday I will be Super Mom. I'm just Robin to their Batman right now I guess!!
I'm sure I sound like a little bit of a Debbie-Downer so maybe I need to balance that out with some "gratefuls":
I am grateful that I was able to find a job so quickly and I am grateful that I will be getting a severance from my old job. That will really relieve a lot of stress we have about paying taxes (gotta love being self-employed!). I am hoping that Shane will allow me to maybe get a new pair of shoes and a couple new pieces for my very tattered and pathetic wardrobe. I have to admit, I do not like shopping right now since I am still overweight, (not, "you just had a baby" overweight, but really and truly overweight. Do not try to placate me) but I need something new! Everyone needs a new article of clothing every so often... I am grateful that Shane has been so unbelievable busy at RC Willey this year. We have been so fortunate to keep our debts under control. We are still just working on paying of our cars. I can't say that we will be able to maintain that this year, but at least we have a semi-clean slate to start with. I am grateful that my kids are healthy and mellow and that they love eachother. Chloe will sit in front of Adam and sing and make noises while he just laughs and squeals at her. It is the most precious thing I think someone can witness. I am grateful that we have a house and vehicles and food. Things are going to get tough, but we've been through worse.
Shane's birthday is this month and I am hoping we'll be able to do something fun for it! I know he will love his gift so I'm not worried about that. Anyway, enough rambling for now!
I got the call last Wednesday that I would be starting the following Monday. Before I even hung up the phone there were tears forming in my eyes. I knew the day was coming, but I just was not ready to leave my babies. I was really struggling, especially not knowing exactly what the "day care" situation would be. We are still slightly flying by the seat of our pants! We just cannot, in any way afford to pay someone to watch the kids. It's unreal how much that costs. And of course, we "make too much" to qualify for any sort of assisted programs (of any kind). But it is incredibly hard leaving them every day. It still has not set in that this is not just a temporary thing. I will be doing this for a very long time now. Of course I wish that I could be a regular stay-at-home mom. But that I not in the cards for us right now. Sure, I could have said, "I will not have children until I can be sure that I will always be home with them," but that is completely unrealistic. Even the Church leaders have said to not put these things off until you are "ready". If you do, the time will absolutely never be right. I hate leaving them, but the joy I get from the time I do get to spend with them is immeasurable. I cannot imagine my life without them. Nothing would be worth having waited. I am someone's Mommy and that is the absolute most important thing I can ever do.
Anyway, enough of the mush. I started on Monday at 9 AM. I am literally an operator. I find out what the basic issue the customer has is then transfer them. So nice. I am not making NEARLY what I need to to compensate my old income (barely more than half), but at least it's money coming in. My daily schedule is 8:30 to 5 which is good and bad. I get to spend some time in the morning with the kids and I get to have regular sleeping hours, but I don't get home until at least 5:30 (that's only is Shane is watching them). If I have to pick them up from somewhere, I'm lucky if I'm home by 6. Then dinner, clean-up, bath time, and bed. But at least I can be the first person they see when they wake up and the last person they see before falling asleep. I love going in to get Adam in the mornings and seeing his big, gummy smile. Chloe always walks in [whatever room I am in] with this half-asleep look and her adorable bed head. Her potty training is going really well. She has had a few accidents. I really think it is because of the sudden changes in routine. But still, she is doing great.
I am trying really hard to keep nursing. I feed Adam in the morning and after I am home. I pump on my (VERY SHORT) 30 minute lunch break in my car. I am just not producing as much as I should and he is starting to eat a lot more (he is getting SO HUGE!) so of course we have to supplement with formula. He does great with both so it's going well. Luckily we got several samples of formula in the mail so we haven't had to buy any yet. We're still on our first can! He will start eating solids this month. I am so excited. I am going to try to make most of it myself since each little jar is a complete rip-off -- so expensive. I realize that we are saving so much money this time around. Chloe did not nurse and I bought all of the baby food in jars. I won't lie -- it is very convenient, but just too much money. Making the food is really easy so I'm not too worried about it.
Let's see... We sold our Monster Sak (yes, that is how it is spelled) and couch so we could get "grown-up" furniture. RC Willey had an awesome After Christmas deal on a Sofa/Love Seat combo so we got it. They are lovely :) Oh, Shane has been Mr Mom this week and is totally making me look bad! I came home to a totally clean downstairs (I have been totally lazy lately) and dinner on the table. He was like a wife from the 50's! Janell watched the kiddos on Tuesday and she did a better job than I do also. Adam took (I think) two 3 hour naps. *sigh* Oh well. Someday I will be Super Mom. I'm just Robin to their Batman right now I guess!!
I'm sure I sound like a little bit of a Debbie-Downer so maybe I need to balance that out with some "gratefuls":
I am grateful that I was able to find a job so quickly and I am grateful that I will be getting a severance from my old job. That will really relieve a lot of stress we have about paying taxes (gotta love being self-employed!). I am hoping that Shane will allow me to maybe get a new pair of shoes and a couple new pieces for my very tattered and pathetic wardrobe. I have to admit, I do not like shopping right now since I am still overweight, (not, "you just had a baby" overweight, but really and truly overweight. Do not try to placate me) but I need something new! Everyone needs a new article of clothing every so often... I am grateful that Shane has been so unbelievable busy at RC Willey this year. We have been so fortunate to keep our debts under control. We are still just working on paying of our cars. I can't say that we will be able to maintain that this year, but at least we have a semi-clean slate to start with. I am grateful that my kids are healthy and mellow and that they love eachother. Chloe will sit in front of Adam and sing and make noises while he just laughs and squeals at her. It is the most precious thing I think someone can witness. I am grateful that we have a house and vehicles and food. Things are going to get tough, but we've been through worse.
Shane's birthday is this month and I am hoping we'll be able to do something fun for it! I know he will love his gift so I'm not worried about that. Anyway, enough rambling for now!
Dec 28, 2010
Christmas 2010
Prepare for picture overload.... Christmas was fun this year. I was prepared quite early - which is not fun. There is just something fun about last minute gifts! I could never prepare in advance. Christmas officially started last Sunday with the Peavlers getting together for a little early Christmas dinner. We had our white elephant gift exchange and yummy roasts that Chantelle made. It was also the perfect opportunity for Chantelle to tell us that baby no. 2 is on the way :) We're all very excited for her!!
On Thursday, the Bradford kids that are in the area got together for our own Christmas party. I can't believe how old everyone is getting! We were having fun making jokes about each other and reminiscing. I'm so glad we're not a mushy-gushy family. It's so much funner to make fun and know that we just all love each other. Lots of yummy food and hyper kids!!
Christmas Eve was spent with Shane's parents and sister Shelly. We (Shelly and Tammie) decorated cookies, watched movies, and watched Shelly beat Shane at Nerts :) It was lots of fun - I'm glad we were able to be there.
Christmas Day was fun too! I woke up before the kids and walked back and forth from Chloe's room waiting for her to wake up! Finally, at about 8 she woke up! She loved all of her presents and was so excited about her new kitchen. (I was too until I saw Janell's rendition of the same frame.... Mine looks like I let Chloe paint it compared to hers!)
Shane got the "new" Halo Reach and a new quilt from his Grandma. I got a new camera since mine was started to malfunction! I also got a roaster oven and waffle maker.
At about 11 we went to Shane's parents for lunch and for them to give us their gifts. It was lots of fun to hang out for a few hours. Chloe played with her cousins and we ate...and ate and ate...Tammie got me a new griddle - that I love - and Shane got a backpacking water filter. Both things we needed so that was very appreciated.
Here are lots of pics from the events. (NOT in order)
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| (I just couldn't pass this one up) |
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| She was in heaven |
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| Opening a present at the Peavler Party |
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| The foot and a half of snow we got! |
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| Chloe's new kitchen |
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| Santa brought her a Barbie! |
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| The reaction I was hoping for with Shane's new Halo |
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| Christmas Eve at the Peavlers' - Chloe needed these "tights" on |
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| Adam was pooped! |
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| So was Grandpa :) |
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| Bradford Party |
Dec 17, 2010
one to remember.
So Shane went to the dentist this week and had to get Laughing Gas. Anyway, he got home and seemed to be ok. A little loopy, but otherwise fine.
The light bulbs on our upstairs landing have been out for a couple weeks and neither of us have changed them. Anyway, Shane grabs some bulbs from the kitchen cupboard, walks up the stairs and changes the bulbs. We talk while he is doing it any everything. Then he takes a nap (more like a coma) for about 5-6 hours.
I'm gone when he wakes up and he texts me, "thanks for changing the lights upstairs. It's nice to be able to see."
I truly thought he was being sarcastic so I asked if he was. "No..." I then let him know that he changed the bulbs all by himself and we had a whole conversation and everything. He had no recollection of changing the bulbs or any conversation we had. However, he did remember that I didn't bring him some Ibuprofen....
Dec 8, 2010
Johnson Family Christmas Party 2010
We had our annual Johnson Family Christmas Party this week (my Mom's family). I've only been to a few of these in my life, but they are lots of fun! Our family has gotten too big to hold the party at my Uncle Jim's house where it has always been, but this is a great place to have it since the kids can just go into a playroom and not be so much in the way. Here are a few pictures from the night --- Chloe is still terrified of Santa.
Shane didn't come because he was sick (he actually was!) and when I got there, my Grandma high-jacked Adam and I practically had to tear him away to feed him. And that was fine by me :)
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| Grandma Johnson teaching the kids about Christmas symbols |
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| Adam thoroughly enjoyed the presentation by Grandma! |
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| I had to have my niece, London, hold Chloe down while I took these pictures. Adam could have cared less who was holding him! |
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| Mark and his "get the camera out of my face" face. I think he has had that look for about 30 years! |
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| Adam with G'ma Johnson |
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| Adam with G'pa E. True Johnson - his namesake |
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