Whose toy is this, anyway?

The "Week of Fun"

Yes, I know. We are terribly creative when it comes to naming our vacations. But last week Erik took a week off from work to bond "with Newborn and Child." We declared it the "Week of Fun" and let caution fly to the wind. Out went the schedule. Out went regular naps and bedtimes. In came yummy, bad-for-you foods like chocolate croissants, hot dogs, Chik-fil-a, and Sonic drive thru. (I mentioned it was the week of fun, and nothing spells fun for this family like good food!)

Monday: We started the week off right and drove up to IKEA. For those who have never been, imagine a mall full of low-priced, quality everything and that sums up IKEA. They also serve yummy Swedish meatballs and fries on the cheap (did I mention how food factored into the week?). Because we were already up in Tim-Buck-Tu, we also hit Jungle Jim's, a Cincinnati institution of imported food and wacky decorations like full size animatronics.

Tuesday: A rainy day, so we headed to the Krohn Conservatory for their annual butterfly show. Unfortunately everyone else had the bright idea to also head inside (hence a few dead butterflies on the floor- maybe they should rethink letting a bunch of kids loose in a room full of butterflies). With Grace as wimpy as she is, we actually had more fun in the rest of the quieter conservatory, watching turtles and fish. She enjoyed the butterflies, but we couldn't catch one, and when a little boy tried to give her one, she shriveled back into her Daddy's legs. Don't think I'll ever catch my daughter eating bugs.

Note Grace's new "fake" smile she does for the camera. You can imagine how our family portraits turned out!

Wednesday: The office gave Grace a Build-a-Bear gift certificate after Matthew was born. There are a few advantages to driving to Pittsburg for a day of meetings 6 days after your wife has a baby! :) Her favorite part was finding fuzz on the floor of the store and then realizing that there was an entire machine full of fuzz (which they stuff the animal with). That's right, our daughter loves fuzz. She picked out some from a hole in one of her stuffed animals, and somehow it became very dear to her. One of the grandmothers tried to throw it away once and couldn't believe how devastating it was going to be. Grace can be heard at various times throughout the day "Where's my fuzz?". It sometimes even has to go up to bed with her. But I digress....

Here she is putting the heart inside her bear after it was filled with fuzz.

She named the bear "Gracie Bear" (so creative- just like her parents!) and picked out the dress. Erik tried to steer her towards the boy clothes but she would have none of it!

Thursday: Family picture day- need I say more? Somehow it took two hours, but with Grace's inability to smile normally, if at all, it really narrowed our choices down considerably. My favorite picture was probably the one of her kissing Matthew that we turned into black and white. I'll try to post some of those later.

Friday: We played in the pool in the backyard and attempted to go to story hour at the library, but my mommy brain somehow mixed up the dates. We still had fun picking out books though. Grace declared for the first time that it was "maybe too hot" to go outside.

Saturday: A much deserved jammie day at home, except for Erik who went running (how that fits into a week of fun, I'll never know!).

Paradise found

The sun is shining.

We are in our swim suits.

There is a breeze blowing.

The water is clear and glistening.

Strawberry daiquiris are delivered pool side.

There are afternoon chips and salsa.

Where are we?

In our backyard, of course!

Future theologian

Grace: "Mommy and Daddy love me."

"Yes, we do!"

Grace: "God loves me too."

"Yes, you are right."

Grace: "But, where is He?"

Ah, the deep ponderings of a 2 1/2 year old. I was wondering when the tough questions would start!

(P.S. Grace just assumes that those who love her most- Mommy, Daddy and grandparents come and dote on her. I'm sure she is wondering when God is going to show up and do her puzzle with her like everyone else!)

The little day

Future and Mr. Josaih Richard :)

The other night I told Grace to go to sleep because we had a big day tomorrow.

"What's a big day?" she asked.

"It's when you have a lot to do or a big place to go," I said.

"How about a little day instead?" was her answer.

Our Big Day started with a 6:00 feeding for Matthew, then shower for Mommy, breakfast for everyone, and then a 9:00 feeding for Matthew. (No wonder Grace is always asking if it is time for Matthew to eat or sleep. That's really all the kid does.)

Then we loaded up the last few items (I have learned to pre-load the car the night before, and have a list of anything else, like drinks, that need to be put in last minute) and headed off to the... ZOO! The plan was to meet up with two of our friends and their kids for a few hours. We have a zoo pass, so I wasn't too concerned if we didn't last long. You see, I had two things against me:

1. Matthew had only taken one bottle before, and was rather particular about which brand, so I didn't have high hopes that he would easily take his second try. And I haven't quite re-learned the knack to nursing in public yet.


2. We don't own a double stroller, so poor Grace was going to walk the entire time. I thought about putting Grace in the stroller and Matthew in the baby carrier, but it was hot and sunny and he doesn't have a hat (note to self- get one!) and I didn't want him to get sunburned. I also didn't think he would sleep in it since he hasn't been carried in it before and will not typically fall asleep in someone's arms.

So off we went. Bless that child's heart- both of them- Matthew took his bottle and Grace walked the entire zoo, never complaining and happy the whole time. And this is Cincinnati, so it is a hilly zoo! We ended the day with ice cream and the kids both promptly fell asleep in the car ride home.

Once home, I transferred Grace to her bed and fed Matthew again. Erik called to say he was stuck at work, and would be home late, as in late. At 6pm I woke Grace up from her nap (hey, she walked a whole zoo for crying out loud!). Turns out she had wet the bed, so we did the world's quickest bath because we were supposed to be at small group at 7:00 and I still had to feed both kids. Grace and I scarfed our mac n' cheese (I told you Erik was still at work so this was my dinner idea) because Matthew had just woken up to eat, again. He decides to take his time with this one, instead of being his characteristically quick nurser, and we arrive at small group at 7:20. Hey, we made it. Grace decides to cry going in with the other kids, and I have pity on the poor kid (hey, she walked a whole zoo for crying out loud!) so she does her sticker book and entertains herself with my purse while sitting with the adults.

At 9:20 Matthew decides he has had enough of his pacifier and would prefer the real thing, and lets the world know by screaming his head off. Grace and I hurry home, to find that Daddy is still MIA.

OK, what does a modern mom do with this dilemma of a tired child past bedtime and screaming infant? Give the toddler a cookie from small group, stick her in front of a 'Mister Rogers' that has been previously recorded on TV and let the baby eat. At 10, we finally head upstairs to get Grace to bed, although she thought watching Mister Rogers with a cookie was fine by her. At 10:15 I have a crying baby again who would also like to be in his bed, and a crying toddler who would like to stay up later and do who knows what. Maybe that cookie wasn't such a good idea.

Enter Daddy, who saves the day, er night, by getting home and taking care of the toddler. Baby goes to bed. Then, Mommy and Daddy get to eat a McDonalds flurry that Daddy picked up on the way home, courtesy of Towers Perrin. We fall into bed sometime around 11. I think I remember Erik talking about something but I was already in dream land.

Yes, Grace, how about a Little Day tomorrow?

The lone ranger

I have officially survived my first week by myself with two kiddos! I must say, for the most part we not only survived, but thrived. Grace has continued going on the potty with no direction from me, and is a huge help with Matthew (added to her vocabulary list is now "burp cloth" and "Boppy"). Although I can't take all the credit for the stellar week! We have had dear friends bring us meals (and a playmate came for Grace one morning), and I still had a few surprises left for Grace, thanks to family.

Yesterday I had my first outing with both kids (and really my first time driving as well). What deserved such a special occasion? Well, Target of course! :) As a baby, Grace hated Target. Something to do with the lights? (No girl wants to be caught in bad lighting!) Matthew didn't seem to mind, even when things were piled in around him in the cart. That part was so baffling that I ended up going to the grocery store that night by myself. Where exactly are you supposed to put stuff when shopping with two kids? Did I just join the ranks of the Night Shoppers?

Our big girl in her "pajama dress", perfect for twirling. She stayed in it the whole next day. I'm seeing a lot of pajama days in my near future, for both of us.

Thanks, Grandma, for the fun craft! (Note the "thinking tongue" which connotes how much brain power this is taking.)

Random pictures!

Ok, blog stalkers... here you go. :)

"Oooo...the ceiling fan is funny..." Where's Matthew? (Oh, and get that girl a hairbrush!)

Changing of the guard

My mom left this morning, after being here for 4 1/2 weeks and Erik's mom arrived last night. You might have thought someone would have been killed after all that time together with a pregnant lady, then a new baby, and always a toddler around. But my mom was a servant the whole time she was here, from cleaning, cooking, running errands (and running after Grace) and then basically taking care of three kids after Matthew was born because I was dead weight and could not do anything for myself. What a trouper! So it's a little early to be saluting my mom for Mother's Day, but I think I have got the best one around.

Coming home a family of four

Whew, what a relief to be out of the hospital! Last time I wanted to stay in the safety of the hospital for as long as possible because we had this new baby and had no idea how to care for it, and besides, people were bringing me food I didn't have to cook! :) This time we had a Gracie-girl waiting for us at home, plus the comforts of our own house to look forward to. My hospital bed was awful (but the food was good!). Erik had a more comfortable bed this time around, as they had us in a double room converted into a single, so he had a real bed to sleep in instead of the pull out chair. My dad and sister also came into town the day Matthew was born, so I knew we had a great team of helpers waiting for us. (My mom has been a helper here for weeks, so she goes without saying :))

Hospital Pictures

Checking out Matthew for the first time

Sara decides babies are pretty neat (and Grace does the poke test to make sure he's real).

This is exactly how he was sitting inside, only upside down. He would not undo his legs! We called him Froggy.

Loving that baby warmer!

Grace holding Matthew

Matthew Paul Johansson

Matthew Paul Johansson was born today via c-section! He weighed 9 pounds, 7 ounces and was 21 inches long.

Babies update

Well, for what seems to be the more important news, three of the baby birds hatched yesterday. We are still waiting for number 4, but I sadly don't think it will hatch. Erik is trying to get pictures of the babies without disturbing them. I'll keep you posted!

In other news, still no baby. I guess that's obvious. :) The hospital was booked for the 21st for a scheduled c-section, if it were to come to that, and the doctor (and my husband) were nervous to go past the weekend (which would be two weeks beyond my due date). So we have a scheduled c-section for Friday, the 18th at 8am. Unless the baby decides to make his entrance tomorrow, I guess we will be updating everyone then with baby news- FINALLY!

The watched pot that never boils

I'm feeling redundant, but here goes for you faithful watchers: still no baby. At this point with Grace, today was the day I was induced. I must admit the excitement has worn off. I feel like I will be pregnant for the rest of my life! We have the non-stress test and doctor appointment tomorrow. Will post another update then (unless, of course, I'm too busy! :)).

I can sympathize with her!

I discovered this beautiful Robbin's nest is in the pine tree just outside our front window last week. She was a very considerate bird and built it at the perfect height and location so that Grace can see it. Now we have moment by moment progress reports from Grace as to whether the mommy bird is there, if she is finding breakfast, if she can see baby birds yet, and if the daddy has made an appearance.
I have to admit, I feel for the poor mommy Robbin. First, she had to build that perfect little nest. Then she had to lay four huge eggs (huge for her!). And now she sits and waits. And waits. And waits.

P.S. We are still waiting for our baby to make an appearance too! I found out my friend who was due 10 days after me had her baby this morning. While I praise God for a healthy delivery and am glad she can do things like sleep on her back again, I must admit I am a little jealous! I am 8 days overdue and counting...

Another day

Phew! In a way, I am relieved that I made it past today; it meant I didn't have to deliver at a different hospital. In another way, it sure would be nice to meetthis little guy in person instead of having him get better aquainted with my ribs and organs!

Here is Grace and her belly. :) Erik pulled out the camera and she went running over to the "picture place" and wanted a picture taken of her holding her belly. She struck this pose all by herself. Do you think we've taken a lot of belly pics by the fireplace? They really are a sponge at this age.

Still no baby

What more can I say? :)

No progress :(

I had my 40 1/2 week doctor appointment today. Of course I caved and got checked. I haven't progressed any more (still!) but he did say the baby was lower than last week. I guess that's good?

They scheduled me for a non-stress test and ultrasound for next week. Hopefully I won't need the appointment! :)

A few prayer points, if you would indulge me:

1. My doctor works one Saturday a month at another hospital (Bethesda North) with another doctor group. For April, the date happens to be this coming Saturday, the 12th. I really want to deliver at Mercy Fairfield, the hospital we have toured and that is more focused on natural childbirth and has birthing tubs in each room. I know God can still work out all the details no matter which hospital, but I would feel more comfortable going into it "knowing" the hospital. (We don't even know where Bethesda North is exactly!)

2. Thankfully, my doctor will let me go all the way to 42 weeks before he would induce (or in my case, being a VBAC, schedule a c-section). I asked today and he said that date would probably be the 21st. Pray for wisdom on how far to safely go past my due date.

Thank you all for the sweet thoughts you have been sending my way! Obviously, I have a very comfy belly because my babies like to hang out in there past when they should!

Still sitting here doing nothing!

Hi everybody- quick update. Nothing new here. My due date was April 6th. I obviously have not had the baby, as my ticker so kindly points out. (Honestly, I thought this little guy really wanted out. He sure acts like it the way he abuses my insides!) My mom got in Saturday night to help out since I am so uncomfortable and to take some of the stress off of waiting and needing to find a "home" for Grace when we go into labor.

I have another doctor appointment tomorrow. Will let everyone know if something happens!

Sitting here doing nothing

Sadly, no progress to report. We all trouped up to the doctor today for my 39 week appointment because I was sure I had progressed since my 36 week internal check. Nope. Haven't done anything new. Nada. Zilch. The doctor assures me (as does Erik's "I've been telling you the same things!" look) that this means nothing. Labor could still start today or it could start much later. It just doesn't mean anything. But to me, it would have meant something. That I was getting closer, progressing, going into labor with a head start. All in God's timing!

In other news, we may be getting closer to a name. Well, lets just say I have finished going through the name books (and have a rather "short" list of 40 names!!) and every night now is "How about _______?"

I also have, with Erik's help, deep cleaned our family room, from the ceiling fan to steam cleaning the carpets (that is so satisfying!).

I think my nesting is complete. Our bags are packed. I am ready. Now aren't these the circumstances in which they say you go into labor?

Due date musings

First, I have to laugh that the ticker says there is no room for squirming. To borrow a phrase from the 90's, "As if!". I am still constantly pummeled, kicked, punched and generally abused. I'm afraid that the main reason is now that the doctor suspects that the baby is posterior, or "sunny side up". I am praying that he turns before delivery. All I've heard is how those labors are harder and longer, and frankly that's just not good news for a woman who was already nervous.

We woke up this morning kinda dazed that it somehow had gotten to be April already. I remember when that all seemed so far off. And here we are days (could it be 1 or could it be 19?) away from having a baby. Sure would be nice to get a vague idea of when.

Yesterday was the day they had me scheduled for my c-section with my old doctor group. Wow. I guess that would have given me a vague idea of "when". :)

And as much as I would love to have this little acrobat out, lets all just hope it is not today. Having an April Fool's day baby would be so sad for the little guy! Think of all the elementary school teasing.