A note from Jim

Since he doesn't know how to post things on the blog, I thought I would share. Thank you so much, Babe, I really needed to hear this...

I would post this on the blog if I knew how. I just wanted to tell you how much I love you and what a great mother you are. You simply amaze me every day with your strength and resolve. I don’t know what we would do without you. I thank God every day that he gave my kids such a wonderful mother. You are the backbone of this family and I just want you to know how much I appreciate you. I love you so much.

I love you

jim

Story Time with Grandpa Johnson

I took some video of my Dad telling Vivien one of the nightly stories (which were more like puppet shows with her stuffed animals). Unfortunately, my memory card filled up before the end of this story, but it's cute nonetheless. It's broken into 3 videos.


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The Rest of Grandpa's Visit

Well, Grandpa left on Wednesday afternoon. We were all sad for him to go. I forgot to mention that for the first couple of days, Vivien called him Grandpa Johnson. It was cute, but we told her she could just call him Grandpa. We went to the zoo on Sunday and on Monday, Grandpa got to go to Vivien's first ballet/tap class at her new studio (she loved it, by the way). I have some cute videos I need to share, but I have to go through them first when I have some spare time (ha ha).

Riding the carousel with Grandpa

Daddy carrying Silas in the Babyhawk at the zoo

Grandpa on stroller duty

First day at the ballet school

Be attentive and following instructions

Silas and Grandpa

Family portrait (we took another one with my Dad's camera that included Jim, but I have to find it). I'm sure it's pretty obvious that I look like my Dad.

Silas Goes to the Pediatrician

I can't believe I forgot to post this. I took Silas to his first pediatrician visit on Thursday. Dr. Merchant has been our pediatrician since Vivien was born. We love her to pieces. It was funny because when she came to see Silas in the hospital nursery, she said she knew which one was our baby before she even looked at the card with his name on it. She said he looked just like Vivien when she was an infant. Although, he's looking less like her as he gets older.

So back to his first trip to the doc's office.... The goal is to have the baby back to their birth weight at their 2 week visit since they lose weight the first few days of life. He was 8 lbs. 12 oz. at birth and 8 lbs. 6 oz. when we left the hospital. Well, not only did he regain his birth weight....he added a pound!!! He weighed in at 9 lbs. 11.5 oz., meaning he gained 1 lb. 5.5 oz. from when we left the hospital! Hooray for breastmilk!!!!! He also grew .75 inch. He's in the 90th percentile for weight and 95th percentile for height (Vivien was also in these percentiles until about the time she started to walk). Dr. Merchant laughed as she turned him over to examine his back because she said usually she can hold 2 week-olds with one hand, but she had to use two hands for Silas.

He looks perfectly healthy. His head measured at 14.75 inches (which was .25 in. less than at birth). We don't have to go back until he is 2 months old. Dr. Merchant and I joked about how we don't know how to act with this healthy little baby. She was also really awesome and supportive of our decision to delay certain vaccinations. She didn't give me any trouble or question me at all! In fact, when I told her I was not interested in the Rotavirus vaccine, she told me she doesn't even give that one. I knew she would be supportive since we delayed Vivien's MMR, but I was still nervous to talk to her about it.

More Family Time

My dad got here on Thursday night from Montana. Vivien has really enjoyed playing with him. He has always been so fun to play with. It's fun to see him playing with her like he played with us as kids. She loves his bedtime stories and funny voices. We're just sad that my step-mom, Lori, couldn't come with him. Hopefully we'll get her out here some time.

We took advantage of the rain and let Vivien go out and play in the puddles. She really enjoyed that.

Becky left yesterday. We were very sad to see her go. She was so helpful all week, but sadly the week just flew by. She kept my house clean and my big girl entertained. We will definitely miss her!

Silas continues to be a good baby. But he still thinks he should feed every 1.5-2 hours at night. I'm exhausted!

Here are some more pictures and videos of the past few days.

Aunt Becky and Silas making sad faces.Proud Grandpa holding his grandson for the first time.

Vivien told Grandpa to put on his boots so they could go splashing in the puddles.

Playing with the sprinkler toy.

Aunt Becky is giving Silas the spa facial treatment. He seems to enjoy it.

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Playing in the puddles with Grandpa. Silas feels the need to speak up too.

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Kicks and claps!

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Jumping Jacks

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Spray fight with Aunt Becky.

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Play time with Grandpa

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Aunt Becky Visits from Florida

My sister, Becky, is in from FL this week to help out. Her main job is to play with Vivien, although she's been so awesome with cleaning and cooking too. Things have been going pretty well, although bed time has been tough every night. Also, the last day or so, Vivien has started wanting me to do everything for her. She doesn't want Aunt Becky to help her with anything, she wants mom (which is usually while I'm nursing her brother). We knew this would happen, but the reality of it is very difficult. Becky is taking it all in stride and is not getting offended when Vivien is being less than pleasant. I'm very tired and trying to be patient as possible. My dad gets here tomorrow, so I hope that Vivien is nice to him. We haven't seen him since she was 5 months old, so she doesn't know him at all. Anyway, here are some pics of Becky's visit so far:

Aunt Becky and Silas

Vivien getting dressed up in her Hannah Montana gear that Aunt Becky bought her.

In the full regalia. She was none too pleased to have her picture taken.

Tummy time with Dad.

Aunt Becky and Vivien playing "princesses" (Barbies). Aunt Becky has had to play princesses about 48,000 times in the past couple of days. She's a good sport.

Aunt Becky let Vivien try on some of her lipstick.

They have been watching music videos of all of Vivien's favorite songs on YouTube.

Aunt Becky took Vivien swimming in the kiddie pool today.

The big sister and little brother.

Sneak Peek at Silas' First Photo Shoot

Jackie of Jacqueline Reitz Photography came today to take pics of Silas. She is a good friend of mine and a super talented photographer. Here is a glimpse of some of the shots she got.

Our first few days at home

We've been home since late Thursday afternoon. I can't believe my baby is already a week old. It has flown by. I'm pretty exhausted. Vivien has been doing pretty well. She likes to hold Silas, but can only do it for a few seconds before she is over it. She's testing boundaries, for sure, but is being a very good girl. Her teachers for the next school year came over yesterday to meet her. I really like them a lot and am very excited with all of the things she will be learning next year. She's growing up so fast! Enjoy some pics!

Some Videos

I tried to upload some pictures a quicker way and they ended up not fitting on the page. I don't have the time or patience to do them the way I normally do, so here's some videos to tide you over. Things are going well. We are exhausted, but settling into life as a family of 4.


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Meeting Cousin Wyatt (8 weeks apart)

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Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books


Photo Sharing - Video Sharing - Photo Printing - Photo Books