Liberty Bell Visit

I can't believe baby girl is 7 months old...well actually older than that! On her 7 month birthday she began rolling around everywhere (and quickly too!) and today she began crawling on her hands and knees! (although she prefers the rolling i think) She is just hitting milestones soo fast I cant keep up. Last friday she bagan waving to people, we had only been working on that for about a week. She had to move into her toddler tub as she enjoys splashing and was splashing all the water out of her infant tub and we were having to refill it several times during her bath. She just LOVES bath time and it makes me happy that she likes water! My mother and Dee came to visit last friday and just left this morning. We had so much fun including a trip to historic Philly to see the sights.  I even got to go to the Franklin Fountain- a very famous ice cream fountain that has been featured on food network and man vs. food. I had the most amazing homemade peppermint stick shake Mmmm...

Well my little eater who likes everything she tries has met her match. We attempted to give her chicken in chicken broth and you would have thought we put poop in her mouth. It came right out and she gagged herself. The face was priceless. I have tried covering it in apples as well as peas and she can tell no matter what I do and she does NOT like it. I was told the babies rarely liked the meats but i never expected this reaction from the kid who eats everything. Oh well I guess.

Liberty Bell Jan. 2013

happy half birthday!

HAPPY HALF BIRTHDAY MY DARLING LITTLE LADY!

I CANT BELIEVE IT'S ALREADY BEEN 6 MONTHS, TIME SURE IS FLYING BY....

growing like a weed

I was walking down the stairs today and looked at my beautiful silly girl in my arms, her new favorite thing is snuggling into your neck and laughing then pulling away, looking you in the face and doing it again. I looked at her in amazement, I thought she was so amazing before, but today she amazed me even more. She's becoming quite the character. All of a sudden everything is happening so fast. This evening while playing I sat her down and instead of her usual topple over onto her side she just sat there. She saw a toy, reached for it picked it up and went back to her sitting up straight position. In the tub for her bath this evening, instead of laying back and kicking all the water out she bent forward and held herself up and splashed with her hands until almost all the water was gone.  In the past week we have watched her at night make her way to the head of the crib until she could go no further, but we have yet gotten her to do it front of us...little does she know we can see her on the monitor. She must be waiting until the perfect moment to show us. She is just growing up so fast. It's hard to believe she is 6 months old. As I got up to feed her the other night I held her in her rocking chair. She was falling back to sleep in my arms and I couldn't help but get sentimental as I noticed her legs hanging over my lap and dangling over the side of the rocking chair arm. It seems like just the other day her whole body fit in the nook of my arm. She is getting so big! I think  we skipped right over 9 month clothing and we find ourselves already putting her in 9/12 mo. especially to get her the length, I think it is safe to say she will be tall like her mommy :)

She loves her veggies atleast...this was tonights dinner which was one of her favorites-PEAS! I don't know how tonight got so messy, but it did and we had fun and that's all that matters. She isn't a big fan of bananas and tomorrow we are going to start avocado! Mmmm

Sweet taters for my sweet pea

Set aside all of the milestones that have happened in the past 2 months since my last post (ie. her first tooth, her first scooch, her crazy growth spurt and her squealing with joy every time she gets excited and her rice cereal meals) today marked a new one. I went out and bought a sweet potato. they were on sale for 23 cents a pound, so i bought 2 sweets and it cost me 50 cents. I pulled out my baby bullet baby food maker and proceeded to make 7 servings of sweet potato baby food for my baby girl. I priced it out and on average a baby food jar is any where from 95 cents-$1.19  already I am proud of my effort and cleverness to make my own baby food. ( not to mention I know what goes into it, hence knowing what my baby girl is putting into her body).

Tonight marked the occasion of trying out the new food. I mixed it with her rice cereal and had a full bowl ready to go. She gobbled it right down and was looking for more! What a success :) She even tried licking the bowl clean when I turned to get a towel for a second. I dont know what she enjoyed more, the new yummy food or her fun bubble bath that followed (shes a little fish in the tub)

Addison 15 weeks old

Big Girl Crib

Last Night was the 4th time in 2 weeks that we have successfully been able to put Addi down for bed in her crib in her nursery. She was waking up at 2am every time we put her in her crib...but last night was a momentous occasion where we put her down at 9:15pm and she slept straight through until 6 this morning! It was so wonderful. Even now she is sleeping taking her nap in her crib, it has taken a very rough 45 minutes but shes finally asleep. It is now her first nap in her crib and not her snug-a-bunny swing! It was an easy night for her and was so hard for me. It was strange not knowing she was next to me in her bassinet, I missed her little noises and hearing her move. I thought it was time we start making a transition since she is now 12 weeks old. I also will be trying to put her on a schedule. I want to make it easier for Jerrod since I begin doing my Premier Shows later this month and they are all in the evenings, i figure if she has a routine it will make it easier on the both of them if I am not home at bed time.
She has discovered her tongue so is constantly sticking it out  and she is purely obsessed with her hands and toes trying to put them in her mouth as much as she can.
My mom got her a glow worm when we were home and she loves it, right now its her favorite toy and we play with it all day long.  I can't believe how much she is growing, it seems every day she is a little bit bigger and doing something slightly new. It is all going too fast for my liking...I just love my little girl to the moon and back, she is so perfect :)

little toes

Family picture out back of the Johnson

Today  marked two big milestones in Addison's life.
This morning she discovered her toes and i think she loves them just as much as me! She is constantly trying to touch them and looking at them. And if her legs weren't so long and if she didn't have her little belly i know they would be in her mouth.

Addi's first geo-caching trip and first trip to the Giant Stairs!

Second big thing today-I put her down on her play mat for tummy time so i could put her clothes away...when i turned back around she was facing the other direction! I watched her and no rolling was involved, it was all squirming and muscles...my little baby was crawling! tooooo sooon! im not ready for that yet. I think it will be quite some time before a full fledged army crawl across the room, but its a start!

little girl is growing up

Yesterday we went to Addisons 2 month check up...although she is 10 weeks tomorrow (we were in maine during her 2 month mark) She is weighing in at 14 lbs 5.4 oz and is 24 inches long. She is in the 93rd percentile for her age. She is a very healthy little girl with a clean bill of health. UNfortunalty she needed 3 shots...that by far was the worst experience for me, she was so upset and i couldnt help or hold her as tears ran down her face and turned bright red in pain. I picked her up as soon as they would let me to calm her down. Today we took the band aids off-it was as if she had gotten pricked all over again. Poor babe. She has slept almost all day today, it had taken alot out of her yesterday.
2 days ago was no joy ride for her either. Unfortunately i learned a valuable lesson not to eat broccoli and breast feed. She spent the entire day crying and being fussy and didn't sleep from 8am until 10:30 pm. That was the day she broke me down and I had my first cry as well. I felt so helpless not knowing what to do.

I waited all summer for her to fit into a pair of little mermaid pjs i had bought for her when she was first born. She wore them for 2, maybe 3 weeks. So sad. She is flying through clothing and diapers. We got home from maine and we are now in size 2 diapers and 3-6 month clothing.
While on our vacation we had a fantastic time visiting and sharing her with family and friends. We spent time up north at Jerrods moms house and even took her to her first parade at Dover Days. Then we went to my home on the islands where she went to her first Johnson Family Lobster bake!

HELLO!

HELLO! UPDATE ON MY LIFE COMING SOON...STAY TUNED :)

SORRY FOR THE LONG DELAY IV BEEN BUSY GROWING BIG AND STRONG!!

Clean Bill of Health for Addison!

Well today we traveled into Philadelphia to visit a specialist at CHOP (children s hospital of Philly) to get another ultra sound of Addisons kidney. It was enlarged at birth and had fluid in it the week before she was born. Luckily today the Dr  declared her perfectly healthy and normal :) Now with that out of the way and the jaundice cleared up we can finally breathe and relax on the health front. While in Philly we searched out Pats- a Philly cheese steak joint we saw on the travel channel and food network. It was super yummy!

I cant believe it has been a little over 4weeks since we headed into the hospital to give birth to the most beautiful precious baby in the world. Every day she amazes me in some way, weather it is smiling and grinning at me for the first time or cooing as she falls asleep in my arms. I fall more and more in love with her every day. Whiskey is becoming a very good big brother. He likes to sit right by during feedings and lays by her swing during her naps. Every evening we take family walks...Since she is now over 11 lbs I like to take her in my kangaroo pouch carrier to get the extra work out plus I like having her nice and close :)

4TH OF JULY

 HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

and life will never be the same..

Well,

It has almost been a full week since I gave birth to the most amazing thing God has ever given me. How has it been a week already? where has the time gone? We are still dealing with a few health issues. We went to the pediatrician yesterday and her jaundice levels had elevated again so we have to return to the hospital in the morning to get the levels checked yet again. I am hoping they are going back down or else she will have to go through photo therapy again. She is somewhat getting into the routine of eating...we don't have an issue at all when she is hungry, but its all on her time and only when she wants it and wants to be awake. Some times it is 4 or 5 hours in between feedings because she just wont wake up. But when she does eat, boy does she eat! She is also having to go on medication for her kidney. It was slightly inflamed and they will check it again in a month. Its so hard to think every thing will be ok when all I want is for my little baby to be healthy and ok.

Last night Jerrod and i gave her her first sponge bath. she didn't enjoy it all that well, but she did enjoy her massage after right before bed!

Today I finally made my way downstairs. She tried her snug-a-bunny swing, which she found very entertaining. Then we headed down the road and had our two neighbors; Stephanie and Sara do her newborn photo shoot! I am so excited to see the pictures! I took one on my phone and I know what they will come up with is going to be so much better!!

She is going to sleep well tonight I think (although she already sleeps well at night). 

My mom and sister left yesterday..It was so nice to have them here...the time came and went too fast. I wish we lived closer so she could be around family more. But i have to remind myself that New Jersey is so much better than if we were still stuck in Arizona. My dad,  brother, sister in law and niece will be making there way here tomorrow evening to spend the weekend visiting. I feel so blessed to have gotten orders here to be close to the families.

As soon as I laid eyes on my little baby everything changed. I immediately couldn't imagine my life without  her. She is so perfect. Now lets all pray that we can get her two health issues under control and we can move on from worrying.

She's Here!

It's hard to imagine that my little angel will be 5 days old come the morning. After all the waiting, prepping and anticipation she arrived via c-section on friday morning june 15th at 10:23am. She weighed 9.2 lbs and was 22 1/2inches long. She even has a good head of hair! (I assumed she would after the acid reflux I had been suffering since December). My mom and sister made it to the hospital by friday evening and were able to come right over and see her after a long day on the road. She is more beautiful than I could ever imagine and I already don't know what I would do with out her. she has gorgeous blue grey eyes, only time will tell which way they go in color. She looks just like her daddy!




We were supposed to be released this morning, however Her jaundice levels were too high and we had to stay here an extra day so she could get light therapy. Perhaps it was one of the hardest days here emotionally. I have waited so long to have her in my arms and I have had to spend the past 24 hrs watching her in the nursery in what looks like a baby tanning bed only getting to hold her every 2-3 hours for feeding time. Around 6 o'clock this afternoon her levels had started to drop so we are hoping  the morning brings good news and she can go home.

My mom and  sister are staying until Wednesday morning. It has been so nice to have them here and for them to see Addison and be able to visit even though its all been in the hospital. Im so happy we are here and not in Arizona anymore. Family is more important than anything. My brother and Theresa, my dad and JJ are coming to visit this weekend to meet the newest addition. Aunt Lou and Aunt Peg will be here for a day trip friday with Jess. I love having the family so close atlast!

I am hoping that the worst is behind me physically recuperating. The surgery was a lot worse than I had expected, but mostly that is because of my bad reaction to the morphine that was given to me for the spinal tap. It made me very sick and nauseous for the first 18-24 hours making it hard for me to start breast feeding right away since every time I sat up or tried to stand and move I would throw up. The actual incision is still really sore but nothing compared to the first few days. I'm just ready to get home and out of this hospital bed..its so uncomfortable and not to mention I miss my animals who I'm sure think that I have abandoned them by now.

The hospital photographer came and put together a little slideshow yesterday, here it is!
http://www.our365.com/NewbornPortraits/BabyDetail.aspx?birthid=a26c8e69-ac15-421f-aeba-36239d549ba0&utm_source=wnshare&utm_medium=email&utm_content=wnshare_mom_babylink&utm_campaign=wnshare_button#
and heres the password 810401393259830

5am friday

They have moved us up to the first surgery slot on friday! We will be checked in by 5am and surgery is scheduled for 7:30. :)
So excited to see my mom and sister who are coming in friday evening and staying until next week. Im going to miss my daddy though who cant take such short notice because of work.Thank god for skype!
My brother and sister inlaw and niece will be visiting next weekend...there first trip to New Jersey to see us!

yet another change...

Change of plans yet again...we will be delivering Addison on friday! They had a cancellation and squeezed us in.

Her birthday will be June 15th on her 39th week mark :)

change of plans

Well, our 38 week mark has come and gone and with it some new news of the expected arrival. We spent last week visiting our high risk specialist and our OB trying to decide what to do. Addison is already 8.15lbs; just pushing 19lbs with still 2 weeks left until her due date and a possible 10lb baby. As of right now all of her weight is in her tummy and shoulders. Her head size  is about 2 weeks further along than is should be. After a long emotional discussion  with both Drs it has been decided to forgo a    scheduled Cesarean section. They are afraid that even if I could get the head delivered that her shoulders are so broad there is a very high chance that I could not get them out and we would be forced to have an emergency c-section anyways. Not to mention there were many other factors as well that could potentially put me or Addison into distress, and we don't want that.


For myself it was  a very difficult decision. I was disappointed that I would not be able to deliver her, that my body would not allow it. But as everyone pointed out we have to do what is best for her, because that is what is important. Is it what I had planned? no. But we went into this pregnancy with open minds knowing things might change and we needed to do what ever was best for our baby. It hasn't been an easy ride, but we are right at the end. This pregnancy didn't start out how we had expected, so why should it end smoothly? This little one is surely full of surprises. So as of right now her due date is the 19th, unless they can get me in earlier, or I go into labor by myself.
Recovery will be long and hard, which I am not looking forward to, but now we know at least that in 9days or less she will be here and I will get to hold my little girl. I am so anxious.

37 weeks and 4 days

 Today we had an appointment with our high risk specialist. With 27 days left until our EDD we found out she is already weighing in at a little over 8 pounds. Of course it can be give or take a pound in either direction when it comes to her actual weight at birth, but regardless she is going to be a big girl. Her head is measuring 2 weeks ahead and as the Dr put it; she has a chunky little round belly. Our little rolly polly girl! Good thing we didn't buy  newborn size clothing!

Two nights ago we had quite the panic of a night full of contractions, but since they were never consistent we didn't go to the hospital which was probably ok since it ended up being false labor. Shouldn't be too much longer now until the real thing! Atleast we made it through to our labor and delivery class last weekend.

spick n' span

I have spent all weekend being extremely uncomfortable and even more tiered than usual. The pressure is getting ridiculous and lower back pain has started. This morning i woke up and had a very unexpected burst of energy. I also had the sudden need to clean the house. I shampooed the carpets, polished the chairs and tables in the dining room, dusted everything in sight and then started on the window sills and floor boards. I guess my nesting instinct finally hit me. I think I will sleep good tonight. I have a Dr. appointment in the morning, can't wait to hear what he says, although they will not do a physical examination until 38 weeks and I am only 37 on friday. She keeps sticking her foot out of my side..I just push it back in. I guess I may have done a little too much cleaning today, my hands are now swollen...maybe tomorrow I will take the day off...

more maternity pictures

Maternity Pictures are done and can be proofed online at this site
http://sarakuecherphotography.com/index2.php#/proofing/
password is smith
enjoy :)

only 33 days until her due date!

Maternity Pictures

We has our maternity shoot session on Thursday with our friend Sara Kuecher...here are a few of the pictures she has released, the rest are still being worked on :) 

Only 5 more weeks until our due date!!