does it get better?

Seriously...I thought my life was pretty wonderful before but right now, in this moment, I feel guilty for how much I am blessed and how amazing my life is...Aaron is wonderful...he eats well, sleeps well, snuggles well...I have already forgotten what life was like before him.

Moses has once again surpassed our hopes and expectations for how he has taken to his new little brother...he is helpful and kind and already protective of him...it is SUCH a blessing to me to see him love his little brother the way he already does. :)
And you already know how wonderful I think my husband is. :) Couldn't ask for anyone better to help me raise these wonderful boys...seeing him with Aaron makes me love him all over again. :)

Did I mention that Aaron is nearly edible?

And let me just tell you that having a great mother in law around all week has also been wonderful. I am certain that I have one of the best. :)

My heart is even more full than my arms...I am so blessed and so thankful...God is so good! Only God could have made this transition as effortless as it has been so far. :)

And we got snow to boot! Moses earned his keepby shoveling the sidewalks. :)

Life is good and our only complaint is that Doug's mom is leaving tomorrow. Hope this finds you wading around in blessings as well!!

xoxo

a real post...

Hello to lovely you! I feel like I can finally sit down and tell you all about our new adventure. :) We are doing SO well and all feel SO SO blessed!! :) Part of this post is just for me to document Aaron's birth so sorry if it's not all that interesting to you... :)

We went in on Tuesday at 4pm to be induced (after much much begging on my behalf)...Moses was able to stay with my sister in law at our house, which was a HUGE relief to us...and he did really well we are told. :) Things progressed slowly through the evening and into the night...not a whole lot changed from the time we got there until about 4am or so when they broke my water...after that Aaron's birth was very similar to Moses' minus the pain factor. I will just say now that I am in love with an epidural!! :) Having one this go round made everything so much more pleasant...there was only one 10-15 minute period that I really felt a lot of pain...it was during this time frame that I remember repeating to myself "I can do all things through Christ"...over and over...stopping occasionally to ask Doug if I could do it? Even pushing was almost pain free...which still amazes me when I compare the births of my two boys. Aaron arrived after only 20 minutes of pushing...it amazed me how focused I could be on the task when there was not a blinding pain distracting me.

A funny thing, then a scary thing...UVA is a teaching hospital...which meant that I had a nice sized audience in the room for the delivery...I would say about 10 people or so...each and every one was wonderful...I kept my eyes closed a lot to forget they were there...But each time I pushed...each and EVERY one of them would say something encouraging to me (good job...you're doing so well...keep it up...excellent) ...which eventually would make me laugh mid push...I am sure they thought I was a basket case.

The scary thing was that Aaron had the cord around his neck when he was born so he didn't take a breath for what seemed like forever...though I am sure the room was humming with noise I could hear nothing but that baby's silence...I about lost it when he finally cried...immediately thankful that once again God took care of my baby (Moses was born with the cord around his neck as well).

Aaron and his daddy...one of the first times Doug got to hold him.

Sweet little face...just moments old.

:)

Love this sweet little bundle. :)

Moses loves his little brother...he is always trying to help out...he will go get diapers or try to burp him...so far he is very gentle and there has been no negatives to speak of... :)

And the answer to the hair question? Brown...though not quite as much as Moses had at birth. :) Such a sweet little bird so far...I love that we are proving wrong all of the folks that told us that since our first was so easy that this one would be a challenge. :)

We are just enjoying our days here...taking it all one day at a time. :) We are truly, truly blessed. :)

xoxo

home.

we are very glad to be here.
i slept no more than 4 1/2 hours since we went to the hospital on tuesday.
it was thanks to all the nurses and doctors that came and went and came (just as i fell asleep).

but they were all fabulous.
it was ALL fabulous.
and now i am being spoiled by husband and mother in law...who will be here for a week, yay!
i will update and share all the fun details as i can.
thanks for all your sweet words.

xoxo

While You Were Sleeping.......

Hi....it's me...April from down the road at JaneSays.

I am honored to be the chosen one to share this good news...and OH BOY !!!! is it good news.

He is here !!!

Aaron Howard Johnsen was born at 5:43 am this morning
and yes you are correct...judging by the size of that belly we have been seeing lately
he is a big boy.... 9lbs 9oz.

Crystal is doing GREAT and loving up on all her men I am sure.

Please feel free to leave your comments and well wishes here for Crystal and Doug and even little Moses as he embarks on his little journey as the big brother.
I will duck in and allow the comments so when Crystal gets home she can simply take a peek at all you have to say.

Pray for her speedy recovery and for the newly emerged poppy seed.

I heart you guys....and congratulations !!!!
and in true JaneSays fashion....
have a happy day

keeping busy...

I have to do something to keep my hands busy...my house is clean...laundry is done...bags packed...I am just this side of crazy town...

So while I sat and watched TV last night I whipped up these beauties...

Not sure if they will be barrettes or pins...or what...but I love the fun with color and fabric combos...the waiting is killing me...trying really hard not to fret or worry...to just be and enjoy the last few moments I have with just one little boy...but also very eager to meet my new little boy...

Moses is doing better...we are at the whiny part of recovery...moms you know what that means right? Doug is officially off of work and Moses is soaking up the love of his daddy...if there is one person in the world who likes to be with Doug more than me it is Moses. :)

waiting and waiting...

xoxo

one more for good luck...

hoping this will be my last belly shot...
~*~
The other day we asked Moses if he wanted a little brother or a puppy...he said puppy. Hopefully two and a half is a good age to learn about disappointment. :)

let's play a game...

...wanna guess day and time this baby will come?

How about some extra points for guessing a weight?

I am sure I can come up with a prize for whoever comes the closest...

ready...set...go!

xoxo

still...

still here...still large and in charge...still have a sick little boy...still can't roll over...still can't bend...still have no clothes that fit...still NOT sick...still married to the BEST man in the world...still wondering about blonde or brown hair...still thankful that I am SO SO SO blessed...still knowing that God has it all under control...

xoxo

easier and harder than i thought...

So making this boppy cover was wAAyyyy easier than I thought it would be...even using my trace and make it up technique...I think it turned out great...even Doug approved my work. :) I am thrilled with how it turned out AND I only spent around $6 to make it...plus it is way cuter than the ones in the stores...covered in baby lions and other annoying baby animals. :) Why is it that so many baby products are like that?


And for something that turned out much harder than I imagined...labor...the first time. :)
I found this on our computer...I wrote it shortly after Moses was born...
~*~
Date: 10/10/2006


As most of you know we are all at home and doing very well at adjusting to life with a newborn. Up to this point it has been way easier than we have ever thought it would be. He sleeps well (we have to wake him for feedings), he nurses like an old pro and is making the transition to having him in our lives so much easier. He is the joy of our hearts and we are loving every minute that we get to spend just looking at him.

The whole birth experience on the other hand...well that was another story. For starters, it went way faster than I ever imagined....less than 4 hours from water breaking to him being born, I'm told I pushed for about an hour. So...fast labor good...but fast labor with no epidural....not so good. I was able to get some lesser form of pain medicine but I think it might have been expired or something because I felt way more than I ever bargained for. I was apparently delirious with pain because Doug and Michelle have told me about things that I have no recollection of doing. (I apparently fired our doctor twice and told him that it wasn't fair for him to push the baby back in after I was working so hard to push him out.) At one point I apparently gave up. Obviously I didn't though and we now have a beautiful baby to show for all that pain. My incentive for making it through the last part of pushing? The doctor informed me that what pain medication I had was about to wear off, after that my stubborn streak took over and he was out soon after.

The whole hospital stay was very surreal but also very good. The nurses were wonderful to all of us (even the one nursing student that post delivery I threatened with failure if he took my hand off while removing my IV).

All and all it was a beautiful thing. Doug and I were wondering out loud to each other how anyone could not believe in God after witnessing such a miracle? It is beyond my comprehension.

Just wanted to update you on everything up until now. He continues to do well except for a tiny bit of jaundice that we are trying to work out of his system.

Thank you for your continued prayers!!
~*~

Where has the time gone!!!!???!?! I seriously am trying to wrap my head around the last 28 months or so and figure out where all this time has slipped away to...my sweet little newborn is now almost 2 1/2. He has gone from helpless to "I can do it myself" and it just baffles me.
~*~
We have been blessed by knowing Moses and by being privileged enough to be called his parents. I know of no other way...no teaching tool, no book, no visual aid that can show you the love and heart of Christ more effectively than having children...a child's forgiveness, trust, unconditional love, delight, joy and so much more are truly glimpses, daily ones, into the Father's heart. I know that it is thanks to Moses that I get to see the face of Jesus each and every day. :)

Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from Him. Psalm 127:3

Indeed.

xoxo

still waiting...

I am claiming victory over not being able to sleep when Doug is working...my method? I get in bed at a decent hour and tell God the rest is up to Him...all my crazy thoughts I hand over to Him as they come...in between those I tell God how good He is to me and all the things I am thankful for...it has worked wonders and the last two nights I have had HOURS of sleep and not just minutes. :)

Yay for sleep!! :)

And....can I just say HOLY crap!! That number over there on the baby counter is in the single digits!! AHHHHHHH!!!!

:) xoxo

happenings around the house...

Doug had a couple of days off in a row...ALWAYS my favorite...we got a lot done in those few days...now he is back to work and I am back to not being able to sleep at night...basically, I lay down to go to sleep...feel a twinge of pain or funny feeling...think "Oh my...is this it?"...then proceed to freak myself out of being able to sleep at all...fun right? Such is my life at the moment...regardless we had lots of fun and got lots of odds and ends done around the house. One of Moses' favorite things to do is shown above...he could sit for hours and watch tunes on the iTouch.

Moses became less of a baby...much to my saddened mommy heart...he now sits at a booster seat at the table instead of in his highchair...sigh...

We got a sweet homemade gift from a lovely reader/Etsy patron...it just blesses me to see such a lovely gift intended for my sweet little boy...thank you Elma!!
~*~
I also installed baby A's car seat...YIKES to having TWO baby seats in the back seat of our cars!

Our bags got packed and ready to go...I also scotch-guarded the couch in the baby's room. :) LOVE me some scotch-guard-it has saved my couch from pen, blueberry, jelly, fruit punch, milk and all sorts of baby messes. :)

The boys were boys...running and rough0using...being silly and hanging out...cute little clones. :)

There was apparently an incident with a sheep. :)
~*~
Doug let me sleep in as long as I could each day and I even got a few naps in...the longest being over 2 hours! :) Yay for a good honey, right?

Both of the boys got haircuts...

I made some cute new items for the shop...sweet little burp cloths...there are deer with pom-poms...

Or ones that can be personalized with an initial of your choice...
~*~
This week I am making a master grocery list...addressing announcements...making a boppy cover...sitting on the couch...and staying close to home. :)

One question that lingers in my head a lot is...Will this baby be born with a head full of dark hair (shown much lightened in this sweet baby Moses photo) like Moses...or will he be a tow-head like Doug was as a baby? What is your vote? (And oh my goodness...what a CUTE baby, right?)

xoxo

preserving the little...and documenting the growing...part two

More ways to preserve the little bits...but first we got some very happy mail yesterday. :) Included in a fabulous box of goodies was a new little friend for Moses...who he immediately adopted. :) How *cute* is that boy!!?? :)

One of my etsy/blog reader friends was ever so kind enough to surprise me yesterday with this amazing box of goodies...some for me and some for the new little guy on the way. :) Some sweet onesies, a paci pod...an entire cookbook of crock pot recipes and some super YUMMY Blondie brownies. :) You were right Julie...they were VERY tasty warmed up with some milk. :) Thank you so much sweet friend for thinking of me...it was definitely a bright spot in my day and Moses' too. :) Is the blog/etsy world amazing or what?

So ever since doing THIS craft from a few posts back I have been hanging onto the card stock hand print cutout of Moses' that I had...then yesterday it hit me what else I could do with it! :) Say hello to an easy keepsake! :)

I just traced the hand print onto the back of the fabric that I wanted to use...I made a left and a right out of the same hand print. :)

Then after you cut out the hands you stitch them onto a towel with a zig zag stitch...go all the way around sticking to the edge of the cutout...

Then add some coordinating ribbon/trim...if these were a girls hand prints I would have added little hearts to the center of the hands...I'll put Moses initials and age on the tag with permanent marker. :) You still have time to make these for all the grandma's out there for Valentines day...or Mother's day! :)

Next...Doug made one of these for Baby A the other day...we had already made one for Moses when he was born. It's a portable...funky and fun growth chart! :) We have one for each boy so that they can take them with them when they have their own families and measure their own kids on them one day! :)

We just bought a one by four from Lowe's...six wooden rulers and some screws...lined up the rulers and attached them with the screws. :) I love that wherever we go in life we can take them...you can't do that with a permanent doorway.
And here is a peek at the next house pillow to go in the shop...look for it tonight or tomorrow. :)

Hope your day is great...looking forward to a good nap today! :)
xoxo

the weekend...

This is my favorite position and place at the moment...a close second is behind my sewing machine...I am wondering if my couch will recover as quickly as I do? If you look closely you can see the muffin tops over my socks...that's attractive right? :)

Speaking of my second favorite place to sit...I started making these this weekend too...love to pile on the goodies and see how it takes shape...looks almost too cute on my couch to give up...but it's in the shop now if you must... :)

This weekend a friend of mine sent me a sweet diaper cake for the baby! :) How fun is this? I LOVE Burt's products...one of the few things I asked Doug to buy me for Christmas. :) So my friend, Leah owns a fabulous business called Diaper Cakewalk...she did an amazing job on this sweet number...Moses actually carried it around the house for a while and it never fell apart...

It was chock full of goodies and made with Pampers swaddlers...our favorite diaper! :) I will have to keep her in mind for future mama's to be because I think they make an awesome gift AND they survived a toddler testing it out!! :) Flowers can't do that, right? Plus, she is a stay at home mama to two sweet girls...and you know I love to support other moms...go check her out. :)

All in all a nice quiet weekend...just how we like it...just doing what we do. :) I have every intention of "working" right up until the baby comes...that is just how I am...it would be so like me to stop by the post office one more time on the way to the hospital. :) That is how it was with Moses...worked with several clients the day before he was born. :) People are often asking me if I am super busy getting ready for the baby...hmmm not so much really. His room is ready...diapers are stocked...house is clean...laundry is caught up...we are just waiting for him to come along...living life until he gets here.

I was also that nerd in college that had all my papers and projects done and turned in halfway through the semester...so there is that...if there is something to be done I like to have it done already so I don't lose sleep over it...because I totally would. :)

What can we get accomplished today?

xoxo

why NOT to say things out loud...

So say you are at MOPS...eating a tasty (5x the normal size) breakfast...sipping your sweet tea...telling your friend what a dream it has been to transition Moses to a toddler bed. And it has been...no trouble whatsoever. Night time is good...naps are good. No complaints here.

But I said it all out loud. To someone outside of Doug or family. What was I thinking? Might as well have done myself in right there. Should have known I was in for it...

One nice advantage we (adults) have over toddlers is that we know that sound travels. They don't. So while Moses was supposed to be settling in for his nap, I hear noises over the monitor that assure me that is not what is happening.

I go in to find him out of his bed...not so bad in and of itself...but the twin bed in his room...along with his comforters, a book or two, blankets and Doggy (his bff) are CoVeReD in bum cream. Yep. I put him back in his toddler bed(with his chin quivering), scoop up all of the covered goods and leave the room...the wailing for Doggy begins...ugh. At the end of his rest time (because he didn't nap a wink) I went to go get him...his little toddler brain was intuitive enough to pretend to be asleep!!!! When he "wakes" up he says to me "naughty", with the above look on his face. Yep.

And just so you know...it takes 2 runs through the wash and LOTS of dish soap and hot water to get bum cream out of a stuffed animal...and only two runs through the wash to get it out of everything else.

He knew he was naughty, too...cause he spent the rest of the day trying to make it up to me...being silly...telling "jokes"...being cuddly and sweet...It's a good thing this boy is cute...and that he knows it...and knows how to use it...I mean, who can stay mad at that face?
And I am steadily running out of lap and lung capacity. 37 weeks today!!!! I could cry and laugh all at the same time...and apparently I look very tired...at least that is what the general public feels the need to tell me repeatedly...thus the photos of my belly and not my face. :)