Journey with the Johnsons...

Giving up the bottle...

Abby has her 15 month "check-up" next week and I've been bound and determined to be done with bottles by that time.  My big girl does fantastic with sippy cups all day long, the issue of giving up the bottle is totally mine.  Abby's taking a bottle first thing in the morning and right before bed is one of the few remaining things that still keeps her my baby.

On Saturday afternoon I was reading my Parents magazine and there was an article about "beating the bottle" and that after 12 months there was really no physical need for milk before bed, etc.  That was it...I was dead-set on moving 100% away from any bottle usage.  I knew Abby would be fine - but something in my heart still twinged just a bit at the thought of getting rid of that last bottle before bed with the potential of her falling asleep in the middle and snuggling in my lap until I absolutely HAD to put her in bed.  My big girl is growing up so fast.  

My desire to fight this change, although clearly the necessary next step, got me thinking...

Our need to move Abby away from using a bottle is not unlike when God calls us to give up something or to move on to something different. (I know, I know...stay with me)  Sometimes when God calls us to do something He's calling us from a lifestyle of sin, or from something we know is wrong - it's obvious and clear.  And then there are times when God calls us to move on from something or wants us to step out and do something new when there's nothing wrong with what we're currently doing...in fact what we're doing now is something HE brought us to in the first place.  You see, as a newborn Abby needed nutrition and the recommended method of feeing was to use a bottle (well...recommended method for those of us with non-working tatas!).  It's what was best for her at that particular stage of her life.  Now - a year later - what's best for her has changed, when I was quite comfortable with the routine we had established.  And now I'm being directed to take away something she liked, that we liked, and more importantly something we were all the most comfortable with...AND something that forces us even more onward into the world of all things toddler.  It's not about right vs wrong...what we've been doing isn't WRONG, in fact what we've been doing was right on, but it was just for THAT season and we need to move into THIS new season of raising a toddler.  It isn't one I feel prepared for or feel I will even be good at, but regardless...we have to move forward because there is no standing still in this journey.

Aaron and I have recently been going through a similar exercise in decision making.  Something in our lives happened about 4 years ago that was a complete and total answer to prayer, but recently an opportunity has presented it self that also felt like an answer to prayer.  We've spent many a night up late talking about how tough it is to make the decision to walk away from something you believed to have been from God and take the step of faith towards the next thing God is calling us to.  It's not that the previous thing has suddenly become wrong - but simply that God has something new and different for us in this upcoming season.

I'm thankful that God isn't about letting us stay where we're comfortable - He's about keeping us in the place that's best for our growth and development and the place that keeps us totally reliant on Him. 

And as far as Abby's bottle goes...I'm still fighting it, but this is one of the million ways Aaron is good for me.  He is far more concerned with what's best for Abby long term!  More to come on this front...we're still not 100% there - but we're getting closer - and progress...is progress! :)

It's Been Awhile...

I admit it...I can't keep up!  Facebook, Twitter, blogging, email...and oh yeah - being a wife, mama, person involved in ministry and WORKING FULL TIME!  AH.  But - I do whole-heartedly love the chaos that is my life!  I apologize for the recent lack of blogging.  My goal is to do no less than once a month and I've missed that for May.  Eek! 

So here is a quick update on all things Abby with the promise of MORE TO COME in the very near future! :)

Miss Abby is now 13 months old...we are officially the parents of a toddler.  When did that happen?!  Abby's 1 year "check-up" with our pediatrician went swimmingly!  Her growth and weight gain has slowed a bit, which is very normal around the 1 year mark.  She is still in the 75th+ percentile for height and just about exactly at 50th percentile for weight and head size.  She was a trooper with her shots - although having to hold her down while she looks at me with those big tears does a number on a mama's heart. :(  She is still not walking, but Dr. Williams isn't at all concerned since she walks with help and pulls herself up to walk along things.  She will walk when she's good and ready and not a moment sooner. :)  We see more and more personality in our little girl every day.  She is a natural entertainer!  When she does something funny and we react by laughing or with wild applause - she lights up and continues doing it several more times hoping for that same reaction. 

We recently took a road trip with Aaron's family to Texarkana, TX to visit the Jones side of the family there.  We were not at all sure what to expect from a 1-year-old on a 17hour car ride - but she did fantastic!  We on the other hand were rather sick of Baby Einstein and singing such things as 'Old MacDonald', 'B-I-N-G-O', and 'Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes'.  It was a great trip and fun to introduce Abby to some family she had never met.  However, gone are the days of being able to just take the pack 'n play anywhere and set it up for her to go to bed.  She is now fully aware when she is not in her room/in her bed and lets us know she is NOT ok with it.  She screamed each night for at least 15 (one night it was 35!) minutes so I here's hoping she grows out of this phase relatively soon!  Yikes.  I think it's funny that when the first opportunity for true parenting/discipline arose in Abby's obsession with our DVD's I excitedly jumped on the chance to put my parenting skills to the test...and now that we are seeing bigger things that need our attention (refusal to eat when it's dinner time unless it's just what she wants to have and/or just when she feels like pausing to eat) we're both left scratching our heads.  I think this could potentially be the most challenging phase for me thus far, but I'll have to re-assess when we're on the other side of the toddler years?  I loved the baby stage - every bit of it...even those first few sleepless weeks.  And I'm very much looking forward to a year or so from now when she'll be able to converse a bit better...but for now what I'm left with is lots of WHINING, temper tantrum throwing and very few words on her part.  Communication is incredibly frustrating for us - but even more so I would guess, for the poor little one.  Alas this is our current opportunity and we are investing many a night trying to figure out what works and what clearly doesn't all while trying to maintain WHO IS IN CHARGE in our home. :)  And so - the journey truly begins...

While the challenges and lessons learned are daily - the joy, delight and abundance of love are never ending.  I feel as though I end every blog this way, but it is so true of this current season in our lives.  She fills our home with great joy and delight and it never ceases to amaze us the things she is learning and picking up on.  We are truly grateful that we were chosen to be her parents and as stewards over her life.  It is an awesome responsibility and while it is one we do not feel qualified to have - it most definitely is one we are truly grateful for!

1st Birthday Pictures!

Be sure to check out the updated pictures from her actual 1st bithday and her birthday party!!

Abby's 1st Birthday = Lessons in Realistic Expectations for Mom & Dad

Today was nothing short of OPPOSITE of everything we had planned for Miss Abby's 1st birthday.  However, it was a great day nonetheless and regardless of today's events, and/or things that didn't go as planned...we paused long enough to reflect back on this past year and the great chance we have experienced since last April 23rd!  It truly was a wonderful day!

The day started off just fine...Abby woke up to eat about 6:30 and as we got up to feed/change her I of course had to do the mom business of "one year ago today I was just about to start pushing..." - one of the many things that will cause many an eye-roll when Abby is a teenager. :)  She went back to bed, I got in a good run at the gym - came home got everyone fed, bathed and out the door headed to the MN Zoo!  Aaron and I both took today off to spend as a family in order to celebrate Abby's birthday together.  We decided that since today was supposed to be absolutely gorgeous we would take Abby's very first trip to the zoo and then go out for a fun lunch before heading home for the afternoon nap.  We get to the zoo, pay $33 dollars for Aaron and I to get in and to park our car in their lot...get started on the first indoor trail (because of course at this time it's SUPER windy and sprinkling...NOT nice out!) and start seeing huge signs everywhere that most exhibits are closed down at this time prepping for this AMAZING "Safari" exhibit coming in May.  Lovely.  Abby wasn't super into the random birds flying overhead and really didn't think the turtles were anything special and was even mildly scared of the 'underwater' aquarium experience.  Not to mention she was in rare form squawking the ENTIRE time.  We thought we'd try to venture outside and get some fresh air and if nothing else maybe she'd just fall asleep and we could walk.  No such luck...if she wasn't kicking her shoes off, she was whining not wanting to be in her stroller of better yet - it started raining!  Finally we surrendered and headed to the car.  We stopped for a quick and exhausting lunch at Ruby Tuesday's simply because it was close to home and on the way.  She of course decided she didn't feel like eating today and threw her chicken all on the floor.

We came home and promptly put her down for a nap...she proceeded to sleep for 2.5 hours - clearly the girl was pooped out (as were her parents)!  I was hoping when she woke up she'd be in a better mood...again - no such luck!  Only this time add watery eyes and a snotty nose to the combination.  EEK!  Dinner was rough.  She again threw her food all over - we tried to offer her a little cupcake when we sang 'Happy Birthday' but that caused a meltdown as well...then somehow she managed to cut her finger and it took what felt like ages to hold her down long enough to locate the source of the bleeding.  Finally at 8 TO BED SHE WENT!  She is now angelically sleeping and when I go in to check on her I find it difficult to remember why it is that I feel frustrated when I think about today's events.

The truth of the matter is this...today we celebrate her BIRTH day!  The day we met her, the day we fell in love with her, the day we became parents, and this past year of great change and great JOY!  Whether or not she was in a 'funk' today (which may be the girl having some allergy troubles, which I'm SURE is a direct result of the fact that she wasn't breastfed...BLAH, BLAH...but that's another story for another day :) ) does not detract from the joy in which we will always approach her birthday!  However, it was a good reminder for Aaron and I that when it comes to the princess...we must be able to roll with the punches.  For nothing goes just exactly the way we plan!

Abby's actual birthday party will be this coming Saturday so we are looking forward to that and hoping that the sweet and smiley side of our daughter shows up...but even if she's having a rough time - HER LIFE is still a fantastic reason to celebrate!

Happy Birthday Miss Abby!

New Pics!

Just uploaded new pics into the album "Abby Months 7-12"...check out our little peanut! :)

Time Flies When You're Having Fun...

I hadn't intended to wait a full month before blogging again, but alas - here I am!

The rate of change, growth and development we experience now watching Abby never ceases to amaze me.  I've read in a few books that no other year of her life will bring as much growth/change/significant development than the first!  So...first - an Abby update!  This coming Monday our little monkey will be 11 months old.  Incredible!  While I am sad to see the time fly by so quickly I am VERY much looking forward to being done purchasing formula (what will we do with the extra $100 each month!!!!!) and baby food!  She has graduated to the "Go & Grow" formula for older babies and is eating mostly table food 3 meals a day with bottles in between.  She is holding her own bottle now and loves drinking water from a sippy cup.  She still LOVES to shake her head furiously while saying NO-NO, but now she's starting to understand what NO means.  She hates getting dressed so when I lay her on the changing table to put her jammies on she says "NO...NO...NO...NO" in this very funny voice.  And when she crawls towards the book shelf or to stick her fingers in a light socket she'll stop and look at me, shake her head and say "NO-NO" and then go for it anyway.  She sure keeps us busy.  She hasn't taken any independent steps yet but can pull herself to standing on just about anything ranging from the coffee table to a plain old wall, but isn't super interested in walking while holding on to our hands.  [This is where I remind myself that each baby develops different and she's just perfect and healthy in every way so it's just fine that she isn't walking yet!]  She waves and says 'bye-bye' and when she drops something or sees something fall down she says "uh-oh"...she says "mama" and "dada" but still without recognition of those names being who we are.  She still teethes like a trooper with just a touch of cranky-ness, but overall is such a happy baby and a TRUE delight!!  If I could change one thing about this beautiful child it would be that she would smile for pictures.  She laughs and smiles all the time, but as soon as a camera comes out she's a total DEER IN HEADLIGHTS.  Ahh...children! :)

In the way of other updates in our household...there really aren't any!  And that's just fine by us.  My new job is going well - I absolutely love it, but it is pretty intense.  Aaron is still lovin' the drums and all things music.  Our next challenge will be to start thinking about getting into a different house - but that should prove to be an interesting challenge given this current market/economy!

More interesting updates to come and I'll really make a valient effort to post more often so it's more anecdotal and less MASS UPDATE in terms of content.

Happy 1st 'OFFICIAL' day of spring!!

Quick Update:

**New pics uploaded in the '7-12 mos' photo album including Abby's 1st Valentine's Day!!

My apologies for the lack of recent activity here...I was in the process of interviewing for an internal promotion, which I am happy to report I did get!! WOO HOO.  However, add learning a new role to an already jam-packed schedule and that leaves even less time for blogging.  I will do my best to post a decent update in the very near future.  

Things are going very well for us...Abby (as always) is growing and changing more every day!  She's pulling herself up on anything she can find, opening cupboards, slamming doors and saying "byyyyyyeeeee" when she waves.  We LOVE it...the older she gets the more interactive she becomes and playing with her gets better and better!  Every new stage is more fun than the last...but I do miss those newborn days when I just want her to snuggle in my arms and she just wants to look around. :)  She's a feisty girl just like her mama (as you can imagine Aaron is THRILLED about this ;) ) and is starting to show a flare for the dramatic.  We're starting to see some very mini temper-tantrums...boy is it tough not to just laugh!  Lessons for the future...

On a side note...is it seriously blizzard-ing AGAIN?  I'm so over the snow!  Although it's sure pretty to look outside my office window and see the BIG white flakes.  

9 Month Doctor Appointment!

I promised I would post an update after Abby's 9 month routine 'check-up' that was this week.  Here are the latest stats...

Height - 29" (she's grown 3 inches since the 6 month check-up AND continues to be at the top of the 90th percentile for height!)

Weight - 19lbs 10oz (she's gained about 1.5lbs since the last appt and is right below the 50th percentile mark for weight)

Her little noggin is also right in the 50th percentile range.  I'm SOO beyond thrilled for her that she got Daddy's genes in being a long and lean little gal - this will save her much frustration in the years of shopping ahead!! :)  She had 2 shots, but was a trooper!  Dr. Williams said she is most definitely a toddler in the making and will most likely be walking soon, teeth look great - the top 2 are on their way, etc.  Overall a fabulous report!  We're so very blessed to have such a healthy little girl.  Our doc also reminded us that in 3 more months we can switch her to whole milk instead of formula and while the thought of my baby turning one I can hardly handle...only 3 more months of buying formula...YIPPEE!!!!!  That's about $300 to go...bring on the cow. :)

3 Years Ago...

Yesterday Aaron and I celebrated our 3 year anniversary; and while 3 years seems like just a blink - we will actually celebrate 10 years of "being together" this year - only slightly on and off. :) [Can I get an AMEN from anyone who has known us longer than 3 years?]

Yesterday was just a normal Tuesday, we both worked - I picked up Abby from daycare, and Aaron taught late.  Since we had already done the big celebration on Saturday night the plan was just to exchange cards yesterday.  As I sat writing my card in the morning I couldn't help but reflect over the past 3 and even the past 10 years (generally speaking - I am VERY fond of reflecting on matters both of the heart and otherwise!).  We have been through so much over the course of our relationship.  We have seen great 'highs' and some awfully low 'lows' but I would not change one ounce of our history of past as it has greatly shaped the way we interact today.  I am truly blessed.  In my husband I have found a best friend, loyal companion, one who inspires me to do everything better, an incredible Daddy, someone who makes me laugh, someone to wipe my tears, someone to help me not take everything quite so seriously, a man striving to be godly, and a great love!  There are moments where we'd both like to toss the other one out the window out of sheer frustration (I know you are thinking it would be impossible to EVER be frustrated with moi!) but reflecting back for only a moment led me to this place...I could not be more thankful!  I remember reading cards and hearing people say of their spouse "I love them more today than the day we were married" and gagging at the thought, however today...I am one of those.  It gets better each year, we compliment each other better-are better partners for one another...and I believe with all my heart that not only do I love him more than 3 years ago - I love better as well!

So just as my anniversary card (I may have to blog at another time about just HOW MUCH I LOVE HALLMARK!!!) said...the millionth kiss is better than the first...

My Sincerest Apologies...

I really did have great intentions of posting an update right after Christmas, and then I really did have great intentions of posting an update right after New Year's...but alas - the New Year has begun and I am only now sitting down to post an update!  This is no indication of a lack of interesting things happening in our lives, however it is more [as I was recently joking with a couple of girlfriends] my wondering how many different ways I can come up with to blog about the fabulous-ness that is ABBY! :)   I digress...

Christmas 2008 came and with it brought a marathon of events and various family gatherings!  Christmas Eve (Wednesday) was the kick off to a long week/week-end with 8 events between Wednesday afternoon and Sunday evening.  We have since learned our lesson and will NOT do this again (I can hear giggling in my ear as a particular gal-pal warned me more than once that after 1 year with baby we'd never do it again).  Abby was really a trooper - we brought her beloved pack-n-play just about everywhere we went and tried to maintain some semblence of a schedule with her eating/napping and while that seemed to help - my little peanut began to unravel on Sunday afternoon.  As I'm sure you can imagine - being the first grandchild on both sides brought a 1st Christmas with many a present.  She is one blessed little girl!  This year she was not at all into opening the presents or even really interested in what was inside the package.  She did, however, LOVE to rustle around in the strewn about wrapping paper pieces.  People were shocked when we said that we weren't getting Abby anything from us for Christmas this year - but this proved my point in saying that she wouldn't care!  She received more than her fair share of gifts this year and while I am certainly not one who could ever be described as frugal - I did appreciate that this would most likely be the cheapest Christmas we'd have for a long time now that kiddos are in the mix. :) (JUST KIDDO...I do not have news)

Abby is constantly growing and changing...I'm quite sure I repeat that statement in every new post, but it truly never ceases to amaze us.  She becomes more of a little girl with her own unique personality and less like an infant every day, which brings both just a twinge of sadness and GREAT delight for both Aaron and I!  She is fully crawling now and is, in fact, quite the speedster on all 4's!  She has also mastered the art of pulling herself up to her knees and now even up to standing.  Most mornings when she wakes up we find her standing in her crib, and she will pull herself up on the coffee table as well.  She has yet to figure out that if she inches down while holding onto various objects she can begin to take steps.  I have to remember to treasure every moment of every stage instead of wishing her into the next stage.  She is also clapping now...if you simply say the words "patty cake, patty cake" an excited grin emerges on her little face and she starts clapping all on her own.  She has this caterpillar toy that has a button on it's tummy that plays the 'A,B, C's' when pushed.  She has not only figured out how to push it on her own but sits and pushes it over and over again and claps through the entire alphabet song.  It's pretty cute to watch - although I do find myself wanting to pitch that toy out the window periodically! :)  She really does have such a fantastic demeanor - very easy going, entertains herself well, incredibly loving and LOVES to snuggle!  We are so very lucky !!(and will for now leave out how much we now fear our next child will be a terror! :) )

We left Abby with Grandma Grothe for her very first overnight this past week-end so we could go out and celebrate our anniversary.  We were gone for 24 hours - A FIRST! :)  We were able to enjoy the entire day together, a fabulous dinner and even a stay at the W hotel downtown!  Abby did very well and we felt great about it too, which was encouraging as this will be the first of hopefully many 'just mom and dad' nights away.

**Abby's 9 month check-up (is she really almost 1???) is today so I'll be sure to post an update on her growth/stats over the next couple of days.  Until then...