Speaking of Quiet Times with Little Ones in the House by Audrey Broggi

This article so encouraged me today. Thought I'd share it here as an encouragement to all of you as well.

Audrey Broggi - Speaking of Quiet Times with Little Ones in the House

Thomas - Take 2

The weekend after attending Day Out with Thomas, our favorite useful engine was still in town for a while longer and Daddy/Stephen was working all day. I am fully aware that James' days as an only child are quickly drawing to a close (a 3 year season of all of our lives!), so I have really been trying to do some special things with him before Jude arrives. I decided to take him back up to the event (just a few minutes from our house), packed a little picnic lunch for the two of us, and bought him just the activities wrist band. We stayed and played for six hours! We had the best time together. I took lots of pictures on my phone (and I'm just now getting around to putting them on the computer), but I thought I'd go ahead and share them on the blog. I so enjoyed my special date day with my littlest (for a few more weeks) love.

James was constantly in search of a train table that wasn't very crowded and would sometimes move to another if he felt like his personal space was being invaded. He is sweet and friendly (and coming out of his shell so much in the last few months), but I think that he is still an introvert by nature. I so relate to his personality, and there are so many things that he does that make me think of how I felt/what I did as a child. Even yesterday, he put on a crown that he got at a birthday party over the weekend for the first time. When I asked him "Why didn't you wear it at the party?" He said because, "I didn't want any other kids to see me dressed as a king." I remember thinking things like that as a child and having that same rationale. I even see him struggling with not wanting to feel shy in situations, but still feeling that way - I so understand. And I'm so glad that I "get him" because I think it helps me know how to encourage him without pushing too far. Jude will likely be the opposite and then I will have a whole new personality type to embrace and learn how to best parent - but you can bet I'll make it my mission to understand and relate to him, whatever his little personality may be like!

He thought this train looked like "little red train" from Little Einstein's and wanted his picture taken in front of it.

Thomas Tattoo Station

This was the first time he has ever gone in a bouncy castle by himself. I was so proud of him for conquering that fear!
He did it over and over that day!

He loves doing books of mazes at home, so he thought this was even better!

Watching Thomas as he played in the sand! 

Maternity Pictures at 32 1/2 Weeks

I knew that I wanted to have some maternity photos taken with this second baby like we did with James. Even though this isn't our first rodeo (and even though I feel extremely awkward having my picture taken!), I love being able to capture a moment in time through photographs to remember life in that particular season. Pictures are probably one of my most treasured possessions! I've been looking back at pictures of James as a baby the last few days, and I have just been a ball of emotions remembering... Lord, help my husband survive these intense emotions this last month or so of this pregnancy!

Michelle Summers is our neighbor but also a talented photographer in the Birmingham area. She's great to work with and her prices are so reasonable! I'm so happy with how these pictures turned out, and I thought I'd share a few on the blog. We waited until almost 33 weeks this time (did them a little earlier with James) and between waiting longer and just this being a second baby, I can hardly believe how much bigger my tummy looks this time around! I'm so thankful for the privilege of being able to carry this precious little life inside of me these past nine months, but as the day draws closer I'm just getting so ready to meet him (and hold him and hold him and hold him!!) too!

I love how James is holding my arm in this one. This so sums up our relationship. He is and always has been so intense in spirit (in the bad and the good! There really is no in between with him). But he is a Mama's boy and when he is being sweet, he is the absolute sweetest. He's been telling me lately "Mama, if I could choose any girl in the world, I'd choose you." 

Love that we captured this because he does this daily!

My sweet Jude, you are so treasured and so loved already.

So thankful for this man by my side.

This picture shocked me! I've been telling James this whole pregnancy that "Jude will come out of Mama's tummy when my tummy is as a big as a watermelon." What do I tell him now?!?

I can't even explain in words what that little face does to me... There is nothing like it in the world.

32 weeks with Jude

How far along are you? 32 weeks! 8 more (or maybe less. I still guess less.) to go.

Total Weight Gain? Right on track to gain a full 35 pounds. My doctor is really pleased with that and so that's good enough for me too.

How big is the baby? The doctor said I'm measuring right at 32 weeks, and I probably won't have an ultrasound again unless there is just a problem or something they need to look at closer. Babycenter says Jude is:Your baby is taking up more and more space in your uterus and weighs as much as a large jicama -- about 3 3/4 pounds. (Length: about 16 3/4 inches, head to heel.)

Maternity Clothes? I'm actually (very surprisingly!) not wearing maternity clothes in the picture below (just because they are stretchy/flowy), but I basically don't even attempt to wear regular clothes anymore.

Sleep? I'm having some rough nights lately because I'm just achy and sore and getting up often, but I know it's just a short-term discomfort for a long-term gain. This too shall pass!

Best moment this week? Nothing profound but just lots of incredibly sweet moments with James and just the realization that I am so incredibly blessed and undeserving of all those sweet moments with him (i.e. James constantly kissing me, telling me he loves me or that he's going to marry me, and telling me that he knows Jude will love me too.) I will never be more proud of anything in this world than I am of being their mother.

Movement? One active boy especially when James is sitting with me. I like to think that Jude just adores his big brother already. 

Food Cravings/Aversions? Fruity and Icee-y type cravings lately (possibly because it's just getting hotter) and eating lots of salads again. I actually have an aversion to sweet tea again (just like I did in the beginning of this pregnancy) - this pregnancy is so different than the one with James (with no aversions or hardly any sickness!)

Morning Sickness? Nada. 

Gender? I'm a very proud "boy mom"! So excited about meeting my other sweet boy very soon!

What I'm looking forward to: Our neighbor is taking some maternity pictures for us in a few days, planning fun activities for James and I (and, of course, Stephen when he's not working) in these last weeks, and final preparations when the time comes which all make it feel even more real, more real than the huge belly of course  (washing clothes, installing an infant carrier in the van, putting together baby chairs and pack n' plays, etc.)

32 weeks with Jude.

And this was me with James at 32 weeks.

Day Out with Thomas

This was our second year participating in Day Out with Thomas when it came to town, but this year we live just a short drive from the event. I love that our little town has the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum, because our little boy loves it and has enjoyed it many times already. Nana and Grandpa joined us, and James had a great time. We didn't do the train ride this year (the most expensive part!) and James didn't miss it at all. Last year he cried to have to leave the other activities (petting zoo, bubbles, tent full of train tables, sand box and toys, etc.) to get on the train (and because he's not a fan of the "ductor"), and so this year we just got him an activities wrist band and let him play and play. The weather was perfect and it was just a great day. I love soaking up these last weeks with him and trying to make special memories - I feel myself wanting to squeeze in everything that I possibly can while he's still my only for a little while longer.

Oh, what a little boy does to his Mama's heart! And he knows it too.

Waving to Thomas as he came in (while keeping a close eye on the "ductor" as well!)

We ate lunch at Steak and Shake afterwards. Stephen ordered the 7X7 burger after some encouragement from the rest of the table. In his defense, 7 patties was only the equivalent of about a pound of meat so it's not quite as crazy as it sounds! Also, he's like 40 pounds lighter than when James was born so I think he's doing just fine - but he would not be happy with me if he knew I said anything nice about him on the blog. ;) 

No-Bake Lemon Pie

I made this pie last night that I found on Plain Chicken blog (although mine doesn't look as lovely as the one pictured below!) and it completely fulfilled my current pregnancy craving for lemon-y things. It's so easy and refreshing - the perfect summer dessert and apparently the perfect dessert for a very pregnant girl as well! I definitely think I will be making this again before Jude arrives.

No-Bake Lemon Pie

Warm Weather Days!

We have been experiencing some warm weather this week, and we actually had one day that got up to about 86 degrees. James and I have been spending lots of time outside and embracing my love of warm weather (even while pregnant! Although by June, I may not be quite as fond as I've always been.). We pulled our little baby pool out from storage. I realize it's looking pretty small in it's, now, fourth summer of use by our little guy but it was still plenty enough water for him to enjoy. He loved using his "water shooter" to water the garden and me too!

This is my view these days. Jude is surely growing! (9ish more weeks! eeeek!)

30 Weeks! 10 more to go/grow!

How far along are you? 30 weeks, 1 Day (We are in the 60's now for days left until Jude's arrival. Unreal. And I predict he'll come a few days early but only time will tell.)

Total Weight Gain? I was surprised to find out at the doctor this week that I didn't gain any weight since my last appointment. I don't even know how that's possible after our trip to New Orleans, but I'll take it (because I know he's still growing steadily).

How big is the baby? Jude weighs as much as a large cabbage or around 3 pounds. He is measuring about 15 3/4 inches from head to heel. 

Maternity Clothes? Oh Yes! Can't wait for warm weather and the simplicity of wearing comfortable, cotton dresses. I was never big and pregnant with James during the spring/summer. 

Sleep? I'm really starting to struggle to get comfortable enough to sleep for very long stretches combined with getting up several times throughout the night to use the bathroom. But it's all just part of it - and so worth it!

Best moment this week? Watching James hold his newborn cousin and imagining how sweet he's going to be with his little brother. Also, just reaching 30 weeks seems like a big milestone. Only ten more weeks to go!

Movement? Lots and lots of movement! He even wakes me up in my sleep. 

Food Cravings/Aversions? Some new things that I have been craving lately in addition to my continued "real food" love (sorry to sound like a broken record!) - fresh pears, smoothies, icees, lemon flavored yogurt, and other fruity things

Morning Sickness? None. Although heartburn is entering the scene sometimes now that I'm in the third trimester, just like it did with James.

Gender? A sweet boy! Jude Brooks Johnson! 

What I'm looking forward to: Embracing final moments/making final memories together as a family of three and, of course, meeting Jude in a little over two months now! I can't wait to have both my boys in my arms.

James really did want to be in this picture (and even wanted to hold my hand), but said he didn't want to smile.
Such is life with a three year old - you just roll with it. 

Christ is Risen!

It was so sweet to watch James really grasp truths about Easter this year and the price that Jesus paid for us on the cross. We did the Resurrection Eggs with him several nights at bedtime in the days leading up to Easter, and he would ask for them over and over again. He was particularly bothered and burdened by the "mean things the soldiers did to Jesus" and was very adamant that I tell everyone about that. Precious little heart! He also shouted out in church on Easter morning at a very quiet moment that "God rolled the stone away!" Another reminder that our children are watching and listening (even when we think they aren't!). 

 There is love that came for us

Humbled to a sinner's cross

You broke my shame and sinfulness

You rose again victorious

 Faithfulness none can deny

Through the storm and through the fire

There is truth that sets me free

Jesus Christ who lives in me

 You are stronger, You are stronger

Sin is broken, You have saved me

It is written, Christ is risen

Jesus You are Lord of all

 No beginning and no end

You're my hope and my defense

You came to seek and save the lost

You paid it all upon the cross

 You are stronger, You are stronger

Sin is broken, You have saved me

It is written, Christ is risen

Jesus You are Lord of all

(Hillsong - Stronger)

Happy Easter from the Johnson Family!

We'll be celebrating as a family of FOUR this time next year!

New Orleans Fun!

Our visit to New Orleans was brief but we enjoyed eating at a couple of great restaurants, seeing so many updates and changes around the city, letting James have his first beignet experience, having an easter egg hunt on the playground that was right behind our first seminary apartment, attending the church where we were members and Stephen worked, and catching up with a lot of people from our time in New Orleans! It brought back a lot of memories and a few tears too!

This wasn't really part of the New Orleans experience, per say, but I wanted to include a picture of James with his Easter Basket on Easter morning. We found another great Little Einstein's playset at Big Lots back in AL (super discounted! because it had been on the shelf for so long, I'm sure. They don't make any Little Einstein's stuff anymore so I love anytime that I run across something.) and it thrilled James to no end! He says he's going to keep it "forever and ever!"
I also loved the chocolate fisherman bunny along with a chocolate fish and bobber that Stephen found for his basket (It was so perfect for our sea animal loving little boy!).