Two weeks old!

Here is Alaina at two weeks old:

She is starting to spend more time with her eyes open and for a few days was quite crabby when she was awake. I discovered that she really likes to be swaddled (Cade and Liam could have cared less) and it seems to be making her happy.

I do love the weekends with Mark home. It is so much easier to deal with life with him around. I was able to make pancakes for breakfast which the boys have missed dearly. Then, with everyone's help, we got the house picked up. It's just so hard to keep up with the toys while caring for a new baby. We put all the toys in their appropriate spots, some downstairs in the basement, some upstairs in the boys' room. Already though, Liam has that crazy Hungry Hippos game back out again and marbles are falling everywhere. Oh well, it was nice while it lasted.

Today we are all getting our seasonal flu vaccines...Cade is very much NOT excited about that. Then, we are visiting Mark's farmer friend, Mike and his wife, and letting the boys run and be boys in the wide open spaces. Liam can't wait to ride the combine. Cade can't wait to hold the baby pigs. Hope to get some pictures...

More pictures

Alaina: Ninja Warrior!

Cade just laughs and laughs when he sees this picture!

Super-Duper!

Liam is coming around to Alaina. He actually notices her now. I'm not saying that he thinks she is awesome, just that he is noticing her. He is saying her name now...comes out..."Yay-na."

Today after breakfast, he announces..."Yay-na is super-duper!"

Finally!

Day 5

Isn't big brother so great!?!

Sucking her thumb...

Her eyes are already looking very brown...

And dimples!

Days 3 and 4

Can't get this one to get his picture taken with his sister...

Pictures of Alaina

Sweet baby girl

Proud papa

They tell us that the red mark on her eye lid is an "angel kiss" and it should fade. :)

Proud big brother

Minutes old

She's here!

Our baby girl is here...pictures later...

Alaina Kathryn Johnson
Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 5:45pm
8lbs, 14 ozs 20 1/2 inches

Lots of dark, dark hair!

Yesterday was just about as perfect as it gets

I was a bit nervous for yesterday, I admit. It was the first day of school and all Cade's friends were gone. All summer he has played...and played HARD with the neighborhood kids. I have let him, nearly every day, if there was someone wanting to play. From what I gather, Cade seems to be a pretty fun kid to hang out with (of course, I think so, but now I am sure that other kids think so too). Anyway, I didn't put many restrictions on playing, just letting kids be kids, and our house had an open door policy with letting little ones come over. Yesterday, things were different.

It was a wonderful thing. Cade played...with his brother! Imagine that! They had a great time together. I had a great time with the boys. In the morning, after breakfast, we completed our school work. Cade was focused and attentive. He does an amazing job when he actually does care about what he's doing. Another, imagine that! Liam even started his preschool work.

Then, we waited for Mark to come home for lunch. After that we headed to Quarry Hill Park for an adventure. I have to say that I can't believe that I have lived in Rochester for 7 years and have missed out on this great place all this time. It was awesome! The kids LOVED it! We looked at toads, frogs, turtles, snakes, fish...even BEES, to our hearts content. Then, we went on a hike through the trails (okay, I admit, it was a short hike, BUT a hike nonetheless) and discovered more fish, water snails, ducks, and more fish. We were there all afternoon and we all learned a TON!

Cade informed me that he wanted to move to Missouri and build a house next to a creek, so he could explore any time he wanted...oh, and shoot his BB gun any time he wanted. :) Gee, kid, I sure wish we could make that wish come true.

Once home, Cade's friends were home from school and play time began again. Liam was left in the dust, as predicted.

Today, we have some errands to run, then we'll go to the library (not Cade's favorite place), and home in the afternoon for school. Wouldn't mind taking a little trip to the hospital to have a baby, but that isn't up to me. :)

Still very, very pregnant

39 weeks and with my boys....don't you love how the front door is standing open? :)



Okay, so today it dawned on me just why Mark and I are feeling so anxious about this baby's arrival...I have NEVER reached my due date before. Cade was 4 days early and Liam was 6 days early. Only 2 days left until this due date, and baby is still hanging in there (literally). So it stands to reason, that we are READY for our baby!

I am feeling more and more like I am nearing the end, but I said that last week, so obviously it doesn't mean much. My feet and hands are swelling up and they actually ache. Today we went shopping together and I felt like my feet were going to split the seams on my tennis shoes. My wedding ring is embedded in my finger...sort of gross, actually.

I thought tonight...wouldn't 9/9/09 be a fun birthday...then I realized that's 3 days away and while it would be fun, I would take anyday before that very happily.
Then, on our ride home from enjoying this BEAUTIFUL Septemeber evening as a family, we noticed the moon...so full and pink. I told Mark it was pink in honor of our baby girl...who very well may join us tonight. He didn't have much appreciation for the pink comment...too mushy...see, how we need another girl around here!?!

Lord, we pray for a healthy, happy baby girl...SOON! Help us rest in Your good timing...as it always has been and we know it always will be. We praise YOU!

A day with friends at Oxbow Park

Yesterday we went to Oxbow Park with Angie and Teagan. It was a beautiful day and the kids had a blast!

Liam feeding a deer.

Teagan feeding the same deer, and Cade posing with a smile.


Yes, I know, I am a huge...my shirt looks like a tent!

My much smaller friend, Angie. :)


Sweet Teagan

Angie painted the kids' faces before we went...here is Teagan with her butterfly face and Liam with his tiger face.

Cade was Spiderman, but for some reason he didn't like the face paint. I think he thought it was too girly and promptly washed it off after this picture. Doesn't he look happy?!?

Only 6 more days left until my due date! I am starting to feel like I am going to be pregnant forever! Tonight is my last night shift before maternity leave. I am so grateful for that. I am not looking forward to enduring it but I am praying I will feel okay. Tomorrow is a visit with the midwife.

I will keep you posted!