HOW LIFE CHANGES

Griffin Lane Johnson

11/4/08

born 5:14am

8lb, 11oz

21.5 inches long

Well, baby is here. Growing and changing already. Peyton's having some challenges with attention from mom and dad though she loves him very much. Excited to report we were able to get a smil out of him last night...his dad was! Pretty cute stuff!

Empty baby room...still....

I have nothing to complain about, knowing that at some point soon, this room will be occupied. But I have never felt so impatient in my life, I have to admit. We sit and wait and wait and wait! We are so excited for our baby to decide to make an appearance!

Happy Halloween!!!

There was a "parade" at preschool this morning! Lots of excited kids!!!

You know your kid is too smart for her britches when......

Lane was driving Peyton to daycare the other morning and he was like “So Peyton, everyone’s excited for this baby to come. When do you think we’re going to have this baby?” And she looked at him and goes… “Dad! Chill OUT! When it’s time, you get to go to the hospital with mom anyway and I’m going to stay with Grandma.” I can just picture her rolling her eyes while she says it! Can you believe it!??! S-A-S-S-Y!

A few more birthday shots

Catch Up

Okay I am way overdue on an update. Some days just feel like I have too many things to keep up on! It's practically Halloween and they say we might see some short lived snow this weekend. Talk about winter setting in! The summer flew, fall was crazy busy with several family events; Peyton starting pre-school, birthday's, a surprise party, a big family U of M weekend, and my little monkeys 4th birthday! With so much going on, I've found myself feeling more emotional, or should I say "Hormonal" (as Lane would probably call it). It's been fun and I'm beyond thankful for the busy distraction so we aren't just sitting at home wishing it was November and this baby was here, but it's been kind of sad too. Especially pre-school. I'm quite certain it's making me feel sappy because of hormones. Even today, 2 months after she started, I left her at her class and off she went totally excited and unworried, and I walked out, to the car, feeling a bit like tearing up. Ridiculous! She's grown up so much lately. She is recommending baby names, visiting with him often and telling him how excited she is for him to come. She's telling me to be patient, kissing my belly. She's writing her name, she's doing crafts and projects constantly. She's a helper. She can clean up, likes to help set the table, helps make dinner. She's a person! I hope we are all ready for the big surprise we are in for any moment, when this baby arrives and shakes things up! That is one thing I'm anxious about, splitting time and not neglecting, and still feeling like I'm an okay mom. I'll probably be a crying mess for awhile!!! More to come...hopefully baby announcements next!

Life at the Lake

Happy belated 4th of July! We took last week off and spent a little time at home and a lot of time up north. Peyton did all sorts of grubby outside things. She and Lane are two peas in a pod when it comes to daddy/kid time, and actually I think Peyton gives him a lot of practice and thoughts on what to look forward to with this baby boy on the way, as she's quite the tomboy herself. Was pretty pumped to be catching more fish than her dad! We had wonderful weather, lots of nice family time and of course the week went way too fast.

Lane's decided he wants to think about buying a boat, we ate lots of snacks and vegged out the entire time, so this week, this morning especially, kicked us all in the butts and it's so hard coming back into reality and our life. Wishing we were on perma-vacation for the summer!

Looking forward to seeing friends this weekend for Rynell's wedding, and a couple upcoming weekends with family. The summer is half over they say, after 4th of July and this year, more than EVER, I absolutely agree. Talk about depressing!

Ahhh....the life!

We just got back from vacation! Headed down to Bonita Springs, FL for 6 days of low key sunshine. It was great weather. Peyton, Grandma Ardis and I hung out and did all sorts of fun things. Peyton loved the beach but was mad because no one would go in the deep water with her. She took advantage of the pool by swimming something like 2 times a day, every day! Lane golfed, I napped, Peyton didn't nap! It was just the laid back few days I needed. Came back to work on Wednesday, just in time for a short week for Memorial Weekend. We are staying in town, as Lane's working. Wish we were heading up north to see the new Walker baby!!! Congrats Rick and Margaret! Summer has officially arrived and I couldn't be happier. Now if the weather would just agree with the calendar!

Happy Mom's Day

Happy Mother's day to all my mommy friends! It was low key and relaxing here. Waking up to sunshine made my day after hearing all the news reports say it'd be raining all day long. It is cool but sunny still. Had brunch at our house, a little snooze (everyone but Peyton!) walked the dog, and am making a dinner now. I'm sure if I had asked, Lane would have gone to pick something up for dinner but a weird part of me thought something home cooked sounded good. So we're having pork chops!?! Have a busy few days to work and prepare/pack for a trip to FL this week. Peyton is so excited to hit the beach. Me, not so much because of swimsuit body issues!!! I'm sure Lane will be doing his fair share of golfing so I will be at the condo, making sure Peyton's entertained. Hoping we can just walk to the pool most days. The beach is fun once or twice but kind of a production! Really anxious for a few days of R&R!!!

Okay....Maybe a baby!!!

That's right, I am going to use every excuse to my full advantage! My emotions and lack of patience, just plain crabby behavior could very well be due to hormones! We are happy to report that another baby Johnson will join our family this fall. I haven't had a chance to call quite everyone just yet, but know that it shouldn't surprise many who check this. We are all very excited, especially Peyton. I was lucky enough to have an ultrasound this morning to confirm that we're just almost 12 weeks along and that this baby could be born November 3, 2008. Poor Peyton probably won't get much of a birthday party...the one she talks about almost daily! Here's a picture of our little alien baby thus far!

There's a crabby lady in my body

Some days, I don't know how to say it but honestly just want to apologize for myself. To my child and husband mostly. Work was typical but then we got this nasty storm starting about 2pm, and by the time I left work, a half hour early, even, traffic was awful. I had to call daycare to report my tardiness, which I always feel just awful about. Then found there was a stoplight out on the highway which caused most of my tardiness. Then, getting home a half hour late, I felt short fused about being in the wet snow, even though Peyton wanted to play in it, until 5 min in she decided she was wet and didn't like it. Then the dog wouldn't come in the house. Then Peyton kicked a wet boot on my khaki pants, which don't even matter at 6pm, but still it ticked me off. And I hollered and I made her cry, which made me want to crawl into a hole. Then the dog chewed up the 136th sippy cup while we were gone today so that made me mad. Then I felt irritated by the things Lane had left on the counter and no matter how much I knew I shouldn't say anything because it was just bitchy, I couldn't bite my tongue, and I feel like I totally attacked him when he walked in the door, also late after awful traffic. Then I got a sweet letter from my auntie Irene which made me cry, missing my grandma and missing her. Then I think Lane realized I was a hormonal wreck. We ordered Mexican and he ventured back out into the snow to get it and Peyton and I just get to wait here in our slippers. So for that level of sensitivity, I love him.

Some days I feel like a bad wife and mom with no tolerance or patience. But I know that's not the norm, we all have those days. I just need to try really hard to be better and make a point to remember how lucky I am and let Lane and Peyton know that they're treasured. We have so much to be thankful for, each other and more.

Life is too short to be a cranky mom. When I feel like this, I need food and probably an early bed time. That is...after some sweet, juicy 3yr old kisses and snuggles!

Ugh!

Do you ever have one of those days when you just overdo it? Well that is me tonight. Had a plain, jane, typical day. Ate good choices, was fairly productive at work (as best I can be) and even was productive at home until about 7:15. Ate something like two extra helpings of dinner and then threw together a loaf of banana bread because I had banana's beyond ready for it. Ran out of white flour and threw in some whole wheat, thinking to myself, this could be a good thing for us. Then, on a horribly, poorly decided whim, added a BIG handful of mini chocolate chips to the batter. Needless to say, it really turned out fantastic. I just finished my 3rd piece of the evening and feel like I put myself over the edge! I am such a pile!


I am going to blame it on the snow. Crappy, gross, wet and messy snow that's been falling all day. And is really bugging the crap out of me! Worse yet, at this point tonight, it's sticking. Talk about being completely over this whole winter bit. I am so ready for some decent weather. And decent eating!!

Whew!

I am thankful that this evening, I still have a job. Unfortunately about 60 other people from my office do not. Talk about an exhausting day. Anxiety takes over no matter how much you think you're one of the safe ones. Watching VP's walk by, HR walk by, people looking upset, people leaving the office in a hurry, it all stresses you out big time. But, in the end, I'm appreciative that I have a job and am not forced into making decisions when I'm not ready. The only bad part....now I have to travel tomorrow :)

Cannot wait for the Friday!

Puke Puke Puke!

What is it about puke that makes you just feel like yacking, and then fumigating your whole entire house?! Friday night was typical of most in our house lately. Lazy hanging out, ordering pizza in, Peyton going to bed about 9. Lazy me managed to stay awake for most of the news, then head up to bed myself, probably about 10:30. Lane of course fell asleep downstairs, tv on, laptop on his lap. About 1:45 I woke with a start to crying, then Lane saying "Erin I need your help." Peyton was upset and had thrown up. We tried deciding if it was gagging after a long cough or upset stomach. Couldn't figure it out, and as we were stripping her bedding, she did it again. So bedding went in the wash, and a towel covered spot was made in the middle of our bed for her. Shortly after we were all in bed she threw up in ours too. So, stripped our bed as well. Lined her spot with more towels, found an old comforter to use, and we all snuggled in. I imagine about every 30 min for the rest of the night she puked. I lost count after 5 times when I think I was actually able to fall asleep again in between. She is such a good girl though, used a bucket well and paper towels, so we all stayed as comfortable as could be. I woke at 8:15 to "good morning mommy!" A happy sounding girl. I told her to take it easy after the night, and about 2 min into being happy and awake, she did it again. So, by the time we got to the couch, settled in with our bucket, some 7Up, and cartoons I think she'd thrown up 8 times. As the day has gone on she's only thrown up after eating or drinking....therefore pushing fluids is not going great. After she does, then she's been asking to go to Grandma Barb's or the park! So clearly she is feeling pretty good except for the tummy! At this point, we are all barely showered, with teeth brushed, and the washing machine is going for about the 6th time of the day. The clorox wipes and spray, lysol spray, hand sanitizer have been used pretty much constantly. I feel like sending everyone out of the house, filling my entire laundry room with clothes, towels, bedding and bleaching everything, opening all the windows to blow the stink and germs out, and wiping off every item we own with a clorox wipe. The really dreadful side of me thinks I should HURRY UP and do it before I start yacking myself :)

On another note, I'm itching for a vacation like no other! And no, not just since this whole puking thing. I swear if I could find a cheap flight into Dallas next weekend, I'd show up on my friend Marnie and Stange's doorstep for their new store opening. Got the invite in the mail on Thursday and couldn't get a quick road trip with Kim and Katherine out of my head! I know we can't pull it off this weekend, but I'm hoping someday soon. Just an overnight or two, chance to see their project and where all their hard work has gone the past few months, and to get out of dodge for a breather!

For now, I imagine my vacation will be getting home from my work trip to KC Friday afternoon, and maybe considering a run over to Eau Claire next weekend to let Peyton see her cousin. Easter may be a visit to my mom and dads, as my grandpa John will be with them. This is the first holiday for ALL of us without my Grandma El, and so close to her birthday, April 1. I feel like we might just all like to have a little extra time together still coming to terms with it. I still miss her every day. Doesn't help having Peyton ask me everynight where she is, to sing the Grandma El song (which I don't know!), or telling me that she misses her too. Kinda hard to igore with that all going on.

Well, the little puker is calling...off to snuggle and watch even MORE bad cartoons this afternoon :) Fortunately since her shower, she smells pretty sweet again! Ahhhhh....the life of a mommy!

My Family, My Memories

Never have I been so happy for a Friday! It was exhausting last week at my grandma's funeral. Would have never missed it but I feel like we are all still recuperating from emotion, lack of decent sleep and colds. There's some truth to "time heals everything." I definitely feel a little less sad every day thinking of my grandma and have started feeling kind of pleased and grateful for the times and memories I do have with her. It may help that I've been wearing some of her things around this week! Like a crazy colored scarf that still smells like her and is ultra warm or these dramatic flower costume jewelry earrings that weigh a ton. I remember touching them in her jewelry box since I was very little. Wearing them today to work was like a little secret of my very own, like I was getting a constant hug from her every time I thought about them or they got in the way when I got a phone call! I love her!

And there is something to be said for explaining things in toddler terms. Death isn't easy but there's something kind of healing and refreshing about talking about the dirt and heaven and angels to Peyton. She is so curious, wants to constantly talk about Grandma El, has now started "missing" her too and saying things like she wants to save a cookie for her. I think Grandma would be flattered!

We all have so much to be thankful for. Hard to always remember but appreciate and value those crazy families and times you were born into!

Check out my Slide Show!

Check out my Slide Show!

The best lesson we could learn from our grandparents is to cherish every moment we have with them.

I received some sad news today. My grandma El passed away overnight. Shocking, unbelievable, surprising, still pretty surreal actually. I guess it sounds cliche' but I feel so sad thinking about all the things I wish I'd had one more chance to tell her: like how she shaped me into the woman I am, how she taught me to love baking and cooking, how I hope to someday have gorgeous white hair like she had my WHOLE entire life. She was a beautiful, stoic and strong woman who I already miss immensely. She gave the best hugs and kisses, I remember the last one in January. I will always miss the way I could tease her and make her giggle, I am envisioning it right now! Things I've learned to love and appreciate from her and will never forget are:

• hen and chick succulents-I am naturally drawn to them now




• chex mix-which no one can quite make the same as she




• a love for pretty, girly things-trying on her teeny clothes when I was like 11, doing our nails with one of a million polish colors, trading earrings on every visit, clothes shopping with her




• great dishtowels and pillow cases! Crisp, white, absorbant. She had the most gorgeous linen closet and trunk. Looked through it again in January when I was there




• that I can make a mean gravy-it's my job each thanksgiving since she taught me how when I was probably about 8yrs old




• kitchen shakers-for salt and pepper, for cinnamon sugar, which she always had available for us everytime we would visit as kids




• beautiful, intricate quilts-the fact that her hands touched every inch of the one she gave me on my wedding day



• undivided love, admiration and pride in our family

I know in the days and weeks to come, I will remember so many more reasons that my heart has broken a little bit today. I was such a lucky girl to have 4 wonderful grandparents for almost 30 years and am thankful she got to see me grow up and become a happy mother and wife myself. I will love and miss her always.

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for just a little while... but our hearts forever

My beautiful grandma and beautiful daughter. October 2004. Thank god for sweet memories.

There's a first for everything!

I made a new friend this year! At practically 30 yrs old, who would have thunk it! She is interesting, funny, thoughtful and could be the most creative person I know. While sharing advice on a couple topics with me, she shared her blog with me. This is where I really decided that I want one too! Thanks Kim! We'll see what comes of it, but for now, I'm excited to have a little me time, a chance to have my own thoughts, some quiet time to brainstorm, rejuivinate and feel a teeny bit creative myself again :) After a wonderfully low-key and relaxing weekend, while Lane and Peyton are napping, it's easy to do.

I hope this is a chance for me to stay connected to my friends and even myself! I hope I feel inspired to post, inspired by other posts. I'm excited to see if I end up looking interesting on the internet :) And not because of some embarrassing photo!

Wish me luck, visit me once in awhile! Cheers!