So I have to really appologize to those who are following my blog. It has been so long since I have updated my blog. I guess you can say I am really busy, or just don't do it very often. Well the last time I wrote on my blog Alvin was 10 months old, and he is 18 months old know. Wow things sure have changed since then. I am really going to try to remember everything, but I might not. Alvin of course celebrated his first birthday, and he loved his cake. It was a very small family get together, so not much people.

Just about 2 months ago he started coming to work with me, which is a blessing, because he was going to a daycare close to home, but I felt more comfortable if he could come to me. I am getting used to driving in the snow. I don't like it, but it is something I have to do. In November of last year we found out we are having our second child, which is due in the beginning of August, so Alvin and his sibling will be 2 years apart. Alvin is walking all over the place, and climbing over foot stools to get into the kitchen. Well I guess it is good that we will be moving out this weekend. We are helping out my sister in law by having my niece move in with us, so she can be monitored more. It will be nice, because Alvin will have his own room, and we will have our own space.

In other news about my family. Found out my dad has lung cancer and he is going through Chemo. I have realized that my mom is a very strong women, because she is there for him. I hope to be as strong as her. It is hard to be away from my family at this time, but I know that my dad is strong, and he will pull through. My sister Mandy is moving here in the fall, because Patrick will be a professor at the University of Utah.

It is late, so this all I am writing know, but I am healthy, and the baby is doing good, and we will find out what we are having in just 3 days. We are hoping for a girl, but a healthy baby is good too.

Catching up on things

So I just looked and realized that my last post when when Alvin was 6 months old, and know he is turning 10 months. I thought I would update before he turned 1. Alvin has just been getting so big. I will try to update by months, and I hope to remember everything, and if I don't then please forgive me.

7months- Celebrated our 2nd year anniversary. Alvin is scooting on his belly. We have started looking for a house, so we can move out on our own. Alvin is eating fresh veggies, and loved it. He really does love to eat. He can say ma-ma, da-da, and ba-ba. He loves to smile.

8motnhs- Alvin is doing good at eating. He is starting to sit up, and rock on his hand and knees. The weather is hot, and we are trying to find things to keep us cool. Celebrated is first fathers day, and so we got him, grandpa Grag, and daddy matching shirts, and they looked so cute. He is starting scoot more, and he can pick up cheerios.

9months-Alvin is offically crawling, and he is all over the place. He like to torment the dogs and cat. He is also pulling up on furniture, and cruising along the furniture. He gets a big grin when does it. He still loves to eat. We lost the house, but we are holding our head up high. Alvin can clap his hands. He maks noised with his mouth. He loves to smile.

10months-since Alvin will be 10 months tomorrow I will write a little bit. He will celebrate his first 4th of July. Helped Nana and Papa move into thier home. Still very hot. Lots of fire in Utah. I don't think Alvin likes the heat to much, but who can blame him. Uses his voice to tell his what he wants.

what has been going on

So Alvin is 6 months know. We went to visit my family in Las Vegas. It was good to see my dad. He is under-going radiation, and feeling the effects, but he is staying positive, but it was good for Alvin to see my parents. He is growing up so fast. I have been feeding him fresh food. So far we he has eaten peas, banana, applesauce, and Swiss Chard, and he loves everything I give him. He is rolling from his back to his stomach, and loves to coo. He is starting to say da-da, and trying to suck his thumb. He can also blow raspberries. We are still living with my in-laws. It is nice in a way, but difficult, because we have no space, and our car does not work, but we make due. Adam is working hard. He works 4 10 hour days. I love my family so much, and how much they do support us. The end of the month Alvin will get his 6 month shots, and we are going back to WIC to do his mid certification, but we hope not to have be on WIC for ever.

The Johnsons

Trying to catch up

I am trying to catch up on the last 5 months. I am not sure where to start, but I will do my best.

Month 1- Alvin is one month. He has had a little bit of jaundice, but it went away. He was not gaining the weight he needed, so they were having me wake him up every hour to feed him. His regular pediatrician was on maternity leave, so we were seeing a different doctor, and that who said to wake him up every 2 hours. I was breastfeeding at the time, and she said to just feed him 5 minutes on each breast, and then give him 2 ounces of formula. He started to gain the weight at that was really good to know. Also my mother came to visit for a week(the week after Alvin was born). Adam had to go back to work, and that was hard on both of us, but it was only until his training was over, and then he could work from home again, and I so could not wait.

Month 2- Alvin had his 2 month shots. They stung a little bit, but he did really well. He was starting to gain the weight, and we were happy. We have been having issues, but we were just taking it day by day. We had a visit by CPS, because Alvin was not gaining the weight, and that was heartbreaking. That was a challenge for us, because we did not know how to handle it. We had a lot of support from my in laws, and my mom too.

Month 3- Got a notice from our landlord that they were raising our rent, and we decided that it was to high, so we were not going to renew our contract. Were were going to try to buy a house, but our credit was not high enough, so we had no other choice but to move in with my in laws. They have been a real good help during this time. We had people help us move, and had to put the rest of our stuff in storage until we can afford our own place. During this time we were finding out the my grandma Z was not doing very well, and that was very stressful on  me too, because she has not had the chance to meet Alvin.

Month 4- Alvin is know at 15 pounds, and is doing really good. He got his shots, and he did very well again. The doctor was talking to us about starting him on food, but very slowly. This was a really tough month, because on Christmas my Grandma Z passed away, so Alvin, Adam, and myself flew to Las Vegas, and drove with my mom to California to the funeral. It was really hard to say goodbye to her, but we knew she was in the right place. We spent about 4 days there. The best part was that all my siblings were there. It has been 8 years since we have all been together. We also found out during that time that my dad had cancer called Adnoid Cystic Carsanoma(sorry about the spelling). It was nice to be around everyone, and also good that Alvin got to meet everyone. He is blessed to have a family that loves him, and supports us.

Month 5- I hope I have filled in everything, but I am sure I am missing things. Well Alvin is 5 months(on the 3rd). We have started him on rice cereal, and he did really good the first night, but I am thinking he is not liking the bland taste, but he will have to deal with it for know. He is starting to move more. We are trying to get him to roll over on his stomach. We put him on his stomach, but he goes right on his back. He is starting to get a personality, and laughs at everyone. We are doing good living with my in laws. It is a tight space, but also nice to have their support while we try to safe to move out. It has been a struggle, but we are starting to be more assertive in saving our money. Our apartment complex has been giving us problems, but we are doing what we can with them. My dad has started radiation and so far so good, but it is only the beginning. Adam is working 4  10 hour days, and that is hard, because it is slow at some points, but he is a hard worker. Sometimes I get bored when he is working, but it is nice to have company. So that is what has happened in the past 5 months. I can just say that I am really blessed. I have a family that loves me, and watching my son do little things give me great joy, and to see him smile at me just lights me up.

I will try to do better, but I just need reminders sometimes. I hope you have enjoyed reading.
The Johnson's

You have arrived

It all began on September 2nd when your daddy and I went to grandma Heidi's house. I was so uncomfortable the night before that we ended up going to the hospital, and the only thing they saw was that I was not contracting, so of course they sent me home, and told me to call the doctors office. The next morning I called the nurse and she told me to just take it easy, but I was so uncomfortable that when we went to grandma Heidi's house I sat in the Jetted tub to help me relax, and it helped a little bit, and after she saw that I was still uncomfortable so she told your daddy and I to go for a walk. We walked to Arby's which is about 1 mile from the house. I was able to walk there, but could barely walk back, so uncle Nathan had to pick us up and take us back to the house. Your daddy and I had an idea of just going to hospital and walking the hallways to see if we can get things moving faster. Hey we figured everything was there. Good food, Labor and Delivery, and couches to sit on. We were walking the hallways, and I could barely walk one hallway before sitting down. Your daddy asked me if I wanted to go to Labor and Delivery to see if anything was happening, and so I said yes. It was Labor Day weekend so they were really busy, but they put in an actual room. The nurse came in and put me on monitors, and while she was there she could only see that maybe my uterus was irritated, but then I told her that I was having high blood pressure, so she put me on the cuff that went off every 10-15 minutes, and as she was looking  it was really high, so before she left she filled out the board as if we were staying. Well the next nurse that came in put on my wrist band, and had my blood drawn, so I knew something was going on. She then came in with daddy's wrist band, so I knew it was happening. She brought in 2 bags. 1. was potocin, and the other just fluid for dehydration. She pumped the potocin like 2 times, and by the 3rd time I need the epideral. Once I got the epideral it felt better, and that was about 10pm or 11. I was hoping to sleep but could not, so I just watched the monitor. Your daddy was sleeping on the couch.At one point the nurse came in and had me put on oxygen, because your heart rate was going down, and during that time I was a little concerned, so I started singing hymns to you, and once I stared I relaxed, and fell asleep for awhile, and before I knew the nurse came in and asked if I was ready to push, so I started to push at 4:30am on the 3rd, and by 5:32am you were in my arms, and how wonderful it was to finally hold you in my arms. Your grandma Heidi was there as support, and it was good to have her.

We love you Alvin, and glad you are here, and apart of our family
Love, Mommy and Daddy

What has been going on!!!

To my son who will be here soon,

It has been such along time since my last post to you. I am know about 37 weeks, and I am in the clear to have you. It is hard being a first time mommy, because I am learning what to expect. I am not sure when you will arrive, but I sure can't wait. I am so uncomfortable that I take a bath every night just to relax. Your daddy has new hours at work. He gets up early, and gets home at 2pm, so that is nice. He gets to have Sunday off, so we have that time together. I am seeing the doctor every week, and he says you are growing just fine. I have had 2 baby showers, and so far have everything that I need, but the only thing is a stroller, but we have money to use to get one, so we will get one. You like to poke me during church. It is funny because I can see a big bump on my tummy, and it is either your foot, knee ,and butt. When I push on it it moves like you don't like me touching you. It is fun though. I am grateful that we get to meet you soon. I already love you, and so can't wait to hold you in my arms.

Love your mommy and daddy

Our little boy

So today I saw the doctor, and they checked my cervix, and everything was fine, so she said that I can do normal things again. Of course being on bed rest for 2 months makes it hard for me to want to do things. Yesterday there was a lot of pressure in my cervix, and I kept feeling a bump there, so I figured you were head down, and today confirmed it. There was a reason why I was going to the bathroom every hour last night, and can not get comfortable. I guess you are preparing for your arrival. I am thinking of stopping taking the pills to calm my uterus, because I feel that it is time that nature takes it course, and the doctor feels fine, so why not. I guess the count down begins my little one. We can't wait to see you.

Love you lots
Mommy and daddy