Confessions of a NEW Mom

Well it certainly has been a long time since I posted anything so I thought why not start up again!? Having Brynnley has been the most life changing experience I have ever had! There are SOO many people out there who don't want kids or put a stigma on kids that is very negative! " Once you have kids EVERYTHING CHANGES!" "You don't sleep till they move out!" "All the spontaneity is gone" ect.... Well I have found that yes everything has changed, but it has been the best change, and not I haven't slept very good, but I love every waking minute I get to spend with my baby, and yes the spontaneity...well has changed, but finding and discovering those quick and quite moments that Mike and I can share are so precious. My love for him has grown 10 fold since seeing him hold our daughter for the first time. Knowing that little life was created by the 2 of us is amazing! I fall in love with him even more every time I see her smile at him, when he fights me for a turn to hold her, and especially when I see them together sharing a moment in the nursery!
Being a Mom is nothing and everything I thought it would be all at the same time. I never realized how much I would love her, or how I would do anything for her. I never realized how my outlook on life would change. All of a sudden if the house is a mess, I don't care as much, because taking care of that little girl is so much more important! I am so much more appreciative of my relationship with my Mom, oh how much she must love me and I never even realized it! But whats more I have started to learn about the love my Heavenly Father has for me! I can honestly say that I know that there is nothing I could do or say that would make him quit loving me, which honestly is an overwhelming feeling! I feel that becoming a mother has made me a kinder person as well, I feel that every person is a child to someone, and I would never want anyone to treat Brynnley unkindly, so I am feel I wouldn't want to treat anyone like that!
I have found that spending time with my daughter is like being sucked into a time warp! Not because everything takes longer, but I could just sit and stare at her all day and it would only feel like moments, my Mom and I joke that it is called the "Brynnley Time Warp"! I also remember being terrified that my baby would not be cute, but oh boy was I wrong! Maybe Heavenly Father designed it that way so every parent would be smitten with love by their newborn, but I honestly think my baby is cuter than any other baby I have ever seen! I see so much of Mike in her that I barely see myself in her at all, but that is fine with me, I love having a mini Mike!
When we were getting ready to leave the hospital, we were getting our bags packed and signing all the papers I felt so excited and I couldn't wait to start this next stage in our lives, but as the nurse wheeled me downstairs and sat there with her waiting for Mike to pull the car around, I suddenly realized that the nice comfortable bubble that the hospital provided, meals to our room, nurses to help watch her at night so we could sleep, endless staff to help with questions and medication and my care, was about to disappear and I had NO IDEA WHAT I WAS DOING! Mike and I even commented to each other that we couldn't believe that the hospital was letting us leave the hospital with this baby! But luckily we had an amazing support team! Meals being brought in and our mothers constant watchful eye we made it.
When I was in labor in the hospital I told Mike "we are not having anymore children" totally unaware of how consumed I was about to become by this little life about to grace us with her presence! It took about a week and now I can honestly say I can't wait to have more!
Having Mike leave for 2 weeks to Oklahoma when Brynnley was 2 weeks was very hard, hard on me, hard on him, hard on Brynn. But this time around has been a whole new level of hard. Not necessarily harder but a different kind of hard. Brynnley is aware that daddy is gone, its hard to express how she shows it but she misses her Daddy! Plus with Christmas a week away and still needing to decorate the tree that makes it hard to!
I am so grateful for the opportunity I have had to have Brynnley come into my home. I can tell she is very special! She is the most smiley happy baby and has such a sweet spirit about her! I love her more than words can express! Yes my life has been forever changed and will never be the same, but I do not look at it as the death of my old life and my new life with will now forever be condemned to poopy diapers, 3 hour sleep increments, spit up and loss of fun, I look at it as the greatest joy I will ever experience and I hope to savor every minute of it because I know it will go by so quickly!

I love you all and thanks for all of your support, kind words and thoughts for us these past 2 months! I truly am blessed to have you in my life! Take care!

<3

Lindy

39 Weeks! I can see the end!

How far along? 39 Weeks
Total weight gain: 47 Pounds...I gained 2 pounds this last week!
Maternity clothes? Yup but I am still rocking maternity jeans at least and not only leggings!
Stretch marks? Yes
Sleep: Sleeping like an angel with good amount of energy during the day to!
Best moment this week: We finally finished everything on our Pre Baby To Do List!! Nursery is all set up, car seat installed, Freezer meals all made, pre-registered at the hospital, Hospital bags all packed ect! We are very prepared!
Miss Anything? Nothing really this week, I will be excited to start up a exercise routine once the baby comes! Walks are not cutting it anymore!
Food cravings: Craving candy, and milk shakes!!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, although Mike threw up picking up the dog poop, which I usually do but I was to tired so he offered to be helpful...I feel awful!
Labor Signs: Yup, finally able to tell the cramping and stomach tightening I have been having are contractions. Though not painful at all I am dilated to 3cm and about 80% effaced!!
Symptoms: My belly is still numb! But other than that mild heartburn and thats it!
Belly Button in or out? Flat but still an inny!
Wedding rings on or off? ON!!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Very happy and anxious!
Looking forward to: We have an induction date of Wednesday, October 23! So we can finally see the end of the journey of being pregnant!

 Well this week has gone by so fast! It seemed like everyday we had something going on or planned which is nice because as easy as my pregnancy has been I am definitely starting to be ready to be done! I am starting to be uncomfortable and dread going up and down the stairs! I am still trying to find joy in cooking dinner and doing chores though, we don't have the money to go out to eat so cooking is a must!  

But we got the car seat all installed which was fun, The car seat has a detachable base so the car seat can freely come in and out of the car without the hassle of having to install it each time! We also have a back seat mirror we installed so we can see her in the back seat even if only one of us is in the car! Its funny how much I feel like a mom already driving around with a car seat in the back seat, even with no baby! HAHA!
We also attended a breastfeeding class on Tuesday night, that was very informative and interesting to say the least! The instructor had a visual aid, which was a pillow like, stuffed breast. It had a nipple and everything and the instructor shamelessly would demonstrate how the baby would do an appropriate latch and feed. Mike and I were both a little embarrassed by seeing a grown woman demonstrate this. But when the class was over Mike asked me " So, what was your favorite part of the class?" Without missing a beat I replied "watching the teacher demonstrate the nose to nipple technique". He also confirmed that was his favorite part also!
One thing that I have greatly enjoyed the entire 5 years that Mike has been apart of my life is his never ceasing ability to make me laugh. There is NEVER a dull moment in our house and I wouldn't have it any other way!
We also got an early visit from Santa this year! He brought us a nice new camera! Its a Nikon D3200. It has a 24 megapixels, 2 zoom lenses, can take 1080p video, and has a wifi adapter so we can transfer pictures right from our camera to our smartphones! That is Mikes favorite part! Santa new we would want a nice camera because of Baby Johnson. But Santa was very clear that we would not be getting anything else this Christmas...haha.
But to conclude the week I had my weekly doctors appointment. I before the exam asked the doctor how far past my due date I would have to go before they would induce me. He said that it was an incredibly hot topic in the medical field right now about first time moms after they hit 39 weeks. He said that it depends on how ready the mom is, so lets check you out and see how your doing. Well I am now dilated to 3 cm and about 80% -85% effaced. HOLY COW! The doctor said that I am where many first time moms are when they are stuck in the hospital. So I am doing really well and he has no problem setting up an induction date for WEDNESDAY!!! Thats right, by Wednesday next week I will be moving on to the next phase in my life. Granted the doctor said I may not even make it to Wednesday, but he let me set a date non the less! I am so excited and so thrilled!
But I still need to make it to Sunday for our insurance! So I am praying that if she does want to come on her own that she at least wait until Sunday. I feel like I have been so blessed my whole pregnancy, it has been very easy going and I for the most part feel very unencumbered the entire 9 months. We were fortunate enough that we qualified for prenatal Medicaid so if anything goes wrong with me or with the baby we won't have a mountain of debt as a result. Something that has happened to many people I know and love!
So again thanks everyone for all your love and support! We will keep everyone posted! If anyone would like a birth announcement next week please send me your email address so I can make sure it gets put on the list!!

Love you all!
<3 Lindy & Mike

38 Weeks! A Sudden Realization.

How far along? 38 Weeks
Total weight gain: 45 Pounds, I haven't gained any weight in the last 3 weeks!
Maternity clothes? Of course!
Stretch marks? YUP! But I haven't noticed that they have multiplied this week!
Sleep: Still sleeping through the night with ease, but I have started waking up about 7-8 am to go potty!
Best moment this week: We did our maternity photos on Monday!! It was SOO much fun! I had my baby shower hosted by my Mom & Aunt Tami! It was fun! We also went to Idaho to visit my Grandma! It was so fun and the 4 hour car ride was NOT bad, I was surprised!
Miss Anything? Nothing really this week, couldn't watch the Seahawks game on Sunday but that is totally pregnancy related!
Food cravings: sweets (surprise!) this week's main menu consisted of brownie batter, Cake Pops, Jolly Ranchers and Ice Cream with the cooked brownie batter!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope
Labor Signs: Not that I can tell, I am still dilated to 2 cm and 85% effaced. had some low back pain over the weekend in Idaho, but nothing terrible!
Symptoms: I am still getting heartburn, but now my belly actually is numb! about 4 in radius right above my belly button has no feeling, very very weird! My ankles are swelling a little from time time as well!
Belly Button in or out? Flat but still in
Wedding rings on or off? ON, I apparently haven't had any swelling in my hands and don't need to take it off!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy & EXCITED to say the least!
Looking forward to: Making the final preparations for little Baby Johnson! Need to install the car seat, Pack my & Mike's hospital bag, and clean out the car (we took Bandit with us to Idaho, and to say he got a little bit of hair in the car would be a lie! It looks like he shed his entire coat in the back seat!!!)

Maternity Photo Preview

Maternity Photo Preview

This week was a weird one for me, I had a sudden realization. I had the thought the other night driving home from my baby shower that in about 2 weeks or less this little person that has been safely growing inside me for the last 9 months would be out here, in the big, bad world. 

She would be living and breathing. She would grow and learn to crawl, walk and talk, run, she would have a first day of nursery and school. She would have likes and dislikes, she will have friends and meet people who wont be nice to her. She will have her heart broken and fall in love, a few times. She will someday go to college, get married, buy a house, have kids of her own. 

All of these thoughts were so over whelming to me considering I just recently experienced them myself. I thought to myself I wish I could shield her from all the bad and hard things I went through in my life, protect her somehow by placing her in a bubble, similar to the living space she is currently occupying. I cried and sobbed at the thoughts of her having her feelings hurt because of something someone said, or an award she didn't win, an athletic team she got cut from, a boy who didn't like her back, silly things, but still things I had went through and experienced. Things that hurt and made me cry. I never wanted her to feel down or sad or alone. 

But I started to smile when I thought of times I had cherished in my life. Singing songs in the car with my Mom and brothers as we drove "The Loop"  to and from school, time spent and my grandparents houses playing games and bonding. I thought about all the fun I had in High School and how accomplished I felt when I got my drivers license and first job. How talented I felt when I made the school team and did well! Laughs I had with my friends and all the adventures that came with. Moving to Utah and meeting my sweet husband at the tender age of 18, which of course came with infinite good times. The moment I found out I was pregnant and how I knew that things would never be the same but in the best way possible. I guess that is life though, you can't have the good without the bad. 

I want so badly to teach her good principles and be a great example of how the gospel is so important in our lives. I want to have patience with her that I haven't had with anyone else. I want her to know that her father and I love each other more than anything (but her) and we would do anything we could to help her if she needed it and we will always be there for her. But with all these wants and desires I have for her, the kind of person she will be, it all starts with me. I for the next several years will shape, mold and design the person she will become. 

I am sure every parent has had this episode at one point or another happen to them. But it happened to me and someday it will happen to her. I love this little person so much already and she isn't even here yet. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I will have to be a mother, and even more grateful for the people in my life that have shaped and molded me to be who I am. I think I turned out alright. 

Thanks for all your love and support and we will keep everyone up to date these next couple weeks!!

<3 Lindy & Mike 

37 Weeks!! Almost Done!

This week was SOOO busy while Mike was gone, good thing to! I had less time to think about him being gone! Stefen and I tackled the Kitchen Cabinets with GREAT success! Mike was so surprised and so happy I was able to do that HUGE project while he was in Kansas City! It took about 4 days start to finish, and it was really fun to do with Stefen, but I was SO glad to be done by the time we finished! I also finished all my freezer meals, so I have 20 total for after the baby comes! I also had mind to double the recipes so hopefully there will be leftovers! I washed all Baby Johnson's clothes and blankets with Dreft laundry detergent (gentle and hypo allergenic specially for babies)! I finished my photo collage in my living room, with the exception of a few frames that remain empty until we have our first family photo session after Baby Johnson comes! We hopefully will hear back about our Medicaid application this week, it will be retro active back to the 1st of October even if they don't approve it till next week, or even after the baby comes, but it would be soooo nice to have heard about it by now! So keep us in your prayers that it will all work out!

But this week should keep us pretty busy as well, We had our maternity photo shoot tonight tomorrow we are having some friends over for dinner, Wednesday I have activity with the Young Womens, Thursday I am having a shower that my Mom and Aunt is throwing, and Friday I have a doctors appt and we are driving up to Idaho to visit my Grandma! On top of all of that we need to finish packing our hospitals bags, install the car seat, and finish any final laundry bits! We are getting so excited to welcome this little baby it seems like she is all i think about! Thanks everyone for love and prayers and support!

How far along? 37 Weeks
Total weight gain: 45 Pounds, lost a pound last week!
Maternity clothes?Yes, but I am enjoying finding cute outfits to wear with BOOTS!!!
Stretch marks? Yup...and finding more daily
Sleep: Sleeping sooo good, thank you DoTerra oils to help with my stuffy nose!
Best moment this week: Finishing the kitchen cabinets, and the wall art in my living room! PS MIKE CAME HOME!!!!
Miss Anything? being comfortable!
Movement: lots of major movements & rearranging... I'm sure she is pretty darn cramped in there! Lately I can even feel her hands and feet moving!
Food cravings: Still want fruit for every meal...other than that, not much of an appetite.
Anything making you queasy or sick: nope
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: I am dilated to about a 2.5 and 80%- 85% effaced! But no contractions, but lots of dull aches in my mid back.
Symptoms: Week 37 is when I officially hit a wall. My back has started to ache, my stomach feels tight and I am having pain right above my pubic bone wear my jeans usually sit!
Belly Button in or out? Flat like a pancake!
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy
Looking forward to: Maternity photos!! We had to reschedule because of Mikes impromptu trip to Kansas City, but he is back now!!!

Before and After of the kitchen!

Newer Photo collage, with updated pictures!

36 Weeks!!

Well this week Mike is in Kansas City selling, it was very last minute, but i am super grateful that he is going out to work and is making some extra money! We unfortunately had to push out our Maternity Photo shoot another week, but thats okay it gives the leaves more time to change and give it a real Fall look! Had my 36 week appt on Friday and the doctor checked me out and said I am dilated to almost a 2 and 70% effaced, so it was a real mixture of feelings, because it means the baby is coming soon, but Mike isnt here right now...grrrr...so nervous! But the positive thing is that the doctor said she should come by her due date, so hopefully I wont go a week over!! I just need to make it to October 20th, the reason being is I have Short Term Disability Insurance that will pay on me having a baby! But I have to have the insurance for 9 months before they will actually award the insurance, which is October 20th!! So I need to hold out for at least 3 weeks!! But this week I am doing 20 freezer meals (10 recipes doubled), Packing hospital bags, washing baby laundry and taking inventory to see what else we need, kitchen cabinets, and getting the house cleaned....soooo LOTS to do!!! Wish me luck!! Love you all!!!

How far along? 36 Weeks
Total weight gain: 46 pound (as per the doctor scale)
Maternity clothes: I actually have been pleasantly surprised some of my Fall/Winter shirts that are NON maternity fit!!
Stretch marks? Yes, but they seem to subsided a little and quit multipling
Sleep: Still sleeping through the night and SOOOO happy about it!
Best moment this week: Officially finishing the living room!
Miss Anything? I miss Mike, he went to Kansas City to work for a week!!
Movement: Yes I can easily identify her feet when she kicks now =) Still waiting on hiccups though
Food cravings: Nothing super demanding this week, had a fit for chocolate chip cookie with MILK though, lots of Milk!
Anything making you queasy or sick: NOTHING!!
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: Not really, but the doctor said I am dilated to almost a 2 and 70% effaced!! Kinda scray with Mike being gone till Saturday!!
Symptoms: Feeling a little anxious about my cervix progression even though I am not actually in labor yet, but feeling tired alot more easily though
Belly Button in or out? Still flat like a pancake
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy this week, been super productive makes me feel good!
Looking forward to: baby's arrival of course! I am also working on a few projects this week in preparation for Baby Johnson's arrival, so getting those done will make me feel so much more ready for her!

New Living Room Wall!!!!

35 Weeks!! Almost There!

New living room set up!! Just need to find something to put on the wall!

This last week has been pretty busy! We had a leak in our master bathroom shower, so every time we turned on the shower the water would leak down and started dripping from the ceiling of our downstairs living room! So we had to rip the sheet rock off the ceiling because it was completely damaged, Black mold treat the area just in case, re-sheet rock/mud/texturize, then we decided since we had to repaint the area anyway we picked a new color for the entire wall, and got a new couch, so we ripped out the fireplace and rearranged the living room!!! See pictures below!!! 

How far along? 35 Weeks
Total weight gain: I wont know till my doctors appt on Friday (scale batteries died) but my guess would be 40-45 pounds!
Maternity clothes? Yes, and I have found some Non maternity clothes that i can pull off (see above picture!!)
Stretch marks? Yup more than I was hoping!
Sleep: the physical activity of sleeping is still pretty good... Adjusting in the middle of the night though sometimes wakes me up!
Best moment this week: We finished the living room!!! (painting & rearranging for our new couch & and fixed excess water damage) It feels soooo good to have a nice comfortable living room! I also had a wonderful shower hosted by my sisters-in-law!! It was so awesome!!
Miss Anything?I actually miss being able to run, and walk up the stairs without being winded!
Movement: still lots of movement... I still havent felt hiccups yet but i am hoping soon!
Food cravings: I crave chocolate Milk Shakes, Pizza and peanut butter M&M's
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not this week!
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Lots of pressure in my belly as it continues to grow & some pain in my lower back! I also get swollen ankles if I sit for to long! Also if a stuffy nose is a pregnancy symptom then count me in!! I have had one for the last 8 months!!
Belly Button in or out? Flat as a pancake! I may be an outtie by the end of my pregnancy!
Wedding rings on or off? on
Happy or Moody most of the time: Had a roller coaster of emotions this week... but so very happy.
Looking forward to: Maternity Photos next week!! I have been so excited for the leaves to finally change colors so we could do it!!

Planned to post this last week but we have been a bit preoccupied! :)

New Blinds and couch compliment the room nicely!!

The header you see that goes into the hallway leading into the kitchen is what we ripped out an redid! 

Before Pictures!

34 Weeks!!

How far along? 34 Weeks
Total weight gain: 41 LBS!!!
Maternity clothes? maternity & comfy clothes!! I am so excited for it to finally cool off!!
Stretch marks? Unhappily yes!
Sleep: Sleeping through the night still, no late night trips to the potty yet!
Best Moment This Week: Mike and I went to our first birthing class, it was a melting pot of emotions to learn about labor! Also the Johnsons threw me a baby shower and it was so fun to celebrate with everyone and have a great time!!
Miss Anything? sitting comfy on the couch.. I can hardly make it through a 2 hour movie these days
Movement: She is a little wiggler, I am starting to notice a pattern of when she is awake!!
Food cravings: Peanut Butter M&M's, I could also die for Hot Chocolate!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Back to the basics, just the whole tooth brush in the mouth thing!
Gender: Girl
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: the heartburn seems to have subsided (no more fire breathing dragon!) however, I am currently rocking the pregnancy waddle due to hip/pelvic/lower back pain every now and then.
Belly Button in or out? IN
Wedding rings on or off? on, but my fingers at times are starting to swell!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!
Looking forward to: baby's arrival! Seems so surreal at this point, I can not wait to see her precious face & hold her for the first time.
Need To Do: I have decided to make about 20 freezer meals for after the baby is born! I need to Pack hospital bags for me, Mike and Baby Johnson! AND we are going to paint our living room!!

Been Forever! 33 Weeks!

How far along? 33 Weeks
Total weight gain: 35 pounds...eek, but the doctor said I am perfectly healthy and as long as I keep exercising I am going to gain what I am going to gain!

29 Weeks! 

Maternity clothes? maternity & comfy clothes... jeans are officially out of the picture, even my maternity jeans are uncomfortable!
Stretch marks? oh heavens YES!
Sleep: Still Sleeping through the night, no midnight potty breaks!
Best moment this week: Listening to the baby's heartbeat at our doctor's appointment this week! Mike coming home early is definitely the highlight though!
Miss Anything? Seeing my toes, lol
Movement: I am paying attention more to her movements and she LOVES her Daddy's voice and music in the car!
Food cravings: Hot Chocolate, but not really anything else!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Been home free of queasiness, I can even brush my teeth!
Labor Signs: I have started having contractions when I go running in the morning with the dog! So I may need to switch to a morning walk instead!
Symptoms: heartburn and I am enjoying nursing pads now.....
Belly Button in or out? I have millimeters before I am a pancake!
Wedding rings on or off? ON! Thank goodness, no swelling yet!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy!

Family Reunion! Mike had been home for 1 day!!

Looking forward to: baby's arrival!! It's all I can think about.. baby brain is no joke. And neither is nesting.. I literally have never cleaned & organized so much in my entire life. I have so many projects that I want to work on before she comes, but Mike keeps saying I need to pace myself!

Stefen and I eating some Mexican!! So glad he is home!!

Last Week in Kokomo, 27 Weeks!

27 Weeks! Hello 3rd Trimester!

How far along? 27 Weeks
Total weight gain: 30 Pounds, scale at the doctors office says more than the one at home!
Maternity clothes? maternity leggings are now my most favorite! I can't believe I didn't discover them sooner!
Stretch marks? no, knock on wood!
Sleep: still sleeping great, sometimes I wake up to leg cramps, almost like a Charley Horse in my calves!
Best moment this week: Getting to drive to Kentucky and visit my Aunt Connie and her family! I haven't seem them in almost 3+ years!!
Miss Anything? Some of the Kokomo Office went to Cedar Point in Sandusky, OH! I would LOVE to go on some HUGE roller coasters!!
Movement: Oh YEA! Little baby Johnson has discovered my ribs this week! I thought her ninja kicks to my belly were strong, ribs don't even compare!
Food cravings: This week consisted of XXL Grilled Stuffed burritos from Taco Bell, Slurpee's, donuts, and MILK!! I love the stuff and can't get enough! New to the table is Fruit and Veggies!!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Had my Glucose test for pregnancy diabetes and the orange drink they gave me about sent me to the bathroom! It was like a warm orange Otter Pop! EWWW
Labor Signs: Nope, but the doctor said I should start to feel Braxton Hicks in a couple weeks!
Symptoms: I am starting to waddle, oh joy, and I still have a good amount of heartburn!
Belly Button in or out? About 1/4 inch more and it will be flat!
Wedding rings on or off? ON! Thank goodness, I feel naked when I don't have it on!
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY! Although it has been a rough few days with Bandit misbehaving!
Looking forward to: I leave Indiana on Wednesday next week to head back to Utah to Stefen! It is also bitter sweet because that marks the 2 month period I won't see Mike!! UGH!


Well this week has been a super productive one! I have been so busy trying to get stuff done and ready for me to drive back to Utah this week! Tire rotations, cleaning, oil change, post office, packing, cleaning ect... I will be leaving in about 3 days! I am so excited, yet I am soooo sad that I am not going to see Mike till the end of September! It actually gives me a little bit of anxiety, so I try not to think about it to much. The hardest thing now is just waiting till Tuesday to start packing the car up! I can't really pack anything until then because we already brought the bare minimum out here so we pretty much use everything everyday. But we had a fun date night, finally went to Outback for dinner after I had been craving it for months! We also went and saw the new Wolverine movie, that was very good and way better than Superman!

But this week has been a lot colder than last week, last week was 90+ and 95% humidity so it was pretty bad, especially for Mike who is out knocking doors all day! But the last few days have been much better. In the 70's to mid 80's. I do wish the weather was a bit nicer so I could make it out to the pool but I have so much to do that it is not a big deal!

Speaking of better, Bandit has been so good the last couple days which is nice because when we got back from Kentucky (Sunday night/Monday) he was seriously the WORST dog ever! He chewed a hole in the wall, and when I went to fix it he kept licking the wet spackle off the wall! GROSS, he probably ate about 2-3 table spoons of the stuff! We left our bell in Kentucky so he pooped on the floor, and it was kinda runny so of course it was freaking nasty to clean up! I even threw up after that one! He peed on the seat on the car it took 3 days of treating it with Natures Miracle and eventually taking the car into get the car shampooed for the smell to go away. He chewed up and DESTROYED the only pair of flip flops that Mike has, But I bought him a nice new pair that he actually likes better. He chewed up the volleyball we bought at the beginning of this summer.And to top it all off he chewed on the charger cable of the laptop the day after we bought it, still completely usable, but still, what the heck! But like I said earlier after that 1 day episode he has been really good, probably because Mike and I beat the crap out of him so good we put the fear of God into him!

I had a doctors appointment this week, little baby Johnson is doing well. I got to hear her heartbeat and it was about 130 bpm, so fast! I also go to do my diabetes test/glucose test. Apparently they give you this drink that tastes like a warm melted Orange Otter Pop, and then you have to sit for an hour while your body digests it and then they draw your blood. Well the drink they give you tastes disgusting, and it makes you feel like crap! I got super tired, and of course you can't lay down or go to sleep, it made me very nauseous, and of course you can't eat or drink ANYTHING, not even gum. Then to make you feel extra special they draw your blood...grrr. I hate having my blood drawn. Then I will go back to get my Rogam shot. But needless to say I did not feel very good for the rest of the day.

Anyway things are going well for us Mike is doing well with sales and super excited still about his big Linx Madness win! I am so proud of him and so grateful that he is such a hard worker and provides so well for us! My daughter is going to have the best Daddy! I really feel so lucky and am happy to say I am still so in love with him =D

Well enough of the cheesy stuff and Thanks everyone for all your love and prayers for us since we have been out here, we can truly feel the love of our friends and family! So take care and I will see you Washington folks NEXT WEEK!!

<3
Lindy & Mike

Mike is the Champion!! 26 Weeks!

26 Weeks and counting!!

How far along? 26 Weeks
Total weight gain: 25 lbs
Maternity clothes? wearing leggings most of the time - also looking extra sexy by flipping up my yoga pants fold-over-flap up over my belly!
Stretch marks? not yet, keeping my fingers crossed!
Sleep: sleeping great, I woke up in the middle of the night for the first time to pee yesterday! But my new maternity body pillow is AMAZING, makes it so I can sleep on my Stomach/Side!
Best moment this week: Had a baby shower with all the ladies from Linx, it was done sooo well and I had a blast! Lots of cute clothes for Baby Johnson!
Miss Anything? The guys in the office were talking about going to a water park! I would SOOO love to go on some water slides! OH WELL, better luck next summer!
Movement: I feel her pretty sporadically through out the day, but always when I get into bed or when I first wake up in the morning.
Food cravings: TACO BELL with Fire sauce and SLURPEES, although when I went this week they messed up my order and I was so sad that my craving wasn't fulfilled!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Only when I don't eat when I wake up!
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Still digging that heartburn, even with a glass of milk or something not hot! So imagine how bad it is when I have FIRE sauce on my Taco Bell!? Also I have started this annoying little thing sometimes when I sneeze...yup you guessed it I pee myself a little...gross!
Belly Button in or out? Still an inny, but it is getting shallower and shallower!
Wedding rings on or off? on - so surprised I don't have swollen fingers/toes yet. I barely get swollen ankles, but a quick trip to the pool with my legs up fixes it!
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY! I just feel so blessed that I have such a wonderful husband and great friends and family!
Looking forward to: Going to Kentucky this weekend to visit my Aunt Connie and family and have Mike finally meet them!

Aunt Connie & Uncle Ralph's back deck, LOVED the pool!!

Baby Show collage!

Well this week was a very good week! Mike WON his Linx Madness competition!! He did so well and I am sooo proud of him! The Linx Ladies also threw me a really nice baby shower! We played fun games and had good food! It was especially nice because all the ladies got together to do it and we dont ALL hang out together a whole lot so it was very nice. Mike and I also drove about 4 hours to Kentucky to visit Aunt Connie and Uncle Ralph! I visited with my cousins and got to see my Uncle Duane, who I probably haven't seen since I was about 12 years old! Mike also got to meet them which was worth the trip all in itself! Connie, Cassie, and Crystal even threw me a little baby shower! My daughter is going to be one good looking dressed girl!! But Bandit had a blast being able to run all over their property and getting loving from new people!! But the week was great and thanks everyone for your love and prayers!!

Love 

Lindy & Mike

Beach Day! 25 Weeks!

25 Weeks!!

How far along? 25 Weeks
Total weight gain: 23 lbs
Maternity clothes? Yes, but I have been wearing them since I was about 13 weeks because I can't stand the pressure on my belly!
Sleep: Pretty good, Bandit wakes up between 6-8 though!
Best moment this week: just feeling overly excited/happy about everything right now & the reality that baby Johnson will be here in less than 100 days (unless I deliver way late..) Just trying to soak it all in!
Miss Anything? I would LOVE a good Krispy Kreme to fulfill my donut craving! None in Indiana so I get to wait!
Movement: all the time, I finally can see her moving from the outside, or when her head is right in the middle of my stomach & we can see a big lump there!
Food cravings: Mexican Rice & Beans and Taco Bell, Slurpees, Nutella and graham crackers or strawberries, Good n Plenty's, and anything chocolate!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope, I can finally brush my teeth without any hesitation!
Gender: Girl, has the ultrasound tech double check at our appt (Thanks to Daddy's teasing!)
Labor Signs: No
Symptoms: Some lower back pain when I lay down for too long, but worst of all - HEARTBURN. I get it a few times a day from anything I eat. If the old wives tales are true, little baby Johnson will be born with as much hair as I currently have right now.
Belly Button in or out? Still an inny, but it is moving on out!
Wedding rings on or off? ON!
Happy or Moody most of the time: HAPPY! Although I did have a bit of a moody-pregnancy-meltdown the other day when we went to the beach because I wanted Fish and Chips soooo bad but the restaurant was 20 minutes out of the way!.
Looking forward to: Stefen comes home in 26 days, so i am looking forward to driving back to Utah then to Washington with my Mom to welcome him home!

Mike and Bandit taking a nap, 3 man stack, Lake Michigan!

Bandit pooed from the beach!

Happy 4th of July!!!

24 Weeks!!

Well this week was another good one! Mike every other week will drive the car to area, this week was my week to have the car! I had another productive week which is very fulfilling!
On Monday I went grocery shopping for the next 3 weeks!

Then Tuesday we had a repair man come from Safelight Auto and FINALLY replace windshield! What started out as a tiny dollar bill sized crack in the windshield in February, ended up almost stretching the entire length of the windshield by now, and if you are driving at the wrong time of day the sun would shine into that crack and shine into your eyes like a laser bouncing off a mirror! So not safe would be and understatement! I also got the oil changed and the car vacuumed out!

Wednesday was a little bit of a lazy day, but I still managed to clean the whole house and give Bandit a bath!

Bandit and Mike on our way to the park!

Thursday of course of our great countries day of Independence!! Happy 4th of July! Mike had the day off from selling so we got to stay in bed until about 1 pm and then played several games of League of Legends! Mike took me out for a very nice dinner to Red Lobster and then after we proceeded to blow off the $250 worth of fireworks Mike bought while I was in Utah! They had about 75 LARGE mortars to blow off as well as M-80's, Firecrackers, and Fountains! It was very fun!

Friday I had an ultrasound appointment with the doctor, the baby is very healthy and a good weight of about 1 1/2 pounds! The ultrasound tech also double checked and Baby Johnson is still a Girl! Which I am very excited about because Mike has been teasing me since I put all that work into the nursery for a girl, that she would end up being a boy!

Saturday we went to the park with Bandit and some friends who also have a puppy and we played Frisbee and Bandit managed to find a mud whole, so of course I had to give him his 2nd bath of the week! Today we also took Bandit to the park and tried teaching him the art of chasing, retrieving, and returning a Frisbee....he was pretty good considering the Frisbee is almost the same size as him! But we had a pretty good week!

Thanks everyone for your love and support and prayers take care!

<3 Lindy & Mike

Long Couple of Weeks!

Well the last couple of weeks have been quite the roller coaster! I got a call from my Mom on the Thursday before Fathers Day saying my Grandpa Stibal has had had a stroke! Although very scary she said he was going to be fine, he had no facial paralysis or permanent damage, but he would need to work with a physical therapist and was not allowed to drive. But she and my Aunt Tami would be making the drive up to Idaho anyway because it was Father's Day weekend and Grandpa was struggling with the idea that he would need to work with a physical therapist to get full use of his legs back. After their visit they left on Sunday afternoon to head back to Utah. Sometime Monday morning Grandpa suffered a heart attack, completely unrelated to the stroke, and passed away. So being surprised about his passing would be an understatement. It is the strangest feeling thinking you will have more time with someone, more time to tell them that you love them, more time to get to know them and have that all change in a single instant.


Due to a decision earlier in the year to sign up for a Southwest sky miles credit card I was able to book a flight to Idaho to attend my Grandpa's funeral and say goodbye. I am mostly glad that I was able to be there for my Mom during the week. But I am also  so grateful for the blessings that Heavenly Father gave my family of being able to see him one last time before he passed while he was still happy and overall healthy. The funeral was very nice, Grandpa served in the National Guard in WW2 and so he was burred with honors. Although the circumstances were not the best it was so nice to be able to see my family!

But my trip to Idaho was followed with a few days at home! And boy did I take advantage of that time! Mike and I planted grass in the back yard along the fence before we left to Indiana and it is coming in very thick and beautiful. But unfortunately it is being accompanied by weeds of every kind! But nothing a quick trip to Home Depot couldn't fix! I got weed killer and grass feed and pretty purple, red, and white petunias to plant in my flower bed (since the daffodils and tulips are long gone). I was very unsatisfied by the flow if my kitchen cabinets so I rearranged my kitchen and made it much more functional. I finally found a bedspread that matches the color scheme we chose and installed curtain pull backs in our room.  But I am most proud of the work I did in the nursery! I painted the room a beautiful milk chocolate brown color, and repainted the trim and window ledges white. I got the crib and changing table put together. I even decorated with a beautiful 8 ft tall tree with pink leaves and cream colored little birds! I personally love the touch of shelves on the tree branches! But it was a very productive trip back home, Mom said I was nesting, which according to Wikipedia says Nesting: refers to an instinct or urge in pregnant animals to prepare a home for the upcoming newborn(s). Which now having experienced it first hand I am a true believer in nesting! I would get up, with no alarm, at 9 am and stay busy all day until about 1 or 2 in the morning! Needless to say I crashed hard when I got back to Indiana!


But getting home was so nice, I missed Mike like crazy and of course my furry little babies! When Bandit saw me for the first time when I got home, oh man, he freaked out! He was howling and barking and rolling on the floor licking my face and nibbling on me. This went on for a good 5 minutes! I knew he loved me and thought I was his, but oh man I seriously under estimated how much he loves me! Mike was happy to see me to but that intense of a public display of affection did not happen, HAHA! But I have been feeling baby Johnson moving around more and more every day and Mike finally got to feel her kick on Friday morning! It was such a sweet moment for the two of us!

But I am glad to be back and I am VERY excited for the 4th of July next week! I love the fireworks, and the BBQ's and hopefully the sun! But that is pretty much all for the last couple of weeks, Thank you everyone for your love and prayers during this hard time for my family and we miss all of those we dont get to see on a regular bases!

Take Care!
<3 Lindy & Mike

Newest Johnson has ARRIVED!!

Such a happy puppy!

Nap time!!

 Well it finally happened! After asking Mike for almost 3 years he finally decided that he wanted a puppy! Our cats are a lot of fun so don't get me wrong but as of late Mike and I have realized we will never get the companionship from our kitties that we will get from a dog. So on Tuesday I drove an hour away and picked up the newest addition to our little family! He is a 4th generation pure bread Siberian Husky! He, as you can tell from the pictures, has black fur around one eye and white around the other! He even has white eyelashes to match! We have decided to name him Bandit (not because he stole my little heart, but because of the patch on his eye lol)! He is a super good puppy, obviously not potty trained but with my VERY careful supervision he has only had about 2-3 potty accidents in the house! We have put a small cow bell by the door and every time we got out to potty I have him hit the bell with his paw. Eventually he will hit the bell on his own when he needs to go to the bathroom (hopefully)! But he is only 7 weeks old so we can't expect A LOT right now!

Welcome Home!

Bandit and Ace Sleeping together!

But he is also very snugly as you can tell by the picture! He loves to sleep with us, and we love having him want to be with us which is why putting him in the kennel at night has been so hard! But we will get through it!


But in other news Mike had his biggest day of the summer so far this week! 5 accounts in a day, and the day before that he got 4! WAHOO!! Go Mike! So needless to say he has been doing really well!!

But that has been pretty much all is new with us, and thank you all so much for thinking of us and keeping us in you prayers.

<3
Lindy & Mike

Hospital Trip!

Hey Everyone!

Mike and I by the Riverbottom
AFTER the cave of death!

Well this week was a little slower going by but that is okay it was still really fun! Sunday we drove down to visit Mike's cousin Ann and her family! We stayed the night and the next day was Memorial Day! So we got up fairly early and went out on a hike! The hike was about 5 miles round trip, and we were actually hiking to a cave! The cave was dark damp and cold. It started out at ceiling height and then dropped to about 3-4 feet high, so hunching/squatting through was really the only option. Then it opened back up for about 10 feet and went back to a super low height of about 1 1/2 feet to 2 feet, which obviously required your best Army Crawl! Then after that was all said and done your final test was lifting yourself up and out of a very small hole  to exit the cave! Keep in mind I am 5 months pregnant, and since going back was not an option for me, I sucked in as best I could lifted myself out! Only a minor bruise was obtained during this adventure, but a lot of mud and dirt came with it also! After that was all said and done we went to an EXCELLENT ice cream place called "The Moose". We got the Black Raspberry Blitz...YUMMIE. Then we went back to Ann's house and had an amazing BBQ of pork chops and hot dogs! What a long day!

My leg bruise!

The next few days felt very dragged out as I was super tired from our adventure, but I also had developed on going nausea and a headache! Then on Wednesday night after eating dinner I decided to try taking a Tylenol to help with the body and headache, something triggered inside and it sent me running for the bathroom. I barely made it to the sink! I woke up 3 more times in the middle of the night to empty my stomach, and eventually it just turned into throwing up nothing. I tried taking a shower to feel better, which it did help until I tried to drink some of the water coming out of the shower head and about 5 minutes later I was throwing that up to! I called my OB here in Kokomo and she suggested I got to the ER. So I went to the ER, while Mike was at work and was admitted. They drew blood, collected a urine sample, and hooked me up to an IV for an hour. The also gave me some anti nausea meds, which made me have the taste if salt in my mouth! After the IV was done the nurse came in and informed me that I had a UTI and was dehydrated! When your pregnant symptoms of an UTI can include: lower abdominal cramping, nausea, headaches, backaches, and vomiting! So after 4 1/2 hours at the ER They gave me a Rx for antibiotics and nausea! But don't worry I am feeling MUCH better!

Mike's still been doing well with selling, the town he was knocking in this last week was about 1 1/2 hours away for he has been getting home pretty late! On the same night I went to the hospital the guy Mike was driving out to area with his car broke down on the way home. So Mike and the car group had to wait for someone to come get them and bring them back home! needless to say he got home even later that night!

But other than that everything is going well and were enjoying our summer! Thanks for all your love, support and prayers it means a lot to us!

<3
Lindy & Mike

Baby Johnson is a....

Little Rosie looking SOO cute!

Well this was a very exciting week in the Johnson house! Mike had competition and now he is competing in the semi finals...so on Tuesday and Wednesday he will be competing to see if he goes to the finals on Thursday/Friday!! He had a pretty good week as well as the office!!
There is also a couple in our office who got a cute Lab puppy, her name is Rosie! So of course everyone is so excited to play with her and watch her, she even has Mike saying he wants a puppy!! But don't worry he is also saying " 2 cats, a puppy AND a baby is WAY to much!!"

Little baby's foot! If you look
real close you can see the toes
(toward the left)

But speaking of baby...We had an ultrasound on Thursday (same doctor as before, but don't worry the second time around was MUCH better) and we got to have about 40 minutes with the ultrasound technician. Our little baby was moving around so much! Wiggling around this way and that way! I am surprised I couldn't feel it right then!

We got some very good pictures of the baby's foot and arms, but by the time the ultrasound tech was ready to look at the face and heart, the baby flipped over and was spine up so we couldn't see anything! The ultrasound tech got a 3D picture of the baby's back! We could see the ear and neck, part of the shoulder and everything, just like in real life, but a yellow picture! It was seriously the most amazing experience I think I have ever had to see and experience that!! But don't worry we get to go back in 2 weeks so we can get a good look at the heart and maybe even a 3D picture of the face!!!

Little baby's full arm and shoulder!
She was upside down so the arm is at her side!

My loot from shopping!!!

Ah but I haven't mentioned the best part we also got a to see our baby's little bottom...as if the baby was sitting in a see through chair and we looked straight up...and needless to say our little baby Johnson is a GIRL!!! Yup that is right, after all my hoping and wanting I get to have my little sweet baby girl! I was so excited I went shopping for baby clothes that same day ( Thanks Jenna, Chelsea and Trista!!) I am so happy and Mike is happy to that he is going to have a little girl that he can be wrapped around her finger!

18 Weeks!!

 But other than that (which is A LOT) not to much is new, I hope all is well with everyone, and if anyone is feeling generous here is the link for our amazon baby registry:

http://www.amazon.com/registry/baby/2ANACK1LAXQOE

We love you and as usual, thanks for all your love, support and prayer!

<3 

Lindy & Mike

First Day In the Sun!

It is so weird in the life of summer sales. You work hard 6 days a week and the Sunday comes and you truly learn the meaning of the phrase "day of rest".  We got to go to a Ward BBQ and meet some new people and get to know the office a little better. Then we found a little Thai place near by and eat there for dinner, then went to a near by park played Frisbee and slack lined. We also found this AMAZING ice cream place called Scoops. Their single scoop is HUGE and to get it on a waffle cone is only $2.50 total! Today was pretty relaxed, we went to a park near by and played Volleyball in these very nice sand volleyball courts. I got a pretty good amount of sun (See Picture)! We love hanging out with people in the office especially outside!!

We also found this great little video rental store, called Family Video, and you can rent 2 DVD's (even Blue Ray) for $1 AND you get them for 5 days!!! They blow Red Box out of the water!!
But pregnancy has been pretty awesome this week! I think I felt the baby move, but it is so hard to tell if what I was feeling is that or not because I have never felt it before, so I don't know what it is suppose to feel like. But based on what people say I think I felt it. Its weird though because it feels like a swirly twirly feeling in your tummy! and also a poking feeling. I have an ultra sound on Friday so I think we will find out if the baby is a Boy or Girl. I am very excited, but I am trying not to get my hopes to high because of what happened at the last appointment!

Mike starts a competition this week, he will be teamed up with 2 other people and then go head to head with other teams of 3. The winners gets $750 EACH! 2nd place gets $250 each and 3rd gets $150. So root for Mike!!
But that is pretty much all that is new with us, we will keep you posted on the gender of little baby Johnson this coming Friday! We love you all and as always thanks for all your love and prayers!