Halloween & Chicken Boy

Hey everyone! Here's our Halloween post. JAke and I were in Old Navy a month ago and saw this chicken costume and couldn't leave without it! It is so adorable so Connor was a chicken for his first Halloween. The festivities started Tuesday when we went hunting for a pumpkin to carve-and I mean hunting. Nobody had any left!!! We finally found a couple at Kroger and this very nice, but crazy lady gave me an $8 pumpkin for $5. She was telling me all about how she wanted to be Abby from NCIS for Halloween and I was like, "Dude, you're like fourty..." haha...sometime I speak before I think...good thing she didn't take offense. So we went home and carved our pumpkin. I think it's a little gobblin-I don't know, but it's cute.
So last night we went to the Buena Vista Halloween party. For those of you who don't know, we live in such a small town that every holiday they close down Magnolia Ave. and have a party. One of the things they were doing was a costume contest ages 0-6 years. We decided that it would be fun to enter Connor.

How could you not love those big chubby cheekers huh? Well, there were about 35-40 kids in the 0-3 year age group that were in the contest. You had to wait in line til your number was called and then you walked up past the judges table and showed off your child and his costume. As soon as Jake walked up with Connor and his chicken suit it was all over from there. He tied for 1st with a little girl and got this awesome V-Tech helicopter that lights up and makes noise and does all sorts of cool stuff. Good job Connor!
Here he is giving Mommy kisses. He wasn't cooperating in hardly any of these pictures-he just wanted to keep kissing mom. It was so sweet!

After the victory at the town party, we went to our ward's 5th annual Chili Cook-off and Trunk-er-Treat. We had a great night and I think Connor had a fun first Halloween.

A couple things...

Well my parents bought Connor this ADORABLE winter coat and we got it in the mail last week. So we had to put some pictures up of it. He doesn't like to wear it very much and will crawl around making this pathetic little whining sound when we put it on him. He also has recently started doing his "Game Face" where he'll scrunch up his nose, squint his little eyes, purse his lips, and start breathing in and out of his nose really fast and loud. It's so dang cute and he's starting to do it on command which is fun. The first picture is of his game face. :)

Connor now has four teeth-two on top and two on bottom-and is teething the the tooth on either side of his top front teeth. He's getting into everything now like cupboards and climbing the stairs. He doesn't like to play with any of his toys but instead LOVES to play with the little white tags that are attached to them. He doesn't like to have his right sock on. Everytime we put socks on him he pulls the right one off almost immidiately.

Anyway, life is good. We just got done with midterms and are happy about that. MY wonderful husband did some cleaning projects around the house today which was super appreciated. You know, I love that guy! He's pretty much the best ever. He's doing school, ROTC, student government, is in a bishopric, and is a loving husband and father. He's busy, but he always makes time to do things with his family.

I'm loving school right now but am pretty busy between that and the little dude. Next semester is going to be pretty hectic, but we can do anything-we're Team Johnson! :)

Connor + Dead Spider = YUCK!

So my friend Holly told me I needed to blog this story so I thought I'd hop on and do that real quick. The other day I was sitting on the couch reading the Ensign and Connor was doing his own thing playing on the floor. He's now begining to show us everyday why we can't leave werid things within three feet of the floor. Well I knew that there was a dead daddy-long-leg spider on the windowsill, but I was waiting for Jake to get it. It'd been sitting there for like a week and Connor can't see that high, but he can definately reach the window sill when he stands up. So I look up after a minute of him playing and notice that the spider is done. I start looking on the floor and in the vent on the floor and can't find it. Well then I notice our cute little dude chomping away on something and see a little spider leg coming out of the corner of his mouth. SICK!!! Now me being the wonderful mother I am thought, "I'm not reaching in his mouth to get it! He's probably already swallowed it. It's good protein anyway." He won't remember it anyway right? Poor little guy. I promise, I'm really not a bad mom, I just don't touch spiders w/ my bare hands. I guess I should judt pick up the dead spider next time before Connor gets to it huh?

Summer has come and gone

Well, it has been quite the eventful summer, and it is hard to believe that it is pretty much over. Over the course of this summer I traveled to and from Canada to swap vehicles with grammy and grampy grant. It was a pretty cool experience because I got to dive through my mission and visit with some of my favorite families before returning home to my beautiful wife and baby boy. I also got to do a lot of cool jobs, one of which was to build a staircase outside of a house. About halfway through the summer I went to Ft. Knox Kentucky to endure through 4 weeks of Army training. It is basically like basic training only it is controlled by ROTC cadets and supervised by drill sergents and officers.

For Jordan, she worked her tail to the core and took a full load of summer credits to make up for what she missed in the spring. On top of that she got straight A's. She is such a good student. I just marvel at how committed she is to her schooling. Hopefully I will be able to keep up with her this year. The greatest thing about it is that she put herself into a position to graduate at the same time as me. We both look forward with enthusiasm to the day we both graduate, and I get commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant. That will be an incredible day. Not only did Jordan work super hard in school, but she got to go up to Alaska with Connor to visit her family while I was at Ft. Knox. While in Alaska we decided to get Connor on formula, and get him eating baby food. Since then things have been great because Connor doesn't have hardly any gas and he sleeps so much better.

As a family this summer was a lot of fun. Going 4 weeks without seeing each other was really hard-nothing compared to our friends Holly and Spencer who spent a whomping 4 months apart(you guys are idols to us).
Connor is now almost 8 months old. He is well over 20lbs and is just getting bigger. Connor's new tricks are that he likes to army crawl to everything he is not supposed to, and everything he is allowed to play with he loses interest within seconds. Connor's favorits things include Daddy's guitar strings, the computer buttons, cell-phones, USB cords, and tags on the toys....not the toys. Connor likes to climb on eveything now as well. Last week he learned how to get up onto his feet and now it is the only thing he does. When one of us hold him, he starts to put his feet on us like he wants to stand up on us. It's really funny. Anyway, here are some pictures for your enjoyment. There is even a video at the end! :D. Jake going through Field Training Exercises at Ft. Knox

Peekaboo!!!!

Out playing in the rain.

Jordy with her mom and Grandma Jones with Connor

Way too long!

Woah! Okay, I promise that I have a good reason for not posting in almost two months! I have been working hard at school during May and June. It's been crazy. I've taken two classes each month and the amount of work that goes into taking a whole 3 credit class in a month is astounding. Anyway, that's what I've been doing. Jake has been doing handy man type stuff for a guy in our ward and he just got done building a staircase outside of one of the many houses this dude owns. I'll post pictures. Anyway, this week Jake goes to LCT in Ft. Knox, KY. He's way excited about it too. He'll do so good. Anyway, here are the pictures and videos. Enjoy!

Mother's Day

First of all, Happy Mother's Day mom!!! I love you and you're the best mom I could ever have asked for!
Secondly, I would like to say that my husband is the best one in the whole world. This week was mother's day week. WEEK! Most other moms get mother's day, but I got mother's day WEEK! Let me expain...everyday this week I got a puzzle piece with a sticky note on it saying, "On the first (or second, third etc...) day of mother's day week there was..." and it would go on to give me a clue as to where a gift was hidden in the house. It was so thoughtful!!! Jake is the best husband ever, and I'm so greatful that we have such a wonderful little boy together. Life is just great! :)

Our Friends!

Jake and I just wanted to say congratulations to Pete Hansen and JJ Holt on graduating from SVU yesterday! We were busy all day with check outs and check ins that we weren't able to go, but we are really proud of you guys! Great job! We also want to say that we have had the best friends this year. We organized an FHE group at the begining of the year with the Hansens, Hirts, Holts, ans Evans. It was a great group and we love you all! We'll miss you JJ, Christanie, Brady, Pete, Sara, and Haylee! And we look forward to seeing Spencer, Holly, Jacob, Cory, and Lindsay after the summer. Good luck to all of you over the summer! Again, we love you!!! :D -Team Johnson

Pics & Videos

Some pictures and videos for your enjoyment! :)

Recent Happenings

Well! Team Johnson has been very busy lately and we have a few updates. About two weeks ago Jake signed on w/ the VMI ROTC program to pay for the rest of his school. Once school is done, he's committed to 5 years in the ARMY. After that he can get out, but we're looking for a retirement so he'll probably just stick it out. The ROTC program has great benefits and helps you to enter the ARMY as a commissioned officer so he won't have to start at the bottom of the food chain. Yay for us! haha It was kind of funny a couple of weeks ago because he came home and tried on his camo stuff and I thought he looked so much like my dad when he was younger. I said to my self, "Self-we're like totally living my parents life!" I was just seeing Jake in that uniform and thinking about how when my dad got in the ARMY they were just a young family too. Crazy how life comes full circle like that sometimes. :) Anyway, we had talked about the military on and off since we got married, and after hearing about the benefits of the ROTC program and prayerfully listening to General Conference, we felt like it was the best route for our little family. Since the ROTC program is a 4 year program, Jake has to go to a leadership training camp (LTC) July 4-Aug 2 in Ft. Knox, KY. When he gets back, he'll start in as a Junior and in two years we'll be outta here and in the ARMY. He's really excited about it and has always had a desire to serve his country so I think it'll be good for all of us. I don't have a problem with it all because I guess when I was little I always dreamed that I would grow up and marry someone in the ARMY because my dad was. So now I'll get to be an ARMY wife as well as brat.
More news...last week Jake was called into the University 1st Ward bishopric as the 2nd counselor. So weird right?!?!?! I thought it was really neat. We went to church and Jake was starting so sweat during the opening prayer and hymn. When it came time for the stake business and the new bishopric was put in I'm sure he felt like it was the longest walk up to the stand he'd ever made. The new Bishop is the financial aide man at our school. I we think he's going to be an awesome bishop because he's one of the nicest people we know and his wife is a gem. Jake is stoked to be in there supporting him and is already being assigned duties and things that bishopric members do. Last Sunday he and Paul (the 1st counselor-also an awesome guy with a great wife who I'm good friends with) got to learn how to do tithing and got to take it to the bank. Did you know that they have to be together the whole time they are in possession on the tithing so that there are two witnesses to everything and to keep them safe from temptation? I didn't know that, but watching them on the errand of the Lord in their suits and ties really strengthened my testimony. I could just feel the power of the priesthood and knew that they were doing good. It was really awesome. In Sacrament meeting the old and new bishoprics all got to share their testimonies and it was awesome to hear how much those people care about those that they have stewardship over. I can say that it was probably one of the more testimony strengthening Sundays that I've had. It was neat to get to listen also to the setting apart of the new bishopric. They were eached promised things that were very specific to their roles and positions in life and it was just the cherry on top of the meeting. Very cool!
So on Tuesday Jake and I got to go visit my Aunt Barbara who was in Charlottesville visiting from Alaska with a group of her students. We were able to meet her up there and got to spend about 2 1/2 hours with her walking around Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. We got so show off Connor and walk around and see the slave quarters and the gardens and most of all just spend time with Aunt Barbara. It wass exciting to get to do that because we don't get to have family out here very often so it was a special treat to get to see her.
Well, Connor is doing well. He's giggling so much now! We just love it! He's the most precious little person Heavenly Father had up there. I'm convinced of it! We tried to weigh him the other day in the weight room and thought he came out at about 16 lbs, but couldn't get an accurate number. We'll see at his next appointment though-it's on May 8th. He'll be four months on the 3rd! How crazy is that?!?!?! I feel like we've had him forever!
Anyway, I think that's all I have to say for now and I need to sleep anyhow.
Peace out from Team Johnson!

Bath Time

Well tonight we video taped some of Connor's bath. He's so funny when I put him in because he makes this horrible face and I think he thinks he's going to drown. He's so adorable! As he gets used to the water he starts to smile and splash with his legs. So here goes!

Connor

Well I have a couple cute pictures of the little dude. He's just so stinking cute! I love these jammies too because they're from the Moose is Loose in my hometown. This little guy is so happy! Here's an update on him. He loves to have his legs played with and loves the little piggies. He sleeps very well through the night with a 3:30am feeding probably every other night, but won't let me put him in his own bed to sleep. He is now starting to actually look at the toys that I show him and he's starting to smile at them. He loves to look at mobiles. There is one in his pack n' play and one on his swing and he loves to laugh and giggle at them. He's just discovered that his left hand is his and that he can bring it to his mouth and suck on it if he wants-he hasn't discovered the right one yet though. He is starting to stick his tongue out a lot. He squeals with delight when I pick out the sock lint from between his toes-yeah, total weirdo. He's happiest right after he has been fed and loves his mom and dad!

You all probably get so tired of seeing Connor all the time and hearing about him but I know his grandparents appreciate it so you'll have to deal. One of these days though, I'll post about something different. haha

Rolling Over & Laughing

Well Connor will be 8 weeks tomorrow. Here is an update on what he's doing. He's now smiling up a storm and starting to laugh. Today though, I laid him on the floor for some tummy time and he rolled onto his side. I called my mom and dad to tell them and we decided to get on skype so they could see. For those of you who aren't familiar with Skype, it's an internet program where you hook up your webcam and you can make calls to other people's computers. So it's like talking face to face. It's way awesome for both sets of grandparents because they get to see their little grandboy. Anyway, we got on Skype and I set him down on his belly and he just flopped right over onto his back! I couldn't believe it!!! I don't think he is supposed to be able to do that at this age. He'll be two months on Tuesday. Anyway, tonight when we got home from an appointment, we put him on his belly again so Jake could see and he rolloed right over again. We got it on video so that's the first video. The second is of him in his swing. Thanks to our friends Christanie and JJ for letting us borrow it. It's been such a lifesaver! He absolutely loves it! Every time we put him in there he either falls asleep or just lays there and looks at the mobile. The last couple days, he's started laughing at the mobile while he's in there. So that is the second video.

Massive Dump!

Well we've come to find out that Connor has a knack for ruining onsies. I don't know if it's the type of diaper we're using or what, but he always seems to do this when he's wearing a white onesie so I can never fully get out the stain. I tell him to do it in the toilet, but he doesn't listen. I think he does it just to spite me sometimes. ;)

Anyway, things are going well here. Jake is rockin the baseball feild and Connor and I stay home and play everyday. Fun fun! It's going to be so hard next semester not to be home with him full time. I just love it! We play and nap all day, what better life could there be?? haha Anyway, not much news with the Johnsons!

Turning Head

I was finally able to get Connor on video picking up his head and turning it the other way while he was on his tummy. He does it all the time but when I pull out that camera he refuses. Anyway, he's much more alert now and is starting to be awake for a couple hours at a time. He's been sleeping great at night, but last night was tough. As soon as he fell asleep I went up and set him down in the bed and laid next to him. His little eyes popped open as soon as I laid down. So I picked him up and laid him on my chest and no sooner did I do that did he puke all over me. Good times...then he proceeded to cry for the next hour and we didn't get to sleep finally until about 2:30am. It was great...anyway, this morning he was so happy and was trying so hard to smile but just isn't there yet. I think he'll be smiling in no time though...I can't wait! :D He's always smiling and laughing in his sleep and it's just gorgeous so I can't wait til he does it on purpose! :D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D YAY for squishy, cute, wonderful, baby Connor!

Little Dude

Alright, these videos are mainly for the grandparents because I don't think anyone else would enjoy them quite as much. However, I liked making them. This is all Connor and I do all day- make videos, sleep, and eat. Much fun, much fun. Anyway, we did these videos today while Connor was in a good mood. He was talking and chatting and smiling. I don't think he's smiling on purpose yet, but he might've been pooping. Also-I watch Dr. Phil on a pretty regular basis and today I had it on in the background while we were doing these videos. I didn't realize that he was playing video clips of people arguing the whole time so you can here bleeping in the background. Sorry about that! I guess the episode was how to "fight fair" and he was talking to a couple that were obviously not very good at it. Enjoy!

Connor's Blessing Day

Well, today was Connor's blessing day. We decided we wanted to do it while my mom and dad are still around so my dad could stand in the circle too. We had some of our friends from FHE stand in too. Thanks to my dad, Spencer, Pete, JJ, and Corey for helping. Jake was so nervous, but he did a great job. I wish I could remember the blessing better, but I just couldn't help but open my eyes and see that little circle of guys using their preisthood to bless our little baby. It was just an awesome sight to see. I couldn't stop thinking about how Jake will get to do this for all of our children. Cool stuff! Anyway, it was a great blessing and Connor did really good. He just slept the whole time. He looked so cute in his little blessing outfit. Thanks goes to my mom and dad for buying it for him. He was adorable. Before we had him I wondered if it would be too big for him, but it was actually a pretty good fit because Connor is such a chunk. Everyone at church today kept saying that he doesn't look like a newborn because he's such a big boy. Anyway, it was a great day. :D

More Connor Pictures

Here are a few pictures from Connor's first week home. He's just a doll! He's been holding up his head since he came out. He started smiling yesterday because he had gas. It's adorable! We've had so mnay wonderful people come and visit and they've all been so considerate about not overwhelming us by their numbers. I'm still not up to having a million people over everyday, but we've had one couple come to visit every day this week. It's nice to have such sweet and good friends here who care about us. We just appreciate everyone here so much. I've also really enjoyed having people come to visit beacuse I haven't left the house all week so it's nice to have the company.

Anyway, besides having a gorgeous child, Jake started this new semester yesterday. He's pretty excited about his classes and about baseball that is about to start. He's also very happy that he is in his very last semester of Spanish ever! I was going to take a couple classes if Connor had come earlier in the break, but since he didn't make his debut until 5 days before school started, I decided I needed more recovery time than that. I was a little bummed at first because I love school so much, but I'm looking forward to spending my days with our squishy little dude. He has me wrapped around his finger already. Even this morning after he puked up his whole meal down my front, I still thought he was awesome. I wasn't so fond of the puking part, but I loved him enough to clean it up...deep huh? haha I just love the guts out of that little dude. Jake and I are so happy that Heavenly Father blessed us with the most special little person he had up there.

Anyway, more to come later! :D

Connor Grant Johnson

Alright everyone! Here is the most beautiful baby in the world! We went in Friday morning the 2nd at 8am. They gave me this little pill that usually puts people into labor and when it didn't work, they tried it again four hours later. So, the first eight hours of being in the hospital were spent eating and watching tv and waiting for something exciting to happen. At 6pm that night my dr finally broke my water and after that everything went on it's own. I had the epidural by 11pm and we mostly slept and rested throughout the night. At about 5am I was at 8.5 cm and the contractions were getting so strong that the epidural wasn't really helping anymore and from then one I could pretty much feel everything. At 8am I was at 10cm and started to push. I pushed for four hours and finally ended up with the most beautiful baby boy in my arms. He was 9lbs 1oz and 21 1/2 in long. As soon as he came out, they put him on my chest and I could feel legs kicking at my hip and I blurted, "Where does he end!?!?!" He is a big boy! I couldn't believe how big he was. So after that we just spent the rest of the time in the hospital enjoying our little dude. He loves to have his hands by his face and actually came out with a hand next to his face. He has a little red tint in his hair and I think he looks more like a Grant than a Johnson but you can see the Johnson side in him too. He has Jake's mom and grandma's chin and of course the red in his hair comes from the Johnson side too.

So, we're home now and have been chilling with my mom and dad. I think they are in love and want to steal Connor and take him home with them, but we love him too much. It's nice when I get to feed him because I get my time to hold him. He's just a sweet little guy. :D Anyway, I could ramble forever, but I'll stop and save some for another post which will probably come soon. :D