Bumpa love

Stella's new friends

Stella's new favorite characters are the Berenstain Bears. My mom saved all of my books from when I was younger which includes close to the entire Berenstain Bear series. She also bought Stella several DVD's as well as these stuffed animal bears. Stella has to take them everywhere she goes, and she has to have all four. Every morning I haul her down the stairs with all four bears and her Lammy.

22 Months

Time...

It's hard not to be overly aware of time when you have two little ones that make it seem to go so quickly. I can't believe we have already entered September and Wyatt is almost 6 weeks. In a few short months, Stella will turn two. Each day is a reminder to enjoy this time with them. At the same time I feel like we are adjusting ourselves on a regular basis. The constant changing of moods, feelings, favorites, and challenges keeps us all on our toes. Some days go by extremely fast, and others feel like the clock is ticking backwards. I go to bed at night with feelings that range from victory to utter exhaustion. I can't predict what the next day will be like.

Some of the best moments for me these past few weeks have been at stella's bedtime when we are all huddled in one room. We lay Wyatt on the pillow next to her and we all just spend a few minutes there. The dog and cat tend to join us. I've been loving that sweet time with my husband and my babies. My life now is so much different than it was five years ago. My focus all day is on the children when I used to be really introspective. I used to know myself pretty well. Now... I don't really know if I do. It all happens so fast. But I am genuinely happy and content with that. I'm learning more than I could have alone. I don't want to get caught up in being a typical mom... Or my mom... Or anyone else's mom. I want to know my kids and give them freedom to grow.

Welcome baby boy!

Wyatt Arthur Johnson was born Sunday, July 25th at 7:51 pm. He weighed a whopping 7lbs 13oz. We came home yesterday and are enjoying life as a family of four. Wyatt is so calm and laid back, we are so in love with him! Stella loves him as well and is constantly going up to him and saying, "HI Baaaybies!!" Welcome to our crazy family baby boy.

Catch-up. And not on your burger.

It's been well over a month since I last blogged, I realized. I wanted to put down a few thoughts so I have some memory of this time. While I have taken pictures, I can only update them when my other computer is hooked up to the Internet. And we haven't had steady internet around here since, well, since we've been here.

In the past month we have been very busy getting things in order with the new house. We've been unpacking, organizing, landscaping, putting up closets, putting up screens, setting up bedrooms, getting and fixing a washer and dryer, and getting a water softener after spending too much time trying to get rust stains out of clothes. We have been trying not to use the AC until we get a feel for our utility bills, and then nearly in tears while the AC has been waiting on a part during the days when we really need it.

We've been mowing lawns, dog sitting, cleaning garages, putting together baby stuff, selling cars, budgeting until our eyes hurt, and teaching Stella how to say, "Whoa baby!"

We've had a wedding in our back yard, celebrated four birthdays, one surprise party, father's day, and another wedding. We've been finding time to run around outside, go on the swing,and get in the pool. Time for concerts in the park, long walks, cruises on lake Minnetonka, baby showers,time with family, OB appointments, bachelor parties, and grilling out.

We have been living here for nearly two months, but we are still in the process of making it ours. Needless to say we are exhausted. Matt works over time many weeks, and I'm five days from my due date. We are so thankful to be able to be here, but it has still been very stressful. I can say right now that I am honestly just tired. I want to spend this last little bit of energy focusing on this new baby that is about to join our family. And hope that for a
while things are slow and sweet and special.

Stella has been such a joy. She makes me smile every. I'm so excited to have even more love to go around. More giggles, more little feet running around, more special family moments.