Randomness

So, here are a bunch of pics. Although our lives have completely changed, there isn't really much to tell about. Life with 2 kids is actually harder than I thought. Everything we attempt to do has to be planned around "eating" time. The idea that mom sleeps when the baby sleeps doesn't apply when you have a 4 year old. But I will say how greatful I am to some amazing neighbors who have pretty much adopted Simon, so that has made things a little easier! Plus my mom has been an amazing help, and thanks to her I actually get to shower now and again. Ah, things will mellow out shortly I'm sure, and I will find my new rhythm....until than, here are some pics to enjoy!

My mom has this huge snowball bush in her back yard, and Simon discovered it also made a pretty great hut! Doesn't it look so fun?? I miss the days of finding/building huts!

And here are a few (ok....a lot) of pics of the beautiful Miss Lucy Mae! I think she is stunning!

Simon loves to hold her and kiss her. He is a pretty great big brother!

I seriously didn't pose her like this!

Simon Says....

So, although I have totally been enjoying Simon playing outside so much with this new baby around, it stresses me out because he WILL NOT stay out of the road and watch for cars! I don't know how many times I have to go out and yell at him to watch for cars!

The other day I go out to once again loudly remind him to get out of the road and his response to me was....

"Mom, this is just a dream! This is not really happening!"

What the.....????

Introducing Lucy Mae Johnson

Welcome to this world Lucy Mae Johnson!

What a crazy weekend it has been! We went in Friday morning to have our little Lucy....start to finish labor was only 4 hours (it's really fine to be jealous if you'd like!)....and Lucy joined us Friday May 21, at 11:47am. She weighed 8 lb. 1 oz. She was a little bruised up in the face from coming out so quickly, but is still ridiculously beautiful (in my opinion!)

She looks so much like Simon did when he was born.

This was Simon getting to hold his baby sister for the first time! It was a pretty great moment!

Simon LOVES to hold her! He can go from being a total monster to being the sweetest thing ever when he gets around her. He is so protective (he does NOT like flash photography around her!) and doesn't like to take turns holding her...he just wants her all to himself!

Stay tuned for more pictures to come! My mom took a lot more than I did so far....that's what grandma's are for, right?

Our First Rodeo!

You may have seen before in previous posts that our little Simon has decided he is part cowboy. I have absolutly NO IDEA where he is getting this from, but I will admitt it's pretty cute!

Anyway, he practices his bull riding on grandpa's back and has also learned about mutton bustin'. So, we decided to have our very first family rodeo event on Health Days and let Simon give the Mutton Bustin' a try.

We have been talking about it for awhile now, and made sure he knew just exactly what Mutton Bustin' was (for those of you that don't know...it's when the kids ride a sheep and basically hold on for dear life.) He totally wanted to do it!
Simon's cousin Sid even decided he would give it a try! Don't they look like awesome little cowboys? Simon even went over by himself to get registered, and to pay his money.

After a very long day sitting in the sun waiting for his event....it was finally time. He went with dad, waiting in line....meanwhile I was being a very nervous mom! He did good till it was actually his turn to get on a sheep and than he bailed out. I guess seeing all the other kids fall off and start crying made him think "this is crazy....I'm out!". So, I guess I am still the proud mom of someone who does not succumb to peer pressure! :)

And I think he is still the BEST LOOKING COWBOY in the entire world! Love you Sim's....it was a good try! There's always next year!

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day to all those amazing moms out there! For some reason this was kind of an emotional mothers day for me....not a sad one in any way- but I guess being 9 month pregnant and simply the idea that I have a whole new mothering experience on the horizon there were a few times I got a little emotional! I can't think of anything I have done in my life (or will ever do) that is more challenging than being a mom. There are so many days and nights that I absolutly hate the fact that I have to be a working mom! I often hate that my house is usually a disaster. And I hate that it's usually my husband that ends up cooking our family a hot meal. My kids will probably never come home from school to their mom cooking yummy cookies. But, I also can't think of anything that I have ever done (or will do) that is more rewarding! I am amazed every day at the new things my little man learns. Today Cody asked Simon what he loves about mommy....here are a few things he said (and yes I got teary!)
-"she says it's OK to get hurt and cry"
-"she takes good care of me."
-"she says we should always be nice to people"
-"she always tells me to be a good example."
Who knew he was actually listening???
But I do want to thank my mom for showing me the greatness of motherhood! I am 30 years old and I still need my mom! She is my best friend, and the best example I have ever had in my life! When I think about my mom the number one word that comes to mind is "Service". If you know my mom you know exactly what I'm talking aboout. She is the only person I know that will purchase something just in case someone might need to borrow it. She puts everyone else's needs in front of her own. She has done so much to help me....there is no way I could ever repay her! She is such a hard worker and is constantly "doing". There are very few times that I can recall seeing my mom just sit!
I love the worrier in her, and I think she passed down that gene to me! I remember growing up hating the fact that I had to check back in with her when I came home at night, cause she had to know all her "chick-a-dee's where safe and sound", but now I'm glad I had someone to worry about me. And still 10+ years later when I travel for work there are times when I'll call my mom before my husband to let her know I got there safe and sound.
I love you mom and I'm so greatful for the lessons you have taught me, and for the mother that you have taught me to be!

Blogging Hiatis

So....It's been over a month since my last post, so I thought I'd do a little chatching up while I still can. WARNING: MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF PICTURES IN ABSOLUTLY NO PARTICULAR ORDER!!

A couple of my friends that I haven't seen in awhile were begging me to post a picture of me being fat and prego (OK, so maybe they didn't exactly phrase it like that)....so I thought I would appease them, but I guess also for journaling purposes I may want to look back on this and be greatful when I'm skinny again!

So, friends....here you go! Me at 8 months pregnant...only 38 days to go (but really, whose counting?).

When people say it takes a village to raise a child I now completely know what they are talking about! We are loving the good weather and Simon is having a ball playing with all his buddies in the neighborhood (and there are many!). I think we need to post different colored flags in the front window for each kid we have at our house...that way you can just look out the window and know whose house your kid is at at any time. Great idea, huh? This is Simon's best buddy Kamden. They are one a couple days apart in age and I'm sure we are all in for some serious trouble from these two in the future! Quick story....they both have power wheel four wheelers and one day decided to go to the park by themselves without telling anyone. Funny, but can you say "grouded"?
Simon turned 4 on April 10. I can't believe my little man is 4 already! He is so funny right now and is getting so grown up and indepentant! I'm kind of loving it! He loves Spongebob and wanted a Spongebob party. My amazing mom made this cake for him (don't worry mom, I won't tell anyone about the first attempt!).

And he finally got the 4-wheeler he has been dreaming of! All of the neighborhood kids have one and yes, I became that mom that had to have what the other kids have! He has been having a blast on it....and getting into trouble all at the same time! (see the above story!)

For his party they also played "Pin the pants on spongebob". I loved it and thought it was so cute! Thanks mom for thinking of it! Grandpa Mike even had some fun playing it. :)

Usually for Simons birthday we go to Hogle Zoo. Due to the lack of funds this year, we decided to just hit Willow Park. I think Simon liked it just fine. My mom and dad came with us and Simon got to have some great grandpa bonding time!

We have spent plenty of time with grandpa on the real 4-wheeler too! Simon looooooves the 4 wheeler!!! (I think grandpa kind of does too!)

My grandma sent Simon a birthday card in the mail (seriously....there still is nothing funner than getting mail!). I love this picture, cause she sent some money for Simon in the card. Can you tell he is excited???

We did lots of Easter Egg hunts!

And of course some car trouble! But luckily Cody is a man of many talents and was able to save us a lot of money by fixing it himself! Hooray! And of course had to have a lesson with Simon on auto repair! :)

Simon also had his Special Day at Preschool. It was so fun to go and watch him. They sang a song to him and he got to show the class pictures of him and tell all about himself. I won't lie...I got a little teary! (It's the pregnancy, OK!!!)

So....now you know what we have been up to this last month! Not to mention Cody has been working really hard on finishing a room in the basement for Simon. It's been a busy month and I"m sure the next month is going to go by quickly!!! YIKES!!

Kidney Cancer Awareness Month

So, March is Kidney Cancer Awareness Month. I decided to change my blog to an orange theme (I am slightly color blind, so my oranges and reds look very much alike...hopefully it is indeed orange.). My amazing brother in law is fighting the ugly cancer right now, so I thought I'd do a little blog post for him. Hayley and him had these awesome bracelets made (sorry, no pic of it) that say "Travstrong" and I've had a ton of people ask me about it at work. Probably because I'm not really one to wear jewelry. I love this bracelet, and Trav....we love you! Is it inappropriate to say "Happy Cancer Month"?? Ya, probably. I'm not great with words. You all know what I mean.