...walking...and that is what Sammy is doing. Officially, his first step was March 1, but he has spent the entire month taking two, three, four steps and then lunging into the nearest set of arms. Now, he is getting more confident and has stopped the lunging and is able to stop walking and then continue again when he wants. I must stress the "when he wants", because he really only walks when he feels like it. He likes to cruise around furniture, walls, doors...anything that can get him to point B. We are not sure if this is good or bad. We like the fact that he is progressing fast...just not too fast.
He has also been watching "Your Baby Can Read". It is yet to be decided if he can read before two, like Dr. Titzer says...but we are giving it the old college try. The videos are teaching him how to clap, wave and put his arms up. Whether he is reading the word, hearing them say it or watching the kids on the screen do it is yet to be determined. We think he was born a genius, so he'll probably be quoting Poe by Halloween and Shakespeare by Christmas.
The house situation is still, well, a situation. Grandma is getting appraisals on the house while we rush to get all her stuff sold. It could probably take a year to sell all her stuff to her satisfaction, but there will come a time when she will say "Just get rid of the stuff". That day will be a family holiday in the Johnston houses.
Twenty five days til the first year comes to an end. It sure has been a fun, stressful, quick, amazing, life-changing year that is sure to get more interesting. God only knows what Year 2 has in store for us. Stay tuned...
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Filler...
So, I'm working on a new collage since Sam has turned nine months...but, until then, I should update on his progress and ours. We went to the doctor for his nine-month checkup and they tricked us by saying Sam gets a break this trip with no shots. The sneaky bastards did not pump Sam full of vaccines, but just happened to mention to us that we would have to take him to the labs for blood work. NICE! Much easier than shots!
But, he is well...19lbs. 2oz. and 29 inches tall. The doctor thinks he is progressing nicely, but he is on the smaller size (25th percentile). We think this is since he has not been eating enough solids. He is a very picky eater, like his mom. So, that is our goal in the next few months...fatten the boy up!
At home he is crawling as fast as a lizard and has just started getting the confidence to stand up without holding on. I think he is up to about ten seconds before he gets scared and drops to the floor. God help us when he starts walking. When picking furniture, we were not too baby-conscious, but he has adapted well so far.
He was finally baptized on the 24th. He was the oldest in the ceremony and he behaved like the older gentleman that he is. We were worried he would cry like a baby...wait...never mind. So, he is completely devoid of original sin from those naughty ancestors and all his sins from here on out are of his own volition. Enjoy them son, but don't go overboard.
The house is coming along. We had our first yard sale, which did not prove too fruitful. I keep telling people we are selling items for a purpose, not a profit. By the way, anyone want a 1964 Oldsmobile?...low miles! Financially, we are getting things squared away to buy the house, but that all depends on what grandmother thinks it's worth...we'll probably be moving in a couple months.
That's it for now...stay tuned for the third collage. Pictures are much tougher when your home computer is in a box.
But, he is well...19lbs. 2oz. and 29 inches tall. The doctor thinks he is progressing nicely, but he is on the smaller size (25th percentile). We think this is since he has not been eating enough solids. He is a very picky eater, like his mom. So, that is our goal in the next few months...fatten the boy up!
At home he is crawling as fast as a lizard and has just started getting the confidence to stand up without holding on. I think he is up to about ten seconds before he gets scared and drops to the floor. God help us when he starts walking. When picking furniture, we were not too baby-conscious, but he has adapted well so far.
He was finally baptized on the 24th. He was the oldest in the ceremony and he behaved like the older gentleman that he is. We were worried he would cry like a baby...wait...never mind. So, he is completely devoid of original sin from those naughty ancestors and all his sins from here on out are of his own volition. Enjoy them son, but don't go overboard.
The house is coming along. We had our first yard sale, which did not prove too fruitful. I keep telling people we are selling items for a purpose, not a profit. By the way, anyone want a 1964 Oldsmobile?...low miles! Financially, we are getting things squared away to buy the house, but that all depends on what grandmother thinks it's worth...we'll probably be moving in a couple months.
That's it for now...stay tuned for the third collage. Pictures are much tougher when your home computer is in a box.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Ya...it's been a while...
Well, we survived Christmas and New Years. Though, it was not looking good for a while. Sam got the flu shot in early December and then proceeded to be sick for about three weeks. It was not fun watching him try to breathe at night and drool all over himself because he did not know how to breathe through his mouth.
Then, Lauren caught a stomach...thing...and shared it with the rest of us. We spent the week of New Years on the couch or in the bathroom. It was sad to see Sam on New Years Day, when he greeted us with a nice present in the middle of the night. He was feeling so lethargic on Jan. 1, he would just sit in our arms and not move a muscle...totally not him at all.
But, we survived and even shared the fun with Aunt Chach and Uncle Jim...you're welcome.
So, the holidays are over and the house is back to normal...if you consider living in boxes and a house full of grandma's stuff normal. The yard sales start in February...and I'm looking forward to clearing some space for much needed elbow room.
The great thing about January is the shows are back. Has everyone been watching 24?...Awesome.
Well, not much else...but here is a fun picture to whet the appetite...
Then, Lauren caught a stomach...thing...and shared it with the rest of us. We spent the week of New Years on the couch or in the bathroom. It was sad to see Sam on New Years Day, when he greeted us with a nice present in the middle of the night. He was feeling so lethargic on Jan. 1, he would just sit in our arms and not move a muscle...totally not him at all.
But, we survived and even shared the fun with Aunt Chach and Uncle Jim...you're welcome.
So, the holidays are over and the house is back to normal...if you consider living in boxes and a house full of grandma's stuff normal. The yard sales start in February...and I'm looking forward to clearing some space for much needed elbow room.
The great thing about January is the shows are back. Has everyone been watching 24?...Awesome.
Well, not much else...but here is a fun picture to whet the appetite...
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Lake Arrowhead and Santa
We spent the Thanksgiving weekend up in Arrowhead with The Family. It is capitalized now because it is has reached the over ten count. There were eleven of us up there in a great cabin by the golf course...(26669 Thunderbird for future reference). Lauren did not like the three sixes in the address, but it turned out to be nothing...just our souls being taken over by the devil, Lucifer, himself.
The cabin included a loft area for the new family...mostly for Sam. A great family room with big screen for us to watch the Notre Dame "Fighting" Irish get stomped and for the family band practice we call "Guitar Hero". It also included a great game room downstairs (yup...three levels) which included a pool table, bar and our new love...shuffleboard. I believe Jim is building his own shuffleboard at home...I think I saw large lumber in their front yard the other day.
The real reason we spend Turkey weekend up there is for the sales. Yup! Forget the family time and fun times with friends...it's all about shopping...40%, 50% 60%...oh my! Van Heusen, Jockey, Bass and Izod...the four horsemen of the apocalypse came down on our checking account. But we have a new wardrobe...so how can we argue?
This weekend also introduced Sam Johnston to Santa Claus. Here are a few pictures to document the occasion...
Monday, November 24, 2008
Seven Months...
Sam is seven months today and growing by the day! He is in the beginning stages of crawling. He doesn't crawl much when you are watching him, but when you turn your back for a minute, he is two feet away from where he was before.
He is also getting his next set of teeth in. He now has three teeth on the top and one more on the bottom to make it an even six. By the way...it hurts more when he bites you now.
This past month has been mobbed by the change of scenery. My grandma gave the okay for us to move into her house, get rid of her stuff to get the house ready to sell and be first in line to buy it in June. SO...we have been hurrying to move out of our apartment, move most of her stuff out of her very full house, and move our stuff in. We are almost done...but it seems like we have a long way to go. We have a deadline of Sunday, but it is really this Wednesday since we will be in Arrowhead this weekend. Most of us have moved so you will understand how hard it is to move into a FULL house...let alone an empty one. But we are making do.
The house is growing on us. I have to admit, that sleeping in their bedroom was a little weird the first time, but the more our stuff goes into the house, the more the house feels like our own. Lauren is starting to like it more and more also...mostly because of the closet space. Of course, there will need to be some capital improvements to make it our semi-dream house...but we'll wait on those until we make the first loan payment.
I just came back from a non-profit conference in Charleston. The conference was great...if you are interested in databases and non-profit fundraising...but the walking around downtown Charleston was the best. It's the second largest historical site (only Rome is larger) in the world. We took a carriage tour around the city and a walking tour at our leisure afterwards. We had a beer in a church and dinner at a Navy landing station (Fleet's Landing). A fun week, but it was tough being away from the family for so long.
Well, that is the most of it. We are looking forward to this weekend...partly for the weather, partly for the family fun, but mostly because it means we are done moving out of the apartment.
He is also getting his next set of teeth in. He now has three teeth on the top and one more on the bottom to make it an even six. By the way...it hurts more when he bites you now.
This past month has been mobbed by the change of scenery. My grandma gave the okay for us to move into her house, get rid of her stuff to get the house ready to sell and be first in line to buy it in June. SO...we have been hurrying to move out of our apartment, move most of her stuff out of her very full house, and move our stuff in. We are almost done...but it seems like we have a long way to go. We have a deadline of Sunday, but it is really this Wednesday since we will be in Arrowhead this weekend. Most of us have moved so you will understand how hard it is to move into a FULL house...let alone an empty one. But we are making do.
The house is growing on us. I have to admit, that sleeping in their bedroom was a little weird the first time, but the more our stuff goes into the house, the more the house feels like our own. Lauren is starting to like it more and more also...mostly because of the closet space. Of course, there will need to be some capital improvements to make it our semi-dream house...but we'll wait on those until we make the first loan payment.
I just came back from a non-profit conference in Charleston. The conference was great...if you are interested in databases and non-profit fundraising...but the walking around downtown Charleston was the best. It's the second largest historical site (only Rome is larger) in the world. We took a carriage tour around the city and a walking tour at our leisure afterwards. We had a beer in a church and dinner at a Navy landing station (Fleet's Landing). A fun week, but it was tough being away from the family for so long.
Well, that is the most of it. We are looking forward to this weekend...partly for the weather, partly for the family fun, but mostly because it means we are done moving out of the apartment.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Six Months!
Yeah yeah yeah...I haven't posted in two months. What of it! I have been a little busy. I'm taking care of the child three days a week while Lauren has gone back to work. It started out a little stressful, but now has turned into joy. We are bonding as he is learning my quirks and I am learning his. I feel a little sorry for him as mine are a bit much compared to his.
He is doing well. He turns six months tomorrow (Yay! SIDS be gone!) and we are taking him to Disneyland for the first time...well not Disneyland, but Disneyland's infant stepchild, California Adventure.
He got his first two teeth right after the last doctor's visit and he still has two teeth (bottom front) for two months now. He keeps telling us that he is about to get some more, but they haven't come through yet.
He is starting solid food...and not liking it too much...as you can see in the picture.
He is getting better at laying on his stomach and on the verge of crawling. I think he might just skip the crawling and move straight to walking. I have never seen a baby with as strong legs as him. He can stand for a long time without his legs giving out like most babies. He just has that balance thing to figure out and he will be running before long.
The days I take care of him usually consist of him waking at 8am (I know...we are lucky when it comes to him sleeping at night). He plays for about two hours and goes back down at 10 or 11am for a couple hours. He wakes up and we play some more for a couple hours. When he falls back to sleep around 2pm, I start to get ready to go to my parents. They don't know this, but they are kind of my savior. Twelve hours is a long time and it is wonderful to break it up with Uncle Jim, Aunt Julianne and Grandma. Plus, I can get my Guitar Hero fix in.
On a personal note...the Dodgers did their best in twenty years, but failed in the League Championship. I think they should only sign Manny for two or three years. But we'll see what happens. It was a fun year...but like every offseason, us fans are mumbling with phrase, "...next year".
The Trojans laid an egg on the Beaver field again. It was kind of funny hearing mom talk trash to Uncle Pat in Oregon. If there was one team in the Pac-10 to give us some competition, I like the fact that it is the school where our cousin is going.
The golf game is getting better. I still have the goal of a Senior Tour Card by 2037. But, I'm not sure Lauren will allow that much practice for me. We'll see.
Anyway...here are some pictures over the past couple months to ease the thirst for Sammy. Enjoy!
He is doing well. He turns six months tomorrow (Yay! SIDS be gone!) and we are taking him to Disneyland for the first time...well not Disneyland, but Disneyland's infant stepchild, California Adventure.
He got his first two teeth right after the last doctor's visit and he still has two teeth (bottom front) for two months now. He keeps telling us that he is about to get some more, but they haven't come through yet.
He is starting solid food...and not liking it too much...as you can see in the picture.
He is getting better at laying on his stomach and on the verge of crawling. I think he might just skip the crawling and move straight to walking. I have never seen a baby with as strong legs as him. He can stand for a long time without his legs giving out like most babies. He just has that balance thing to figure out and he will be running before long.
The days I take care of him usually consist of him waking at 8am (I know...we are lucky when it comes to him sleeping at night). He plays for about two hours and goes back down at 10 or 11am for a couple hours. He wakes up and we play some more for a couple hours. When he falls back to sleep around 2pm, I start to get ready to go to my parents. They don't know this, but they are kind of my savior. Twelve hours is a long time and it is wonderful to break it up with Uncle Jim, Aunt Julianne and Grandma. Plus, I can get my Guitar Hero fix in.
On a personal note...the Dodgers did their best in twenty years, but failed in the League Championship. I think they should only sign Manny for two or three years. But we'll see what happens. It was a fun year...but like every offseason, us fans are mumbling with phrase, "...next year".
The Trojans laid an egg on the Beaver field again. It was kind of funny hearing mom talk trash to Uncle Pat in Oregon. If there was one team in the Pac-10 to give us some competition, I like the fact that it is the school where our cousin is going.
The golf game is getting better. I still have the goal of a Senior Tour Card by 2037. But, I'm not sure Lauren will allow that much practice for me. We'll see.
Anyway...here are some pictures over the past couple months to ease the thirst for Sammy. Enjoy!
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Month Four...
Sammy has turned four months and is becoming a happier baby! In the past week he has...
...gone to the doctor and weighed in at 14lbs. 7.5oz
...gotten his second round of shots and did not enjoy it
...was told that he was not teething, even though we know he is
...rolled over onto his stomach from his right side
...rolled back over
...rolled over on his left side
...ate rice cereal for the first time (wasn't quite sure what to think of it)
...took a ride in his jumper, but can't quite touch the floor yet
What a busy week!
Lauren goes back to work in two weeks (Sep. 8) and not looking forward to it...but she might enjoy the company of adults. I think she will have a much different perspective on her job now that she is a mother. I will be reversing her schedule and hope to enjoy the company of Sam for three days a week.
On a personal note...I have been welcoming the addiction to golf with open arms. My goal is a senior tour card by the time I'm 50 (in 2027). I don't know if that will happen, but the lessons start soon (thanks LO) and I have high hopes. As the softball career dwindles, the golf career accelerates...and the foot is to the floor.
...gone to the doctor and weighed in at 14lbs. 7.5oz
...gotten his second round of shots and did not enjoy it
...was told that he was not teething, even though we know he is
...rolled over onto his stomach from his right side
...rolled back over
...rolled over on his left side
...ate rice cereal for the first time (wasn't quite sure what to think of it)
...took a ride in his jumper, but can't quite touch the floor yet
What a busy week!
Lauren goes back to work in two weeks (Sep. 8) and not looking forward to it...but she might enjoy the company of adults. I think she will have a much different perspective on her job now that she is a mother. I will be reversing her schedule and hope to enjoy the company of Sam for three days a week.
On a personal note...I have been welcoming the addiction to golf with open arms. My goal is a senior tour card by the time I'm 50 (in 2027). I don't know if that will happen, but the lessons start soon (thanks LO) and I have high hopes. As the softball career dwindles, the golf career accelerates...and the foot is to the floor.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Summer of Sam continues...
So the summer continues and Sammy has reach 106 days old (that is 15 weeks for the normal person). At three months he seemed to switch off the collick and become a happy baby...as the picture suggests. Overall, he has been excellent. The picture below is when we found out that he loves to sit on my shoulders and pound my head like a snare drum. Maybe he will be a civil war re-enacting drummer...hopefully not.
However, starting last night, the two months of bliss ended and he has begun the teething stage. It was a long evening with crying and no solution until I zoomed over to the CVS and bought some Oralgel to sooth the gums. Poor Sammy. It hurts to see him cry.
However, starting last night, the two months of bliss ended and he has begun the teething stage. It was a long evening with crying and no solution until I zoomed over to the CVS and bought some Oralgel to sooth the gums. Poor Sammy. It hurts to see him cry.
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