Soaps and Suds!

My First Bath!

 

Tucker has finally graduated to the baby bathtub!  I think this should have happened sooner but I am quickly realizing that with two boys, I need to plan accordingly.  It was easy to give him a sponge bath so we didn't overbook the bathtub.  The problem is that he is getting ever so portly and has a lot of little wrinkles so a sponge bath wasn't cutting it!  He seemed to enjoy the upgrade to the big tub and even let his brother help out!

 

I think this is okay!

 

 BROTHERS!!!  Above is Tucker, Below is Wesley about the same age.  Wesley was the string bean, Tucker is the tanker! 

 

 

"would it help if I poured water over his head, Mommy?"

 

2 Months...

Two Months Old!!!

 

Where has the time gone...Tucker is such a wonderful baby. He is growing so fast in height, weight, personality and awareness.  Wesley is doing really well with him and loves him to pieces.  He asks if he can "give Tucker a kiss" quite often and is pretty possessive of him, especially around his friends at school.  Perhaps not really possessive but proud.  He calls Tucker "my baby" which I love to hear!  Hopefully this will continue!

 

SO Happy!

Proud Big Brother!

How many chins?

 

A REALLY BIG Milestone!

 

 

 

 

 

This was the banner that donned the fence for Chris' Surprise Birthday Party!  The only reason I was able to pull this off was because I was out on maternity leave and I had two great friends, Sheila and Amy, who helped me a TON!  Chris' birthday is August 30th so with Tucker's birth, it was very overshadowed.  He had no idea what I had up my sleeve and I had no idea how hard it would be to pull this off.  I have to say he was completely surprised and we had a really nice party with some dear friends.  A lot of our Hampton crew made the trip across the pond to celebrate amongst our newer friends since moving to the beach.  Our local friends, Jeff and Henry, took Chris to the local brewery for a couple of drinks to get him out of the house.  Bless Chris' heart, it was like pulling teeth convincing him that he really did deserve a break and that I would be okay for a few hours while he joined the guys for a couple of brews.  If you could see the text traffic between me, Jeff and Henry for several days leading up to the party trying to convince Chris that I would be okay with Wesley and Tucker by myself, you would laugh!  I was really afraid he was going to ruin his own party!  Once the guys picked him up, we had about an hour to get everything ready before guests arrived.  It was awesome!  Being out on maternity leave allowed me a lot of time to craft, conspire and cook up a fun shindig.  I also used McKenzie, our favorite babysitter, to help me run errands and get ready.  She was also kind enough to take the boys to her house during the party so Chris and I could relax a little.  I am thankful that we got to enjoy great friends and celebrate a really wonderful husband, friend and father.  This was a birthday I couldn't let go unnoticed, plus Chris deserved a celebration!  Happy 40th to you!

 

Wesley was a little scared with the "surprise"

Jeff Stratton and Henry Cobb--my partners in crime!

To remember this:  Mike and Michelle Park, Dave and Leigh Chapman, Jim Miller, Judy Carr, Suzanne and Dave Hamilton, Amy Cushman, John Philips (his girlfriend, Morgan was the photographer), Pat and Diana Kilduff, Henry Cobb, Candy Hudgins, Chris, Me, Jeff and Sheila Stratton!

My First Party!!!

 

 

 

 



Time is Flying By!

One Month Old!

 

It is hard to believe that Tucker is already a month old!  He has warmed our hearts and added a lot of fun and happiness to our family, even to his big brother!  While he is still very much a newborn when it comes to eating and sleeping, he is showing his own personality and some of his own trademarks.  I call him "Flipper" on occasion because he makes a sound like a dolphin when he stretches.  He loves to stretch and stick his tiny bottom in the air with his arms behind his head.  He is also referred to as  "my baby" by his big brother.  Wesley will come home from daycare or wake up in the morning asking for "his baby".  We are thrilled to hear this and know that Wesley loves him.  While that may change any day, we are embracing Wesley's enthusiasm as much as possible! 

 

I head back to work in another week and it will be difficult.  I will welcome the routine and getting back on a schedule but it has been so great to spend this time with Tucker.  I will admit it is a lot more enjoyable this time.  I am not quite as worked up and anxious the second go round.  We haven't done a lot since we have been home but have run our share of errands just as an excuse to get out of the house.  We have done a few family outings, mostly to grab a bite to eat; we haven't been too adventuresome quite yet.  Wesley and Daddy have made several trips to the beach while Tucker and I relaxed in the AC...I miss playing in the sand with Wesley but we will have plenty of that next year times two! 

 

I am sure we have many more sleepless nights ahead of us but it is all very worth it!  One month has flown by...

 

A few photos below of recent days...

Wesley and Daddy entertaining Tucker with Finger Puppets 

Sweet Dreams!

Silly Boys!



Future Heisman Winner or Practicing the Sprinkler Dance for the Frat Party



Wesley and "His Baby"

I love "MY" Baby



Brotherly Love...

 

Our Family Has Grown by Two MORE Feet!!!

 

 

Welcome James "Tucker" Johnson

 

While it was a surprise whether this baby was going to be a boy or a girl...in my heart of hearts I thought it was a boy all along.  Sure there was always the excitement to think it may be a girl but when he was actually born and the OB said to Chris, "tell her what it is"...I was not shocked to hear "it's a boy" but instead pretty excited.  I am thrilled for Wesley to have a younger brother to play with and can't deny that it will be easier since we have so much "boy" stuff already.  I think Chris was more suspicious that it was a girl-probably because I complained a lot more during this pregnancy.  I feel I carried the same but it was a bit harder on me which is no surprise. 

 

James "Tucker" Johnson entered the world with haste and I still can't believe how the day played out .  Chris and I both went to work on Wednesday, August 6th and took Wesley to Mrs. Sheila's just like any other day.  About 10am I texted Chris to let him know I wasn't feeling well but that I wasn't totally sure if "this was it".  I stuck around work for a bit longer and then told my boss, Matt, that I wasn't feeling great and thought I would head out around lunch time and monitor the situation from home.  I requested that he keep quiet about it.  The last thing I wanted was to go to the hospital and be sent home!  At about 11:25 I sent my last email and headed out the door.  All along I have been pretty worried about leaving unfinished business for my colleagues. My job gets really busy this time of year so while I know I have great people helping me out, I don't like leaving them with a lot of work.  At the same time, I didn't want to be at work when things really started progressing.

When I got home I had several things I had to do to get ready.  Luckily my bag was packed but there were other things like, packing an overnight bag for Wesley in case he stayed with Sheila and Kiki, leaving a check for the maids (they were coming the next day), packing some snacks for Chris, straightening the house-my parents would be coming, all while starting to feel more intense contractions with less time in between.  Chris left his office about 12:15 and got home about 12:45.  He had a few things to grab and then we headed for the hospital.  Luckily we are very close and  arrived at 1:15.  I called my parents and said "don't come yet, I want to make sure this is it." 

 

I was put in the triage room for all of 15 minutes which was how long it took for them to confirm I needed to get to the labor room. When I arrived at the hospital I was well on my way and there was no way I was being sent home.  I requested an epidural which in essence was really too late as I ended up delivering Tucker at 2:32, just an hour and 15 minutes after arriving at the check in desk!  There was an above average/record number of babies being born on the same day so the OB almost didn't get to my room in time.  It was slightly chaotic but over before we knew it.  Chris and I kept looking at each other in disbelief that we had a beautiful new son and that we had both been at work not even 3 hours before! 

 

My parents arrived very quickly (Chris had texted them and said it was time) so it was great to see them.  They were also very helpful and stayed with Wesley while Chris and I were in the hospital.   Sheila and Kiki brought Wesley home from daycare and brought him to the hospital for his first visit.  Wesley was pretty excited about his new little brother although he wanted no part of the "I'm a big brother" sticker that he received from the maternity guest check-in.  He wanted to hold Tucker and there were lots of people taking pictures of us.  After a few minutes he simply said, "I'm done" and wanted Tucker to be removed from his lap.  Ever since he has asked to give kisses, offered stuffed animals, and has been overall very good with his new little brother.  He comes home from daycare asking "where is my baby?".   I know I was more worried than I should have been for Wesley.  While we have had a few meltdowns, overall he has taken pretty well to being the BIG brother.

 

Mimi and Pops stayed until Friday afternoon when we came home from the hospital.  We have been enjoying Tucker ever since and rolling along pretty well with two boys!! 

 

Introducing.....

 

James "Tucker" Johnson-7lbs 8oz-20 inches-born at 2:32pm on August 6, 2014

 

Home from the hospital.

Wesley insisted that Tucker have his shark!

 

Mimi and Pops when we came home from the hospital.

Pops holding grandson #8, grandchild #9

Mimi and Tucker

2 days old

Wesley's new brother

HAPPY, HAPPY DADDY!!!

 

A very proud big brother!

 

Kiki getting excited to babysit her second Johnson

 

Lots of people spoiled Wesley with new toys...these are from our neighbors across the street, Mike & Debbie.  Our first morning home as a family of 4! 

 



A Visit With Santa and Otters!

Best Kept Secret in Va Beach!

 

This was Wesley's third Christmas.  We had been to see Santa Clause at the mall the prior two years and Wesley did fine but I am not totally jazzed about that Santa or the experience at the mall.  We are members of the Virginia Aquarium which is 5 miles from our house.  When we saw that Santa was going to be paying a visit around the holidays, we decided to give it a try.  While Wesley didn't exactly love the idea of sitting on Santa's lap this year (he was a bit afraid), it was the best Santa experience a parent could ask for!  We waited a total of 10 minutes and during that time Wesley watched the otters play in their tank which was total amusement.  When we got our turn on Santa's lap, he was very nice, the aquarium staff was extremely helpful and understanding and on top of it offered very reasonably priced, nice quality photos.  We couldn't have asked for a better visit, I just wish Wesley had been a little more fond of Santa Clause.  No more mall Santa for us!

 

 

 

Mr. Potter's Generosity!



A True Feel Good Story!

 

A couple of months before Wesley turned 2 we were out to dinner at one of our favorite spots that we frequent, "No Frill Bar and Grill".  It is very kid friendly but also very consistent with great food and service.  On this particular evening, an older man was sitting at a nearby table with his wife and what appeared to be daughter and grandchildren.  I noticed him get up and talk to a couple of other tables and then go to his car.  When he returned, he walked up to our table and gave Wesley a handmade wooden truck.  It is a beautifully handcrafted toy and his comment was that Wesley was a well behaved young man and deserved a new truck.  At first I thought he just wanted us to "borrow" it during the meal but he also gave us a small note with the truck.  We talked briefly and thanked him for his generosity.  After they left I was headed to the restroom and another table stopped me and said, "do you know who that was that gave you the truck?"  I did not but the couple began to explain...the man that stopped me was a physician and this older gentleman was and had been a patient of his for some time.  He is a very well known "name" in Va Beach, owns a great deal of property across the city and actually has a popular road named after him.  The physician said that his own children grew up on Mr. Potter's handmade toys and that he is just a very giving person.  Apparently he keeps toys in his car and will just go out and grab one when he sees a child that he would like to give one to.  We were very, very lucky and Wesley loved the truck.  I mentioned that he gave a nice note with the truck.  The message was for children to use their imagination at play and to enjoy toys such as these!  I was pretty touched by Mr. Potter's gesture and thought it only appropriate to send a thank you letter to him-(his address was on the card).  What happened next was unbelievable!

 

So, on the day of Wesley's 2nd Birthday Party we were running around crazy trying to get ready when there was knock on the front door and then someone popped their head in asking for "Master Wesley".  It was Mr. Potter!!!  He claimed that Master Wesley had a good secretary to write nice thank you letters and as a result brought Wesley more toys!  When I say more, wow...they didn't stop.  At the restaurant we got a car.  When he came for a visit he brought a bi-plane, a jet plane, a boat, a tractor trailer, another truck and then went out to his car for something else!  He brought a handmade wooden step stool that doubles as a seat.  It was amazing!  He lives a good 15 minutes from us and decided on his Saturday afternoon that he should try to find our house, come visit and bring Wesley more toys for no apparent reason!  It was really a huge surprise and one of the nicest gestures we have experienced.  Luckily my mom and dad were here and my father snapped a couple of photos with Mr. Potter.  He is a true gentleman and a heck of a woodworker.  Wesley plays with his wooden toys often and we will have them forever.  Lets just say that Mr. Potter has been added to the Christmas card list!

Bulldozin' into Year 2!

 

 

Wesley is 2!!!

 

To celebrate Wesley's 2nd birthday we decided to have a small gathering with just Wesley's daycare family.  Funny how that family is much bigger than you first think yet also so much fun!  Wesley is pretty lucky to have some wonderful friends and families that join him everyday at Mrs. Sheila's.

 

He is very much into construction vehicles right now hence the theme.  We  have a hard time finding an activity in November and a means to entertain children indoors at our house.  Weather is very unpredictable so we have to be creative.  This year I decided we would make something for the kids to play in---a homemade Bulldozer!  While you need to use your imagination a bit to see a dozer in our grand creation, it fit the bill and entertained the kids for plenty of time during the party and Wesley for several months. 

 

I spent several lunch hours scouring the back of big box stores trying to locate boxes.  It took a lot of cardboard, a lot of tape, a lot of paint and a lot of beer before Chris, Pops and I had our "Dozer"!

The beginning stages...

 

 Finished Product!

Gear for the Construction Crew!

Cake for the Birthday Boy!

Mrs. Sheila and my friends.

The FOREMAN is 2!!!!

It wouldn't be a party without my best girlfriend/babysitter-Kiki!

Blowing out my candles with Rylan and Jillian!

 



More of the crew...The McLendons, Kiki, Jeff and Sheila!

 

 



Falling into FUN!!!

Leave the Leaves!!!

 

 

Wesley had a ball helping Daddy rake the leaves this fall.  He tried to help and then I think the bigger of the two kids starting having fun when progress came to a halt.  These are two happy boys! 

 

Oh Daddy, there are more falling!

It doesn't get much better than this!

 

I am not "falling" for this...what do you mean I have to rake and bag?