Fall Stuff

John & Angie's family came up for the annual Lombardi Ranch trip. It's always a fun time. Steve especially loves playing on the haystack pyramid.


Emma Jane love the horse ride. She's getting so big!

We love spending time with these girls.

Steve's "new" toy. New meaning it was someone else's trash. I can't watch him ride it. I had a bad experience on one of these in Mexico.

1 Month

She's already chubbin out! We love her! So far, so good. She's still your basic eat, sleep, poop & pee, pee, pee, baby. But for some reason, we're entertained all day just staring at her. She hardly cries at all, and when she does, it never gets to the "shut that kid up she's hurting me ears" point. I'm crossing my fingers and knocking on wood, though, because I know she can change at any moment. For now, I'm enjoying the cuddles, the grunts, and even the cute little cries. And I'm sooooooo grateful to the inventor of the pacifier.


As for me, I think I had the fastest, easiest C-section recovery ever (I don't mean to brag, but seriously, it was waaaay better than everyone had led me to expect). In fact, I really don't think I could have had a more painless birth experience. I've thought a lot about all the reasons why it was so easy for me, and I can only think of one: God must want me to have more kids!

1 Week Old

Happy Birthday Claire! One Week Old!

This is a rare moment -- completely awake and eyes wide open.

She really loves to snuggle.

I can't count how many times in the past week I have just started crying. I look at her and I am amazed at how blessed we have been. She is healthy, happy, and beautiful. She is ours.

Introducing.....Claire Mattingly Johnson

09/09/09
6 lbs. 11 oz.
20 1/2 in.

The Johnson Family

Steve's space suit.

We are truly blessed.

5 More Days!!!

Been pretty busy this summer -- my sisters' family came and visited for 2 weeks, and we had a blast! Went camping at Refugio, had my baby shower, hung out Grandma's pool, and pretty much just spent the time hanging out. I love my sister! She is the best mom, sister, daughter, friend, etc. etc. She made this quilt for me out of my baby clothes. One of the patches even has my name embroidered (from a dress someone had made me). My adorable niece Liv (on the right), "loves to sew" and helped her mom make it. My mom also helped. Maeve, the baby, pretty much just loved to roll around on it.


Even though she won't be sleeping here for a few months, I just had to have the room and crib done before she came. Thanks to my mom, we finished sewing the bumper, skirt, curtains, and quilt. I love the bright, happy colors!



We went a little crazy with the sewing, and my mom even made a curtain for the bottom shelf of the changing table, as well as a changing pad cover. I love it! P.S. -- best buy ever -- my crib was $100 at Big Lots! Thanks Mom & Dad!


Me and my belly at 36 weeks. The Dr. says she weighs 6 1/2 lbs already. My C-section is scheduled for 9-09-09 at 9:00 am. Maybe she'll be born at 9:09. Better than 6-6-6 I guess :)
I'm really not too nervous about the surgery --I've heard both horror stories and raves about C-sections, but I've got my mom close by, and Steve is really helpful too. I'm mostly nervous about being a mom, and how exhausting that is.

So, hopefully it won't take me too long to post some pics of our (still nameless) baby girl. But don't hold your breath :)

One HOT Summer!

I'm at the point of my pregnancy when everywhere I go random strangers ask me if I'm ok, with a genuine look of concern, as if I"m about to go into labor. I think it's partly because I'm so small, and this basketball bump is weighing me down, and partly because I have a miserable look on my face 99% of the time because it is HOT! 105 for a week makes for a very mean pregnant lady.

Luckily, I can relax in the pool like a mix of Mrs. Incredible (elastigirl ) and a hippopotamus.

I'm very lucky to live so close to my mom right now. She has been a lifesaver throughout my pregnancy-- she helped me through morning sickness, a kidney stone, sewing all my baby's room stuff, and now she makes me lemonade whenever I ask. I lover her!

Not flattering, but historically accurate.

Sew this is what I've been doing....

This is the front of the crib quilt that I am making for the baby. I have started to freak out that nothing is ready for the baby's room, so my mom and I began sewing this week. It is so much fun -- my mom is an excellent seamstress and a really good teacher.

This is the material for the curtains in the baby's room. It's orange on a cream background. I'm staying away from too much pink, because if we have a boy next, I don't want to have to completely re-decorate! (We only have 1 spare bedroom).

Oh yeah, and I cut off my hair after one too many hot summer days. After growing it out for nearly 5 years, it feels good to be free again! And I got enough (11 inches) to donate to Locks of Love, so I didn't cry at all this time.