35 weeks.

Well, it feels as though as we are in the final stretch over here. Even though there is still a month left, baby J is in position and ready to go, measuring quite ahead of schedule (a punctual one, we might have!) and Jared and I really feel as prepared as we could - all circumstances considered right now - and so ready to meet our little babe!

Baby is doing really well! Such an active little one we have on our hands. It's been fun to see the somewhat predictable times of day that he/she is awake, how they already respond to what I'm eating or drinking, and just how Jared and I can get him/her to move by talking or singing. (Baby's hearing is fully developed now! So we're really talking it up a lot around here... :) It's definitely a more interactive stage here towards the end and it's been really fun. Although I can't say that I will miss being pregnant, I am really trying to soak in every stage that we are in, because I know all too soon I will probably miss the ease of having baby inside rather than out. :)

Not too much has changed in the past few weeks house/life related - Jared has finished all the demo on the house, with some great help from his dad and brother - and once we get some final measurements from the contractor tomorrow, we should be getting the green light to go ahead and get ordering and install set up for all our flooring/trim/doors, etc. The paint has been decided on, and Jared (and others!) are going to tackle that after Easter. One thing at a time. We are excited to get in the house, but conscious that the task of all that plus moving in might be too much with a newborn (or almost newborn) so we'll see in the moment where we end up around baby's due date - whether it's in the new house or still here at my parents.
_____________________

Some highlights of the past week or so:

March Madness || we hope we are instilling in baby j a love of sports by how much we are talking and watching basketball these days. we just love this tournament, and watch more tv in these few weeks than anytime else. :) Right now we're thankful my parents have cable and DVR. ;)

Finishing off some baby necessities || in a last minute effort to feel like we were prepared if this baby decided to make an early appearance, we have stocked up on some diapers, onesies, wipes, got a bassinet/moses basket, and I've just begun washing all the cute little clothes and blankets. Talk about making it feel real - that first load of itty-bitty onesies coming out of the dryer definitely did it! I've also done some research, prep-work, and purchasing of supplies for some post-baby healing and natural care for both baby and myself. I am hoping that we can be on the best possible mend after delivery by using some of them!

Packing a hospital bag || ok, so it's not quite packed yet.... but a master list is made, and we have hopes of having it packed this week. Or the next. ;) 

Preparing for labor || thankfully the Lord has thus far helped my mind stay steadfast and controlled, but I am preparing some specific verses and quotes that I can read and meditate on at the hospital. As well as my all time favorite set of 50 Promise Cards created by my friend Summer (go check them out!) for everyday purposes, but most definitely they will be by my side during labor. I am actually enjoying putting all these things together in anticipation of helping myself keep a focused mind. 
____________________

Some things we're looking forward to:

Easter in Storden || it will most likely be the last time we head down to my inlaws as just the two of us, and it will be so good to spend that one-on-one time with just Jared and I and his parents. Not to mention celebrating Easter! 

My work baby shower || my office is treating me and baby to an awesome shower coming up after Easter. :) A beautiful sunny room at French Meadow bakery, with absolutely delicious food (its a fave of mine if you've never been there!!) and great company. It will be a fun celebration!

Meeting baby Graff || our dear, dear friends are welcoming their 2nd boy this next week, and he already has our hearts won over. His parents and big brother Ryland are a huge part of our life, and we just know that baby J and the two boys are going to be best of friends. :)

Our 36 week ultrasound || although I've been having some non-routine "biophysical" ultrasounds to check on some blood pressure issues I've been having (all looks great with baby) it will be really fun to have Jared back in the room and to see baby J's face, and get a little bit of a taste of what he/she looks like! 20 weeks seems like so long ago, and that was the last time we saw baby's face. :)
_______________________

Until next time! Hope you all have a blessed Easter, and continue to enjoy this early sprintgtime! :)

33 weeks

It's spring around here, and baby and I are loving it! It has been so wonderful to be able to walk outdoors rather than indoors, to not wear a coat, to bust out the flats, and have the windows open! I am so excited for this to continue... crossing our fingers that it does!

It has been quite the last few weeks around here. Since we last checked in, the three of us have moved out of our first house in Blaine, in to my parents house in Chanhassen, started demo on some projects on our new house in Plymouth, sent Jared off (twice!) on work trips to Chicago and Florida, had a baby shower... and somehow managed to stay healthy and sane. Through it all, I am finding that in order to keep my sanity, putting pressure on myself to "get the fun stuff done" (read: blog about the move, the new house/projects, more baby blogs...) I have to just stop. And quite frankly, just not try to do it all. So it will happen..... in time. :)

how big is baby // this week baby is topping the charts at 4.5 lbs, and about 19 inches long. about the size of a honeydew melon! 

development // in these final weeks, baby is gaining about a 1/2 pound of weight per week. as he/she continues to grow, there is (noticeably) less and less space to move which explains the intense jabs and kicks that have started to become routine for us. :) It's also immune system central right now and baby is working hard on developing antibodies so that their own little system is in tip-top shape when it's time to start working on its own. I've increased my probiotics lately to help along that process. :)

sleep // other than tossing and turning from side to side, and having to adjust my knee pillow, I feel like it's been better this past week or two than the previous few. Maybe it's everything we've been trying to do lately that just has me so wiped out. :) However long this hard sleep decides to last, I'm thankful!

missing // honestly - the physical capabilities of my old body. This week I've really started to feel like I'm slowing down significantly, and sometimes thats a little hard to swallow. Of course I know that my body is different right now, and of course, I don't expect it to function exactly the same as it did before, but I am looking forward to being able to lay on the couch comfortably, or walk up and down the stairs, or even just stand up sometimes... I've had to take a few pretty big bites of humble pie lately and settle myself down. 

craving // not too much out of the usual. been eating a lot of fruits and veggies lately - green smoothies are my friend again and I'm loving that! 

best moment of the week // baby j and I had our first shower last weekend, and it was absolutely amazing... surrounded by all the women I love, it was so joyful!!! It was a book themed shower, and my dear friends Kaitlin & Rachel did a spectacular job bringing all my childhood favorites into the mix. We had so. much. fun. and were so blessed by everyone that was able to make it. thank you thank you times a million.

looking forward to // purchasing our car seat when Jared gets back from Florida later this week. And getting it all set up in the car and seeing how it works in the stroller... it's empty now, and even though we still have 6-7 weeks left, everyone tells me you best be prepared! I'm also looking forward to Easter, spending some time with family, and hopefully making some decisions on paint for the new house.

something i'm loving // these scripture lullabies I found. I've been listening to them in the car and starting to get baby used to them. :) They are such beautiful arrangements of singing scripture and so peaceful. They've really been a blessing to me also! 

something i'm not loving // that I don't know the gender of this baby! I was doing so well for the longest time, but man, am I getting antsy now as we get closer.... it's taking everything in me not to cave!!

Another few busy weeks are in the mix for us as Jared continues to work hard at the house and pack the hours in with spring sports. Everyone says that these final weeks before baby just seem to drag by, and from a physical standpoint I'm starting to understand that, but good grief, with everything else going on right now, I feel like they are going to keep flying by. We don't really have a timeline yet of when we are hoping to be in the house, but with having to do more demo, replace trim, doors, all the flooring in the house, and paint, I'm not holding by breath for any given day. It will happen as it happens, and we WILL stay sane doing it and not push ourselves too much. We are trying to soak in these last weeks as it is just the two of us. :) 

30 weeks

Ten weeks to go of this "little project" and time is flying by! We have been busy-bees packing up our house preparing to move next week! So in between boxes, empty walls, eating out our fridge; and paint swatches, carpet and flooring samples for the new house, we have been loving the growth and development we have seen in these past weeks of our little babe. Our little babe that we cant wait to meet!!!

How big is baby // about 17.5 inches long, and has crossed the 3 lb mark! Getting so big! I can definitely tell that their length is more notable than their weight. First its a jab way over on my side then up by my ribs, then the other side - he/she is definitely spanning the width and length of my tummy!

Development // about half a pound of fat per week is the name of the game right now! Baby's brain is growing daily, and now looks like a "normal" brain, with all the grooves and wrinkles. As a result they can regulate their body close to that of being outside the womb - temperature, dreaming, swallowing, blinking, hiccuping (that's a fun new experience!)

Sleep // this past week has been ok, but I am humored at the way my body is in preparation for post-baby nights. Come to think of it, it would be quite the shock to the system to be sleeping great and then behold, one day, throw a newborn infant, 2 hours of restless "sleep" and the biggest life change ever into the mix. At least this way I feel slightly prepared on one account. :) 

Missing // summer color on my skin. When you feel about 7 sizes bigger than you used to, and are starting to notice a tinge of swelling by the end of the day, and feel pasty white it makes for an interesting combination. :) I am really looking forward to spring and summer sunshine, birds, walks, breezes....

Craving // lots of things I feel like. Hamburgers with avocado and swiss cheese. Ritz crackers + milk. Orange juice. Breakfast food. Most all food sounds good to me right now, to be frank. :)

Best moment of the week // we had our first baby class last week. Both of us were a little hesitant/skeptical/anxious... if we can say... but it turned out to be quite fun. We both think that the group of couples are going to fun to get to know over the next 6 weeks, and hopefully we can at least gleam a few tidbits of wisdom out of the deal... 

Looking forward to // starting to compile some baby things. :) We have a crib, but with the madness of the move and not really knowing where we will be that is the extent of what we have. :) And as much as it seems crazy that we are 10 weeks out - it seems even crazier to think that we are in no way really prepared. :) Not one box of diapers, not one onezie. But nonetheless, it is not stressing us out in the least, we are so thankful for all the change coming up and all the ways the Lord is providing for our housing and family needs. And it just means that there will be some fun shopping trips coming up in the near future! :) 

Milestones // Finding out I can still zip my winter coat! (If the layers underneath do not include a down vest :) Simple pleasures. And hopefully the weather will only warm up from here and I won't have to figure out what to do after I grow a few more inches. Getting my big winter boots on and off also makes the noteworthy list. 
___________

Over the next week or two I will drop in with pictures of our new digs and the demo process that my wonderful husband, friends and family are going to be undertaking! No demo, paint, dust, or demo for me and baby, though. :) I am feeling kind of guilty that I won't be much help in this move process, but oh so thankful that we have a support of people around us to help out where I fall short right now. 

All three of us are well and good, and we are so excited for these coming weeks! Baby J is coming quickly and these soon-to-be parents are getting suuuuuper pumped!!! :)

28 weeks

\\ You created the deepest parts of my being.
You knit me together inside my mother's body.
How you made me is amazing and wonderful.
I praise you for that.
What you have done is wonderful.
I know that very well.
None of my bones were hidden from you
when you made me inside my mother's body.
That place was as dark as the deepest parts of the earth.
When you were putting me together there,
your eyes saw my body even before it was formed.
You planned how many days I would live.
You wrote down the number of them in your book
before I had even lived through one of them. \\
Psalm 139: 13-16

Into the 3rd trimester we go! Some (most) days when I think about the course of this pregnancy I feel like it has gone so fast it's been a blur. Many people tell me that the last few weeks are the longest, (and not that I disagree, I obviously have no comparison!) but with everything that has been going on in our life lately, and everything coming up, it feels to me like it's only going to keep speeding by! We have been filling our days with busy work schedules, a few new netflix shows, more home-cooked meals then I've made in months :) prenatal yoga (just for me), body pillow nests on the couch while watching said netflix shows (also just for me) and grandma Barb's freshly shipped grapefruit from her tree in Arizona. Baby J is hanging in there through all the hustle, and has been a trooper!

How big is baby // Up to 16 inches long, and roughly 2.5 lbs! According to those "fruit reports" baby is the size of an eggplant this week. Continuing to just put on fat and muscle - ie. weight. :)

Development // baby has been adding some new skills lately! Blinking, coughing, hiccuping, deep REM sleep, dreaming, and settling into a more proper position for birth! Although to me it feels like he/she still has plenty of room to move around in there based on the flips they like to do. 

Sleep // meh. I'm just going to leave it at that. I'm trying so hard to not complain :) but it's been a tad tough lately.

Missing // Being able to breathe normally through my nose. Or even feel like I can take normal breaths at all. haha It's like 24/7 allergies around here - quite interesting to be short of breath! Also the aforementioned sleep :)

Craving // grapefruit (thankfully we have it in abundance... thanks Grandma Barb!), graham crackers + milk, blackberries, cheese, blackberries, milk, blackberries....

Best moment(s) of the week // well, the last few weeks have been pretty crazy. Jared and I made the decision to put our house up on the market and move a little more "centrally" to help with the childcare commute, and all around lifestyle. We saw some major answer to prayer in that our house sold in record time - and thus began the search for our new home. :) And this past week we put in an offer on one! Assuming inspection and all goes through this coming week, we hope to be Plymouth residents in just a few short weeks! Baby J's new home! We also have some names! If Baby J is a girl, we have that all set and ready to go... if they are a boy we still have some finalizing to do, but I think we have it down to 2ish. :) It drives Jared crazy that we (read: me) haven't quite made up our mind on that yet, but hey, we still have 12 weeks. :)

Looking forward to // the fun changes we are hoping to make on this new house. Jared and I thankfully have the same design taste so (Lord-willing) ;) we are really excited to put our own touches on the house. It's going to be a busy, busy, busy, next 4-5 weeks, and we would like to have all our projects done before we move in, and before baby, but we'll see. One thing at a time. :)

Milestones // the last 1-2ish weeks have been so fun to feel the significant change in baby's movements. Obviously some days are more than others, but when this kiddo gets going.... whoof! Seeing my stomach roll in circle sometimes, or feeling specific parts of the body (now, I have no clue what they are but they are definitely something!), or having the baby move in response to Jared talking to him/her... is super, SUPER fun. 

The weeks are coming and going, just as fast as ever, we are so thankful that baby seems happy and healthy in there! 12 more weeks, give or take until we can meet this sweetie!!! So amazing, and we are SO. THANKFUL. 

\\ Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we profess, for our God can be trusted to keep His promises. \\ Hebrews 10:23

25 weeks.

After sweet little baby J decided to "hide" from us at our big 20 week ultrasound we got a chance to try again this week at our next appointment! And what a joy it was to see this precious, precious little face!

We caught quite a bit of footage of baby sucking his/her thumb which was absolutely adorable. It was even a bit touch and go for awhile that they would stop long enough for us to get a view of them without their hand covering their face! It is so fun having this sight right on our refrigerator to stare at. 
____________________

Well, its week 25 around here, and it's been a good month overall... baby and I have stayed healthy (despite dad's attempt to infect us ;) and are feeling quite optimistic that we're in the clear! It was a lot of fun to bring in the new year and think about the fact that the next time we celebrate New Years Eve we will have a 7-ish month old! It's birth year, baby! We had some wonderful friends in town that baby got to "meet" and as we only have about 15 weeks left, it's been fun talking "all things baby related" with a little more intention as the end is kind of in sight!
____________________

How big is baby // just under 2 lbs, according to this week's visit! This whole "size of a fruit" thing I'm just totally over - maybe it's my practical side, or maybe it's denial, but I'm sorry there is no way that I have a 13 inch cantaloupe inside of me... we'll just stick with what the doc says. :)

Development // one job and one job only - grow! It's been fun knowing that baby's hearing is developing, so lots of singing, music, and listening to daddy talk have been going on around our place. That fabulous face is almost fully formed - with hair, eyelashes and even eyebrows! 

Sleep // well, up until a few days ago I was all ready to still proclaim that I was doing awesome.... but I am starting to notice some "changes" to put it lightly. Getting a little uncomfy, but I've rigged a few tricks to help I think. I miss sleeping on my back!! And leg cramps are for the birds. 

Missing // sleeping on my back and sleeping on my stomach are the two big ones. 

Craving // still doing cheese! I've gotten back in my green smoothie routine, and am liking those, clementines, and applesauce. Noticing that anything refreshing is my friend.... as says every pregnant woman in the entire world.

Best moment of the week // passing my glucose test, seeing our sweetie's face for the first time on that ultrasound screen, and finalizing my maternity leave and post-baby work decisions!

Looking forward to // some big changes coming up around the johnson household! I'll save that for later. :) We are also excited to be narrowing down names. We are both really looking forward to having just one boy name and one girl name picked out so we can start to pray and talk more specifically about the baby!

our weekend in NYC

This vacation, for whatever reason or the other, was one of those vacations that Jared and I have been talking about constantly for the two weeks since we've been back. Maybe it was the vibrant pace of the city, maybe it was the old architecture, or maybe it was just the excitement of wandering a place so different than any other urban city, but we fell hard for New York City...

When anyone asks me what our highlights were, not only am I first at a complete loss for words, but then I end up spewing out things like how much I loved the city at daytime and at nighttime, how easy and convenient the subway was to use, how nice and helpful New-yorkers were, how the architecture of the city was all different, how Times Square just took your breath away, how quaint the walk-ups were, how much I loved that we walked everywhere and packed on the miles each day (we walked close to 33 miles in 3 days!!), how no matter where you walked there was always something interesting to stop and see... how, um, Christmastime in NYC is pretty much the most magical experience in the world... and the list just keeps going. So from West Village, to SoHo, from Chelsea, to Brooklyn, Greenwich village to Central Park, here is our "3 days in New York" in pictures. In no particular order. Since they do it 10 times more justice than words! Fasten your seatbelts, guys... I am making no promises that you will get through this post without a bathroom break.... ;) 

The Rockefeller Center | the christmas tree | the "top of the rock" 

And that view of the Empire State building? We were crazy excited when we looked out hotel room window.... 

Times Square, in and around | daytime and nighttime it took our breath away!

This block+ long LED billboard just blew us away. Sometimes you needed sunglasses to look at it it was so. bright! Google has it "rented" 24/7 for the first month of it's installation and it was so cool to see rotating Google earth images. It's size is incomprehensible until you actually see it.

The dichotomy of Greenwich village, the east/west village and Chelsea from the bustle of Midtown and downtown | the walkups | strolling through cafes with our beloved friends.

Lucalis pizza in Brooklyn. Jump on the subway, it's a must if you visit! We were so desperate that we ordered to go and sat outside in 30* weather to eat. True minnesotans we are, but worth every. freezing. finger.

Wandering 5th Avenue | Broadway | south Central Park | the Plaza hotel

seriously. the church architecture along 5th Avenue.... 

Brooklyn bridge | by day and by night

Wall street | Trinity Church | Staten Island ferry | Statue of Liberty 

What a change the sun lowering in the sky and a few clouds makes on the city....

Visiting this iconic FRIENDS building | Amanda & Skyler in heaven :)

Washington square Park | walking the High Line in Chelsea | Grand Central station | Museum of Natural History

the high line: a railroad line converted into a rare "green space" in and around the fashion and residential district of Chelsea.

our grasp and subsequent love of the subway system | public transit system

Macy's | Santaland and my first (ever) visit to see Santa!

the Freedom tower | one world trade center & memorials

This was emotionally reminiscent of our time on Oahu at Pearl Harbor this summer. This spot in the city is sacred, and they have done such a wonderful job of honoring this place, the people, and all who lost their lives here on 9/11. It is beautiful and moving.

the infinity pools as the foundations of the two towers, surrounded by the names of those who lost their lives. the last time I was here was the spring immediately following 9/11, and there was still much rubble and chaos around ground zero. it was so wonderful to be back and see the change, although there is still much construction to be done.

If you made it to this last picture I applaud you. This trip was just so much fun and so jam-packed with things we did that I just could not narrow down my pictures, as hard as I tried. 

We spent three days in Manhattan, walked an (almost exact) total of 33 miles, only took one taxi (from our Midtown hotel to the Newark, NJ airport), drank lots of coffee, and crashed hard every night as a result.

We cannot wait to go back to this city. It was a wonderful, active trip that we enjoyed as a family of three ;) Thanks for the wonderful vacation, NYC!