Camden has arrived and is 3 weeks old today!

I was naive to think that I could prep for all things post baby ahead of time. Some things you just have to learn as you go! And that's just what we have been doing! Thus his arrival post coming on his 3 wk bday! 

With that being said please help us welcome the most perfect baby - Camden David Johnson!

He was born 8-5-2014 weighing 8lbs 5oz and 20.5 inches long. He has tons of dark hair and piercing blue eyes!

Daddy is holding strong that he will be a green eyed boy like him, but we shall see. 

When he was first born he was a little swollen and puffy (as was mama!) and everyone told us he looked just like his mama.  Not sure if I should be flattered or offended. Now that we have him home and have stared at him for hours and hours he really does look a lot like Jake too! Especially his profile. He is the best combo of his parents!

He is amazing! I was told that I would be obsessed and in love like I never imagined and boy was everyone right!!

First night at home!

When we first got him home he was in the infant sleep phase (amazing looking back now). Slept well, ate well, burped well and snuggled the best! Then about to the third week; he woke up! Now I have read this can be crazy but he really just eats more, is alert more and fusses for food quicker. We are so lucky to have such a good baby! He smiles in his sleep!

We are so so so blessed to have Camden come into our lives at the perfect time! We are so in love, so happy and so tired ; )

- M

Nursery Tour!

Want to tour the Nursery we put together for our baby boy?

Here we go!

First we should probably review everyone's role in this room:

Lead Designer: Morgan (My sister)

Assistant Designer: Me :)

Supportive Husband/Color decider: Jake

Lead Paint Director: BooPa (My Dad)

Supportive Grandma: Nanni (My Mom)

I can't thank them all enough for all thier patience and help!

Morgan and I reveiwed many, many room designs, themes and colors and finally settled on Grey/White/Navy with a slight Nautical theme and tons of Monkeys!

I have always loved Monkeys and hesitated a bit when they became trendy but ultimately decided that I had to have them for my lil man :)

Here was our final inspiration pic that we worked off of...





And here is the almost final nursery :)

  

View from walking in the room!

 

DIY Nautical Shelves - I love them! Thank you Boopa and Auntie Morgan!



Top Shelf with books and Jelly Cat Monkey from Auntie Morgan!



Bottom Shelf - With a baby Jelly Cat Monkey and more books thanks to all my baby shower guests!

The Changing Table/Dresser Side of the room with the awesome white washed anchor above. Hamper to the left and diaper genie to the right.

View of the window wall with Navy Blackout Curtains!

Moving around the room here is the relaxation corner.

White washed side table with navy basket of more books :)

One of my Favorite Parts! The amazing swivel/rocker/glider. They grey isn't photographing well but it was the first item we bought to build the room design around.

Amazing Lighting from Sister/Aunt Morgan - Lighting Consultant/Designer by Day! She even added a dimmer :)



Crib with Camois Light Grey Sheet and Navy/White Rail Guard.



Closet View

Clothes for the lil Man - Newborn to 3 months, and Diaper/Wipe Storage!



Closet Storage. The books are now on the amazing DIY Nautical shelves. Also we may add baskets in the future.

And here is our Diaper Bag! After about 5 options, I settled on this Beauty!!!

 
We have a few more things that haven't come in yet that we will add:
1. Baby Quilt - which will really complete the look since its Natical, Navy, Grey, White and has a little teal. It will mostly reside on the back of the chair, but I still can't wait for it to get here!

2. Toy basket - which is the same Navy woven material as the book basket under the side table but just a little bigger. It will reside on the right of the dresser/changing table and the diaper genie.

3. And Finally!!! Baby Boy Johnson - who is hopefully coming home to his new room very soon!

-M

Happy Anniversary!!!

6 Years Ago today... 

I married the Man of my Dreams!

The Happy Couple!

Our AMAZING Wedding Cake!

Yum!

Our First Dance!

My Beautiful Bridesmaids and Personal Attendants!

Our Handsome Crew of Groomsmen and Ushers!

Our Wedding Party!

Sisters! One of my Favorite Pictures!

LOVE!

Happy Anniversary to my Husband! I love you so much and am really excited for the arrival of our Lil Man in a few days!

-M

Lolo Mae Johnson - Our First Baby!

Meet Lolo the Boxer!

Lolo as a baby!

If you have already met her in person, you will agree that pictures and her mama's words will do her no justice. I can only say that if you weren't a "dog person" before meeting her, you will be after.

I should start by telling you that I never had pets growing up. Ok fish, but they didn't last long! I wanted a dog for as long as I can remember. I think I got my dog-loving-gene from my Grandma - Nonnie and my ability to love a dog like a human from my amazing Aunt - Shanlee. After Jake and I got married and had bought our first house, I started to beg for a puppy! I had all this love to give and needed the mama practice. I finally wore him down and we got lolo for my 25th Birthday! She was SO worth the wait.

Lolo was on the front page of KCCI for a cutest puppy contest!

I can best describe my love for this dog as excessive. She was my first baby. The sweetest,  most gentle, snuggly puppy anyone could have ever asked for. She has so much to say with just her facial expressions, its precious. OK, you get it? I love my Dog :)

Mama snuggling her new baby!

Here she is in her first piece of clothing! A muscle tank that says "Google Me" - I thought it was only fitting that I get this for her (Jake didn't see the need) since her name was often confused with Lola and people wanted to know why we had to be different. Well... Lolo Mae Johnson was named after a local runner (hurdler) from Des Moines. She also ran (and bobsled) in the olympics. You may have heard of her... Lolo Jones! So when anyway gives her (or her mama) a funny look about her name being different or unique this is the stink eye I that I imagine her giving while wearing this shirt... thinking "Google me people!"

Lolo went on her first road trip with us to Green Bay, Wisconsin for one of Jake's Marathons!

Goin for a ride!

Celebrating with Daddy after the race!

This is what time with Mama looks like...

Painted Nails

This is what time with Daddy Looks like...

It's rough being a vikings fan!

Family Pictures with our Lolo Girl!

We love her SO much and can't wait to see her as "A Big Sister"!

-M

Baby Shower!

My Amazing Sister Morgan and Best Friend Kaleigh threw the most fun baby shower to help celebrate our Lil Man! I can not thank them enough for their organization, creativity, generousity and love! It was a great event with lots of family and friends!  

Thier Adorable Invite



The Parents to be before the shower started!



One of the last pics as a family of 3!

The beautiful Hostesses!

Mama with the hostesses! Can you see the little Man's foot poking out?



Our great Friend Anita came from Chicago to help us celebrate and became the third hostesses! She helped so much this day, we can't thank her enough!



One of my favorite parts! I love reading these as I sit in the babies room!

The beautiful Waffle bar! What a yummy idea!

One of the most creative gifts was a Diaper Barge!

Made by my talented Cousin's Lauren and Kelly! Thank you so much guys - It was awesome!

The hostesses made it a book vs. card shower and had the cutest "labels" made for the guests to write who all the books are from. We are so excited to read them all to the lil man soon!

Our Amazing family friend from Church - Sandy, made this beautiful play mat/Quilt for the baby! It's perfect!

Amazing!

Had to pause for some baby kicks! Lil man was feeling so blessed!

This one made me tear up a little bit! A boston Red Sox shirt from our friends the McDermotts who we were with at the Boston Marathon the year of the tragic bombings. Before all the craziness we had seen a game with them. A trip we will always remember! Thank you for thinking of us when you went back this year! He will wear that shirt Boston Strong!

Kaleigh knows my love for Monkies!!!

And the cutest Monkey Book!



Current family Fav Onesie!



Mama down!

The cutest "Beach Hat" from the Lil Man's Nanni!!! Love!

And some goofiness!

My Niece Hayden winning present Bingo!

Baby Running "shoes" socks from the Palmers! Adorable!

A part of the whole group! Thank you all for coming to help us celebrate!

Cousins!

Me and Dani!

The Martens Beauties!

With the lovely Lisa! It was great to catch up with some friends from College!

Me and My Mother-in-law!

  

Proud Aunt Wendy holding the first Mealiff grandson! Can't wait for this Christmas when there will be two!

Me and my Mama Cuz Lauren! She looks so great!

The Amazing Party Favors! Little Man Onesies with Bow Ties and Banana Runts in them - Yum! and the greatest Monkey Cookies!!! These two really know me :)

And as a teaser... here are a few pics of the Nursery at the time of the shower.

A HUGE thanks to my sister and Dad (Lil Man's BooPa) for the greatest paint job on the stripes!



Much has been done since these pictures but this will give you an idea of the room and the greys. We have a few more final touches and then I will post a Nursery tour!

All in all, I couldn't feel more blessed to have the greatest family and friends to celebrate this exciting time in our lives! Jake and I are so greatful!

-M