The Life of C. Rachel Johnson

Christmas 08

2008-12-31T08:01:00.008-05:00

Christmas was good this year. Ricky really got into it this year and was all excited about it all, so it made it so much fun. Wes loved unwrapping his gifts and then playing with his new toys, clothes, ect.

But one big thing that happened this Christmas was that, Alex and I found out what out little peanut is. We are having a baby......BOY:-) That's right boy number three, Theodore Joshua "TJ" Johnson. So now we have Ricky, Wesley, Theodore (theme song of Alvin and the chipmunks in the background ;-) ). We are so excited that God has blessed us with another boy, although I don't know what I'm going to do with a house full of boys ;-), I know at lest I'll be safe and hopefully one day maybe in 3 years have another girl in the house.

So after Christmas the boys and I got the flu and still fighting it. So far Alex hasn't gotten it, so this New Years we are just staying home.

Another exciting new is someone called about the house up north then called back immediately and asked to see it this Saturday, so hopefully it will sale and we wont have to worry about that any more. So I'll have to post more on that later .

Well I hope everyone had a nice blessed Christmas and will have a happy New Year! :-)

I Didn't Win ;-(

2008-12-19T23:40:00.002-05:00

Hi,

I didn't win the KinderKord Wrist to Wrist Retractable Connection, but that's ok I still love mom4life.com and still shop there and have my baby registry there just incase you wanted to know ;-) But I did end up getting one, my sweet awesome hubby got it for me as a surprise, I love him so much.

So go check out mom4life.com it's awesome :-)

Help me Win:-)

2008-12-12T08:31:00.005-05:00

Hi Everyone,

At my favorite mom store of all time, they have free give aways every week by doing things from their blog. This week they are giving away an item I REALLY NEED and WANT.

The site is mom4life.com, but the give away is on their blog: http://blog.mom4life.com/

The item this week is KinderKord Wrist to Wrist Retractable Connection, normal 19.99 http://www.mom4life.com/catalog.php?item=1677 . The KinderKord is a wrist to wrist connection for you and your child which leaves your hands free--while keeping your child physically connected to you. KinderKord is uniquely different because:
*Allows 3 full feet of freedom for both you and your child
*Does not tangle-even when used for multiple children
*Is a nearly invisible link between you and your child
*Stores easily in a pocket, purse or diaper bag
*Can be attached to a stroller or belt loop
*A hip and cool unisex band that can be worn by a man or a woman
*Comfortable to wear for hours and hours
*Regardless of the time of year, KinderKord is easy to wear and adjust whether it's hot or cold outside
*Also great for grandparents and care-givers to use
*Leaves hands completely free without the stigma of a harness

So jut take a look at it, with me telling you all about it, I get a chance to win it, and you can too, if you sign up. I love this site, because all the items are made by moms, run by moms, and has free shipping and they give away 10% of sales every year to a charity to give back to the community and God. I have put pictures of mom4life.com and KinderKord Wrist to Wrist Retractable Connection below.

P.S. The baby and they boys are doing great and all growing big fast.

It's A......

2008-11-19T15:35:00.003-05:00

Boy, I mean A Girl I mean, we didn't find out. Everyone will find out April 4th, 2009. The Ultra sound confirms that date so baby is right on track. The boys ultra sound were only off by a day or so, so we'll see when this little peanut is ready to come.

Everything showed up great on the ultra sound. It was so funny though the ultra sound tec. said everything looks good-great just going to send the data to the ultra sound doctor and we'll be right back. The doctor came right back and tried the whole "freak out the patient and husband" trick by saying we didn't get any good pictures of the belly so there might be some problems but I'll look again. She put it right on me and the baby flashes his/her belly and the doctor said oh wow that's a surprise great first shoot and everything looks great. Then since she found no problems started to dive in to find something wrong asking, " SO any problems with this pregnancy?," "NO" "So your other births c-sections or where they normal with drugs?," NO both all natural vaginal births with out any drugs" "Oh, SO anything your doctor wants us to really look at to make sure everything is normal?" "NO" which was funny because she was looking at the sheet that my doctor/midwife filled out which told her what my doctor/midwife wanted which was just the normal ultra sound nothing else and said no problems. "Well in that case we"ll let you doctor let us know when you need another ultra sound or another check up." "Ok, thanks"

It was so funny to us, because we never freaked out or were worried, God was in control the hole time guiding. But on our way out their was a dad with his child and the mom, mom crying, and the dad was on the phone making a call saying, "They found something wrong but don't know what it is yet!" We didn't mean to over hear it but it was sad. I pray that everything is alright with that family and that nothing really wasn't wrong just like us.

So I have my mid pregnancy check up tomorrow with my doctor/midwife, and I know that she will laugh at the hole thing, well my side not the other family.

I can't believe I am already halfway. The heart beat has been 143 so far, so according to old wives tales it's a boy, but like I told Alex and others my heart beat was over 140, I believe it was 142-143ish, so it still could be a girl. So guess what it's 50/50 chance. Also, just like the boys for fun, looked up the chinese birth chart. Well according to which place half say Boy and Half say Girl, although for the boys all said boy. So it's 50/50, God and Alex are determined to keep it a surprise for everyone and drive me totally nuts;-)

SO it's our little peanut TJ (Theodore Joshua) or Lizzy (Elisabeth Ruth/Esther still deciding middle name) :-)

Shineing Moment take One

2008-10-22T20:33:00.004-04:00

So here is our little peanut. We still don't know if we are going to find out or not. This was just a quick picture one to make sure baby was ok, since I had some spotting last week, BUT baby and I are just great and growing ;-) Ricky was so excited watching his little sibling in mum's tummy and hearing the heart beat. If you can't tell, which most can't so don't feel bad, the baby is looking right at you and kicking it's feet at you.

We both just want a healthy little baby that is perfectly made by God:-)

Slowly Moving Back

2008-10-17T09:01:00.003-04:00

Sorry it's been a while since I posted. Been busy with finding a place then moving, but we aren't officially moving till sometime in November.

In the picture above we where looking in Cincy for our new place and got free tickets to the game so we decide to take the boys to their first official game. It was so much fun and the boys loved it.

I am 16 weeks and things are going well, had some bleeding the other day but everything seems to be fine as of now. Our little peanut is just growing so fast. I'm starting to show, but some think I just look like I'm little over weight, but the lil Johnson baby is making their appearance!!! We will find, or at lest I will find out what the baby is in December if not earlier :-)

We found a nice place in Cincy that we'll rent for about a year and then try and save up for a house and try to sale our other house.

The boys are doing great and growing fast. Ricky really wants to go to school but we have to wait till next year and Wes has all but one of this baby molars now and is walking/climbing into everything.

Well that's about it for now, I'll try and get some Halloween pictures up when the time comes:-)

Go Forth and Multiply

2008-08-07T08:06:00.005-04:00

Well the title and the wording on the shirt, which is from Mom4life http://www.mom4life.com/ ,says it all. Yes we are pregnant with the next blessing from God. We are due in April of 09. It would be nice to have a girl, but we be just as happy with a boy, or how knows one of each ;-) I wore this awesome very comfortable shirt to announce the baby to a few friends and everyone at our church, go check out Moms4life, it's an awesome place all things design and or design from moms.

I'll keep you posted as time goes by. So far, minus some spotting for a while, everything is great and right on track. I'm tired as always, going to the bathroom none stop, and have quizzness throughout the whole day like I had with the boys, just little more this time.

If you want to hear the story it's below.

On July 23 I took a test just to see, I was having some symptoms, but wasn't sure. The test came out negative. The next day I "started" I had weird light to very light spotting for the next week which was right on track for my normal cycle. So on July 31st I took a test again just on a whim. It came out with two pink lines that were brighter then the boys pregnancy test ever were. So I called my midwife because I was still spotting. They had me take a blood test to make sure I was pregnant and that my human chorionic gonadotropin ( hCG) levels were good. Both came back positive. I stopped spotting that following Saturday, but I had little more the following Monday but this time brown. So I called the doctor again. They thought it was just a little left from before and as longs as I wasn't having cramps or bright red blood not to worry and to just take it easy.

I am doing great now and everything is fine.

The Force is With Us ;-)

2008-07-28T16:18:00.006-04:00

Well as most of you know Ricky loves Star Wars, well now Wes is getting into the action. They both use the"Force" to open the car trunk door, they have light saber duels as in the picture above, and they play with Star Wars Dudes all the time. So because of this and just on a whim Alex looked up the website http://www.starwarsdudes.com/. Well no one had it so we bought it for our boys to use as they grow up. Right now it only shows the picture of "Have you hugged a Stormtrooper today?" on it but we hope to eventually have more up.

Also this week Pottery Barn Kids released reproductions, but in 100% cotton sheets, of the original 1970's Star Wars Sheets and a cool A Long Time a go in a Galaxy Far Far Away pillow. Of course Ricky wants them for christmas. I have a picture of them below. ;-)

If it's Not Broken, Don't Fix It ;-)

2008-07-10T08:49:00.005-04:00

Well on the 4th Alex and I noticed that Wes's finger was a little swollen. We thought maybe he got a bug bite or something and we'll just watch it since it didn't seem to bother Wes at all. Well on Tuesday his finger was bigger and he cried/screamed when you touched it. Then I remembered that he had a big fall, aka Ricky pushing his little brother as Wes is trying to walk, on Thursday and maybe this was from that fall.

Oh no it might be broken. I called the doctor and as always they got me in a little later. Doctor Gill looked at it and said more less, " Yes it's swollen and the only way I can tell if it's broken or not is to take X-rays of the finger, the nurse will be right in to take them."

My baby is getting his first X-ray at 1, he is so our little Indiana Jones, (it's been our little family joke since his ultra sound because the tec said,"He's just like Indiana Jones whipping that umbilical cord around like Indy's whip, you'll need to keep an eye on this one." How true.;-) ) was my only thought. I talked to Alex about it he was worried about me having to go to the hospital to get it done, but once I told him it would be done there he felt a little better that I didn't have to go driving around a lot and get the boys worried and such.

The nurse came in and said lets go, and we: Wes, Ricky and I, followed her to this little room in the back and another nurse held Wes while the other took the pictures. Well my awesome Wesy just held still they got their two needed pictures on the first try and as soon as he heard them saw we're all done he started to cry for his Mum. The nurse took us back to our room and said, "Doctor Gill will be in soon with the results."

All along, as some as you know Ricky wants to be a baby doctor, was wanting to look at all the doctor equipment and talk to Doctor Gill about him being a baby doctor. So that help the next 5-10 minutes go faster. Finally Doctor Gill came back in. We looked at the X-rays and saw no broken bones. So Doctor Gill said, "It's just a bad sprang just watch it and make sure it doesn't get any bigger."

So it's still swollen but not any bigger, but he's not crying like he was when you touch it so hopefully it will be back to normal soon. So if it's not broken, don't fix it;-)

Independence Day/ 4th of July

2008-07-08T11:31:00.002-04:00

Happy Independence Day.

The boys, Alex, Alex mom, and I all went to fireworks near us. It was fun. The boys had a great time, Ricky was extremely happy that the symphony played some Star Wars Music.

Both the Boys fell asleep during the fireworks, which turned out to be the best Fireworks display I have even seen. I even cried, which I know not a far stretch for me, but I was crying for my country.

Any ways here are two cute pictures of the boys showing their love for this great Country. And while waving the flag Ricky was singing Happy Birthday America. :-)

Happy Batman Day to To You!!!

2008-07-08T11:11:00.005-04:00

Hi to all. So the boys birthday went well. Ricky turned 3 and Wes turned 1. I final had a kitchen so I was able to bake the boys birthday cakes. That was so much fun and they came out so cute, you can see below.

They ate there cake, and since my boys are neat eaters hardly any cake got on there faces, and yes they used forks;-)

And incase you had no idea the theme was batman;-)

2008-05-12T14:47:00.002-04:00

So the kitchen is coming along. Very soon I will be able to bake again, something I have not done in a whole year, but in the last year some wonderful things have happened that are better then baking. Wes was born was the main thing, and we are so glade he is here.

Alex is awsome and I love him so much and it's a total blessing how hard he has worked on the kitchen after it ened up being much harder then we expicted with a lot of surpirse from a house that has not been remodeled since the 1970's and under that from the 1950's.

Although not totaly done we still have the floor, paint, windows, putting in the appliances, few little touch ups, and trim to do it still feels like it is almost done and soon will be workable.

Here is what the kitchen looked like when we first started

Ricky's bear is Batman

2008-04-08T12:43:00.003-04:00

So Ricky is into Batman, not as much as Star Wars. Anyways Ricky has a build a bear named PJ that he got when he was born from us. It's his best friend in the world. Well I happened to come across a ebay that had clothes along with a batman outfit, since PJ has to wear clothes now , and we won it. So this is how PJ the Bear looks like. Ricky is all excited and made me put it on PJ and is telling all his toys that PJ is Batman.

Prayers Needed Again

2008-03-24T17:13:00.002-04:00

Below is the continued story of the lady I know from the posts from earlier. Please continue to pray for her and her family.
_________________________

When criminal charges were dropped against Ellen "Treffly" Coyne for briefly leaving her sleeping toddler in a parked car outside a Crestwood store, she and her family were ready to put the incident behind them.

But on Thursday, Coyne filed a lawsuit against the village and several officers alleging false arrest and malicious prosecution, saying they sought legal action after the Crestwood police chief maintained his department did nothing wrong.

"All we wanted was an apology and for them to kind of stand back," Coyne of Tinley Park said at a news conference in her lawyer's loop office.

God is Good :-)

2008-03-20T08:51:00.003-04:00

I Just wanted to tell you that that mom from the blog below charges were dropped by the judge last week for lack of evidence. Thanks for the prayers!!!

I Just wanted to send a quick post saying that Wes now has 5 teeth and is starting to cruise along furniture. Ricky is really starting to get the hang of the potty, some days are better then others. And Alex and I are going to try and sale his car this weekend.

I am so Thankful for my Husband and children. They are the most wonderful gift God could ever have given me by far. They are always here for to hug me and or to crawl all over me ;-)

Pray for this Mom

2008-03-12T10:47:00.002-04:00

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,337012,00.html

For all you moms out there, how many times have you left your little babies asleep in the car and then ran quickly to drop something off ( like a letter in the mail box for an example) all long still having the baby and the car insight. Well this mom got hand cuffed and now is on trail for just doing that.

If that wasn't enough for me to ask for your prayers, but also I know this mom. We took, with our husbands, Bradley Birth classes together. These classes are not just like a 1-3 week one night classes its 2-3 months one night of classes so you get to know each other fairly well.

I ask that you pray for this mom and the whole situation!

Have you hugged a Storm Trooper today?

2008-02-28T14:45:00.004-05:00

So the family and I just got back from our trip to CA. We went to San Fran and Berkeley. I had a ADX convention so Alex and the boys tagged along. I am so glade they did, because Ricky got to hug and meet a lot of his favorite Star Wars guys. But the reason for my title is that Ricky kept hugging every storm tropper he saw. It was so cute

Any ways that is just a quick update

MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU :-)

How Long IS to Long ;-)

2008-02-06T13:13:00.000-05:00

Okay so it has been forever since I posted and a few have come and told me. So I guess some do read my blog ;-)

The boys are doing good.

Ricky knows his ABC'S, 123'S, Colors, some Shapes, and almost all of the Star Wars Characters and some lines, and starting to understand the use of the potty. Oh and he is starting to love Batman and that is what their Birthday theme will be.

Wes is crawling everywhere, has three teeth, sits up, eats like crazy, breast feeds too, started to drink out of a straw a little, and started sticking his tongue out at us.

Alex and I are doing well. We have a lot of traveling to do over the next few months as a family. And soon, Lord willing, this summer will start for # 3 little baby Johnson (Hopefully a girl) we all hope and pray.

Almost 5 months

2007-10-18T16:03:00.000-04:00

Well Wes is almost five months and is growning fast. HE is already bigger then Ricky was at his age.

Ricky is still totlay into Star Wars which we have to watch or at least play the music everyday, at least it is something we like ;)

Well thats a little update:)

Wes Came:)

2007-07-25T09:45:00.000-04:00

Wesley was born on May 31st, one day after the post below which I find funny! It was a all nutral birth with no drugs and he did come in the birthing tub, which I high recomend to all.

He was 8lb 4oz, 20 3/4", with blue eyes and dark hair (which we have no idea where he got that from)!

Ricky loves his baby brother and tries to take care of him all the time.

I am truly blessed to have 3 wonderful men in my life:)

Close to D-day :)

2007-05-30T09:39:00.000-04:00

So I'm close to what we call D-day "delivery day". I have been having some contractions, but they are not regular so I know it's not early labor yet!!! So Wes should be with us in the next few days to weeks.

Ricky's 2nd B-day went well. It was so much fun for him, he even blow out one of the two candles on his own. He is getting so big, but Jedis do that ;)

2007-05-14T08:22:00.000-04:00

Hi,

So I have not posted since Dec. sorry. A lot has happened. I have gotten bigger and can't move around as well;) Ricky got a little tike blue car bed and loves it. Wes is coming in a few weeks. Alex, with family help, destroied the kitchen so we can put the new one in. We are all hoping to have it done, or almost done by the time Wes comes. Chole is doing the same, the only one that nothing has happened too;)

Will post once Wes has come with detials:)

Long time no Post

2006-12-12T08:54:00.000-05:00

Okay so i know it's been a long time since I posted anything. Well we movied back to our home state. Sold our old house and movied into the new house. We are aslo expecting our second baby, so I will be posting more on that now, if I find time;) Christmas is coming soon, so everyone have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!!!

The House is Up

2006-07-21T14:03:00.000-04:00

Well the house has been for sell for a week now. The first few days we had people looking at itlike crazy, but now nothing. We need to sell this place and qickly. But it is all in God's hands which I wanted it be. It is just hard to be in this situation!

Happy 4th of July

2006-07-04T09:13:00.000-04:00

Happy 4th of July. I hope our little guy wont get scared tonight, but enjoys the fire works. It will be the first one that he has spent at his grand parents town fire works display. This day is special to me since it is this day 7 years ago that Alex told me that he only wanted to be with me and I with him. It was not an official engagement but it was a promise.

House Looking

2006-06-29T08:40:00.000-04:00

So for the last few weeks Alex and I have been looking at so many houses. Non of them really felt like "home" yet. But we are looking at one today that seems to be perfect. The only problem is, it is next door to his boss. His boss is really cool, but Alex dosen't know if he wants to do. On the other hand, it's right across the street from work and it is our dream house, that we know of so far, in and out.

Oh Great It's Summer

2006-06-21T08:52:00.000-04:00

So today is the first day of summer. I really do not like summer. Give me Spring, Fall, and Winter. The only thing I like about Summer is going to our Condo in Florida and seeing the sea turtles and going to Disney.

But that might chang once the little one starts playing Baseball;)

2006-06-20T10:13:00.000-04:00

Well here I go. My first ever Blog. It's not much right now, but I hope in the next few weeks or months it will be much nicer.