In Case You Haven't Been Reading Kieran's Blog...

Yes, I am still alive, and yes I am still blogging.

I just haven't been here (look here).

So being a mom is a lot more time consuming than a previously non-mom thought (that previously non-mom being me). Being a mom and finishing up your last semester of college is even more time consuming. Being a mom, graduating from college, and trying to keep your house clean is pretty much impossible. Try and throw blogging into the mix and, well, I'd rather sleep for thirty minutes. Sorry. Those are the priorities these days.

And really, I haven't blogged on my own site because my life has just been baby baby baby. I can tell you what my favorite diapers are (Nature Babycare). I can tell you all about how awesome the Quinny stroller is. And I'm an expert on relieving clogged milk ducts (after TWELVE, I had better be).

Not that it's bad that these topics have been my life. In fact, let me know if any of these subjects interest you and I'd be happy to discuss further. I just figured nobody would be particularly interested in the things that have interested me the last two months. 

So anyways... Yes, I have officially earned my BFA in Computer Arts, New Media from the Academy or Art University. I'm super stoked, super relieved, and slightly... missing it? Is that crazy? Okay, I guess it's more the design work that I miss. Although that void will quickly be filled NEXT WEEK when I return to work. 

Oh my gosh... How did the last eleven and a half weeks go by so fast? I am actually looking forward to getting back to work, but I start to cry whenever I think of being away from my son. I haven't been away from him for more than a few hours. I'm really really really not okay with leaving him. But knowing he will be with Grandma and Grandpa eases my mind a bit (that and knowing I can call them every hour). 

And don't get me started on missing watching Martha and Ellen everyday.

But anywho, so far motherhood has been more fulfilling than I could have ever imagined. The first six weeks were pretty challenging, and I spent a lot of time crying (man, people weren't kidding when they talk about postpartum emotions), but half as many tears were of joy. Every day he does something that overwhelms me with joy. 

Now that things have settled and we're in (some what) of a routine, I hope to be able to blog more. And yes, it will be about diapers and strollers and all the challenges that come with raising a baby. But I do still have my own life (I keep reminding myself), so I'll throw in some creative stuff as well.

Speaking of which, it's time again for the annual Academy of Art Spring Show! If you haven't been before (or even if you have), this is a must see. The artwork always impresses, and there is often some great work for sale. It's running through June 11th, so try to get there this weekend if you can!

Where: 
Academy of Art University 
601 Brannan St. (at 5th Street) (map) 
San Francisco, CA 94107

When: 
May 21 – June 11 
9 AM – 5 PM (ongoing) 
*Closed Sundays and Holidays

Kieran's Blog! And Week One Wrap-Up. :)

I created Kieran's blog the other day, and will try my best to keep updating it as much as possible. Of course, it all depends on the little man. :) 

So far, everything has been great. The sleepless nights are to be expected, but did take some getting used to. I think we've gotten into a pretty good routine already, though. We let Daddy sleep as much as possible during the night, as he has become our full-time housekeeper -- doing all the cooking, laundry, cleaning, and shopping. Although Grandma and Grandpa did start us off on the right foot, by cleaning our entire house while we were still in the hospital, as well as stock our freezer full of Trader Joe's goodies. Oh, and did I mention my mom weeded and pruned our entire patio?? And bought us flowers!

We went on our first trip outside the house yesterday. We had an appointment to have our car seat checked at Tiny Tots, and then went and visited Uncle Adam at work (look for pics on Kieran's blog!). We were going to go walk the Campbell Creek Trail, but decided it would probably be a bit much for me so soon after the surgery. It was just so good to get out of the house, though. And such beautiful weather!

We've had such an amazing time with him so far. And we can't thank our friends enough for all the love they've given both us and Kieran. Thanks to Amii, Rhonda, Nick, Tim, Jeannie, Andrew and Cindi for visiting us in the hospital (as well as bringing some great treats). And a big thank you to Mariyah for bringing us the most amazing salad ever one night, and LeeAnn for bringing dinner and Kieran's first birthday cake to celebrate his one week! :) 

And I don't know what we have done without Uncle Adam, racing over and putting together the playard before we arrived home! Not to mention soothing Kieran to sleep with his radio show. :) Thanks Uncle!!

He Is Here! He Is Here! He Is Here!

Trip and I are proud to introduce the birth of Keiran Connor Johnson, born March 18th at 3:39pm. He is 6.9 lbs, and 19.25". Mommy is still recovering, but baby is absolutely perfect. He'll have his own site soon, so I'll post the link as soon as it's up. And yes, there will be pics. :)

38 Weeks and Counting...

Just a quick update. :)

I had a doctor's appointment this morning, and it sounds like baby is getting ready to make his grand entrance! I haven't dilated much, but my cervix has thinned about 40% she guesses. 

My belly didn't grow this week (still at 37 cm), but she didn't expect it to. Especially since baby's head is literally pushing down on my cervix! She laughed because she felt the top of his head immediately. So that explains the intense pressure I've been feeling the past few days, and the need to go to the bathroom every 30 minutes. 

Her guess is that he is about 6 lbs. 12 oz as of now. Any guesses on the birth weight?? 

Oh, and speaking of guesses, I've put a poll up for baby's arrival date. Please let me know what your guess is!! :)

As for me, my energy level has gone down a bit, and lower back pain has intensified, but besides that I'm doing well. We can only hope delivery goes as smoothly as my pregnancy has! 

Today is my last day at work, so I plan to update you all more frequently as we head down the home stretch...  It's getting exciting!!

Eighth Month Belly!

I can't believe I only blogged once last month. This past month just flew by! I guess it helps that the last few weeks I have been knee deep in a huge social networking project for BlogHer. So between that, my usual work load, school, and getting ready for the baby -- well, life is crazy and time is flying.

And now here we are, entering the last month of pregnancy. The crazy has just begun...

The good news is I think we are pretty set for baby's arrival! We finished our birthing classes last week, with a tour at El Camino Hospital. I can't imagine not doing that dry run. It was great to see exactly where we should go (day or night), and what the birthing rooms look like. We even got to peak at a newborn. I think it was the first time all of this started to feel "real". I know, you would think after 8 months it would all be pretty freakin' real. But it's just so hard to imagine it all when you have no real frame of reference. Like, we love our cats. We love each other. We love our family. But this... this little tiny miracle. This kind of love is so unknown. So seeing that newborn -- literally just a few hours old -- and watching the proud papa with her... well, I probably don't have to tell you the pregnant hormones kicked in and I got a little weepy. "That will be us soon." Wow.

And soon is very soon. You see the floating baby over there on the right -- >> Well floating baby tells us we are 27 DAYS away from our due date. And as my OB reminded me yesterday, only 7 days away from full term. Although she suspects I will go the full 40 weeks (as most first time mommies do), she said we should be prepared for baby to arrive any day now. So the next few days we'll make sure the bag is packed and the car seat is safely in place!

Belly measured 35cm yesterday, so growth has slowed down a tiny bit. But my weight gain continues to be right on track. His heartbeat sounds fantastic, and she said his activity is great. Actually she said, "Sounds like he's having fun in there." Hee hee.

Speaking of being in there... the other day I told Trip that I am really going to miss baby being inside me. I've been so lucky with a such a great pregnancy that, despite some annoying backaches, I really have gotten so used to his constant presence, his movements. Of course Trip responded that he's pretty sure I'll appreciate seeing his little face and holding him more so, but I can't help but think of how I'll miss feeling him in my belly. Sounds kinda crazy, huh.

Okay, enough rambling. I know you all just want to see that belleh. :)

125# and 37.5"

At 36 weeks, baby now weighs almost 6 pounds (like a crenshaw melon) and is more than 18 1/2 inches long.

My progress:
One Month: 100# and 24"
Two Months: 101# and 25"
Three Months: 104# and 31
Four Months: 107# and 31.5"
Five Months: 112# and 33" 
Six Months: 117# and 35" 
Seven Months: 120# and 36.5"
Eight Months: 125# and 37.5"

Shower, Nursery, and Shoe Fetishes.

This past weekend we had our baby shower, hosted by my sisters. It was wonderful. Beautiful. Fantastic. Overwhelming! The food was amazing. The cupcakes, "off the hook". And the company, well, what can I say... we were surrounded by some of the most important people in our lives. What more could we ask for?! And of course we (well, baby boy), were completely spoiled. It was a great day!

Having fun opening the bazillion gifts we got!

Thank you SOOOO much to everyone who came and celebrated with us. We are truly grateful. We can't wait for the little guy to thank each of you himself!

So of course, even though I was completely exhausted, I had to come home and unpack everything. The nursery is almost complete! And as promised, here are some pics. We still need baskets for the changer (to put all the diapers, wipes, etc. in... please ignore the mess as it is now!), and we have a toy box that Tripple is going to paint to put against the wall under the animal pics (to house all the stuffed animals baby boy already has!). So a few things to do, but soooo close!

All credit goes to Tripple for the idea of putting the decals on the closet. How cute is that?

Oh, and I thought you all might like to see that I am already fully aware that I am raising my husband's son.

Like father.

Like son.

Seven Month Belly!

I know, I lagged a bit this month. Although depending on what book or what site you are getting your info from, your eighth month can start at 31 weeks or 32 weeks. As of today I am 32 weeks, so maybe I'm not a week late posting after all (and can you believe I'm in my eighth month?).

So, I thought I felt baby boy a lot last month. I can't believe the movements I feel now! And not only do I feel more powerful kicks and nudges, but I SEE them too. It's pretty amazing (or kinda freaky -- depending on who you ask. I say amazing!). The cutest new development this month are the hiccups he gets every night, right at bedtime -- although they don't make getting to sleep very easy. But hey, I'd much rather feel his movements then get a good night's sleep. Getting me ready for parenthood I suppose!

I only gained 3 pounds this month, but my belly measured exactly 30 cm at 30 weeks, so baby is growing well. My OB said my belly, "is big and round and perfect", so I'm not worried. :) I can tell you I am definitely not skimping on eating. I eat about every three hours now, which is the best way to keep the heartburn at bay. And now that I know my glucose level is good, I am definitely not skimping on the sweets either. Tripple surprised me with a chocolate cake the other night, and I've almost finished it -- all by myself (how awesome is my husband?!).

The nursery is really coming together. So exciting!! Uncle Adam has proven to be invaluable with his carpentry skills, building the crib and changer in no time and putting in all the new baseboards. We just have some rearranging and decorating to do, and then I'll take some pics and post!

8 weeks to go! I'm now going to the OB every two weeks, and my last four weeks I will go every week. We have an appointment on Friday for an ultrasound, so we're very excited to sneak another peak. We haven't seen him since 20 weeks, so we can't wait to see what he looks like now. Hopefully we'll get some good pictures to post. He doesn't like to stay still for very long, so we'll see if he cooperates. 

I want to thank those of you that have already spoiled this boy with some extremely thoughtful and generous gifts. Trip and I are so grateful, from the bottom of our hearts. It's so amazing to know we are bringing this precious boy into the world knowing how much he is loved by so many!

Well here it is... Look at that belleh! I think the profile pic doesn't really do the belly justice, but I think the straight on photo you really get a sense of how he is filling me up!

120# and 36.5"

At 31 weeks baby weighs about 3.3 lbs. and measures over 16 inches long, about the weight of four navel oranges.

My progress:

One Month: 100# and 24"

Two Months: 101# and 25"

Three Months: 104# and 31"

Four Months: 107# and 31.5"

Five Months: 112# and 33" 

Six Months: 117# and 35" 

Seven Months: 120# and 36.5"