Little Things we Love

Being at home this summer gives us time together to do little daily things that we don't get to do very often when I work full-time.

One of Bridget's favorite things to do is going grocery shopping at Publix. During the school year when I work, I would usually sneak out in the evenings to do the grocery shopping by myself. But now that we have more time, Bridget and I go together. The reason she loves going to Publix is quite simple...the free cookie she gets from the bakery! The bakery is our first stop and that cookie is gone by the time we're done at the deli!



Another favorite is bubbles! She never gets tired of blowing bubbles...or at least trying to blow bubbles. I finally got smart and found the spill-proof bubbles, so now she can walk around with the bubbles without making a huge mess.



And when I work full-time, there isn't much time for playdates, but this summer we've tried to make-up for all those playdates we miss out on during the school year. Our most recent playdate was with Lily and Carter at the mall. (It's toooo hot for the playground these days!) We let them loose in the very chaotic indoor play area. It's always packed and at least half the kids are way too big to be playing in there, but we gave it a try anyway. I sat back on the bench and let her go on her own and she did just fine. I like letting her try things on her own before I jump in and hover over her. She's really very independent and can stick up for herself quite well. And the few times she stumbled or fell down, she jumped right back up and kept playing. She's tough! A trip to the mall isn't complete without at least a little shopping. Lily and Bridget shared some french fries while the mommies bargain hunted at Gymboree!

Bridget and Lily at the mall


We also made it to our first Library Storytime this summer and we visited the library lots of other days too. She loves to sit and color, something she doesn't seem to have the patience for at home. She seems to know that the library is a quiet place and she usually doesn't get too crazy when we're there!

Working on a masterpiece


Working on her favorite truck puzzle


Checking out the best part-the books!

I wish these summer days weren't ending in just 3 short weeks. But of course the good news is that my school year will end early this year, in February, as we get ready for our new baby! Can't wait!!

Some fun pool pictures from this weekend too. Thanks to her new Dora pail and inflatable boat, she's the envy of all the other kids!

Thirty

I'm getting ready to hit the big 30th birthday milestone later this week. We started celebrating a little bit early though with a party at my parents house last Saturday. My biggest birthday surprise rang my doorbell at about 3:00 on Saturday afternoon. My sister Jody, from Louisville, flew in just for the party. Literally, she was there just for for the party! She arrived Saturday afternoon and had a very early flight out on Sunday morning. And the best part was that I was truly surprised. I had absolutely no idea she was coming! If you know Jody, you know that it can't be a great party without her. In fact, she pointed out that I may be the nice sister, but she's the life of the party!




Bridget partied with us since all of our usual babysitters were party guests. She may be giving Jody a run the "Life of the Party" title. She refused to miss any of the fun and finally at 11pm she just couldn't keep her eyes open any longer.



We celebrated with our wonderful family and friends and it couldn't have been better! And since the party was before my actual birthday there is still more birthday fun to have this weekend!


She warmed up to Jody quick!



My sisters...I do have a brother, but I'm sure he was either eating or sleeping during the picture taking!

So Happy

Bridget is so happy to tell you...

that she is going to be a big sister!!!

Baby Johnston #2 is on its way! I'm just shy of 9 weeks pregnant and our due date is February 15th, 2010. We are so happy and excited! We had our first doctor's appointment earlier this week and everything looked great! I'm feeling just like I did when I was pregnant with Bridget...the nausea comes and goes throughout the day and I'm eating all sorts of strange things at strange times. (Last night I had Cheez-Its in bed at 2am!)

We also think we're goint to keep the sex of baby a surprise until the end! I really want to, Todd just needs a little more convincing.

We're happy to share this news with everyone and hoping for a pregnancy as easy and healthy as our first one!

4th of July!

We kept busy this 4th of July weekend with dinners, beach parties, and cookouts with friends and family. Bridget is at the perfect age for just about anything. We don't have to plan our outings around naps and bedtime anymore. If there is fun involved, she'll be awake and playing with lots and lots of energy!

We spent the 4th of July with our good friends Carrie, Joey and Livi who invited us to the beach party at Pelican Bay. We had a great meal, playtime on the beach and of course, fireworks! The location was perfect...we could see the Naples, Ft. Myers and Sanibel fireworks all from our spot on the beach. Livi and Bridget play so well together and Bridget learns so much Livi. She wants to do everything Livi does!

Tonight we are unwinding from the long weekend in a very quiet house. Bridget has been sleeping a little restless at night and nobody has gotten a full night's sleep in awhile. My parents offered to take her for the night, so Todd and I could get some good sleep. Bridget couldn't have been happier to go to Grandma and Grandpa's house. She had Hello Kitty clutched in one hand and her new favorite movie, The Cat in the Hat in the other!

So with that, I'm off to bed for some much needed sleep!

Our adorable girls



It's amazing how still they'll sit for sweets!



Some patriotic tattoos...



Some things never change...Bridget trying to escape into the water!



Look at that sky!



She stayed up to watch the fireworks with us!

Good Job, Bridget!

We've had so many reasons to say this to Bridget lately...

She's taken her one word vocabulary of "Uh-oh" to quite a few more words. Some are clearer than others and maybe only we can understand them, but we know what she's saying! And her animal sound imitations are growing too! We've been a little worried about her lack of talking, but I think all that worry is about to come to an end!

Bridget also swam with swimmies on for the first time this week. She was a little wobbly, but I'm sure she'll get better each time. The rain has kept us inside a lot this week, but hopefully she'll get some more practice this weekend.

AND...she's using the potty! She has used it 4 times so far and each time I cheer louder for her. We are no where near giving up diapers, but I'm so proud of her for giving it a try. I have a little bag of Reese's Pieces stashed in the bathroom drawer just for her!

Our 4th of July weekend plans are to relax and hopefully enjoy the sunshine!


Digging in the sand and eating potato chips




Being very silly...



Popsicle!



Reading Twilight



Wanting to brush her teeth all by herself