Oh and Samantha's embarassing comment of the year

I forgot about this amidst all the craziness towards the end of term. One of the last days of Nursery School before Christmas I was standing beside a rather larger girl waiting for the doors to open, when Samantha tells me very loudly for all to hear (not just the larger girl)......"She's got a big bum-bum mummy." How do you respond to that? I didn't, I just wanted to die, and luckily the doors opened right then for the kids to go in.

Deldon's Prayer of the year

We are saying our evening prayer last night, during which Deldon asked "Please help Karen's body to regain it's form" - nice huh lol? I burst out laughing, not very reverent I know, but come on! He quickly defended himself by saying he meant my "insides" just didn't quite know how to put it. He'll kill me for putting that on here, but I found it all too amusing. And yes, for those that are wondering I am doing a 100 times better. Life is good again, my health is returning, and I am enjoying my lovely baby boy. He's such a pleasant, content little soul. We love his eyes, we don't see them open too often so it's so fun when he does wake up for a while. Even better, he's quiet when awake, unlike our girls when they were babies. But I know he's only a week old, so that could all quickly change.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Belated Merry Christmas to all

About Midnight on Christmas Eve we happened to turn to RTE (Irish Channel) and were able to watch the tail end of a Catholic Mass. As the choir was singing and I commented to Deldon that it was good to be reminded for that brief moment what Christmas is really all about amist all that was happening around us. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas day filled with good time spent with family and friends. I'm afraid to say our photos of Christmas are few and far between. I was put in charge of taking the photos of opening the pressies, but they had their backs to me and there was no way I was pulling my lifeless body off the chair, so we have a lot of "behind" shots. Here's ones Deldon took later when we arranged their pressies on the couches for them.

Sickness still main headline to dominate in this Johnson household

I wonder if I'll ever have anything positive to write on this blog again? I got home Tuesday, thought I was on the mend but by Wednesday it was quickly down hill again. Either I've had a relapse or have caught another virus. Baby had to go on to a bottle after 48 hours and has been in Deldon's care ever since. I feel soooooo bad. Christmas completely passed us by. I managed to slide myself down the stairs to watch the girls open their presents and then spent the rest of the day upstairs, whilst they all went to my sisters. One blessing is that Bryce has been a very good baby so far and hasn't caused too much trouble. Sophie on the other hand is a complete nightmare, crying constantly, and driving us all crazy. Don't think she's too keen on a mum that just sits here like a space cadet and a baby getting all of Daddies attention. Samantha has had high temperatures since yesterday, and is now vomiting. I'm starting to consider hiring a company to disinfect and fumigate our home, I mean really, what is going on, this is crazy???? Thank goodness for a domesticated husband like Deldon, he has been trying so hard to keep on top of everything and has taken really good care of all of us, especially Bryce. He has been my life line. Last night he slept downstairs with Bryce so I could get a full nights sleep with no interruptions (one advantage of the bottle situation), it was heaven! He's now upstairs trying to catch up on some much needed sleep himself. I think I'm finally starting to recover today so I can start making some much needed contributions to this household again. Here's some recent shots of our baby, I think he's adorable, so cute, we love him to death already. I must thank Bryce for a relatively easy birth, although I had to struggle through contractions for 48 hours before he decided to come, when he did, it was great. I had no epidural (Mon-Fri 9-5 is the only time you can get one without it being an emergency lol) so arriving in the early hours of Monday morning kissed that luxury goodbye. But I was only in the delivery room not even 2 hours, high as a kite, and out he came. Yeah for gas and air!!! I thought I'd give Deldon some to let him see what it was like, it took a lot more sucking for him to get the effect, but when it kicked in he wasn't too keen on it haha. Apparently it's akin to being drunk, I hate the sensation at first, but then you just have to embrace it and go to lala land as it's sure better than facing reality at that stage. I had to do the same with Sophie. Although she conveniently came during the "working day" it took them 40 minutes to get the anesthetist up to me, and as she walked in the room and I began singing her praises for coming to my aid, Sophie decided that was the time to make her grand appearance and not a moment later. So no sooner had she arrived in my room, she left! I am now determined to be in the Land of the 24 hour Epidurals next time (if I ever muster up the courage to go again) to have a pain free birth, I'm done with my share of labour pains. Well enough of pain and sickness. here's some recent photos of Bryce. I can't wait to really start enjoying him in the next few days as my health returns.

Fast Asleep in his new rocker chair that his Granny got him, we think he looks like his Uncle Daron in this photo

Don't know why, but this photo is being flipped around sideways by blogger...strange?

One of the rare moments that Bryce has given a good cry, poor Dad looks wrecked. I think this picture sums up the state of our household right now. Deldon has managed to drop a good 15-20 pounds in the last 10 dayswith having the flu himself and all this stress to deal with.

link to photos on facebook

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=52583&l=a9e38&id=763183830

Bryce is Born

Bryce was born today the 22 of December 2008 at 5:51 am. He is 8Ib 5oz. His full name is Bryce Richard Johnson,

My hospital visit with no baby to show for it!!!

So life has been a bit rough to put it mildy. Early hours of Friday morning I came down with the lovely flu that Deldon had. After a miserable day in bed, my worst nightmare occured - contractions started. Not what one wants when you can't move your head off the pillow. Oh and then to add to the joy Sophie vomited in her sleep (she is now down with this). Six hours later, about 2 am we headed into the hospital as they were 5 mins apart, and I felt so ill I just was not coping. Get to the hospital, and of course they ease off, and then appear to stop. My keotones were off the chart and baby was very non responsive so they admited me to get me rehydrated. Baby perked up after a bag of fluid which was good, and I have spent the last 2 days in hospital getted rehydrated enough to be able to come home and continue recovering. I have been having miserable contractions for 48 hours now, but because they have no pattern, I'm not considered to be in labour. My consultant wouldn't even examine me to see what they've been doing as they don't want to do anything to encourage labour whilst I'm feeling so ill. Anyways because I am eating and drinking again they let me home to try and get well again. As we were walking out of the maternity unit today and turned to Deldon and said "I can't believe I'm leaving here without a baby." Listening to the cries of the little babies was just devastating me, although I do know I'm in no fit state to give birth and take care of this little boy just yet. So looks like I could well be spending Christmas day in hospital.

My little nurse came to visit me, she is well confused about our boy baby not being here yet. I'd talked her through Granny coming to look after her and mummy going to the hospital. Well Granny came to stay and mummy went to the hospital, but no boy baby to show for it. She told me today when I came home that the doctor couldn't pull the baby out, it was too hard for him.

Across the miles

Like my bright pink slippers? You should see the polka dot dressing gown (house coat) that they match with. My sister's gift for me going in to hospital, you won't miss me coming down the corridor!!

I was just lying on the couch resting and the door knocked, Deldon answered and signed for a package from my wonderful BYU roommate Mandy. You just made my day. Thank you for much for the cutest little boy outfit ever! I think of you often Mandy too. We have shared some great memories, and I am ever thankful for all you taught me by your example over the 4 years we were roomies. I still consider you one of my dearest friends even though we are miles apart.




Well to update our situation, Deldon caught the "real" flu, don't think I've ever seen him this sick, it was panicking me. So grateful for Priesthood blessings and the reminder of the blessing of being able to take my cares to Heavenly Father in prayer. I was so bogged down with selfish thoughs it was the last think on my mind sadly. That was until my daddy reminded me of that gift in the blessing he gave me. I was having a major meltdown internally on my due date, so torn with wanting this baby out and the fear of facing labour without Deldon. But he is actually out of bed today, and things are on the up for him. I have had the flu shot, so although I am expressing symptoms of it, it is very mild (so far), fingers crossed it stays that way. The girls are coughing and have runny noses but are happy and up and about. My poor sister is at home with kids with fevers, sore throats, and vomiting, so we have been consoling each other via the phone. I go again to see the midwives tomorrow for another membrane sweep, but I decided to make an appointment to see a reflexologist tomorrow afternoon in a last ditch attempt to induce labour naturally. It's never guaranteed, but one can but try. She'll do her reflexology and give me some aromatherapy oils to try to help me along too. If it wasn't for wanting to be home Christmas morning with my girls and Deldon to watch their wee faces I wouldn't care when this baby comes (okay well maybe I want to eat Christmas dinner too and not hospital food). Fingers crossed!

Sophie is wrecked

Shock, horror, we have a house of sickly people again. It's been a day of coughing and puking for Deldon and the girls. I need Deldon back to full health asap or I have visions of my poor mother in the labour ward with me. Little Sophie gave up by 5 pm and fell asleep on the couch. She has a funny way of soothing herself. She rubs her lips on her toes, and if she can't get to her toes she'll use her arm instead. I really need to get these kids to bed, I have a feeling it's going to be a LONG LONG night!

Here she is fast asleep with her helium Christmas balloon still attached to her.

For Time and all Eternity

Well I made to the day I really wanted to be at - Daniel and Kim's Wedding. I used to babysit Kimberly as a babe and worshiped her mum as one of my Primary leaders and Young Women program leaders. When I came back from my 9 year adventure to the States I was called as ward YW President. Kimberly was the 15 bak then. I remember the excitment of her turning sixteen and having her "first kiss", but never in my wildest imagination did I think I'd be sitting at her wedding a week shy of age 19, that is so not common here, even among LDS. But it was a lovely day, and having been one of her leaders in the YW program, there was nothing more wonderful than watching her marry a great faithful returned missionary and to know that her marriage was sealed yesterday in the Preston Temple. I could not, and can not hope for more than that in this life for all the girls I have had the privilage of getting to know through my time in the ward and Stake YW program. Grateful for Daniel and Kim's example of living good worthy lives to be able to seal their marriage for eternity, and thankful for my own eternal companion and the great blessing he has been in my life and the lives of my children in the nearly 7 years we have been married.

Me in all my "blooming" glory, can get much more pregnant than this.

X Factor 2008 - Leona Lewis 'Run' Live

I liked this song by Snow Patrol, but now I LOVE it. This is her singing it live a few weeks ago on the X-factor (like Pop Idol) which she won 2 years ago. Her record company decided not to release it as a single but bowed to pressure from fans at the weekend to release it. She has just broke the record for the number of digital downloads of a song ever, go Leona!!

Super Saturday

Well it didn't take much to make yesterday a "Super Saturday" for us, given our house bound status. We got out of the house and had ourselves some fun. We met Daddy after his Saturday football for lunch at an American Diner in Oddessey, Belfast. Samantha was so desperate to get my attention when we arrived, because after the most important thing - Santa Claus decorations she noticed "Daddy's flag" was everywhere too!! We then took a trip in to Lisburn to see Santa . This was no "Mall" Santa that's for sure. Actually it was a Santa's workshop for the McMillan Cancer society here in Northern Ireland. The girls enjoyed meeting him, getting a chocolate lolly and having their photo taken, and it was nice to donate to a worthy charity. I must scan the photo, Deldon and I were chuckling when we left, as it was a Polaroid shot and looks like it was taken about 25 years ago. Whilst in town the funniest thing happened. We were crossing at lights and by the time we got to the other side of the road Sophie's nappy (diaper) and jeans were round here ankles. I couldn't stop laughing, everyone around was was trying not to laugh too. I have never had that happen with either of them before. I'm cracking up now just thinking about it. I so would have taken a photo, only it was freezing outside and didn't want to look like a bad mother taking advantage of my daughter's misfortune hee hee. A few yards down the road and it was happening again, so she had to sit in the pram until we got to some changing facilities. Anyways, it was so nice to get out and about as a family again. Fingers crossed tomorrow night Deldon and I are getting out for dinner on our own as we had to cancel that last Saturday due to sickness. Today we are spending on our own, my sister decided to stay home from Church and not to do dinner together to see if we can kill this cycle of illness between our 2 families, I hope it works!

Waiting patiently for Daddy to come meet us to eat after football with the boys

Eating ice-cream, it must still have been on her mind as that is what she told Santa she wanted for Christmas?????????????

Sophie was so excited to see a cardboard cut of of one of her favourite TV shows - Lola

Toby Curran was in town with his dad and stopped to say hi whilst we were waiting to see Santa Claus

Samantha, our poser

That's how a Poloraid shows up when you try to scan it!!

Tis the Season

For sickness in our household, yes it's been a record breaking 6 weeks for us (and my sister's household too). Sophie is still getting over a cough, nose, throat thing and I have spent the last 6 days getting worse and worse and worse with a cold, a really nasty sore throat, and now I have pink eye or conjunctivitis as we call it here in the UK. Samantha has red eyes and is periodically is asking for her sick bowl......will it ever end? It's spoiling all my fun. I had planned 3 evenings out this week for carol singing, visiting teaching, and going to a hen night and I've had miss them all aaaaaaaaarrrrrrrhhhhhhhh!

Thanksgiving was lovely and I'm glad to say Samantha is still a meat eater. I was a bit concerned after I invited her to come watch me clean and stuff the turkey. She was in tears and mad at me for killing the animal, I blamed it on the farmer and she let me know in no uncertain terms there was no way she was eating the turkey.......I think I got up from the table about 3 times to get more turkey for her, she devoured it lol.

We have had fun getting the tree up, we started on Saturday letting the girls put the bobbles on. We were then too lazy to actually rearrange them correctly until Monday. Finally thursday I got the beads on, so it's officially done!

We had some friends over for dinner on Monday night, sadly I couldn't taste the food, but I know it was as excellent as it always is. Feds is an amazing cook, she so kindly wanted to feed me one last meal before Bambino arrives. They brought their cute 5 month old Talia with them and the girls were in their element trying to entertain her and just playing beside her, it was very cute. It made me excited to watch their reaction when they meet our "boy baby."

I know I need to do better with the blogging, I've really let it slip with all the sickness I feel so unmotivated, plus I feel like there has been nothing to blog about as we've been so house bound. I feel like I'm just in survival mode trying to just get through each day. I even started this blog a few days ago and am still working on it today.

Deldon is out at the Stake Youth Christmas Social, they are doing an Abba-thon, how fun? I stood and cooked sloppy joe mixture for 80 people last night, hope it tastes okay. I had to trust Deldon's tast buds on that one. I had him bring me home a burger and chips in the hope of tasting something tonight, but alas I still can't taste a thing....maybe tomorrow will be better? Can't believe my due date in creeping up. I saw my midwives yesterday, they offered me a "sweep" to encourage labour. I declined as I have a wedding I really want to attend on the 12th, but after that anything I can do to get this baby out I will do. Any suggestions other than the usual advice such as foot rubs, walking and sex? (Can't believe I just used the "S" word on my blog lol). Below I decided to try the smile box thing, so it's our week in pictures.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Nursery School Photos

Here's some scanned photos of a wee photo session taken at Samantha's nursery school in November. They had one prop when we arrived, a RED vintage car and I had the girls in black and PINK!! I thought the photographer was nuts when he made me put them in it as they clashed so bad. I was prepared for horrific photos but obviously he was at least smart enough to crop the car out of the final pictures, or I'm now thinking the car was just a ploy he was using to get the kids to sit for him, don't know?