Our First Famiy Easter

For our first family Easter together, we started off by going to church. Brian and the bell choir he directs played at the 3 morning services. We had some Easter breakfast at church, Soren especially loved the pumpkin muffins. After service we quickly packed the car the headed down to IA to visit Brian's family. We were able to make it down around 4pm and catch some family which was nice! We then stayed down in IA until today just hanging out and doting on Soren. I think grandma and grandpa are smitten ;-). Soren slept great the night before and Easter nights, he slept 7 hours straight and only got up once that night! Last night was another bad night, we'll see how tonight goes. He has been chewing on his finger alot today, I'm beginning to feel more confident that these setbacks lately are due to teething. We didn't snap a whole lot of pictures Easter morning as we were rushing to get out, but here's a few:

His Easter basket, included 'puffs', dollar spot books, teething rings, and play rings

Reaching for the book first :-)

At Gma & Gpa Johnson's house- he LOVED all the ceiling fans!

Trying out the stairs for the first time

Overall, it was a great, low-key holiday

Christmas

Wow I feel like a terrible blogger, considering it's been a week since Christmas and I haven't posted anything yet! I do need to cut myself some slack though considering December was a crazy busy month for us due to all the training my new job brought, Brian working overtime, and holiday madness in general! Our Christmas kinda seemed like it didn't happen, it was weird. I had to work Christmas Eve until 5pm so I missed out on the anticipation and excitement that generally existed in years past. I headed straight for my parent's house where I was met by a large crowd of family. I was so exhausted and emotionally drained from work that it was difficult to really take in and enjoy the evening. I ate dinner quick, then the gift opening frenzy began! Soren got alot of cool gifts, we're so thankful for all the love and support he has in his life! After gift opening he was so stinkin tired it took a long while to get him to take a nap! Eventually he went down for a little bit but then woke back up. We went to the 9pm Candlelight service at church, and it was a pretty special moment for us to have Soren there. I remember last year being pregnant and so excited about having a baby to celebrate with this Christmas.

The next morning we all woke up feeling under the weather, but we packed up and made the 3-hour drive down to IA to visit family.

We first visited Brian's step-mom's family.




The next stop we made was Brian's grandpa's house in the same town.

Remember these three munchkins?!? Look how much they've grown since their first picture together!

After that, we drove to Brian's parent's house about 15 minutes away from the town where the gatherings were. When we got back to their house about 8pm, we opened gifts between the 5 of us. Soren got lots of cool stuff, it was pretty awesome!

"On the day you were born" recorded by Grandma with his added birth stats.

We were able to stay down there until Tuesday, then came back home. I think we're still slowly recovering from the holidays, and all sick with colds. Luckily it hasn't seem to hit Soren or I too hard (yay breastfeeding!), just a little congestion.

And in case you wanted to see the Christmas Cards I designed this year, here ya go:
Hope you all had a blessed Christmas, next up, New Years!

Excited to See Daddy

Soren and I went down to IA this weekend while daddy stayed home because he was working. When we got home Sunday, I got him into bed and Brian got home shortly after. He went in to give Soren a kiss, and Soren woke up as soon as he heard Brian's voice. Soren was cooing and smiling at him, I just had to get video. Don't mind the beginning where I interrupt their bonding time ;-)

Our First Family Camping Trip

For many years when I dreamed of having a family, one of the first experiences that came to mind which I wanted to share with my children was camping. Growing up, my mom and step-dad took us camping almost every year. Since Brian and I got married, we've been camping every Summer. I couldn't wait to take Soren camping and start all sorts of fun traditions! Last year our extended family started a first annual family camping trip, this year marked our second. This year we stayed at Banning State Park in Minnesota (where we're from which has AWESOME state parks!). Camping with a baby was a bit challenging at times, but we had a great time and are thankful for the help our family provided. The first evening we arrived we set up camp, and made brats, hot dogs, and beans for dinner. We quickly found out how terrible the mosquitoes were, and this whole weekend I was VERY thankful I bought screen netting to put over So-so's car seat and stroller to keep the bugs away. In fact, I have 55 mosquito bites (yes I counted them), Soren has 0! That's a win in the momma department!



I was worried how he would sleep, but he did great! Brian and I have our own twin air mattresses (sleep MUCH better this way, trust me!), and although we brought our Rock n' Play sleeper, I had Soren sleep up curled on my arm because it was so cold, and I couldn't see him in his sleeper from sleeping down below on an air mattress. He was all cozy in his fleece swaddler and hat, it reminded me of when he was a newborn *tear*. The first night he slept for 5 hours straight before nursing, then another 4 hours!

All snuggled in, ready for bed

Good morning sweet boy!

On Saturday morning, my mom made doughnuts on the camp stove for breakfast, which has become a tradition in the family! Yum! After breakfast, the family went and explored the hiking trails, but I quickly discovered that the already-bad mosquito problem was 10 times worse in the woods. We went back to our campsite and took a little cat nap in our tent while Brian and the rest of the family continued to explore. Saturday for lupper we had Meatballs and Gravy and rice, also delish. Brian went home Saturday evening as he had to work on Sunday. Saturday evening a storm came through so Soren and I quickly ran to our tent and hung out. By the time the storm had passed, it was time for bed. Saturday night he was up every. 2. hours. Seriously. And I had to get up and walk to the toilet 3 times that night after his feedings. The temp. had gotten down to 51 degrees, it was pretty chilly, but luckily we came prepared and were able to stay warm under lots of blankets and wearing layers.













Sunday morning my mom made French toast, bacon, and eggs! After breakfast they went for one last hike while I took down our tent and screen tent and packed the car while Soren slept. I can say being 'on my own' with him Saturday evening and Sunday and having to pack up camp and put things away by myself was difficult- to all the single mommas out there who take their kids camping, I have so much respect for you!

Here are some things I learned about camping with a baby, in case you need some tips:
* Bring lots of layers of clothing for you and babe. Long sleeve shirts and pants are great because they protect from bugs (except these mosquitoes on steroids we encountered this weekend) and the sun; also hats for the babe if it gets cold
*Stroller and carrier are nice to have
* The convenience of breastfeeding really proved itself this weekend, no bottles to prepare
* Have a screen tent and bug netting
* A lantern in the tent is helpful for night feedings
* Be flexible
* Keep what you can in the vehicle in case a storm rolls through- caring for a baby really hinders your ability to quickly protect stuff

Next year will probably be even more of a challenge if he's learning how to walk (think dirt and mud), but I can't wait!

Wedding Weekend

Last Fall I received the call that my great friend Hesper was engaged and she asked if I would be a bridesmaid- I was ecstatic and so excited! Shortly after, I found out I was pregnant, and my due date would be July 29th; the wedding was set for August 13th 5 hours away from where we live. We decided we would play it by ear, not knowing how I would be feeling given my due date was so close to the wedding. Luckily it worked out that Soren was born early (not happy that he was premature, but you gotta look at the silver lining I guess).`We headed down for the wedding this past weekend for our first big family adventure. We stopped three times on the way down to feed him, once at our Alma Mater, Wartburg College, where we met.

In front of Dancing St. Francis Statue on campus

Daddy showing him the Fine Arts Center where all his music classes and rehearsals were held

Students would be fined if they were found going in the fountain...it became a well-known dare to do so... had to get him initiated into the Wartburg culture ;-)

Next we were headed down to Coralville, IA where our hotel was located. It was nice that we were able to get a room with a mini fridge in it so I could store pumped milk throughout the weekend. Thursday night, the bride and bridesmaids went out for dinner; it was nice to be out with the girlies, and I had my first 'adult beverage' since before I was pregnant...it was kinda nasty and I only had 2 sips before passing it off to the bride ;-).

On Friday we got ready for the rehearsal and dinner. It was fun roaming Iowa City, we had never been there before. Soren slept through the whole dinner! We got to eat at the Brown Bottle for the rehearsal dinner and enjoyed some of our old favorites when we went to another location in college. Next to my own, they have the best Fettuccine Alfredo...yum!

On Saturday, Soren and I headed over to the bride's parents' house for hair and to hang out with the girlies; daddy stayed back at the hotel and enjoyed some peace and quiet. Soren was pretty fussy on Saturday, he hadn't really slept much throughout the whole day, but slept for the whole reception. Here's some pictures of the wedding:

The Bride & Soren the morning of the wedding
Friends!

Momma Love

Lovely Bride!

Soren & Cora

Sleep Boy

Sunday morning we were on our way home! We took a different way home and stopped at Uncle Ryan & Aunt Tracy's house so they could meet Soren and Soren's cousin A.J. and him could meet. Grandma and Grandpa were there too and were very excited to see Soren!




Our travel time on the way home took 7.5 hours! We were stuck in construction traffic for an hour and it was not pleasant! Soren was hungry and screaming, so we had to pull off on the shoulder to nurse him while people were stuck in traffic next to us. Then I changed his diaper in the back seat, also good times. It was a great weekend together as a family, but we're glad to be home. This weekend we are going on our first camping expedition with my family, should be interesting :-)