The 1st Birthday Boy...

Didn't care a single thing about his cake.  Seriously. 

In fact, Samuel cried until we got him out of his high chair, and that's when Daniel climbed right up.

Samuel Turns 1! from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.



I have no idea why because it was delicious.  Want to know how I know?  Ask Samuel's big brother...  He ate it all.  This Mommy didn't try a single bite of it...

Eating Fool

I've been wanting to post these pictures/videos of Samuel for a few weeks now, and I always forget until I sit down to feed him and realize how hilarious he is!  He is quite the eater...  In fact, he's busy eating 1-2 jars of food 3 times a day as well as throwing back 5-6 bottles like they are no big deal.  However, he has some interesting habits when it comes to food.  As a matter of fact, he hates vegetables.  HATES them.  I mean, loathes when he has to take bites of peas or sweet potatoes.  He'll push each spoonful right out of his mouth.  So, I've managed to mix his fruits with his veggies, and he hasn't seemed to notice.  In fact, I had mixed apples with these carrots he was enjoying a few weeks ago...  WHICH is when I noticed another eating "habit" he's accustomed to doing.  He will hold his right arm up the E-N-T-I-R-E meal.  He'll even start hitting and rubbing the table if it's really good food. 

Arm Up!

Watch his arm.  It's a 2-3 minute video, and Samuel keeps his arm up the whole time.


Throw Your Hand Up from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.


Not seconds after I stopped filming, Samuel began rubbing the high chair and smacking his hand down after each bite, as if to say, "Good stuff, Mom.  Keep it coming."  Watch this if you don't believe me...


The Smackdown on Carrots from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

Sorry, Daddy.

If you think your name is on that piece of chocolate, Daddy,
then you are wrong.

If you think you hid it so I could not find it, Daddy,
then you are wrong.

If you think I cannot make a way to get that chocolate, Daddy,
then you are wrong.

If you think I am going to tell you the truth about it, Daddy,
then you are wrong.

If you think my face can tell the whole story, Daddy...
well, then you'd be right!


Will Steal for Chocolate from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

This Doggy is NOT Funny.

Last weekend for my birthday, we headed to the local Cracker Barrel with the whole family.  It's never a quick trip to Cracker Barrel with a toddler in tow.  Daniel had nearly fifteen meltdowns to get out of his high chair.  He kept yelling, "Hot!" and pointing at the fireplace and then realized we had fire on our table...  Then, he told every single waitress that passed, "Hello," time and time again.  To keep his attention, we all entertained him with coloring books, biscuits, trains, and tea, and all of that was BEFORE supper even arrived.  At that point, he'd eaten so many strawberry-jellied biscuits that I'm sure the sight of carrots and green beans weren't all that exciting.

Strawberry Jelly on your Biscuit?

Yes, please.

Now, clean my hands.

What WAS exciting was when Grandpa finished eating super quickly and allowed Daniel the opportunity to run wild in Cracker Barrel's country store!  The rest of us enjoyed our meals and finally headed out to see what Daniel and Pa had gotten into.  The kids' section at Cracker Barrel is full of fun.  You would have thought that Daniel was having his own birthday celebration, pulling out every item from its shelf and playing with it until it bored him.  Surprisingly, though, there was one "toy" Daniel didn't find too amusing.  What's funny about it is the fact that it laughs itself silly, rolls all around, and just about scares Daniel to death!


The Laughing Doggy from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

8 Months Old

I know...  Samuel is getting way. too. big.

In his 8th month, Samuel:
Slept so well... on his stomach.
Wore size 3 diapers.
Fit in size 6-9 month clothes.
Wore a size 2 shoe.
Scooted across the house.
All over it.
Got TWO teeth!
Loved laying on his belly.
Enjoyed his first Christmas.
Got a new Britax car seat and lots of clothes, toys, and shoes.
Liked rolling the ball.
Laughed at his brother a lot.
Was always grinning.
Switched to formula.
Ate at least one jar of food each day.
Hated peas and sweet potatoes.
Loved all fruits.
COULD NOT eat Puffs yet.
Found the tiniest pieces of trash/dirt on the floor.
Still in his infant car seat.
Started getting heavy.
Hated sitting up.
Began liking the exersaucer...
Because he could stand and not sit.
Had favorite toys...  rattles and links.
Tolerated Daniel's roughness.
Took long naps.
Had eczema on his belly, arms, stomach, and face.
Loved his bath and scooting around the tub.
Was held often...  He was SO sweet!
Celebrated his Mommy's 28th birthday.
Took his first major, balanced crawl on his hands and knees that same day.

One very, precious present...

Samuel's first Christmas 2010

Cutting teeth during the Christmas season

and hanging with Pa

Sitting with Daddy

Laughing at Pa...

With cousin Landon

Rolling the ball around the living room

Playing in the exersaucer

Sitting up on his own all the time

Sharing his toys with Daniel

Letting big brother feed him

With Mommy on her 28th birthday!

Crawling isn't so hard...

And, just because he's so sweet...

here's a video I got of him one afternoon during his 8th month.

Get That Ball! from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

There's a Lot Going on Here

I caught this video of the boys the other day, and I have GOT to share it.  They were both sitting in Samuel's new playplace, loving on one another.  Love quickly turned rough, and Samuel liked sitting on his own rather than with his big brother.  So, Daniel decided to help Mommy video Samuel.  It's a busy video, but if you'll watch carefully, you'll see that a lot goes on here every single moment of the day.  Brothers hugging, Samuel sitting, Daniel talking, and Mommy taping.  It's the life!


Brother, Get Off of Me. from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.


I also managed to get some pictures of the sweetness...

He's a Baller...

Yes, my son definitely has some b-ball skills.  My Pop got Daniel the cutest Little Tikes basketball goal for Christmas, and a few months back, Pop brought a vintage, autographed Vandy basketball (from his exclusive collection) for Daniel to have as a keepsake.  I have no idea on earth what year it's from or if it'd even be worth anything, so when Daniel kept having a conniption over this "bawl" (Daniel's "ball" has quite the southern drawl) on the top shelf in his closet, I had to let him have it.

The kid can shoot.  I mean, he really does.  Daniel is steps or so away from the goal, and he'll shoot and make it...  every time.  He's good, and I don't say that lightly.  He somehow always hits the square and manages to make shots.  For a kid who's not even two yet, I'd say that is pretty amazing. 

The best part about this is that Daniel's Daddy was ALSO a baller.  Brian actually walked onto Union University's basketball team his senior year, and in high school, he was known as "Burnout."  Yeah, he was good!  He still plays ball to this day...  He meets with a group of no telling how many men on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at the crack of dawn (that is, when the boys haven't kept him up all night) to play basketball, and I'm serious, he loves it.  Any time we're out, we always run into "one of the guys" that plays with him.  I like that my husband is active and loves this sport, which makes it so fitting that his first born son is taking up with it too. 

So, with all that said, here's a little video of Daddy and Daniel being the ballers they are the other day in Daniel's room...


He's a Baller. from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.


Oh, I can't post without mentioning our littlest Johnson baller...

 



Samuel loves sports too.  He was having a blast scooting and pushing this big kickball around!  It's official, I'm in a house FULL of boys, and my future is looking very much in the direction of bleachers...



Our Little Star

Daniel has become quite the singing fool the past couple of months.  I was so happy a few weeks ago when he came home singing, "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star" in perfect pitch.  Be it the high school choir member in me, but I love that Daniel chooses to sing on his own... 

However, as of lately, he isn't so keen on singing in tune.  He just likes to sing loudly.  Off-key.  At the top of his lungs.  Especially when his Daddy will sing along with him.


Twinkle, Twinkle, Our Little Star from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

Table Talk

I can't remember exactly what I was doing in the kitchen, but I could not figure out to keep both boys happy and safe with them in the living room.  So, I did what any mother would do, I bribed one with Toy Story coloring pages and goldfish and the other with his exersaucer. 

Much to my surprise, they actually enjoyed their time together in the kitchen.  I caught them laughing and making noises at each other, and it was hilarious.  I stood and watched in awe of them for a few minutes before realizing this was too sweet not to catch on film...


Table Talk from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.


And because the cuteness continued...


Table Talk Part Two from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

By the way, please ignore the mess which is my house! 
AND, would you notice Daniel's manners in the part two video?!

Seven Month Samuel

In his seventh month, Samuel:
Was always smiling. 
Rarely cried unless he was hungry or sleepy.
Slept at least 6 hours at night.
Sometimes he slept 8!
Rolled.
Scooted.
Took his first "crawl".
Usually gets up on his knees, but forgets to straighten out his arms.
Saw his first Christmas lights with the Clarks.
Witnessed his first snow!
Weighed 16 + pounds.
Wore size 6 months in clothes.
Wore size 2 shoes.
Still in a size 3 diaper.
Went to West TN for 4 days over Thanksgiving.
Started eating baby food!
His first was applesauce, next bananas, then sweet potatoes.
DISLIKED sweet potatoes in a bad way!
Had an ultrasound of the skin tag on his neck.
The tag was NOT a tumor or a cyst,
     but was connected to the muscle.
Will visit a plastic surgeon at Vandy during his 8th month.
Saw lots of his family.
"Opened" his first Christmas present,
     which was a book from Sister Nita at church.
Was said to look like his Pappy,
   but was starting to favor his Mommy's baby pictures.
Loved playing with Daniel's trains.

Loved visiting with great-grandfather, Pop.

Meeting cousin Mason for the first time.

Letting cousin Karlee hold him.

Liked his Mimi's Christmas tree!

Disliked eating from a spoon...

but did it anyway.

because the applesauce was really good.

It made his belly happy!

Starting off Christmas with the Clarks...

Our visit to Cracker Barrel and seeing Christmas lights was terrible for Samuel...  He cried the entire time!  However, when it was time for pictures, he went to sleep.

Trying bananas but missing his applesauce.

Seeing his very own Christmas tree for the first time.

Loving jingle bells...

Getting fond of bananas!

All dressed up with his Mimi on Christmas Sunday

at the Mexican restaurant

Getting a picture with brother and Daddy

Trying to get a picture with brother and Mommy

Enjoying the Christmas season up under the tree.

His very first Christmas present!

Thank you, Sister Nita.

And, just because Daniel will need to know someday what Samuel and I did during his naps...  Here's a video I caught of Samuel after having rolled up to Daniel's toys while Daniel was asleep.  :)

Shhh, Samuel Got the Train from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.


Talking with his Da-da

Conversations with Daddy from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

A New Toy

Actually, it's an old one, but Daniel doesn't seem to notice.  We pulled down some of Daniel's old things from the attic for Samuel, but Daniel thought all of it was for him!


Daniel's "New" Toy from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

Daniel is 18 Months Old!

I always heard that at 18 months, a baby actually becomes a child.  I wholeheartedly agree.  Daniel is a year and a half old, and he is incredible!  He's growing up so quickly and doing things he never did until now.  You won't believe how much he is learning!

In his 18th month, Daniel:
Loved balloons. 
Swam in the YMCA swimming pool!
Liked riding the "horsey" (Grandpa's back).
Was saying "Hello" and actually talking on the phone.
Enjoyed Mexican food - rice, beans, and quesadillas.
Walked the White House greenway with family.
Always wanted a stick in his hand.
Wanted to wander around playgrounds.
Liked swinging.
Slides, not so much.
Had his very first Dum-Dum sucker.
Held it all by himself.
Told Daddy "bye-bye" when he left on his Trinidad mission trip.
Was home with Mommy for 6 whole days without Daddy.
Started counting, "One - Two - Tree."
Climbed anything.
Visited Grandpa at his work.
Showed off in the breakroom.
Got his very first gold dollar from one of Grandpa's co-workers.
Played at Peekaboo Playtown with Mimi.
Is in love with all things Thomas the Tank Engine.
Spots him in magazines, on t.v., and on clothes.
Says, "Choo-choo," any time he sees a train.
Eats with a fork.
Kisses on the lips.
Gives hugs and says "Aw."
Discovered some old toys - which he thought were new.
Always tore things up when not getting attention.
Loves eating pears, raisins, and anything he can hold in with his hands.
Recognized the letter, "E."
Pointed to an "E" on Mommy's shirt and said, "EEEEE!"
Then, did the same thing when he noticed his foam "E" in the bathtub.
I know, it's tough to believe, but he did it twice!
Mother's Day Out is working wonders on him.
Says these words and phrases frequently:

• choo-choo
• one, two, tree
• heh-wo (hello)
• ball
• car
• bye
• ticka-ticka-ticka (tickle)
• e-i-e-i-o
• a-e-i-o-u
• E
• da-da
• momma
• shoe
• no
• aw
• ow-side (outside)
• wow
• what's that?

Here are some other pictures of Daniel in his 18th month:

Swimming at the YMCA

Playing with all the goodies at our table

Walking on the Greenway

Enjoying his first sucker

Dropping Daddy off at the Airport

Visiting Grandpa at work - playing with acorns

Finding a "friend" at Peekaboo Playtown

Shopping

Cracking up with Mimi

Jumping in the ball pit

Helping us pack for our trip to West TN

Exploring the first "real" train he's ever seen -

It's an old train car stationed at a park in West TN.

Rolling pumpkins around at the park

Aunt Kim didn't believe us when we said,

"There is no way you'll get a family picture with Daniel."

Here's the proof that we were right.

Playing piano at revival in the nursery

Loving on brother

Getting his Fall Fest biblical costume in the mail!

Walking in Aunt Jessica's shoes

Again, impossible to get Daniel in a picture...

Here he is at Tucker's Pirate Party.

Daniel spotted a gift of Tucker's he'd liked to have.

Thomas the Train, of course!

With Jordan at the Party

With Samuel and Daddy -

Waiting for Momma to get ready to go!

The "new" old toy

Learning "TOUCHDOWN!"

Cheesy grins

All dressed up for picture day at Mother's Day Out

At O' Charleys with Grandpa for his 53rd birthday

Sliding with Daddy at Peekaboo

Listen closely to hear Daniel's new word:

Having a Ball from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.