The Sweetest Gifts...

are usually the first ones they open.

(At least that's what I've learned this year.)

Daniel really enjoyed opening presents this year.  Last year, he was only 8 months old and wasn't very impressed with wrapping or the gifts behind it.  This year, however, was so much fun because with each gift, he just lit up ripping off each piece of wrapping.  When he'd get a glimpse of what he was opening, he would tear into the paper as if he couldn't get it off quick enough. 

The first gift of the season (when he really got the hang of opening) was from a sweet lady from our church.  She was so thoughtful in getting Daniel something he would truly enjoy - something he could "read," played MANY noises, and featured one of his very favorite thing, Cars.

Brian actually placed it under the tree the night he came home from church with it, so that when Daniel woke up the next morning, he could find it there!  He was so excited, wild hair and all.

Ripping off every single tiny piece of paper.

OH, it's "Cars!"

Look how happy he was!

Looking through the book.

Climbing up on the table to get a better view.

And, sweet Sister Nita didn't forget Samuel!  She got him a book as well, one that's perfect for his little hands.

We cannot thank God enough for Sister Nita and others who were so kind to think of our boys this holiday season.  If I began to name them all, it'd take way too long.



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.


Trucks, Trains, and Trees

In a house full of boys, this Momma cannot help but notice their toys.  They either have wheels or can more than likely cause some sort of danger.

Daniel's new "trick" has been lining up his cars, trains, and trucks.  These were given to him by many different people for his first birthday eight months ago, but all of a sudden, they are getting some much needed attention.

He spends hours throughout his day lining up cars, taking the trains out to run them down the track, and finally give each truck its turn in "Chuck's Garage" (it's the little blue and grey thing in the background).

My biggest fear this season in my house full of boys and their toys was putting up a Christmas tree and the disasters that could follow.  I was mostly worried that Daniel would rip off ornaments and break branches and play with the light sockets and pull it down on himself and the list of worries goes on.  He's done most all of those things already, and it's honestly not been that bad.

But much to my surprise...

Our sweet, six month old, Samuel, has discovered how to roll himself right up underneath the tree!

And it's so precious, I had to share. 

I love my boys and all of their toys, and most of all, I'm thankful that God has given me these great joys this Christmas.  I am so blessed.



Just Because He's So Cute...

Samuel doesn't get much attention due to the fact that Daniel always seems to be stealing it all, but after Daniel gets in bed, Samuel gets all of me...  my undivided attention.  It's always a precious time, and because he's getting so big, I try to treasure my simple moments with him.

The video below happened while in the middle of wrapping gifts and watching t.v.  Daniel was in bed, and I had out all of my wrapping gear.  Samuel watched every move I made, and I couldn't help but stop in the middle of the Christmas madness to play with him...


Tickle Time from Jenna Johnson on Vimeo.

Big Trouble, Mister

Daniel happened upon quite a few ten spankings today... I know, it's hard to think about punishment and discipline when a child is only 20 months old, but it rendered itself completely necessary today. Not to mention, the Bible says that to spare the rod means to spoil the child. For future reference, son, these are things that made Mommy almost pull her hair out and got you in quite a bit of trouble with her.

1. Ripping the gate down (which subsequently was actually wired to the wall) and climbing over it to turn off Mommy's embroidery machine in the middle of her embroidering!
2. Playing with the electric socket UNDER the Christmas tree
3. Using baskets and boxes to climb upon the foyer table or high enough to touch the flat screen t.v. or just enough to get "Baby Jesus" from Mommy's nativity set from off of the ledge in the kitchen
4. Tearing 14 pages out of your coloring book, rolling them into little balls, and throwing them all over the house
5. Pulling every. single. perfectly. stacked. and shelved. book. off of the shelf in your room three different times
6. Throwing every. single. item. from your plate onto Mommy's freshly swept and steamed kitchen floor
7. Coloring on the walls
8. Getting the bells off of the Christmas tree, putting them in your mouth, shaking your head, and running away laughing with a mouth full when Mommy tells you to "Get that out of your mouth, right now!"
9. Screaming at the top of your lungs when you rip pages out of your new Thomas the Train book on purpose
10. Sitting on Samuel's head causing him to turn a certain shade of bluish-red when Mommy is cooking on the stove in the kitchen

But, in all honesty, I am in love with this child. He makes everyday more eventful than I could have ever imagined. I seriously couldn't come up with this stuff on my own! Daniel is so amazingly clever, mischievious, and curious, and without him, life would be incredibly dull. I thank God for my rambunctious child; what a gift he is to me!