Jenna... That's Who I Am.

My dear friend, Shelby, tagged me into answering questions about myself...  Boo.  I know, you'd rather see pictures of my boys, but you are stuck with me.

1. If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I am completely and utterly happy with where I am.  Seems silly to say, but I cannot think of anywhere I'd rather be than in Tennessee.  I am aware that I may not always be here; I am married to a man I met for the first time on a mission trip in Jamaica.  His heart will always be wherever the Lord leads him...  So, I will always follow.  Now, on Sunday mornings, when we're running late and attempting to make it to Nashville in less than 30 minutes, I'd say smack dab in the center of Nashville!

2. What is your favorite band?
Um, you'll probably laugh, but my favorite bands will always and forever be Alabama and The Judds.  I'm a sucker for both of them.  I travelled to Louisville to see Alabama on their Farewell Tour in college, and when The Judds announced their split, I honestly hid behind my Nana's recliner and cried when I saw the "Love Can Build a Bridge" video on CMT.  I must admit that I got super excited just a week ago when I heard The Judds may actually be making a comeback!

3. If you could be someone else for a day, who would it be?
I'd love to be a teacher again for just one day.  I know that doesn't really answer the question, but I think it would solve many of my questions.  If I was given the opportunity to teach again for one day, I'd either realize that I'd given up my deepest passion OR I'd learn that God has me exactly where He wants me...  with my sweet boys.

4. Concert or Broadway show?
I've seen it before, but I'd love to see Phantom again...  Concerts are a dime a dozen.  However, Broadway shows CANNOT be outdone.

5. Theme song for your life?
Made to Worship by Chris Tomlin:
You and I were made to worship
You and I were called to love
You and I are forgiven and free
You and I embrace surrender
You and I choose to believe
You and I will see, we were meant to be.

6. Would you choose a fancy dinner at a nice restaurant or a picnic in the park?
Fancy dinner.  I'm even envisioning one now!  Our dear friends gave Brian a gift card to P.F. Changs for his 30th, and I've been counting down the days until we get to use it...  I mean, he just got it 3 days ago.


7. Favorite place to shop?
Online.  Anywhere online.  I love finding promo codes for wherever I'm looking and getting free shipping on nearly anything.  I just love it!  It's like a scavenger hunt for deals!  I am fairly fond of New York and Company right now...  Only because I'm a few pounds away from pre-pregnancy weight already, and I'm too small :) for maternity clothes!  WOOHOO.

8. Favorite movie?
Without a doubt, it's A Time to Kill.  I get inspired every time I watch it.  I really enjoy The Blind Side, Love Comes Softly, and Anne of Green Gables.  Honestly, I love movies that move me.  If I don't walk away from a movie feeling changed or pushed to do something differently in life, I feel as though I've wasted time.

I'm tagging:
Katie and Brittany

Samuel is One Month Old.

Already. 

In his 1st month, Samuel:
Was born on Sunday, May 23rd, and 5:12 p.m.
Weighed 7 lbs and 4 oz.
Was 18 inches long.
Had a head full of jet black hair.
Was said to look exactly like his Daddy...
Except for his button nose!
Was teeny tiny!
Was such a calm baby.
Cried very little.
Was on a 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock schedule...
AMAZING!
Didn't fit in his Newborn outfit to wear home.
Went home weighing 6 lbs and 10 oz.
Had jaundice.
Had to have his blood drawn 4 times in a week.
Laid in the sunlight to get rid of it.
Took a few hits/pokes from his big brother, Daniel.
Always was losing his bottle and paci to Daniel.
Never spit up!
Consistantly burped twice after every bottle.
Wore Newborn diapers and premie clothes.
Newborn clothes were too big!
Wore baby girl socks... 
Boys' ones would fall off!
Slept only if he was swaddled.
Fell asleep best in his car seat.
Always broke his arms out of the swaddle.
Had an eye infection.
Weighed 7 lbs and 8 oz when he was two weeks old.
Cried when having his diaper changed.
Had his first bath when he was 3 weeks old...
Mimi and Aunt Jessica gave the bath to him:
  without realizing it was his first!
Cried during every bath from then on.
Held his head up on his own.  All the time!
Loved to stretch his legs out.
Was SO attentive!
Weighed 8 lbs and 5.5 oz at 3 weeks.
Was thought to have colic...
Cried every night for 3 days straight from 6 - 9 p.m.
Then, he stopped.
We learned he was allergic to SOMETHING outdoors -
  his eye swelled up one night!
Went to his own church for the first time on Father's Day.
Had lots of visitors!
Slept through many revival services.
Was really wanting to roll over!  Already.

Welcome to our world, Samuel Levi.

Dr. Nason, Samuel, and Brian

Mommy and Samuel, together for the first time.

Mimi and Grandpa are in love with Samuel!

Pop and GranJu definately approved!

Aunt Jessica was 100% smitten over him!

Holding Mommy's hand while laying in the sunlight.

Boo to jaundice.

Getting love from big brother

Our growing family on Memorial Day

Samuel likes burping not so much.

He had a wicked eye infection.

Boo to those, too.

Sleeps so well...

Samuel loved being held by Anna Laura.

Sweet little feet

First time in his swing...  Bright eyed.

Samuel's sleeping position - exactly how big brother slept!

Wearing his premie clothes and taking over Mommy's spot on the bed

He is SO amazingly alert!

On Father's Day with Daddy

Meeting Aunt Dina and Aunt Pattie

Soon-to-be best buddies and neighbors:

Daniel, Jaden, and Samuel

Jaden Max and Samuel Levi

One Month Old

Don't Worry...

I know you were thinking it from my last post.

However,

The boys are NOT having another brother... 


Yet.

Big Brother Turns 14 Months...

In his 14th month, Daniel:
Stayed with his Mimi and Aunt Jessica a LOT.
Came to the hospital to see his Mommy.
Met his baby brother for the first time.
Didn't care much for Samuel Levi at all.
Liked stealing his bottles and poking at his eyes.
Started giving "kisses" by placing his forehead on you.
Loved to splash!
Began using his spoon by himself.
Placed food on spoon, then put it in his mouth!
Figured out how to take his own diaper off...
Played in the pool and the sprinkler.
Practiced drinking from a straw.
Wanted anything we were eating.
WAS REALLY CLIMBING:
    the couch, my desk, dad's hands, kitchen table...
Always used the "cheesy" grin.
Threw temper tantrums by laying on his stomach on the floor.
Learned how to put hats on his head.
Got a visit from his friends, the Hamiltons, on Memorial Day.
Enjoyed riding on people's shoulders.
Got his very first haircut from Aunt Jessica.
Ate corndogs,
Had fun visiting with Anna Laura and Cathy.
Chased flies with his hands.
Was constantly trying to get out the front door.
Said, "Ooo," "Aw," "E-va" (like Levi).
Shook his head, "no," all the time.
Had a blast on his slip n' slide.
Loved chasing his cousins.
Colored for the first time!
Ate at Cracker Barrel on the day he turned 14 months/Father's Day.
Got some big news this day as well... 
He'll understand it more in time!

Getting his very first haircut

Meeting his baby brother, and not caring one bit!

Visiting and showing off with Pop

Practicing this "straw" situation

Our Memphis friends came on Memorial Day!

Riding on Grandpa

Playing in the sprinkler (beach ball)

Stealing Jessica's corndog

The best toy he's ever gotten - thanks to Anna Laura!

Loving on his little brother

Sitting with Mommy and Samuel after our morning walk

Hanging with Grandpa in the back of the van

Giving his "cheesy" grin

Popping Hayden's silly bandz

Notice how all the kids are waiting for Daniel to get out of the way!

It only took 15 shots to get a somewhat decent one...

Wow!  All of the Johnson family kids!

Walking in Uncle Allen's boots

Splashing in the pool with Daddy

Playing with Daddy

Coloring Daddy's Father's Day card

What Would You Do?

What would you do if your toddler discovered how to open up the kitchen cabinets?
You'd baby-proof.
Check.

What would you do if your toddler figured out how to get into the dishwasher?
You'd gate OFF the kitchen.
Check.

What would you do if your toddler learned how to open up the baby-proof latches?
And...
What would you do if your toddler was smart enough to shimmy his way UNDER the locked gate?

This MAY be what you'd find:

I was super busy this morning with my 3 week old, who now has a mild case of colic, when I realized my almost 14 month old was way too quiet.  I came out of the bedroom to see Daniel in the "kitchen/office" area.  If that's not enough, considering he had to hold up the gate, crawl under it, and not get stuck in the process, I was pretty S-H-O-C-K-E-D to find that he'd pulled out my desk chair, gotten up in it to climb onto my desk, pull out my drawer of ribbon, and have T-W-O pairs of open scissors in his hands!

Wow.  So, what did I do?

I pulled out my camera, of course, because I knew no one would believe me.
:)
 

 

ERGObaby Giveaway

I need an ERGObaby carrier.  Badly.

Reason?

Well,ToTypeThoseFewWordsTookForeverSinceMy14MonthOldDecidedToBreakFreeAndRipMySpaceKeyOffOfMyKeyboard.IWouldHaveStoppedHimButIHadMy3WeekOldInMyArms.He'sGotColic.

That's why this carrier would be perfect for you, IfYouAreSomewhatInMySamePosition!

EnterToWinHERE!

Special thanks to A Mom's Balancing Act for the great giveaway...

Bumbo Cover Giveaway

If you're like me, the idea of that plain yet irritating, lime green Bumbo sitting around the house for months bothers you.  So, why not enter this giveaway that is perfect for updating those oddly colored "chairs" for your baby!  Special thanks to the girls at Take It From Me!

Crocs Giveaway!

I was thrilled when I saw this amazing giveaway from the Take It From Me ladies!  Since 3 of the 4 of us in our house have at least one pair of Crocs, I couldn't help but try to win another pair for at least 1 of us! 

Head over to this blog to enter!