eight months old

Daddy's girl

The fact that her daddy is "out saving the world" doesn't stop Riley from being the biggest daddy's girl around.

Riley is the last of the Johnson babies. She is my most vocal child... Riley wants her presence known... AT. ALL. TIMES. She was the biggest of the two girls and has kept that title! I think she got the Johnson gene's because she seems to be rather tall. She loves to make Emma laugh by making silly faces, playing peek-a-boo (turning her head away every time Emma looks at her, then turning back), and screaming at the top of her lungs. This new trick is rather funny... During the day. Let me set the scene... two nights ago, bottles and bedtime and I had had Emma snoring. My mom was feeding Riley and out of no where a blood curdling scream came from that tiny girl. She laughed, my mom choked on her laughter, Emma woke up, and I almost cried. Needless to say, Riley is now grounded until she graduates High School.

Riley can crawl, but only when she absolutely feels that it's necessary. I told my mother-in-law that Riley just likes to sit and be pretty. She's actually pretty good at it though. Her hands and feet are constantly moving too. She will eat almost anything I feed her without question. She loves Cheerios's and her Plum Organic Puffs.... She's even using two fingers to grab them! Riley got the first tooth of the girls, but Emma then topped her by getting two at the same time. Her second tooth has joined her other one though, so no more snaggle tooth (daddy and aunt Janna). I think Riley is going to be my fashionista. She loves jewelry and is always trying to put a new outfits on her head. But, hopefully she aquires some interest in sports. Right now she loves golf balls!! I can't believe my youngest baby is 8 months old today. We love you smiley Riley.

Being pretty

Swing

Little Miss

Every time I hear "Little Miss", by Sugarland I think of my "little miss" Emma.

She's little, but fast.
She's emotional, but tough.
And... she's 8 months old!

Emma is the oldest of the girls, but the smallest. She has a sweet little face, and sweet chubby checks. If a pink outfit is an option, she's wearing it! She insists on being awake, as if she's going to miss out on something and she is quite possibly the shortest nap taker in the world. She's fairly quiet, but in to EVERYTHING. She is crawling and pulling up to anything... even the stairs, ugh! If she sees a toy, consider it hers. If Riley is close by, Emma is using her to stand up. Whether its carpet, wood, slate, or tile she's on the go. But, with being SO little we have many "boo boo's" and tears throughout the day from falling. She is my picky eater when it comes to veggie's and seems to have the most food allergies. She gives the best kisses and tightest hugs, but then she's ready to go again. She has a soft cry and a sweet laugh. Little eyes when she smiles (like mommy) and a big grin! She loves her brother, and no offense to Riley, but Hunter seem's to favor Emma as well. Our little Emma is growing so fast!

Mommy trying to take pictures on St. Patty's Day

 Swing

My little beast

Since being back in Oklahoma, aka the state of extra hands (in our case), we have started a weekly "mommy and me" day with Hunter. We as in I, but help from Grammy! So, every Tuesday morning (the only day of the week my children want to sleep in) we race to get fed, dressed, packed and loaded up to head to Tulsa. I quickly throw the girls into grammy's house and then Hunter and I make our way to The Little Gym!! Keep in mind that Hunter is stuck at home with myself and two very needy baby sisters every day of the week, so the first time we went it was a little overwhelming... for the both of us. Plus, we were late to enroll so most of the kids already have the routine down. My little ADD boy didn't have a chance with sitting quietly on the mat with all the bright colored obstacle courses in the background. Yes, I just labeled my child with ADD. Hang out with him, my husband and my father-in- law for 30 minutes and you'll do a self diagnosis too. Anyways, turns out there are other "easily distracted" children in the "beasts" class too so we joined them on the "fun toys" while everyone else sang songs. If you didn't catch that, he's in the "BEASTS" class!!

So, the second week went awesome! Note to self, don't be early. He was very upset that we couldn't enter the gym when we first arrived. I was surprised he remembered and was excited to be back. Money well spent (Jake).  Bells start off every class and we all introduce ourselves while sitting in a circle. Hunter had the bells in his mouth and ran around the circle. Next was warm-up time... yeah, we'll skip this one too. On to play time!!! This class is very laid back as you can tell, but the teacher incorporates games, activities, and exercises to work on fine motor skills. Alright, time to wrap up this 45 minute class with some bubbles, balls, bells, and uh... bug stamps (had to keep the "B" thing going). Here is some of the fun we had today... see you next Tuesday, Little Gym!!

starting on the low beam

obstacle course

moving to the high beam

basketball time, finally.

bubbles, bubbles

you're embarrassing me, mom.

Baby food pt. 2

Growing baby girls calls for a growing variety of flavors to introduce!

I'm loving this stage the girls are in. New foods, new flavors, and new textures!!! Before we get into what I'm making these days, I have a few pictures from first snacks and finger foods. Unfortunately, the Gerber teething biscuits we gave Hunter at this age are no longer available. They make them, but for toddlers. So, we tried Baby Mum Mum's! Big hit, but super messy and a pain to clean up. But as desperate as I am for ways to occupy my children I don't mind the extra time it takes to clean up. Next we introduced the graduate puffs and yogurt melts. Mainly to work on hand-eye coordination and using their fingers. And with our "vacation" in Oklahoma, the girls are trying cheerio's and graham crackers thanks to their Mimi.

Now, on to a GRAHAM CRACKER!

Alright, let's get cooking... steaming... And pureeing.

About once a week is when I do a major baby food "cook off". Instead of spending a ton of money on the cute baby food storage containers, I use the Glad 1/2 cups. They're a perfect "feeding" size! Bigger storage containers hold what I'll freeze for future use, since you should feed your refrigerated foods within 5-7 days.

What we've tried so far...
Banana (both allergic)
Apple (Emma allergic)
Sweet potato
Carrots
Green beans
Peas
Mango
Pears
Brocolli* NEW
Acron Squash
Butternut Squash* NEW
Organic Yogurt* NEW (Emma possibly allergic)
Tofu*** NEW for everyone!

I have never in my life seen or tasted tofu, well at least I don't think I have, but it was nothing that I expected. I guess I was under the impression it was "meat-like" and that's not so true. It's more "solid block of cottage cheese-like". I went with the "firm" organic kind for the first time and then just looked at my go to baby food website when I don't have my Williams-Sonama cookbook near by. Here's the link! It can explain any and all foods to make for your baby, but it had awesome ideas for tofu. So far it is a hit!

Helpful reminder: cover in water when storing, change water every day to two days, and keep no longer than seven day!!

O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A!

And we're back! After a long day of flying to Dallas then driving to Tulsa we are at my parents and slowly getting settled in. I am so thankful for ALL of my children being good travelers, especially flying. Hunter is an old pro but he's getting a little cramped being a lap child. Words of advice when flying with kids: try to get snacks, juices, bottles, and quiet toys all in the same bag! Having one bag for everything helps with the clutter and tight seating. Layovers are good! Gives babies time to stretch and change diapers. I always change my babies in their stroller, I'm a germ freak so avoiding the bathroom is what we shoot for.

But, I can't believe we're here, without Jake, yet again. We will carry on until it's time for our family to be reunited though. Which from today is 70 days!!! I finally heard from my sweet husband via email at 3:50am. He is doing well, they are just hanging out for now and apparently getting to catch up on some sleep. I love hearing from him though, it completes my day and calms my heart.

The babies are adjusting. Something I took into consideration before deciding to relocate again. I fear that this will somehow affect them in a negative way but for my sanity and I'm sure theirs too, we will have lots of family and friends around! As a mother I also worry about my children remembering daddy coming and going. I know this is something my husbands thinks of constantly. He has worried about this even before Hunter was born. I try my hardest to show pictures and talk about their daddy everyday but I wonder what they think. (come on Brittany, your children to over analyze or even analyze like you yet)

May 15th is our countdown to Jake
May 21st SIL's wedding
May 22nd Hunters second bday

You think I would be good at this by now

Goodbye's are apart of our life, I get it. But, I feel like someone has kicked me in the stomach and now I can't even catch my breath.  I hate this feeling! I know this feeling! Exactly a year ago we said our goodbye's to Jake as he headed off to Afghanistan. I was 3 months pregnant with the girls and Hunter was 9 months old and just starting to walk. Fast forward to late last night and we ALL said our goodbye's to Jake yet again. This time it was sudden. There was no time to mentally prepare for this(if that's even possible) and there was no time to enjoy the last few moments with my husband. Jake put each baby to bed to say his last goodnight for awhile and then packed up to head to base. I think I was still in denial when I kissed him goodbye.

Today was supposed to be an exciting day. My mom and grandma flew in for a little vacation to see the babies(and Jake and I). Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled and so very thankful that they are here now because who knows how I would've handled all of this on my own with 3 babies. But, Jake's gone. My husband was not here when I woke and he won't be here when I go to bed. He wasn't here to help put the girls to sleep or to read Hunter his bedtime book. I don't think I am ready to go back to a life without Jake in it. We didn't get enough time to enjoy him home.

Let's skip ahead a couple days...

My mind has been everywhere! I finally decided we WILL come back to Oklahoma while Jake is gone. With the media and the lack of information on Jake's end, we just don't know how long this deployment is going to be. This seemed like it was going to be an easy and quick mission for them, but the way I see it in the news makes me worry, ALOT! We didn't have any news coverage of Afghanistan, but hearing them talk about Jake's ship and his unit gives me a little bit of anxiety(not the angry kind Jake).

I will try to blog as much as I can from Owasso and also try to fill you in on any information regarding Jake(within reason due to security), but I want to thank you all for your prayers already. You don't understand how much we appreciate them or how powerful they are for my husband and his unit!

Flying to Dallas in the morning then driving the rest of the way with my mom and dad! Can't wait to see all our family and friends and hopefully enjoy some nice weather!! (it better not snow)