7 Months ago today.....

Our little CamMan made his early appearance! He has been such a joy. There is nothing better then waking up to his sweet smile every morning. At 7 months, he is only 12.5 lbs and 24.5 inches long. But, he is rolling around, grabbing his toes and wanting "big people" food. He is the love of our life!

Halloween 2009

Camron's first "sugar free" Halloween sucker...looks like he loved it!

Special "Genie" D

It's not Halloween unless Amelia is a princess!

Kids and their Pumpkins...yeah, Chase said he was "too old" for Halloween...darn!

Our sweet little bear!

Now on to Thanksgiving....

Funny Little Camron

I finally had the camera nearby to catch Mr. Camron laughing. Moments earlier he was grumpy and crying. He was sapposed to be napping....naughty boy!

Johnson Update...

Chan the Man

Camron last week...Daddy and his cell phone always taking pictures!
Camron on Daddy's lap writing to Uncle Spencer for FHE.

October 2009: Abbey's special 10th Birthday cake!
Four generations: Grandma Moffitt, Mom, Me, Ang, Camron and Addyson.
Chan and Abbey boating on Labor Day

August

• Cindy Lou came to visit for Camron's blessing. She drove 3 kids to Utah and I followed with Chase and Camron. Our trip was so fun! Love being with family!


• Camron received a name and a blessing on August 3.
  


• Flew with my best friend, Jen to Utah for a "Thema and Louise: Playing in Park City" adventure! You'll have to see the hotrod my dad rented for us...WAHOO!
  


• School started for the 4 big kids. Chase-8th grade, Chandler-7th grade, Abbey-4th grade and Amelia-2nd grade.
  


• Chandler started football! It was fun to go to the games and watch him play.
  


• Abbey and Chase joined their school bands. Abbey plays the flute and Chase chose the Baritone. They are enrolled in lessons and are doing great!


• Camron has been home 2 months and weighed in at 8lbs.
  

September

• Beginning of Merit Badge College season. Enrolled Chase and Chandler in two colleges where they worked on 4 merit badges. Now to just get them finished....


• Chase earned his LIFE SCOUT rank! Only 6 more months and a project until we have our first Eagle Scout. So proud of you, Chase!


• Chandler earned his FIRST CLASS rank! He is on his way! Way to go Chan!


• Evan ran is 5th marathon in Logan! Time: 3:43 (I think...) Until 2010...


• Camron went to his 4th month appt and weighed in a 9lbs 12oz, 21 inches long.
  


• Life continues....football games, band practice, lessons, scouting....life is busy but happy!

October

• Abbey D turns 10! She opted to have $$CASH$$ over a party. Smart girl! We had a special cake made for her "double digit" birthday!


• The entire family (with the exception of Camron and Evan) enjoyed the stomach flu. Chandler lost 12 lbs, Abbey lost 2 lbs and I lost 8 lbs. It's a great diet, but I wouldn't suggest it. It was a long 10 days!


• Getting ready for Halloween! So far, we have a Snow White and a cheerleader. I can do that...


• Trying to figure out what to do for the holidays...
  

Camron's Blessing

What a busy weekend that was...Evan was working, we had the NICU Reunion and the Johnson's came to town for the baby blessing. We made it through! As always, we love when the family comes to visit. It went by fast, but I'm sure we can lure someone else out soon!
Sunday, Aug 2 was really special for us. It seemed like that day would never come. We have been through some dark moments in the past few months. But, on Sunday, I was looking back on those days and I was able to see that even though our experience was a difficult one, we were given so many little tender mercies. Our Heavenly Father didn't leave us alone through any of it. We were blessed with a small, but very healthy child. We had an outpouring of love and service from our friends. The best doctors were always on call when we needed them most. Our family has been healthy and we were able to visit Camron everyday. Plus, because I made the right choice back in 1992, I married a man that holds the Priesthood and lives worthy of it. He was able to take little Camron in his arms and give him a name and blessing. I wonder what I have done in my life for my Father in Heaven to bless me with so many wonderful gifts. I know I am loved and that He is mindful of me.

So, Camron failed his oxygen test. He was in "safe range" only 70% of the time...DARN! We can't totally get rid of his tubes and heavy tanks, but we are allowed to disconnect him when we leave the house. PHEW...like a diaper bag, car seat, purse and keys aren't enough to carry.

I thought this pose was so stinkin' cute. Mr. Hangin' Out in the Swing...

I also had to add the picture of Camron drooling on my bed. The only time he sleeps that soundly is in the middle of the afternoon! Good timing because I need to get things picked up, start dinner and make things look semi-clean before Ev gets home.

It's about time...

Yes, I am actually updating! Camron was released from the NICU on June 16th, just two days after his primary nurse said that he was ready. Well, he might have been ready, but we were NOT! Sunday night we were told that he would be able to go home on Tuesday, if all his tests went well. So, Monday all I did was run around town finalizing preparations to have our little Cam Man home. Tuesday the 16th came and all went as planned and we were able to bring him home. It was a LONG 6 weeks and 1 day. I can hardly believe that all of this drama is over. I miss my NICU friends (aka the fabulous nurses) more than I thought I would. They became like family to us. It was difficult to say goodbye, if you can imagine that. It was impossible to put into words how grateful we are for all that the doctors and nurses did for our little Camron. We won't forget how well they did their jobs.

Sooo...now that Camron is home things feel "right." We are in our sleepless routine of feeding, changing and loving. He is a peaceful baby and the only time he tries to get our attention is when he's hungry!

Yesterday we went for an eye exam at the Children's Hospital. They had to dialate his eyes and use a retractor to hold his eyelids open. They were checking to see if the blood vessels behind his retina matured. With a preemie, one of the more common problems is with their eyes. Luckily, his opthamologist said that everything is progressing normally and we won't have to do that barbaric looking exam until he's 12 months old. PHEW. Friday is 2 month shots and a room air challenge to see if we can get rid of his oxygen (and all the heavy equipment that comes with it!). Once those things are done, we can say ADIOS to doctors until September!

As of June 26th:

Camron's weight is 5 lbs 10 oz

Camron's height is 18 inches

Time Sure Flies....

Sweet Camron in his box...he always looks that snuggly!

Just hangin' out...Anyone have thoughts as to who he looks like?

Ev went to see Camron one night and this is how he found him. He is Johnson Cute!

I can't believe the last time I posted an entry was on May 11. I am not THAT busy...I just forgot where I stashed my camera's cable. Argh!

Well, school is out now and so I have two lives to live. One is with my busy and easily bored kids at home and the other life is at the NICU with my sweet angel boy. I have loved the frozen meals that have been dropped off! Thank you to our friends who have been so thoughtful! The freedom that those meals give me...ahhh...one less thing to stress about.

So, to update...I am healing great! I think I overdid the "trying to get back in shape" thing, though. I have been out walking and one day I tried to "jog". Well, if you have ever had a breastfeeding body you will know why I decided that walking was best for now...not fun! Then, I did a set of bicycle situps....yeah, another DUH moment for me. My incision area is still a bit twingy. I'll figure out my new "self" soon enough. :)

Camron is 16 and 3/4 inches long and he is 3 lbs and 14 ounces as of last night at 8:30 pm. Over 4 lbs and he will go to a "big boy" bassinet. He is still on oxygen and gets his feedings through a tube. We are working diligently on helping him learn the "suck, swallow, breathe" reflex. That is his big job right now. At 28 days old (as of today), he is right on track. We are hoping that he will come home within the next 4 weeks.

It's a BOY! Welcome Camron!

Picture from today's visit. He gained 10grams and got some new threads! Nice beanie and doggie onesie!

Saturday's visit with Camron. Looks like someone got Channy's chin!

Holding Camron for the first time on Friday. That was one loooooong week...

Camron Alonzo Johnson was born on May 4, 2009 at 10:23pm via emergency C-Section at University of Colorado Hospital. My water broke at 1:30pm and although we did everything we could to delay his delivery, he came at 30 weeks.

His delivery went well and I was released from the hospital on Friday, May 8. Camron will be staying in the NICU for 4-8 weeks depending on how well things go with his health.

And I have to say thank you to Eric Reiwerts for showing up at the hospital within minutes to give me a blessing, Jon Kroff for driving to work that crazy Monday and making sure Evan got to the hospital (oh and picking up my kids and putting away my warm yogurt!), Travis Valentine who happened to show up with our pillows and Evan's Jazz shorts just in time to see our world fall apart (and staying until after midnight to make sure all was well) and my pal Sarah Valentine for dropping everything and coming to be with me during the scariest moments of my life. Plus, we have countless others bringing us dinner and signing up to take my drugged up self to the hospital to see Camron (since I can't drive for a while). I knew we had great friends, but I think we really felt it this last week. So many people with willing hearts...they are great examples to us. So, thank you!

Sunday Night's Experiment

Abbey made sure we had an "action" shot!

Amelia has to add "Cream" to everything!

I always love Sunday nights! Evan and Abbey have a tradition of making cookies or some sort of dessert...yum! Evan found a recipe on my Relief Society handout for "Microwave Mug Cake." It looked easy enough, so he wanted to try it.

They turned out really good! We would probably add more chocolate somewhere, either on top or in the actual cake. It has to be pretty sweet to make us happy! Anyway, I snapped a few pictures as Ev was dumping the cake out into bowls. Thanks for a great finish to our nice Sunday, Ev and Abbey!

Share the Love...INDEED!

All you have to do is check Kelli's blog to see what she was busy doing yesterday! Lucky for me, I was the recipient of some of the "LOVE" she's talking about! I received a text message about a treat on my porch so when I got home and opened the door...heaven was waiting!

About a month ago, Ev and I were watching Celebrity Apprentice where they did the cupcake challenge...anyone see that? Well, the entire show was dedicated to these groups making, frosting and selling cupcakes. Not sure what happened inside of me, but I think I "cracked." The only thing I could think of was cupcakes...I was almost in tears during that show because I needed a cupcake SO BADLY! Yes, it was embarrasing...I was able to calm the Craving Monster inside of me with some sugar free pudding, but it didn't fill the gigantic hole in my heart. Fast forward to yesterday...the Monster was filled and sent on its way. Happiness is mine again...haha!

THANK YOU KELLI for fulfilling my preggie treat fantasies! So far, I've only had to share ONE! Breakfast, lunch and dinner for the next two days...WAHOO!

Johnson Girls Weekend Palooza!

Ahhh...what a weekend! Sharla, April and Maria flew in on Friday (yes, a miracle since we just endured a HUGE winter storm). We went to eat at Ruby Tuesday and then just rested in the hotel suite. I went home (to keep my sweet hubby up all night with my snoring and flipping from side to side) and then I met up with the girls Saturday morning. Of course we had GRAND plans for Saturday which included shopping, movies and pedis. Well...we fit in Pedis/Manis, lunch at Del Taco and grocery shopping (for more treats!). We had a very relaxing day that ended with games and more snacking...

Sunday was the day of rest...

Monday morning, April was caught in the closed airport for part of the day (gotta love Spring Snow!). I am still not sure when she actually left Denver. By midafternoon, Sharla and Maria had perfect flying weather and then they were off to SLC.

We can't wait to be together again during Marathon Weekend coming up!

Chase the Soccer Man

Maybe Chase will blog about his new sports adventure, but I have a pic (thanks to Amelia) that I wanted to post....just because. Our oldest is 14 and 3 months old, in middle school, allowed to attend Stake Dances, growing smellier and harrier by the day and I think is done with the squeeky "Peter Brady" voice! I didn't realize how tall he'd gotten, either! The doctor told me last week that Chase is 5'7". GEEZ! I am only 5'5.5"...so that means he's looking down at me now! It is so fun to see Chase be part of a team and enjoy himself. So, here is our "far, far away" picture of Chase on the field. We missed him playing by just a few minutes, but I thought he looked so cute out there with his uniform on. :) Oh, and he is #30.

Court of Honor

It's been about 5 months since our last CoH. We've had quite a few changes in our ward/scout troop! But, it was finally time to award merit badges and rank advancements...Johnson Boys cleaned house! We are so proud of Chase and Chandler! Beginning in July, the boys attended camps and 4 merit badge colleges in the Denver Metro Area so they can move ahead in the scouting program. Except for a little "nudge" from mom and dad, they completed all of their requirements!

Chase: Earned his STAR rank and is within 3 months and 5 merit badges of Life and then Eagle. He is on track to earn his Eagle Award in early 2010. Stay tuned! We'd love to have family come out and support him! Chase also earned: Citizenship in the Nation, Citizenship in the World, Vet Medicine, Art, First Aid, Personal Fitness, Emergency Prep and Canoeing. He now has 16 total! WAHOO!

Chandler: Earned his Second Class rank and is within 3 requirements of First Class. He also earned a bunch of badges: Citizenship in the World, Citizenship in the Community, Computers, Space Exploration, First Aid, Personal Fitness and Fingerprinting. Chandler has 9 total.

Way to go boys!

Update and More Cute Kid Pics!

So, I am on Evan's laptop and he has no pictures that I can post. So I'll add a few of the kids (because they are so great...thanks Kelli!). But, I wanted to UPDATE you on our Johnson Family Drama. To back track, I started hemmoraging back in early January. We thought that we'd lost the baby. But, later that day, we made it to the doctor's office and through an ultrasound, they found the baby was just fine. They couldn't find a reason why I was bleeding so we thought it was an isolated incidence. But, 8 days later, I started again. This time, it was a bit worse, though not as scary. So, I was back on bedrest until it stopped. Here we are in February and I've finally been given a clean bill of health. I can't do all of the things I love (like running or anything strenuous), but I am up and back into life. Thanks for all of your well wishes and prayers. We hope all of the drama is over! Now for the cute pics!

Family Pics...Thanks Kelli!