27 weeks - then and now

I thought I would do a little comparison.  Looks about right...on track for another big one!!  :)
Original post is here: http://nickandangelasblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/27-weeks-and-counting.html?m=0

I'm a hockey player!!

2.5 years!

I just realized that Deven is 2.5 exactly today!  So I thought it would be a good time to give a general update on all things Deven.
Height: just shy of 3 feet
Weight: about 29 lbs if I can get him to stand still long enough
Likes: order depends on the second of the day you ask him...
* hockey - with his hockey pants on (aka snow pants)
* guitar
* singing into the guitar stand while playing the guitar
* macaroni - any kind, but white cheese with crispy Parmesan on top seems to be an all time fav
* all things trains and to Nick's dismay Thomas Train makes the top of that list
* books - loves getting new ones both at the book store and at the library.  We find him reading by himself in his reading corner frequently.
* running - more like a fast paced walk but according to Deven he IS a runner!
Dislikes:
* listening with his listening ears
* losing choices when he doesn't listen with his listening ears
* using the potty when he is in the middle of a project (aka most of the time)
Deven is a fire cracker of a two and a half year old. He generally knows what he wants and how to get it (ask momma).   He has had a particular attachment to me lately, which is pretty cool most of the time but after a while it would be nice to share all the attention with Nick...specifically when his diaper needs to be changed.
Deven has a seriously vivid imagination and shares it with anyone who will listen.  Most days we all have a blast.  I would say its 80:20 on excellent verses difficult to remember why we thought it would be a good idea to have kids.  Who knows maybe it's just because I can't have my glass of recovery red after the bed time routine right now...but something tells me even those parents not night cap challenged have a rough go with a 2.5 year old at least some of the time.  Besides, Christmas frangos seem to be an excellent supplement!
I should have included making videos of himself as part of his likes, so in honor of that we've post his most recent debut in the next post!  Enjoy!!

The Nut Cracker

This last Sunday we had such a good time at the ballet.  I usually go to the ballet by myself but this time I convinced my boys to come with me.  Nick and I decided to take the risk and get tickets to PNB's Nut Cracker this year and bring Deven along with us.  I don't think we've been since 2008 and I don't imagine going for a couple more years once baby sister is born so this was our chance! 
Nick and I agreed that it could have gone horribly, and some people around us may have concluded it was just that, but I'm calling it a success.  No tantrums, no running up and down the isles and he technically sat through the whole thing...there may have been a few transfers to daddo's lap but he made it!  We were 7 rows back from the pit in the last three seats on the end; if necessary we could have made our escape, but I'm glad there was no reason.
We are always making Deven talk to us during movies and etc., because he looks like a zombie otherwise and that way we also know he is learning something - at the very least comprehension.  Well, Deven took that to heart while watching the ballet too.  Most of the time this was fine because the music was loud and the choreography had a lot of action but in the second act the music is a lot quieter and there are a lot more solos and duets.  Specifically, when Clara does her solo at the palace Deven asks, very seriously, in a voice loud enough for the entire theatre to hear I'm positive, "what does she have on her shirt?". The answer was of course sparkles but you get the idea.  I would say 80% of the time though he was grinning with excitement or asking to cuddle at the 'scary' parts.  It sort of worked out perfectly, down to our pre-order for dinner at intermission.  Given the chaos of our lives lately, this was a welcome change.
Bottom line, Deven loved it!!  He talked about how he was a ballet'er all the way home and insisted on listening to ballet music.  Nick made him a Nut Cracker Pandora station and Deven had the phone up to his hear to listen the rest of the way home.  Today, three days later, his teacher told us that Deven was dancing to the Christmas music they had on and told them that he was a ballet'er.  I LOVE it!! 
I guess we will have to wait to see what he ends up choosing, ballet, hockey, football, soccer...I'm sure the list will grow but in the mean time Nick and I are loving having the chance to introduce them all to him!

Christmas wishes from Deven.

We didn't get much shopping done but Deven had a blast!

25 weeks and counting

We just had a check up and everything is great.  Sister has a heart rate of 145 which is normal and she continues to measure about a week ahead.  Generally feeling pretty good and no major swelling yet which is all a girl can ask for at this point! 

Santa's sleigh

We heard through village gossip that Santa was one busy guy today due to a groupon that came out.  So I decided that Santa's sleigh was where it was at this year.  Deven was just as excited I think because right before it was his turn two older boys were there with their Santa hats and he thought they were the coolest guys ever.  We just happened to have thrown in Deven's Santa hat so I pulled it out and he was thrilled.  All three boys compared hats with absolute awe!  I think we got some great pictures, can't wait to add baby sister next year!!

Christmas shopping!

We ran in to Santa's sleigh today at uvillage and a nice man took our picture!

Christmas 2011 Preparations

I think this may have been the earliest we have ever decorated for Christmas.  We had both the tree and the decorations up by December 1st.  I'm pretty sure Deven might be driving this new schedule we are on but I'm having a good time.  We've got a new advent calendar, we've watched the Polar Express three times and counting, and hot cocoa has now become a staple.  Let the festivities begin...or rather...let them continue.
Pics above are: a. A post xmas tree hunting hot chocolate treat, b. X
xmas tree all decorated, c. Deven and xmas tree 2011.

Insight in to Deven's Day

This came home on the back of Deven's daily report yesterday.

Fall and Halloween art

Baby girl at 20 weeks

We have our next check up for baby girl this coming week but I thought I would get this half way mark documented seeing as how I am still lucky enough to be edema free and finally not feeling nauseous every 2 hours!! I did a little research and my baby belly is about the same as with Deven at this 20 week mark...somehow not comforting!! :). We are doing great and Deven gives hugs and kisses to sister all the time, it's adorable. I plan to remind him of this later when he realizes that sister can't be put back into my belly once she's here! Stay tuned for more updates from our check up...we are hoping for an estimate of just how big she will be.

Halloween Art

Deven's First Trick-or-Treating Adventure

I don't really remember Halloween that well from when I was trick-or-treating age. Maybe it just wasn't that big of deal? Either way right now, it is a huge deal to Deven. The lead up to Halloween was a month long process...I even had to hide his costume from him when it came in the mail to ensure it would still be in tact for the big day. Deven was, of course, a fireman. We did it right with new fire boots, pants, jacket and helmet. Underneath he even had on his fireman pj's. It was epic. We were invited to spend the evening with our friends Renee and Chip Burgess. Their little guy Charlie is the same age as Deven and was equally as thrilled to go door-to-door for free candy. Renee is an aspiring Martha Stewart (pre-insider trading) and decorated so well. She even had labeled appetizers: grapes were eye balls and pretzel sticks were goblin bones. It's her dream to have a walk through haunted house some day. I am anticipating that we will spend many more Halloween's with the Burgess family!!

We captured the boys' first trick-or-treat. Awesome. Other fun moments was Deven's 'eye ball' belch into a nice ladies face as she was handing him some candy..."Excuse me, I burped." Then upon a nice old man opening the door for the boys Charlie felt right at home and walked right in...we were thinking he just wanted to be more social then trick-or-treating allowed. He is quite the gentleman. We had such a great time and ended the night with a pizza, "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown", and a little Monday night football. A perfect first Halloween night out for Deven and Charlie!!!

Ice skating

We have one happy kiddo tonight.  When he got in the rink he told everyone, I'm mean everyone that he was a hockey player.  We tried to explain he needs to learn to skate first.  He said it was "ok, skating is easy."  I think he figured out that it's a lot harder than he thought but still seemed to have a blast.  Here are some pics of Deven's life changing experience!

First time on skates

Nick wanted to brake in some new skates so we hit the local rink tonight.  This was Deven's first time on skates and the second time on ice.  I had to get a video!!  Pics to follow...

Baby Girl

Everyone kept telling me it was a girl but I honestly had no gut feeling.  Well everyone was correct!  Nick and I are pretty surprised but excited to start the whole naming and planning part. 

We were confused today because Deven all of a sudden was saying he was going to have a brother where as he had been insisting he was going to have a sister for a couple of weeks.  I think we figured it out tonight though, we are pretty sure he was telling us that HE is a brother to the baby sister.  Moral of the story; even Deven knew!

Here is a sneak peak at our sassy little girl and one of Deven's reactions...ok we made him pose for this but you get the idea!!

Husky tailgating 2011

So this last weekend was my first tailgait of the season, while Nick and Deven are already seasoned.  We of course had some great eating with Nick's poppers and Ryan's buffalo burgers (because we played them ;).  All the running around after Deven we did pretty much took care of the extra calories so no harm no foul!  Deven was the only kiddo there this time but he didn't seem to mind, he even charmed the party parked next to us.  Here are some fun pics of Deven having a blast, and learning to be 'one of the guys.'  He's getting it I think!

Baby #2

Just thought I'd give this baby a little writing time.  We had our 17 week check up today and it went great.  The doc said we are both doing great.  Baby has a strong heart beat that we could hear right away.  I made Nick take a picture...baby is gettin' big!!

On a run

Today, I was inspired to get off my butt by a friend who ran in this today - http://www.bmlt.org/crush.  I basically haven't done a thing in a month because of a shoulder injury.  Never thought a shoulder injury would stop me in my tracks so dramatically but I'm feeling a bit better so I thought heck with it!  Deven, Sam and I strapped in and on to the stroller and we did a loop that conveniently included a park for Deven to play and me to take a break.  On the run out, Deven told me, "everything is icky momma, are you icky momma?"  I of course said, "heck no, I'm cool, I'm awesome, I'm a momma!"  Deven follows up with, "no, momma, your just a mom."  Not sure what to make of that but thought I would share some of Deven's thoughts.  We made it to the park and back in one piece.  The new baby didn't put up much of a complaint so I think we are back in business with this working out thing.  No races for me, just to be safe, but at least I can still get out!!  These are some fun pics I took during out break.

My guys

We are all playing fort in Deven's room!

A night away

We had a great excuse to take off for the night this weekend.  Our friend Codie turned 30 and we were celebrating down south so we called in the grandparents for back-up.  September was pretty rough for the Johnston family what with our latest section of siding construction project, my silly shoulder developing tendonitis, not to mention just the normal every day stuff of making sure Deven eats and sleeps normally!!  So I decided that Nick and I needed to relax for a bit.  I found this fabulous bed and breakfast on Capitol Hill in Seattle.  If you ever need to stay in Seattle book a room here - http://www.11thavenueinn.com/.  It's close to down town, a great park, the new location of the Elliott Bay book store, fun restaurants and what looked like some pretty cool bars!  After a fabulous homemade breakfast (omlet stuffed with spinach, cherry tomatoes, green onions and goat cheese topped with homemade pesto and grated parmesan) Nick and I walked all around the area and found a great cafe recommended to us by a friend called Odd Fellows.  We decided...why not eat again and got some yummy pastries and amazing espresso.  Just next store was the Elliot Bay Bookstore where I bought a baby name book and a new book about Otis the tractor for Deven.  We had such a great time.  These pics are of our room, our walk and of the place setting at Odd Fellows.  A night out well spent!!

Art

Here is some more pictures of Deven's art so I don't feel guilty about not keeping and framing every piece!

WWU hockey alumni game 2011

Today we ventured up to good 'ol Bellingham for Nick's annual alumni hockey game.  They don't keep score but between my chasing Deven around the rink trying to stop him from eating stray skittels and breaking the water fountain I saw a few goals go in (not in our favor).  No worries though after the game we had terrific photo ops, Deven got to hang with the guys in the locker room for the first time and with a stop for lunch at our favorite boundary bay brewery the 'loss' was all but forgotten!