The Reign

Speaking of keeping the kiddos out late earlier this month we met up with Aunt Anne for a soccer game and dinner.  We may have gotten home a little more timely but it took us about an hour to walk back to the car, what with the fountains, two bathroom visits and all the cuteness.

Sports and Recreation

Nick and I have been getting back into a lot of things we did BD (before Deven) lately. Skiing, soccer, and jogging with Sam. It is our goal to include Deven in just about everything.


Skiing proved to be a bit difficult because there was no good place for Deven to get in his daily naps. We are hoping to be those crazy parents with their three year old on skies (only 2 yrs and 3.5months to go). So as I noted below, Nick did a ski Marathon on his own this year. From the sound of it though it was pretty awesome. Seriously, he skied for 24hours. I am not really sure how he did it but its true, he still has numb and aching toes to prove it. His team was third place in raising money for the American Cancer Society and Nick came in 21st place with 118k vertical feet. Nick took notes on how to make this a family affair and apparently the thing to do is rent an RV for the weekend, next time Deven and I will be there!!

Nick has started a an outdoor soccer league and Deven I tagged along to this weekends practice. After a walk to the Mercer Island Library, some fun crawling and reading in the kids area we watched the last bit of Nick practice by walking (with my hands as balance) onto the track and to the field to say hi to Dadda and our buddy Alex. Deven has taken to palates balls and turns out soccer balls will work for him too. He was having a blast with an extra one until he spied a piece of gum on the ground...play time may have been cut a little short! ; )

Our indoor soccer league has started up again and we always try to bring Deven. It proves a little difficult at times because we both play but typically we will find someone willing to hang with Deven for 40 minutes. Today though we had a few too many outings planned so it was just me; Deven and Nick went back home for a snack and a little nap. No goal this time but I am hoping to make it an annual thing!

We recently got a jogging stroller and decided to break it in by entering into the Saint Paddy's Day Dash. Deven and I took it out for some practice runs the last couple of weeks around Lake Stevens but basically it was a cold run this morning. It was tough on a day-light-savings morning but we made it a group effort. Nick, Ryan, Anne, Me and Deven were all Down Town by 8am this morning! Deven and I were disappointed that Shannon and Hadley couldn't join us but we decided to do them proud and kick a little jogging stroller butt. Nick, Ry and Anne were in the Red wave having a starting time of 8:40am. Deven and I were in the Purple wave starting at 8:50. We all had a blast and really did kick some jogging stroller butt. Generally, Deven had his game face on (blank stare, mouth slightly open) but around mile 2 I heard him talking and yelling at all the slow pokes to get out of our way. By the time we rounded the corner on the Aurora bridge facing south looking toward town I heard Deven laughing at all the crazy people dressed in green. He must have known we were in the home stretch. It was down hill from there and we ended up stay on pace with the rest of the gang stroller and 20lbs Deven and all! Hoping we will have many fun runs like this in our future.

Here is Deven about two minutes before start time! Game Face!

A Night Out

Nick reminded me earlier this week that our scheduled outing would be the first we have had without Deven, since Deven blessed us with his presence. I actually had to really think about this because I didn't think it was possible for so much time to pass without just hanging with Nick and the gang. Truly though, our "date-night" this Friday was the first in almost five months. If you follow our blog though you realize in no way does this mean we have not made it out at all. Deven is getting to be a restaurant regular in several cities around Washington. So, not to say we have been deprived of good ol' fashioned socialization with the general public but we have been missing the semi worry-free night that a good baby-sitter like Nick's sister could provide.

I don't believe it was Nick's ideal date night but in his words, "I'll take it." Our friend Codie is a die-hard Twilight fan and so she organized a group viewing of the 2nd in the series, New Moon, this last Friday. We (Nick, me, Anne and Deven) synchronized at our house around 5:45. Nick and I took turns flooding Anne's head with information; we hope all useful though I am sure some of it was a little over-kill. Once I gave a smiling, giggling Deven about three hugs and five kisses good-bye Nick and I climbed into the Truck for date night around 6:15.

We were scheduled for an 8pm showing so if you understand the craze that is the Twilight series you will understand that Nick and I were running a little behind. Codie and Alex graciously bought us each a gourmet Red Robin burger and snuck it into the theatre for us where we were diligently holding a spot for the group in the very long line. We were able to scarf down the burger while waiting in line and got the remaining fries past the theatre employee who had made it very clear at least two times that outside food was not permitted.

We couldn't all sit together because there were 10 of us (we were missing the Wilson's - two key players - due to sickness) but we all made it in with relatively good view of the screen. Yes, the theatre was sold out. At one point I looked around and realized just how many people were in the one room and wondered with the CDC would have to say about this scenario.

The movie it self was "OK" being a vampire genre fan from way back I of course love the fact that I can be open about my mild obsession but at the same time I am a little turned off by what has now become so main stream...I will/have gotten over it though. I think all the ladies and even some fellas will agree that the highlight of the film was Jacob Black's chiseled abs but overall the film did its best to stay true to the narrative and gave the audience what it wanted...some good sexual tension between two (or three) star crossed lovers. Good stuff.

After the movie the gang said good-bye to Julie who was so dedicated to seeing the movie that she drove three hours to see it with all of us and Shannon who stuck to her guns and insisted it was bed-time. I should have listened/followed Shan's example. With less than five hours of sleep Nick and I stumbled over to red robin where our sad lot tried to pretend that we hadn't been working and schooling for the last 5 to 7 days straight. I think we each had a drink and called it good. I tried not to feel shame as I saw the obvious disappointment in our servers face...had she pegged us for a big ticket? Sadly, at least on this night, we were not. I have faith though that we will get back on the wagon again soon...perhaps at a better bar in a more exciting city?!?!

Thankfully, Nick and my worries about leaving Deven for the first time at night was quelled by several texts we received throughout the night from Anne telling us that Deven had gone to bed timely was being a good little guy for his auntie. What was really interesting is that we were able to figure out just how much this little guy eats at night which is what will lead to my next post entitled "Rice Cereal."

Overall Nick and I had a good "first-night-out." Maybe next time we will be able to make it passed midnight.

Welcome Baby Deven

To avoid posting to the blog, I told Ange I wouldn't do it until I had something interesting to say....I don't think I can put it off any longer. Today at 8:36am we welcomed Deven Porter Johnston into the world. He came in at a whopping 10lbs 11oz. and was 21" long. Needless to say, the planned C-section was the right way to go. Angela and Deven are doing great. Both are happy, healthy, and currently napping. Ah, the calm before the storm...

Its Friday

I am finally making the time to update this blog. This has been a big month for us! Nick and I found out that we are having a baby boy (name yet to be determined). The little guy has been kicking up a storm lately and this last Wednesday Nick felt him for the first time. It was such and exciting moment for the both of us. This is a pic of me at (almost) 21 weeks. I have some new ultrasound pictures of the little fella but have yet to remember to get them scanned! Soon enough I am sure.

Sam is oblivious to what is going to happen in about 4 months but we have been having a lot of fun within him in the mean time. This is him at our Superbowl party (hence the beer can) where Nick unveiled his home entertainment project complete with 50'' flat screen, surround sound and cool new receiver.

I hope to get those pics of the little guy up soon. For now we are just waiting for our next check up which is this coming Tuesday 2/17.