Christmassss

One of the best parts of having grandchildren is that the holidays are so, so, so much more fun!  Gram is so lucky to celebrate with my two love bugs, Huxey and Otty!  We had our family Christmas at Gram and Grandpas then celebrated Christmas Eve with all of our relatives from both sides of the family.  It was a busy, fun and memorable night:)

We decided to take the crew sliding this year before eating on Christmas Eve and it was a hit.  Definitely a tradition that we will continue.  The Fab 5 Cousins had a great time and the adults just as 

much.  

The end of the night after sliding, eating, gift opening and playing!

Bouncing

Back in the day Mama Livvie use to be quite a bouncer (as in bounce to sooth) not kick the bar crew out;)  So much so that her first birthday cake had Tigger on it to represent!  Well, I'd say that we've got some momma genes in our sweet, little Huxey as well.

He has begun to really enjoy the bouncer in good ole momma fashion.  It reminds me of stories I use to hear of myself as a babe bouncing the horsey across the room with exuberance.  Maybe Momma Livvie got it from her Momma and Huxey has a bit of his ole' Grammy in there too;)  

Here's to intensity...  Oh boy!

Gram's Bday

We had a busy week celebrating Gram's Birthday

Gram and Grandpa got to have a yummy dinner and play cards with Aunt Shirley and Uncle Doug to start off my birthday celebration, then celebrated again with family at Otty's house and lastly a final Birthday Celebrate with my girlies (Anna and Liv) for a dinner and a movie.  I'm so, so blessed!

On my real birthday I got to play tag, slide down a little tykes slide (very little), play trains and watch a movie with Otto and Grandpa. Otto had the day all planned, except the part where Grandpa took a nap during the movie... but I don't think Otto noticed;)









              Who says getting old isn't fun?

Santa

Poor Otty, eventually you will love Santa, I promise.

Huxey's Baptism

Our little Huxon was baptized this past week at our church.  There was a lot of support from the Johnson Crew, including our cousins who came up from the cities.

We had a great time visiting and welcoming Huxey into our church and went over to his Mamma and Daddy's house for chili and cake afterwards.  All was delicious and it was fun to spend time with family.

Otto enjoyed playing with the cousins running around in the church and playing with trains at Aunties.  He even offered to leave with Sara when they got ready to head back to the cities.  Love that our family has this new generation that will grow up together and know the fun and love of cousins for their whole lives.  One of the best parts of being a close-knit family for sure:)

Huxey doesn't realize how much fun he's having;)

Fiona was a big fan of Hux and Otto.  There was a large display of affection with hugs, kisses and warm baby head rubbings.  

We are all truly blessed with such a loving and wonderful family!

Huxey Sleepover

Gram and Huxey had a sleepover this week.  I love spending a block of time with Huxey because I really get to see his full personality in the 24 hours I have him.  He is a sweet, lovable and funny baby who can give a smirk like no ones business;)

Huxey was really great the entire sleepover...except when it came time to go to bed in the crib.  There are two challenges lately with Huxey.  A crib aversion, and a nap aversion, which hopefully both will be rectified by mid January when Gram starts taking care of Huxey on a regular basis.

Our family use to call Otto "no nap Ot," and I believe we need to come up with a catchy name like that for Huxey as well.  Of course, the female adults in the family are 100% to blame because we love holding those babies when they are little.  We have taught them that being held is totally awesome, and we have nothing else we need to do.  Well,  Huxey is a good learner, and has decided that (A) holding for naps is perfectly acceptable at 5 months and actually preferred.  And (B) It's dark in the room with the crib at night, so he'd rather again (A) be held while he sleeps.

Fortunately for Momma, she has started to see progress in the crib sleeping while in his own room,  Gram not so much.  So Huxey and Gram and Grandpa had a nice 10 hour sleep in our king size bed from 9pm-7am.  There was plenty of space, so why not! Hey, there are worse things I could be doing, right??

We had a good long snuggle fest the next day and Huxey spent a lot of time standing, and is becoming a good sitter on his own with only moments of "tower of pisa" here and there.  He is teething like crazy and fingers are in mouth while talking and talking.  Just a great big 5+ month old of love and fun!  Gram's so blessed:)

Reading

Otto and I love to read.  Often in a day we'll read 10 books together.   Then there's the books that Grandpa reads and Momma and Daddy reads at bedtime.  Between all his "people" Ottos getting a lot of exposure to books and language throughout the day and it certainly shows by his expanded vocabulary.  Reading is certainly one of my many favorite times spent with Otty. We even do silent reading sometimes;) This photo just crack me up.  Love the mini-me stage of doing whatever the adult is doing.

Halloween 2016

Here are a few photos from Halloween this year.  We decided to avoid the incredibly busy neighborhood at Momma Liv's this year, so everyone came to Gram and Grandpa's neighborhood.  Otto wasn't too sure about going up to people's doors and saying trick or treat, but he did opt a few times to hold out his pumpkin to score some candy.  I can only imagine what a 20 month old is thinking about this holiday.  They probably think the world has gone crazy...Dad in a yellow costume, going to houses he's never been before, people giving him candy?  And strangers walking around the streets in weird costumes all night and coming to Grams door for candy.  Mind Blown!!!  I get it.  We adults love to celebrate occasions in weird ways.  As a matter of fact, a chubby guy with a beard in a red suit should be arriving shortly;)  

Our sweet baby, Huxey was a cute, little monster for Halloween...and a sleepy one:)  Otty was a really cute Curious George and Daddy Luke agreed to be The Man in the Yellow Hat. It was a crazy fun night filled with 3 dogs, 2 children and 8 adults giving out candy, and taking the kiddos around the block.  We got some great pics, but unfortunately our best photos are trapped on a camera disc that is not cooperating with us.  Go figure!

Gram's favorite little monsters

Cousin Weekend 2

Our second annual Cousin Weekend was a big hit! Since last year we have acquired another child and are now even up at 1:1 per adult to child ratio.  

As always, cousin weekend is busy and fun watching all the littles play and explore while the adult cousins get moments to catch up with each other.  

We played at the park, which was a big hit with Otto.  He loved the slides and playing tag and enjoying the cousins.  This is one of few pics where both Otto and Dec were still long enough for a photo.  

We also spent a good hour at the hotel pool.  This was Huxey's first time in a pool and he loved every minute of it.  The rest of the crew enjoyed the warm pool.  Otto loved jumping in and "swimming" with Momma.  This weekend was also the first time that Otto and Huxey have had a sleepover.  Two nights together, three days and 7 hours in the backseat of the car is a lot of time to spend together and it all was great. Otto is embracing Huxey as someone who is a permanent fixture in the family.  Even encouraging Momma to hold Hux.  It's fun to imagine what these two will be up to a year and more from now.  It's also a bit crazy to realize that we will have 4 boys in the family under 3 in February.  I think of the future and imagine...Wow it's going to be busy at the cabin;)  Good thing we have Quinn and Fiona to help watch them as they get older!                                                                                                 

We are a lucky, lucky family to have so many blessings in our family.

October

Just being silly

October was a busy month for Gram.  I headed to California for a wonderful week of vacation (San Francisco and Napa Valley) with Grandpa, and came back with a sinus infection.  I missed my grand babies, and feel like I've been off the grid for far too long.

Pokegama Lake at it's finest in the Fall

Now that I feel back to myself (to a degree), the blog needs to get caught up.  Although I was gone for 7 days, I got to have 7 steady days of fun with Otto and Huxey when I got back.  Even with a cold, I still had fun with them and they made the "sick" time much more tolerable.

Otty's Momma and Daddy went on a trip to Washington so Gram had a sleepover with Ot when I got back.  We spent as much time outside as possible since it was nice out.

There is rarely a moment when a vehicle isn't in Otty's hands.  

Otty's still obsessed with cars, trucks, tractors  and especially TRAINS.  He is talking up a storm and giving directions like nobody's business.  As a matter of fact, it is not uncommon for Gram to be directed to go up, down, here, there, etc. throughout the day.  Ot's fine-tuning his leadership skills at a young age;)

Our Huxey is loving books!  His feet start going and he's eyes get big and it's just too fun! 

Here's a great video Momma took of Hux that shows off those great smiles.

Autumn

Making silly faces

Huxey, Momma and I got to spend a beautiful day at the cabin this weekend. It was simply perfect, with 70 degree weather, and a clear blue sky.  The trees have started to turn and it couldn't have been a more perfect day to cruise the lake and take in the beautiful colors of Fall.

Our 3 month old Huxon is getting so big.  He loves to watch his hands and fingers as he opens and shuts them. His fists have also been spending a lot of time in his mouth lately, and the drooling has started. We are all hoping the teething doesn't start for a while yet, although his Momma got her first tooth at 4 months and 4 days.

Hux is sitting up in the Bumbo, and sleeping through the night. He is also talking and smiling to a larger audience these days and holding toys, feeling textures and exploring his environment by looking and watching everyone and everything.  He is just a bundle of snuggly, wonderful joy!

My baby and her baby

18 months

What does a toddler do during lunch at Grams?  Shop the paper for tractors of course!

Otman loves his tractors and the L&M page has become one of his favorites to read.  There are some pretty great things in that shopper.

Otto had his 18 month Dr. appt. this week.  He is continuing his 65% ratio for weight, but is down to 35% height.  His Momma said he is embracing, fulfilling his Grandpa's dream of him being a catcher.  Not sure what she means by that;)

Anyway, we have a healthy toddler who is talking up a storm.  So much fun and keeping Gram young at heart!

Thursdays

Thursdays are nugget days:)  I get to spend the day with sweet, baby Huxon while mama goes to her practicum for her masters in teaching.  I treasure these moments with Hux, because we all know how fast those baby days go.  He is simply a joy.

I get lots of snuggle time with Huxy.  I also get to do things like video him sleeping so I have a record of his sweet snoring.  Honestly just the best, I replay and a smile appears on my face.  Anyone who has spent time with a wee one remembers this heart warming sound.

                                                                                                            Hux is growing up. He will be 3 months on Saturday.  He is smiling these wonderful, happy smiles but to get a photo is a "mission impossible" at this point.  Hux always starts staring at the camera and forgets about that smile.  As a consolation prize he is giving us some pretty great half smiles and smirks to document though.                          

                                                                                                                     There is also lots of cooing coming from Hux.  He especially likes to talk to his Grandpa.  I'm not sure if it's the mustache or what, but they have quite lengthy conversations.

I  just love this little babe so much and am so grateful that I get to see him (almost) everyday and give him Gram snuggles.  I am so very blessed!  He really is a grandma magnet.

Grandma Daycare Year 2

So clearly we've been busy, busy, busy.  My last post was almost a month ago!  In this past month a lot has happened, including the beginning of a new year at Grandma Daycare for Otto.

We started our first week back with a bang.  5 straight days with 2 overnights and a one day break before the next week.  I've had too much fun playing with my favorite toddler so far this Fall.

The weather has been gorgeous and has allowed us lots of outdoor time.  During our first day of Daycare, Otto and I walked Lily around the block and stopped at our neighborhood library for some books.  Otto was so excited he had to check his book out right away.










Otto is enjoying reading.  He loves, loves, loves to read and since Gram does too it's not uncommon for us to read over 20 books a day.  I am so grateful that he has found a love for books.  Of course the animal and vehicle books are the biggest hit.

Otto has really been enjoying playing with car ramps, racing tracks and the parking garage that goes with all the matchbox cars and little people trucks.  As a matter of fact he will play with these for over an hour straight without moving more then 3 feet from track to track.  He's making entertaining him way to easy on Gram!

Otto is also in the process of another vocab explosion.  The two syllable words are coming rapidly, as well as new one syllables such as,  "no, more, up, tractor, baby, apple, bunny, amma (gramma), momma, daddy, ya, auntie, aminal"...the list goes on and on.  So much fun!

Hux 2 months

Baby Hux is 2 months old!  Huxy is sleeping better during the night and starting to get in a routine.
He also smiled for the first time, at his Momma, 3x in a row:)

Gram and Auntie have gotten a smile, but it may or may not have been related to rem sleep...but we are going to count it anyway.

Huxy is really enjoying the fan and chandelier just like his cousin Otto did at this age.  When it gets to be too much (sensory overload) there's usually a sneeze, followed by hiccups.  We get it Hux, there's a lot going on at Grams.  Between the ceiling stuff and the dogs, he is constantly bombarded by sensory opportunities.

Lily is loving Hux.  She cannot stay away from him.  Lily gets her stuffed toy and lays as close as possible to Huxy's head until I shoo her away.  This dog loves babies!

Hux has been going on lots of walks in the stroller and seems to really enjoy them.  They put him right to sleep, just like the car does.  I tell Momma, those are two great things.

The 0-3 month clothes are almost too little for Hux.  His toes go right to the very end.  This little guy is growing fast.  At his 2 month checkup he was 23% wt. at 11 lbs. 4 oz. and 48% ht at 23 inches. This is on the regular birth chart!  Like I said he is growing fast!  The Dr. also told Momma that at his size, which is 3 weeks adjusted age, he would've definitely been over a 10 pound newborn if she would've went full term.

The cabin is such a relaxing place

Fairs

Gram, Grandpa and Otto have spent some time at the local fairs this month.  The first fair we went to was in Chisholm, MN.  We were lucky enough to spend some time with cousins, Fiona, Quinn and Dec while we were there.

As appears to be the case most often, Fiona and Otto were the ones infatuated with the animals.  They are definitely the "Doolittles" in our family.

The biggest "awe" moment for Otto was watching the 4 wheelers do jumps.  He was so serious and intense while watching, his body actually shook and jumped when they jumped.  It was like a virtual reality for Ot.

Yes, they were happy, even though they don't look like it;)

Carousel at Grand Rapids Fair

Pig noises

We are having a great time listening to Otto say new words and animal noises.  He's just so much fun!

He's got the cow, goat, chicken, duck, elephant, bear, horse, dog and lion down and maybe a couple more, but that darn pig noise is a toughy.

 

Those facial expressions just kill me.  Love this toddler age, such personality!

Hux 6 weeks

Our sweet baby Hux is growing fast!  It doesn't seem possible that he has been here 6 weeks already.  Hux has definitely transitioned from Preemie to Newborn stage.  He is more alert and his digestive system seems to be adjusting.  

Hux has been on a schedule of eating about 3 oz every 3-3.5 hours now and getting up twice during the night to nurse.  One night he spoiled Momma and slept for 6 hours! He has begun to have more alert awake time which is so fun, and has even started to play a little.

Huxy is developing well and we are all madly in love with him.

Gram got to have a couple babysitting opportunities this past week.  One good stretch while Momma went to a wedding.  I have to admit of the 8 hours Hux was with me I probably held him 7 1/2 of those 8.  Just love those baby snuggles:)

Our beautiful baby boy