Less than 45 days to go...but whose counting?

We're in the home stretch now!

Weebs, as we've fondly taken to calling the baby [short for weeble] is an amazing acrobat and enjoys kicking and rolling around inside of me as though it was a full contact sport! It is mostly active when I am sitting at work trying to concentrate on something or laying on the couch relaxing. Lately, hiccups have become a daily ritual - and now I can even see the movements on the outside as much as I can feel them on the inside.

Oke and the weeble have found some time to bond as well. My favorite time of day is in the evening when we sit on the couch together and Oke puts his hand on my belly to check out what's new with Weebs. One time, Oke put his ear to my belly and got a surprising kick in the face. It's amazing how strong the baby's movements are becoming!

Although nothing is in its rightful place yet, the house has slowly been taken over by baby items. Abby seems to be fairing pretty well with all of the new additions. I don't think she has any idea of what is to come - and maybe she has it right, ignorance can be bliss!

A few other things we've been up to:

--Oke has been taking advantage of our fabulous fall weather and taking hikes with a few friends, and Abby, in the national parks near our home. I take advantage of his early morning departures by sleeping in!

--We [as in someone we've hired] are painting the rest of the upstairs. So far, the baby's room, hall bath, and stairway/hallway is complete. Master bedroom and master bath should be done by Saturday. We'll post some pictures once everything is back in place.

--Our crash course childbirth class is this weekend; 2 days at 4 hrs each day of non-stop labor and delivery information...what a treat! Hopefully neither one of us will run for the hills afterwards....

Thank you to everyone for your words of wisdom, love, and support. We are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family!

With Love,

Liz

You have to be in it to win it.

Everyone has heard the saying that you have to be in it to win it. Well, with the powerball over $100,000,000 I decided now was the time to get involved. I called a co-worker in DC and ordered up $10 worth of powerball tickets. With 10 tickets and 6 numbers on each ticket I was sure to win something.

Unfortunately, out of the 60 numbers (actually 38 unique numbers), I matched 3 of them. Early retirement will have to wait. It amazing though, how the simple thought of winning the lottery can brighten your day. Hopefully there won't be any winners and I can play again for the Saturday drawing.

~Oke

Kinda Freaky...but so cute!

As promised, a picture of Baby Johnson...



If you can't tell, this is a picture of the wee one's head and it's right arm curved up to its mouth; maybe it's sucking its thumb? Baby has Oke's nose - and hopefully daddy's eyes too!

It's amazing the detail you can see during the ultrasound appointment. You can see every bone and even the vertabrae along baby's spinal cord. According to the the medical professional performing the sonogram, all is normal with Baby Johnson. And even though we didn't want to know the sex of the baby, whatever it is, it is normal - they even check for that!

We are so excited about welcoming the wee one into our world - with every movement inside my belly I'm reassured that Baby is excited too!

Molly's new home...sort of

For those of you waiting anxiously to find out how Molly's relocation went I have some news.

Unfortunately, her affect on Jean was not expected. Jean thought Molly needed some walks and was very determined to get her into the hallway. After a few close calls and some tense moments Molly is off to a new home.

Luckily for us one of the nurses found Molly to be irresistible (something about not having any teeth). She took her home on Friday and we are waiting to hear how that is going. Hopefully it will be Molly's last trip for a while, she doesn't like cars.

On a Lighter Note...

Our 1st pictures of baby is scheduled for 8/13 - sonogram here we come!

We think we've found a good home for Molly...we're going to see if she likes staying with Oke's great-aunt Jean. Molly moves next week!

Ashburn? or the Wild West?

We all know that I enjoy playing some poker. The in-laws are coming to town this weekend, so I wanted to get my poker in before they got here. I have heard about the Monday game for a few months now, but never had the opportunity to play. This week would be different, after a quick email I confirmed the game was on and that there was a spot for me.

The game itself started out as I expected with 2 people going all-in within the first 4 hands and 1 guy buying in for $400 (more than you can buy in for at a casino). By about 12:30 the game was in full swing with 30 players, 3 tables and plenty of money in play. I was up a few bucks when the poker scene in Ashburn was significantly changed.

3 guys dressed in all black and wearing ski masks or bandannas on their face busted through the door yelling for everyone to get down. At first everyone thought it was joke since no one saw a gun and 2 of the guys appeared to be using their hands as the guns. We started diving for the floor when one of them pulled out the first gun and yelled for everyone to hit the floor.

The robbers didn't stay much longer. They saw $380 in cash on the first poker table, grabbed it and ran out the door. I have a feeling that they did not expect to find so many guys playing. A few guys chased after them to try and get a license plate number, but everyone got away. Those of us who stayed in the basement had another brief scare as a commotion started again on the basement stairs, but it was nothing. These were clearly amateurs who missed out on a much bigger score, by my calculations there might have been $10,000 in that basement. With 30 people playing and everyone bringing on average $300, with some bringing much more, the bank was very healthy (one of the reasons I chose this game to play in).

We called the police and spent the next 90 minutes reliving the event for investigators and getting to know some of our fellow players. This game has developed from 1 table of guys who know each other to 3 tables of strangers. I have been playing in Ashburn for about 2 years and only knew about 10 of the people in attendance. Therein lies the problem with success. Our poker game has been growing in size and stature. I have actually met people who have heard of our game in Brambleton. Many of the players in the Monday game were younger (one of the players just finished high school) than our standard group and didn't seem to fit. Only a few weeks ago several of us were talking about how the game was taking on a life of it's own.

No one seems to know who did it. I like to assume the best in people and think that a few of the players were running their mouth in a bar or to their friends about how big this game was. The other option is that someone who was not a regular player or who may have even been in the game that night was in on it. We probably won't ever know, but a lot of speculation has been flying around.

The few of us who host the Brambleton game started talking immediately about the changes we needed to made. The first was to pare down the guest list. At last count more than 100 people were getting a weekly email about where the game would be. That list has been chopped in half and will only include the people who regularly play. We will keep the game limited to the players we know and trust. If someone has been playing in our game for 2 years, chances are pretty good they aren't going to be involved in setting up a robbery.

We will probably avoid having a big (read 30 person) tournament and cash game for a while. There is no reason to put ourselves in a bad spot. Even with a smaller game there is some risk and that means tightening up security. We won't actually be hiring guards, but we will certainly be locking doors and keeping the loitering to a minimum. The constant smoking room that is the back yard will go away and people will have to wait for their cigarette.

Poker will continue in Ashburn, but we will have to be more careful. The games are going to be smaller, with less money to win. Those of us who like the big fields will have to go to a casino to find the bigger games. In the long run the change will probably be a good one.

Sinking in....

I think the reality of having a baby of our very own is starting to sink in...a little.

I'm slowly expanding past the waist bands of my pants and as my belly grows, I'm reminded more than ever that there is something growing inside of me . Thank goodness it takes 9 months to make this thing - by the time I meet it, I'll be so overjoyed that I'll forget all the time it's taken to prepare for it. And I know I won't ever be fully prepared for what's in store, but 9 months is at least a long enough time to get used to the idea!

Baby reminded me that it really is a part of this world about a week ago when it gave me 3 little punches to the right and below my belly button. I felt it as I had a few spoonfuls of delicious Wendy's chocolate frosty - I guess the kid was as happy as I was to be eating the yummy treat. No movements or flutters since - but am looking forward to more.

Oke and I went to Baby's R Us a few weekends ago to get our first taste of all the things we'll need during Baby's 1st year. Boy was he grumpy [and I"m not talking about the wee one]! But I'm glad we went and I'm glad we were able to decide on a few things. Oke is very excited about picking a glider that will be comfortable for him to sit in with Baby. I can see it now...its 3 in the morning and Oke, Baby, and Abby are passed out in the Baby's room as Oke rocks away on the glider [not sure if he's rocking the wee one or himself to sleep]!

As each day passes I grow more and more attached to what is growing inside of me. I can't wait to meet you, wee one, and show you off to everyone!

I hope to have my 20 week ultrasound scheduled the week of the 12th. Can't wait!

Lexie

Cathy and Chip's new puppy - Lexi...

She's so cute I just want to eat her up!

am I really getting that old?

We had our friends from UVA in over the weekend. Golf for the men and the pool for the ladies and kids. The weather was perfect!

I arrived with Jim at the golf course a few minutes early and hit the range, the ball was flying straight and true (except for those that I didn't hit correctly).

The foursome included Jim, Drew, Dave and myself. For 3 of us, the front 9 was pretty good as we shot a 40 and 2 43s. Drew has just begun playing golf and was establishing a baseline score for himself. He did hit some good shots and after a few pointers from the seasoned hackers he was hitting the ball fairly consistently. The back 9 didn't see as many quality shots from Dave and I, but Jim ended up shooting a 41 for a total score of 81, not too shabby.

The real issue is that I woke up on Sunday morning with a stiff neck and shoulder. After some reflection I have been able to determine that this has happened each of the times I played golf this year--not a good sign for someone who wants to play a lot more in 2007.

It was a fun day overall, but as everyone was leaving by 10PM and we were quickly heading for bed we realized that our lives have clearly changed. I think the change is positive, afterall we were able to get up and beat the church crowd to Bob Evans for a send off breakfast with Jim & Sarah.

And am I really wearing an apron?

Dogs

Abby's best friend is Jenna, a lab/pit mix. She is a adorable and tons of fun. We offered to have her for the day as Jenna's dad, Paul, went to a wedding.

When Jenna came over she immediately made a bee line for Molly, our 12 year old cat. Molly [aka Toothless] is fierce - even though she has no teeth and no front claws. She continues to remind Abby who is boss around these parts and always welcomes a new challenge. Jenna was no match for Toothless, but boy did Jenna try and try to get her to play! For those of you who have older cats - you know that they dont play. Anyway, Jenna wanted Toothless and Abby wanted Jenna...eventually Jenna gave up her cause and decided it was time to give some attention to her gracious host!

Once Jenna discovered Abby, it was all over! The two of them played and squeeled and tugged and jumped and couldn't get enough of each other. It's interesting because when Abby goes to Jenna's house, Jenna is always the instigator. When Jenna came over to see Abby - roles reversed! I don't think we ever saw them both laying down at the same time!

Unfortunately, there was one casualty. The racoon Abby received last Christmas from Grandpa Johnson is not in its original form any longer. The girls managed to tear the head from the body during one of their games. We've memorialized the racoon head by placing it as a bottle topper [see 1st picture - proof that Oke really is drinking non-alcoholic brews!].

So goes another Saturday afternoon...

No alcohol for 9 months, really?

Really?

There are a few simple exceptions. Atlantic City and Vegas. I have been to Atlantic City once and those first 5 Miller Lites may have been the best every produced. I am scheduled to go to Vegas in a few weeks, which at this point is the last scheduled drinking until the wee one enters the free world later this year.

The first 2 months has been an eye opener, it is harder than one may think. Once I tried to drink only during 'special' occassions. There are a lot of special occassions. There really isn't a good reason for me not to drink, other than supporting Liz. I think this year will be a good one for me. Who knows, maybe I will find it refreshing to go through all of life with a clear head.

Then again...

My first thoughts...

It is true, we are having a baby. I am thrilled! Some will say that the end of life as we know is rapidly descending upon us. I have given this some thought and I really feel that we are entering the best years of our lives.

Liz and I have shared some amazing memories over the past 10 years together. I am looking forward to making new memories with new members of our family. People have told me that I won't be able to play poker as much or I won't be able to hang out as often as I once did. That doesn't bother me. I know that if something is still important enough to me that I am willing to miss time with my family, than Liz will understand. If she doesn't understand than I will resort to such things as bribery and maybe a little trickeration.

All in all, I am excited that once again Liz and I will be able to share our new adventures with our family and friends.

-Oke

Heartbeats...

We're having a baby!! Most of you are probably thinking and saying FINALLY! Those two have been together long enough and it's time to start a family! We took our time and are now joining the ranks of most of our friends - look out world because here comes baby Johnson!

Baby is due on or about December 27th - Oke says it MUST arrive by 11:59 this year! I told him that I'll do my best to make that happen :) Pregnancy has been a fine friend to me so far. Other than feeling more tired than I have felt after a day of snowboarding, Baby is treating mommy well. We're coming onto the last week of the 1st trimester and I hear that the next few months are the best to come. Oke has been a wonderful source of support and strength. He reassures me whenever I get scared about something I read and pampers me to no end! I don't ever want to stop being pregnant!

We had our 11 week appointment last week and heard Baby's heartbeat. WHAT AN AMAZING SOUND! We are reassured that there really is something going on down there. It truly is a miracle to think that there is a mini-me or a mini-oke inside my tummy - we can't wait to meet it!

To those who are wondering - we are NOT going to find out the sex of the baby. We want to be completely surprised and overjoyed regardless of what it is.

Stay tuned!

Memorial Day Weekend

My mom and my sister, Shaina [10 and a 1/2 yrs old], came up for the weekend. While my mom was at a workshop in Crystal City, my sister and I had an action packed weekend! We spent lots of time at the pool, played board games, washed cars, and went to the movies.

As a 10 year old, she soaks up everything - she has a memory like an elephant and never forgets! There is no fooling her! She really wants an IPod so we asked her to help with a few things this weekend and paid her a few dollars for her assistance. Now she wants to be paid to do everything - I think we may have created a monster! Hopefully, she'll learn that when you want something it's important to work hard for it and save your money to get it. We'll see.

We also celebrated Kari's 27th Birthday. We ate at a carribbean restaurant in Towsen - it was pretty tasty. She finally got a new mattress and is very excited about it!

With everyone gone, the house is pretty quiet - except for the occasional bark from Abby. It's nice to have visitors but it's also nice to have the place to yourself again :)

Kari's 27th Birthday Dinner

Cathy and Chip







Kari and Aunt Susie










Shaina, Mom, and me

New Front Yard

We finally did it! We decided enough was enough with the small patch in the front yard and after a few hours of hard work - Viola!


Before...










After...