I went into the hospital around 9:00 pm on Monday evening, October 18th. My due date of October 13th had come and gone, and if I was still pregnant I planned to teach through the week of the 18th and then be done for my leave until after Christmas break. Our schedule that week at school was different because it was MEA week, which for MA also means parent conferences week. So that week I didn't teach on Monday, but did have classes on Tuesday and then conferences were held Wednesday and Thursday of that week and we had Friday off. The last few weeks before Calla was born at the end of each day I left my classroom plans and materials just so, wanting to be prepared if I would go into labor and not be back. So I didn't have classes on Monday, I would go in to work on Tuesday. But it was a good thing I left plans for my sub the week before, because I wouldn't be back to work until 2011...
Most of the day on the 18th I was feeling just fine. I had an OB appointment scheduled for late that afternoon, and ironically when I got into the car to drive to the OB office, I began to have some light contractions. I honestly didn't think too much about it because they weren't that painful and weren't close enough together to warrant much excitement. My appointment went fine - the baby and I passed the BPP test and ultrasound with flying colors, I saw the doctor, and then went into the hospital scheduler's office at the OB to make the appointment to be induced that Wednesday, Oct. 20th. I was still having contractions throughout the appointment, but again, nothing too serious. I told my doctor about the contractions, but he said that they weren't anything to warrant going to the hospital yet. Matt had driven from school to meet me at the office, so we had two cars there. After the appointment, Matt went to pick up Mckenna at daycare and I would meet him at home for dinner. I needed to fill up my car with gas on the way home, and I also decided to stop before getting gas and get some Thai takeout for dinner... I was just too exhausted to think about cooking that night.
Most of the day on the 18th I was feeling just fine. I had an OB appointment scheduled for late that afternoon, and ironically when I got into the car to drive to the OB office, I began to have some light contractions. I honestly didn't think too much about it because they weren't that painful and weren't close enough together to warrant much excitement. My appointment went fine - the baby and I passed the BPP test and ultrasound with flying colors, I saw the doctor, and then went into the hospital scheduler's office at the OB to make the appointment to be induced that Wednesday, Oct. 20th. I was still having contractions throughout the appointment, but again, nothing too serious. I told my doctor about the contractions, but he said that they weren't anything to warrant going to the hospital yet. Matt had driven from school to meet me at the office, so we had two cars there. After the appointment, Matt went to pick up Mckenna at daycare and I would meet him at home for dinner. I needed to fill up my car with gas on the way home, and I also decided to stop before getting gas and get some Thai takeout for dinner... I was just too exhausted to think about cooking that night.
Well, it must have been something about the car, because when I got back in the car at the OB office to drive and go pick up dinner and get gas, my contractions immediately got stronger. Waiting for the Thai food to be ready at the restaurant (all of 10 minutes, maybe) I was in pain, and then I went to get gas, and as I was at the pump I was thinking, "What in the world am I doing out here pumping gas? I think I'm going into labor!!!" So I finally got home after what seemed like forever (maybe 30 minutes after leaving the OB office) and trying to stay calm, I sat down for dinner with Matt and Mckenna. (Side note - I'm not exactly sure what I was thinking at this point just going along with life like normal... maybe I was in a bit of denial of what was happening? Who knows!)
After about 30-45 minutes of eating dinner in pain from serious contractions every few short minutes and Mckenna looking concerned and saying, "Mommy, sick?" I remember hearing myself reply to her, "No honey, I'm not sick, I'm just going to have a baby soon I think." (Now looking back, that exchange with her is kind of funny to remember.) Matt was timing my contractions and finally said, "Um, I really think you should call the doctor now - it's probably baby time." (And yes, you think I'd naturally realize this on my own, but I did need this verbal nudge from Matt... I think in my state of pain and panic I was a bit confused.) So I called my doctor, explained what was going on, how I felt, and how close together my contractions were, and he said, "Well, it sounds like you're for sure in labor! I'll call the hospital and let them know you're on your way." My next phone call was to my parents to come over for the night and stay with Mckenna and bring her to daycare in the morning. I remember my mom saying on the phone, "Well, how soon do you need us to come over?" And I also remember practically screaming/sobbing on the phone saying, "Just get here as soon as you can... it HURTS!" (Again, now I can chuckle at that memory... at the time, not so much chuckling going on.) I gave Mckenna a big hug and kiss goodnight and told her next time I saw her she'd have a baby sister, Matt put her down to bed, my parents got to our house, and we were off to the hospital. That may have been one of the most painful, long (only 20 minutes!) car rides of my life! ;)
After about 30-45 minutes of eating dinner in pain from serious contractions every few short minutes and Mckenna looking concerned and saying, "Mommy, sick?" I remember hearing myself reply to her, "No honey, I'm not sick, I'm just going to have a baby soon I think." (Now looking back, that exchange with her is kind of funny to remember.) Matt was timing my contractions and finally said, "Um, I really think you should call the doctor now - it's probably baby time." (And yes, you think I'd naturally realize this on my own, but I did need this verbal nudge from Matt... I think in my state of pain and panic I was a bit confused.) So I called my doctor, explained what was going on, how I felt, and how close together my contractions were, and he said, "Well, it sounds like you're for sure in labor! I'll call the hospital and let them know you're on your way." My next phone call was to my parents to come over for the night and stay with Mckenna and bring her to daycare in the morning. I remember my mom saying on the phone, "Well, how soon do you need us to come over?" And I also remember practically screaming/sobbing on the phone saying, "Just get here as soon as you can... it HURTS!" (Again, now I can chuckle at that memory... at the time, not so much chuckling going on.) I gave Mckenna a big hug and kiss goodnight and told her next time I saw her she'd have a baby sister, Matt put her down to bed, my parents got to our house, and we were off to the hospital. That may have been one of the most painful, long (only 20 minutes!) car rides of my life! ;)
When we finally got to the hospital, I was put in a small "assessment room" so they could check out my stats before they officially admitted me. I was practically in tears begging my nice nurse to just get me in a regular room (the room was really small, kind of closet sized) and "make the pain go away." Here is a thumbs up picture of me during my 30 seconds or so of relief between my strong and painful contractions. This picture was taken around 9:15 or so. I got an epidural (a.k.a. absolute heavenly relief) around 11:00 pm. After that it was smooth sailing and I was able to rest and relax! :)
Calla Marie Johnson was born on Tuesday, October 19, 2010 (three days after Mckenna's 2nd birthday!) at 3:13 am. She weighed 6 lbs. 12 oz., and was 19 inches long. (In comparison, at birth Mckenna was 7 lbs. 7 oz. and 21.5 inches long.) My labor and delivery was a somewhat short, joyful and drama-free experience in comparison to Mckenna's 21+ hours labor, which was somewhat anxiety filled with her heart rate dropping low several times and her being born not breathing much at all. It was so amazing to hear Calla cry right after she came out because we never got to hear Mckenna cry right away (she didn't even cry right away in the special care nursery (NICU), but finally did after while.) We were over the moon that she was finally here and everyone was healthy and happy.
Calla's first bath, about an hour or so after she was born. :)
Right off the bat Calla did a lot of sleeping, like babies do. Her parents, however, unfortunately didn't get much sleep at all...
Brad, Jessica, Jacob, Thomas, and Sarah were among our first visitors and enjoyed meeting their new baby cousin. Joel stayed home because he had a cold, and Levi would be born two months later. :)
My parents picked Mckenna up from daycare that Tuesday and brought her over to the hospital. Mckenna's first time meeting her new sister was such an beautiful, sweet, and tender moment that Matt and I will never forget. She was so excited and enthralled to see the cute little baby sister in the flesh that we had been talking about for nine plus months. It was emotional for us - our hearts were so full of love at that moment that it felt like they would burst. We were now parents to not one beautiful little girl, but now to two beautiful girls. I can't speak for Matt, but I know those first few days I was wondering what I did to deserve all this love and beauty in my life.
Proud Daddy with his new little sweetie...
The next day my parents brought Mckenna over again and we tried to get a family picture. The only way we got Mckenna to sit still with us was to give her some graham crackers - that's what she's holding up. :)
And two days after Calla was born, it was time to go home! Here is one last try at a family picture before leaving the hospital. This time Mckenna wanted to play with the hospital phone.
Calla looked so little and wobbly in her car seat!
Here we are in the car ready to leave the hospital. I think Mckenna thought it was a bit strange to suddenly have a new little person in the back seat with her.
The first weekend we were home with the baby, Matt's parents came to visit from Illinois to see us and meet Calla. On Sunday, Matt, Mckenna, and Craig and Karen went to church while Calla and I stayed home to rest. Mckenna's sniffing the pink rose that was on the communion table to announce Calla's birth - cute!
And here is our new little sweetie at home laying next to the same rose. We have this exact same picture with Mckenna when she was a baby. :)
I think it was love at first sight for Craig and Karen! They enjoyed looking at all of her cute little features and holding her as much as possible during their visit. Mckenna and Calla are so lucky to have grandparents that love them so very much. By the way, the outfit that newborn Calla is wearing is the same outfit that I (Julie) wore home from the hospital in June of 1978. I wonder if it will make it another 30 or so years to be worn by one of Mckenna or Calla's newborns! ;)
Mckenna began taking her big sister role very seriously right from the start. Here she is reading to Calla from her children's Bible book while Matt props the baby up next to her and Nemo looks on. :)
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We've given Calla baths and showers and have noticed she prefers the latter. She likes the water!
Getting out the double stroller for the first time! This was our first walk outside with Calla a few days after we got home from the hospital. It was the end of October and getting cold, so we bundled the girls up and headed out for a fun trip around the neighborhood. We saw a few neighbors outside and they congratulated us and loved meeting the baby.
"My fajitas!" (A quote from the show Friends... Calla's expression and hands in this picture looks like that episode from Friends.) Calla is just a few weeks old in this picture and looks so little and scrawny compared to what she looks like now at three months old. She has now definitely filled out and her newborn baby look is long gone.
Matt stayed home with us for a few short days after Calla was born, but then he went back to work. Every afternoon those first few weeks when he'd come home, I'd hand Calla to him so I could get a break and spend some time with Mckenna, and almost daily I would find him minutes later like this.... asleep on the couch holding the baby. We were both so exhausted! She looks so little next to him. :)
On Saturday, November 13th, Matt and I got to go out for the night, just the two of us. Our friend Chelsea Anderson married Joe Chybowski, and the late afternoon ceremony was beautiful. The sun had set, and it was a worshipful, candlelit service. And the reception was right by our house, so it was nice to be close to home (mostly for my peace of mind, leaving the baby for an evening when she was still so little.) We had a great time, and my parents kindly babysat for us (and the girls did great... go figure, Calla slept most of the time we were gone!) We grew up with Chelsea's family at church - her mom Dawn was my youth group leader in high school, and Matt and I were youth leaders when Chelsea and her best friend and maid of honor Emily (in the purple dress) were in youth group. So it was special to be there to see her marry such a great guy on her wedding day. Both Chelsea and Emily went to North Park and now still live in Chicago. Emily is a nurse at Swedish Covenant - the same hospital where Matt and Cam were born and where Cam works now. Lots of ties in the Covenant church! We had fun hanging out with my sister Kristi too - it was a great night all around.
It is so fun to see Mckenna and Calla interact. Mckenna talks and sings and dances to entertain Calla, and Calla will smile and stare with awe at her big sister. I can't wait to see those two grow up together, I think they will share a really special bond.
Minnehaha Academy Munchkin! We also have pictures of baby Mckenna wearing this bib too - very cute!
My First Thanksgiving! Calla was 5 weeks old and had just started giving a few cute smiles here and there. Those smiles never get old! Sometimes when she smiles or coos at us or at Mckenna, my heart skips a beat and I have to catch my breath... she is just so darn sweet!
Matt was able to take the 3 weeks of school between Thanksgiving and Christmas off for paternity leave, and it was fantastic to have him home. After Thanksgiving we headed to Chicago to see the Johnson family. Our first stop was Wilmette to see Cam, Linnea, Gwen, and Sonja, and then a few days later we headed to Elgin to spend time with Craig and Karen. This was the first time that the Wilmette Johnsons would meet Calla since she was born, so everyone was excited to see the baby, especially Gwen! Gwen loves babies, and she was so enthralled with her little cousin Calla. When we would change her, Gwen would be there, when we would give her a bottle, Gwen would be there. She loved to help with everything- what an awesome cousin!
"Who is this guy who looks kind of like my daddy?" :)
The whole Johnson fam - (L to R) Sonja, Linnea, Gwen, Cam, Mckenna, Julie, Calla, Matt, Karen, and Craig. It was nice we could get everyone together for a picture!
Mckenna and Sonja had fun playing together in the playroom. I don't know if I'll ever get over saying this, but I love that they are just one day apart in age! Notice Mckenna's cute pixie hair cut - we got it cut just a few weeks earlier - her first hair cut at 24 months old! I'll have to post pictures from that event later. I was sad to see her longer hair and curls in the back go, but her new short 'do is really cute and frames her sweet face just perfectly.
Have I ever said before that Mckenna LOVES her cousins? She does!
Calla was excited to meet two of her three great-grandmas on our Illinois trip. Here she is with Great-Grandma Harriet.
And here she is with Great-Grandma Fran. Grandma Fran and Uncle Dave were able to come over to Craig and Karen's house for a post-Thanksgiving turkey dinner. It was so fun to see them!
Headed back to Minnesota... we had a fantastic time visiting family in Illinois, as always. I tend to get a bit nervous on long trips - how will the girls do in the car? I'm happy to say that for the most part, the girls did really well. Calla slept the good majority of the car trip, and when Mckenna wasn't sleeping, she was mostly quiet and looking out the window. A successful trip!
To snooze away while lying in a warm little sleeping bag... that's the life! :)
Because Matt was home for a few weeks before Christmas, we had time as a family to do some fun things together. One of Matt's grandmas lives in the Twin Cities, so we were able to go and visit her and introduce her to newest great-grandchild, Calla. Grandma Margie has TEN great-grandkids, isn't that cool?
One night we babysat Ayla while Abby and Dan went to a work holiday party. Mckenna and Ayla always have a good time together!
Cuties! Ayla is about 6 months younger than Mckenna, and the other night Abby and I talked about how Ayla and Mckenna will be in the same grade in school. Fun! Also, note Mckenna's boots. I found these brand new Land's End winter boots for her at Once Upon a Child for a steal. When I brought them home for her that day, she wanted to try them on and wouldn't take them off... a girl who loves shoes, definitely my daughter! :)
Ayla was really into giving Mckenna's dolly her bottle - the doll's mouth moves while making drinking sounds and the eyes blink. It was cute watching Ayla play mommy, so cute!
I'm sure most of you have heard about Minnesota's record snowfall and cold temperatures this winter. This is knee-high snow outside of our sliding glass door - crazy!
Matt bundled up from head to toe to go out and brave the snowstorm to snow blow the driveway. Notice the blowing, whiteout snow outside! The night before I had tried to go out after the girls went to bed to make a quick Target run to get some groceries, and I got stuck. I literally couldn't get out of my driveway, in my SUV, with the 4-wheel drive... I have never gotten stuck in my car before, it does great in the snow - that's how crazy the snowstorm was! So I pulled back into the garage and went inside... better luck next time.
Cutie pie! You can definitely tell (especially comparing this picture to the scrawny new-baby look several pics above) that she is filling out, especially in her face. Love her!
Nemo is almost always by Calla's side, it's so cute!
We took this picture for one of Matt's co-workers, Kathryn. At the K-5 campus where Matt works they always do secret santas among the faculty. This year Matt had Kathryn, and we took this picture of Calla to include in a card for her the last day of the secret santa gift giving. Kathryn loves to knit, and she knit the soft yellow blanket for Mckenna when she was a baby, and knit these cute duck booties (and two other fun pair) for Calla. Adorable!
We wanted to take the girls to visit Santa, so we headed out to see the best Santa in town at the Mall of America. The girls simply couldn't have been any cuter! I call them my santa babies. :)
Don't you just want to eat these girls up? I know, I know, I'm a bit bias, but they are just too, too cute! Mckenna calls her black patent leather shoes her "fancy shoes" and loves when she "matches" Calla. :)
My mom was able to come to MOA with us to see the girls in all their cuteness, and after seeing Santa we decided to divide and conquer. Matt took Calla and my mom and I took Mckenna and we were able to walk around and get some things done. I had some things to return and a few small things to get for Christmas. Here is Santa Baby #1 with her fuzzy earmuffs, mugging for the camera. We didn't actually buy these, but just tried them on because they matched her dress... big surprise, she did not want to take them off! :)
We've got a 9+ pounder! At her 2-month appointment, Calla weighed 9 lbs, 14 oz. (27th percentile), was 21.8 inches long (27%), and 15.5 inches head circumference (66%).
We met Kristi out for dinner one night with the girls, and they did great as always. Anywhere we went during the holidays, Mckenna was drawn to all the pretty lights and trees. We just had to watch her closely to make sure she didn't grab anything or knock anything over by accident.
We bundled Mckenna up in one of the crazy blizzards to take a spin in the sled. Here Matt is pulling her down the deserted, snowy street. She loved it!
Matt taught Mckenna how to make a snow angel. She liked it until a big gust of wind knocked a bunch of snow from the roof into her face and she freaked out... whoops!
And Matt thought it would be fun to stick her standing up into the tall snow in our yard. When she realized that she was stuck and couldn't move.... well, she didn't really love that either. ;)
Christmas party at daycare! Decorating cookies...
A picture of the group by the tree. Mckenna LOVED wearing one of her dresses that day for the party. She loves to dress up!
Mckenna's fun gift from Sally, her daycare provider. She loves Strawberry Shortcake (she calls her "Berry Cake"), and she does a great job with this Memory game. She can find all of the matches really quickly with all of the cards laid out, picture side up. It's very impressive.
We hosted a Christmas Eve brunch at our house, and there were 20 people there. Here is one of the tables: (from R, around to the L) Jessica, Kristi, Mary (my mom), Bob (my dad), Rick (my Uncle - Dad's brother), Barb (my Aunt), Abby, Bob (Jessica's Dad - in town from Texas), and Joel in the high chair. :)
You could say there were a few presents to open... they didn't all fit under the tree!
The Person cousins! (L to R) Joel, Ayla, Thomas, Jacob holding Levi, Mckenna, and Sarah holding Calla.
The baby cousins! Calla (9 weeks old in this picture) and Levi (1 week old.) It's fun that there are so many cousins so close in age - Mckenna is close in age to Sonja, Ayla, and Joel, and now Calla and Levi are close in age. Fun!
Dejavu from Christmas Eve 2008? We were again asked to be Mary, Joseph, and Baby Jesus for the Bloomington Covenant Christmas Eve service's silent nativity. Now we've done this with both of our baby girls... special memories that we'll have forever.
Joseph, Mary, Baby Jesus, and... santa cutie? Our neighbors Tim, Nicole, Carter, and Reagan came to the service, and Dan, Abby, and Ayla too. The kids played in the nursery together during the service - Mckenna had a great time with all of them. By the way, do you think Baby Jesus was wrapped in a Halo Swaddle? Did Baby Jesus suck on a pacifier while sleeping in the manger? Hmm, I don't know about that! ;)
And one last picture before we left church - Calla, Mckenna, and Ayla - I love these girls so much! Just like Mckenna did in 2008, Calla was awake before the service started, fell asleep right when it started, slept the entire time, and woke up immediately following the service. A perfect baby Jesus! :)
On Christmas Day, my parents, Kristi, Dan, Abby, and Ayla came over to hang out. Typically in my family Christmas Eve has been our more formal family get together, and Christmas Day is more relaxing and informal. My parents bought both Ayla and Mckenna a little play kitchen, complete with a skillet and boiling pot that makes sizzling and bubbling noises with lights. The girls loved it! Matt and I got Mckenna some play food items to go with her kitchen. She has enjoyed taking orders, serving, and making food!
It was so fun to watch the girls play with their kitchens. They were really having a good time with their cool new Christmas gifts.
Grandma and Grandpa with their sweeties! Aunt Kristi gave Mckenna, Ayla, and Sarah these cute snowflake fleeces so they can match.
And then on Sunday morning we dressed the girls up and went to church. Cute, cute, cute...
Matt's parents and Cam, Linnea, Gwen, and Sonja came into town on the 26th to celebrate Christmas. They were all able to stay with us for a few nights, and we had a great time! We took a trip to MOA and visited Underwater Adventures. I think the girls enjoyed seeing the different fish and sea life.
Cute cousins! I think Gwen is so sweet with the younger girls.
Shark! Underwater Adventures is cool because the aquarium is a big tube that you walk through, so the fish are swimming all around you, including over your head.
We made a stop in the BUSY food court for lunch. I heard on the news later that the day we were there was one of the busiest days in MOA history - crazy!
Legoland! It was getting close to nap time - I noticed in all of our Legoland pictures, Mckenna has some funny tired and glazed over looks.
One of the many times Gwen was cuddling with Calla... :)
New aprons - cute!
Grandma and Grandpa with their sweet girls. Who is holding Calla - Craig or Gwen? :)
I joked with Karen and Craig that they were going to go into baby-holding withdrawal when they went home. :)
We were all able to visit Grandma Margie. She really liked seeing the girls, especially Gwen, Sonja, Cam, and Linnea whom she hadn't seen for awhile.
Calla and her Great-Grandma Marjorie.
Calla's Great-Uncle Del. He came to see Grandma Margie, and we happened to be there at the same time. Fun to see him and glad that he got to meet Calla while she's still little!
Time to play outside in the snow! Sonja was inside taking an extended nap, so the brothers, Gwen, and Mckenna headed outside for some fun in the snow...
Pulling the girls around in sleds in the front yard - fun!
Inside again and warm with the baby... so sweet.
Everyone got some time with Calla! Aunt Linnea...
Grandma and Grandpa really enjoyed their time with their newest granddaughter. So far there are all girls on the Johnson side. Linnea is due with their third child in May, and we're all wondering - will it be another girl, or will a boy come in to the mix to break in on all the girl power? :)
Cam and family got this cute little doll for Calla for Christmas. As you can see, she loves it! :)
In mid-January, we went to our church's annual winter retreat at Covenant Pines - one of our favorite weekends of the year! It was fun to remember that two years ago when Mckenna was a baby, she was wearing the same little winter clothes as Calla during this year's Covenant Pines retreat. They both have worn this cute, fuzzy pink snow suit...
Riding around outside in her chariot, a.k.a. the little pink sled. Last year Mckenna was still young enough (15 months) to not really understand the fun of being pulled around in the sled, but this year she LOVED it! Also, our weekend at camp was record low temperatures - very COLD! I was debating putting snow pants on Mckenna every time we went outside for the warmth factor, but decided that instead she would wear leg warmers under her pants (much easier.) She loved wearing them and never wanted to take them off - cute!
Mckenna is sitting next to our pastor, Tim Johnson, and his wife Cyd. During a few of the chapels at camp, Mckenna just went right up to Tim on her own and sat down - it was really sweet. She sat there the whole hour, quietly coloring and looking around the room. She really is a good girl.
Our attempt at a family picture in front of the fireplace - I love these cuties so much!
"We love our Aunt Kristi!"
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Well, that concludes my 500 picture post! :) Phew... I need a break now - ha ha. But really, I want to try to post more often so I don't have so much lapsed time to cover. The problem is, when I do get those precious moments of free time, I want to take a nap! ;)
