he's here!

Bennett Hawk Johnson

born January 13, 2014 at 10:53 a.m.

8 pounds 8 ounces

20.5 inches

 

 

thank you Kate for the pictures of this amazing day, I'm forever grateful.

As difficult as these past 3 weeks have been, I couldn't imagine life without him. I constantly want to kiss his cheeks, my arms feel empty when he's not in them, and I could look at his sweet face for the rest of my life. Welcome to the world little guy, we've been waiting a long time to see and hold you, I'm so glad you're finally here. I love you so much it hurts.

and Blake's documentation of Bennett's birth..

Bennett's Birth

1/12/2014

Noon - checked in to St. Paul Hospital, L&D room #7

1:38 - first cytotec inserted

3:40 - Lauren's last meal (Chili's chicken crispers)

4:31 - second cytotec dose

6:55 - contractions becoming more painful

7:45 - 1cm dilated and 50% effaced

8:36 - epidural placed

9:05 - still 1cm dilated, ~70% effaced

11:15 - pitocin started

Midnight - still 1cm dilated, ~80% effaced

1/13/2014

3:56 - water has broken, 4cm dilated

5:50 - 9cm dilated

6:20 - attempted to start pushing, tip of the head is seen!

6:35 - Dr. Lo arrived

6:47 - decided to stop pushing and rest for couple hours to let cervix finish dilating and let baby rotate back into position

10:11 - fully dilated and starting to push again

10:30 - Dr. Lo back in the room, still pushing

10:53 - Bennett Johnson is born!  8lbs 8oz, 20.5 inches long

12:30 - Bennett finishes his first meal

baby Bennett's nursery

40 weeks pregnant today. You get so excited about one date, for 9 whole months, then that day comes and goes, without event. It's so strange to be sitting here, still with a babe in my womb. I truly cannot complain though, I still feel really good considering. Just impatient. 

What else better to pass the time than blogging our "nursery"

So here it is.. Our nursery spans about 3 rooms right now. It's not ideal, but I think it'll work.

The crib is in our guest room. Somehow it all fits. The nursery of my dreams looks a little more black and white, a little more minimalistic, but I'm pretty pleased with how it all kinda fits now.

The mobile was a quick DIY project, one of the first signs of nesting early on. It's just styrofoam balls, wrapped in yarn, and hung by an embroidery hoop. I love it, I hope Bennett does too!

Then we move into our room, where you'll find the bassinet, the rocker, and the changing table.

The floor lamp is a new addition, from Target, I tried to bring in the brass to go with the drawer pulls on the changing table. The ottoman is a Donna Baker DIY from $3 Ikea mats. We followed this tutorial. We're also awaiting a DB DIY lumbar pillow for the rocker. I think this little corner will be quite nice in the morning hours once Bennett is here!

Last, but not least, the changing table. Doesn't that last picture make you smile? me too, me too. 

There you have it, Bennett's nursery :)

DIY changing table

One of the first projects I knew I wanted to tackle when we found out we were having a baby was a changing table. I've always adored a good DIY repaint project. 

It took a lot of trolling on Dallas and Houston Craigslists, but one afternoon this little gem popped up. I loved that it had curved drawers, the wheels on the legs spoke to me, and the top looked big enough to hold a changing pad for the babe.

We drove up to Denton one morning and picked it up to bring home. The owner had 3 babes of her own and she used it in her youngest daughter's nursery, too. I thought that was super sweet.

We sanded, and got to painting. We chose Kendall Charcoal by Benjamin Moore.

The outside got a couple of coats of the Kendall Charcoal, while the inside of the drawers got blue and white stripes. Pretty precious if you ask me :)

The drawer pulls are from Lowes, nothing too special. I liked that they looked a little more updated. They came in chrome, but I've been really into the gold/brass trend, so I had too. I spray painted them with Rust-Oleum's metallic gold, and LOVE how they turned out.

I love bringing new pieces into our home. I just get so excited every time I pass by. I'll be even more excited when I can put it to use, if I EVER go into labor :)

ahoy! it's a boy!

This weekend, Blake, Dakota and I headed down to Friendswood for one of the cutest baby showers I've ever seen. Blake's Aunt Stacey and Aunt Linda gave us the most wonderful baby shower. The theme was nautical, which I absolutely love, and everything down to the tiniest details were just precious. I mean, look at that little crab on the onesie cookie below. 

 Granmom and Opa Baker.

 

 the grandmommas.

 Can you even believe all of this? It even all fit in my car for the drive home, I was impressed! 

 The babe's first quilt, from Blake's Mimi, even Curious George got his own matching quilt!

 Blake's favorite gift. 

 I think this is the babe's first official outfit. He doesn't own too many clothes yet, but an Aggie beanie is the best way to start. and that Columbia jacket for a one year old... pretty sure they don't make anything cuter!

 our baby bath, with a little Blake attached... I hope this little guy in my belly looks exactly like him, bow tie and all. 

 Blake's brother and girlfriend... they got engaged about 3 hours after this!! It was such a great weekend!

 Blake's Mimi made the moms their Grandma blankets. 

The end of the shower was spent watching the Aggies btho Mississippi State. Whoop!

The baby shower was such a special time for Blake and me, we received more baby things than we could have ever imagined. They're piling up in the dining room as we speak. Only 57 more days until all this loot gets put to use!!!!! ahhhh!!!!

camp Johnson

This weekend was the best. 

Blake and I were covered in love by friends and family all weekend long. Friday night was our first baby shower for our little baby boy. My friends are so creative, can I brag for just a second?

Here are a few photos from Friday night, taken by Blake's dad...

 I feel so grateful for everyone, it makes my heart feel so full, if that makes sense. It's hard to put into words. 

I get a little teary-eyed when I imagine just how loved little baby Johnson will be when he gets here.

 Also, check out that car seat! 

We got the sweetest gifts; clothes, bibs, diapers, bottles, our baby carrier, and that beauty pictured above. It was the best kind of overwhelming feeling. I can't wait to start putting his clothes in his little dresser drawers! It starting to feel a little more real. Our dining room is full of baby things, and I love it!

Thank you best friends, for hosting such a wonderful shower, we'll remember it forever.