Happy Birthday, sweet baby Field!

Dear Field,

Today (well, it was yesterday, but I didn't get pics uploaded in time) is your very first birthday!  Happy Birthday baby boy!

(Sorry for the dark picture)

Photo taken at 5:48pm.  The exact time Field was born!  

I don't even know where to begin in describing the amount of love your daddy and I have for you.  We have loved every minute of being your parents and you have taught us so, so much about faith, hope, and love.  You are a blessing, Field.  You have shown more strength and courage than most people have in a lifetime.  You are the best!  

And now these three remain: faith, hope, and love.  

But the greatest of these is love.  1 Corinthians 13:13

Some facts about you at 12 months of age:

-You love to giggle.  Especially when we "chase" you around the house.  Mommy or daddy crawl behind you and you think it's so silly.  You also love for Daddy to let you hang upside down.  You have NO fear.

-You are doing great in your new house.  You are now upstairs.  A little scary for mommy, but so far so good.
-You love to swim.  Good thing, because it's HOT in Texas and we will spend lots of time at the pool this summer.
-You are really starting to show your personality and oh man, we are in trouble.  You get REALLY upset when we take something away from you.  You love to play with our iPhones, the remotes, and the video monitor.  The other day, as you were playing with the video monitor, you spit up a little right onto the monitor.  Well, it really messed up the monitor so your daddy and I decided that you are no longer allowed to play with expensive electronics.  Wow, you do not like this new rule.
-You are the friendliest baby!  Target, HEB, Hobby Lobby - you spend the entire shopping trip looking around for someone to smile and wave at.  Thank you to the nice strangers that take time to smile and wave back at Field.  It really makes your day, Field!
-The eating continues to be amazing.  You love cheese.  You love bread with butter.  You LOVE Gerber puffs.  You love flavor.  If you don't like something, you will still eat it, but you complain the entire time.  Lots of whining.
-We started The Little Gym and you are doing great.  We have learned forward rolls, how to hold onto the bars,  and "walking" on the balance beam.  This summer class has lots of girls and they sit well with their mommies and listen to the instructor.  Not us, we are usually way off from the group rolling, crawling, sticking our fingers into the electrical sockets, and banging on the glass windows - you know, boy stuff!  But hey, it gets us out of the house.   See Little Gym pics below...we got to go on your birthday!

Little Gym class singing Happy Birthday to Field.  

Do you see all of the nice babies sitting with their mommies and my child is crawling in the middle.  ;)

LOVES the parachute!

Banging on the windows with one of his best buds, Sanders.  

The bars

Balance Beam

-Tonight (last night) we are celebrating with burgers, cupcakes, and your new sand/water table outside.  After we put you to bed, mommy and daddy are going to drink wine celebrate too.  We did it, Field!  We successfully got you through the first year.

Nonnie and Granddaddy brought a wagon all decorated for Flag Day!

Getting ready for cupcakes!  He wouldn't let go of the golf club.  Silly boy!

Mommy and Daddy singing to Field

What is this thing?

He loved it!

Field, we are so proud of you.  You are strong, courageous, and brave.  You are funny, full of personality, and so much fun.  Your first year has not been easy for you and we know that.  But you persevered and fought hard and we are so grateful for your success.  You have changed our lives.  In fact, you have changed many lives.  You are an inspiration.  We pray that you will always be a leader and that you will do amazing things with this life the Lord has given you.

We are always your number 1 fans, Field.

Love you and Happy Birthday to you!

June 14th

On June 14, 2010 our world changed forever.  It was my due date.  I was H-U-G-E and exactly 40 weeks pregnant.  We had an induction scheduled for 5 days later, in case things didn't move along on their own.  My pregnancy had been perfect.  No major issues - a couple high blood pressures for me here and there, but never too much of a concern, swollen feet, and sleepless nights towards the end.  We had a lovely shower a few months before hosted by my closest 12 friends.  (And I am not even kidding that I have 12 best friends) :)  The school that I taught at for 7 years also showered us with precious gifts for baby Field.  The nursery was painted, the crib was set up, the bedding was tucked in nicely, clothes washed...you get the picture.  We were SO ready!

  

Very prego!

                 

More prego with my friend Amanda who was due 7 weeks after me.  

I had somewhat of a sleepless night so I woke up tired on June 14th.  I remember laying on the couch and sleeping a little while longer that morning (SO lazy, but hey, it was summer and I had just finished a long year of teaching and graduate school so lazy I was.;)  Around 11am, I finally got myself into the shower and it was then that I started to feel weird.  I can't describe the feeling, but it was weird.  So after the shower, I started to feel pain.  It got progressively worse and before I knew it, I was curled up in a ball on the bathroom floor.  I couldn't even talk, so I texted the hubs and told him I wasn't feeling good and I thought he needed to come home.  He got the text and immediately left work, sprinted 3 or 4 blocks to his car (he works downtown and parks a few blocks away), and drove 80mph home calling me to check on me throughout the drive.  When he got home, he ran into the house so fast (and had on brand new work shoes), slipped, and slid across the tile floor on his bottom.  Now that would typically be HILARIOUS, but I wasn't laughing.  In fact, I was crying as my water had just broke.  Brad had to practically carry me to the car and he hurriedly gathered our bags.  Off we went to the hospital.  The contractions came FAST and FURIOUS.  They were about 3-4 minutes apart.  I yelled, cried, screamed, etc. the entire way there. It was seriously like a movie.  When we arrived, we pulled up to the front of the hospital, and I told Brad I couldn't get out of the car.  I was in so much pain I didn't think I could move.  (I totally should have taken lamaze classes or something.  I had no idea, my labor would progress this quickly.)  Brad convinced me to get out of the car and led me inside.  The lady at the front desk took a quick glance at me and immediately opened the door and called for nurses.  Seriously, this was just like the movies!  They brought me in and I really don't remember much after that until I got my epidural.  They helped put me in a gown and asked me a million questions.  My doc came by to check on me and I just remember saying, "Dr. C, I am in so much pain.  I need help, PLLLEEASSE!"  He was so sweet and told me to hang in there, but they had to check me in first.  The nurse then told me I was already dialated to a 7, that I should have come in much earlier, and when I have my next child to be more careful and come in right away.  (Thanks, that really helps me right now).

Finally we made it to an L&D room and I FINALLY got an epidural.  Oh my goodness.  That was heaven.  The pain subsided and I finally "came to" and could pay attention to what was happening!  My sister arrived about that time and we were ready.  My sister on one side, the hubs on the other side, and our sweet nurse (who happened to be an old family friend - small world!).  We worked through the labor and then it was go time.  Dr C. came in, I pushed a few times, and out came Whitfield Edward Johnson at 5:48pm weighing in at 8lbs, 8oz and just perfect.

The delivery team: the hubs, baby Field, mommy, my sister, and our nurse

Big baby boy!

Wonderful family that came to welcome Field into the world.

My brother, SIL (Tara), 

Brad and his parents (Nonnie and Granddaddy), 

Field and me, 

my sister, 

and my mom and dad (BB and Poppy)

We had a wonderful and relaxing evening and night getting to know Field and learning how to be parents on the 14th.  The next day was filled with lots and lots of visitors and lots of lovin' on Field.

Field with his cousins!

That evening, our nurse took Field for a few hours to do vitals and a check-up.  He never came back to our room that night.  He ended up in the NICU because of his low oxygen saturations.  Field was never "blue" but they attached him to a pulse ox machine when doing vitals just to be sure his sats were normal.  They were not.  Thankfully the nurse that day checked his sats, otherwise, we probably would have been discharged the next morning.  The NICU diagnosed him with pneumonia and told us he needed antibiotics for about a week and then we could take him home.  I was heartbroken (no pun intended), but little did I know how difficult things were about to get.  We spent every waking moment that week at the hospital with Field.  Field was the healthiest looking baby in the NICU.  People always asked why we were there, because he looked so normal.  It all seemed so surreal and I just couldn't wait to take him home.  On June 18, 2010, our world changed AGAIN.  As we arrived that morning, Field was having an echo.  The murmur that they heard at birth had not gone away, so they needed to check the heart to be sure all was well.  Before we knew it, we had several doctors and our nurse standing around Field and looking at the echo.  We knew something was wrong and we were immediately asked to sit down.  The pediatric cardiologist on call shared a brief explanation about what was "wrong" with Field's heart.  All we could ask was if he was going to die.  The doctor said no, not right now.  And we pretty much lost it.  Not what you want to hear.  What he meant was, not right now, but possibly if we were to do nothing to help his heart.

Field sleeping in the NICU.  I had to rig those blankets around his bassinet because the light above was shining right into his little eyes.  I wanted to take him home to his own nursery so badly!

About half an hour later (after I fed Field...no wonder breastfeeding was so hard for us, how was I supposed to relax and feed my baby after being told that?!), we went into the conference room and the neonatologist and pediatric cardiologist explained everything about Field's heart.  They told us about the surgeries and they told us his prognosis.  It was hard and we were devastated.  We immediately called our families and everyone came up to the hospital.  I was so proud of Brad.  He calmly explained Field's heart, the upcoming surgeries, and his prognosis.  I, on the other hand, was a complete wreck.  We were so grateful for our families and their love and support that day.

The next few days, weeks, and months were filled with slow weight gain, poor eating, severe reflux, extreme colic, 2 surgeries, and many, many, many doctor's appointments.

You all prayed and prayed and prayed for us.  You loved us.  You supported us.  You cared.

A beautiful basket of love and prayers from our wonderful friends in San Antonio.  

We found this on our doorstep the day before Field's first surgery. 

Today, on June 13th, 2011, the day before Field's first birthday, we are beyond grateful.  We have a happy and healthy baby boy that is thriving in every way.

Memorial Day weekend

Atlanta, May 2011

Field's debut as a ringbearer

Atlanta, May 2011

He's crawling, he's standing, he's cruising, he's eating like a champ, he's gaining weight rapidly, he's talking, he's giggling, he's smiling, he's waving, he's sleeping, he's playing...he is a miracle.  And he is OURS.  We are so blessed.

Playing in his new house!  Have I mentioned we just moved?  

Look ma!  No hands!

Getting ready to walk!

We know this journey is far from over, but if Field's perseverance, strength, and feistiness is any indicator of what the future holds, I have a strong suspicion that this little boy is going to do amazing things with his life.  I am honored to sit on the sidelines supporting him and cheering him on as his number 1 fan.  Ok, Brad, you can be my co-fan.  ;)

To our family members you have put your lives on hold many, many times to help us and be there to support us.  Thank you.  You have continuously offered assistance in any and every way and we could never have made it through this first year without all of you.  Brad and I both have the most wonderful, loving, and supportive parents and we only hope to be the same to our own children.  Family is such an amazing blessing and we are so grateful that God blessed us with such wonderful and not to mention, fun, family members!

To our close friends and community in San Antonio...thank you.  You all brought meals, sent sweet cards, texts, emails, and visited many times.  I will never forget the big, beautiful basket of crosses, notes, bible verses, and encouraging messages that was on our door step the day before Field's first surgery.  I just found that basket recently as we just moved and it brought me to tears reading all of the sweet messages.  Thank you.  

To our blog readers and friends...thank you for your prayers during Field's first year of life.  We cherish them always and we thank you for loving and supporting us on this journey.  I am amazed daily at how many people that I know and don't know tell me they read the blog.  My favorite comments are that Field is famous - ha!

Ok, now I am in tears...

More tomorrow...  :)

11 months!

Dear Field,

You are 11 months old!  Woah, woah, woah, baby Field...when did you get so old? ;)

We love you so much, baby boy, and are so blessed to be your mommy and daddy.

Daddy has to hold me down for pictures now.  

Here are some facts about you at 11 months:

-You are a speed crawler.  I am amazed at how fast you move.  We have had to move all of the floor lamps away because before we know it, you have found them and are sliding them across the floor (Yikes!).

-You still take 2 naps a day.  The morning nap starts around 10am and the afternoon nap is usually sometime around 3:00.

-A few Saturdays ago, you skipped your morning nap so you could go to cousin Caroline's birthday party.  You did great!  We got home at about 12:30, fed you a bottle, and you finally went to sleep at about 1.  You slept for 3.5 hours!  When we left the party, you were rubbing your eyes and were getting sleepy.  Everyone said you would fall asleep in the car, but your daddy and I know better.  You don't sleep in the car, Field!  Something about the car makes you stay wide awake (totally opposite of most babies!)

-Speaking of cousin Caroline's birthday party, you rode the carousel for the first time and you LOVED it!  I have never seen you smile so big and it made me want to cry because you were so happy!  We love to see you happy!  After 3 rounds on the carousel, you had to get off the horsey and you were so upset and mad at us.  We know you wanted to stay on the carousel but we were dizzy, Field!  Don't worry, we'll do more carousel rides in the future.

I love the carousel!

Better hold on, daddy's not watching! ;)

-We haven't seen a doctor in quite awhile.  It's so strange.  We are used to having monthly check-ups with both the pediatrician and the cardiologist, but both have given us more time to play and be "normal."  We'll see the pediatrician at your one year appointment and we see the cardiologist sometime next month.  She gave us a 2 month pass last time we saw her.  

I am a happy boy!

-A few days ago, your daddy and I took you to Hardberger Park to play.  You really liked the rocking horses and the swings.  Before I put you in the swing, I wiped it down with antibacterial wipes.  As I was doing this, the mom pushing the little boy next to us loudly told her little boy that he should go and play in the dirt and mud after the swings and get really dirty.  Field, I think she was making fun of me for wiping down your swing before you got in.  It made me sad, but was a good reminder that we should never judge other moms.  We never know each other's stories and there is usually a good reason for most things mommies do that might seem ridiculous to others.  Your daddy told me I should have given her our story...then maybe she would understand why we are germa-phobics.  :)  I just smiled and continued to do what I felt was best for you.

-Field, we sold our house!  Daddy has owned this home for over 5 years.  When your daddy and I got married, I moved in to what I like to call the "bachelor pad."  We did a lot of work to the house, but we knew we wouldn't be here long term.  We put our house on the market this spring and it sold in 3 weeks!  We bought a lovely home very close to where we are now.  It has more space and a playroom for you, Field!  We LOVE the neighborhood and have already met some great, young, and fun neighbors.  Field, we are going to have so much fun in our new house and new neighborhood!

-You are packing on the lbs!  It's funny because most people who guess your age...always say 7 months. I always have to explain that you are little for your age.  You aren't really short, just skinny.  But suddenly, the lbs are starting to show and you are getting heavy.  Go Field Go!

I LOVE to eat.  

Well, Field, Happy 11 months little guy!  We can't wait to celebrate your ONE YEAR birthday next month.  It is going to be so special.  We have all been through so much.  We all deserve a celebration...especially YOU!

Picture of Health

Field and I were at the grocery store today.  He was happy and giggly (is that a word?).  He LOVES to be pushed in the cart - he thinks it's funny. ;)

A random lady, whom I do not know, came up to Field and started talking to him.  I smiled and continued bagging up the potatoes I needed.  Then she looked at me and told me that my child is the "picture of health."  She then said, "You are doing a such a good job as his mother...that is one happy and healthy boy."  I wanted to cry.  Not out of sadness, but with joy.  If only she knew what we had been through during Field's first year of life.  If only she knew of the scars battle wounds underneath that precious t-shirt.  I smiled and said thank you.

I never thought I would ever hear that about my Field but am thankful that God is good and He finds ways to show His love.  We are so grateful for Field's health and dare I say it, so grateful for what we've been through.  For it makes moments like that so much sweeter.

Just thought I would share...

Father/Son Love

I was feeding Field his dinner the other night and daddy arrived home from work.  I had to capture the smiles and giggles from Field when he saw his daddy.  (Sorry for the poor quality...the phone was all I had to capture the moment.)  He LOVES his daddy, and I mean LOVES HIM!  When daddy is home, Field holds on to him for dear life and cries when I try to hold him.  It kind of hurts my feelings, but what's a mom to do??  I am also happy for Brad.  I know it is a wonderful feeling to have his son look up to him so much!  These two are going to have a blast together as father and son.  :)

Motherhood Guest Blogger

I am guest blogging over at Peek in our World today.

My friend, Brooke, is the author of the blog.  We have been friends since high school, but because we weren't in the same grade and participated in different school activities, we didn't know each other super well.  Brooke went to a different college and lived in different cities post-college, and then our paths crossed again when she just recently moved back to SA.  I knew Brooke was pregnant and I knew that her sweet girl was going to have a tough start to life...what I did not know is that my sweet boy would also have a tough start.  As Brooke put it best, "I have no doubt that The Big Guy put us in each other's lives with specific care."  This was not a coincidence.  This was not an accident.  This was meant to happen with the Lord's plan for both of our lives.  Brooke has been a wonderful and supportive friend and I am so very grateful for the relationship that has formed between the two of us.  Our babies are just 7 weeks apart and they love to stare at each other.  It is pretty precious.  :)  We love playing with the Meabons and our hubbies LOVE to be together too.  I mean they really LOVE each other.  It makes Brooke and I laugh!  To top all of that off, we just bought a new home one street over from the Meabons.

Field and Harper are going to be the best of friends. 

Their mommies and daddies are going to have some good times too.

You can read my post by clicking here.

Thanks, Brooke!

Mother's Day 2011

The weekend started out with a little mini-reunion in Austin with a few very good friends from college who were all exactly my age.  We had the best time and I LOVED catching up with everyone.  Austin has changed SO much since we were in college and it is the best city.  Did I mention it was my first time to leave Field overnight?  He was bachelor'n it with his daddy and they did great.  I got several text pics and updates from the hubby so that eased my mind.  I wasn't even gone for more than 24 hours, but it felt good to get away and I barely worried about my boys.  ;) 

Love my girlfriends!

Mother's Day began with a very sweet, sincere, and emotional speech from the hubby.  He told me how proud he is of the way we have handled our first year as parents and how, as a mother, I have endured more than most momma's ever have to go through in a lifetime.  (Probably true, but I know some moms have been through way more.  I count my blessings every day.)  He then went on to say he wouldn't want to go through parenthood with any other person.  I feel the same about him.  Love you Brad!   

Aren't these two of the cutest boys you've ever seen?  

Love my hubby...love my baby boy...I am truly blessed.

I mean, does it get any cuter than this?  I LOVE his outfit.  My mom says that when she used to dress my brother like this when he was little, he would cry the entire time.  Ha!  Thanks, sweet Fieldie, for being a good sport.  I know you like the Polos and khaki shorts but your momma loves to see you dressed up every once in awhile.

Sunday morning, we had a fun brunch with my family over at my sister's house.  I love these 3 children!  The girls might just be my nieces, but Aunt Li Li loves them as my own!

Ellie loves to hold hands with Field.  So very sweet.  

We asked Caroline to grab Field's hand, but Ellie Belly did it all on her own.  

And this sweet little girl, also my goddaughter, makes me smile.

Gorgeous Lina Bean!

These 3 cousins have a blast together.  

The girls letting Field ride their horsey.  Field and Ellie are getting to the age where they really like to look at each other and "play."  They are going to be the best of friends.  

Now Field is in their Baby Bouncer.  Field is looking at Ellie again.  

I think she wanted in the bouncer but he was telling her no.  HA!  

Bounce, bounce, bounce.

Look at those legs on Field.  

So. stinkin. cute!

The mommas.  BB (my mom) is an amazing mother.  She is patient, loving, and devoted to her family.  I love that her husband, children, and grandchildren consume her heart.  She will do anything for us.  She has really taught me how to love unconditionally day in and day out.  She also knows how to spoil us too.  It is not uncommon for BB to walk in the door with a bag full of goodies for both Field and I - and for no reason other than she saw some things at the store that we might like.  I love that!  And she has great taste so I always love what she brings me.  My sister is a wonderful role model for me.  She helps me to relax and not to worry so much.  I love that I have her to lean on when I have questions or concerns.  She's also so fun to be with.  She loves Field and I love that about her!  

Mommas and daughters/sons/grandchildren. 

We missed Aunt Tara!

The dads.  Well, Uncle Bubba isn't a dad, but he will be someday!  And his nieces and nephews LOVE their Uncle Bubba.  As for the rest of the dads in the pic...they'll have to wait until Father's Day for my special words about them.  :)

The hubs is holding our niece and Uncle Michael is holding Field.  

Poppy (my dad) is holding Caroline.
Once again, Field is staring at Cousin Ellie.

Then we enjoyed a quiet afternoon while Field napped and mommy and daddy took turns getting out for a quick work out (it's getting to be quite ridiculous that I have not lost all of this baby weight yet.  Ugh!).

Then we had dinner over at the Johnsons.

Nonnie and her handsome boys!
Field loves his Nonnie and his Uncle Matt.  

I love my MIL!  She knows a lot about raising boys.  :) She always has a smile on her face and has a beautiful spirit.  I've really grown in my faith thanks to Nonnie (Brad's mom, my MIL).  She loves to laugh and I love that Field brings her so much joy.  We are so blessed that they live so close and are always willing and ready to help out with Field.  Back when Field wasn't sleeping through the night yet, Nonnie would come over often to spend the night and take care of Field all night so the hubs and I could sleep.  It was such a wonderful gift!    

Happy Mother's Day to the precious moms in my family - and to all of my sweet mommy friends - in real life and the blogging world!

Love you all~