Pregnancy

So here I am in the home stretch. Only a few more weeks until the arrival of baby boy and I have compiled a list of some of my favorite things, to help me remember what this process is like before putting myself through this again.

Dear Brittany please remember:
- the solid three months of nausea and vomiting
- the excruciating pain in your chest every morning as those things grow as big as cantaloupes
- the veins...eww
- the round ligament pains
- feeling like your baby is going to drop out every time you stand or walk for extended periods of time
- feeling like you can't breathe no matter what position you are in
- fighting your baby for space for your ribs, liver, and lungs
- finding cellulite in places that terrify you
- watching your body swell up like a balloon
- gaining weight uncontrollably no matter how much you exercise or healthy you eat
- the contractions that are constantly present from 34 weeks on
- worrying about if the baby will make it to full term
- the inability to workout at the end for fear that your baby will come too early
- the back pain, oh please remember the back pain
- the chocolate, buffalo wing, and hot sauce cravings
- waking up at two, then four, then six in the morning for no apparent reason at all
- going to the bathroom and then three seconds later feeling an uncontrollable urge to pee again
- The clothes, wanting to wear sweat pants and Leon's old T-shirts everyday (not good Brit, not good)
- Feeling so tired you could die after simply just folding laundry
- The naps (you waste so much time taking naps everyday)
- charley horses in your calves every morning if you try to stretch your legs a certain way
- That little girl who thinks your bump is just natures way of giving her a seat to ride on while you carry her everywhere
- not being able to paint your toes or shave your legs because bending over is nearly impossible (Leon is horrible at painting toes don't ever ask him again)
- the constant abuse your uterus gets as your maniac child tries to fight his way out

But please also remember:

- the little piece of heaven that is the end product of this whole process
...worth it

Ellie Turned Two

It's true, It's true! My princess turned two!!

I can't believe it myself. It has been two years since heaven sent me their most perfect angle.  And of course we had to celebrate.  

Ellie went to Disneyland this summer a few times and has fallen in love with Minnie Mouse. So we decided to throw her a perfectly fitting themed birthday party. Did I have time and energy for this extravaganza? Nope. Did we pull it off anyway? You bet. Let me tell you, putting together a birthday party 8 months pregnant is borderline crazy. Thankfully, Holli stepped in to help and with her creative genius we put this together.

  

The morning of the party just about gave me a heart attack.  It was quite gloomy weather and I had booked the park weeks ago.  I eagerly went online to check the forecast, and I felt my heart sink into my stomach as I processed what the little clouds and rain drops meant. I had spent all night baking and pulling together the last details of the party and now our outdoor birthday party was going to be rained out! Bah! I hoped for the best, but when it started to pour two hours before the party I couldn't help but feel so disappointed. What was I going to do? I tried pushing the party back, but as soon as I sent out the e-mail the skies began to clear and we decided the party must go on. So, I packed up the car and brought towels for the playground equipment. Thankfully, most everything else went off with out a hitch. Leon has the best law school class and about 10 single law students showed up to a two year old birthday party bering gifts and smiles. They stayed the whole time and loved playing with the kids. All Ellie's friends from nursery showed up, as well as the J Ruben Clark club friends. There is nothing better than spending time with good friends and family celebrating the life of someone so special. The party was so much fun and we are so grateful for all those who helped us celebrate Ellie's big day.

Please tell me the Minnie Mouse hair do is not to die for.  I can't get enough of it. 

We were sad that we couldn't share this day with everyone but please know that we appreciated all the cards and phone calls. We love and miss you all more than anything and can't wait to see you soon.

xoxoxo

Us

It's Official

The Johnson family will be spending next summer in London. 

Leon has finally decided to take the offer with Kirkland and Ellis and move us across the pond. We are so grateful for this experience and excited about our new adventure. Of course I'm a little nervous, but I left my heart in that city on my study abroad and I can't wait to take my little nanu babies back to see one of my favorite places in the world.

p.s. Its Ellie's second birthday and I can't believe the princess is two!! More details to come!!