Blessing Day -- November 1, 2009

Claire's blessing dress was very special -- we borrowed if from her cousin Ellie. It was just too beautiful to pass up. And they share the same birthday, so it's extra special! Ellie was very proud that Claire was wearing her blessing dress. Thanks Angie!


I'm too lazy to get the red-eye out of these pictures, but I will someday. Really.

The blessing was beautiful. Steve is a wonderful dad. It was a beautiful day spent with family and friends. Little Claire sure is loved!

Was that a compliment or an insult???

When speaking to a new mom about her appearance, it can be kind of tricky. You never know how emotionally stable she is (hormones all crazy & stuff). Do you say she looks "great", "thin", or "healthy" or "you don't look like you just had a baby", (Hey! Thanks a lot! I went through all that for 9 months -- don't take away my credit!) or "you can't even see the tummy" (It doesn't matter, I know it's there.)

But for the first time last week I got this comment: "Um, Aunt Jackie, you are so, like, FLAT".

--Paige Jaclyn Thompson


To which, I of course responded, "WHICH PART????" Crossing my fingers that she says "your tummy" and not...well... you know..

"Like, this part.." (As she caresses my arm).

I sigh in relief.

6 Weeks

This is the best!

Most of the time, I think she looks more like Steve. But this picture really looks like me when I was a baby.

She's such a poised sleeper.

Daddy's little monchhichi. "monchhichi monchhichi, oh so soft and cuddly". This is what I wake up singing in my head in the middle of the night. Thanks Steve.

Fall Stuff

John & Angie's family came up for the annual Lombardi Ranch trip. It's always a fun time. Steve especially loves playing on the haystack pyramid.


Emma Jane love the horse ride. She's getting so big!

We love spending time with these girls.

Steve's "new" toy. New meaning it was someone else's trash. I can't watch him ride it. I had a bad experience on one of these in Mexico.

1 Month

She's already chubbin out! We love her! So far, so good. She's still your basic eat, sleep, poop & pee, pee, pee, baby. But for some reason, we're entertained all day just staring at her. She hardly cries at all, and when she does, it never gets to the "shut that kid up she's hurting me ears" point. I'm crossing my fingers and knocking on wood, though, because I know she can change at any moment. For now, I'm enjoying the cuddles, the grunts, and even the cute little cries. And I'm sooooooo grateful to the inventor of the pacifier.


As for me, I think I had the fastest, easiest C-section recovery ever (I don't mean to brag, but seriously, it was waaaay better than everyone had led me to expect). In fact, I really don't think I could have had a more painless birth experience. I've thought a lot about all the reasons why it was so easy for me, and I can only think of one: God must want me to have more kids!

1 Week Old

Happy Birthday Claire! One Week Old!

This is a rare moment -- completely awake and eyes wide open.

She really loves to snuggle.

I can't count how many times in the past week I have just started crying. I look at her and I am amazed at how blessed we have been. She is healthy, happy, and beautiful. She is ours.

Introducing.....Claire Mattingly Johnson

09/09/09
6 lbs. 11 oz.
20 1/2 in.

The Johnson Family

Steve's space suit.

We are truly blessed.