Newest Addition to the Johnson Family!

For those of you who follow me on Instagram, you are probably aware of the new addition to our family. No, not the baby...That is still a good 5 months away. 

Meet Buddha!

This furry little creature came into our lives by chance. A silver-sabled German Shepherd came into our life after someone abandoned her out by our shop. This beautiful dog we adopted as our "shop dog" and she has become very loyal to us and ferociously protects our shop from anyone who isn't welcome. 

Early in January we came to find out she was pregnant! 

She delivered a beautiful litter of puppies that were all very different. A lab/heeler looking puppy, a mini version of the mom, a boy German Shepherd looking pup, and of course, Buddha herself.

I teamed up and started volunteering with a local shelter in the next town over. They helped get the pups their first round of shots and this previous weekend we had our first adoption together at Petsmart.

We all thought for sure little Buddha would be the first to go! She received her name for obvious reasons. Her pudgy belly and ultra mellow calm nature. Her siblings were hyper balls of energy that you could barely contain, but Buddha wanted to simply be where you were, lay by your feet, or be held in whichever position you chose to mold her little body into. My husband was immediately attached to her.

Smitten husband: Evidence A

To our surprise her siblings went first. Everyone who was interested in Buddha wanted to throw her in the backyard to be an outside dog by herself. Knowing her personality, that wouldn't have done well. *Read statements in paragraph before*

"Oh we have 10 acres, we are going to build her a pen and she will be an outside dog." Um sorry, no thank you. Next? 

Most people were definitely turned off by the potential of her size. We came to the conclusion her daddy was a "Wolf Hound" The tallest dog in the world, known to stand 7 FEET high on it's hind legs. 

German Shepherd + Wolf Hound =  ONE BEASTLY DOG!

Once we researched the breeds Henry and I decided she would actually be the perfect dog for our growing family. We have always wanted a German Shepherd, and here was a mixed one thrown at our feet for free! 

 

Although the Wolf Hound is a large breed, the temperament only further made up our minds. Known for their size, they are actually very sweet gentle dogs and GREAT with kids. They are known for being tolerant of little kids pulling on their ears and tails, and love being inside dogs. Although more likely to run up to burglar than chase one off, if the owner was threatened they are known to use their size to their advantage. That mixed with the very loyal, family friendly German Shepherd sounded like our dream dog with a baby on the way. After the adoption was over, Buddha still lingering around, Henry caved and decided to keep her for himself. That night he laid on the couch watching TV cuddling with her as much as she would allow before bed. He laid there with her rested up against him, and his hand rested on my growing baby bump. It was an amazing night! Buddha won our hearts over even more when she slept the WHOLE night through until 8:15 am when her sweet little puppy howls told us it was time to wake up. *She is definitely part hound dog*

Smitten Husband: Evidence B

Cuddling with Preggo sick me. :-)

Buddha and her new pink collar.

Isn't she the sweetest and cutest!?

17 Weeks

Wonderful milestone week!

Ok first note to make: I am going to TRY, key word try, to post my weekly posts on Wednesdays every week. My new week actually begins on Saturday/Sunday, however I wasn't able to post the week posts because the week had not fully happened. The pictures are taken on day one of the corresponding week. SO, although I am posting week 17 today, I am actually 18 weeks and 3 days. Get it? This way I can blog about the ENTIRE week experience. 

How far along? 17 Weeks

Total weight gain? 4 lbs total on the nose.

Maternity Clothes? Wearing the maternity leggings and belly belt this week. My bump seems to be sitting low, although the photo makes it look pretty round, in person it looks like a watermelon.

Stretch Marks? None.

Sleep: Sleep is great, until little Buddha wakes us up at 2 am and then 6 am. Preparing us for the baby I suppose?

Best moment this week: FEELING THE BABY MOVE! Also, finally finding a gray paint color for the nursery. If anyone is looking for a light gray that doesn't look purple/pink/blue - Dolphin Fin by Behr is GREAT!

Miss Anything? Take a wild guess.....ALCOHOL!

Movement: YES!! Day 1 of Week 17 I was sitting and talking with Henry's family and then it felt like someone poked/flicked me from the inside. I felt it 3 separate times.
Then later in the week I was laying in bed and it felt like subtle "popcorn" I guess. Like it was trying to turn around. So there would be a "tap tap tap"...a few seconds..."tap tap" in a different spot....a few seconds..."tap tap" in a different spot and so on. Then it was so quiet in the bedroom I could hear the swishing noise of the movements. Sounds cool right? Um no, the non-stop subtle movements and sounds lasting about 5 minutes starting giving me a mini-panic attack. haha. I have no idea why! It's like when someone lightly rubs your arm and it tickles, so you have to scratch it. Does this make any sense? HAHA Let's just say it felt crazy weird. I am ready for more powerful movements. LOL

Food cravings: Fruit. Fruit. Oh, and Fruit. Raspberries seem to be the fruit of the week.

Anything making you queasy or sick: I had a bad day Tuesday. I had felt queasy all day long, went and had an amazing workout with my personal trainer, then as soon as I got home I projectile vomited everything I had eaten all day, all over the bathroom. More than you wanted to know, right?

Gender Prediction: Baby Boy actually. This is the first official week I started thinking it was a boy. Only two more weeks until we know for sure!!!!

Labor Signs: Too soon

Symptoms: Baby bump is the most obvious. Nausea. Hair growing like a weed. My nails have started growing quick too. I hate long nails! I rip, not bite, my nails because I can't stand how it feels when they begin to grow past the fingertip, it's this really annoying pressure feeling. *Crazy again?* More crying fits this week. Then the best of them all, baby movements!!!

Belly Button in or out? Innie

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: I cried a few times this week, but EXTREMELY happy! I mean, how could I not be? I felt our little darling moving!

Looking forward to: Reveal Party and more baby movements!!!

Baby Names? Still have to be Henry the 3rd for a boy. The baby girl name seems to be settled on Adaleine, however torn between a middle name still.

Thoughts: Loving feeling this baby move! I wish I felt it more often, but it is usually only when I am laying down. Henry came rushing in the moment he heard I felt the baby and pressed his hand against my belly - of course it didn't move. Tuesday night we laid in bed together, he pressed his hand against my belly as I said, "Did you feel that? That? How about that?" There was one pretty good one that he thought he might have felt, but wasn't sure if he really did or his mind was making him think he did since he wanted to so badly. He laid his head on my belly and is pretty use to the noises my stomach makes because I have a crazy stomach that makes hilarious noises - he said he heard swishing noises, like running your hand through water, that he hadn't ever heard my stomach make before. I wish I could hear it!!!

Week 17 #Selfie from #Instagram. Follow Me!

When we finally found the perfect color, I turned around to see Henry had painted the two potential baby nicknames on the walls. <3

16 Weeks

Henry and myself with our newest "baby" - Buddha!

How far along? 16 Weeks

Total weight gain? I will get weighed at the doctors week 17

Maternity Clothes? Rocking maternity tops! Although, I bought warm weather maternity clothes and then it dropped below freezing. LOVE Texas weather.

Stretch Marks? None.

Sleep: Sleep is good until I am up at around 4 am to go to the bathroom every night.

Best moment this week: Our new puppy!!! Completely non-baby related I know.

Miss Anything? Still. Missing. Alcohol. 

Movement: No movements yet, but apparently this week could be the week!

Food cravings: Fruit cravings are still pretty dominant next to Macaroni and Cheese. Thai food is a big deal too. I love that we have one literally down the street. Pad Thai, Panang Curry, Tom Yum, Tom Kha Kai - YUM! 

Anything making you queasy or sick: Nope! Been pretty good this week.

Gender Prediction: Baby Girl. 

Labor Signs: Too soon

Symptoms: Baby bump is the most obvious. Hair is growing like crazy still. My trainer and Henry's family has really noticed my hair being longer - I see it everyday so haven't really noticed. Crying. ha! The emotional crying has begun too. 

Belly Button in or out? Innie - although my cute tiny belly button is starting to get a little bit bigger. I am not liking it.

Wedding rings on or off? On

Happy or Moody most of the time: I am EXTREMELY happy! Odd? I had like 2 crying fits, but other than that happy.

Looking forward to: Doctors appointment on Monday to hear the heartbeat again, and our Gender Reveal Party on April 13th thanks to a wonderful friend Marina! Then of course, FEELING THE BABY MOVE!!

Baby Names? Still have to be Henry the 3rd for a boy. The baby girl name seems to be settled on Adaleine, however torn between a middle name still.

Thoughts: Anxious on feeling the baby move. I have felt so called flutters, but I want to feel an actual kick before I go around saying I felt the baby. Wondering how the first real movement will feel. :-)

Laughing as Buddha is jumping at our feet to be in the picture too!

Instagram photo! Follow me!

New to the blog? Be sure to check out the previous weeks! Become a follower to get future updates <3
Announcement: 1+1=3
Week 9
Week 10
Week 11
Week 12
Week 13
Week 14 Sono
Week 14
Week 15

15 WEEKS

How far along? 15 Weeks

Total weight gain? Weighed myself at the gym I am up a total 1.4 lbs. 

Maternity Clothes? I officially bought my first maternity clothes. Two cute tank tops, two t-shirts, two dress shirts, skinny pants, crop leggings, long ruched leggings. My bump was officially raising shirts beyond my unzipped, rubber band pants and it wasn't too flattering. haha

Stretch Marks? None. 

Sleep: Sleep is good until I am up at around 4 am to go to the bathroom every night.

Best moment this week: Started working out with my personal trainer again and loving the results!

Miss Anything? Still. Missing. Alcohol. 

Movement: No movements yet.

Food cravings: Fruit cravings are still pretty dominant next to Macaroni and Cheese again. We went to Cracker Barrel and it was heaven! Especially their Chicken and Rice since my queasiness has returned.

Anything making you queasy or sick: Other than a particular time of day, nothing triggers it.

Gender Prediction: Baby Girl. 

Labor Signs: Too soon

Symptoms: Baby bump is officially visible!! Hair is growing like a weed, especially leg hair! It takes forever to shave my legs already, now I have to do it more often too. *I already struggle with shaving them enough as it is people!* Nose bleeds have started happening this week. Crazy right? Sunday I was doing the baby registry at Babies'R'Us with my cousin Rebekah and had to race across the store to throw up. We were at one of the biggest stores in Houston and of course we were alllll the way on the other end of the store. Then there were absolutely NO trash cans along the way. I was having a mini-panic attach thinking I was going to projectile vomit in the middle of the busy store trying to rush to the restroom. THEN, I accidentally ran into the mens restroom, where a big black guy was using the restroom, and just started puking my guts up. Sorry dude, your in a store with a bunch of pregnant chicks. Last but not least, stomach feels like the skin is going to rip. I have to eat every 2 hours before blood sugar starts dropping, and not over-eat or I feel miserable. 

Belly Button in or out? Innie

Wedding rings on or off? On during the day, but at night I have had to wake up and take it off because it feels too tight and wakes me up.

Happy or Moody most of the time: Despite all the crazy symptoms, I am EXTREMELY  happy! Odd?

Looking forward to: Our Gender Reveal Party on April 13th thanks to a wonderful friend Marina! I can't believe it is getting so close! 

Baby Names? Still have to be Henry the 3rd for a boy. The baby girl name seems to be settled on Adaleine, however torn between a middle name. 

Thoughts: You read all these horrible pregnancy symptoms and think, "God why would anyone want to be pregnant? That sounds miserable!" But despite all these crazy changes and symptoms you feel EXTREMELY happy. At least I do. You just think of that little baby and it makes everything worth it. Although you feel miserable at times, looking back I can barely recall how miserable I truly felt. My mind is already blocking out past yucky days. It's pretty cool.