Ava turns 12 weeks old!!

Well, a lot has happened since our last post 8 weeks ago. Ava is growing more and more each day and becoming more and more alert. She smiles a ton and coos constantly. It is just too cute! She continues to enjoy visits by many relatives and friends here in Chicago. And, she even took her first road trip...8.5 hours to Buffalo to meet the family. Lisa's parents were generous enough to host a "meet and greet" so all the Buffalo-based family would have a chance to meet our little angel. Ava did so great the entire day and really put on a show for everyone: smiling and giggling and enjoying all her attention.

In the past month or so, Kevin has traveled to Spain twice for work. Luckily, we timed things just right. Lisa's Mom & Grandma stayed with her in Chicago during his first trip and Lisa was in Buffalo for his second trip. We were so fortunate to have the extra help and company.

With spring setting in here in Chicago, Ava has been enjoying many neighborhood walks with Lisa and Schatzi. And, just the other day, she took her first trip to the local dog park. She was mesmorized by all the dogs running around with Schatzi. And while we're on that subject, Schatzi has been amazing with little Ava. She is so gentle with her and gives her kisses while passing by. It's adorable and we're so happy things are working out.

Ava will take her first plane ride in a few weeks as we travel to Virginia Beach for Alia's wedding. Besides being super excited about the wedding, she can't wait to see the ocean for the first time and to meet the Johnson side of the family.

***Slideshow COMING SOON****

Happy 4 week birthday, Ava!

Well, we survived the first month as parents. It's been fun watching little Ava grow and change each day. Just this week she has started smiling, kicking her legs like crazy, has begun to enjoy bath time (no crying!) and she has even started taking a bottle. Wow, what a busy bee!!!!

Lisa's Dad and sister came to visit us this past week. Ava just fell in love with "Grandpa" & "Aunt Cheryl". We already miss having them around too as they were so helpful grocery shopping, cleaning, cooking dinner, baking cookies and even babysitting Ava so we could go out for dinner. Isn't family the best?

Until the next update, we look forward to many visitors. Ava can't wait to meet Roni & Vic, Lisa's Mom & Grandma, Kevin's sister ("Aunt Alia"), Lisa's brother and his fiance ("Uncle Rich" & "Aunt Jen"), and Lisa's cousin Amber and her husband Mike. The upcoming month will be a busy one and hopefully we'll also have much to report about Ava's development.

Enjoy the pics! Love to all!

Happy Birthday, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year

What an exciting end to 2009! Ava Sophia Johnson was born on December 19th at 8:45 pm. Weighing in at 7lbs 2oz and a lengthy 20.5 inches, Ava was born a very healthy little girl. Ava means "spirit" and couldn't be more perfect a name since little Ava was born on the anniversary of Lisa's Grandpa Bonnes' death. Thank you Grandpa for watching over us and ensuring the safe and healthy arrival of little Ava. We love you!



Scheduled to be induced on the 21st, we visited the hospital the morning of the 19th for a routine pre-induction test. During this appointment Ava's heart rate began to decelerate for short periods of time. The decision was then made to induce Lisa that day to get the baby out safely. Lisa labored for about 3 hrs before the epidural was administered. Shortly after receiving the epidural, Ava's heart rate dropped again and Lisa was rushed into the OR for an emergency c-section. Moments later, Ava was born and her heart rate returned to, and stayed at, a healthy level.

The feeling of joy, love and elation when we first saw Ava can not be described. All we can say is that it was the best moment and feeling we have ever experienced. Everything else around us seemed so minuscule in comparison. That night, we stayed up starring at our beauty and we continue to fall more and more in love everyday.

As timing would have it, Lisa's Mom was visiting Chicago that weekend so she was able to meet her first grandchild. What a blessing it was to have her here to share in this experience. Not to mention, what a help she was baking cookies, preparing meals for the freezer, dog sitting, etc. Thanks Grandma Sue!!!

We were home from the hospital in time to celebrate our first Christmas in our own house, together as a family. It will forever be a memorable Christmas and probably our favorite for years to come. Santa was good to all of us, especially little Ava who was showered with gifts from many family and friends (thank you everyone).

Grandma Lynn, Kevin's Mom, arrived for her visit the day after Christmas. She will be in town until New Year's Eve. She was so happy to meet her first grandchild as well and has been a huge help giving Lisa tips on nursing (as well as helping with cleaning, meals, and baby).

The next few weeks will be filled with visits from our Ithaca friends, Lisa's Dad & sister, and potentially some other family members/friends. We look forward to showing Ava off to everyone.

Until the next blog update, Happy New Year to everyone. Something tells us that 2010 will be unlike any year of the past.

Love,
Lisa, Kevin, Ava (and Schatzi too, of course)

P.S. We know there are a lot of pictures. FYI, you can double click on the slideshows to pull up the entire album for faster & easier viewing.

38 weeks! The Home Stretch.

It's hard to believe we are in the final days/weeks of the pregnancy. Now considered "full-term", our little baby girl can arrive at any time. In preparation for her debut, we've been busy cleaning ("nesting"), decorating the house for Christmas (we got our first real tree this year), mailing our Christmas presents to family/friends, and enjoying some of the final days as a "couple".

Last week, we met up downtown for a date night. We started the evening off at a great Thai restaurant and then headed to the theater to see the Broadway musical "Jersey Boys". We absolutely LOVED it!!! We highly recommend everyone go see this show. It really was very entertaining. Not to mention, we've had Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons songs stuck in our heads ever since. (Lisa just hopes Kevin doesn't think about singing "Big Girls Don't Cry" to her when she's in labor.)

Our Thanksgiving weekend was very enjoyable. After spending Thanksgiving Day at Kevin's colleague Brian's house, we made our own little Thanksgiving dinner on Friday. We also enjoyed one more "date night" on Saturday as we ventured downtown for Chicago's Christmas Market (Christkindlmarkt). We must say, it was pretty authentic and very similar to what we experienced in Germany/Austria. Most of the vendors present traveled from Germany, Austria, Poland, Ukraine, Russia, etc. We bought a very nice hand-painted ornament from Ukraine. After the market, we walked the Magnificant Mile admiring all the Christmas lights. We finished the night with a fireside drink at the elegant Peninsula Hotel.

All in all, things are really starting to get exciting in our household. This holiday season, our holiday spirit is stronger than ever. Stay tuned for our next blog entry introducing our new baby girl. Until then, Happy Holidays to all!!!!

33 weeks!!

Hi all!
We are now 33 weeks through the pregnancy. My how time has flown. Just a few more weeks till we welcome our little girl. She will truly be the best Christmas present ever!
Today, we attended our all-day birthing class. The class was helpful in answering some birthing questions and also covering all the logistical details of the labor/delivery (ie, where do you go when we first arrive at the hospital, etc). The class ended with a tour of the fantastic hospital where we will deliver, Northwestern's Prentice Women's Hospital. It was built just 2 years ago and as you can see from the pics below, it's a modern and cozy place. All maternity rooms are private suites equipped with a guest bed, plasma TV, free wireless and an alleged scrumptious 24-hour room service menu. From what we've heard, with all the hospitality and ammenities, it's actually a little hard to leave.



Lisa is still feeling great and the baby's movements are becoming more and more apparent. The latest news is that our little girl is currently in a breech position with her lovely head pushing nice and hard under Lisa's right rib. There's still time for her to move but just in case, we're preparing ourselves for the possibility of a C-section.

Her "nursery" is pretty much complete with the only exception being a piece of wall art that will display her name (once it's been determined). You can see pictures below. But, keep in mind, it will look tiny because, well, it is. It is a little "room" off of our bedroom and not technically considered a bedroom itself. But, it will be perfect for about the first 6-8 months or so until we move her into the guest bedroom.



Other than that, we're just enjoying fall in Chicago. It's nothing like fall in New York State, especially Ithaca (which we are definitely missing this time of year). Nonetheless, the weather's been rather mild with no signs of snow just yet.
Autumn in Chicago, Our street.

30 Weeks!

As of today, we are 30 weeks along in the pregnancy. To think that the baby will be here in about 7-10 weeks is just amazing to us. In preparation for her arrival, we've been busy setting up the nursery. Once it's complete, we promise to post pictures. In the meantime, we wanted to share the pics below of Lisa's beautiful and memorable baby shower in Buffalo. Thanks to Mom & Cheryl for all their hard work and planning. And another big thanks to all of our family and friends that attended or sent their well wishes. A final thank you to Lisa's Dad who drove back to Chicago with her, keeping her company during the 8 hour drive. As the pics below depict, little Baby J was showered with many wonderful gifts. We feel so blessed to have the love and support of our family and friends as we prepare for the arrival of our first baby. Thank you and lots of love!

We almost forgot to recap one of last month's events. Lisa's brother Rich, and his girlfriend Jen, came to visit us for Labor Day weekend. During their visit to Chicago, Rich proposed to Jen. Welcome to the family, Jen. We couldn't be happier for you two or more excited to celebrate your wedding in July. Congrats! We love you!

More than halfway there

Hi Everyone,
At 25 weeks, we are more than halfway through the pregnancy. It's amazing how fast this time is flying by. Lisa is really starting to look pregnant and continuing to feel good... albeit the recurring evening backache/muscle cramp.

The past month has been a fun one. At the end of July we packed up the car and pooch and drove from Chicago to Scranton to celebrate Alia & Frankie's wedding shower. On the way, we stopped in eastern Ohio to camp for the night; splitting up the 12 hour drive. Kev's Mom, Lynn, made the drive back with us. During her stay, we celebrated her birthday by going to see The Four Tops and The Temptations at a great outdoor concert venue called Ravinia. We also enjoyed an improv comedy show, a trip to the Sears Tower(now called the Willis Tower), toured the Frank Lloyd Wright home and studio in Oak Park, IL, explored more of Navy Pier and checked out the beautiful Garfield Conservatory. Also, Danny & Stacey's daughter, Adelyn, turned 2 years old and we all attended her Barney-themed birthday party. The slideshow below shows pics from all these great events.

After Lynn's visit we flipped the house to welcome our friends from Cornell, Chrissy & Franz. We went to the Air & Water Show and the Turkish Festival during their visit. As always, we had a good time with them and hope it's not too long before we see them again.

On August 17, Kevin started his new job with Acciona Energy. He is part of a rotational leadership program and his assignment for the next 6-8 months is working as a budget analyst. So far, he is really enjoying putting all his hard-earned MBA knowledge to the test.

On August 28, we celebrated Schatzi's 3rd birthday. She is such a good girl and so much fun. We love her so much!! Her birthday was just another excuse to spoil her.


Lastly, this past weekend was spent in Madison, WI visiting our good friends Vic & Roni and their children Maxwell & Zoe. They just moved from Georgia. It's now nice to have them in our neck of the woods for the next two years while Vic gets his masters in chemistry from the University of Wisconsin. Good luck Professor Jaffett!!

Events we are looking forward to this upcoming month include: Rich & Jen's visit this Thursday, Lisa's baby shower in Buffalo, Oktoberfest and the German-American Festival in our neighborhood, and Kevin's visit to West Point for the Army-Ball State football game.

Stay tuned for the next update recapping all of these September events. Much love to everyone!!!