Johanna visits Ohio

This past week Johanna and I got to go back to my home state, Ohio to visit with my family and friends. I was a little nervous to travel alone with Johanna. Our flight left around 7:00 p.m. which was around Johanna's bedtime. Luckily, after nursing her for a little while she dozed off and slept the majority of the flight, she did great! When we arrived my Mom greeted us at the baggage claim, it was so much fun to show her how much Johanna had grown since November.We didn't get to my parent's house until around 1:00 a.m. so we were pretty beat by the time we got there. The next day we slept in and then got to spend the day with my Mom and Grandma. My brother had a jazz concert at the Jr. High so we all went to see him perform. Johanna seemed to love the entire thing she sat on my Dad's lap so entertained by the music and kids.Oh Thursday my Grandma had us over to her house for lunch. Here she is playing with my Aunt Marylin, my Grandma's sister. Johanna was working on rolling over to get Cynthia (previously known as baby doll.)The weather has been pretty brutal in Ohio this winter and that Friday we were expecting another winter storm. My sister decided to take a personal day off from work and come in Thursday night to beat the weather. Turns out school was cancelled the next day, so it's a good thing she came when she did! Johanna seemed to recognize her Aunt Melissa right away, she was all smiles when she saw her.The first thing Max wanted to do was hold his little cousin. It is so cute how much he loves her! As he ran through the door he was shouting "Baby! Baby!" looking for Johanna.After holding her for a few minutes he ran into the downstairs room shouting "Dums, Dums!" He gets to play Uncle Zach's drums while he visits Nana and Papa's house, so that was the second thing on his list of things to do. For an almost 2 year old, I have to say he was pretty good! I tried to keep Johanna on her Colorado schedule to prevent any major changes. It felt weird keeping her up until 9:30/10:00 at night and sleeping in until 9:30 in the morning but it seemed to work well- last night Johanna went to bed and woke up at her usual time.Melissa and Max were able to stay until Sunday night. She is due in the beginning of June with their next little boy, I can't wait to meet him!The Bodenmiller girls!My friend Marissa was also able to stop over to see Johanna. Marissa and I have been best friends since the fourth grade. Along with my other two friends Kristi and Lindsey from elementary school I am the first to have a baby. I was so happy they were able to finally meet.
Lindsey lives in Columbus, about 2 hours south of Sylvania. Unfortunately due to the winter storm that came in, she wasn't able to make it up to see Johanna. Luckily she will be coming out to Colorado in a month so I wasn't too bummed out! I was still able to visit with her family which was very nice. On Saturday I was also able to see my friends Shira, Laura, Moira, Marissa, Erin and her little boy Mason over lunch.Look at this smile! Johanna loves her Oma :)And her Nana!On Saturday night we had a bunch of our family over for some Chili, ribs and wings. It was a full house; Nana and Papa, Uncle Dave, Uncle Zach, Aunt Melissa and cousin Max, my Great Uncle Phil and Aunt Joanne, Uncle Terry and Aunt Shannon and cousins Gary and Johnny, Second Cousin Jeremy and Erin and their little boy Carter, my second cousin Lisa, and my third cousin Katilyn and her Fiance Donnie and their little girl Grace. Phew- I think I got them all! Max and Carter had a blast chasing each other around the house, and Johanna really seemed to enjoy being passed around to everyone.On Sunday my Dad's family came over; My Uncle Brad and Aunt Marylou and our cousin Cassandra.I had such a great time seeing everyone, we can't wait to come back out this Summer to see little Collin/Cooper! Thanks Mom and Dad for having us!

On our flight back I was very anxious to get home. This time our flight left at 5:00 p.m. so I was hoping Johanna would do as great as she did on the way in. Once again the flight was booked full. What ever happened to lucking out and getting an empty row? Those days are long gone! Johanna was wide awake for the majority of the flight. She did nod off for a little while but when she woke up she was not happy! I picked her up and walked her to the back (didn't take long we were sitting in the last row.) We hung out with the flight attendants for a few minutes and Johanna was able to calm down. I don't know if she woke up from a bad dream or if her ears were bothering her but luckily it didn't last the entire flight.

Jeff was waiting for us at the terminal and we were so excited to see him. Jeff was worried Johanna wouldn't remember him, but I knew she would. She had the biggest smile on her face as soon as she saw him and she didn't stop smiling until we put her in her car seat in the parking lot. (Then she was like what the heck, I have to sit again!?) She was laughing and rubbing her face into his chest, she sure loves her Daddy!