Johnson 2010 Slideshow

Jessica put together this video of photos that Kyle and I picked out. We had a blessed 2010. We are so grateful for our family, friends, health, and all of the other gifts that God has given us this year. Looking forward to 2011!

Oh Come Let Us Adore Him...

Before the snow came last night we took the kids to Lenox to see the Christmas lights in the park. I will share more pictures later, funny ones of Jess and Kyle, but today this picture seemed most appropriate. Like most people these last few days have been busy with last minute preparations. Let us not forget though the true meaning of the holiday. Merry Christmas to you all from the Johnson/Yehle's.

Christmas Photos

Thanks to Kenton helping me, I got a few minutes to play tonight with my camera and get some Christmas pictures of Kaleb.

I have lots more ideas to try but I was excited how these turned out.

We really don't let him play with Christmas lights all of the time, just for these photos!

He.

He is now 6 months old.
He weighed 18 lbs. and 5 oz. at his doctor visit last week.
He was there for an ear infection.
He now has two bottom teeth.
He is wearing 6-12 months clothing. Most of them I bought recently at Old Navy, love their baby clothes.
He wears size 3 shoe.
He is crawling all over the place, using furniture, toys, what ever he can find, to pull himself up to a standing position.
He loves his books and right now is really into his farm book which is all about animals.
He is really into animals-loves the cat and the dog.
He has been crazy clingy with Mommy lately, probably due to the ear infection. He only wants to sleep on top of me or with me holding him.
He loves to watch and interact with dad while Mommy holds him.
He made his first visit with Santa Friday night.

Daddy holding Kaleb as we waited in line. Right after this picture Kaleb proceeded spit up a large amount. We quickly wiped him off just in time to sit on Santa's lap.

He did a great job. No tears and no spit up on Santa!

Afterwards he got a candy cane and I wanted to get a picture of him holding it but he dropped it on the side walk and by the time we had him in his car seat he got it open and into his mouth.

First taste of peppermint! He obviously liked it!

He is always on the go. Kyle had Kaleb on his bike the other day and I came into the room to this:

Not so sure that is safe for a six month old to do Kaleb!

We had his 6 month old pictures take the beginning of the month. I will try to post them when we get them back.

Two Years

Kyle before going home from Children's Mercy 12-2-10.

It has been exactly two years today that Kyle received his new heart. He is doing so well. We went to Children's Mercy this past week for his cardiac cath, biopsy and check up. We got great news. Kyle's new heart continues to do well. His biopsy showed no rejection and his labs were as Dr. Simon put it "perfect." She told Kyle she wished more of her transplant patients were as good as Kyle is. I am very proud of him. He does a great job remembering to take his medication each day, getting enough rest and using his hand sanitizer. He has grown up so much since his transplant. It is hard to believe that it has been two years. To me it seems like it was yesterday. I commented that fact to Kyle and he told me to him it seemed like 10 years ago. That made me feel good. He has adjusted so well. For me the memories of the time we spent in St. Louis and the emotional events we experienced with be forever with me. I think about the other kids and families we got to know while we were there, some who didn't make it. I think about Kyle's donor and her family, and about all those children and their famlies who we left there in St. Louis, those who were still waiting for their own miracle to happen. It can be very overwhelming to think about all of it. I have always promised though to not dwell on the worries about the future or the sadness of the past. I know that is not good for Kyle. So we instead celebrate life.

We gave Kyle an "Anniversary Card" with a gift today. I had to edit the card to say "Happy 2nd Anniversary for your new heart! I will go to bed tonight feeling very grateful and blessed.