Adios 2013...

It is so crazy to look back at the beginning of 2013 and see where we were, and how it has all changed in such a short amount of time. 

January--> We started off another great year in North Carolina and Texas with the Howell side// Made it back to Arizona and enjoyed a lot of Saturday explorations in the warm sun (hiked Camelback, hiked "the hole")// Went shooting a lot, and enjoyed the company of family and friends

February--> Celebrated ONE YEAR with the love of my life// Went to Bakersfield to see the beloved Worthens and witness Bo be baptized// Went to LA// Hiked trails in Estrella Mnt// Made Valentines for our sweet sunbeams at church// Learned some intense yoga moves!

March--> Spring Training started so baseball took over our lives again ;) Mom and Dad came for a visit// Took advantage of the wonderful Arizona weather and our pool// Started Flight Attendant school for US Airways (that ended due to a "baby" hiccup)// Spent a beautiful Easter holiday in STG

April--> Announced the growth of our little family// Had a correction on the due date// Had a few dates to the Mesa Arizona Temple// Took a few of the baseball guys shooting

May--> Had our first trimester screening// Surprised Mom in Santa Monica for her fitness competition// Blaine gave some pitching lessons

June--> Had another ultrasound and learned Baby H was a BOY//Took a last minute trip to Bakersfield// Went to girls camp as camp director for our ward

July--> Celebrated the 4th on the Salt River// Reached 24 weeks// Blaine became obsessed with paracord// We spent our summer nights catfishing

August--> Blaine made a few of his first appearances back on the mound// 28 weeks along// Started working at Youngker again// I turned another year older

September-->Blaine had his second Tommy John surgery// Went to Bakersfield for the Todd's reception// My sisters threw Baby H a shower in STG// Had our prego pics taken

October--> Blaine turned the big 25// Blaine went to NC// My belly button "popped"// I quit working at Native// We carved Pumpkins// Went to the Laytons and had a bonfire and tinfoil dinners for Halloween// We also moved when I was 38.5 weeks pregnant... third floor apt to a second floor apt of a different building

November--> My mom came to town// Work (Youngker) threw Baby H a shower// My due date came and went// Blaine started work at Texas Roadhouse// Our babe FINALLY arrived// Laurin, Paige, and Lauren came to town// We all celebrated Thanksgiving in our little apt// Went to the Mesa Temple to see the lights

December--> Attended Glendale Glitters// Hunter was blessed and given a name by his daddy// We got our first REAL Christmas tree// Hunter turned a month old// We drove to Vegas/STG to spend Hunters first Christmas with family (More in another post)// I stayed in Vegas for a few extra days with Hunter to help my parents move into their new house// Hunter flew for the first time// Rang in the new year with my two favorite boys

2014 is going to be full of a lot of firsts... especially for Hunter. 

I cannot wait to watch him grow and experience the world. 

Lets go 2014... show me what you've got.

Welcome to the World...

Days away...

Officially a week left till this little ones due date and we couldn't be more excited. Some days I can't believe that it's so close and other days I feel like I have been pregnant for FOR-EVVVVV-ER! We have done all we can do so far to prepare for his arrival... Clean clothes, organize, and oh yeah... MOVE. That's right... at 38.5 weeks we moved into another apartment. (Surprised it didn't kick start labor... guess he is just taking his sweet little time) Moving really takes a lot out of you... Especially when it is from a third floor apartment to a second floor in a completely different building. Packing up everything, cleaning the old apartment, and organizing the new has been such a chore. I hated the feeling of being useless and not really being able to move anything. Good thing I married such an amazing man that works his tail off and does what needs to get done. Also, we have some pretty great men/missionaries in our ward that were kind enough to volunteer their time and muscles. (One of the guys actually works for the local fire department and brought his crew with him in their rig... they were heaven sent)

Pregnancy has been a bit of a breeze for me. I haven't really been sick or too uncomfortable these past nine 9 months. I have loved all the sweet kicks from our little babe and knowing he is always with me... BUT I am SO EXCITED about having my body back and being able to sleep on my stomach again. This guy moves all of the time. Late in the evening is his favorite time to stretch and show us how tall he is. It has been fun trying to guess what is making my tummy poke out; his arms, legs, hands, bum... But it is going to be even better when we can kiss and love on all those parts in person.

No Braxton Hicks quite yet (or any other signs of labor) but I do find myself being just as tired as I was in the first trimester... and poor B has had to deal with my cranky prego hormones when I get exhausted from a long day. I wish I could sleep in and/or nap whenever I want but duty calls and I must work. Yes, I am still working. Planning on working at the school until this babe decides to make his debut. Along with my sleepiness, I have gone back to craving potato anything... fries, chips, baked potatoes, sweet potatoes, etc. This kids sure loves his carbs. but who doesn't?!?

We only have a few more things to do to completely be ready for this kid. Install his car seat, get more diapers, and basically just breath... Life is about to change for us dramatically but we couldn't be more thrilled about our new addition coming and making us a family of 3!!!

28 Weeks...

Our little man is getting so big. We're officially heading into the 3rd trimester at 28 weeks. I am feeling pretty good. I can still see my toes so I consider that a plus... Although, my belly button has just about popped! I love feeling him move around more and more. This little guy sure loves his daddy, whenever B talks to him he makes it known that he can hear him. It is truly heart warming to see their bond already. He likes to show off his feet, and occasionally his bum... right above my belly button. We LOVE feeling him and are getting more and more anxious for him to arrive! 

I am currently working 2 jobs. I am working at Youngker High School in Buckeye again, and I am still waiting tables at Native New Yorker. It is really funny when customers at Native try to decide if I am pregnant or not. (people constantly tell me that I am tiny for 7 months) On Saturday I had a table full of ladies and every time I walked away they were whispering and debating on who was going to ask if I was or wasn't. 

I've found out there are a few things that I definitely took for granted before my belly started to grow. Things such as sitting up in bed, putting on my work shoes, walking up 3 flights of stairs to our apartment, and getting into the truck with a skirt on. B likes to get a good chuckle in.. then he acts like the gentleman he is and helps me in every way possible. I know I say it a lot, but I truly am a lucky lady to have him.
Yesterday I took the dreaded glucose test and it wasn't as bad as everyone warned me about. Tasted like non-carbonated fruit punch... Not my fav, but bearable. After I finished and they started my "tummy check",  lil' man was having a field day. The Doc was having a hard time getting his heartbeat because he wouldn't quit dancing around in there. Gave us a good laugh.
Every day is another day closer to having our little one arrive and I CANT WAIT! I am getting so excited to welcome him to this world and see his sweet little face. Don't get me wrong... I am scared, nervous, and not yet ready for this next chapter of our lives... But man oh man I can hardly contain myself for the bundle of joy that we are about to receive. 

24 Weeks...

(
The bump last week)
Yes, 24 weeks as of today!

I can hardly believe it! Time is flying and going so miserably slow, all at the same time. Our little one moves CONSTANTLY! He mainly just loves to hang out right by my bladder (which sends me to the bathroom more times than I like to admit). Other than when he's sending me to the bathroom, I love feeling him kick and punch around in there. My absolute favorite is when B gets to feel him. B lights up, smiles from ear to ear, lets out a few happy yells, and we both end up laughing.

We're still working on a name. We have not been able to come up with anything that sticks quite yet. We both have thrown out our fair share of ideas, but just cant seem to agree on anything yet. 

Even though we do not have a name for our little one... We sure are getting ready for him. One good thing about being the baby of the family is acquiring all my siblings left overs and I am very grateful for it. Our room is being consumed with baby items and I love it!
From the multiplying pile of baby stuff, to my expanding belly, it is all becoming more real. 

We're going to be parents! 
(A little camo for our future hunter. A gift from Papa and Nene! 
Cant wait to get him in it!)

Our little_____...

We are so thrilled and excited to have this little one come into our lives. 

I am nineteen weeks along and feeling great! 

We had another check up today and it is official... 

WE'RE HAVING A BOY!

All I can imagine is a little Blaine running around singing, dancing, and causing all sorts of ruckus!

Life is definitely going to get interesting around here come November.

I'm secretly hoping he gets B's beautiful blues and dark hair. 

So far we have zero boy names picked out. 

I mean, we have came up with a few... but none that we both agree on. 

Our little munchkin has definitely decided to make his presence known and he continues to keep growing!

He is 10 oz. and really making this Mommas belly start to pop. 

He moves, A LOT!

While we were getting our ultra-sound done, he was using my bladder for his own personal punching bag. 

(and B wonders why I have to RUN to the bathroom) ha 

Nonetheless, I still love feeling him flutter around in there.

I am even more excited for the moment when B can officially feel him kick.

 Less and less of my pants are fitting comfortably. (I use a hair-thing on most of them)

With the weather here in Arizona heating up to unbearable temps, I just lounge around in B's athletic shorts or my swimmer.

My belly-button is beginning to become more shallow which is proof that this boy has officially taken over my body.

On the plus side, the ladies and my backside are filling out. (B likes this part of the pregnancy) ;)

I am getting more and more excited the farther along I get. 

I cannot wait for summer to be over and our little sweet guy to be here!

Life Lately...

Things are moving quite slowly for us these days...

B goes to the field every day and I go to work at the high school.

School is about to come to an end, (2 weeks and counting) which means I am in need of another job ASAP. 

Our evenings consist of dinner, a little TV, dishes, the gym (if I get off my lazy bum), and simply just being with one another.
(pretty uneventful... I know.. but it works for us)

Being away from our friends and family has truly brought us even closer together.

I know I am one of the lucky ones who married my best friend.

B has been such a saint to me lately.

I do not know if it is the pregnancy, or if it is just me being exhausted from work, but I have been SO TIRED and he has been taking such great care of me.
He makes dinner most nights, wakes up and fixes me breakfast, makes the bed every morning, and even does my "honey-do" lists.

Last week we went to the doc for our monthly check up and today we went in for our 1st trimester screening.

I am currently 13 weeks and baby h is developing wonderfully

We heard the sweet little ones heartbeat again and we got to see it wiggle around. 

(the doc described its heartbeat as a running horse)

As for my belly... still not much has changed...

Just looks like I am constantly bloated. Blah! 

My pants are beginning to be more and more uncomfortable and I immediately change into sweats as soon as I get home from work.

As for being sick.... It has been nonexistent.
(I am one of the lucky ones)

Lately our little baby h wants anything potato form, green olives, and vinegar based foods.

We are so excited for our little one to arrive! 

I still cannot believe that we are going to be parents by the end of the year!

AHHHHH!!!

Correction...

Today we got our first ultrasound.
I could have sat there forever and watched that screen.
Look at this sweet little peanut.

This little one would not stop moving around the whole time we were at the doctor.

We have a little wiggle worm on our hands here.
I am excited to see if it keeps it up throughout the rest of the pregnancy.
We also learned that I am not 12 weeks...
I am only 9 weeks.
This changes our due date from October 17th to November 11th.

I have not been suffering from morning sickness except for the few days I took my prenatal vitamins in the morning. (but now that we have learned that I am not as far along things might change) 
I have been real tired though.

I find myself wanting to nap... A LOT! 

B has been absolutely wonderful...

If I fall asleep on the couch (depending on the time) he will tip-toe around so he does not wake me, or he will carry me to bed. 

I got one good guy!
Pregnancy is certainly magical.

It ignites a spark you never knew was missing. 

I cherish the sweet moments when B kisses my tummy, or when he whispers sweet promises and love toward our unborn child.

Last Thursday we went to our doctors appointment and had the amazing opportunity to hear our sweet babies heartbeat. 

It took him awhile to find it but once he did, the sound that filled the room was so incredible. 

Looking over at B while we listened to that fast-paced lub-dub, it made me fall in love with him even more. 

We have created something together. 

  A little mini-Howell. 

Warming up in the pen....

We are excited to announce that...

BABY HOWELL IS ON ITS WAY!!!

(Don't know the gender yet)

I am currently 12 weeks and we couldn't be more excited! 

We had some pretty funny experiences when we told our families.

Screams from our Moms, Dad hitting his head on the wall,

comments about lady parts, and ninja fighting between sisters. 

We are looking forward to the next chapter of our lives and 

cant wait to meet our new little bundle of joy in October.