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.

Love the Howells...

Hunter [1 month]...

Our Hunter has turned one month old and this past month with him has been amazing! 

I've been wanting to blog about my little man for awhile now but just haven't found the time.  

(I've been too busy loving on his sweet little cheeks!)

Hunter has already changed so much since he was born. 

• He out grew newborn diapers in the first week and now fits into his 0-3 month clothes
• He still has all of his hair, but it has lightened up these past few weeks
• His little legs have begun to fatten up right along with his cheeks
• Hunters eyes have started to change to a lighter blue and there is nothing I love more than staring at them all day long
• He has two adorable dimples that he has most recently learned to show them off with his sweet little smile (I melt)
• He HAS to have at least one arm free from his burrito at night. Otherwise he will fuss and squirm to get one free
• He is not a fan of the bottle or a paci... It is a current work in progress, but he is just a bigger fan of the "real thing". Nursing has been quite easy from day one. He will root or try to eat us when we kiss his cheeks to let us know he is hungry
• Currently he is a Mommas boy and I am completely ok with that. He does find comfort in his Daddy, but I am in love with the fact that I can truly calm him with my embrace
• His favorite place to sleep is on our chests. He can sleep for hours if we let him
• The number one question EVERYONE asks is if we are getting any sleep. (Makes me wonder if I look dead when ever we are out in public.) But yes, we are. He sleeps up to four hours at night and I love it. During the day his naps only last about 30 min (unless he is on our chests) occasionally longer which is always a good thing
• This past week he has really become more observant. It is the sweetest thing when he turns and stares at either me or B. He also LOVES to stare out the window. If I lay him by the sliding glass doors he seems to find such contentment in simply looking out into the light
• He rather enjoys his carseat (as long as its moving) The rocking of us carrying it lulls him to sleep quite rapidly. Then, once he wakes up and cant stretch is when we have a problem

Over all this little guy is truly wonderful! 

He is easy when running errands, loves to snuggle, and thoroughly enjoys bath time.

I think he is such a good sweet babe, and those who have met him would probably agree.

We truly cannot imagine our lives with out him.