Belly Goodness

Well, I have been TERRIBLE at regularly putting up pics of this pregnancy.  I am at 34 weeks this week (yes, that means SIX to go).  If you can't believe it, just imagine my surprise!

I am growing, growing, growing.  Things have been great.  Chasing a toddler around has made this pregnancy "more difficult" I guess I would say, but the actual pregnancy symptoms aren't much different.  My body looks and feels about the same - I am a bit more sore and stretched out feeling in the lower belly area.  I actually have a little less heartburn than I did with Matine.  I felt like with her I had it up to the very end pretty consistently.  I think it has pretty much subsided now with Baby Dos.   This kiddo likes to move a lot!  I get lots of flips and kicks and little feet and elbows throughout the day.  I love the movement.  While it can surprise me and sometimes hurt it is still such a miracle to feel its energy and life already.  I have started fantasizing a lot about what this baby looks like.  Will he/she look like Mattie?  Will it be dark haired?  Blue or brown eyes?  And of course, BOY OR GIRL?  I LOVE not knowing what it is ... It is making me excited about the upcoming labor (yes, I just typed that).

I feel really relaxed about it's arrival.  We now know how little you actually need for a baby (in terms of stuff).  We have everything in order and the room is ready to go.   I am getting my housekeeping things with my businesses in order so I can chill out a bit in April and May and just enjoy my time with our newest member.   Mattie STILL tells everyone it's a "boy" and she wants a "baby brother."  We are glad she still doesn't like the name "Horace."  She doesn't really have a name now, she just says baby boy or baby brother.  Her baby in her belly is still a girl, of course.  

I have a few friends pregnant right now, so I am super excited about sharing the new baby experience again with other great mommas.  Today was 60 plus degrees and sunny and something about the weather just made it feel more like it is almost time to have this baby!  There is something about being able to feel the sun on my face and picturing toting my kids around town with nice weather .... It just felt so good!   I also wanted to actually go for a long walk, which always makes me feel better.

These are pics of 32 weeks (2 weeks ago) and today (34 weeks).  I need to start taking these when I am actually showered and looking human.  Geez.

30 Weeks!

I am having a really hard time believing that this Baby Dos will be arriving in 10 weeks!  What?  Where did the time go?  Oh yeah, I have spent it chasing a 2 year old around.   Feeling good and haven't had any weird pregnancy issues so far.  I am feeling larger this time although they say I am measuring just about the same as last time.

We are getting really excited to be a family of four.  Matine talks more and more about "being a big sister" "the baby" and all the plans she has for him/her.  She will sing a song and then say things like, "do you think the baby will like this song?"  One day she declared to me that SHE will be the one to pick the babies outfits out and feed it.  That will sure be helpful!

I am getting excited about the warm, snuggly, chubby baby thing - every time I see an infant I can just feel ours in my arms.  Our friends Meggann and Tony and baby Brody came over last night for dinner and it was like another lifetime having a 10 month old in the house.  Crawling, finger foods, baby babble... I already forgot about the needs and rules of pre-walking toddlers!  I am hoping it all comes back to me.  If it doesn't I am sure Matine will be double check EVERYTHING I do and don't do with the Little One.  

Right now, everything is a "but WHY mom?"  I give her and answer and it's followed up with another, "but WHY?"  I am thankful that we have a POTTY TRAINED Matine now!  Only 2 accidents since we started the potty training nearly 2 weeks ago now.  She hasn't had an accident at nap time and even though we put her to bed overnight with a diaper she is waking up more and more with a dry diaper.  I swear, we totally lucked out with this kid.  She has been SO easy with every thing we have needed to do with her.  I feel so lucky and honored to have her in my life.  I know I am extra hormonal and all right now, but I am brought to tears on a  DAILY basis by this little gals sweet, gentle heart and spirit.  She is SO kind and sweet to everyone, everything.  She just cares about others and LOVES to bring joy to people.  From her "jokes" to giving hugs and kisses because, to telling us all how much she loves us, or how nice we look or hugging her dogs and cats (oh yeah, we have 2 cats now... another post about that coming next).  I feel so ready and excited to see how this new baby changes and adds to her already rich life.   She will be the BEST big sister ever.  She has a lot of love to go around and I think she will really thrive with the new addition.  I am really not worried about the transition.

As always, my little helper is close at hand! 

Please notice how she unzipped and had to show her naked belly too... She does this every time I look at my belly.

I will also post pics of the new baby's room!  We are getting close to pulling it all together.  It is really cute and I think I like it even more than Mattie's nursery!

Week 23 Belly

Like I mentioned, we haven't had a moment to rest for a while, but alas, we are now in Dillon at Amy and Eric's for a few days and I am making it my mission to do NOTHING. I have 2 books, the computer, a camera, some card games, and NO problem watching a million movies if I want to.

This kid, just like Mattie, is getting used to the Howell way in utero - go, go, and more go! I spent 4 hours on Monday skiing with Matine. I really should use the term loosely. Skiing with a 2.5 year old means holding her while in a crouched position as she slides down the hill, playing cat and mouse games while skiing backwards, LOTS of lifting her out of the snow, falling in the snow (because "it's fun mom, fall with me!"), and bending over, up and down, putting on skis, carrying gear, and tracking down hats, gloves and helmets. ALL well worth it to see the pure thrill on her face when she is "skiing" but that day alone would wipe most 23 week pregnant mommas out for a good day. Add that to the excitement and NON STOP talking, walking, entertaining with my dad and bro and I am whooped!

So, here I am - Pete has Mattie on the ranch somewhere looking at horses and I am taking photo booth pics of my belly for the adoring blog readers who actually care what my burgeoning body looks like with Baby Howell #2.

I am feeling great.  No more tiredness that normal, no weird cravings or pains.  I am experiencing the Braxton Hicks contractions ALOT and have been for a week or so. I get them every hour or so and they are quite noticeable.  My mother, the nurse and concerned parent, insists I need to slow down and rest more.    This baby is a MOVER!  She/He is always kicking and turning and  moving around.  I feel it all day and night and am having a lot of fun picturing the little thing in there just grooving.   My eyes are bigger than my belly now ... I feel hungry a lot but I can't get that much in.  

Mattie is still convinced she has a baby in her belly and likes to check on the one in mine anytime we have Nona's otoscope or stethoscope out.  She gets very serious and will put the heart beat thing up to the belly, the ear pieces in and she quietly listens to the sounds.  The other day I asked her what she heard, what the baby was saying?   Her reply was:  the baby is saying, "whaaa whaaaa."  We laughed really hard.   I guess she was listening to me when I explained the baby might cry sometimes when it comes out.

She also insists that the baby in my belly is a "boy" and when asked what the baby's name was the other day, she very confidently proclaimed, "Horace."  Hmmm... that might be at the bottom of the boy list.  For those of you keeping track... the baby in HER belly is a girl.   She has no name, just "baby girl."

I feel like I am bigger with this pregnancy than the last, but then I realize how far along we are and I guess it's not all that strange.  I am measuring the same and about the same for weight gain as last time.   I am pretty much wearing maternity pants most of the time - they are really MUCH more comfortable than my rubber band trick normal pants.   It is just going by so fast I am having a hard time mentally catching up with all the changes in my body!

As always, the boobs feel enormous and kind of gross me out.  I feel like a cow but know I will be grateful when I have a healthy baby that I can feed on demand.  

The Baby got some presents for Christmas... A beautiful hand knit blanket from Nana Jo, a cool travel highchair contraption from Peter and I, and a darling Oklahoma onesie from Clark and Sammi.   I also found a super soft all white outfit while shopping the other day that I couldn't resist.   It's all sinking in and this baby is going to be here in about 16 weeks... HOLY COW!   We are going to start getting the baby room ready next week!

17 - 18 Weeks Belly

Well,  we are approximately 17 - 18 weeks along. Yay!  Feeling great and still lucky to have a very "uneventful" pregnancy.   I think keeping up with Mattie has made this pregnancy go MUCH faster than the first.  That is good and bad for me.  I feel a bit guilty that I am not doting over every grumble, movement and pound, but I still feel like I am taking as much time as I can to give this little Bun in the Oven some TLC and love.  I THINK I felt some movement last night.  It was the "fluttering" feeling that I felt with Mattie around 20 weeks.

I am looking (and feeling) fatter this time.  Probably because I just am... not complaining, just stating.  No cravings or urges.  No pain or symptoms.  The hardest part is trying to explain to my Jumping Bean toddler that she can't jump endlessly up and down on my belly.  This poor kid is going to be born with a bruise on it's forehead from Mattie's elbows and knees.  I am assured by other moms of toddlers that all the belly abuse shouldn't affect the unborn's intelligence too much.  We will see.

So, here is a picture ... I don't have exactly an 18 week update or pic from last time - this is a 20 week update (link here) from Mattie's pregnancy.   Similar I suppose.

17 - 18 weeks .... and my little helper of course, showing off her belly.

What are we doing?

Well, funny you should ask! What do you do when you are 40 weeks plus 4 days, have family in town, and finally decided to quit working and "wait for baby."

You take sassy pregnant pictures.

You visit with your friends and learn the fine art of drinking beer WHILE nursing! Go Madeleine!

You watch your husband start and fly through a "small backyard project." Your job is to stay out of the way, consult on minor aesthetic questions like "can I cut down this tree to build a deck around it?" and jump quick when you hear, "we need more beer!"

Here is the sauna/toolshed/baby's playhouse framed and starting to have sides. (yes, Pete has called it all those things... not sure what he had in mind when he started building)

Today, should the weather hold out, the deck will go on around the structure!

In pregnancy news, we did have a Dr. appt on Wednesday and it was all good news! My cervix is "very soft" and her head is "very low." I have dropped alot since last week and he said at the appointment that "I will have this baby this week!" Now, that could mean by Friday (today), end of Sunday, or a 7-calendar day week (by next Thursday) - we have no idea! Regardless, we are anxious and excited. I can definitely feel things "moving" and changing nearly every minute of the day.

Dear Baby,

40 weeks!

It is 3:30 in the morning. I can't sleep. Not for the reason you would think, I am quite comfortable and still moving around as if I were just pregnant. While we are now at 40 weeks + 1 day I am just AWAKE- oh so anxious to meet you!

Other things keeping me awake this night . . . I just had a dream that that I was walking up and down the isles at our local grocery store, shopping for rice cereal (which you won't eat for 6 months) and dog food. I finally got to Isle 11 and delivered you... Does that mean something? Isle 11? I know your uncle Ron would LOVE for you to be born on May 11 - his birthday. With baited breath we wondered if you would have come yesterday, May 4th, your "due date" and your late grandpa John's birthday. He and your Uncle Ron had an ongoing best friend contest going to see if you would be born on John or Ron's birthday. Ron and Linda were even here to be with Pete and Joellyn on John's birthday, and of course with the hopeful off-chance you might be here already and they could meet you! Alas, May 4 came and went - does that mean May 11? Who knows. Everyone's guess is as good as ours.

And let me tell you - EVERYONE has a guess or an opinion as to when you will or will not make your debut!

Starting at week 37 . . . "Oh, I delivered 2 weeks early and it was PERFECT!" "Baby girls are so cooperative - I am sure she will be here soon."

I thought, maybe on April 29? Mine and Libby's birthday? Great day, 2 fun gals to share your day with?

Last week I was convinced you would come while your dad was guiding on the Madison River - 1.5 hour away with no cell service. We had a "plan" as to how we were going to let him know to get off the river... It involved "Bob" the shuttle driver with Hook, Line and Sinker shuttles driving up and down the river honking . . . . (only in Montana if you are married to a fishing guide is this even a conversation)!

Maybe May 1st the day before all the family and friends arrived, maybe you wanted to have a nice quiet entrance with just your mom and dad around? A shy and no frills kind of kid?

I see, you were waiting for your Nona Kerri, Papa Jim, and Grandpa Scott - they are all here now, helping us do little projects around the house, organizing our pantries, decorating your room . . . waiting . . .

Ok, May 1 comes and goes... Your dad planned a little b-day party on May 3 for me... I can picture my water breaking in a very dramatic Hollywood fashion AT THE PARTY with all the family and friends here . . . A drama queen baby?

May 3 comes and goes . . . Definitely, it's written in the stars and your Grandpa John will make SURE you are born on HIS birthday, just to prove to Uncle Ron and all of us something . . . No, something else must be written in those stars . . .

May 4 came and went . . . So, we continue to patiently wait for you. We walk, we eat spicy food, we are moving constantly. . . We THANK YOU for being so good. I am still not uncomfortable. We went to Libby's fifth birthday party on Sunday . . . All I could do was picture what your birthday parties might look like. What little sun dress or boots you might pick out to wear on your special day.

We laugh together as mothers and women tell us "no way will you be delivering that baby any time soon!" " You have to drop first!" " Are you sure you are even 40 weeks pregnant?" "This is the day! I feel it in my bones!," " You look way too happy to be delivering here anytime within 2 weeks." "She will come on the full moon - May 8th - ALL babies come on full moons!" "Have you been driving on bumpy roads? You MUST do that . . . Works every time." "Walk, walk, walk!"

Oh, the list and voices go on!

So, I think I will go back to sleep and see what other dreams I have of you.

No baby YET!

Bags are packed, phone list is made and the calls, Facebook messages and text messages have started!

No, no baby yet... Don't you all know me well enough by now to know that I will likely make some sort of blog posting or announcement through one of these ridiculous social networking sites as soon as I have my first contraction?

I assure you all that you will be the first to know!

We are doing our best to hurry things along and get this little Girl out as soon as we can --- we cannot wait to meet her at this point!

Last night we decided to pull out the famous "Eggplant Parmesan" recipe that is known to make women go into labor within 48 hours of eating it. We thought "why not!"

Although we are almost at 39 weeks, and not even at the infamous "40" yet, that is close enough... She can come anytime now. Little girl: what do you look like? Whose eyes do you have? Will they stay blue? What will your little voice sound like? Will you laugh (cackle) like your dad? Do you have any hair? What will make you smile? The questions are endless and I know we (God willing) have the rest of our lives to get answers to these questions, but boy you already have us wrapped around your little finger and hanging on your every movement . . .

We are trying all the other unorthodox methods to speed things along - red raspberry tea, walking, whispering sweet nothings in each others ears, baths, crazy recipes and spicy food, ASKING her to make her debut....

Any other ideas out there?

37 Weeks and the Placenta MOVED!

Do you see that smile? See where those fingers are pointed???

That there is MY PLACENTA! Not down low anymore, but up at the TOP of the uterus (where it's supposed to be)! We were hoping for a few inches of migration from the darn thing. Needless to say we were overwhelmed and shocked when the specialist in Billings casually told us that "you look great . . . The placenta is no problem what-so-ever! It completely moved to where every other woman in the world's placenta is when she delivers! "

We now get to wait and have all the anticipation of having a baby when she's good and ready.

The doc did tell us she was "tiny." I immediately asked if she was too small, but he quickly reassured me that it's not a bad thing to deliver a baby that is a normal size. "She just won't be a 10-pounder by any means, but she is just fine and perfectly healthy."

So friends and family who have been sending endless sweet messages, prayers to the sky and happy thoughts to my placenta THANK YOU! We mean it - you have no idea how happy we are that we get to try and bring this little gal into the world without surgery!

I am ballooning

Did I mention that my belly has literally grown before my eyes? 36 weeks here... I am twice the size I was a few weeks ago! Baby Howell is finally trying to catch up and put on some length and girth. She definitely has Pete's bony legs and arms - she is quite a "pokey" baby! We had an appointment yesterday with our Drs here in L-town and all is perfect - she is average for size, her heart rate was around 135, I am perfectly healthy and 100%. Besides this placenta stuff, this might be the most boring and uneventful pregnancy of all time (which is perfect by me).

We go to Billings next Tuesday to see Dr. Damron, the Perinatal Specialist (high risk pregnancy/baby specialist). As strange as it sounds, he will examine my placenta with his super high tech equipment and see if it has moved enough and then use his very expert opinion to decide if it is safe enough to go with a natural deliver OR if we we need to plan a cesarean for the last week of April!

Either way - this little gal is getting here safely and at just the right time!

Spring has (not) Sprung and Waiting on Babies

It has been a great week, a busy week, what's new?

Pete and I did some nice date nights, some entertaining, long walks, working, and anything that can't be as easily done with a baby.

We had a bit of a health scare with Joellyn, Pete's mom this weekend. She took herself to a Doctor on Friday because she was having some chest pains that radiated to her left arm (aghem). Apparently she has had these for an entire month, but being the wonderfully stubborn German that she is, kept righting it off as "pulled muscles." Well, thank goodness she went in. Her doc immediately sent her to the ER and she had a few tests done and stayed overnight. Luckily, they are 90% certain at this point that it is "stress" (no shocker there given all she has been through this last 4 months). So, we are all doing our best to "slow her down" and get her opening up about all that is going on, and asking for HELP when she needs it!

She came home with us on Saturday and we relaxed, took naps, cooked a nice dinner, and the following morning went to Chico for a soak and read books. We wish we could make sure we all had a nice relaxing weekend like that every week - I am sure it could be good for ALL our health.

Baby news: We are officially at 35 weeks now! How time flies! Pete thinks the time has crept along pretty slow, as he is so ready to meet this kid, but to the person carrying the baby, it feels like it went pretty darn fast. To be honest, the thought of not being pregnant is a bit bittersweet. I am not ready to be "un-pregnant" yet. Everyone tells me that at 39 and 40 weeks I will be singing a different tune. Until then, we are still whistling along!

My ridiculously handsome hubby cooking a fabulous dinner for us ... I love that I married a man who loves to cook - and is GOOD at it!

Emily and Hermes have came over for dinner and a movie. This is Emily at 40+ weeks --- she is overdue and not enjoying it. We have a sneaking suspicion that maybe they started having the baby yesterday - as we had plans to go to Chico and they didn't answer their phone ... ALL day. We sure hope so - we are just about as excited about meeting their baby as our own at this point! And I KNOW Emily is ready to not be pregnant!

Other babies due this week: Baby Finnigan - Pete's cousin Ashley is due any day! We are thinking of you Ashley and Paul!

I have told Emily that their baby is waiting for the weather to warm up... It is officially Spring, so why not come out to some lovely, warmer spring weather? Well, as you can see . . . Spring is not quite here. This is our house this morning. Can you find the 2 dogs in the picture?

I can almost rest the coffee mug on my belly while standing... No problems when I am sitting. Babies' butt is still up and head is still down. Last night she was LOVING Peter humming and singing to her. I can tell that she hears our voices now. She is really responsive to our talking to her and our poking her (of course).



Little Oliver is looking very cute with his fuzzy hair now, and loves the snow, but I think even HE is ready for a little warm weather and spring sunshine!

MICCA AND MICHAL AND MY MOM ALL COME TO VISIT THIS WEEK! I have a baby shower on Friday, so they will be here for that - fun! But, I can't wait to see them all and talk our heads off!

Great News!

Well, Pete and I just got back from our OBGYN appointment regarding the "low lying placenta."

There is some great news:

1. The four docs met and see no need at this time to say that I will need a cesarean for sure.
2. The placenta is "low lying" not a complete previa (covering the opening) which means that there is a chance (50/50 chance) that it COULD move to a safe level by the time we deliver. They think we need to wait and see how it progresses, as they'd prefer to not do surgery.
3. They are scheduling me to see a specialist in Billings the week of April 13-17. He will determine at that time if it has moved enough to go ahead and have a natural birth (which would be completely safe) OR schedule a cesarean if it doesn't move enough. He can do a better assessment with high tech tools and tests that will give us a much clearer picture.
4. IF they have to schedule the cesarean, it would not be scheduled until week 38-39 (not 37 like I previously thought). This is good - bigger, healthier baby with stronger, cleaner lungs!
5. We felt completely comfortable and satisfied with their thoughts about how to proceed. Nowhere along the way will we risk the health of baby or mama, but there is great hope to believe that things could change and that a preferable, natural birth could happen with no problems.
6. So, from here on out, we are praying and hoping that the placenta will move a bit more (to at least 2 cm from the opening) and that there will be no premature bleeding or stress on the area.
7. The docs would prefer to see me labor naturally, as it is generally safer and healthier for both of us, but should the placenta not cooperate - it might be safer to do a c-section. We will see and we are all on board with whatever happens.
8. With that said, I still have a good 4 weeks left of the perfect pregnancy and LOTS of time to practice and visualize a safe and healthy delivery for baby (however she comes out!).
9. We got to ask a million questions about the cesarean procedure, should it come to that, and I feel much better. It is much less of an "unknown" now and I feel much less uncomfortable with it.

Thanks for all your sweet words and support. Our friends and family are amazing! It's been fun to hear all the different stories of labor and hear such encouraging perspective on the miracle this whole process is!

Oh, here is a picture of the massive belly from yesterday - pardon the scary bathing suit shot, but you can really see the belly better. Cousin Loni and I went and soaked in the pools at Chico Hot Springs -- very relaxing and a perfect thing to do on a COLD March day!

not sure what my hands and face are doing - sorry for the goofy looks!

34 Weeks & Some Surprises

Well, as the creative title implies- we are 34 weeks along. Yes, "we can't wait!," yes, "we are still feeling great." No, "I cannot predict when she will be born..." Yes, "we realize how much our lives will change in a few short weeks," blah, blah, blah.


Everyone seems to have a million questions and their 2 cents of wisdom for a pregnant lady these days. I have also noticed a calculated increase in "sympathy" tips at the restaurant. Note to all you ladies out there: wait a few tables when you are about 30-34 weeks pregnant - people think you are a sad, knocked up gal raising a baby on your own, and they tip 20% plus - guaranteed!

So, we are still feeling so good that I make my previously and currently pregnant friends want to stab me with dull spoons. I am sorry, it has just been a freakishly uneventful pregnancy to this point and I feel fantastic. The docs tell me that the baby is 100% healthy, right on track for growth, and that I should count my blessings.


However there has been one small glitch in the perfect pregnancy. We had an appointment last week - at this appointment they looked back through my charts and remembered that at my 20 week ultrasound I had a bit of a "low lying placenta" and it was nothing to be concerned with then because 95% of the time it "migrates up" to where it is supposed to be by the time you get to the end of the pregnancy. Low lying means it was a bit too close to the cervical opening (where the babe will come out and if it ruptures or bleeds it is VERY bad). So, no worries for the last 15 weeks - surely it migrated and all will be great.

Well, after a follow up ultrasound was done yesterday, it is still within the "not-safe threshold." It needed to be at least 2 cm away and it was at 1cm. SO, this news was delivered to me by my very nice sonographer with a disclaimer - "your doctor will confirm all this and let you know what is going on."

Of course I can hardly wait for the doc to get the report from the radiologist, so I call him and tell him to get the report asap and call me. He is nice, so he does and sure enough... Too close for comfort but "he will consult the other 3 docs" and we will make any final calls regarding the delivery at my weekly appointment on Thursday.

To simplify my rambling: I have a partial placenta previa. This is one of the 3 possible scenarios where a vaginal delivery is just not an option. This means that I will have to have a cesarean section to deliver baby healthy and not risk bleeding to death myself. This means that all my hopes and dreams of this beautiful natural birth where my baby comes into the world in a certain way are shattered. This means that I grieved and pouted for my disappointment and this BIZARRE turn of events for exactly 8 hours. Pete helped by being really, really sweet and getting me dairy queen blizzards and letting me cry on the couch all night.

Let me just say that I am EXTREMELY thankful and grateful for the modern technology that can identify this very real complication that would likely result in a very very bad situation for me and our baby. I am MOST concerned with the healthy delivery of our baby, above any thing else in the entire world. But, it was quite a blow. We have been thinking and preparing for this birth for 9 months. The entire birth training I have been doing has been "visualizing" this natural birth and I whole heartedly wanted and believed in the plans we had. It's like training for a marathon for months and pouring your emotions and hopes and efforts into it and then breaking your foot a few days before the race! BUZZ KILL!

I still have to talk to the docs on Thursday, but being me - I of course have now dove head first into reading about placenta previa and the odds of being able to do a natural deliver - pretty much 0% - you just don't mess with a big bleeding placenta - I get it. And, I don't want to risk anything, especially this.

So, there we have it... You will likely be meeting baby girl Howell a bit earlier than expected, as (from what I have read) and she will likely be delivered (unless there is a small miracle) by cesarean section. You can read a more technical definition about placenta previa here.

Great news - she is ADORABLE! I got another peak at her sweet face and feet and butt in the ultrasound and she has a beautiful face and full lips and big cheeks. She is perfect. She is estimated to be about 5 pounds right now (give or take 12 ounces either way) and she will likely gain about 1/2 pound a week until she is born. She is estimated to be in the 40th percentile for size - so she is kind of petite!

We can't wait to meet her - HOWEVER she comes into this world!

Gaucho and Baby Time

Anyone who knows our Gaucho knows that he has the BIGGEST, sweetest heart of any animal on the planet. He is extremely sensitive and sweet ALL OF THE TIME. We knew immediately that out G-Love would adore and protect this baby with every step she takes.

This is "the belly" and Gaucho - already connected and bonded.

Go ahead, you can say it "Ahhh.... "

Bellies Galore, American Idol and Friends

On Wednesday we had our weekly American Idol Party at the Kinsey's - the Blanks, Lynns, Davidsons and Howells were also in attendance. It was a good show! Better yet was the food! Peter and Libby were like two toddlers together (funny how only one as an ACTUAL toddler). We had to keep asking "where did Pete and Libby run off to?" We would ultimately find them playing in the yard or with toys downstairs. They are such good buddies. I can't wait to see Pete with our own kid.

Emily and Hermes are due TODAY and so Meggan took some great photos of the bellies. I think Emily and I are going to miss comparing our growing bumps, but are even more excited about spending a summer entertaining and playing with our new babies! I am still betting that they have a girl - Pete thinks it's a boy.

It was Tony's 35th Birthday on Idol Night, so we of course celebrated him and enjoyed judging more wanna be singers with the other 33 million american viewers.

These 33 week belly pics were taken by the FABULOUS Meggan and you can see more on their blog. Meggan will be doing some "professional" belly shots in April - I can't wait to see how big I am then!





Earlier that day I enjoyed spending time with some of my girls that I don't see nearly enough. Kyra came up with her little 2 year old Elly and Frances came over from Bozeman to show off her 4 month old Audrey. Frances and I spent the day hanging in Livingston and then we went to visit our girlfriend Deb who just had a beautiful baby boy - Devin. I got to spend time with a 1 week old, 4 month old and 2 year old all in one day - they were all so fun! I just can't decide which age is more fun!

Relishing our Freedom

Pete and I took a road trip to the West Coast this last week. We realized and have been warned that road trips, sleep, the freedom to just pack a small bag and hit the road will soon be behind us. I have reassured Peter that we will still be doing plenty of traveling, sleeping and packing our bags even after the Babe comes; but we both know the bags will be MUCH bigger, the drive a bit shorter, and things a tad bit more complicated as we try to lug an infant or toddler on our adventures.

So, we took advantage of these last couple of weeks and the fact that we have great family and friends to stay with and went to Washington!

Pete and I - fishing the Rocky Ford
Happy boys!

We started by meeting Jimmy Wofford in Ephrata, USA to fish the "famous" Rocky Ford Creek. Not a real looker of a town, but apparently the home of one of the top 9 rated Spring Creeks in the U.S. We had a great time with Jim and caught few BIG fish, but we'd sure like to know who was doing this rating. The town was a bit lacking (we felt like it was full of meth zombies) and the scenery, well, there wasn't any. If you ignored the large fish hatchery and cinderblock homes surrounding the arid desert like creek it was alright. We are a bit spoiled with our spring creeks and pristine mountains here in Southwestern Montana.

We camped in our car one night while Jim slept next to us in his tent. After 50 mph winds all night and 20 something degrees, we found the Ephrata Inn and Hotel for $45/night and called it home the next day.

We fished for about 2 days - ate lots of good mexican (we found a restaurant that was good and not scary and just stuck with it) and enjoyed our time with Wofford (as usual) and headed further West to Seattle. Pete's cousins Kurt and Tara, Dan and Mary live there. We spent 2 nights with Kurt and Tara at their place in downtown Seattle and one night in Gig Harbor with the other Lustig brother. It just so happened that ANOTHER of the Lustig brothers, David and his girlfriend Tiffany (who live in Bozeman) were visiting as well, so we had a fun family reunion night in Gig Harbor where we prepared a fresh seafood feast and played The Big Taboo (Taboo with cool props and twists).

the cousins
Pete, Tara and Kurt

We ate lots of seafood, walked around Pike Street Market, downtown and made a visit to the Seattle Aquarium. Peter had never experienced shopping at Ikea, so of course we had to do that and we loaded up on all sorts of perfect and cheap goodies for the baby girl's room! I LOVE the Sweds for inventing such an amazing store - my mind went NUTS at all the imaginative possibilities for our home!

On our return trip home, we visitied a hunter / film maker that will be coming to elk camp this fall. He produces, directs, and stars in the finest hunting shows and commercials on the Outdoor Channel and many other places. He welcomed us into his home / office and we met all the video and editing crew, his kids, and Pete even got a FREE Bowtech bow and lesson from one of the worlds best archery shots. It was very serendipitous 4-hour stop in Spokane. We can't wait for Mr. Jim Burnworth and friends to be in camp this fall! You can check him out at one of his websites. He and his family were as nice as people get!

We hit some weather on our way home so we stopped and stayed with our friends John and Jen Greer in Alberton, Montana - they were gracious enough to open there doors and kitchen after we called and said "Roads suck, now it's dark, been on the road for 7 hours already, need a bed." It was a very nice treat to finally see their beautiful log home in the woods!

Pikes Market - FRESH fruit!

This is Brooke and Baby Howell at 32 weeks! Baby already loves to travel....

My honey....

We are back at here in Livingston - waiting tables, remodeling my dad's bathroom, working at the ranch and generally trying to see all our friends and have some fun... It was a great week with many memories Pete and I will cherish.

You can see ALL our pics at our Picasa Web Albums.

2009 March Seattle Trip

31 Weeks and Mustache March

March is a big month in the Howell home!

It marks the month before our baby could very legitimately come, we are going on our last mini-vacation as a single un-childed couple, I shoplifted for the first time, we will hopefully have the refinance of our home completed this month, Micca and Michal will be visiting in the month of March (31st to be exact) and Pete is growing a mustache for "Mustache March."

This is what I look like at 31 weeks knocked-up, or as some people say more gently, "with child." 9 more weeks to go (give or take 2 or so). I really feel like I grew this week. I feel very pregnant now and the baby feels like she is going to leap out of my gut. She is 3.3 pounds or so and over 16 inches long! My brain is still GONE! I can't remember anything and I do really silly things - yesterday I was using a book "Southwest Home Plans: 138 Sun-Loving Designs for Building Anywhere!" to make some notes on in the hardware store and I walked right out with it. Of all the books I could accidentally steal, I wish I would have at least got a book on mountain home design!





Now, on to more important things - Mustache March? Pete? Yes, the two words usually don't go together very often. My super slick hairless husband is not really a hairy guy (which I really love and appreciate) and facial hair has always been a bit spotty. But our genius male pals here have all decided that they are going to all grow mustaches this month, then we will have a party and they will all show off their manliness, hair and the general ridiculousness of themselves.



Now the guys all say this is a "joke" but we have started to notice that they really think they look good and actually like the little furry caterpillars under their noses.



** The following statement is not for prudes or children ** For insurance, the ladies have declared it Muff March - that's right, no shaving, what-so-ever. If the boys DON'T shave their caterpillars at the end of the month - Neither do we! I will not be posting any pictures of this competition. Hey, a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do!

Tomorrow bright and early we leave for Washington (the State). We are taking a little road trip to Rocky Ford River to meet Jim Wofford for a couple days of fishing . . . Then we will continue west to Seattle to visit Pete's cousin's Kurt and Tara and spend 2 days in the big rainy City. We are excited to have a "last hoorah" before I get too uncomfortable to travel and we have a child to tote around.

30 Weeks . . . Countdown is ON!

This is Oliver saying "good morning" to Baby Girl Howell. He likes to paw at her and tell her how excited he is to share his space and owner's time with her when she arrives..... Please sense the sarcasm. Oliver is the very dog we are quite worried might go into a complete depression or all out rage when he realizes that the screaming crying baby who demands even more attention than him is here to stay FOREVER! (*** he is pawing at me because we had been out of bed for a whole 10 minutes before we fed him).


Scary, yes.... I know. Pardon the early morning pictures 1/2 naked... That is just the way we really look people! But, can't you see that I am growing????

So, 30 weeks, or as I like to say, 10 to go! Yikes. Technically, the baby could come at 36 (that is 6 weeks from now) and be fully developed and normal (very relative term for a Cottongim/Howell baby). In 38 weeks (8 weeks from now) she is technically within her due date range!

She weighs about 3 pounds or so now and moves around quite a bit. I can tell she is a bit more crowded than she was before, but she is still quite nice to me... Hardly any discomforts and I am still feeling great. I am grateful that she allows to me to work at the Bistro 4 nights a week and make some $$ before she comes. I am definitely a bit tired at the end of the nights, but for the most part, feeling quite normal! The spicy food thing hasn't seemed to bother me much either. We recently discovered a delicious (and spicy) chile relleno recipe (thanks Orums) and have cooked it twice now. Baby hasn't seemed to mind!

** As I typed this our youngest child, Oliver (as referenced above) farted and turned in circles until he realized that it came from his own butt **

Pete and I are still loving having so much time together before our arrival. We are getting some really special alone time and I know we will cherish it for many years to come!

Other updates: Peter got kicked by a horse yesterday. He says he is fine, just a bit sore. Attie was trying to gently nudge the new Helga and Pete happened to be in the way. I got called for sub-duty at the highschool finally! I turned in all my paperwork in November, but they have such a long sub list, I am just now getting called! We are done house sitting up at Heidi's house. It was a nice escape from reality while it lasted, but we are also happy to be back in our teeny tiny home where things are simple (and don't always work). My Okie-Bad-Ass friends Micca and Michal are coming the first week of April for my baby shower! So is my mom! Cannot wait to see them!

Happy Humpday

Dear 29 Week Baby,

please notice the super cute dog between my legs....

As you can see from these pictures dear child, you are in my belly, growing, and not at our house. For 2 weeks we are house sitting some dogs, cats, and horses at Heidi's - you will meet her soond - she too is VERY excited about your arrival. We are having fun and living the good life with you. Knocking around in a very fancy, big house with all the amenities you could ever imagine. Your home won't be quite this fancy, but we sure are excited to show you our little home that will in 9-13 weeks forever be filled with your laughter, cries and little voice.

Because all the blood usually rushing from my head is now going to YOU, I have lost my brain. I made a very purposeful second attempt to make some really great homemade cinnamon rolls this morning. Again, I left out a key ingredient and they were not that good. It is now the center of most of your father's jokes with me. I forget everything. Somehow I do remember to talk to you, take my prenatal pills, eat well, take you on walks and show you many, many wonderful things.

This week you are growing your massive brain! We are sending many good thoughts to you, hoping you develop a very smart little noggin that will take you far in life and help you change the world!

We took an 8 hour drive yesterday to pick up a new horse - Helga. It was a bit long to be in the car with a massively growing baby in my belly. It feels like you decided just yesterday to grow a few inches and stretch up into my RIBS! You had some body part right behind my rib cage and it seemed to be the place you wanted to settle for the last 3 hours of our drive. As uncomfortable as it was, I found myself grateful and laughing because I am just so happy you are growing and healthy! What a miracle you are! Grow away - I will deal with the awkward feelings and uncomfort!

My best friend, your Aunt Micca, had a great dream about us the other night - apparently she was holding you as a newborn and you were quite the beauty! Blond hair, big blue eyes and perfectly plump and pretty. She also said in her dream that we had you at home because the labor was so easy you just came super fast and with one painless push you were out! I have no doubt you will be a beauty and we will have an easy delivery together, but maybe the one push thing is a bit of a "dream." Who knows!
I dreamed of you last night too... But, you were a boy in my dream and I was trying to breast feed you while walking... Hmmmm....

Well Baby Girl. We are starting to realize that you are almost here! Keep growing big and strong and we will see you very soon!

Mama - 2nd attempt at the cinnamon rolls - in the fun fancy kitchen

downstairs gameroom and movie room

your dad on the back deck - overlooking some of the property and the barn where we spend our days.

your handsome dad at the kitchen bar - doing some work - actually doing a massive recruitment for more "friends" on Facebook - his newest addiction.

the outdoor fireplace and one of the MANY sitting areas on the deck that faces the Bridgers

Me at the breakfast bar, the main great room living area in the background.