True Story

Tuesday May 27th:
Was Jill's due date.
I had my membranes stripped
(sorry I know it's a gross phrase) and we
scheduled an induction for the following day.

Wednesday May 28th:
At the stroke of Midnight
contractions start.
4:30 am I know they are "the real thing."
7:50 am Admitted into Hoag
Hospital's L&D Unit.
8:15 am IV in
9:40 am Epidural administered
10:05 am Ruptured waters
11:15 am Dilated to a 5
12:12 pm Pushin' time
12: 27 pm Welcome baby Jill.

Long Story Short:
Jill's birth started on it's own.
There was no induction,
just talk of one... .
Way to go body!

We spent 2 days in the hospital-
The food was good, the nurses were wonderful, our daughter is an angel,
Jack is an amazingly loving big brother,
and I fear I may need to carry around an
inflatable doughnut for the rest of my life!

Welcome to the family Jillian Marie Howe!

Hey friends, Kent here.
I am sitting outside of a Jack in the Box
using their free WIFI internet connection.
What kind of crazy connected world do we live in?
Anywho, here are a couple pictures of
Jillian Marie Howe.
She was born on May 28th,
she weighed 7 pounds 14 ounces,
and she was 20 inches long.

Jill and Jodi are doing great.

Roll Call

Jodi...check!
bump...check!
Jill... . Jill... ?
Does anyone know where Jill is?
Keep checking back, she's bound
to make her appearance.

***

***

Here's Jack, Kent, and I enjoying a little B-ball
before Jack's bed time. By the way,
Jack now thinks we're expecting a baby
basketball instead of a sister!

PS-Happy Estimated Due Date Jill!
We can't wait to meet you.
Love, Your Family

I'm Ready Jill...

I have it on good authority, that you

are never truly ready to have a baby until your toes are.
With that being said, tuh-da!

(I couldn't resist the pampering.
And yes, I will probably never be a foot model.)

I'm ready Jill. Listen to Mommy,
I now give you permission to come... Please?

TMI- Males and small children end your read here.
Women who compare birth stories proceed:

At my appointment today Kent and I learned I'm
1-2 cms dilated,85% effaced, & in -2 station. All my hopes
and dreams for an early delivery have been deflated.
I'm not hopeless, but I will admit that there were tears shed
on the car ride home. Don't fret, I'm feeling much better now.

On tonight's list of activities- jogging & jumping jacks!
Do you have any "sure fire" ways of
inducing labor? Please share... .

Trash Truck!

Jack's new obsession-

TRASH TRUCKS

(Check out the trash trucks Jack requests Dada to draw all the time.)

Every Friday Jack is front and center
for the big pick-up.

Go trash.
Vroom trash truck.
No more mess.

Yes!

Good Dental Hygiene

***
Serves me right.

After all, I was upstairs when Jack found
the dental floss. But how was I to know
he'd unroll the whole roll?
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At least he picked up his own mess
when he was done. He even knew to recycle
the plastic case! Jack, you
never cease to entertain
and amaze me...
***
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I love you!

28

Today I celebrate my 28th Birthday!

And as I wax nostalgic over the many
fond memories I've gathered over the years, I can't help
but think about all my life has become.

Just like many of you, I feel blessed to live the life
I lead. I'm so grateful for the family I grew up in,
the experiences I've had, the people that have enriched my
life along the way, and the trials that I've had.
I'm grateful to know who I am, where I'm going, and
from whom all my blessings stem. I'm grateful for the
little family I have now, and all the
happiness the future is yet to bring.

I guess all this sentiment stems from one song
I like to listen to over and over.
It's called "Rite of Spring", by Angels & Airwaves.
I wouldn't say these guys are deep,
but they're definitely on to something.

If I had a chance for another try,
I wouldn't change a thing,
It's made me all who I am inside.
And if I could thank God that I am here and that I am alive,
And everyday I wake I tell myself a little harmless lie,
The whole wide world is mine...

The summer's gone, the years have passed.
My friends have changed, a few did last.
The smallest dreams got pushed aside,
The largest ones, they changed my life.
All I've wished for has come to pass,
From Rock 'n Roll, to love, and cash
It's all success if it's what you need,
Do what you like and do it honestly,

If I had a chance for another try,
I wouldn't change a thing,
It's made me all who I am inside.
And if I could thank God that I am here and that I am alive
And everyday I wake I tell myself a little harmless lie,
The whole wide world is mine...

I'm proud of what I've accomplished these
28 years.I've worked hard. And if I keep believing
the whole wide world is mine, I might just look
back on the next 28 years with as much pride
and accomplishment!

Just to be safe

I had my 38 week appointment
today. And surprise surprise, I'm measuring
small (about 3 weeks).Dr. Clayton ordered an ultrasound
"just to be on the safe side."
I didn't object because I got to see this:

(Can you see Jillian's little nose,
mouth, and chin?)

Kent and I are in love already.
Only a few short weeks until we finally
get to meet face to face!

As for the results, Jill is measuring right on
for her gestation. Everything is prefect: umbilical cord,
placenta, amniotic fluid, etc.
I guess I'm just not very roomy.

As Requested

One more peek at the prego.
***
Here I am 9 months pregnant and ready to pop (I hope).
*****
FYI:This is my fabulous friend Michelle-We became buddies while in BYU's Urban Elementary School Cohort. Back in the day (say 2001) we herded kids, read children's books, and made puppets (all various assignments for the El. Ed. program). Fast forward to today... . We are still basically up to the same things, but now we aren't motivated by grades, credentials, or evaluations; our own children are our motivation. So even though my teaching career may be on hold, I'm still using my skills and connecting with old friends as Kent and I grow our little family.
***
On this particular day, Michelle and I took our kiddos to the beach. Thanks Michelle for fitting Jack and I into your vacation plans. It was so good to catch up.
*****

Gonna Be A Bear

In this life I'm a woman. In my next life, I'd like to come back as a bear. When you're a bear, you get to hibernate. You do nothing but sleep for 6 months. I could deal with that.

Before you hibernate, you're supposed to eat yourself stupid. I could deal with that too.

When you're a girl bear, you birth your children (who are the size of walnuts) while you're sleeping and wake to partially grown, cute, cuddly cubs. I could definitely deal with that.

If you're mama bear, everyone know you mean business. You swat anyone who bother your cubs. If your cubs get out of line, you swat them too. I could deal with that.

If you're a bear, your mate expects you to wake up growling. He expects that you will have hairy legs and excess body fat.

yep, gonna be a bear!

*Author Unknown*

This was an email I received from a friend today, who just so happens to be pregnant too. Maybe it's the hormones, but I thought this little vocalization brought up some very good points (see the bold print above) . I definitely would consider becoming a bear, but I'm a little too attached to indoor plumbing to make any rash decisions now.