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.

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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

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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.
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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.

50 Facts About Me

Yes I do wear this shirt a lot.
And yes, I am running out of options.

1. What time did you get-up this morning? 7:23 am
2. Diamonds or pearls? diamonds
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? Its been awhile- Waitress
4. What is your favorite TV show? Lost
5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal with strawberries on top
6. What is your middle name? Joyce
7. What food do you dislike? peas
8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Angels & Airwaves I-Empire
9. What kind of car do you drive? Hyundai Santa Fe
10. Favorite sandwich? Bacon Tomato Sandwich (could care less about the Lettuce part)
11. What characteristic do you despise? When you can't get people to shut-up about themselves. :)
12. Favorite item of clothing? SHOES!
13. If you could go anywhere in the world, on vacation, where would you go? Somewhere warm and tropical, I'm not picky.
14. Favorite brand of clothing? O'Neill (and yes it's partly because of the sales)
15. Where would you go to retire? Ventura
16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? 2007; Kent and I sent Jack to my parents while we went to Disneyland and pretended our place was a B&B.
17 . Favorite sport to watch? surfing
18. When is your birthday? May 15th, 1980
19. Are you a morning person or a night person? Right now I'm not much of either, but I guess I'm a night owl.
20. What is your shoe size? 7
21. Pets? Does Jack count?
22. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Jack's toddler bed is up and ready; he's refusing to sleep in it...
23. What did you want to be when you were little? a teenager (no joke)
24. How are you today? Great
25. What is your favorite candy? Chocolate covered gummy bears from Rocky Mountain Candy Company
26. What is your favorite flower? red Calla Lilies
27. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to? May 27th; Jilley's due date
28. What is your full name? Jodi Joyce Allen Howe
29. What are you listening to right now? The breeze rustling my curtains (Jack's napping, ahh peace...)
30. What was the last thing you ate? A chocolate chip cookie. Don't judge me; I had lunch first.
31. Do you wish on stars? yes
32. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? dandelion
33. How is the weather right now? partially cloudy and breezy
34. Last person you spoke to on the phone? My Mom
35. Favorite soft drink? Cola
36. Favorite restaurant? Tucanos Brazilian Grill
37. Hair color? Brown
38. What was your favorite toy as a child? Barbies or maybe my bouncy horse Jo
39. Summer or winter? Summer
40. Chocolate or Vanilla? chocolate, chocolate, chocolate!
41. Favorite cereal? Honey Bunches of Oats
42. The last time you cried? Not a cool question; I'm pregnant!
43. What is under your bed? Upcoming birthday presents, wrapping paper and supplies, a box of Kent's treasures, and our multi purpose printer...
44. What did you do last night? Taco Tuesday with the Mia Maids & Laurels
45.What are you afraid of? I have an irrational fear of SPIDERS, eek!
46. Salty or Sweet? I usually favor salty
47. How many keys on your key ring? who cares? 7
48. How many years at your current job? 2
49. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
50. How many towns have you lived in? 5