Happy Christmas

I hope you all had a fantastic holiday filled with family and love.  Ours was perfect.  Jade was even spoiled with a few gifts and she isn't even here yet!  However, apparently it looks like she will be here soon because when Geoff and I went to IHOP for breakfast the other day, the hostess said "table for 3?"  It was sweet of this nice lady to assume our baby was going to pop out and be ready for some pancakes at any moment. 

Ok, so I took this week off to relax and DO NOTHING. Enjoy some family photos while I go take a nap.

 Quinn celebrating her first Christmas.

Howell Family

 

Howells

Beswicks

Scotts

 Laskys

 

 Siegels

 

Thank you for celebrating Christmas with us in our new home.

 xoxo,

ricki, geoff, ace, and kaluah

27 weeks and 28 years

I feel like the older I get the more excited I get about birthdays.  I am enjoying getting older and living more life.  Each year seems to get better and better.  Maybe this will change later in life, but right now it's exciting and I can hardly wait to see what the next year will bring.  Twenty Seven was good to me.  I'm feeling that twenty eight will be pretty awesome too.  I feel like I am exactly where I should be.  I feel full of happiness and contentment.

In other exciting news, we have entered our 3rd trimester. Wow, did that sneak up fast!

details, fun facts, and photos

Weight

My new weight is 133lbs.  I know the baby still needs to gain more weight, so I am prepared for this number to quickly rise.  I am starting to feel uncomfortable at times.  I feel stretching and tightness in my belly all the time. Laying down relieves pressure on my body, but then I have trouble breathing and my heart races.  I've been able to start being active again, so that feels good.  It's all new feelings and sensations that I am learning to love tolerate.

Eat

My appetite is still out of whack.  I get full really fast.  Somedays I'm just too tired to eat every meal. I try and keep a balanced diet as best I can, but I know I could be doing better.  No major cravings that have lasted.  Mostly I'll just have a flash desire for strawberries or chocolate milk.  Once I get it, it's gone. 

Sweat

Doctor had told me to take it easy for a couple of weeks.  Hearing that I couldn't exercise made me really sad, but I know it was for the best.  I rested.  But now I'm back!  Pilates, walking/hiking, and prenatal yoga are on my exercise wish list. 

Sleep

I'm sorry, what?  I'm SO tired.  I fall asleep so quickly, but little Jade has decided that she is going to be like her daddy and be a night owl.   Little miss does jumping jacks all night.  Trying to find a comfortable position in my tangle of pillows that isn't too hot or too cold is...oh so fun.  As soon as I find that sweet spot, I have to pee.  Or least I think I have to pee.  I never really know until I try.  Mamas, you know what I'm talking about!

Jaden is very active and healthy.  We can't wait to meet her.  I feel good.  I feel excited.  I feel supported by friends and family and my wonderful husband.   

The third trimester has come just in time for my urge to go shopping for baby goods!

 We thought Jade would really want an 80inch tv.

xoxo,

ricki

dressember weekly part 2

i wore TWO dresses this week.  one day it was even raining.

(dress: Banana Republic)

(dress: Armani Exchange)

(not a dress, but look what we got!!)

xoxo,

ricki

thoughts on remodeling a brand new home

my thoughts are...


we are crazy.

We are so excited to have a finished home, again.  We know that our upgrades will be worth it and are what we want.  The process is just so...so...sucky.  Our house is covered in dust and dirt.  There has been a 20 foot hole in the back of our house for 3 weeks.  I know we live in "sunny" San Diego, but it's getting cold!  The constant breeze through our home is getting old.  I come home from work and go straight to our bedroom.  Our bedroom is clean and serene.  I can pretend like the disaster downstairs doesn't exist.

We are crossing our fingers for a finished home by Christmas.  Does that seem possible?

xoxo,

howell fam

dressember weekly

December is here!  I know you are all excited for what December brings. I know I am.  My birthday.  Oh, and I guess Christmas too.

This month also brings Dressember: a dress everyday of the month.  I learned about Dressember from my dear friend Vicki, who is super creative when it comes to fashion.  You should follow her and see all the fun dress outfits she puts together.  Since this Dressember I'm dressing for 2, I've decided to participate in Dressember weekly.  I spent some time in my closet looking at my many many many dresses.  Then, I got brave and decided to try some on.  Well, let's just say that anything with a zipper isn't happening.  This leaves me just a few maxi dresses and a couple cotton summery ones.  Getting dressed every morning with a limited wardrobe has been challenging for me, so I fear if I limit it even more to just dresses, that I might have a meltdown.  (l get really hot in my closet trying to get dressed.)  But I want to play!  I will wear a dress at least once a week.  I know this isn't as exciting for all you Dressember members, but I will be following you on your daily dress journey and will be with you in spirit...and one day a week.

Happy December and Dressember friends!

xoxo,

Ricki

feeling blue for pink

We have been having an ultrasound every couple of weeks to monitor two things: my cervix length and Jade's head size.  Since Geoff had Craneo- Something, (a condition in which an infant's skull prematurely fuses by turning into bone, and thereby changing the growth pattern of the skull), we have to measure Jade's head to make sure it is growing.  Good news, it's growing!

I have a weakened/short cervix and Jade is hanging right at the exit hole, so we have to monitor to make sure she doesn't try and join this party early.  Well over the past couple of weeks my cervix has shortened, but recently it made a big enough jump to cause for slight concern.  From what I've been told 2.5cm is the scary place and today we are at 2.67.  Luckily, it is staying closed right now, but the doctor could see that my uterus is also contracting, so short story short, I have to go back every week.  I LOVE that I get to see my baby so often, but I also don't like feeling panicked and nervous every time I leave the doctor's office.  Up until today, it was just monitoring.  Now, I've been told no exercise until further notice.  Not even light walking!  I pretty much zoned out after that, but I heard something about the next step being progesterone to help seal my cervix shut. 

Jaden is healthy with a strong heart beat, so as long as she just stays put, all will be good.  I have been telling myself I should really slow down and take more time to rest and now with doctor's order, I'll have to. 

xoxo,

ricki & geoff

week 24

We are now somewhere between 5 and 6 months pregnant.  24 weeks is feeling good!  Things are getting exciting.  Holidays are here and we've started looking at baby items to purchase.  We spent some time at Buy Buy Baby to see some baby necessities in person.  Between the stroller that opens and closes on its own and the one we couldn't get the car seat out of, we settled on something simple, safe, and light.  The options are overwhelming.  We made some of the big decisions, so now I need a break.  And by break, I mean to go buy baby tutus and leg warmers.  If anyone has any "must-haves", please share!

details, fun facts, and photos

Weight

My new weight is 128lbs.  This is the most I've ever weighed, so I am slowly embracing this new number.  I feel okay with it since I think I have 15-20 more pounds to go with about 4 months left. Getting dressed is becoming more complicated, both physically and emotionally.  I break a sweat putting on my pants (and socks and shoes and shirt) and I usually have to try on 2-3 shirts to find one that hasn't turned into a crop top.  Emotionally, finding something that I feel like looks good is time consuming.  I could easily throw on sweat pants and Geoff's t-shirt, but I wouldn't feel very good.  I want to flatter the bump, not mask it.  Right mamas?

Eat

My appetite is confused.  Some days I am starving all day and can't be satisfied, but most days my belly just feels full.  Often after I eat I feel like I am going to explode.  I don't think Jade likes it when I fill up my stomach or my bladder.  Oh and heart burn is a bitch.  I really want to have a glass of red wine, but it burns!

Sweat

Since my energy is up, I've been able to exercise a few times a week pretty consistently.  I'm out walking or hiking at least once or twice a week.  Pilates is the perfect way to stretch and get in some weight training.  I'd like to take some yoga classes and maybe even stop in at Pure Barre.  I'm hoping to keep walking and light weight training.  I think it's helping the sciatic nerve pain that shoots down my legs and the round ligament pain that makes me feel like I just rode a horse!  Let's go for a hike!

Sleep

I think it could be better.  I'm disappointed that I don't/can't sleep more because I know once Jade gets here it will be even less.  I am exhausted by 8PM and I wake up between 4AM and 6AM everyday.  Luckily these times work just fine with my lifestyle, so I am getting the sleep I need.  I wouldn't mind a few naps here and there!

Some people (including strangers) tell me I'm huge (really? HUGE?) and others say my belly is so small.  I think I'm just the right size!

xoxo,

howell family

thanksgiving thanks

We hosted Thanksgiving at our new home this year.  I am drafting this post at 8:15 the morning of and we still don't have a kitchen table.  Geoff is hard at work in the garage sanding, painting, nailing our new dining table together.   I am so excited to see the finished product because all the pieces reveal a unique, handmade, and rustic result.

This year mom came over and we (mostly she) prepped our big meal.  It is certainly a carb feast, but a once-a-year comfort meal that we look forward too. Sweet potatoes, mashed potatoes, stuffing, fresh cranberry sauce, and a 21 pound turkey will feed 15 mouths.  We are so grateful to be with our friends and family in our new home, celebrating everything to be thankful for this past year.

Look, we have a table!! 

 It was an amazing feast!  Geoff even carved his first turkey.  

Then, it was time to get Quinn ready for bed.  She LOVES being changed...so Uncle Geoff offered to help out.

xoxo,

r&g

1 Year Married

A few weeks ago Geoff and I celebrated our one year wedding anniversary.  Can you believe it has been an entire year since we celebrated our marriage?  We can't either!  For me, I felt that feeling "wow, we have been married for a year and it has been the most amazing experience."  When we got married everything stayed the same, as it should have because there was nothing to change.  But our first year of marriage felt more special and that surprised me. I feel so grateful to be making life with my best friend.   On to year 2!

We spent a few days at the Treebones Resort in Big Sur relaxing and spending quiet time together.  We slept in a yurt and spent our days hiking, driving the gorgeous California Coast, and taking naps.  There was no cell service or internet.  We played board games and read our books.  It was the perfect way to wrap up our first year married.  It was just the two of us and the beautiful view!

Here are some photos from our trip.  Oh and in other news, we decided on a name for our baby girl. 

JADEN MARYJANE HOWELL

You can call her Jade for short. 

 this is the view from our bed in yurt #14.

22 Weeks

 elephant seals in big sur

 my wonderful husband making me waffles, yum.

happy thanksgiving. 

xoxo,

r&g