The Glenns' visit, Memorial Day 2009

We had a lovely weekend with my mom and dad. Lots of good food, cold drinks, great company, and FINALLY summer-like weather added up to a fun time. We grilled out Friday night upon their arrival, and Saturday morning was dedicated to bonding time. Geoff took Dad shooting, and Mom and I got facials and shopped. Saturday afternoon was Geoff's and my 4th annual trek to see Garrison Keillor in Prairie Home Companion at Wolf Trap Park. We, along with Casey and Cass, have our picnicing on the lawn down to a precise science, and we have also learned to time our pregnancies VERY well in order to get the primo parking spot. (Her turn was last year, this year mine, and next year, hers again). It was warm Saturday afternoon, waiting for Garrison, but we didn't complain after the yucky spring we've had. (See pics). On Sunday, we took my parents to the Quatro Goombas' winery for another outdoor picnic, and then grilled out again for dinner. After the unseasonable cold weather and rain the South has gotten, we all felt the need to enjoy the unofficial start of summer by being outdoors as much as possible. It was a wonderful weekend, and I cannot wait to be back in 'Bama in one month's time to enjoy the lake, a baby shower, and a visit to good ol' Camp Winnataska! HOORAY FOR SUMMER!

I made it halfway!

Well, I am "over the hump" so to speak. I am officially halfway through my pregnancy, and although there were some days that seemed long at first, especially when Geoff was away, I truly cannot believe how quickly has seemed to fly. I had my 20 week appointment on Tuesday, and my nurse called me a "pregnancy overachiever." (Well, I do tend to be that in lots of areas, so why not this one too?) Everything looks amazingly good, and despite my occasional longing for a glass of wine or cold beer, I feel great! Here is a picture of me 4 and 1/2 pounds heavier than the last belly shot at 16 weeks. And here is a sweet picture of Bella and me, simply because it is precious. (She wanted to be in my belly shot, so I had to make it up to her). Love to all!

Mother's Day 2009

Today I awoke to my first Mother's Day gift ever, a lovely orchid, and a card promising me dinner and a pair of crocs (because I've been using the pair Steph left here over two months ago, despite their being too big for me)! Geoff was really sweet to do this, although I take my own mother's view of this day to heart. "If you can't tell me you love me every day of the year, don't bother on Mother's Day." Since Geoff does tell me he loves me on a daily basis, I can accept his gift without any reservation!

We also had our 20 week ultrasound on Thursday. It was not as fun as we thought it would be. First of all, I had to drink 16 ozs. of water beforehand, and then lay on a hard table for an hour and 15 minutes. Imagine my discomfort! Second of all, we didn't know this ultrasound would be all business, making sure the heart has 4 chambers, that there were 2 kidneys, that the femur measured a certain length, etc. Man that lady took a lot of pictures! This was all compounded by the fact that Baby Howard was CONSTANTLY moving. I certainly hope this is not any indication of future behavior, as we may have a serious case of ADHD on our hands. The sonographer was getting exasperated, saying (in her Indian accent) "Oh God, baby. Please, baby. Be still, baby..." over and over. I started to find it funny, but Geoff did not. He asked for a facial shot (because we saw some CUTE ones during the exam), but she only managed to take these Skeletor shots (remember him from He-Man and the Masters of the Universe?). Anyway, Baby Howard looks perfectly healthy, no spina bifida or cleft palate, thank goodness. As for the sex, Geoff asked the doctor to write it down and seal it in an envelope, which is now magnetized to our fridge. I don't know how long this secret will last, since our sonographer said she was 100% sure she was right. We're still trying to keep the sex as a surpise until delivery, but if we do open the envelope, we'll be sure to let everyone know! I go back to the doctor on Tuesday for my normal health screening, at which time I will know how much weight I've gained in the last 4 weeks (no, there is no scale in this house). I will post a belly shot and a weight update then.

News on the Howard house renovation: Geoff is halfway finished installing the dining room floor, we sold the old dining room table and chairs, and the new dining room table and buffet have been delivered. Now we just need some chairs, some crown molding, some curtains, and the grand kitchen/dining room renovation will be complete and we can start creating a nursery! FUN! Pictures will be posted!

Happy Mother's Day to all mommies, and our love to all!

I always mean to post more regularly than once a month, but that seems to be about all I can handle for now. I'm sure you will forgive me. News on the Howard front...Geoff is home from Baghdad! He is very glad to be home, and I am EXTREMELY glad to have him home. As we speak, he is walking Bella (in the rain), so I can post this.

Here is a picture of my belly at 17 weeks (which Geoff only wanted me to send to Mom and Janet--I thought other family members and friends might be curious, and it's not like I'm baring innapropriate flesh, so I'm posting it.) People are starting to notice my pregnancy (even students) despite the fact that I have only gained three pounds. Hopefully, I will be one of those pregnant ladies who is "all belly." I have my next check-up on Monday, the 13th, and on May 7th, Geoff will accompany me to the fancy ultrasound where we can decide whether or not we want to know the sex of the baby. Lots of exciting things coming up! We'll be sure to keep you posted.

Here are pics of Baby Howard's first oufits. The orange and blue "I love Mom" onesie he/she owes to Aunt Samantha down in Nashville. She knew he/she would need a ready-made football watching outfit since the birth will be smack in the middle of football season. The "2nd in command" onesie is one I got for Geoff for his homecoming. I felt a little bad that Baby Howard's only outfit was all about me, so I tried to find a somewhat gender neutral, reference to Dad outfit, but there just doesn't seem to be one. I had to settle for this 9 month outfit (which is long-sleeved, and 9 months from the baby's birth will be July--PERFECT, huh?). Oh well, there's still PLENTY of time to clothe Baby Howard appropriately. I hope everyone has a blessed Easter. We love you all!

Groundhog Day, March 5, 2009

This is a story of my wildlife adventure on Thursday. I strongly feel that this is something that would only happen to me and only while Geoff is away.

Thursday was scheduled to be a long day. After working my normal hours at school, I was going to have to race home to walk Bella, and then head back to school for a special program for the upoming 7th graders and their parents to tour the school and find out curricular information. I arrived home about 3:15 p.m., and immediately went inside to get Bella. Once we exited the house, she immediately started flipping out. She was "on the hunt." She tracked something into the cutout window of our basement, and would NOT leave that spot. So I went over, peered into the hole, and saw a very frightened groundhog. Geoff and I have seen him around before--we nicknamed him Hamilton a while back (long story there--but he's "Hammie" for short due to the "pig" part of his name). Well, I managed to get Bella to leave him along while I took her for her walk. When we got back to the house, I called Animal Control. The lady on the phone promptly told me they would NOT come to Hammie's rescue. "We only visit when the animal is injured or there is rabid contact with a human." "Well," I responded, "either of those could be true if I try to get him out on my own!" No sympathy from said lady. So, my first plan of attack was to shovel him out. Hammie would have NONE of the shovel, and I was too scared of him biting me to get my hand low enough for the proper leverage. My second plan of attack was to ask the help of a neighbor--NONE of whom were home. So, my third plan of attack was to sit on the stairs and cry over my abandonment. NO ONE WAS AROUND TO HELP ME!!! By this time, it was time to return to work. Hamilton was still stuck, and I was beyond frustrated. My final idea was to create a ramp for Hammie out of a spare 2 by 4 from the kitchen work into the hole and hope Hammie would climb out himself. I left for work, told my story to ALL who would hear it, including my LAUGHING, unsympathetic husband in Baghdad! I smiled at parents, helped lost future students, and was finally able to get home about 8:15 p.m. The first thing I did was check on Hamilton. HE WAS GONE! HOORAY! My ingenius ramp worked!

Now all I have to do is replace the broken cover over the window eyelet to prevent this from happening again.

Baby Howard's on his/her way!

I know, I know...I said I would post more regularly than once a month. Somehow, life seems to get in the way of posting. Sorry about that! Here is the current news about Baby Howard.

Today, I am 10 weeks' pregnant. What that means...Baby Howard is 1 1/4 to 1 3/4 inches long, weighs close to .18 of an ounce, and is about the size of a small plum. (I find it funny that the pregnancy books always compare the size of the baby to different foods!). I'm feeling okay most days; I have found coping techniques to battle the nausea, and as for the fatigue I just go to sleep by 8 p.m. most nights! Geoff and I are starting to spread the word to close friends and work colleagues, and we are starting to consider names. Geoff and I are both opinionated people, so this naming thing should be FUN! We both like a couple of family names and some good, solid, classic names (don't worry--no Apples or Rains or Demetris here.) The problem seems to be the combinations--we can't quite agree yet. It's a good thing we have 30 weeks to decide! We have not decided if we are going to find out the sex of the baby. I think that will be Geoff's call as I consider that the one "Dad Moment" in the whole process--the grand announcement of "It's a boy!" or "It's a girl" upon delivery. Knowing would certainly be easier in terms of clothing and nursery decor, but there is something special about being surprised, I think. Here is a picture of the first ultrasound--this was at 7 and 1/2 weeks. We got to hear the heartbeat which was really cool, and Geoff thought it sounded just like the sound effects in the Pac-Man game! (I did too, by the way.) We won't get another one of these images for a while, so this little pic will have to whet your appetites for some time. Love to all!

My bad, but genius dog...

Everyone who meets Bella is usually impressed by her. She is quiet, loving, and pretty well behaved. I have a story to tell all of you...

Today, I decided to make homemade chicken noodle soup. (I've been craving some ever since I saw Paula Deen make her Lady and Sons chicken soup on TV Wednesday. To those not familiar with the process, it can take a couple of hours to make the stock, pick the chicken, make the soup, and clean up. I started at 10, and we ate lunch at 12:45 p.m.--it was delicious even if I do say so myself.) Well, right before I finished cleaning up, Geoff asked me to take him to get his newly fixed car. I dropped the chicken carcass, veggie scraps, and paper towels from cleaning in the trash, and then off we went. I dropped Geoff off at the car care place and headed back home. When I walked in the door, I greeted Bella as usual and remarked to her, "It still smells yummy in here, huh girl?" She walked away from me and laid down on her blanket. I thought, "That's odd." I walked into the kitchen and noticed some of the contents of the trash (old bread, tops of carrots, napkins, etc.) in a nice, neat pile NEXT to the trash can. I didn't understand at first. You see, we have a trash can that has a spring-loaded foot pedal to open and close the top. I thought perhaps I hadn't been careful enough and had missed throwing all those things INSIDE the trash can. Then I turned around and saw what was left of the chicken carcass on the living room floor. I walked into the living room, and there was Bella cowering on her blanket. Then it hit me...my genius dog had somehow figured out how to lift the lid of the metal trash can and had rummaged neatly through its contents to get to the chicken! I told her she was a "Bad Girl!" several times in a very stern voice, but part of me remains very impressed.