IT'S A BOY!!

It is official, Braden and I had our Dr's appointment yesterday and found out we were (without a doubt) having a boy. Nana B (Braden's mom) and Grandma D (my mom) joined us for the appointment. I think everyone was excited to see our little boy moving around and loved hearing his little heart beating. We had a video made of the sonogram so we can watch it daily and see our little bundle of joy.

Baby Boy Howell's First Embarrassing Picture

(the picture is taken looking up from his bottom)

Baby Boy Howell

(his body is curled up like a backwards C)

17 Weeks

Well, we are 17 weeks pregnant and counting. Everything is going fine. I am no longer nauseous on a daily business and starting to feel like myself again. They say the second trimester is the best because you're not sick (like the 1st trimester) and you are not uncomfortable (like in the 3rd trimester). Recently I have started wearing some maternity clothes. I can still wear majority of my "pre-pregnancy" clothes but I am a lot more comfortable in the maternity ones. In the picture below you will see that I am wearing maternity jeans. These jeans are one of the best creations known to man. They are super comfortable with a stretchy cotton panel that stretches over your belly. I don't know if I will ever go back to regular jeans.
So, Monday (Oct 27) we have another sonogram scheduled. We should be finding out if we are going to have a boy or girl. Not I just have to hope and pray the baby will cooperate so the doctor can see him/her and tell us the sex. The grandma's-to-be are coming to the appointment with Braden and I to share in this amazing experience. We are thrilled to have them join us and I know they are thrilled to see their first grandchild.
Lastly, I realized I have not talked about my first baby - Lexi (our dog). Lexi has been a super sweet companion for over a year now. Braden and I adore her and can't wait for her to meet the baby too. It is weird but I think she knows something is different. She is migrating more toward Braden these days (where she has always been my shadow). I am attaching a picture of our first baby below. She is a 6lb. chihuahua mix that Braden rescued a little over a year ago.

Happening This Week

I know I have not been consistent with posting and I will try to be better so those of you who do read - have something to read weekly.

I have been reading the typical book "What to Expect When Your Expecting." Every week I catch up on what is happening to the baby for that week. This week, the tiny bones in Baby Howell's ears have developed allowing him/her to hear our voices. My book suggests singing to the baby now and the baby is likely to recognize my (or Braden's) voice and the songs we sing upon arrival.
Along with the bones in his/her ears, Baby Howell's backbone is mature and strong enough now to allow the baby to work on straightening his/her head and neck. Baby Howell is about 5 inches long and weighs a whopping 3 ounces.

For those of you who do not know - Braden and I have another sonogram scheduled for Monday, October 27. At that Dr.'s appointment we will find out if we are having a boy or girl (hopefully the baby cooperates with the Dr. so he can tell). We are very excited to find out what we are having. Be on the lookout for the BIG NEWS at the end of the month.

From the Dad Corner

So here we go; Dad-to-be is making his foray into the Howell family blogosphere. I will do my best to update as often as possible.

Fifteen weeks into the pregnancy and things are still going well. I am still trying to get used to the idea that I will actually be a father in six months, but as unbelievable as the idea is to me, it is far more exciting! Every doctor's appointment brings a renewed sense of reality, as well as an added sense of comfort to know that thus far everything is going well. In addition, Rebecca has a fantastic doctor who does a great job of keeping me involved and making every appointment enjoyable.

Speaking of doctor's appointments, Rebecca's doctor is in the same group of doctors at Medical City as the doctor who delivered me. Our most recent appointment just happened to fall on my 28th birthday, so I stopped by to introduce myself to the doctor who brought me into the word 28 years ago (yes, he is still practicing!). It was a pretty fun experience. He remembered my mom and said I made him feel very old by informing him it has been 28 years since he delivered me. Other than being a little bigger today than I was on that same wonderful day 28 years ago, I'm sure I am just as cute as I was back then!

This has been a wonderful process thus far, and I know there is so much more to come but I am looking forward to it with eager anticipation. Rebecca and I are so blessed to be surrounded by so many loving family and friends that have helped to make this time in our lives even that much better. We know we will be bringing our little baby to a world filled with love and I get a little more excited with each passing day.