It's Show Time!

The waiting is (almost) officially over, as we are currently at the hospital and waiting for Caleb to make his grand entrance into the world!

We checked in last night and so far things have gone smoothly. The doctor says Caleb is in the right position and Rebecca is progressing nicely. We'll keep you posted as we get a little closer, but right not we are anticipating him to be born sometime this afternoon.

Stay tuned for more updates and photos of newborn baby Caleb!

Work Baby Shower

A few weeks ago my work friends threw me a Surprise Baby Shower. I didn't have my camera available so I didn't get to take any pictures. One of my work colleagues sent me these pictures today.
Thank you to all my friends at work for such a sweet party. I had a great time.

Ready & Waiting

Well, we are "officially" at 38 weeks now. I feel like I might just pop at any minute. The Doctor says we could have Caleb anytime now. He is fully developed and just gaining weight at this point.
Since I am such a planner, I wish someone could tell me exactly when my precious little boy will be born. It is torturous on me just sitting around waiting. But, I am working on my patience while I sit and wait.

So, for the last 38 weeks I think I have been a really great pregnant woman. I have had a pretty easy pregnancy with little sickness or feeling bad. I haven't required a lot of extra attention or pampering. I haven't made Braden make midnight runs to get me pickles and ice cream. I have been reasonable and not complained. WELL, the day has now come when I am getting so uncomfortable and so tired that I am turning into a hormonal, sleep deprived pregnant woman.

No more Sleep
I love to sleep. I can usually fall asleep with no problems. I just lay my head down and within minutes, I am out. Well, the days of good nights of sleep have come and gone. I have probably been getting closer to 3-5 hours of sleep a night now. I have trouble getting comfortable and find it hard to sleep. About the time I fall asleep, my body wakes me up to tell me that I have to potty. So I roll over, throw my legs over the side of the bed, and get up. When I get back into bed, I lay awake listening to Braden sleeping so soundly while I toss and turn and moan and groan and pray for sleep to come.
Swollen Feet & Hands
If you know me well, you know I LOVE my stiletto heels. I wear them every day to work and love being an extra 4-5 inches taller than normal. Well, my feet have reached the swollen stage where I can not even get my heels on anymore. I have to wear flip flops or sandals every day. It is miserable and I hate it. On top of my feet being fat, my fingers have swollen so much that I can't get my wedding ring on anymore. I had just been leaving my wedding band on but at the doctors appointment this last week she suggested I get it off or the hospital would cut it off when I arrived to deliver. Needless to say, my ring finger is naked and I miss my rings.
My Clumsy Ways
I think I have knocked over or dropped more things in the last week than in my whole life. Seriously, what is wrong with me? I love being half asleep, reaching for my water, and then it slips and spills all over me and the bed. Or standing in the kitchen trying to help clean up after dinner and knocking over or spilling so much stuff that I cause more of a mess and Braden makes me leave the kitchen. I am starting to feel like a bull in a china shop.

On a MUCH happier note, a few weeks ago Braden and I took some maternity photos to commemorate this wonderful time in our lives. Here are two of my favorite pictures that are appropriate to share with friends and family.

This photo means a lot to me because these are the same black polos we wore in our engagement pictures. It is hard to believe how much our lives have changed in three years.

My big belly and our hands

37 WEEKS

Today we officially hit the 37 week mark. Some days I feel like I have been pregnant FOREVER and other days it is really hard to believe that it has been 37 weeks already.

Braden and I are ready for Caleb's arrival:

• Nursery complete - CHECK


• Carseat installed - CHECK


• Hospital bags packed - CHECK


• Ready to pop Mommy - CHECK


• Excited Daddy - CHECK

So now we are just playing the waiting game.

My weekly doctor appointments are going well. Caleb's head is in the down position which is where I need him to be for delivery. He is growing weekly and is measuring to be about an 8lb baby at delivery. Hopefully he doesn't get much larger than that. Caleb's heart rate is strong. I know he is getting big because his kicks are turning more into nudges into my rib cage (ouch!). Caleb's latest development is hiccups which feels like he is playing drums on the inside of my tummy. Just last night Braden got to feel them and experience for a second what I deal with all day long.

Another picture of Baby#1 (Lexi)

She is so cute and quite photogenic

The carseat is installed in my car and ready for Caleb to come home

A BIG thanks to Daddy Braden for installing the carseat securely so Caleb will be safe
37 Weeks Pregnant Belly

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

It is really hard to believe but today Braden and I have been married for 2 YEARS!!
Wow, how time flies by when you're having fun.
It was been an eventful two years for the Howell Household. We got married, went on a honeymoon of a lifetime (thanks to Braden), bought a house, got a dog, got pregnant, and are about to have our first child. Braden has been an amazing husband. I can't wait to spend the rest of my life sharing even more memories with him.
Enjoy the pictures of our last 2 years together.

March 3, 2007

Park Cities Baptist Church

Dallas, TX

Rebecca Leigh Morina weds Braden Ryan Howell

Honeymoon at the Four Seasons in Nevis
A vacation of a lifetime

*Note that I was once skinny and hope to get back to this body after the baby arrives*

Our First House

Dallas, Texas


Lexi
"Our first baby"

8 Months Pregnant

Mommy-To-Be

2 Year Anniversary Dinner

Braden's Day at Nasa

While Braden & I were down in Pearland for my Baby Shower, Braden took advantage of needing to get out of the house and went to Space Center Houston with my dad and Matt (Jessica's boyfriend). For almost 6 years now Braden has been wanting to go to the Space Center. I have been putting it off because it has never appealed to me since we always had to go in Elementary School on educational field trips. I was happy to send Braden off on this adventure. I think Braden really enjoyed himself.

Saturn V Rocket Booster

Saturn V Rocket

Pearland Baby Shower

For those of you who check the blog weekly - sorry I didn't get time to post anything last week. I had a crazy week at work and never got around to writing.

Two weekends ago (Feb. 21) my sisters, Jennifer & Jessica, threw me a Hometown Baby Shower in Pearland. It was a lot of fun and I was blessed with lots of friends, family, and baby gifts. Caleb (once again) was spoiled with lots of baby necessities. I can't wait for him to arrive to try out all the gadgets and wear all the cute outfits.
I didn't take very many pictures (so if you did - send them my way).

The day of the shower was also my best friend, Jennifer's, birthday.

She flew into town from NY to spend the weekend with me.

My big sister, Jennifer, is very crafty.

She put together the tower of diapers, burp clothes, and onesies.

My Mom (along with many helpers) baked and frosted over 200 mini cupcakes.

They were the hit of the party.

With the Babies-R-US gift cards we received at the Pearland Baby Shower, we bought our bedding for Caleb. Braden and I love this bedding and have designed the room around the color scheme. Thank you to all when contributed to this purchase.

Soon Baby Caleb will sleep in his bed

Room View of how the letters look with our bedding.