Welcome Baby Girl!

We are proud to announce the birth of our second child!

Here I am meeting her for the first time! 

Name: Caroline Renee Howk

Stats: 5lbs 9oz, 18 inches long 

Date: Tuesday, May 20th, 2014

Time: 6:27pm 

How she came into the world is a story, as every baby has their own very unique story. 

Tuesday started just like any other day, I woke up, took my son to school, talked with a few moms before heading home to having a meeting at my house before heading out to work. I usually go into work at 10 am, and that day was normal, except I noticed my feet were more swollen than usual. So I kicked off my flip flops almost as soon as I got to work and told my co-workers "For the next two weeks, I'm not going to wear my shoes." Being 9 months pregnant, none of the other gals seemed to mind - most of them understood. I was sitting at my desk and just before noon I noticed some contractions that were happening. I went to lunch around 12:30pm, and thought nothing of the contractions until I returned from lunch around 1pm. 

The first photo of the four of us! 

I had been having Braxton Hicks contractions on and off for a little while, but I knew if I moved around a little bit they would go away, so I walked to a local coffee shop and grabbed a sandwich and a clear soda and sat down and ate a yummy lunch. I also knew that if this was the real thing, they wouldn't let me eat for a while. Baby girl has been breeched for a few weeks, so I knew I was going to have a C-Section. That's definitely not what either of us wanted. Longer recovery time, more long term pain and complications can arise.  

The boys kissing the girls, so sweet! 

I called the local clinic after I returned from lunch and told them I was having contractions - at this point I knew they were 'real' because they hadn't gone away while I was at lunch and they were coming hard and were pretty painful. The clinic said to come over and they were going to put me on a monitor. So I did that, and notified the other person in my office that I was leaving, as my boss was out of town. I went to the clinic and got hooked up to the monitor. Not thinking much of it at this point, because they have done this before with me. But the contractions didn't stop. My doctor came in and said, okay why don't you head up to the hospital (about 45 minutes away). Ultimately it'll be up to the hospital, and we'll see if things calm down after you get there. 

Mommy and baby taking a nap at the same time. 

This happened over six years ago- see the photo here. 

Yes, I drove myself to the hospital, people. The contractions at that time, actually weren't that bad and only had a few the whole time I was driving. Once I got to the hospital, they gave me a lovely room, but hooked me up to a monitor. The contractions kept coming- harder and closer together and there was quickly talk of having the C-Section at 6pm that evening. I tried to delay them, as to the fact that I knew Roy was not going to make it. He was still delivering boxes for FedEx, over 60 miles away! 

By 5:45pm, Roy noticed I had stopped texting him - something along the lines of 'Get Here Now!' and they had moved me into the Operating Room and the contractions were coming at about 1 minute apart and were pretty painful. This baby wanted out! 

At 6:27pm baby girl was out of my body, and as I found out later that day Roy was here at 6:37pm. So only by 10 minutes did he miss her entering into the world. He met her in the nursery, when they were doing all the check up stuff they do on newborns. By the time they had finished with me and I had spent some time in the recovery room, Roy and baby girl had a little bonding time. 

Having a C-Section was painful. Getting out of bed the first few times was tough, but I'm doing much better now, and we are hopeful I can go home tomorrow. I would have been going home tonight, but I had a slight fever after eating dinner last night, and that was our 'Stork Dinner' the hospital provided us. It was lovely, until I started not feeling so hot. 

I do have some fluid in my lungs, after an X-Ray yesterday and an MRI scan today has proved. Anytime you are not moving around a whole lot, there is the potential to develop pneumonia. While they haven't said I do have pneumonia, they have told me to do my breathing exercises that will help. 

My parents were able to make the trip down from Emmettsburg, Iowa to see Caroline in the evening - just a short 4 hour trip, rather than the two day trip they would have had when our 6 year old son was born, because they were living in South Carolina at the time. They didn't make that trip until 2 weeks after he was born. 

Hubby put this on Facebook and I just love it! 

Everyone who has seen her has said she looks like her big brother. And she does, with a few differences. He was one ounce heavier, and one inch longer. His nose was straighter when he was born, and he had eyebrows, she does not. Both kids had dark hair, and baby girl has steel blue eyes. Plus baby girl also is very pink in complexion- my son had a little jaundice after he was born. He was a natural birth, so his head was funny shaped, while her head is perfect, because she didn't make the same trip! Everyone has said how precious she is, and I agree. I can't wait to see how she grows and changes and challenges us! 

Better photo of her face, she's so sweet. 

The first time big brother got to hold her! 

That's her amazing birth story. I am so glad she is safe and sound and here. There was no possible way that she could have flipped (medically, not possible). Plus she had the umbilical cord wrapped around her neck twice. 

We had our friend Autumn come up Thursday morning and take a few photos of Caroline and us, while we were still in the hospital. Her business is Happy Day Photos, and if you need a photographer in Southeast Iowa we highly recommend her! If you are on Facebook, she's already posted a few photos of Caroline that are adorable! 

Pregnancy has worn me out! 

Here I am at 24 weeks, 34 weeks, 35 weeks with my friend Rachel

who has the same due date as me (June 4th!) and 36 weeks. 

Today I am 37 weeks... and baby girl is still breech. Unfortunately, they won't try flipping her because I'm borderline Preeclampsia (had that with my son).  

Scheduling for the C-Section is tomorrow,

so I guess I decide when baby's birthday will be then! 

It will probably be on a Monday, so hubby can be there (that's his day off).

I am dilated to less than one... but in baby time that is far from 10,

and I am having semi-regular contractions - depending on the day, time and what-not. 

They did put the baby on the monitor for 20 minutes or so in the doctors office today and

I got to hear/ feel her hiccup - it was cool.

So... baby girl is coming!

At least we still think it is a girl.

My shower is at my church this Sunday, we will have to see if she shows up before then- her big brother showed up the day his shower was supposed to take place! They then decided to have his baby shower on his original due date (he was 9 days early). But everyone played pass the baby,

but that's always a fun game!

All is well (as well as can be) in the world of this 9 month pregnant lady! 

2013... a year of blessings

There is so much that happened to our family in the year 2013!

My little guy turned 5! Being 5 is the best! Hard to believe he will be 6 in a few short days.

He's the one in the black shirt on the left, with his friends around the Lego Party table. 

Hubby got notified at the end of January that he was part of the layoff at his old job, which was effective the first week in February. Ouch.

Hubby went on unemployment and through God's provisions and a little help from family and our church, we were able to keep our house. Although it never was that close, somedays it sure felt like it!

Hubby went on a number of interviews, including one phone interview that - had he gotten that job would have required a move. Hubby even worked a few times for a local place, and got paid for that. Hubby landed working at a contractor position for FedEx, and by the last week in December was interviewed and hired full time by FedEx. Almost 11 months to the day. While it doesn't offer health benefits, it does however put us back up - financially - to where he was with his old job. So now we can afford to buy health benefits on our own.

Who doesn't love a handsome man in uniform? 

At the end of April, I got offered my current position at a local non- profit organization I have been passionate about since 2010. Although it is part-time, it's nice to be paid for doing something you like to do!

In May I figured out I was pregnant, only to be told by the doctor I would loose this little one. But, by far, the best doctor ever- because before she left the room after telling us this, she gave both my husband and I- hugs! Read a little more about that on the Dear Friends and Family post.

The best thing about hubby being 'laid off' in the summer, is that I went to work and didn't have to worry about my little guy, because I knew dad was in charge. While they did some stuff that I wouldn't have done - like they tried to light a pile of leaves on fire with a magnifying glass and other dangerous stuff. Most of the ideas came from this book: 50 Dangerous Things (You should let your children do). It really is a good book, and teaches the children how to do things safely. I'd rather let hubby teach him how to light a fire in the backyard than him figuring it out with a lighter in the basement with friends a few years down the road!

I also co-directed our Vacation Bible School this year, and it went pretty much without any major fiascos.

Here's my little cowboy at Vacation Bible School! 

Here we are at the end of a very long day, at Adventureland, thanks to my brother-in-law and the company he works for! This 5 year old got some of his 'firsts' out of the way on this trip. First time on a big-kid roller coaster -The Tornado (he did not like), but he did like a more subtle roller coaster that is called The Underground. The swimming in the wave pool was the best, because we had recently put out some money for swimming lessons - he was able to swim (like a fish) in the wave pool, when it wasn't waving. 

Mommy and my silly little boy at the end of a great day at Adventureland. 

In August, my husbands family farm was named a Century Farm by Farm Bureau, so almost the whole family got to go to the Iowa State Fair.

Here's my little guy holding his ticket, getting ready to get on the bus to go to the fair, 

no this wasn't posed- he's just that good! We had a great day!  

Almost the whole family celebrating being a Century Farm! 

Later in August I was able to go to Women of Faith with my mother-in-law to hear some great speakers, and some awesome singers. I was only able to do this by way of budgeting and saving money the Dave Ramsey way! 

My mother - in - law and I outside the Wells Fargo Center after Women of Faith. 

 In September, my little pre-schooler turned into a Kindergartener - officially. Yikes!

Being a little silly for first day of school photos. 

In October I entered a local photo contest, and won a $25 gift certificate! Here is the photo I took, well, I had a great subject! 

My little guy in front of the Amtrak train, with his train conductor hat on.

October brought fall leaves and an awesome Iron Man suit - another bonus of hubby being laid off for so long, he came up with this project all on his own, and made it light up. All I did was buy the suit at our local Aldi's store! While it lit up good for the photo, come Halloween Night we watched the lights slowly die and fade out. Oh well! 

Iron Man in my living room! 

We have a friend who decided to start her own photography business! Go Autumn! So we invited her out to our family farm to take some photos of the 3 of us. They all came out great! Happy Day Photos is the place to go, if you are in the area! See more of our family photos here. 

Our family, 2013. 

For Thanksgiving break we went up to see my brother, who lives in Minneapolis. My parents met us there, after packing up everything they own and selling their house near Charlotte, North Carolina. We had an early Christmas celebration and yes- I was crazy enough to go to the Mall of America on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. No, it wasn't that bad. 

Here are the 3 boys- my son and his cousins. 

No, his younger cousin K does not like photos! 

We also made the big announcement of us having baby #2 while we were up there. Watch the video on this post. 

In December we wrapped up the old year with the boys playing Mario Kart and mommy eating ice cream. Is there any better way? 

Happy New Year to all! 

2014 will be the best year yet, because 2013 had some low points, that's for sure. But it also had some pretty great times, most of which wouldn't have been possible if it wasn't for some great family! 

What's in store for 2014? 

1. New job for Roy, with a new route and a new to him FedEx truck! 
2. Sarah's job is moving locations (about a block away)
3. Little boy turns 6, with a dinosaur party (more on that later)
4. Sarah has to decide if she wants to do a gender reveal party for baby. 
5. We will welcome baby #2 into our little family in June! 

Dear Friends and family,

We wanted to announce it all at one time, but since we can't, because you are all so spread out - here is the news.

We are pregnant! 

Here I am at about 9 weeks. It'll be fun to see the transformation! 

I had just found out, and I thought I was about 8 weeks along. 

That's right, baby Number 2 will arrive sometime in early June 2014. Our Kindergartner will be 6 by then, and finished with Kindergarten! Onto new and better things in 1st grade! The good thing about having a baby in the summer is that we can get into some sort of routine before school starts in September.

Here I am at about 12 1/2 weeks. 

In a maternity dress - that makes me look pregnant. 

For those of you that don't know, I had a miscarriage in May of 2013, so I was supposed to have that one in December 2013. But that would mean bundling up the little one every morning plus the older one and taking him to school. This was not to be, as the baby was only 5 weeks along when I lost it.

At the time of this writing, November 22, 2013 I have seen my first ultra-sound images of this new little one moving, kicking and waving at mom and dad. Baby is measuring at 12 weeks, a week further than we thought, so I'm already 1/3 of the way through my pregnancy.  Exciting!

First baby photos! November 21st, 2013. 

The last photo looks like baby is giving us the 'thumbs up' sign. 

Our biggest challenge was to wait to tell people - especially me, because I have a 'big' mouth, and tend not to keep secrets very easily. I've told one person, besides hubby, but only because her due date is really close to mine - we are like a week apart, plus it helps that this is her 4th go-around, and only my 2nd. Plus having CJ over 5 years ago, it's hard to remember. But us gals are going through the same thing at the same time. Morning sickness (sometimes in the evening), doctor visits, this should be fun. She just wants me to tell everyone because she is so excited for us. But we told people early last time, and unfortunately lost that little one. Jesus holds that little one in his arms know, I know this.

With my first pregnancy it was so easy, during the 9 months I was pregnant with CJ, I glowed the entire time, or so I was told by the sweet older ladies at church, I threw up a total of one time. Delivery was pretty easy as well, I was induced at about 8am in the morning, took a hot tub bath and my water broke at 12:30pm, and little man was in my arms by 3pm. I make it sound easy, but that is the most pain I have ever felt throughout my entire body, it was also the hardest thing I've ever had to do, but so worth it. CJ was born on January 10th, 2008 at 2:56pm weighing 5lbs 10oz. He was small, and 9 days early because of my blood pressure being elevated, but none of the doctors or nurses ever used the word premature with him, although he did fit into premie clothing! He's a fine 5 year old boy now, he loves to be active, play with his friends, loves his LEGOs, and weighs around 50 lbs. and is the same height as his classmates. He's in the orange.

Kindergarten field trip to a local pumpkin patch. 

For Thanksgiving we will be going up to Minnesota to see my family, although I'm grateful we live close to my mother-in-law - plus she loves babies! Who doesn't? So for the Minnesota crew, we have decided to get a white t-shirt for CJ and paint on there or use markers or iron on letters. I better get on this, we leave in less than a week! But the shirt will essentially say: Only Child Expiring in June 2014.
Not sure if the 'Only Child Expiring' will be on the front and the 'June 2014' will be on the back or just keep it simple and all on the front.

We are excited and nervous about this new little blessing added to our family. Nervous because we know babies cost money, and that's not something we have a lot of right now. But we do have lots of love to share!

Thank you all for supporting us in the future, with your love or donations of used baby equipment, clothing, etc. I have gotten rid of almost all of my baby clothing, and some of the equipment- I've kept the good- stuff, though! Except the crib, there was a need in our church, so we gave it away to another couple who was expecting.