35 Weeks!!

How Far Along: 35 Weeks!!



Size of baby: According to BabyCenter.com - Joel is a little over 18 inches long and tips the scales at 5 1/4 pounds (approximately the size of a Honeydew Melon).

Total Weight I’ve Gained: 20 lbs


Maternity Clothes: Check! SO SO glad it’s warming up!! I’m enjoying the flowy tops, shorts, flip flops & sundresses :)

Gender: It's still a boy! Joel Philip Howerton…YES, we have FINALLY made our decision on the middle name, Praise God!

Movement: oh my yes! Joel is extremely active! The hiccups have died down a bit but the somersaults/kicking has definitely increased!!

Sleep: Yes please, I'd love some...where do I sign up? ;-) Charlie horses and foot cramps suck! They wake me up and bring me almost to tears! It's the absolute worst feeling being woken up from a dead sleep and immediately I'm in pain grabbing my foot!

What I miss: Sleeping, energy, comfort, MY MEMORY...I can't seem to remember things to save my life! Lists are my friend! :)

Symptoms: Tiredness/Insomnia, muscle cramps in my legs and mainly feet, ternderness and swelling in my chest...I'm starting to look quite endowed, ha!

Best Moment this week: We're just really enjoying Jude :) He’s such a sweet boy! I’m super excited to see what a great big brother he’ll be to Joel!

Poem for our Jude Bug

To Our Sweet Jude



You daily bring us so much joy!

We can’t imagine life without you, sweet boy!

We feel so blessed and see all of God's grace

as you grow daily and in your sweet precious face.

We adore your chubby cheeks and cute little chin!

We can’t get enough of your silly giggle & cheesy grin!

I pray you don't grow up too fast…

and sweet memories made will always last.

You’re going to be such a great big brother!

I know you and Joel will adore one another.

I can’t wait to see how you two interact

You’re going to make such a wonderful impact!

Joel will look up to you as little brothers do

He’ll always be interested in your point of view!

We thank God for you Jude and how blessed we feel…

If there’s one thing for certain, our hearts you did steal.



Love,

Daddy & Mommy

The Zoo was...well, a ZOO!!

Judy, my mother in law, was in town staying with us this past weekend. With the weather being so beautiful and having 4 young kiddos to entertain between the 3 siblings, we opted to brave the Fort Worth Zoo even though it was the first official day of Spring Break. Kathryn, our niece, stayed at our house Friday night for a "slumber party" with Jude and Grandma. :) We were all up extra early Saturday morning! Jon made his famous yummy pecan and cinnamon waffles and then we hurried to get ready to be at the zoo by 10:00am, RIGHT when they open.


We were successful at finding a fairly close parking spot and getting in the gates easy enough and surprisingly, the crowd wasn't terrible! :) The kids had a blast & all the animals were out showing off for us.


Group shot of the kiddos:
Ella, Kathryn, Ivye and Jude


Giraffes are my favorite :) I feel like they are my "animal twin"...all awkward, tall and lanky ;-) HeHe


Jude had so much fun saoking up all the attention! :-)


The kiddos took turns in the wagons when they got tired of walking...


And ofcourse, they were all worn out and ready for naps when we left!