Spring is Here!

Steven had to go get a new service truck for the business in Vegas during my spring break. We decided to meet in San Antonio so I didn't have to be alone with the kids for a week. I have a new respect for parents that travel alone with small children frequently! Tanner was a champ, and Serena tolerated the plane rides well!

We got to hang out with Steve's brother Brian and his wife Brenda and we had a blast. We went to the zoo, a Spurs game (courtside seats), a minor league hockey game, The Alamo, Joe's Crab Shack, convinced Tanner to get his hair cut, and even hit up Hobby Lobby!

Serena is now 8 months old and time is flying fast! She has 5 teeth (2 on top, 3 on bottom.) Tanner is 3 & 1/2 and will tell you that he's a big boy! He's really good about helping with Serena. He loves to feed her and take baths with her. They're going to be the best of friends!

Time flies when you're having fun!

It is hard to believe that our sweet baby Serena is already six months old! She just cut her first two teeth on the bottom in the front. While I was at work last week, she started drinking 20 ounces, so we decided it was time for baby food. Serena brings so much joy to our family. She is sitting up on her own and attempting to army crawl. She gets frustrated easily, but does not give up; she just lets you know she's upset she can't figure it out. she loves her big brother Tanner. When they play together its fun to just listen to them talk to one another in their own little language.

Tanner is growing up so quickly. He's been in full time preschool since August and seems to be adjusting quite well. My favorite things he says as of date are "jamammas" for pajammas and when he falls down on purpose he says "doh! I'm ok." I have the best kiddos ever.

Steven is keeping super busy with his business, but he always finds time for his family. He is an amazing father and wonderful husband. I especially love it when he does things around the house without me asking him to do them.

I am staying busy at work. We are putting on the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie in May and hope those of you who are close enough will come see it. Other than that I am just enjoying the heck out of being a mommy!

All is Well!

This has been an eventful month for us! Serena decided to projectile vomit on me but I didn't think much of it because of past experiences with reflux. I cleaned her up, gave her a bath, and put her to bed. When I woke up to feed her at 11:30 she wasn't eating very well and was burning up. Anytime Steven or I would move her, she'd yelp in pain.I checked her temperature and sure enough, she had a 101.5 fever. I took her to the emergency room and she was admitted almost instantly. I kept having a nagging feeling to tell the doctor to check for meningitis. I was sent out of the room while they completed a spinal tap. My gut was right. She tested positive for meningitis. The pediatric doctor said her white count was really high and she most likely had bacterial meningitis. Later that day, Steven came and gave Serena a blessing. Within an hour of the blessing, she perked up and started smiling at me again. It wasn't long before the doctors came in and said they were 99.9% sure that she had viral meningitis and asked if we wanted to go home to rehabilitate rather than stay in the hospital where even more bugs go around. The doctors were puzzled as to why the blood culture came back viral and my only explanation is the power of the priesthood. I am so grateful to have it in my home!

We had the opportunity to have Serena blessed Sunday at home. She's not well enough to take in public yet so it was best to have it done at home. Standing in the circle were Elders Shumway, Newin, Call, and Thurston, my dad, Steven's dad, Steven, brother-in-law Kenny, Russell Allen, David Bingham and Richard West (Serena West's dad).I can not even describe how strong the spirit was. Serena has a lot of responsibility coming her way! I am grateful that my mom was able to make a slip for Serena. That is a tradition she started with the granddaughters. Serena was blessed in my blessing dress that aunt Debbie made and Grandma Larson smocked. I am excited that my dress is now a family heirloom.

My parents came for the weekend and it was nice to just visit with them and have them see Tanner in his own environment. The brought their ipads and Tanner wouldn't put them down. He loves his nana and pops and every day since they've left he has asked for them. We are excited to visit with them again soon.

Serena Suzanne Martin

SHE'S HERE!!!

Serena Suzanne Martin
Born July 31st at 9:41 p.m.

8 lbs, 9 oz

20 1/2 inches

We are all adjusting just fine. Tanner loves to give hugs and kisses and tries to help whenever he hears her cry. I have to go back to work at the end of September and am not looking forward to leaving Serena at home. I know she'll be in good hands. Tanner starts a full time preschool program Monday. He is so ready & has become Mr. Independent.

Busy, Busy, Busy

So, now that the summer is almost over, I've somehow managed to find time to blog again! You should all be so proud!This will be a rather large update so just bare with me!

For our anniversary in May, we went to St. Augustine to go ghost hunting. Adrienne was super sweet & let us stay with her for the weekend & even helped Serena babysit Tanner! We had a blast and can't wait to go back soon.

Once the school year ended, I went into full fledged mommy mode. I've been taking Tanner here there & everywhere and have enjoyed every minute of it! We decided to celebrate Tanner's birthday early this year due to the impending birth of our second child.... still not here yet, but trust me you'll know when she does finally make her big debut!

Tanner loves the movie cars and anything to do with it. He asked for a Mater birthday cake and an awesome Mater cake her got! Thank you to Misty for making the gorgeous cake. Tanner and all of his guests really enjoyed the cake! We finally got out pool up and running (yes... the swamp that all of you are used to seeing) so of course Tanner's party involved swimming! Tanner decided he wanted to get in the pool before daddy was ready. While trying to get in the pool, his foot got stuck on the ladder & he fell in face first causing a huge scrape across his little belly. Luckily, one of his guests was already in the pool and pulled him back up out of the pool. He threw the biggest fit because he just wanted to swim and he had to wait for daddy. He could have cared less about the huge scrape or drowning scare! Needless to say, it was very hard to get him out of the pool to eat cake & open presents!

Tanner & Steven went to Canada the week of July 4th to celebrate Steve's parents 50th wedding anniversary. Tanner loved all the attention from daddy. The trip included Old Faithful in Oklahoma, a long stretch of buffalo in Montana, and lots and lots of gorgeous waterfalls etc... in Canada. When they returned home, Tanner told mommy all kinds of stories.

It's hard to believe that our little boy is already 3 years old. He's so ready to be a big brother. He talks to my belly quite often and asks Serena ( Tanner calls her "Sah-nee-nah") when she's coming out to play with him. We've finished remodeling his big boy bedroom and he loves it. The room is double the size of the nursery, so he has lots of room to spread all his toys out and make a mess. We painted, tiled, and added a custom book shelf. Now you will just have to come visit to see how great it all looks! (yes all you family and friends out West that was an open invitation!)

Happy Easter!

This year we spent Easter in Orlando with Serena. Steven had 5 teeth extracted on Friday and I figured he would need a long weekend to recover, making me be a single mom for the duration. When he woke up from the surgery he was completely coherent and talking like it was no big deal. That night, he even at a full soft meal! I was shocked. Saturday he was feeling well enough to join us on a baby shopping trip. We stopped in the maternity store where Serena & Steven gave me fashion tips. Serena found one of the bellies and decided she needed to know what it felt like to not have any of your clothes fit.

We caught the 2nd session of conference Saturday and it was just enough to tare me down just ot build me back up again. I learned how important it is to teach my children the gospel by helping them to act and not be acted upon. I was reminded of family home evenings growing up where Tucker & Mackenzie created a podium for us out of a shopping cart.

Sunday morning we woke up and Tanner had a very cool surprsie from the Easter bunny waiting for him. That was followed by an egg hunt. Tanner pointed out the colors of each egg he found. His favorite by far were the ones that had thomas and Cars toys in them.

Happy Almost Spring

We've had quite the busy start to the year! We traveled to Arizona to visit my family & had lots of fun with nana & pops & all the cousins. It was so great because we are not sure when we will all be together again. Tucker just left on his mission to Birmingham, England and we are so proud of him! Tanner took his first motorcycle ride with pops and won't stop talking about it. He asks to play with Liza all the time. It was very hard for me to leave this time. Usually, I leave satisfied, but I left with a strong desire to spend more time with my family. I love you and am proud to be a Howe.