Link to Photos from Ukraine and Budapest

http://www.flickr.com/photos/28870200@N02/

Copy and paste the link to go to my photos at Flickr Photos. I hope the link works.

And by the way, I promise I didn't wear the same top the whole time I was there. I just happened to wear the same shirt on my touring day in Mukachevo and Budapest.

Holly H

Ukraine - Budapest

These are two photos from my trip, more to come later. One is from Ukraine and the other is on a river cruise in Budapest, Hungary. I had a wonderful trip. Baby and I did great!! I am glad to be back home but wouldn't trade the experience for anything. I will fill in more later about the trip along with photos or a link to my photos.

Holly H

Ella 4th Birthday

Ella had a wonderful 4th birthday this past weekend. We had a pink princess party and she really enjoyed it. She got lots of presents and attention!!! Mom, Dad, Ricki and Ron came from my family and Stephen's sisters Robbie and Mary Kay and her husband Chip came as well. We missed not having my brother and his family there as well as Robbie's husband Bob. Ella enjoyed her day but it's hard to believe that my little baby girl is 4 years old already! I can't believe that time goes by so fast, and she will be in 4K school this fall. She is growing up fast!!! Thanks to everyone for coming to the party and for all the great presents!

Holly

Dr. Appt - 25 Weeks

I went to the Dr. yesterday and all is well. The baby's heartbeat was in the 150's and my blood pressure was great at 100/60. Hope that keeps up! They gave me the all clear to travel to the Ukraine on July 4th. I do go back to the Dr. June 30th for a final check and to do some standard tests. From here on out I will have appointments every 2 weeks. I can't believe I am at that point already. Last weekend my parents came over on Saturday and got a lot done. Stephen and Dad put up a swing set for Ella's birthday on June 29th, which she loves. Mom and I got the baby's room set up with the furniture and an area rug. Mom took all the neutral infant clothes we had for Ella home with her to go through and wash. So we are getting closer to being ready. I just have to start buying little things here and there like diapers, wipes, bottles, bibs etc. I guess we have everything else we need. I am really looking forward to having this baby. With Ella I think I was so terrified because I had no idea how to be a Mom or what to expect. So I think I am a little more calm and excited with this baby. I mean I was excited to have Ella but it is scary with your first as you have no idea what it's really like until you experience it. I think I will feel better once I get back from the Ukraine and I can really concentrate on all the final touches with the baby's room and getting the things I need.

Holly

Beach 2008

We went to the beaach with my parents all last week. Stephen stayed back at home because he was training for a bike race. We had a wonderful time and Ella loved the ocean, no fear of it at all! It was a great week to just relax. We spent a couple hours in the morning and afternoon at the beach most days. On Monday we took Ella to the Acquarium at Ft. Fisher and she loved it. On Wednesday we took the ferry over to Southport and visited the farmers market, christmas shop and had our traditional hot dog at the Trolly Stop. Other than that we didn't do much else except get doughnuts from Britts just about every day. Thursday night they had fireworks on the boardwalk but we could see them from the front of our cottage so that was nice too. All too soon it was time to pack up and come home. It was nice to get home though, me and Ella missed Stephen.

Everything is going well with the pregnancy. The baby is kicking a lot more and a lot harder now! I am 24 weeks and have my c/s scheduled on September 24th. It will be here before I know it. Hard to believe!!

In 3 1/2 weeks (July 4th) I leave for the Ukraine. I am so excited to go but know that it will be tiring. I will return on July 12th. I am going for work to help with some camps there. We will fly into Amsterdam and then to Budapest and drive from there to the Ukraine. On the way back we will have a day in Budapest to tour the city so that will be nice too. Looking forward to getting there just not the traveling part!!!

Well, I am really proud of Stephen. He completed the bike race the Assult on Mt. Mitchell yesterday in 100 degree heat. It was 103 miles and went to the top of Mt. Mitchell which is the highest peak east of the Mississippi. I can't even imagine. He said it was brutal, he was glad he did it but was really glad it was over!!! Over 1000 cyclists from all over the country come to participate in the race. We are really proud of him!!!!

Holly

Latest Dr. Report

We went to the Dr. yesterday and had our ultra sound. Everything was normal and looked great. We got to see the baby move around a lot and several photos. We have one where you can see the side of the head and then it's whole leg up in the air with the toes touching the top of the head. It's really cute. I am 21 weeks and feeling really good. Stephen is taking Ella to Ky. tomorrow and I will fly up and meet them on Friday. Then the next Saturday, I will be going to the beach with Mom and Dad and taking Ella. Stephen will be staying home that week :( I am looking forward to the week at the beach and I know Ella will have a great time!

Holly

Video Link of Ella

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8779541180021789355&hl=en

The Bad, The Good, The Awesome, The Bad and Good

The Bad: Two weeks ago on April 23rd, I was on my way to my Dr. appointment. I was stopped at a light and the next thing I knew, BAM!!! A girl hit me from behind. I called 911 and told them and she asked if I was hurt. I told her I didn't think so but the seat belt got me on my belly and I am pregnant. Well next thing I know 3 fire trucks, 2 EMS, and about 6 cops show up in a matter of minutes. I called my Dr. to see if he wanted me to go with EMS to the hospital or to go and see him first. He said to come in his office after we get done with the police and he would check me.

The Good: All was fine with the baby. The heart rate was up but that was just because I was stressed. The Dr. was fine with how everything was going.

The Awesome: The girl who hit me, her insurance called me (Geico) and set up an appointment a few days later for me to have my car repaired. I took it in and it would be about a week, they had a rental car waiting for me.....a 2008 Red Mustang. Now I am not a Mustang kind of girl, but it sure was fun to drive for a week. Not so much fun getting a 3 1/2 year old in and out of the back but still fun. I got my car back yesterday and it looks as good as new. I have to give Geico credit, they made a frustrating, stressful situation a really good experience with no stress at all!!

The Bad and Good: The day before I had to take the Mustang back and get my car, I was in a drive-thru waiting to order and the next thing I knew, BAM! I got hit from beind AGAIN!! The good news, it was just a bump so no damage at all. But still, can you believe.....hit twice in less than 2 weeks!!!

Other than all that,things are going well. Ella has started to Yodel, something she picked up in a cartoon. It's hysterical. Next week I go to Orlando for work for 2 days, but all work, no play :( We will be taking a family trip to KY to see Stephen's Dad in 2 weeks and then we are off to the beach for a week. I am really looking forward to that!!!

Later,

Holly

17 Weeks and Counting

I can't believe that I am 17 weeks along already only 3 more weeks and I will be 1/2 way to my due date. It's going by so fast! I am feeling better but still very tired at the end of the day, I am hoping to get back in the gym soon. I have not been since Feb and am actually missing it. I keep thinking I will have more energy next week but I am not quite there yet. Ella is doing fine. We took her to the elementry school that is across the street from us and signed her up for Pre-K. It was exciting to watch her walk down the halls but part of me wanted to cry. My baby will be 4 years old soon and will be going to school 1/2 days this August. It doens't seem possible. I now understand what people meant when they say they want to stop the hands of time when their kids are little. She is so excited about "big kids school". She was very very upset the next day when I had to take her to her day care because she thought that she was starting school. Stephen is doing well but fighting allergies. Working outside all day is terrible for him this time of year. I hope it clears up soon! Other than that not much is going on. I go to the Dr. today and then on Friday I leave for Calgary. It will be hard to leave 80 degree weather and go to 20 degree weather!!! But I am excited to go!

Holly

Masters Golf Tournament 2008

We got to go to the Masters last Tuesday for the practice round. It was amazing and so beautiful. Here are a few photos.

Easter 2008

Well, it's that time of year once again. Hard to believe that Spring is bounding in so quickly! We had a good weekend. We went to my parents on Saturday. Mom and Dad bought a swing set for Ella to have at their house so Stephen and Dad put that together. It was only part way put together and Ella started climbing and hanging all over it. She was excited about it. We hope to get one this summer for her at our house. She LOVES to be outside!


Sunday we went to church early service and they didn't have children's church so I was stressed about Ella making it through the service. She did great and didn't really make a sound. She colored most of the time. After that we got our things together and went to Pacolet to Stephen's sister and her husband's house (Robbie and Bob). His brother David came as well as his sister Mary Kay and Chip. We had a feast of lamb and so many sides you couldn't count. It was very very good. After we took some photos and Ella searched for eggs. That afternoon Ella was in Robbie's bed watching cartoons and I climbed up there with her to relax. The next thing I knew it was 45 minutes later and Ella was fast asleep too. I think everyone there found a couch or a bed somewhere and took naps. That is the best kind of day!!!

Things are going well and I have a Dr. appt tomorrow, I hope to hear the heartbeat. I have seen it on the U/S but I haven't heard it yet so I am excited about that! I think the morning sickness is starting to pass and I am a week away from the 2nd trimester. It has been easing off the past severl weeks so my energy is slowing coming back. I keep saying I hope next week I feel well enough to make it to the gym. Even if I just go 2-3 times a week and get on the treadmil I think I will feel much better. It's just having the energy to go that's so hard. I can hardly make it past 9pm before I am in bed any more!

Until next time....

Holly

Showing Already???!!!???

Ok so I think it's a cruel joke in life that almost the moment you find out you are pregnant, your belly just pouches out. Now this was not true with my first, but's it's like the second time around your body says..."Oh hey I remember this, I know what to do.....POUCH!!" I can't belive that I am in maternity pants already. With Ella I was 15-16 weeks along. This time in a span between my 9th and 10th week everything just spread out. I shouldn't be bothered....and most of it is in jest but I really am shocked! But, I am just thankful that we are having another baby. I just hope that I can still fit a seatbelt around me at the end of June when I go to the Ukraine :)

Don't forget to visit my baby site - babysites.com/sites/hollyhoward

Holly Howard

Busy Busy Busy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Time is just flying by and I can't really keep up. I am now 11 weeks along and all is going great. I am sick off and on but starting to feel a little better. The Dr. says eveything is looking wonderful. So we are certainly grateful for that. Ella is understanding more and more that she is going to be a sister and always wants to give my belly a kiss for baby!

Work is going fine and I am really enjoying Upward. I love Global and doing research about countries that we may be able to enter. We have had the opportunity to talk to a missionary in Bethlehem and he wants to start an Upward league there.....how amazing is that??? In Jan. I went to Vancouver for Mission Fest and in Feb went to Mission Fest in Edmonton, Alberta. Both were fantastic and Upward was well received. We have several leagues in Canada and it continues to grow. I will be going to Calgary for one of our trainings in April and then in late June I will be going to the Ukraine to help with a couple of camps going on there. I am really excited to see what God is doing and just so thankful that He sees fit to invite me along! Most of the Global have been or are presently in Brazil and it is amazing the reception. 24 (90 people) churches came to training and want to incorporate Upward to reach their community. That is awesome. I was sad that I couldn't go. I can't get the shots needed to travel there because I am pregnant. So it's worth it but I would have loved to have been there!

Please check out my baby website I am using to journal the pregnancy and birth!
http://babysites.com/sites/hollyhoward/


Holly

PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can hardly believe that I am actually posting that I am pregnant. After 13 months and finally accepting that it probably wouldn't happen for us......it happened. I am just over 6 weeks and the Dr. said all is great. He did the ultra sound and the baby was there with a heartbeat already. I am due Sept. 30th

God is so good!!!!!!

Holly

New Year

Ok so I am really really behind on my posting. A lot has happeded the past few months. My brother, Joe and his family came for Thanksgiving. It was great to see them and Setphanie and Anna really had a good time with Ella and Ella really loved them. Christmas was good as well. Ella really got it after Christmas was over the whole santa thing started making sense. Now anytime we make cookies she thinks we are making them to leave out for Santa. I have started a new position with Upward to the Global deapartment doing Global Research. I am really looking forward to this change. I had the opportunity to go to Vancouver last week to Mission Fest. It was a great experience and just beautiful. Cold but beautiful!!! I will update with some other news I have in a couple of days.

Holly

7 Year Anniversary

It's hard to believe that Stephen and I have been married for 7 years. But it has been amazing. It took a year or so for us to adjust to life with another person but it could not be any better. I am so very blessed to have him. I cannot imagine life with anyone more wonderful than Stephen. He is the best husband and an even better father! God has truly blessed me with him and with Ella! He took me to a cabin for a long weekend Thurs-Sunday. It was so very nice and relaxing. It was a special time for us to get away just the two of us. The cabin was nice and cozy and already had a fully decorated christmas tree. I am ready to go back again soon!! We enjoyed it so much we hope to go back every year.

Holly

Halloween 2007

We had a great time this year. Ella helped Stephen carve a pumpkin. As you will see in the photos she wanted to go out as a Solid Gold Dancer but it's a little chilly for that get-up!! So Ella dressed up as a lion and she had a blast. We went to the church first for the festival and then Stephen took her out to a neighborhood. Ella was a little shy but when she realized she was getting candy she wasn't so shy anymore. She really enjoyed herself!

Is it meant to be????

Well, Stephen and I have been on this fertility journey for close to 10 months now. Two weeks ago we had great excitement because I finally took a pregnancy test and there was a faint positive, five days later I miscarried. I just couldn't believe it. Thankfully it was very early and no surgery is needed. I am physcially better now and getting there mentally. I am so disappointed but at the same time at least I know I can get pregnant. We go to an RE on 9/24 which is a fertility specialist. I don't know how far we can go financially with this but we will at least explore our options. I feel a sense of peace in my heart, I don't know if I am coming to terms with the fact that this may not be meant to be or if I have a peace that it will happen in due time. I am trying to be ok with either and that is my prayer to be at peace with God's will and to also be at peace with the fact that I don't really know what that is right now.

Keeping the Faith,

Holly

Joe Came to town!!!!!

My brother came into town over the Labor Day weekend. It was so nice to see him again. He took me and my Dad on a hike down to the Green River. It is very secluded and not many people even know or attempt the hike and therefore never get to see amazing parts of the green river. It was a good hike but the hardest I have ever done. Thank goodness for the ropes, I would have never made it down or back up without them!! Joe enjoyed seeing Ella and they had a good time playing. Too soon it was time for Joe to head back to LA. I really hope he, Jane, Stephanie and Anna can make it here for Thanksgiving!

Holly

More Vacation Photos