Baby Howe- Due September 5th, 2012

Mike and I are thrilled to announce we are expecting "Baby Howe" around September 5th, 2012 :) He/she is due to be a Labor Day weekend baby, but if Baby Howe is anything like their momma, they are bound to be late :) We have been blessed with a wonderful OB, thrilled grandparents, aunts, uncles, and great grandparents, as well as extended family, and a smooth pregnancy so far. We couldn't be more excited!

We found out December 30th, that we were expecting. We told my parents and some extended family when we went up to TC in late January.

Here are some pics of us sharing the big news with Mike's parents in Vermont the following weekend in early February.

Telling Mike's parents at the Simon Pearce restaurant for dinner-- we brought blue and pink paint chips and asked which color we should paint the extra bedroom because we were going to renovate it this summer....I think we surprised them!!

9 weeks, 5 days

11 weeks

Stretching his/her legs at 12 weeks

Waving hello at 12 weeks...

Baby Howe at 19 weeks, 1 day...

Little leg..

Here are a few obligatory bump shots....

5 weeks- no bump....

14 weeks, barely visible bump....

18 weeks... bump is small but slightly more visible..

Here's to a happy and healthy remaining 21 weeks of pregnancy :) Lots to do between now and then!

AAAAI- allergy conference in Orlando, March 2012

In early march I headed to Orlando to present my research with the rest of the allergy department.

Standing by my poster....

Fellows and attendings at U of M

Fellows with Dr. Baker, the division chief, and Echo, our administrative assistant.

David, Laura, Dr. Baker, Jackie, Echo

The day we left to come home was a fun one...Jackie, John and I spent the morning at SeaWorld.

Jackie and John

Sea lion pics for Mike who had already headed home and back to work.

Shamu

Updated living room pic...

Doesn't it looks so much better with Coventry Gray walls-- we love the calming blue gray walls and the updated fireplace-- it is much more "us". Thanks for all of the hard work on the fireplace Mike (I can only take credit for painting the walls!)...

Winter trip to VT to Ski with the Howes

We went out to Stowe, VT in early February for a weekend to ski and spend time with Mike's parents. On the way up to Stowe, we stopped at Simon Pearce to admire some beautiful glass and have dinner....

Dinner at Simon Pierce

Arriving it Stowe- we stayed at that beautiful red inn in the picture below.

Jeff and Mike on the ski hill...

Stowe was picturesque, we loved it! We had a great weekend. Thanks so much Mom and Dad Howe for the wonderful weekend get away!

January Visit to TC

Snowshoeing out at the Old Mission Peninsula Lighthouse...

Cold and blustery day, but it was great to get out and get some exercise with Mom and Dad!

Michigan vs OSU Hockey- in Cleveland, OH

In January, we headed down to Cleveland to visit our friends Kevin and Crystal and watch a little outdoor hockey. It was freezing, but so good to see them, and lots of fun to see an outdoor hockey game! U of M won :)

Staying warm in the stands with hot chocolate....

Kevin and Crystal are getting married in May- can't wait to see you guys again soon!

Christmas in Ann Arbor

Mike finished renovating the fireplace right before the holidays-- he repainted the brick, varnished and stained and mounted a new mantle, and added glass doors to the fireplace. He also removed our old brown ugly tile, and layed some beautiful slate- such an improvement. We have since painted the walls a calming gray blue-- we need to get a new pic for an update...

Our beautiful Christmas Tree this year....

We got everything we wished for this Christmas....

Christmas in Traverse City

This Christmas was filled with lots of fun, and "Just Dance 3".

Christmas Eve at Christine and Todd's house...

Betsy, Jenna, Jayla (and even Aiden was getting into it!)

Louise, Laura, Jayla, Jenna

Mike and Bee

We stayed overnight at the Elsenheimer's, it was such fun to see Aiden and Avery on Christmas morning....later we headed to the Nichols, where Grandpa Nichols gave A and A one of their christmas gifts-- the Air Swimmers Shark Balloon....

More Just Dance 3-- Avery was really good!

Mike, Laura and Avery.

My mom always decorates the most beautiful Christmas Tree

Hike at the State Hospital Grounds with Molly B and Cory!

It was short but sweet- I can't wait to be done with fellowship so we can be on our own terms for when we can and can't take vacation :)

Mom's surprise 60th Birthday Party

Dad, Christine, and I had a lot of fun planning Mom's surprise 60th B-day party. It started with lots of her friends and family on a wine tour in Leelanau County.

Christine and Todd

First stop- L. Mawby!

2nd Stop- "45 North"

Last stop- Dinner at Riverside in Leland....

Happy Birthday Mom- you look so much younger than 60-- we had a blast celebrating with you!!