22 weeks

Well...We finally recovered from our crazy (but fun!) turn-around trip to Arlington for the World Series!  We ended up going to the country for the weekend because my mom had some minor surgery on her back, so I tried to help her sit still, and Matthew helped my dad do some maintenance things so my mom could relax.  Madeline, Darryl, and Caleb ended up coming for the weekend, too, so we had a great visit with everyone!

Poor Madeline and Caleb were a little sick during the weekend, and since Madeline taught Caleb to share so well, Matthew and I brought home a little cold :-)  It hasn't been bad, but we've been pretty congested and I've been really tired.  We've both been going to bed early and I've been taking some naps during the day, and I think I can safely say all are on the mend!

We don't have alot planned for this weekend (thank goodness!), but we are helping our friends Melissa & Jon move...We're very sad to be losing them, but hope we can visit them again when they get settled!  We've loved having them here in San Antonio with us.

In baby news...We hit the 22 week mark on Tuesday!  Hard to believe I'm getting so close to the third trimester and the home stretch!  We also hit another very exciting milestone...I felt the little guy move for the first time on Sunday!!  We were laying on the couch and all of a sudden, I felt a flutter that almost seemed like something flipping around in my belly.  I didn't say anything to Matthew at first, but then I felt it again, and told him that I felt our babe moving!  He's most active in the mornings and in the evenings.  Poor Matthew is so jealous that I can feel him and he can't, but I know it won't be long before we can both share in the joy of feeling his little kicks and movements.  It is such a wonderful blessing and gift to know he's growing inside me!!

I suppose it's been a slow news week for us!!  Hope you enjoy the 22 week belly pictures!

Love,
Courtney

Daisy wanted in on the picture action!

Daisy is learning to love her little brother

Baby's shoes...Mommy's shoes

Baby hug

Matthew says this picture might be "exaggerated" (we'll see next week)...I just had a huge dinner...

So it's twins!!  A baby boy & a food baby :-)

What a week...

Wow!  That's the best way to describe the last several days for us...I feel like this week has lasted forever!   We had a busy weekend (as usual).  We drove to Austin on Saturday morning to go to the mall and do a little baby registering.  We had planned to spend a few hours shopping and registering, go to Mass in Austin, and then head home and watch the Rangers game.  Instead, we spent longer at the mall than we expected, trying to find some clothes for me to wear for my ever-expanding belly and we spent almost 4 and a half hours registering at Buy Buy Baby in Austin!!  (On a side note...any of you that need to get baby things or register, Buy Buy Baby is a FABULOUS store with very knowledgeable employees...I HIGHLY recommend it.  It's also owned by Bed, Bath, and Beyond, so you can use your coupons...It's also cheaper (for the most part) than Babies R Us!)

I don't think either of us realized just how many decisions had to be made!!  I knew we were in trouble when we hit the baby monitor section first, and there were about 30-40 different options...I knew we were going to be there forever!  I knew we had to look at everything that we would need for our baby boy, but I was worried I was going to loss Matthew.  However, about 3 hours into it (when we were knee-deep in a pile of diaper bags trying to make a decision), Matthew turned to me and said, "This is fun!  I'm excited to meet our baby boy."  I felt so relieved to have his help with decisions and his enthusiasm about this baby.  My husband is truly a blessing!!  We made it back to San Antonio before too late, but we missed the Rangers game.  It was a long day, but I'm glad we were able to get started on preparing for our baby.

On Sunday, we went to Mass, took Daisy to the dog park, went to Costco, and came home to relax.  The Rangers game on Saturday night was super important to us because my Dad (love him!) bought us (me, Matthew, Madeline, Darryl, & Rebecca) tickets to Game 5 of the World Series for Christmas and birthdays.  We were anxiously awaiting a win that would force the Game 5.   We were SO excited that they won Game 3 so we knew, no matter what, we'd be going to the game on Monday!  Matthew hasn't always been a big baseball fan, but in the past couple of years, I've turn him into one and we've finally been able to watch most of the games during the season...and we've loved every minute of it!  When Dad bought the tickets and we knew it was a Monday game, I knew that it was going to be a tough turn around trip for us, but we didn't want Matthew to take a vacation day, so we tried to make it work!  I picked up Matthew at work around 12:00 pm Monday (after he'd already put in a 7 1/2 hour day!!) and we drove to Temple to pick up Madeline and Darryl.  From Temple, we headed to Arlington to meet Dad and Rebecca.  We were all worried about traffic from rush hour and for the game, but the worst traffic was trying to get into the parking lots!  We made it to the game in plenty of time to watch some of batting practice, and get settled in before the game started.

We had an absolutely amazing time at the game!!  It was so surreal to know we were at the World Series!!!  And watching the team I grew up loving, playing in the World Series!!!  It was a disappointing loss, but I know we were all glad that we went.  At the end of the game, we held up a sign for the players that Dad made that said "Thanks for a great season" because it truly has been such a blast watching them this year.  I don't know if it will ever happen again, but at least we can tell our baby boy he's been to the World Series!

After the game, we left Arlington around 10:30 pm (after we finally got out of the ballpark and the parking lot!), and we drove back to Temple and got in around 12:45 am.  We slept at Madeline and Darryl's until about 3:45 am, we got up and drove (well, I drove and Matthew slept) back to San Antonio, I dropped Matthew off at work at 6:00 am, and I arrived home around 6:30 am.  I feel into bed and slept for the next 3 hours!!  Poor Matthew had to work the rest of the day...but we had dinner at 5:30 pm and were in bed around 7:30 pm!!  I still feel like I have "World Series hangover", but it was worth it!

On the baby front, we're doing great!  I keep thinking every time I take the weekly pictures, "Ok, THIS will be the week I look really pregnant", but I don't think I look as big as I feel!!  Matthew swears I look pregnant, but I still think I just look like I've gained weight.  :-)  I keep thinking I might be feeling the baby move, but I can't say definitively whether I have or not...I just keep waiting...I know he's still in there!!!  I've been having a little more muscle aches and back pains lately, but nothing terrible, just annoying.

Hope you enjoy our pictures from the week!  Please forgive the belly pictures...I was tired and make-up-less!!

Love,
C

Go Rangers!!

World Series Game 5 - Still can't believe we got to go!!  Thanks, Dad!!

View from our seats in the Home Run porch...watching batting practice

Here we go...!!

Matthew's favorite Ranger...Josh Hamilton

Belly picture - Week 21...minus makeup and sleep!

I'm convinced Matthew was trying to get a picture of my rear-end...

Drumroll, please...

After much anticipation, Matthew and I are happy to announce that Baby Powell is a...

BOY!!

We were a little surprised because we thought it might be a girl, but it's definitely a little boy and we couldn't be happier.  The appointment went well...all my tests have come back normal.  Our little guy is measuring in the 53rd percentile in size (which is fine with me!!  No need to deliver a big baby!!) and we loved being able to see a little more of him.  He even pointed his little finger at us.  I haven't felt him move yet, so it was amazing to see him move.  The doctor said he's already an accommodating little man because he is in a transverse position, which is more comfortable for me.  I wish I had been able to ask the doctor a few more questions, but I had a very full bladder (which the doctor showed to Matthew as proof I'm not crazy!!).  Everything appears to be on track and looking good!  I've posted some pictures and a few videos from the sonogram.  Hard to believe we are halfway there!!

This past week was busy (as usual), but lots of fun.  We went drove to Austin on Friday night to celebrate Rebecca's birthday with Madeline, Darryl, Caleb, and my Mom & Dad at The Oasis on Lake Travis, where we picked Becca's name 15 years ago!  We had a great time and after dinner, we drove to Dallas to spend the night with Shannon & Kevin.  We spent Saturday morning and afternoon in Dallas spending time with Shannon & Kevin.  The weather was yucky, but we still had a wonderful time!  Saturday evening, we drove to Fort Worth to go to the TCU football game.  We met Madeline, Darryl, & Caleb to have dinner at Fuzzy's (I've missed that place!!!) and then head to the game!  The weather stayed nice for the game and even Caleb did great.  Sunday we went to a movie with Shannon & Kevin before we headed back here to San Antonio.

We're home here in San Antonio this weekend, together, for the first time in forever!!  We'll be going to Austin to do a little registering and have dinner, but Matthew has promised me a lazy Sunday...and I intend to hold him to it!!

We are also anxiously watching our Texas Rangers in the World Series!!  We were disappointed with the loss last night, but Matthew is ever hopeful (and I'm ever anxious!).  My Dad bought all of us tickets to Game 5 of the World Series in Arlington on Monday for Christmas.  We're hoping and praying it's not a sweep so we can see the Rangers play...and I can take our little man to the World Series!

Enjoy our pictures and videos from the week!

Love,

Courtney, Matthew, and Baby Boy Powell

20 weeks

Matthew asked the doctor when I was going to get a belly...pretty sure I already have one!!!

For all you doubters...it's definitely a boy!

This was a shirt that was Matthew's when he was a baby...Can't wait for our little man to wear it!

This is a video of his legs and arms moving around

This is my favorite!  At the end, near the bottom, you can see his little hand in a fist and then he points his finger at us!

This is shows his face (eyes, nose, & mouth) and his big head!

19 weeks!

It's been another crazy week for us!  When we came back from Colorado, I had just enough time to do 15 loads of laundry and unpack 8 bags from our trip before I packed up again and drove to Athens for Rebecca's 14th birthday and my good friend, Adrienne's, bridal shower.  Matthew had to work this past weekend, so he was home alone.  But don't feel too bad for him because anytime I leave him, I make him a huge tray of homemade macaroni and cheese.  It's been awhile since I left him, so I think he was looking forward to "the mac"!!  :-)

I had a great time on my trip.  I had lunch with Madeline & Caleb on my way to Athens, I was able to help my mom around the house, celebrate Rebecca's birthday (twice!), and be with some of my childhood friends on Saturday for the bridal shower.  I could tell that Matthew was getting anxious for me to come home on Sunday, so I left right after Church and lunch to head back to San Antonio.  When I arrived home, Matthew had a wonderful surprise for me!!  He got me a newspaper (love to clip my Sunday coupons!!), these beautiful Texas wildflowers, and a brand-new set of kitchen tongs (since I've been complaining about my broken pair for a few months now).  He's a wonderful husband and I'm grateful he let me go home for a few days, but I was glad to come home and glad that he missed me (in spite of the mac and cheese!!).

On the baby front, both of us continue to grow slowly, but steadily!  We hit 19 weeks yesterday...hard to believe that this time next week, the babe will likely have a name and we'll be halfway there!  I still don't think I've felt the baby move, but I've been waiting and paying close attention...waiting patiently for it to happen!  We're excited about next week and can't wait to share pictures and all our news after the doctor's appointment.

We are also traveling again this weekend.  My whole family is meeting for dinner on Friday night to celebrate Becca's birthday (since we couldn't all be there this past weekend), and then we are spending some time with Shannon & Kevin in Dallas.  Saturday night we're going to the TCU football game...GO FROGS!! :-)   We'll post pictures when we get home!

Enjoy our pictures from the week!

Jack voluntarily spent some time in the crate we temporarily set up for Daisy

My "homecoming" goodies!!

19 weeks!!

Getting bigger and bigger...

Love to all,

Courtney

Colorado

We are FINALLY home after 10 days of traveling!!  We had an absolute blast, but I'm a home-body at heart and I was ready to come home...Now I'm just waiting for the magic fairies to come help me unpack and do laundry!

This post might be a little long, so I understand if you skip it!  There's lots of pictures, too!  Here's the breakdown of our trip:

On Friday (October 1st), we packed up the "swagger wagon"  (it's how we affectionately refer to the van) with all our supplies, clothes, Daisy, and Jack and drove to Dallas.  We spent the night at Shannon & Kevin's (Matthew's sister and brother-in-law) house and dropped off Jack for a week at Kamp Klucsarits.  Then we got up early Saturday morning and started our drive to Colorado.  We made several stops along the way because I was having leg cramps (Matthew was so patient!!), but we finally made it to Amarillo for lunch.  Matthew had seen this burger joint on the Food Network (Man v. Food) that had a "Burger From Hell" that he just had to try.  I was a little anxious but the food was fantastic!!  We had burgers and the most delicious cheese fries with a chile verde salsa on them...Too bad not many of you will be anywhere near Amarillo because I'd highly recommend it!

The great plains of West Texas

We finished our never-ending drive through Texas and finally made it to Trinidad, Colorado and the Trinidad Lake State Park where we were going to set up our tent and camp for the night.  The park was absolutely beautiful!!  The campsites were situated on a bluff overlooking the lake and the mountains.  Our adventure started when we were putting on the tent...Matthew and I are what you'd call "amateur campers".  We FINALLY got the tent set up and secure and we were exhausted.  We had a meal of sandwiches and then we were ready for bed.  We all piled into the tent (Daisy included!) to sleep.  About 30 minutes later, the thunder and lightning started and Daisy began panting and moving around and stepping all over me.  Matthew and I decided to give up and we took down the tent and moved the party to the van.  We "slept" in the van for the rest of the night...actually Daisy slept (and snored up a storm!) and Matthew slept some, and I slept very little!  Needless to say, I was glad when the night was over!

Our view from the campsite at Trinidad Lake State Park

Matthew, Daisy, & I in the tent we set up

Where we were SUPPOSED to spend the night

Where we ACTUALLY spent the night

The next day, we woke up and drove to Colorado Springs.   We went to church in the morning and then drove around town for a few minutes, checking out houses, locals, and the Broadmoor.  Then we made the trip up Pikes Peak in the van.  It was a beautiful drive and the weather was fabulous.  We made our lunch and ate it at the top.  When we finished, we made a brief stop at Garden of the Gods before we headed for Denver.  We ate dinner in Denver at the original Chipotle and Matthew had a blast at the flagship REI store.  Finally we finished our road trip and ended up in Estes Park at the cottage we rented for the week.

At the top of Pikes Peak

View from the top of Pikes Peak

The aspens on Pikes Peak

Garden of the Gods

Balancing rock at Garden of the Gods

The flagship REI in Denver

The next day we woke up to beautiful weather and spent the day in Estes Park.  We drove into town and got some groceries for the week, checked out a local art store co-op, went to the Rocky Mountain National Park visitor's center for some information, took Daisy to the dog park, and watched the elk in the evening.  On Tuesday, we took the 48 mile drive that the park Ranger recommended to us that took us up into the mountains of the park and ended up in Grand Lake, where we had lunch.  When we finished the drive, we took a 3 mile hike in the park and saw 3 beautiful lakes.

Estes Park

I was a little scared of the big bull elks!!

Waterfall on our drive through RMNP

Lake on the RMNP drive

The Continental Divide goes right through the park

The baby likes a hike, too!

Matthew at one of the highest points on our hike

The hike was worth the view!!

One of the lakes on our first hike

Elks fighting on the golf course in town

The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park - inspired Stephen King's "The Shining"

On Wednesday, we drove to Boulder.  We walked around town, checked out the shops, went to the University of Colorado, and Matthew took pictures of some beautiful houses!  We also had the best meal at a great Mediterranean restaurant in town.  On Thursday, we went back into Rocky Mountain National Park for a 5.5 mile hike.  I wasn't sure if I'd make it (the 3 mile hike two days before kicked my pregnant behind!!), but I did great thankyouverymuch!  It took us about 4 hours with stopping and taking pictures, but it was a stunning view of a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains at the top!  After the hike, we came back into town, watched the Texas Rangers game on TV, had a late lunch, and relaxed!

Beautiful aspens on the trail of our second hike

Waterfall on our second hike

Love the waterfalls!!

Breathtaking view at the end of the hike!  (I look pretty tired in the picture...)

Friday morning we woke up early (AGAIN!) and packed up the van and headed back towards Trinidad Lake State Park.  We took a different route through Keystone, Breckenridge, Florence, and the Royal Gorge.  It was  beautiful drive and we saw lots of snow!  We made it to Trinidad before dark, setup the tent, and prayed for better weather!  It turned out to be a successful night of camping!!  (however, I still don't recommend it for the pregnant folks in the crowd!)

Royal Gorge view

Beautiful church in the mountains

Snow!!!  (and Matthew in shorts!)

Our last night of camping!!

We woke up even earlier the next morning, anxious to be back home, and ended up back in Dallas at Shannon & Kevin's in time to watch the Rangers game again.  We also went to a baby store and Matthew and I test-drove some strollers.  We had breakfast in Dallas with Shannon & Kevin before we finally headed back to San Antonio.

We are both exhausted, but we had such a great time together!!  Matthew also took some 17 week belly pictures while we were in Colorado that I've posted.  No new news with the babe!  Everything seems to be going well...I feel good...just larger and larger every day!!  I haven't felt the baby move yet, but I'm sure it will be soon.  I'll keep you all updated!

17 weeks!!

Love you all,
Courtney