A long time coming...Our baby boy is here!

I know it has been a long time since I posted, but it feels like the whole world has changed in the last 2 weeks and it has taken me this long to get myself to get settled in to the new normal.  I apologize for the length of this post, but it's the story of Liam's arrival and the story is just pouring out of me!!

We had a slow start to our week (March 7th).  Matthew's dad, Nelson, and Brenda came into town on March 9th to get prepared for Liam's arrival, and Matthew and I spent most of our evenings together enjoying our time "just the two of us" before we became a family of 3.  I was trying to rest as much as possible.  Our trip to the doctor that week showed only a little bit of progress since the week before, so I was a little discouraged that things were going to go long than we had anticipated...and I was beginning to get pretty uncomfortable!

Friday, March 11th, I woke up at about 6:30am with strong back pain.  I thought we might be headed down the path towards labor!  I had to get out of bed and start moving around because the pain was getting intense.  Then around 8:30am, I started to feel more regular and intense pains that I thought might be labor. I called Matthew to give him the heads up and I also called my mom.  She suggested I call the doctor because I wasn't sure if what I was feeling were actually contractions.  The nurse seemed not to understand what I was describing because she told me to come into the office RIGHT AWAY...I panicked, called Matthew and told him to meet me at the hospital, put our bags in the car, and rushed to the doctor's office.  The doctor checked everything out and said that I really had not progressed much and that I was not in active labor.  However, I was having high blood pressure problems again, so she sent me over to the hospital AGAIN for more testing.  Matthew met me there and we waited for the results.  Everything came back normal, but we did learn that most of my pain was from cramping and an occasional contraction.

We headed back home and tried to rest that afternoon.  Friday night, the pain got a little worse, and I didn't sleep much because the pains were waking me up every 15 to 20 minutes.  I started trying to time things to see if there was any pattern, but there didn't seem to be any pattern.  The pains continued into Saturday with some more intensity.  My mom decided it was time to head this direction, so she went to Temple and spent the night with Madeline & Darryl.  I kept anticipating that things were going to start progressing, but the contractions were intense, but irregular.  Matthew and I went to Mass on Saturday night (and I had to step out a few times because the pain was so strong!).  Sunday night was rough again...I had to sleep out in the chair in the living room because I couldn't lay down in our bed.  Sunday morning, Mom, Madeline, Darryl, & Caleb came to San Antonio to be with us and to help because I was unable to do any cooking, cleaning, or organizing because of the pain.  Between my family & Matthew's family, we had so much fun and I'm not sure we would have made it without them!

Matthew worked really hard on Sunday afternoon to get me out and about, walking, standing, stretching, in the hopes that we might make some progress!!  But nothing happened on Sunday...Sunday night was rough again, and Matthew actually stayed up with me part of the night to time contractions and to help me breathe through the pain.  Monday morning things were about the same...Intense back pain, long contractions, but irregular frequency.  We went for a few more walks on Monday and took Caleb to the park, but it was getting more difficult for me to move around.  I was dreading Monday night because I knew that I wasn't going to get any sleep!!  I knew I had a doctor's appointment on Tuesday afternoon and I was beginning to think about what I might be able to do to get things moving along.  Monday night was rough again and we tried a walk again on Tuesday.  I thought I might have to go to the hospital before my appointment, but nothing happened and Matthew and I headed to my appointment.  The doctor said that I was dilated to 5cm, fully effaced, and my bag of waters would break any minute!!  She wanted me to head right over to the hospital, but she let me go home and get my bags before I checked in.  I was SO excited that all those days of hard work had paid off!!

We came home and got my Mom to head to the hospital with me and Matthew.  I checked into my room and immediately started debating whether or not to get an epidural.  My nurse was amazing and really helped to calm me down.  She said I was having lots of back labor and highly recommended I get the epidural because the pain was only going to get worse.  I decided to wait a little longer because I needed to move around to try to get Liam in the right position (he was "sunnyside up" which was causing all the back pain!).  In the meantime, the doctor came in and broke my water.  She said it would probably make the labor pains even more intense and boy was she right!!  After about 4 or 5 contractions after she broke my water, I was ready for the epidural!!  The anesthesiologist was right next door, so he came in and hooked me up.  Matthew and I were both really nervous for the epidural...in fact, I was shaking like a leaf at this point.  We were mostly nervous because I knew I was going to have a contraction while he was doing the epidural and I was going to have a hard time holding still.  After a little pain and a lot of patience on the part of the doctor, I had the epidural and was feeling much better.  He was very kind and gave me a little boost of the pain meds because he had seen how much pain I was in.  Mom felt so much better knowing I wasn't in so much pain and Matthew was so incredibly patient with me!

Madeline, Darryl, & Caleb came up to say hello and goodnight right after I got the epidural and then we saw Nelson & Brenda briefly, too.  After the visitors left, I feel asleep for a little bit and then before I knew it, I was ready to start pushing!  I was surprise how much I felt even with the epidural...no pain, but I felt pressure and I could still move my legs.  I didn't have to push long before our little angel came into the world!  Liam Frederick Powell was born at 11:12pm...barely under the wire for his due date, March 15th.  He weight 8lbs 4oz...a big boy!!  And we found out later that he was 20 3/4 inches long.  After he was born, we spent about an hour in Labor and Delivery snuggling with him and I nursed him for the first time.  It was so very special to get to know our little guy!  Then we let Mom, Nelson, & Brenda meet him (they waited patiently in the waiting room for us!).  They took Liam to the nursery for a bath and tests and Matthew went with him while my mom stayed with me and helped me get a little bit of something to eat.  Matthew came back and helped them wheel me to Post Partum.  Nelson, Brenda, & Mom went home for the evening and Matthew and I got settled.  We had to wait until about 2am for them to bring our babe back to us.  I nursed him again and then we all went to sleep.  Liam did great in his first night!!

The next day, Madeline, Darryl, & Caleb brought us donuts and balloons...and they met Liam for the first time.  Caleb was so cute...he was very interested in the new baby...except when his mommy was holding him!!  Can't say I blame the big guy!  All our doctors also came in to visit with us.  My doctor said everything looked great and we met Liam's pediatrician for the first time and we think he's great!  He said Liam looked great and that everything from the testing looked normal so far.  Later, Mom, Nelson, & Brenda also came up for a visit.  We loved having our family come to see us...but we had TONS of people coming in from the hospital and it was hard to get any rest!  Liam had his hearing test, we met with the lactation consultant, a nurse Matthew met through a class at the hospital spent some time with us, and then they came in every so often to check my vitals and Liam's vitals.  Mom went to The Cove (our favorite local restaurant) to pick up dinner and everyone came up to the room to celebrate with  us.

Our second night with the little guy was a little rough...he fussed quite a bit.  And Matthew finally convinced me (after many tears on my part!!) to send Liam to the nursery so we could get a little rest.  I spoke with his nurse the following morning, and we both decided the little guy loves to suck and that he needed a pacifier...cause Momma can't be his paci!!  Consequently, all our nights since have been wonderful (knock on wood!!).  That morning we also learned that we could all go home!!  Thursday afternoon, after we finished all the paperwork, met with the lactation consultant one last time, and got all my meds squared away, we came home!  It was nice to finally bring our little guy home to see everyone.  Mom, Nelson, Brenda, Madeline, Darryl, & Caleb were all at the house to welcome us.  We took lots of pictures and everyone got a cuddle.  Madeline and Darryl headed home Thursday afternoon, and then Dad & Rebecca came and met Liam for the first time Friday night.  Saturday afternoon, Liam met Shannon & Kevin.  Saturday night we went out to dinner to celebrate Mom's birthday (which was Friday) and it was Liam's first trip out.  He did great and slept through the whole meal!!

Sunday morning, Mom, Dad, Rebecca, Matthew, and I took Liam to Mass for the first time.  He did great again...he really is a good baby!  And I know we're lucky!  Sunday afternoon, everyone headed home and Matthew, Liam, & I took a nap.  Matthew was able to take Monday & Tuesday off from work and we ran a few errands with the little man, rested, and just got to spend time as a family together.  Matthew headed back to work yesterday and it's just been me and Liam here at home during the day.  Things have been going well so far...I ventured out of the house by myself with him today to pick up a few things.  Hopefully things continue to go well...but I'm looking forward to having Matthew back this weekend!

Liam is a precious, beautiful, blessing and Matthew and I are so in love with him.  He is a very good baby...He sleeps well at night (and during the day) and has to be woken up for night feedings, he is very alert and loves to look at faces and lights.  He also LOVES music...he's mesmerized by it.  He's a great nurser, and he loves his paci when he's done.  He is truly a joy and I feel so incredibly blessed to call him ours!

I'm posting a few pictures of the little guy...and rest assured there will be more!!  Matthew loves taking pictures of him!!

Thank you ALL for your love, support, and prayers...know that they were felt and that they are always appreciate.  We feel blessed to have such incredible family & friends!

Love,
Matthew, Courtney, and Liam

Heading to the hospital

First family photo

Holding my baby boy for the first time

After his first bath

Madeline & Caleb meeting Liam

Heading home from the hospital

In his carseat for the first time

Welcome Home, Liam!

Nelson, Matthew, & Liam

Mom & Liam

Love!

We're smitten...for sure!

Bowles/Troegel women and their children

Touchdown!

Precious little guy is very sleepy!

Dad & Liam

Becca meeting Liam for the first time

Bowles Family (minus Madeline, Darryl, & Caleb)

Powell family

Matthew & Shannon with Liam

Becca loves her newest nephew!

So alert!!

Today's adventure

Here we are at 38 1/2 weeks now...it's hard to believe we're almost done with this pregnancy and that we'll get to meet our little Liam so soon!!

We've had a slow week and things have been going well...until today!!

I had a doctor's appointment this morning...I've been nervous for the past 3 weeks when I've seen her because I've been so afraid that she's going to tell me that I was going to have the baby right then.  Plus I was extra nervous today because I knew my blood pressure had been up the past three appointments.  Sure enough...I get in there today and everything looks great except my blood pressure.  Even though I told her I was just nervous, she was still concerned about me and the baby so she decided it was time for a trip to Labor and Delivery.  As soon as she said that...I completely panicked!!  She said she thought everything would be fine, but that she still wanted to send me over to have me checked out, just to be sure.  If things didn't go well with the testing, she said she would need to induce me.

So I headed over to the hospital and checked in...I had already called Matthew in a complete panic and he decided to come to the hospital to be with me.  While I was waiting for him, I got into a gown, laid on those lovely beds, and got hooked up to all the monitors.  The nurse said that they wanted to record my stats and the baby's stats for about a hour, draw blood work and test it, and run some paperwork.  I started to calm down a little...and of course, my blood pressure immediately went down.  Matthew showed up not long after I was settled in and sat with me while we waited to see what the doctor would say.  After all the panic and anxiety...all the tests came back normal, my blood pressure was fine, and Liam was doing great, so I was discharged to head home!  Matthew laughed in the elevator on the way down and said that this was just a "trial run"!!

Everything else is going great with Liam...numbers are progressing and he's definitely getting ready to make his big entrance into the world, but we just don't know when!!  So we're trying to stay prepared and on our toes for the next couple of weeks.  Kind of feel like we should start taking bets on when folks think he will arrive!!  :-)

We will keep you all posted on any progress and definitely post pictures after he is born.  Continue to keep us in your prayers...they are working...I know for sure after today!!

Enjoy the week's pictures.

Love,
Courtney

38 weeks

Matthew brought these home for me...he called them "almost baby" flowers :-)

Love our little son so much!!

Mommy & Liam

I think I can, I think I can....

I feel like the "Little Engine That Could" these days...just plugging along.  I keep getting bigger with new aches and pains, but I know it will be so worth it in a few short weeks!  My last two doctor's appointments have gone well.  My blood pressure has been a bit elevated, which isn't great, but I don't have any other pre-clampsia symptoms, so the doctor isn't too worried.  My body is getting ready to have this baby, but we're not quite there yet.  Liam enjoys the right side of my belly, which makes for some pretty interesting "stomach distortions".  Today the doctor says he's hanging out near the nerve bundles in my left leg, which explains many of the recent "shooting" pains.  My other "new" symptom is having lots of hot flashes...it's crazy!!  I'm normally a covers-up-to-my-chin kind of gal, but Matthew says the past few mornings I've kicked the covers completely off!  And we've definitely had to turn the A/C on!!

Otherwise, we're doing great!  Matthew and I had last weekend to get some things together...I've sorted through all of his clothes (including the many wonderful hand-me-downs from cousin Caleb!!) and we've put together all of his accessories.  Matthew has been working on a changing table for him that we'll finish working on this weekend.  My proudest moment this week was when I put together the baby swing all by myself!  It took me a couple of hours, but I was pretty impressed with myself!  The other problem was that when I finished, after I'd been on the floor for so long, I couldn't get myself off the ground...those pains in my leg were killing me and I just couldn't move!  I had to drag myself over to the door to grab the handle and pull myself up!!  I was so worried I'd be stuck until Matthew got home...no more floor time for me and I'm keeping a phone handy at all times!!

Not much else going on here...just the calm before the storm!! :-)  Keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we finish this part of the journey!

Love,
Courtney

37 weeks...looking a little tired these days!!

The finished swing...and it works...Jack tried it out!! :-)

Birthday, Valentine's, & 36 weeks

It's been a great week so far!!  We had a fabulous time with Madeline, Darryl, Caleb, my Mom, Dad, & Becca in Temple celebrating Caleb's 1st birthday.  I can't believe my precious little nephew is already 1 and so big!!  He's walking like a champ and showed everyone what a big boy he was by not taking his morning nap on Saturday. :-)  Despite how little sleep he got, he was in fine form, laughing, playing, eating cake, opening presents, and flirting with everyone who came to celebrate.  He's also quite a ham in front of the cameras, too...just like Rebecca used to be!!  When we arrived on Friday evening in Temple, Darryl was still at the hospital, and Madeline & I needed to run a few errands, so we left Matthew at the house with Caleb.  I think he was a tad nervous, but did great with Caleb and he needs the practice!! :-)  Saturday morning, we all got up and started birthday prep.  The rest of my family came into town and helped finish up before all the guests arrived.  Caleb loved being the star of the show!!  Matthew and I went to Mass with my mom, dad, & Becca, ate dinner with them (while Madeline & Darryl went on a Valentine's date), and then we headed back to San Antonio.

I woke up Sunday morning not feeling all that great...I'm pretty sure I overdid it on Saturday, but try telling a Bowles woman to stop (that's what Matthew says...Madeline & I get it from our mother, who got it from her mother, who got it from HER mother!!).  My back was hurting, my hands and feet were swollen, and I was just exhausted.  So we ran a few errands around town and then came home and watched a movie....we had a great time just being together.

Monday I had planned to make Matthew a Valentine's dinner and I ran out to the store to buy some of the supplies.  At about 4:30pm, Matthew showed up at the house (which is SUPER early for him!!), and said he wasn't feeling well (I think HE overdid it too!!), so he took a nap and did not wake until 7:45pm.  I decided to postpone our dinner and grab something out instead.  Tuesday we was feeling much better so I made our special dinner of chicken parmesan (the meal that won his heart!) and chocolate dipped strawberries.  He brought me chocolates and we exchanged cards...we never do Valentine's up big, since I feel like it's Valentine's all the time with my husband (see post below :-), but we like to still celebrate.

Otherwise, I've just been spending my time getting ready for Liam's arrival!  I'm trying to keep organizing, sorting, and arranging.  I think I can say with some certainty that I think he's "dropped"...but I could be wrong!  I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, so we'll find out.  This week starts my weekly visits to the doctor.  Everything seems to still be going well!  I'm having lots more aches and pains, especially in my legs and rear end...I think he's positioned himself comfortably on several nerve bundles down there! :-)  Otherwise, he's still moving and shaking!

Enjoy the pictures from the week!!
Love,
Courtney

Wish I had these lashes!!!

Love that smile

Hooray for 1!!!

He's such a playful little guy!!

The cake eating was HILARIOUS!!  Caleb had a blast!!

Once he realized no one was going to be mad...he went to town

"Want some cake Uncle Matthew??"

Love the birthday...

...And his new sandbox & water box!

Chocolate dipped strawberries I made Matthew (and me!!)

Chicken parmesan

36 weeks!!

I love my husband...Let me count the ways...

My husband is a saint...no doubt.  I'm an emotional person to begin with, but this pregnancy has been like a roller coaster ride for both of us.  I can't even begin to explain how much Matthew has been my rock when I'm anxious, worried, sad, angry, hurt, or upset.  This huge change that is about to happen in our lives has made me think about EVERYTHING that could go wrong, could be bad, or could ruin what we've got.  I've had many, many great days where I am so grateful for the gift of life that God has given us, and then I have days when I'm not sure how the heck He trusted me so much to make me a mom.  Sometimes I just have a bad day when I feel fat and ugly, and sometimes I just think I'll make a terrible mother.  Through ALL of the ups and downs of the pregnancy, Matthew has encouraged me, coached me, made me feel comfortable, and worked tirelessly to make me feel better.

In many ways, I think that the 9 months of pregnancy is like Lent or Advent...it's a preparation for the "big event".  I'm so grateful we've had this time to prepare mentally and emotionally for Liam's arrival and to solidify our relationship and our marriage.  I've been reading the book "Babywise", and I really like the message it gives at the beginning...the relationship between the parents is paramount and we put our children at risk when we don't make our marriage and our relationship a priority, we are not setting an example for our children or giving them a safe place to belong.  I LOVE that idea and find it so important when we (and by WE, I mean I) get wrapped up in how much our lives will change and how our relationship will change.  I know that our relationship and our lives will changes...for the better!!  But we must always make a commitment to each other for the benefit of Liam and the other 19 children we are planning on having!!

Matthew does such a wonderful job of making our relationship, our marriage, and our bond a priority.  I'm trying hard not to let the emotions of pregnancy take over my desire to do the same!  So I'm using this blog writing time to let you ALL know what a wonderful, amazing, Godly man I have as a husband...

Here are the ways I know that Matthew loves me everyday:

-He kisses me goodbye every morning, even when I'm passed out...he's even gotten out of the driveway, realized he didn't kiss me, drive back home, take off his work boots, come into the house, and give me a kiss...even if I'm still dead asleep!!
-He doesn't "expect" anything of me...when I don't want to cook, do laundry, go get groceries, or when I want to sit on the couch all day, he doesn't make me feel bad!
-He's ALWAYS grateful - when I do the laundry, the cooking, the cleaning, the organizing
-He makes me feel special and beautiful because he tells me so!
-He's VERY excited about having this baby with me and he makes me feel like we're a team in this
-He goes to breastfeeding classes with me without me even asking :-)
-When he has had a LONG day at work, and I've been at home all day, he's falling asleep in bed, he turns to me and asks "Do you need anything?  Are you doing ok?" even when I haven't prompted it
-He thinks of me before he thinks of himself
-He prays for me, for us, and for Liam every night  (and the rest of you as well!!)
-He makes me smile when I'm having a terrible day
-He is a great listener and he will listen to me whine about anything and then knows exactly what to say to make me feel better
-He accepts my apologies
-He's quick to apologize
-When I'm cooking, folding laundry, doing the dishes, etc.  he comes up and gives me a hug and tells me he loves me

There are MANY out ways that I feel loved by my husband, but it helps to remember what a priority he makes me in his life because I realize that we'll be just fine as parents and maybe one day, Liam will make a list of the ways he knows that we love him!

On another note:  We've had a slow week!  Matthew worked all weekend and I spent the weekend cleaning and organizing baby things.  It's been cold here the past few days, but it should warm up soon!  We're headed to Temple tomorrow for Caleb's 1st birthday...can't believe how time flies...next thing we know it will be Liam's 1st birthday!  Everything's still going great with Liam...I feel like I'm slowing down quite a bit.  I can barely even walk for 30 minutes on the treadmill and I take lots of naps.  I think I'm storing up for when we're sleeping 2 hours a night!!  I've also been working on "lists"...lists of things we still need before he comes, lists of what to pack for labor, lists of what to bring for Liam, lists of what to do before he arrives...My life is full of lists anyway, but these are "baby specific" lists :-)

Life is good here...and we're GRATEFUL for the blessings we have!!  Here are the lyrics from a song that has helped me with all the "stuff" that's been piling up for me.  Hope you enjoy them!

Love,
Courtney


This is the stuff that drives me crazy
This is the stuff that's getting to me lately
In the middle of my little mess
I forget how big I'm blessed
This is the stuff that gets under my skin
But I gotta trust You know exactly what You're doing
It might not be what I would choose
But this is the stuff You use

So break me of impatience
Conquer my frustrations
I've got a new appreciation
It's not the end of the world

35 weeks!

Another week in the life...

Another week down...5 and a half more to go!!  I truly cannot believe that we're so close to this big new adventure!  Matthew and I had a great weekend, just the two of us, last weekend.  We spent all day Saturday driving to different baby resale shops around town to see what they might have.  We did find a few cute items of clothing, but nothing major.  We've decided it's a great way to buy some clothes for him in the future because the selection was great and so were the prices!  We went out to dinner Saturday night after Mass and just hung out at the house afterwards.  Sunday, I made Matthew relax at home...we rented a few movies (including the original True Grit with John Wayne...had to watch it before we see the new one!) and I cooked us lunch and dinner in.

This week we've had an interesting change of weather!  Monday, the weather was absolutely gorgeous...I wore shorts and took Daisy for a long walk in the park...then on Tuesday, the weather dropped about 60 degrees into the 20s!  I know it's not that cold considering what was happening in the rest of the country, but for around here...that's cold!!!  We never turned on our heater last year and I never wore a coat...needless to say, we had to do both this week.  It stayed nice and cold all week and we got about 1/2 inch of ice & 1/2 inch of snow on Friday morning.  Poor Matthew was stuck in terrible traffic on his way to work Friday morning.  While we're both from the south, Matthew spent a year in West Virginia and 2 1/2 years in Virginia, so he knows how to handle the snow.  The rest of the city (including the TxDOT folks) were at a loss!!  They closed down all the major interstates, freeways, and roads in the city until noon!!  Matthew made it to work safely after 3 hours on the road...2 of which were spent sitting on the access road to I-35, 1 mile from work.

He has to work all weekend, so I'm home alone trying to get plenty of things done.  It hasn't worked out well so far though!  I was at the grocery for 2 hours yesterday and by the time I got home, had it unloaded, and put away, it was time to get ready for church!  I'm going to try today to get lots of cleaning done though...wish me luck!! :-)

Things are going great with Liam...I had a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and things are still right on target.  He hasn't dropped yet and is still swimming around to his heart's content...I can feel him head-butt my ribs from time to time...It seems like his favorite position is on the diagonal.  He is very active, but I think his favorite time to play is when I'm in the bath tub...he kicks and kicks and flutters all around as soon as I'm in the water.  I can't decide if he's going to be a soccer player or a swimmer...maybe both!!  I'm still feeling good.  The latest malady of pregnancy is heartburn.  It comes on quick and it doesn't happen all the time, so I'm left in pain until the Pepcid kicks in!  I told Matthew that they other day, I bent down to tie my shoes and got heartburn...I've never had it before in my life, so it's a whole new world! :-)  Otherwise, besides the little aches, pains, and the occasional rough kick from the tough guy on the inside,  I'm feeling pretty good!!

Next weekend is our precious nephew Caleb's 1st birthday!!  I can't believe he's already 1!!  We're headed to Temple for his big day on Friday and we'll come home Saturday evening.  We'll post plenty of pictures from the party next week.

Hope you all are staying warm!!  Have a blessed week!!

Love,
Courtney

Baby hugs!

 34 weeks

San Antonio snow!!