22 Week Update

It seemed like I would NEVER get to 20 weeks...now, I'm 22 weeks in to this pregnancy and can't believe I only have 18 weeks left!!  There is SO MUCH to do, in such a little amount of time!!

Pregnancy Highlights: 

How Far Along: 22 Weeks 

Size of Baby: about 10.5 to 11.8 inches, and 12.7 to 20.8 oz, about the size of a papaya

Maternity Clothes: I'm exclusively in maternity clothes now, or regular size flowy tops and dresses.

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!

Movement: Yes, I have felt this sweet baby girl move, and oh how wonderful it is!  Those sweet flutters are a reminder throughout the day of her presence and that she's growing.  Makes my heart skip a beat!  

Sleep: Eh, still not a fun part of the day...I'm awake on and off throughout the night to reposition.  

What I miss:  I would love to eat some deli meat, particularly a sandwich from Mama Goldberg's!  

Cravings:  Junk food, particularly sugary candies...I've about ate my weight in jelly beans!!  

Symptoms: I feel really good, I really can't complain!  My hips are MUCH better after visiting the chiropractor (Thank you, Dr. Hudgins!).  My main symptom is just being hungry ALL THE TIME!  

Crazy Dreams:  The crazy dreams have actually calmed down some!  I dreamed a lot about if the baby was a boy or girl before we found out, but nothing truly bizarre...

Things People Say:  Everyone is still just so sweet and super excited.  I'm getting big enough now that people are starting to ask if I'm pregnant, and a few people have asked to touch my belly.  That makes me feel super weird, but close family and friends I have allowed to touch me.  It's just not something I'm USED to - people rubbing on my belly! HA!

Weekly Wisdom:  Don't over do it!!!!  I have had to learn this the hard way.  Try to find ways to sit down and complete tasks instead of standing, and if you have been standing for an extended period of time, take time to rest!  I am soooo independent and am used to going until I physically can't go anymore...this doesn't work so well with pregnancy!  

Best Moment(s) This Week: Wow - it's been a great couple of weeks!  Finding out Baby Powell is a GIRL and then getting to share that with all our family and friends at our Gender Reveal!!!  What an exciting time of pregnancy it has been!

Baby Powell Gender Reveal Party

I have been sooo excited to share about our Gender Reveal Party!  It was such a fun night!  We had the party at Baker's on Main, where my mom's shop is located...thank you Lisa Baker for all your help to make this special night such a success!!!

My color scheme for the party was pink, blue, and khaki.  I wanted it to be all about the baby - nothing too formal, nothing too casual.  Just fun and laid back, but still super cute!  My cousin James Paul built these awesome wooden boxes out of pallets, and I filled them with blue hydrangeas and pink gerbers for the centerpieces.

My mom catered the food, and of course it was fantastic!  We had several potato bars set up - BBQ Potatoes, Mexican Potatoes, and Greek Chicken Potatoes - and salad and bread. It was super yummy!!

 The dessert table was all PINK and BLUE goodies!

SugarBakers in Gadsden made our amazing cake and cupcakes.  The bakery designed the cake, and I thought it turned out super cute!

The cupcakes had pink "?" marks on the middle.  The bakery did the inside of the cake in pink or blue, and the cupcakes had a dallop of the same colored icing in the middle.  

I made the rest of the desserts...pink and blue Oreo truffles, white chocolate peanut butter Ritz, pink and blue M & M cookies, and all sorts of pink and blue Easter candies (Just for the record, I have been sorting Easter candy since it hit the shelves...and, yes, I have probably eaten my weight in yellow and green M&M's, jelly beans, and Robin's Eggs...hehehe!)

After dinner, it was time for the BIG REVEAL!!!!  Brad and I had originally planned to find out the gender at the party...but, we broke under pressure and found out at the doctor's office.  HA!!  However, I wouldn't have changed a thing about it - we got to have our own moment of finding out, and then we were excited to share with all of our family and friends!

AND....

 IT'S.....

 A....

 GIRL!!!!!!!!!!!!

 We are THRILLED to bring a sweet baby girl in to our family!!!

May the shopping and nursery decorating begin!!

17 Week Update

It's hard to believe that we are only 3 weeks from the half way point in this pregnancy!!!!  WOW!!

Da belly is growing!!  AND, please note my highlighted hair!  I think we can all agree - 1000% better!!

Pregnancy Highlights: 

How Far Along: 17 Weeks 

Size of Baby: around 5.1 inches, and 5.9 oz - about the size of a large onion!

Maternity Clothes: Brad and I went on our first maternity clothes shopping trip on Friday.  I had gotten a little "too big for my britches"! HA!!  I have very mixed feelings about maternity clothes.  I'm not a fan of the skin tight shirts that show case the belly...I'm super modest, and the feeling of wearing tight clothes on PURPOSE just makes me feel really odd!!  Thankfully, I did find some pants, which I needed the most, and a few cute tops.  

Gender: I'm about to DIE to know...we'll know at our gender reveal party in LESS than 4 weeks!! WOOHOO!!!! :)

Movement: I've felt some pains/weird feelings that I've wondered might possibly be the baby, but nothing confirmed yet.  

Sleep: Still the most frustrating part of my day...up and down going to the bathroom, and constantly trying to find a comfortable way to sleep.  

What I miss:  I still miss my walking/running time, but I've been able to do that some on pretty days!

Cravings:  Tomato sandwiches, raw vegetables, Coke (this is a very odd craving for me because I rarely drink soft drinks EVER!), and sugar! 

Symptoms: This weekend I actually had a few sporadic contractions/cramping (confirmed by my doctor)...nothing to worry about though!  Other than that, my sleep problems have been my only other symptom.  I feel REALLY good - thank you, Lord!!

Crazy Dreams:  Every night, people.  Every night.  Once I finally get to sleep, I dream the most ridiculous dreams EVER!   

Things People Say: Everyone is getting really anxious to know the gender, and baby names...however, we're keeping the names quiet until we know what we're having! :)

Weekly Wisdom: This month I had my first true regular OB check up.  I had not seen a doctor in 4 weeks.  That's the norm.  However, coming from seeing the doctor, hearing the heart beat, AND seeing the baby in ultrasound every 1 or 2 weeks - the past 4 weeks has been COMPLETE torture.  This pregnancy has stretched my faith and taught me what true trust means.  A very wise friend told me that God uses the waiting period of pregnancy - the not knowing, the out of control feeling - to help you learn how to start trusting Him as a parent.  Wise, wise words.  

Best Moment(s) This Week: Buying my first maternity clothes!  And, getting to hear our miracle baby's heart beat...what a precious sound to a mama-to-be's ears!  

Goodbye 1st Trimester!

We have made it to the 2nd trimester!!  WHOOP WHOOP!!!

(Week 14 baby bump picture...it's a tiny bump, but believe me it's there!)

This week has been a week I've been looking soooooo forward to!  The beginning of the 2nd trimester means the chance of miscarriage drops significantly (less than 1% chance).

This has been H.U.G.E. for me!  This is something to celebrate!!!  

AND...
I can finally get my hair highlighted now that I'm out of my 1st trimester.  Everyone that has seen my hair is joining together in the Hallelujah chorus.  The gray is shining.  It's bad, people!!  

I know a lot of bloggers do a week by week pregnancy update, but I know myself well enough to know...if I don't keep that up, I'll feel like I've failed, and then it won't be any fun.  SOOO, if I don't commit, I won't fail, right?! HA!!  No, really I just don't want anyone to get bored with that...I just want to document weeks that something new/extra special happens that I want to remember...I may do every week or I may not.  Just come and be surprised each time! :)  Alright, on to the fun stuff -

Pregnancy Highlights: 

How Far Along: 14 Weeks - I've graduated to the 2nd trimester!!  Thank you, Lord!!!!

Size of Baby: around 3.4 inches, and 1.5 oz - about the size of a lemon 

Maternity Clothes: I haven't bought any yet - since I knew we were doing IVF, I tried to buy things back in the summer and early fall that could easily work for early pregnancy clothes too.  So, I've LIVED in leggings, knit dresses/tunics and cardigans.  I can not wear ANY regular pants, except for my jeans which I have to use a hair tie through the button hole to even make those work! HA!!  

Gender: We'll know in 6 weeks - can not wait!!  We're in full swing of planning a super fun gender reveal party!  

Movement: None yet...should feel something in a few weeks!

Sleep: Oh mercy, this is the time of day when I truly feel pregnant.  Sleeping is already AWFUL! I can not get comfortable, no matter what I do.  ANY ADVICE IS GREATLY APPRECIATED!  We have bought a body pillow, a Snoogle, and a wedge pillow...none completely help.  I guess the Lord is just preparing me for being up at night with the baby! 

What I miss:  I desperately miss my walking/running time!  My doctor does want me to exercise, but not to the extent I was pre-pregnancy.  

Cravings:  Mostly just [unhealthy] food in general.  AND, I could eat about a dozen Cuties [manderins] every day and it still not be enough! 

Symptoms: Just feeling uncomfortable/yucky/blah. Kinda just want to lay around and do nothing, which is not exactly possible!

Crazy Dreams:  I have always been a crazy dreamer, but sweet Jesus have my dreams been in overdrive CRAZINESS since being pregnant!!  I've dreamt my mother was also pregnant, and it was oh so real.  Yes, ridiculous.  I know.  

Things People Say: Everyone has just been SO encouraging and excited!!  Sooo many wonderful, happy conversations!  

Weekly Wisdom: This pregnancy has been ANYTHING but textbook.  I've had strange symptoms, weird bleeding, etc.  I've been reminded repeatedly, every pregnancy is different.  While it's good to talk to others who've been pregnant before, it's also good to not compare your pregnancy with theirs.  It can cause unnecessary anxiety and fear that something is wrong.  I'm praying that God will help me to be content and secure in MY pregnancy alone and to TRUST HIM!!!!

Best Moment(s) This Week: Hearing our sweet baby's heartbeat at the doctor's office.  Hearing the doctor say everything looks perfect.  Brad and I going on our first crib shopping trip! :) 

We're Having A Baby!!

I still can not believe I can type those words!  I have dreamed, and hoped, and longed, and prayed, and waited for this miracle for so many years. To some, they might would think Brad and I have been over zealous in sharing this news before the end of the first trimester.  And, to be honest, I struggle with anxiety every time we say it out loud or type it. HOWEVER, what ever happens tomorrow or the next day - God has performed a miracle in our lives, and we will savor every moment we are given of this joy!

So, I guess I should start at the beginning.  The beginning of the year, that is. Shortly after Christmas 2011, I felt ready to move forward with our fertility treatments, which we knew could only be InVitro fertilization. However, we also knew we needed to be much healthier for my body to be at its optimum for IVF. We started praying, and we just had a peace. We knew in our hearts this was the direction we needed to go in. In a way that only The Lord could orchestrate, Brad and I fell in to a WONDERFUL program, and started exercising. It has been completely life changing. 100 life changing pounds, for me alone!

Brad and I decided early on to keep our upcoming plans very quiet.  We eventually told our parents, and a very small handful of people.  How thankful we are for all the prayers that were prayed on our behalf during that time!

My first appointment back in the fertility treatment world was in April. I was so excited...and sooo nervous at the same time. It felt surreal to be back in that place!  The plan was for me to have some tests done over the summer, and start my IVF cycle in August.  August, September, and October were full of meds, hormones, shots, shots, and more shots. Did I mention I had to have a few shots?!

November was THE MONTH. The week before Thanksgiving was THE WEEK. We were ready, and excited!  What we had been preparing almost a year for was finally here!  Throughout the whole process, my nurse and doctor said on more than 1 occasion, "this is picture perfect". What wonderful words to hear!  Now we just had to wait 2 weeks to take a pregnancy test. Easy, peasy. WRONG!  I about lost my mind waiting those LONG 2 weeks. However, on November 26th we got the call we had a POSITIVE PREGNANCY TEST!!!!!!

 (The day we found out we were pregnant!)

We slowly, and quietly shared the news with a few friends and family. But, we wanted the 5 Favorites to be among the first to know...and, we wanted to wait until Christmas to tell them. Their response and excitement I will never forget. Such a sweet, sweet memory!

(The 5 Favs sporting their "Big Cousin" shirts!)

It has been so fun and exciting to share our news, but as I said earlier - also a little nerve wracking.  I would be lying if I said this has been a completely smooth pregnancy so far. We have had a few scares, and a few emergency trips to the doctor. But, every time I go to the doctor that sweet little miracle baby has the strongest little heartbeat and is moving around. And, our Heavenly Father keeps quietly reminding us to have faith in His timing, and in His protection over this little one.

We have been OVERWHELMED at the texts, phone calls, Facebook messages, and emails of people telling us they are praying for us and this precious baby.  This miracle baby is so very loved already.

(Baby Powell's Christmas gifts!)

I'm so excited to share this new chapter of our lives with all of you!  You will see these words quite often, and I'll never get tired of saying (or typing) them...To God be the glory for the GREAT things He has done!  

New Year's Surprise!

I have been soooooooooo excited to share our New Year's card with all of you...

We are PREGNANT!!!!!!!!!!

To God be the glory for the GREAT things He has done!!!!!!

Little Monkey is 2!

Sweet Jenna Beth turned 2!! She is the most energetic, fun loving MESS that you have ever seen!! It was only fitting she have a monkey themed birthday party! :)  We used hot pink, yellow, and lime green as our theme. Fun fabrics, bright gerbers, and a few monkeys were all we needed - it turned out super cute!

Of course no party is complete without a super cute wreath!

And, some polka dot balloons for the birthday monkey's chair :)

Jenna Beth's day was complete when she opened her very own Bitty Baby!  She has been looking at the American Girl catalog from cover to cover for weeks (totally not exaggerating!), and Mama J made sure she got her own baby.  Welcome Baby Katie to the fam! :)

I still can't believe this precious gift from the Lord is 2 years old!  She has been an absolute blessing to our family, and we can't imagine life without her.  She brings so much joy and laughter in to the world!

Happy Birthday, Jenna Beth!  We love you!!

Life Is Sweeter With Jesus

That was our theme for our Fall Fest this year, and everything was decorated with one of kids' most favorite things - CANDY! :)

 We made lollipops and candy corn for decorations at all the games...

 ...and, made candy themed games, like "Candy Corn Bowling"

and, "Lollipop Splash"!  

 Of course, the kids had a BLAST on the inflatables as well!

 But, probably the most favorite part for all was the encore show from last year from The Chin People!

 STARRING...

"Plain Jane" who is...plain, and "Beatrice Aldwinkle" who hails from Liverpool...

Math Team Nerds:  "Charlotte Webster" who's dad wrote the Dictionary, and "Bertha Jerkins" who's dad invented nasal spray...

"Kandy" the cheerleader, and "Joe" the interpreter...

AND, "Aquafina"...who was convinced she was a dolphin.  

The girls worked so hard to develop their characters, wrote the script around the Fall Fest theme, and did a FANTASTIC job!!  

What a fun night!

Hey y'all!

I've been gone so long from the blog, I feel like we need to make formal introductions.

Hi, my name is Hayley. I USED to blog. Now, I just procrastinate about blogging.

There's really no super great excuse of my absence except to say LIFE has just gotten in the way. I've kept up with everyone; just hadn't let y'all keep up with me!

So, just wanted to check in and say "hi", and thanks to so many of you that have sent messages checking up on me! It's nice to know you're missed :)

Be checking in this week for news updates and pictures of what's been happening with the Powell's!

Birthday Luau

I can't believe my sweet Carolyne turned EIGHT just a few weeks ago!  She wanted to celebrate with her friends by having a pool party at Robby's parents' pool, and we thought a luau theme was perfect!  Valerie did an awesome job with everything, as always!  

You just about can't beat a pool party - especially for birthdays in the south!  It's fun AND you don't sweat - 2 of my all time top priorities! ;)

Val and I scoured the dollar store luau section and got all of these bright colored sand buckets, leis, and straw hats!  Valerie did a candy table for the kids to make their own treat buckets.  All the candies were labeled with pool type phrases, such as "pool noodles" for the chocolate covered pretzels, "life preservers" for the gummy life savers, and "beach balls" for gum balls.  The kids got to fill up their mini sand buckets (dollar section at Target) with their favorite goodies.  Super cute AND easy!!

I didn't get a full picture of the food table, but the set up was just adorable!  The tables were dressed in straw like skirts, and the food was in sand buckets.  We used brown sugar as "sand" with a few shells around the buckets, and used the actual shovels for spoons.

 Val even made Carolyne's cupcake "fish" cake!  Didn't she do GREAT?!  She is so very talented!

 The kids had a ball doing limbo, a tacky tourist relay, and sand art!

 On Carolyne's actual birthday, my family celebrated with dinner and games.

This is such a FUN game to play...have any of you ever played??

 

 You don't know what the picture is on your head, and everyone gives you guesses for you to figure out what the picture is of.  Such a cute family game.

 Lots and lots of laughs were had!!

My sweet, sweet Carolyne is growing so very fast!  So thankful I get to be a part of her life, and watch her become the person God wants her to be!

 Happy Birthday, Carolyne!  Aunt Hayley loves you!