10 Years and Counting

This post is long overdue, but Brad and I celebrated 10 years of marriage back in April!!  That's something to celebrate!!

We spent the weekend in Atlanta, and had the best time shopping and eating, and just enjoying life away from home for a while :)

Celebrating 10 years of marriage just seems so surreal.  Where has the time gone??!!  In my mind, we're still 21 and 23, not 31 and 33!!!  

I look at that picture above and can't help but smile, and laugh just a little.  We were so excited to start our lives together, our hearts full of great ideas of what married life would be like.  10 years later (and maybe a tad bit more wiser), I wish I could tell the younger version of ourselves what was to come.  All the good and wonderful things; all the the bad, the ugly.  But, then that would take the "living" part out of the "life", wouldn't it?  Brad and I have had an amazing life together - most of it absolutely wonderful; some of it down right hard.  But, the BEST part of it - we have experienced it together.  And, I wouldn't change a single thing about it.  

And, can I just say my husband is pretty spectacular?!  He is by far the hardest working human being I know, and one of the smartest!  He knows how to do pretty much anything from renovating our house to computer stuff to fixing a car.  And, he loves Jesus.  And, he loves me unconditionally.  And, oh how my heart feels like it's going to burst when I think of him as a soon to be daddy to our baby girl.   He will be top notch, no doubt.  And, she'll probably have him wrapped around her little finger...and, that will be just fine. :)  

I love you so very much, Bradley!  You are BY FAR my most favorite!  Here's to another 10...or 100!

Her Name

Our baby girl's name will be Sadie.  Sadie Hope.

(Sadie at 30 weeks)

I've been dreaming of baby names for many, many years.  Some were thrown to the side for different reasons.  Tastes changed.  Other close family or friends chose a similar name. But, the things that have always been priorities to me:

1.  Our babies be named after family
2.  Our babies' names be thick with Southern tradition
3.  Our babies' names have meaning behind them

Over the past year leading up to our InVitro, Sadie became our top pick for a girl's name.  My Granny that I've mentioned many times on the blog was Sadie Virginia.  My Granny was the epitome of a Southern lady.  She had the Southern drawl, she had the Southern class, and she loved Southern traditions.  She loved Jesus, her church, and her family.  She was a true Southern Belle.  I loved my Granny dearly.  She and I were very much alike, and for that reason didn't always agree on everything.  But, oh how I loved her.  She taught me so many things, and I catch myself saying things that she was known for saying quite often.   I'm thrilled to name my sweet girl after such a strong, Southern lady.

(4D ultrasound at 30 weeks - her profile)

As for Sadie's middle name, Brad and I couldn't quite come to an agreement for a long time.  Every name I thought of, he would quickly say no to.  Nothing seemed to fit just right.  10 weeks 4 days in to this pregnancy, we thought we had lost the baby.  I had some extremely serious bleeding, and after going to the emergency room, was told I had in fact had a miscarriage.  However, I was sent on to another hospital for an ultrasound to be done.  The whole way to the 2nd hospital, Brad held my hand and told me to not give up HOPE, that we had an awesome God and to not give up on Him.  Well, after having an ultrasound at the 2nd hospital we found out our little miracle baby was completely FINE.  Her little heart was beating, and was in no distress of any kind.  PRAISE GOD!  We truly experienced a miracle that night and were reminded of God's unwavering faithfulness!  After receiving the news that our baby was okay, Brad said, "If it's a girl, she needs to be named Sadie Hope".  It was perfection.  Hope holds so much meaning to this road to bringing this baby in to this world.  I have referred to this journey on the blog as "waiting with hope".  Our hope throughout every step of the way has been in Jesus.  Our hope the night we were told by a medical doctor that we had lost this baby was in Jesus.  We have clung to Him because we didn't know what else to do.  Every thing about the journey of bringing our Sadie Hope in to the world has been built on one thing - HOPE.  I can't imagine naming her anything more meaningful.

(30 weeks - look at those lips!)

We love you so much already, Sadie Hope.  You hold our hearts, sweet girl!

Week 36 Update!

I know, I know...Long time, no blog.  My family and friends have reminded me all too frequently of my inexcusable absence on the blog!  To say that life has been a little hectic in the past several months would be the understatement of the century!!!  Besides the obvious - getting ready for the baby! - we are completely renovating our kitchen and one of our bathrooms in our house.  And, I survived another year of IEPs and end of school craziness.  And completed a doozy of a semester in graduate school. And started a whole new semester of graduate school.  AND, did flowers for a wedding (pictures coming soon!)  Yes, every minute of every day is full with activity in the Powell household!  I have joked that maybe when the baby comes, we can get some rest! HA!! :)

So, PRAISE THE LORD, we have made it to the last 4 weeks of the pregnancy!!!  Everyone talked about how long 9 months of pregnancy is, especially going through the summer.  I'm here to tell ya - it has FLOWN by!!!!!  I can not believe we are soooo very close to meeting our baby girl!

Here I am at 36 weeks in FULL BLOOM! :)

I'm spending the day with 3 of the Favorites today, and the youngest wanted her picture made with my belly! 

Pregnancy Highlights: 

How Far Along: 36 Weeks 

Size of Baby: about 17.2 - 18.7 inches long, and 4.2 - 5.8 pounds, about the size of a honeydew

Maternity Clothes: For sure!  And, I can say I am so very thankful to be going through my most pregnant time during summer when I'm not having to worry about maternity clothes for work!  I mostly live in tshirts and shorts, and just have to worry about clothes for church and going out.  Very thankful for that!

Gender: It's a GIRL!!!!!!

Movement: She is a mover for sure!  She has been head down since our first 4D Ultrasound at 28 weeks, and has stayed that way.  However, she loves to kick (mainly in my ribs!) and throw a few punches every hour!  I think this is the one thing I will miss the most about pregnancy - it truly is an amazing feeling!!!

Sleep: Sleep has actually gotten better throughout pregnancy.  I have started going to the bathroom more during the night, but that comes with the territory I suppose.  But, when I'm in the bed I sleep great!

What I miss:  I do miss my walking/running time, and am ready to get back on my exercise routine!

Cravings:  Still anything sugary - sweets, candy, ice cream, and fruit!

Symptoms: I feel really good, I really can't complain!  I have unfortunately been one of the lucky people that has experienced morning sickness at the end of pregnancy.  But, I've been sick free for the past few mornings, so hopefully (fingers crossed) it has passed!  I also have "cankles" now - you know, where your calves and ankles are so swollen they just become one body part instead of two :)

Crazy Dreams:  I have dreamed a lot about the baby's hair - sometimes it's long and black, sometime's Afro style...sometimes bald.  Is this a sign of something?!

Things People Say:  I haven't had anyone to say anything but super sweet things!  Everyone has been so supportive, kind, and excited!  

Weekly Wisdom:  Enjoy this time!  It truly has went by so quickly, and I have tried to savor every moment.  I have kept a journal for the baby to remember specifics - I want her to know about this journey we had together, and the miracle she is!

Best Moment(s) This Week: Going to the doctor and hearing our sweet girl is still head down! YAY!  And, I have not dilated any...this is a huge relief right now because of trying to get our house completed!