We had a romantic dinner date to Subway on our rush to make our session.

I know what you are thinking...don't over do it.

I was perfectly content with my Peachie'Os until we pulled up one car short of the ice cream truck.

This light had to be almost 5 minutes long and I was dying.

It was like they were calling my name!

(baby was kicking away.. I think he wanted it just as much as I did)

If we were right next to him I would have jumped out and bought one.

I even got my change out ready to jump out of the car, but Aaron wouldn't let me.
Temple was perfect...

We ended the night with falling asleep in bed to "The Newlywed Game" on TV.

Aaron and I claim that we would dominate.

We like to play just to see how many we would get right.

I think we need to sign up for it so we can get a free romantic vacation somewhere.

This morning turned out to be a good morning for 2 reasons.

Reason #1. My interval run.

The alarm went off and Aaron and I only had 25 minutes to work out before we had to get ready for work.

So he asks me what I'm going to do, and I told him I would run...

(when he hears the word "run" he immediately knows that's not what he wants to do and tells me he is going to lift)

What I left out is that I was going to do sprints.

Now "sprints" is Aaron's favorite workout in the history of workouts.

Probably because he dominates
(hence sprinting at BYU for his career for 5 years.)
 and makes you feel like the slowest person in the world when he takes off on a dead sprint. Literally leaves you in the dust, and I didn't think I was that slow.
I WOULDN'T try to race him if I were you.

I would rather run 7 miles than do 3 miles of sprints,

where as Aaron is the complete opposite.. (which is why we are so compatible together haha)

So I did 3 miles of intervals... Sprint, jog, Sprint, Jog, etc.

and it kicked my booty!

I was exhausted.

So if you are in need of a quick calorie burner and dont have a lot of time...

It's a perfect workout, rather than just jogging 3 miles at a slow pace.

(Of course my sprints these days are more like me running at my "non pregnant pace" haha

just kidding, they are a little faster, but still... that's what it feels like.)

Aaron lifted... Boys can do that and feel like they got a big workout,

I always feel like I need a little cardio with it.

Anyways good quick workout to kick your booty in the morning!

Reason #2. My breakfast.

My favorite breakfast in the world is cereal. Seriously, we will go to a hotel and there will be every breakfast food possible and I will choose cereal and milk. (ok or French Toast if it's really good!)

But I honestly I wake up looking forward to my bowl of cereal.

This morning it was the BOTTOM OF THE BOX.

This is the BEST part of the box... probably because that's where it has the most sugar...

oh well... regardless it's the best part!

The crumblies are my favorite!

So my Special K was extra good this morning to start the day off right!

Weekend is finally here which means date night with the husband & red mango.

Favorite night of the week!

xoxo happy weekend everyone!!

24 weeks!!

It still hasn't hit me.

My OBGYN office called last Friday to remind me of my "6 month check up on Monday".

I called Aaron in shock, "oh my goodness I cannot believe we are 6 MONTHS."

It feels like it's gone by so fast,

but at the same time,

some days feel really slow.

As I mentioned earlier,

I had my doctors appointment yesterday and got to hear my little one's heartbeat!!

Yay!! Best sound in the world.

It seriously melts my heart every time.

Blood pressure was good,

baby sounded healthy!

He weighs about 1.7 pounds and is a foot long!!!

(no wonder because he is crammed in there! He kicks away all day,

I think he is saying, mommy give me more room!)

My phone sent me an update Yesterday that said

"happy 24 weeks,

YOUR UTERUS is NOW THE SIZE OF A SOCCER BALL".

hahah what do you say to that.

Um... Thank you.

I think I just stared at my phone for a couple minutes, and then

went to the bathroom and pulled up my shirt and stared at my belly for a couple minutes.

Pregnancy really is just watching your tummy turn into a beach ball.

It's quite exciting.

p.s. I feel like I can now refer to it as my "belly"

and not just "Tummy"...

My favorite salad in the world (well one of them, I have lots) is back!!!!

Panera brought back their strawberry poppyseed chicken salad!

((it's only a summer salad))

(I have called them 3 times in the past 2 weeks to see if they knew the exact date it was coming back)

Oh my goodness it finally came.

Aaron took me to lunch yesterday,

and I was in heaven!

That's my craving this week.

and of course mangos.

I don't think that will ever change.

I have been lucky to still be able to fit into my clothes!
ha I realize that i have NO baggy clothes.
So my choices are getting slimmer.
I mostly wear my maternity pants just because they are comfy,
even though my husband laughs at me every morning when I put them on.
(Yes, those white short/capris in the pictures are maternity.. my mother in law got me them from The Loft and oh my goodness they are so comfy!!)
however the shirts are still a little big.

My 6.5 mile run yesterday had to have 3 bathroom breaks!!
ARE YOU KIDDING ME!!!?
oh my goodness and when it hits, it hits.
so I will just take off sprinting.
The people I pass probably think I'm trying to show off,
but no really guys, just trying to get to the nearest bathroom as fast as possible.
It's getting worse and they say it only gets worse,
ha so I will have to map out another run with a few more bathroom break options.

Pregnancy is all so consuming.

I feel like I learn something new every day.

Aaron and I start birthing classes at the hospital soon.

I'm actually really excited.

(I'm sure my husband is just thrilled:)... no actually he is excited too)

It's starting to feel so real.

Before I know it he will be here.

I was so spoiled on my first Mother's day.
My sweet husband brought me breakfast in bed,
and pampered me all day long.
 How grateful I am for motherhood,
and the chance I have to be a mommy in a few months!
I had my 6 month dr. appointment today and got to hear it's little heartbeat.
Melts my heart everytime.
-more to come on that!
Thank you to all the MOTHERS out there,
and especially my sweet moms!
xoxo
a special thank you to my sweet husband who made my day perfect.
I love you!

anyway.. you should try it sometime.

I also looked up Bachelorette Emily's bachelors... season starts monday and yes I'm so excited.

She is darling.

I'm sure I will do a lot more really exciting things in the next little bit to keep myself occupied so I don't distract him. I think that is my #1 Karina fail.

Law school and Karina just don't mix.

I'm so proud of you sweetheart!!!

So I had this burning desire and craving for corn on the cob..

and turkey burgers.
We had been at the pool studying,
and I had a craving for a grilled summer meal!

In the past we have bought pre made turkey burgers from costco...
but,

 we have always been searching for a good homemade turkey burger recipe.
I googled healthy turkey burgers and THIS recipe came up!
I would completely recommend it!
We LOVED THEM! They were so moist!!
Thank you google!
I had to share the recipe.
I just bought the extra lean Jenni O ground turkey (our favorite)
we have like 3 stocked in our freezer right now.
and the recipe took literally 15 minutes to throw together.
My husband has this obsession with avocado...
BIG BIG obsession.
My sweet mother in law will buy me mangos on Saturday and Aaron an avocado.
He has one on a sandwich almost every day...
haha and he makes this "goodness" (that's what I call it) with mashed avocado and salt and pepper,
SO we had avocado turkey burgers,
(I used whole wheat sandwich thins for the buns)
complete with sliced MANGOS,
and what's a meal without healthy french fries!?
(I just cut up potatoes... salted them a little and cooked them in the oven on 400
Aaron likes his fries really crispy, so hence the crispyness)
AND of course don't forget the ketchup for the burger and fries.
I couldn't live without ketchup.
My family will tell you! I'm obsessed.
It was everything I craved and more.
and it made mommy and baby very very happy.
Dessert was a toss up between my beloved skinny cow,
and my cookie dough ice cream..
Skinny cow won.
Happy Wednesday!! xoxo

It was a beautiful sunny day for Larry the Ant.

(In Aaron's parents backyard)

There he lay floating helplessly in the pool.

So..

Aaron and Karina decide to spice up Larry the Ant's afternoon.

Sadly, this poor ant would never live to see Disneyland.

So..

We brought Disneyland to Larry the Ant.

First ride...

THE DUNGEON DROP.

 So we asked Larry to step on the raft and keep all antennas, legs, arms, and tweezers,

inside the raft at all times.

 Here is Larry.

Suspension builds as he inches closer and closer.

At this point Larry wonders why the ride is called the Dungeon Drop.

Ride instructions failed to mention one little tidbit....

Just because we asked him to keep all hands legs, antennas, and tweezers,

inside the raft..

doesn't mean it would stay that way.

MUST be a talented swimmer.

In the end.....wet, tired, and probably a little mad,

Larry the Ant swam away *(somehow... we have no idea how he survived)*

and continued his day basking in the 85 degree Texas sun.

Oh the life of a bug.

P.S. we probably actually saved his life. His buddy got eaten by a lizard moments later. literally.

This week has been so crazy with finals and school.

I am done with finals Wednesday,

and Aaron is done on Saturday!! yayyy. FREEDOM!!

I did manage to take a few pictures tonight to record the bump..
(I took them after dinner because that's when it seems to show the most! ha)

It is definitely growing each day!!

(I will be honest and tell you that sometimes I try and push it out to see if anyone says anything or notices haha)

My favorite new thing:

laying in bed with Aaron at night,

and WATCHING my tummy.

baby will move like crazy at night,

and you will see all these pokes every which way.
We try and have contests to guess what body part it is.
ha we are so easily entertained with this baby.
Every kick is like Christmas morning.
and Aaron talks to him each night like he is right here,
it's the cutest.

I am so incredibly grateful to be a mom.

Coming up on this Mother's Day,

I have such a new appreciation and love for motherhood.

I see the sacrifices and time it takes to bring one into the world,

and can't help but be so grateful for my wonderful mom.

Can't wait to be a mommy!

ah i love you little one!

Last night Aaron and I laid in bed with both our hands on my tummy,

feeling our little one kick for about an hour.

Each time he kicked, it was like he had never kicked me before.

(and it was frequent kicking)

We would both look at each other "like ah did you feel it!?"

It is hitting me lately that we are going to be parents.

Excitement and nervousness, all come at once.

The miracle of life is the most incredible thing.

I can't wait until I can experience it first hand.

22 weeks and 3 days!

Sleeping has been the only complaint this week.
Every time these law finals come around.... Someone gets sick. It's the stress.
(he is my healthy boy) but never, have we been able to conquer finals without some type of sickness hitting our little family like the plague.
Of course... I try and stay away from it as long as possible..
we even tried not to kiss for a day..
haha powell family fail.
This week it hit us both.
I think it's physically impossible to not get sick when your significant other is.

So with the combination of a head cold and restroom breaks in the night,
it's been a rough week for sleep.
My body is physically exhausted.
(and so is my husband)
(I guess we are just prepping for our little one)
However... Baby is happy as a bumble bee!
He is kicking away each day and I can't help but smile.
He's swimming, his eyebrows, lips and eyelids are very visible,
and his eyes have formed!
He is looking like a miniature newborn!
He weighs just over a pound!
 I find myself staring at our fridge with all his ultrasound pictures hanging and trying to picture his little face in my mind.
I am still able to run long distances!
I have been so grateful for that!
I usually try and run every other day... that way it doesn't tire me out too bad.
And then try and do a weight work out/ step work out/ yoga on the off days.
Running keeps me going throughout the week, and even though we haven't been feeling well lately, it somehow makes me feel better. I ATTEMPTED p90x yoga the other night, and although the stretching felt good, it's not as comfortable to do "cobra" pregnant. I had to modify a few areas.
Lets just say I'm a "beginner" when it comes to push ups NOT being pregnant,
(never been a strength of mine)
so push ups while pregnant are a serious issue.
My husband will just laugh at me, it's quite embarrassing.
I didn't know extra weight on your tummy could make it so hard.
I stick to girl pushups these days and give up SO easily.

This week I am proud to say I had 2 Wendy's frostys,
1 TCBY yogurt parfait,
and Red Mango twice.
Yes you can compute that in your head and see that there were only 2 days that I did not partake in yogurt or ice cream.
(And that means I probably had ice cream at home)
This is the real reason I work out every day,
(ok I partly enjoy it too)
so I can indulge the goodness whenever my body feels to.
not to mention also that I had about 9 mangos thank you to my mother in law who brought me over a crate of them. heaven to my eyes and mouth.

I got an email this morning from red mango, that said in big letters...
"have you had YOUR mango today!?"
hahaha oh have I!! you better believe it!
and it was a coupon for a dollar off their tropical mango smoothie.
What are the odds?! I will be visiting you this week to use my coupon.
You sold me!

I am so grateful for my little bundle of joy growing inside of me.
It already keeps me company when Aaron is not around with it's little kicks.
Oh how I cannot wait to hold you one day!