The rains came down...

Grandma and Grandpa Hoopes came to visit this past week and see their newest grandbaby and enjoy some time here in the Texan sun. We were very excited to show them all the "fun" things to do here in San Antonio... however, the weather would not cooperate! Monday was the only sunny day and we spent it walking around the Alamo (remember it?). It was also the only day we went swimming, because everyday after Monday was raining... raining and raining some more. It was very disappointing to say the least, but at least we were able to spend time together :)

Here is the ALAMO... Grandpa Richard, Me (with Brecon inside pouch), Grandma Kathi and Cael in the front

Here is a fountain around the grounds of the Alamo area.. doesn't it just look good enough to jump in on a hot day? Cael was very tempted, believe me, but didn't grab any of the coins laying on the bottom.


So the rest of the week we spent time doing indoor things. Organizing and putting things away, making cookies and other yummy treats, shopping, going out to eat and to the movies... etc. All in all it was a great visit. Cael got to wrestle with Grandpa, and we had a good laugh while they did. We only wish it hadn't rained everyday (besides Monday)

Brecon's Birth Story

July 5th The day before the "big day". This was taken right before my last doctor's appointment ) . I was going to my doctor's appointment (hence the picture in front of the tree) I really wasn't surprised when she said I was a "2" and 50% effaced. She was a little "rough" with me, maybe in the hopes of getting the ball rolling. I wasn't having any contractions before the appointment and thought that I wouldn't have the baby for another week or two. The rest of the day I felt a little weird, but we all relaxed and spent the evening together. We went out to dinner that night to celebrate making it to the due date. I really thought that this baby was going to wait for another week or two.. but I was wrong.

The next day, we were all able to run errands around town to our most visited stores (Wal-mart, Home Depot, and Lowes) and we pretty much went up and down every isle. I was having tightening and pressure around every 8 to 10 minutes, but nothing that lasted very long or was very painful, so we didn't think it was the "real" thing. Then they started to occur every 5 to 8 minutes apart, again I didn't think it was anything to be worried about. After going to a friends party, and having all the ladies time the contractions (which were 5 down to 4 and even a 3 minute contraction) they all agreed that maybe I should get Ben and go to the hospital. This was around 10:00 at night when Ben was running around the house like a crazy person trying to pack all our bags, and we still forgot our camera and other essentials (like things for the new baby!). Luckily we didn't turn around for them. The car ride was when things started to get uncomfortable and I was really concentrating on breathing when Cael asked "mom, why was you breathing like that?" I couldn't help but laugh and tell him that baby brother was trying to get out. He accepted the answer and then gave me his favorite blanket to "help me feel better". After dropping Cael off at a friends house and a total 45 minute drive, we got to the hospital around 11:00 and they took us back into Triage around 11:15 and checked to see that I was a 6. Then after a contraction that made my body push on it's own at 11:25 or so, I made quite a mess when my water exploded everywhere. I heard one of the nurses say "I've never seen that happen before!" They raced us back to a room. The nurse was telling me NOT to push, but it was my body pushing. They got everything set up and ready to go. It was burning, the stretching and pressure. In a moment I was trying to put on a strong face, trying to remain calm... I'm not ready for this... I breath in and out. Just keep breathing. The clock is ticking, minutes pass, contraction, body push, breath, wait, contraction, body push a little harder this time AND the baby is here!and the little guy arrived at 11:40, just 20 minutes before midnight and a Lucky Birthday (I know I already mentioned this before, but that's alright) Boy...what a night!


After the whole event, Ben whipped out the camera and snapped this lovely one of me. Ben and I both laugh that I have on his University of Wyoming Wrestling shirt (Go Pokes!) but it was just what I threw on the way out the door
Getting all cleaned up after his entry into the world
The proud daddy. When asked how everything went he says "it was easy"


Brecon wasn't too happy with this last one... but momma sure is proud of her little guy

We are all doing well and adjusting to having a new baby in the house. We are just excited, even though we weren't "prepared" for baby Brecon to come when he did, we are glad that he is here. Hope you all enjoyed the pictures and the story.

Baby Brecon

Happy Birthday!!!!

Here are some quick pictures of our baby boy Brecon Eugene Platt, born on the 6th of July 2007 at 11:40 pm. He weighed 7lbs 11 oz and was 20 inches long. He was determined to come when he did and we barely made it into the hospital room, but everything turned out amazing and we wouldn't change a thing. We were hoping for a Lucky 7 birthday and they even had us in room number 7... but our boy was not going to wait another minute. He is doing really well and acting like a typical newborn: eat, sleep, and poop.

Of course Cael was very excited to be a big brother and he absolutely adores Brecon already.

Our Old House

As many of you know, we moved to San Antonio, TEXAS last year because Ben was starting his Internal Medicine Residency at Brook Army Medical Center. We bought a 25 year old home in a nice little community, which happens to be within the boundaries of the San Pedro Ward (which we love). Except for living in a hotel for almost a month, the move was a success and we have enjoyed living here for the past year.


Also, because our home was a little "older", there were some things that just had to be done. We scraped the popcorn ceilings and retextured them, scraped the walls and retextured them as well, removed wallpaper and painted everywhere, replaced some toilets, installed new lighting in the bathrooms, rearranged some kitchen cabinets, put tile in the kitchen, entry way, laundry room and bathrooms, and installed wood flooring in the living room, dining room and library/office room. It has been a journey, but we can say there is only one more thing for us to do in order to make the remodel a success. This would be replacing the countertops in the kitchen, but something we are waiting on at the current time. And now I would like to pleasure you all with some pictures of our home... BEFORE the changes took place.

Here is our Home. The newest addition we did here was a new roof that was done the early part of March. Thank you Home Owner Insurance!



Here is the kitchen and the lovely wall paper that was removed, and the cabinets around the refrigerator were adjusted. Crown molding was put on top of the cabinets to help them become a little more distinct.

The other side of the kitchen. We also put in new appliances and different hardware (handles) on the cabinets.

This is our living room. We really thought the wood beams were very unique and the rock fire place is such a great addition, although I feel the mantel needs to be a little bigger :) We put in wood floors in this location.


Sorry I didn't turn this picture of the middle bathroom. Out of all the wallpaper removal, this stuff gave me the hardest time coming off. Don't you love it? Connected to this sink area, is a toilet and old white metal tub which Cael adores. He can slide from one end to the other and back again during bathtime, and if I'm lucky, he doesn't splash out his entire bath water:)
Cael's favorite tub....



The other guest bathroom. We put in a pedastle sink and new toilet, removed the wallpaper and put tile on the floor in here.

This is the master shower and I wish this picture would show the step down. We lovingly call the "font" because of its' unique-ness. We re-tiled and bought new fixtures for this shower. (Again, sorry it isn't turned)




The dining room and it's original curtains and lovely light fixture.
and finally the backyard....
looking back at the house.... We sure love our trees!

I hoped everyone enjoyed the BEFORE pictures, because I have yet to take the AFTER... but look for them very soon :)