Baby Bump...well, sort of

I was over at my mom's yesterday and she snaped this pic.  It's a little blurry, but I guess it will stand for the first picture in baby bump watch 2010.  This picture is a little misleading.  It was taken after a very large lunch with Scott at Sweet Tomatoes.  I feel like I should have labeled this post "Salad Bar Bump".  (As Scott loves to point out, its a bad idea for me to go to buffets.  I tend to overeat b/c it makes me feel like I'm getting my money's worth.  You know me...Ms. Coupon Queen.)

11 Weeks

Anyhow, here is my belly @ 11 weeks.  There's a little pudge, but I've always had a little pudge.  This is definitely a "just had a big lunch" bulge.  We'll post a pic every Thursday, or at least try to.  It will be nice to look back when I'm a beached whale and see that I actually had a figure at one point (even if it was curvy to begin with).

Have a good weekend!  I'll be doing taxes and praying that we don't owe Uncle Sam too much.

wosh. wosh. wosh. wosh.

Say the title really quickly a few times in a row and that's pretty much the sound Scott and I heard at the doc's office today.  We got to hear the heartbeat!  It was VERY NEAT!  I was disappointed Scott didn't get to see Little Bean in an ultrasound.  The usually punctual doctors appointment was also very long.  We waited a lot (thanks for being patient scott).  

We go back next week for a big ultrasound and a round of tests, so that's exciting.  I'm really looking forward to the next ultrasound.  Seeing and hearing are totally different.  It looks like the sex of the baby will be revealed at either the 16th or 20th week   I can't wait!!!!

I added a new poll until then, mommies: was the heart rate factor right for telling your babies sex accurately?  High means girl, low means boy?  I won't tell you what the heartrate was.  sorry, that's a secret until the big reveal.  We know there will be bets going on.

Almost the weekend!

Work is CRAZY these days.  I only have a sec to spare, but wanted to say hello.  Scott and I went to the Thrashers game last night which was fun. 

In case you ever wonder what I do, I've been working on huge excel sheets for the past week or so.  I thought I'd take a quick pic to show you how much data we have to analyze.  We normally have to print these on eight, 11 x 17 pieces of paper.   The columns go to "BY". 

Wonder why my eyes and head hurt?  I'm excited to be 1/2 way done with my work week.  ACTUALLY, I HAVE TOMORROW OFF.  Remembering that just made my day.  Correction...one more day until the weekend.  We've got our big annual company meeting on friday, so I'll consider this week over in 3 hours!

Tomorrow is our next baby appointment so I'll post more manana. 

Momma Holdin' up Pretty Good

I thought I'd publish a quick post on my tired/morning sickness status.  I haven't had so many tired spells, and I'm going to bed later. 

Saturday was a pretty bad day for morning sickness.  I started feeling bad in the afternoon, then laid in bed the rest of the night.  Scott had dinner with his classmates after school and he was nice enought to stop and pick me up some things.  I was craving lemonade, orange gatorade and what did I want for dinner?   Soft batch chocolate chip cookies.  I had 4.  It was the only thing that sounded good.  A girls gotta eat, right?

That's all for now.  Our next appointment is Thursday and I'm VERY anxious.  For some reason I'm always thinking 'what if something has happened to the baby and I don't know'.  All the books I've read and my pregnancy advisors (aka friends) have assured me that this is very normal.  Either way, Thursday will hopefully be a big stress reliever.  I'm also super excited b/c this will be Scott's first appointment.  I hope we get an ultrasound so scott can see our little bean.  Actually he/she is the size of a kumquat this week.   What is a kumquat you ask?  Picture below.  I didn't know either.

Happy Tuesday.

Valego and Mandy Dinner "Tell All"

Here's the story for Sunday night's secret telling.  I made my chili for the group (my mom's chili with a few tweeks).  It was such a rainy, ugly day I'm glad no one had to cancel.  Kelly and Darby are two of my best friends, and I hadn't invited them over to see the house yet.  The main excuse for dinner was for them to see the house.  Kelly and Scott arrived first.  We gave them a tour.  When we got to the future nursery I said "And this is our nursery".  My thought was hopefully that would lead to some sort of question or "hey, wait...what did you say?"  It didn't really work, so I decided I would have to try and find another way to tell them. I also thought it would be fun to tell Darby and Kelly at the same time. 

Fast forward to the Darby/Brent tour.  The boys headed to the basement to check out the games, etc.  Mia was getting a little restless so we started our own tour upstairs.  Again, as we went into the yellow room I said "and this is our nursery".  Still nothing, I guessed I needed to be a little more blunt so I added "....in August." That made the light bulbs go off and they screamed and were super excited. 

If you need a great chili recipe, let me know.  Dinner was great.  Company was great.  They loved the house.  Mia was adorable as always...a little shy until she got used to the adult crew...but adorable.   Mia is the same age as Max and Alex (Holly and Tripper's twins).  They actually live about a mile away from each other, so they will be in the same class at school once kindergarden rolls around.  That's so much fun!  I wonder which twin she'll date first.  I'm thinking Max, Mia's on the smaller side too. 

all-in-all a great night!

Workin' for a Living

Scott and I had Darby, Brent, Mia, Kelly and Scott over for some chili last night and we let them in on our little secret.  I'll tell the story later when I have time.  It was fun. 
Work is back to the crazy and hectic days of 2009.  I even had to work some this weekend.  We've got a board meeting tomorrow so hopefully I'll get to tell the story tomorrow. 

I meant to start my belly shots yesterday.  I'll try to snap one tonight. 

Welcome Kelly and Darby!

Falling Asleep on the Job

We had a company meeting ALL DAY today.  It actually started with a company dinner last night at Uncle Julios, a mexican restaurant.  I can't have cheese dip or margaritas, so it was pretty much torture.   We just got out of the meeting.  It started at 8am and it was 100% listening (yawn!).  I came VERY close to falling asleep at about 2p.  I was thinking this morning that I wasn't as tired this week as I have been most nights.  I've been averaging 10p.  That's a lot of progress vs. 8:30/9p.  Maybe my sleepiness is changing into daytime sleepiness.  Uh oh!  (mom and tiff- when were you sleepiest?)

I think I need to go home and take a nap.  Night, night.

Yummy Dinner with Friends

I had a great dinner with Robin and Danielle last night, so they are offiically in on the secret.  Sarah was supposed to come, but when I got to the restaurant Robin said she had to cancel b/c of her little one Anderson.  Bummer... this was the 4th time our plans have gotten cancelled where I was going to tell her. Scott is good friends with her hubby, Major, so we have been trying to have dinners, etc.

Robin was the friend I was blogging about earlier, so she was already in on the secret and helped to set up dinner.  Mission: Tell Danielle!!!  We went to a very yummy Italian joint in Buckhead called Portofino.  I called ahead and got the restaurant to help me out.  I went and got some pacifiers, little bottles and some small pastel blocks with "baby" written on them.  I got there early and handed the bag to the hostess who I had talked to earlier.  The plan was for them to put the things in the bread basket.  Here's how the big reveal went:

The hostess came by and said here is some bread and put the basket with the baby stuff in the middle of the table.  Robin and Danielle were so into the menu that it too 5 minutes for them to notice.  robin saw it first and Danielle was still oblivious.  Robin started laughing, grabbed the basket and threw it on Danielle's menu and said "Have some bread".  TOO FUNNY!  It took her a second before the D: "NO WAY!".  A: "I'm pregnant"   D: "YEAH! I'm so excited!"  She was super excited and thrilled which was so much fun. 

We also called our other best friend Laura who lives in DC.  She was so excited too.  I wish I could have told her in person (like I wish I had told Robin in person).

Dinner was faublous...thanks ladies.  I can't wait until I can enjoy the wine with you again!!!!  It's always a blast with my best friends from high school.  It's scary when I think of the stories they could one day tell my kid. 

All-in-all a great night with best friends, one of the 5 still not in on "little secret".  Tomorrow we are 10 weeks, into the double digits!  Go little bean!!!!  I think it's time to start taking belly shots (no, not of liquor...like holly did to show how enormous her belly got). 

Staying Strong and Fun Dinner

I didn't (or haven't yet) gotten The Jones Family bug.  Hooray! 

I'm back at work today after a disappointing holiday.  Neither the oven repair guy or the plumber were able enough to fix the problems and get to our house with a 4 hour window.  Honestly, why are companies like this so incompetent?

I have dinner with the high school best friends tonight, so the secret will be out to a few more folks.  I have a fun way I think I'm gonna tell them, but I think I'll wait until tomorrow to fill you in on the story.  I'm not sure which idea I'll run with.

Fun with Tiff's Family- Uh Oh Update

Tiff called this to say she woke up hugging the toilet this AM.  I'm praying I didn't catch the bug!  I don't feel bad right now...

Fun with Mom Myrt and Tiff's Family

I'm sure this will happen, but sorry for being a bad blogger lately.  Work heated up at the end of last week, so I didn't have much free time. 

This weekend was great.  The Allens were in town for Mom Myrt's annual birthday celebration.  The Allen clan headed to Mimi's for a lunch to celebrate Scott's great grandmother's 89th b-day!!!!  I had been craving pancakes, so I got my fill.  Unfortunately I wasn't feeling great Sat night.  We stayed in.  Scott had to pack for a work trip for Miami.  He left the house at 5am Sunday.  Scott- I don't know how you do it sometimes.  

Sunday I got a fun visit from Mom Myrt and Aunt Judy so Judy could see the new house.  After that I watched some football, then headed up to Tiff's house.  I played with Maggie, Coleman and Tiff and Jonathan cooked yummy fish tacos.  Thanks for the fun and dinner guys. 

I'm lucky to have nephews and a niece.  I will be so blessed and thrilled either way our little bean goes- girl or boy. 

If you haven't voted on what you think it will be...do it on the right side of the blog.  I love seeing which way the votes go.

Week 9- Little Bean vs. Gilbert

We are officially in week 9 today.  I told Scott our "little bean" (my new name) was the size of a grape and ever since Scott has been calling our little bean Gilbert.  I hate that name.  Scott's been using it a lot, probably b/c he knows it irritates me.   

Go little bean!   Booo Gilbert!

Yawn!

Scott and I are trying to be better about working out.  We got to the gym early this AM for a quick workout.  This is hopefully going to be a daily thing.  The only problem is now my eyelids are SO DROOPY.  It's just so cold and crowded after work, everytime we've said we'd go after work, we've found another excuse.  At least in the mornings we don't have to change at the gym and we get to shower at home. 

I like the morning workouts.  I just think it will take some time to get used to it.  I've been scared to jog, but I think it might be time to add that back into the regimen.

One Friend is in on Our Little Secret

I'm about to leave work yesterday when I get a call on my cell.  It's a best friend I haven't talked to in a while and I really needed to catch up.  Here's the conversation:
Ashley:  "Hey"
Friend:  "Are you preggers?"
Ashley:  "What?  No."
A second of silence...
Friend:  "Do you promise?"
Ashley:  "Darn it.  Maybe."
Friend:  "What?  No way."
Ashley:  "I don't know what to say.  I didn't want to tell you like this."
I can't lie to my friends.  Period.  I could have told the little fib if she didn't bring up the word "promise".  I caved and told her over the phone.  I suck.  I wanted to tell in a fun way.   She couldn't shake the thought that I was pregnant...what good intuition.  We decided to grab dinner and it was fun to have her as the first friend in on the little secret.  She was super excited and supportive (as she always is)!  I'll keep her anonymous for now.  Welcome friend, love ya'.

Oh Weekends, How I Love Thee

Morning sickness hasn't come back, so things are better around the Allen household.  Scott has school this weekend.  I went to work a little late today b/c of the ice.  I actually got stuck for a while in an ice patch at the front of our neighborhood.  Work was dead, so I got off early.

I slept most of the late afternoon Friday, then we met Tripper and Holly for Chili's in the "burbs".  I was cravin' a burger.  Saturday I hit the gym, napped, then went to a friend's going away party.  Kay Lee and Ben are off to San Diego, CA...good for them.  Kay Lee is pregnant and due in june.  I sooooo wanted to tell her, but I'm trying to be a good girl and wait until at least week 10 before telling anyone besides immediate family.

Sunday Scott and I hit the gym, I took my daily 2 hr nap, then we capped the weekend with an old favorite...Vintage Pizza in our old neighborhood!

It's hard to be at work.  I'd much rather be sleeping right now.  Zzzzzzz!

1st Ultrasound

I meant to publish this back in the first post, but didn't get to it until now.  Sorry if this is TMI for you, but here is our first ultrasound of our little kidney bean.  The black dot in the middle of the smaller circle is the heart.  I got to see the heartbeat at the first appointment, which was amazing.  This was from 12/31/09 or week 6, but we are in week 8 now.  

Good Morning?

The morning sickness came back this morning.  I'm feeling better now (lunchtime).  Hopefully it was just a one time thing.  Keep your fingers crossed.

Sleepy and thinking of ear tubes

According to the timeline, we are at 8 weeks today.  Nothing eventful this week, we had a nice dinner with my parents last night at Ted's.  Good to see you mom and dad! 

I seem to be hitting the "tired" stage of pregnancy.  I feel zonked by 8:30 or 9p, so I've been going to bed early every night. 

Holly and Tripper's twins, Max and Alex, are having ear tubes put in today.  My thoughts are with you guys, and I hope everything goes smoothly.  I know this will help the little guys out a lot!! 

update...surgery went great!

Nostalgia- Baby is bringing me back

No, not feelings of my childhood...FOOD!   I have been to the grocery store 3 or 4 times in the week picking up random things.  After seeing them three times, I finally gave in to a childhood favorite- TOASTER STRUDELS.  YUM, YUM!  I don't know why, but they are EXTRA delicious.  I had one for my afternoon snack today and it hit.the.spot!  Also funny, our executive chef saw me cooking the "strudel".  I had to tell him "please don't judge me, it's just a random craving I've been having". 

1 down, 5 to go.  Only I think I'll start eating them at home to avoid the "what in the heck is she eating" stares.

p.s.  is it really only Tuesday?

Hi Ho, Hi Ho- It's off to work I go

First day back at the job since finding out I have a bun in the oven.  I'm very close to the people I work with, so it's hard trying to keep this secret in.  6 more weeks, 6 more weeks.  I haven't really been feeling morning sickness ever since I started taking the prenatals at night.  I'm trying to eat lots of small meals, and that is helping tons too.

The fun pregnancy sites tell me I am now 7 weeks.  This week the babies brain is developing like crazy.  I'm trying to stay extra smart this week =)   Baby Allen is roughly the size of a blueberry.   hello little blueberry...we love you!

Sniff, sniff...

Scott and I went to Target for some intense grocery shopping (time to stock the house with healthy snacks).  While checking out, I had my first pregnant super-smelling nose experience.  The smell of the cooking popcorn made me run holding my breath.  One of my old favorite smells, made me gag.  What does that mean? 

The Fun Begins...Shhhh!

The fun began yesterday afternoon and continued through today.  We decided since the doc confirmed our little one, we could share it with our immediate family (and only you).  Moms, dads, sisters and brothers got let in on the little secret.  Just "shhhhhh" please (until 13 weeks at least)!  I have to say sharing the news was the most fun I've had in a long time.  Thanks for all the enthusiasm, we love you all!

One of the reasons we were anxious to start a family was because we love our nephews and neices so much.  It makes my heart go pitter-patter when I think of our baby playing with his cousins.  Tiff and Holly- Promise we will try our hardest to always live in the same city!