First Trimester Finish Line Ahead!

I will keep this post brief...but I had to include some very important updates to the blog. 


First off, I went to my first Ob Gyn appointment on Thursday. I had had a very busy week in the clinic and was feeling down that I was going to my first visit solo (Clay was in Philadelphia for a meeting). After seeing all my patients, along with a round of emergencies, I was not too excited about making the 30 minute trek to the Ob Gyn through crazy Charleston traffic on 17. When I finally reached the hospital, I was exhausted and bursting with emotions....would I get to see my baby today? would there be a heart beat? how would I react? how would the first ultrasound be? would I cry? would I like my doctor? would we click the way we should? ..the list went on and on. 


So when I actually met my doctor - it was a huge relieffffff - she was perfect! Very easy to talk to, very understanding, and she made me feel completely comfortable for my exam/ultrasound. I trust her 100% to deliver this new little addition in January. 


Now onto the exciting news...with the vaginal ultrasound, this isn't the most comfortable process. There is a lot of pressure and probing, which luckily is nullified by the fact that you get to see your baby's image on the screen....and sure enough, a minute later, a scratchy black-and-white jelly bean with arms and legs popped up on the TV....anddddddd.....(drumroll).....


It was a HEALTHY BEAUTIFUL BABY with perfect arms, legs, tummy, and head :) ....and when she put on the Doppler, I got to hear the little Pitter Patter of a Hearbeat! To even try to explain that something so small and wonderful is growing inside me, I cannot even put it into words - I was truly dumbfounded. 


Then I whipped out my iPhone and took several pictures for Clay along with recording the heartbeat. (Later when I sent it to him, he was thrilled like me. Texting and calling... several times repeating "Can you believe that??" and "This is so incredibly exciting" and "He/she has a big head like me!")


I have included the pictures below...along with the faintest beginnings of a 'baby bump' at 11 weeks. What a fabulous week~ bring on the next 5 months!

Note the bump...it's hard to tell if this is from the two smoothies and sandwich I ate today-or if this is the little one stretching out - we will just have to see :)

Additionally I love that my friend Liz sent me the first baby clothes to dress this little poppy seed in. Very appropriate ;)
(although his/her dental parents are gonna make sure there is PLENTY of flossing happening under this roof!)

Hang Ten

How far along?  10 weeks (the clicker on the side is a couple days behind - according to my nurse :) )  
Total weight gain/loss?  +/- 2 lbs 
Maternity clothes?  Nope 
Stretch marks? Nada
Sleep? I am actually managing to stay awake until....drumroll pleaseeeee....10 PM! And when my friends were in town last weekend, until MIDNIGHT!! (This is major folks!)
Best moment last week? Feeling better  - despite waves of nausea here and there, I am actually beginning to feel back to my ole self! Last night, Clay and I even did a fun date night at Bacco - and I had a caprese salad, big pasta dish, and bread pudding (all w/out feeling like I was going to get sick in the middle!)
Movement? No (but from what I have been reading, the baby is kicking and punching all over the place)
Food cravings?  I have been craving Italian - and comfort food :)
Gender? I will be surprised if this baby is not a girl...
Labor signs? 7 months to go!
Belly button in/out? Innie
What I miss: Going out with my friends and partaking in all the fun (drinking, dancing, etc)....however, I know this will be all worth it in the end
What I am looking forward to: First ultrasound this Thursday! So excited to see the heartbeat and the little poppyseed !!
Milestones: I am seeing Mount Pleasant OBGYN - and finally established with a doctor there. This is a world of relief - they are so nice and attentive, and have really helped me feel like I am getting control of this pregnancy :)

Prior to date night!

YES 10 WEEKS :)

Bring in the Troopssss!

This past weekend - my friends came to visit :)!! 


Clay and I had been looking forward to this for weeeeeeeeeeeeeks. Among the craziness of going to Shem Creek, Isle of Palms, Sullivans Island, and Downtown, Clay and I managed to tell them THE BIG NEWS. For weeks we had been talking about our "brilliant" plan to tell them that we were expecting. Clay would take a picture of all of us - and right before pressing down on the button, yell "Allie's Pregnant!" However, when it came time for the big reveal, no one responded! They all thought it was a joke - seriously....a joke. In fact Carmen said "I thought you were just bloated from lunch"!!! 


So lesson learned, sometimes the best way to tell people - is simply to tell them...


Here are a couple of pics from the weekend.

 Carmen, Justin, Kco

However, when I executed "Plan to Tell" - I managed to get the response out of Colin - that I was hoping to get from my friends...See below :)

Priceless

Another Family-Filled Weekend!!

Here's me at 8 weeks 

How far along?  8 weeks  
Total weight gain/loss?  +/- 2 lbs (depends on the day of the week - and what unhealthy cravings I've indulged in!)
Maternity clothes?  Nope 
Stretch marks? Nada
Sleep? Yes, yes, and yes - I like to go to bed around 9 (I haven't gone to bed this early since I was 5 years old!!) ...but then I wake up around 6 - 7 AM (even on the weekend!) I am definitely turning into an old ladyyyyyyy
Best moment last week? Beach day on Saturday with Clay, the rents, and Hominy! It was gorrrrgeous out - 80s - and the whole day was perfect! We ended up getting to-go sandwiches, and then heading out early. Hominy was jumping around and socializing with anything with four legs :), Clay surfed with Nate and his cousin Andrew, and I got to catch up with my parents. All in all - another solid weekend.
Movement? Nopers
Food cravings?  Yes - cupcakes (which Clay surprised me with on Friday) and banana pudding (which Clay and I whipped up this morning).
Gender? Girl-power!
Labor signs? 7+ months to go!
Belly button in/out? Innie
What I miss: Glass of Wine + Goodnight rest + Running (more than a super slow jog) + Not feeling like a bloated mess!
What I am looking forward to: My friends coming in on Friday!!! Woo hoo - and letting them know the BIG NEWS :)!!!
Milestones: Clay and I have finally started cracking open the prego books and deciding where I would like to deliver (East Cooper Hospital!).


Here are a couple of pics from this weekend!!


Clay offered to go on a walk w/ me - so we went over and back on the Cooper River Bridge