A Girl and Her Boys

Had my second doc appointment today with baby tres. I've gained just under 1 lb and blood pressure is good. Official due date of May 27th is confirmed. Dr Rips had a resident with her today which I always say yes to allowing them to come in...education is important (and I'm a soon to be doctors wife so I get it). The resident had a hard time finding baby's heartbeat which she said she has trouble but then Dr Rips couldn't find it either...slight moment of panic for mommy. Dr said this isn't uncommon so mommy just got to have another sonogram. The sonographer was a little nervous at first because she thought I was 13 wks vs 11 wks but I assured her I was only 11 and then she found baby and heartbeat right away. I didn't realize just how nervous I was until she said "there it is" and my heart started beating again. Baby tres looks great and measures 12w1d. Heart rate was 153. No more scares, ok little one? It actually looks like a teeny beebee now so it ...

Oh my goodness, Beckett will be ONE in a matter of days. O. N. E. I finally got his invitations ordered and working on getting them mailed out ASAP. Lots of birthday party planning in the works. First birthdays are a big, big deal with this mommy so Beckett's will be no exception. It's going to be fun! Can't believe this little stinker is almost ONE... He's rotten but I love him (and that face) to pieces. A very long catch up post about his first year to follow...

So, not much to update. Feeling tired still but cutting out caffeine and going to bed at 9:30 every night has helped. Well, helped with the exhaustion but I get nothing done around the house or work at night. I've lost a couple pounds despite the non-exercise schedule and eating gobs and gobs. I guess breastfeeding and growing a human take a lot of extra calories. I'm going to tell my boss next week. Only 2 of my coworkers know and for some reason I'm dreading telling everyone. Probably because it's not good timing at work to go on maternity leave a year after you start. Plus my boss has been super stressed and I hate to add to that. But we have a team lunch next week and that feels like as good a time as any instead of awkwardly blurting it out in the small confines of his office, just the two of us. Wish me luck with all that. We are trying to figure out things financially on our end to get us through the end of Jason's doctorate program next year. Looks like we m...

So the Royals are going to the World Series after an 8-0 undefeated postseason sweep. First time even in the postseason since 1985...29 years is a long time to wait but this has been so amazing to see that it's definitely been worth it! Go Royals!!

Last Friday (Oct 3), Jason had his business card ceremony. Cleveland makes a mini production out of the student getting their Intern business cards for clinic. Sort of a milestone graduation ceremony. There's a lunch, some speeches, each student walks on stage to shake hands with the clinic director and president of Cleveland and get their picture taken. It's a simple ceremony but it represents a huge accomplishment and a lot of hours [and money] spent to get to this point.  Jason's parents made the drive from Texas to attend and we brought all three boys. He'd never say it, but I know it meant the world to him that we could all be there.  I cannot express how proud I am of him. He's come so far, gotten through a lot of tough days/nights/exams and he's done an amazing job. He is going to be an awesome DC, I'm so impressed with how well he does already and he's still learning! I can't wait to see him finish his journey and watch him accomplish all of ...

Beckett would like to announce, he's being promoted to Big Brother. Baby Allen #3 will be here on/around May 27, 2015. This baby is a BIG surprise...frankly, I'm kicking myself for being so stubborn about the whole "I don't want to mess with my milk supply so I'm just going to count my days in my cycle and not take my birth control" decision. But we are just going to move passed all that and my total panic attack over what the hell we are going to do for 7 month [or more] till Daddy finishes school and starts working. . .[pardon me while I freak out for a brief moment for the billionth time] but I digress. We are slowly moving passed shock and in to excitement, as we start to announce the news to everyone. At least we've had fun with all the responses everyone's had. Babies are always exciting good news, right? Moving on, I had my first dr appointment yesterday. All is well so far and I got to see our newest little bean and his/her heart beating in a s...

20. Describe 3 significant memories from your childhood. 1. One Christmas, I wanted a barbie house so bad so I asked Santa for one. It was at a point where I wasn't sure Santa really existed so I didn't really think I would get it. On Christmas morning, under the Christmas tree, was the most beautiful, fully set up Barbie house! I just KNEW Santa was real after that and I believed for a very long time. I'm thankful for my parents helping us to truly believe in magic and letting us be kids as long as possible. 2. When I was 12 or 13, my step mom slapped me across the face for calling her a bitch in the car on the way home from the pool (where she sent me and my step brother every day of the summer - he had lots of friends and loved it, I did not). When we got back to the house, she made me sit in the corner by the A/C vent in my wet swim suit while my step brothers made fun of me and my nose running/sniffing...because I was so cold and wet. I stopped going to visit my da...

19. How did you feel the moment you became a parent? Pure. Overwhelming. J. O. Y. You are so tired and so ready for it to be over and then he's out and you look at your baby first the very first time as they lay that slimey, wriggling bundle into your arms, and it feels like your heart might leap out of your chest it is so filled with love and joy. You don't know whether to cry or laugh so you do both and it comes out like a giggle and a sob all in one. The rest of the room completely disappears and all you can do is stare at the little person you created. And all nine months of pregnancy and all 14 hours of labor are an insignificant sacrifice in comparison to this moment. And all of a sudden, nothing else matters but this little person. Becoming a parent is the most amazing and special feeling in the world. Nothing compares. Brazos Carl Allen Beckett Anthony Allen

18. What do you think your spouse loves most about you? This is a good one to answer with Valentine's Day right around the corner. Since I'm not really sure what he would say he loves most about me (I've never asked and he's never told me), I sent him a text to ask him: Me: Writing in my blog while eating my lunch. One of the questions I have is "What does  your spouse love most about you?". I'm not sure, so what DO you love most about me?? :)  Jason: That you blog during lunch. Welp, there you have it...How romantical (and goofy which is one of the things I love most about HIM) **He later responded with "Good Mom" and "Our many similarities". I like those answers much better :)

Brazos turned three this year so we get to start the annual birthday interview! :) Here are his responses: How old are you? Three What is your nickname? Braz-monster (mommy answered this one)  What is your favorite color? Red  What is your favorite toy? Cars  What is your favorite fruit? Oranges  What is your favorite tv show? Mickey Mouse What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch? Peas  What is your favorite outfit? I don't know  What is your favorite game? Tag yer it What is your favorite snack? Gummies What is your favorite animal? Tiger What is your favorite song? Sunshine (You are my sunshine) What is your favorite book? Pokey Little Puppy  Who is your best friend? Beckett  What is your favorite cereal? Cheerios What is your favorite thing to do  outside? Play  What is your favorite drink? Juice What is your favorite holiday? Halloween  What do you like to take to bed with you at night? Frank (his stuffe...

17. What is the thing you most wish you were great at? I really wish I were a better wife/mom. I wish I could manage the house, kids, work, and relationship in a perfect balance. I hope someday to be that wife and mother that always has it together and house in perfect order. One who never misses a moment of her kids life - baseball games, valentine's day parties, birthdays, everything. A mom who always makes her kids feel special and important. And being a loving wife, always supportive of her husband and always doing special things for him and together. Honestly, that's the most important thing to me in life and I want to be my very best at it. Its my #1 prayer every day, after the good health of my family and friends. I know I shouldn't beat myself up over my shortcomings, but I really hope someday these things will be true about me.

16. What are your 5 greatest accomplishments? 1. Brazos Carl Allen 2. Beckett Anthony Allen 3. Graduating from college 4. Getting Baptized 5. Running a Half Marathon

15. Describe when you knew your spouse was the one or how you fell in love. Jason and I met through a mutual friend, Lindsey, about 6 months after I moved to KC. We were all going to go to a concert together and we started chatting back and forth. A couple days after we started talking he invited me over to his place to hang out and watch movies. We were pretty much a couple after that. Jason and I always had a blast together and made each other laugh. I fell in love with his smile, his goofy jokes, his determination and definitely his sweet side. He stands up for me when I don't stand up for myself. Without him I never would have gotten into running or yoga which I love. He pushes me to be the best I can. Not to mention he is a great father to our boys. We've had a lot of really hard times and I'm not sure how we've made it through other than love. No matter what I know I will always love him despite his faults, despite what we've been through or where we go fr...

14. Describe 5 weaknesses   and  strengths you have. Weaknesses (I can only list 5??!?): 1. Time Management - I am the queen of wasting time and dilly-dallying. 2. Housekeeping - I'm not good at it. Its caused marital problems in both my marriages. I wish I was better at it because Weakness #1 3. Birthdays/Holidays for my kids - I have really sucked up every birthday and holiday of my kids lives so far (except Braz's 1st). I am determined to fix this one...SOON. 4. I don't feel I deserve good things in life - I put everyone else needs/wants above my own and I don't go after the things I truly want in life. 5. I'm terrible at keeping in touch with my friends and family...just so you know, I think about all of you every day many, many times a day. Strengths (I have to list 5??!?): 1. Artsy - ie can draw, paint, scrapbook, do crafty things pretty well. 2. Forgiveness 3. Outgoing - I get along well with anyone and everyone (even if they aren't my cup of ...

Beckett is here! (Well over 2 months ago) Born 11/26/13 at 5 pm 8 lbs 14 oz 20.5 in Contractions started 10:30 pm on 11/25. I was having r egular contractions but they weren't very strong. Around 2 am, they were getting a little stronger and we decided to go to the hospital. Jason grabbed Brazos out of bed, blankets and all, and took him over to the neighbors house. Then we were off to the hospital. We called all the grandparents to let them know we were on our way. They hooked me up to the monitors and watched me for an hour. I made about a cm progress and I was a day passed my due date so they admitted me (about 3 am) Mom, dad and heather first to arrive. I didn't know Heather was coming so that was an awesome surprise! She didn't get to be there with Brazos so I was beyond thrilled she could be there this time. My dad arrived shortly after. Contractions were still not painful so I waited for a couple hours to get the epidural, around 6:30 am. That was pro...

I started back to work last week. And after a week of our new routine, I have to say, I am beyond overwhelmed. I have to get up a little after 5 am to get myself ready before the boys wake up. I'm lucky if Braz stays in bed until 6:30 and Beckett stays asleep/doesn't need to eat. I work all day without a break except to pump and warm up my lunch. Jason doesn't help in morning and he works till atleast 8:30 every night...some nights he doesn't get home till after 10. So basically I'm a single parent. And he hasn't even started studying for any exams yet this tri! Then I try to spend atleast a few minutes with Jason after he gets off work so I don't get to bed most nights till after 11.  I hate to complain but I don't think I can keep this up much longer. I can't get anything done because Beckett needs so much attention especially in the evenings (which is normal, he's two months old). Brazos is a handful and I hate that I have no patience with...

Wow! 2013 really flew by!! Where did the time go...? Pregnancy really sucked the year away I guess. Here's my annual recap of the year (hopefully I can remember enough to put in here). Goodbye 2013 - I hardly knew ye. Hello 2014 - let's make it a good one, shall we! 1. What did you do in 2013 that you'd never done before?  Painted pottery and painted on canvas. Became a Tax Accountant (bleh-not by choice).Went to the San Antonio Zoo. 2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Last year my new year's resolution was as follows: I'm changing this. I read the bloggess' post about the year "2012+1" and her irrational fear of the number 13. To comfort herself she has dubbed the year 2013 as "The Library" and called it the year that doesn't matter, a year of mistakes and hanging out in the proverbial "Library" - a practice year for 2014. I love this and I'm declaring 2013 my year of allow...

13. What’s the hardest part of growing up? Losing your innocent view of the world and people. Realizing that you can't trust everyone and sometimes people will hurt you. On a lighter note, no more naps, Santa presents and stockings are only for little kids, trick or treating as an adult gets dirty looks, and you can't run to mommy to kiss it and make it all better.