Healthy baby is what we like to hear!!!!

Wednesday, December 22nd:

Scan day!!!! 20 week scan appointment (or in my case, 19 weeks and 3 days appt)! This is the anomoly scan where the sonographer checks to make sure all parts have shown up for duty :) He measures everything, so we got to see every part of Dave's body! EXCEPT the nether regions... that's still a secret :-X

It was soooo mezmerizing! I could have watched that for hours! We were lucky in a way, because the sonographer was training one of the Doctors to use the machine. She was taking longer, because she was new at it, so Neil and I got to hang out with our little one for a bit longer than normal :) Fine by me! I noticed at one point that my mouth was wide open and my contacts were dry because I had been staring so intently. Hehe!

Obviously, everything is so much more detailed than our last scan at 13 weeks! We got to see a close up of the face, eye sockets (a bit freaky), cute little ski slope nose, and the mouth. We saw the heart pumping away and the little one was grabbing for it's feet! Hehe!! So cute!!

And, of course, I cried :) Happy tears.

Our friends, Bethany & Sam, came for a visit before they flew home to the states for Christmas. We munched on some homemade chicken chili and delicious Christmas pudding! Yummy!!

Is dancing in the office appropriate???

Christmas is almost here!! I can't believe it, and it's time to get on the big bird again and journey home! Wahoo!

What a wonderful week! It has been very eventful!

Monday, December 20th:

I went to a tasty Italian restaurant for a mother/daughter/daughter-in-law :) Christmas dinner with Amy and her girlfriends. Very nice! We exchanged Secret Santa gifts and I got a Leopard hair dryer!!!! How perfect is that?!?! :) I think I'm turning into a cougar.. yikesy!

When I was laying down for bed this night, I felt the little love peanut kick TWICE :) They were small little kicks, but magical :) The kicks got me so excited I couldn't go to sleep for ages!!! Just wanted to feel it more!!! So amazing :) I went to bed with a big smile on my face :) :) :)

***Melody for the mood: I can't seem to get enough of Janis Joplin at the moment... I've listened to 'Me and Bobby McGee' entirely too many times for one day... I just love it so! Makes me want to get up and dance. However, I will refrain, because I think they might frown upon that here at corporate UK :)***

ooxx LA

Big City Lights and THE WHIGS!!!!

9 Days til Christmas and I am finito with my shopping list! WAHOOO!!! Neil hasn't even started... hehe, it's funny to watch him sweat about what to get me! :)

We have been into central London several times to see the lights! They are fabulous! Great way to get into the Christmas spirit!

Last night, Mary Ann and I went to see THE WHIGS in a small little towny bar called The Borderline! We were not nearly trendy enough to be there, but I think we blended in okay :) The show was SO GOOD! They are opening for the Kings of Leon in a couple of days, so I guess they were just squeezing in a show before hand. It was like I had stepped back into time, back to Athens, Georgia. I could just pretend I was at the 40 Watt again listening to the Whigs for the first time. Crazy! There were about 50-75 people there, in a venue similar in size and feel to a music venue in Athens, like the 40 Watt.

I saved up my caffeine dosage for the night and had a coke with lime..., I'm so crazy!

Such a fun time! Made me realize how much I miss live music.....

Ta Ta for now :)

Love ooxx

White Christmas

It's Christmas time!!! We arrived home from Gainesvegas to SNOW!!!! Perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit!!

I am feeling particularly festive this year, seeing how it's our 1st Christmas as a married couple, 1st in England, 1st being preggers.... it's a BIG one! :)

I have managed to pick out the largest tree on the Christmas tree farm! HA! They all look normal size until you get them in the house... we had to move our dinning room table into the middle of the living room because the tree has literally taken over the conservatory!!! I love it!!!

Belly Shots

First Trimester

Does anyone remember fruit roll ups????

Soooo, I'm sitting at my desk this morning thinking, man, what is that flavor I'm craving. I sat and thought about it for awhile, and then suddenly it came to me! Fruit Roll Ups! AH! I was trying to describe what they are to people in my office and that is harder than you think. 'It's like this flat candy stuff, that's kinda chewy, and kinda sticky, but not like taffy...' They all just looked at me like I was crazy!

So, I guess this can be counted as my first odd craving (seems totally legit to me at the moment) :) Of course, I googled Fruit Roll Ups to show my collegues what I'm talking about, and links to Fruit by the Foot came up, and Gushers!! Ahhh, throw back!! Yummy... they all sound delicious at the moment! Hehe... just me>??

Last night I went to my first Antenatal Yoga class! Amazing!! I would highly recommend it to any preggers ladies! Afterwards, Neil picked me up and we went straight to the curry house (Indian food, which is completely counterproductive after a quasi work out, but it's delicious)!

Gainesvegas in 2 more sleeps!! Yippeeeeeeee!
Love ooxx

I would like to introduce you to....

Profile of head & body & left fist to the right of the face
Close up
The baby is turned on it's belly, great view of spine! Cool!

I would like to introduce you to: Our little buddy :) Neil likes to call he/she 'Dave'... who knows!???

Our little buddy :)

Yes, let me do the math for you, we got married 5 months ago... life is short, you know!? No need to waste time :) Hehe!

I am about 14 weeks along, which puts the little one being due to meet the world around May 15, 2011!

Let me just confirm all those rumours or wivestales that you all hear about women who are preggers:

At first, week 5-9, I was extremely weepy (will cry at the drop of a hat, but let's be honest, not much has changed there), very nauseous, tired alot, nothing sounds good to eat, no cravings just yet, but I did put mayo on my sandwich a couple of weeks ago, which for those of you who don't know my sandwich preferences, that's bonkers.... Basically, I felt hungover most of the time... never really fresh...

However, the up side of all that.. is that it does pass, or it started to get better for me when I was about 10 weeks.

It is a bit scary having a baby over here, so far away from my family and friends, and familiar health care system :), but regarding the later, I can not fault them yet...

When I first saw my GP (General Practitioner) I was already 7 weeks along. However, it was really strange, they didn't do a blood test or anything to confirm that I was indeed pregnant, just took my word for it. Weird.

And the first time I met my midwife, and was checked out, was November 5th. It's a very interesting system here... It is not that common to see a Dr. during your pregnancy. Unless you have a complicated pregnancy (hope I don't find out what that means) you just see your midwife. This idea freaked me out completely at first.. I wanted to see some credentials, like Med school plaques hanging on the wall, things of that nature... but this is how they do things over here, and that's that. So there you go. hehe

The appointment was to talk about family history, run blood tests, but the REALLY exciting appointment was November 10th!! My first tummy scan!!!! (Pictures above)

I really don't have words to describe the feelings and emotions that hit me the instant the little one appeared on the ultrasound screen. It was as if all thoughts and worries and concerns flew out the window, and all I could think/feel was complete happiness and contentment :) It was one the the best, if not THE best, feelings I've ever had! Neil and I had perma-smiles on our faces the whole day!

Now that we are preparing for a new addition to the O'Brien clan, we have to think about transportation!..... A brand new car (said in my best Price as Right announcer voice)!!! Hehehe, I wish! The reality is I'm pretty sure I'm going to be driving a station wagon, which the British try to make it sound cool, by calling it an 'estate' car.... but don't be fooled by the poncy title... more updates on that issue to come :)

What's next?

November 20th-29th I'll be in AMERICA!!!!! WAHOOO, the land of Chick-fil-A, Longstreet, El Sombrero, Outlet malls... ah yes, the sweet smell of freedom!

December 7th: My next midwife appointment. I'll be about 17 weeks preggers by then.

December 22nd: 20 week scan to check and make sure baby is developing and growing properly. This would be the point at which we could find out the sex... However... we have decided to wait until D-day (May 15th) for a big surprise!!! Good thing I like mint green and yellow :) Hehe

December 27th-January 15th: Back to the states for Christmas celebrations! You just can't keep us away!!

I'll be updating the blog more regularly now that the secret of my baby bump is out! My intention is weekly... to keep you guys up to date on everything... You'll feel like your here going through it with me! Lucky you ;)

I can't wait to see everyone in Gainesvegas!

Hugs and kisses all around

ooxx LAGob

Homemakers

November 1st:

Neil and I have been busy little beavers in the kitchen lately.
Neil's prized specialities: roasted tomato and red pepper soup (which we used later as a base for spaghetti sauce) & cinnamon bread pudding (amazing with vanilla bean ice cream)
My creations: homemade pumpkin pie :) getting ready for Thanksgiving & cranberry and apricot scones
The oven heats up the kitchen loads and I think this is Neil's sneaky way of keeping me from turning on the heat.... but I'm on to him!! Hehe!

On a serious note, please say a little prayer for my Nanny. She has fallen, again. Poor girl. :(

Feeling very patriotic lately, I wore my cowboy boots today... made me feel very American... :)
Missing everyone and counting down the days now.... 17!!!! AND NEWS UPDATE: NEIL IS COMING WITH ME NOW!!!!!!! WAHOOOOOO!!!! Thanks to Daniel for sorting us out a fabulous deal!!!!! Amazing! We'll see you soon!!!
ooxx LAGob

Frieze Art Fair

Saturday, October 16th:

Another day for the arts... I'm starting to get a taste for it now :) Poor Neil! Hehe! We ventured up to Regents Park for the afternoon. Side note: Regents Park is amazing! Beautifully manicured and exquisite landscaping! I can't wait to see it in Spring. Anyways, we were there for the Frieze Art Fair, a contemporary art exhibition gathering galleries from all over the world :) Lucky me! So we strolled around the outdoor sculpture park, which was interesting to say the least. The picture is what you think... A huge mound of trash.... humm... We saw a sign that indicated performance times, so we naturally stuck around to see what this mound of trash would do. Promptly, as stated, the 'performance' started at 5pm. There were subtle movements coming from the heap... trash can lids popping open, bicycle wheels turning, loud, strange noises and a bubble making device.. just to name a few. This went on for about 10 minutes, then smoke started to come from around and under the pile of trash, and all the sudden, the whole mound started to levitate. Well, we thought, but it was being hoisted by a fork lift type thing. It raised about 15 feet, then lower back down to the ground, then the two artists came out from the refrigerator door. Interesting.

I continued on inside to view the rest of the work on exhibition and the piece shown by Damian Ortega was by far my favorite! I would love to have it hanging in my foyer... that is if I had a 20ft entrance to my home :) Not just yet! Hehehe!

Happy and healthy, and can't wait to see everyone over Thanksgiving!! Not long now!!

ooxx

Wonderful, Spontaneous Weekend

Saturday, October 9th:

I met a friend, Mary Ann, up town for lunch and a visit to Tate Modern. I am quite ashamed of myself,... this was the first time I had been to a museum since I moved here in June. Wow... shameful. Tate Modern is AMAZING... LOVE it!!!! So inspiring... I got so many ideas for sculptures/paintings while I was there.

Sunday, October 10th:

Feeling really good today,.. woke up, a bit of yoga, and a lovely walk. They say today was the official last day of summer... it was glorious! About 75F, and not a cloud in the sky. Neil went to football, and when he got home we jumped in the van and headed up town. Neither of us had ever been in St. Paul's Cathedral, and WOW, it is impressive. As soon as I walk in I started to tear up. The architecture is beautiful. The church is over 300 years old. We lucked out as they were having an afternoon service. We stayed at listened for a bit, and then it was back outside to soak up the last remaining hours of sun and warmth before winter sets in...

It was a day of firsts... first time in St. Paul's, first time walking across the Millenium Bridge, first time to see the lake and Princess Diana memorial in Hyde Park.

It was just one of those perfect days and it makes you wonder what other wonderful, untapped treasures there are in the city to be discovered!

Parental Visit Part Deux

Whew,... I'm going to need a vacation after this vacation! :) Dad and Donna arrived on Saturday afternoon, and we hit the ground running!!!!

Sunday, September 6th:

Neil's football (soccer) team had a match, so we went down to the grounds to watch for a bit. After the game, we wasted no time, off to the center of London towne... with me driving!!! AHH! I had never driven in the center of the city, so this would prove a true test of my driving skills. Turns out, I'm a very stressed driver under pressure! Whew! Half of the roads in London were closed off due to a 'Bike around the city' scheme... so as a result, traffic was insane! People ducking in and out of lanes, crazy round-abouts again... I struggled BIG time! But, no worries, we are still alive and well. We did a rough drive-by overview of the city, and walked around Tower Bridge and the Tower of London for awhile.

Monday, September 7th:

Proper trip to the 'big smoke' (big city).... via the tube! Straight to Harrods! My favorite :)!

We walked around Leicester Square, SOHO, China town, Covent Garden and Piccadilly Circus in the rain! Typical English summers day!

Tuesday, September 8th:

Rainy day in England, so instead of heading into town on the tube (train), we hopped into the car and headed for Windsor Castle. One of the Queen's homes. Very impressive and very elaborate decor.

I booked us dinner at Babylon, Roof top gardens... WOW... views of the city are fantastic! And a very swanky atmosphere! Later that night we swung our wine glasses in the air, singing along to the piano man at the High Street Kensington Piano Bar. Good night ;)

Wednesday, September 9th:

Back into London for a closer look at Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London!

Thursday, September 9th-11th:

Oui, Oui, Paris!

Ahhhh, LOVE Paris!!! We were off on the Eurostar to Paris for a short 2 day trip. We spent the first night watching the sunset at the top of the Tour Montparnasse!!! Amazing views of the city, and then dinner at a cute French cafe!

Up early on Friday, and off to the top of the Tour Eiffel! Wahooo! Stunning views, and unbelievable architecture! After we climbed the tour, we went on a guided bike tour around the city! Amazing way to see the city and get a bit of history! 'Fat Tire', the bike tour company, is American owned and run... all the guides speak English, which comes in handy in Paris, and they are actually from the US. Would for sure recommend it for anyone going to Paris!! The way the city is laid out is gorgeous. It looks like a huge manicured garden. All the shrubs are neatly cut, and the trees are planted in straight lines along the streets. The significance of this design is to show man's taming or dominance over nature.

Love, Love, Love Paris! Must go back soon!!!

It's a small small small small world

Just your average Friday at the office. Coffee, tea breaks, lunch... and some work :)
I was sitting with a group of people for lunch, and this guy from Trinidad was asking me where I was from. So, as I do when most people ask, simply say Georgia, and if they act like they've heard of it I alaborate some more. However, in this specific incident, the guy (Dexter), was like oh yeah, Georgia, I've been to a place called Gainesville. What?!?! I immediately thought, 'you must mean Gainesville, FL' and he said no, Gainesville, Georgia. WOW!! One of his friends is in the poultry industry and they went to Gainesville about 30 years ago! Crazy small world! We talked about the lake and the trees :) Nutso! The world just seems to keep getting smaller... :) Maybe that means I'm not traveling enough :) Oh Neil...... :) hehehe

Dad and Donna come into town tomorrow! WAHOOO!!! Very exciting!!!
However, before then, LOTS of cleaning to be done around the house! Yikesy!!!

[Insert amazing 80's tune here]

Saturday, August 28th:

Happy Birthday Kenny! Night out in London towne! Started out at Haymarket Sports Bar, and then on to tigertiger... What a great name for a club.

Sunday, August 29th:

Baby Harry's christening, followed by a lovely outdoor BBQ at Nicola's mom's house... Wonderful 'English' summers day... it poured down until we left, and then there wasn't a cloud in the sky! HA! Such is life!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RACHEL!!!

Wedding Photographs

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Wedding Photos

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