The Buerglers

I didn't get a picture of me these last two weeks, so here's Sofie the Giraffe.  She's ready for baby girl! How far along? 38 weeks How big is baby? Internet estimates about 6.5 pounds and 20 inches.  At my ultrasound on Tuesday the baby was down too far to measure, so it's just a guessing game!  My mom said my brother and I were about 7.5 at 2 weeks early.  Alex was 8.5 at 3 weeks early and Katie was 6.5 at a few days early.  I am suspecting that will be my range.  My guess is around 7.5-8 for baby girl. Total weight gain: I've fluctuated a lot the last two weeks due to water retention and hypertention, hence the bed rest. I'm around 40-45 pounds gained.  We suspect a lot of it it water. Maternity Clothes?   My sister bought me a nice nursing pajama top and bathrobe for the hospital so I can wear something a little nicer than the hospital gown :)  Fact: I've never owned or worn a bath robe.    Stretch Marks? I had...

Last Fall I knew Eric and I were planning to get pregnant so I started eating better and exercising. I knew I would want to feel my best going in to the pregnancy. Well, one day while doing aerobics, I twisted my ankle .  I took a few weeks off from working out; I was super busy with work anyway.  Then the holidays came. The pounds packed on and the work outs stopped completely. Come January it was time to get serious about my Disney Princess Half-Marathon training, but every run left my ankle more and more swollen.  Off to the doctor.  It was sprained pretty bad.  I was forbidden to exercise, or walk more than a mile or so a day for 8-10 weeks. That got me to the end of February.  I was cleared the Monday before our Sunday half-marathon.  I pushed through and finished the 13.1 by walked very slow and very carefully. Little did I know I was already pregnant.  (I should have known by the crazy hormones I had while at Disney World!) And wit...

"Shut up! The camera adds 10 pounds." "Oh. So how many cameras are actually on you?"  Maybe I shouldn't do these pictures late at night when I am congested and puffy ;-) How far along? 36 weeks How big is baby? Various reports on the Internet of 18-20 inches and 5-6 pounds, and gaining an ounce a day.  No official measurements at the midwife's office today.... just "great heartbeat" and "she feels good" Total weight gain: Right around 40 lbs total. Maternity Clothes? Several of my shirts are getting too short! We had a cold snap here in Atlanta so I bought a few long sleeved things at Target. And then in talking to some girlfriends they reminded me that I'll probably wear maternity clothes through the holidays, so I did buy a pair of black pants to get me through the winter. Stretch Marks? They're getting worse around my hips. Exercise: Getting super hard to do much other than short walks. Even my stretching ...

It's been so long since I've sat, just to sit. I quit my job at the lawn company at the end of September because I knew October would be crazy at the Church and getting ready for baby.  I am so thankful I had that foresight. In one week I will send 142 high schoolers to the mountains with 36 adults for a retreat that I planned and organized but will trust two other adults to execute without me. In three weeks I 177 10th graders will come before the Archbishop at two Masses to receive the indelible mark of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit; a Mass that includes several visiting clergy, 15 Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus, a full worship band, and a reception for all 800 after each Mass.  Yes, ten days before my due date.  No. Big. Deal. In the mean time I've had two more beautiful baby showers.  One thrown by my co-workers and one by my mother-in-law and sister-in-law. My co-workers were so generous in doing a brunch theme shower with lots of gluten-free ca...

How far along? 34 weeks, oh my!  Word on the street is that the baby is done developing, it's just fine tuning and weight gaining.  If baby girl came now she'd be okay after a short hospital stay. How big is baby?   The Internet estimates around five pounds (sack of sugar) and 17 inches long (American Girl Doll).  Obviously, we've moved past fruit sizes. Total weight gain: Hitting the nose right at 40lbs for the last 3-4 weeks.  My belly is noticeably bigger in the last month, but I think the water retention is finally under control.  Maternity Clothes? I found a consignment shop that had a small maternity section in the back. They had a long sleeved sweater dress that will be perfect for the cooler weather and right after the baby is born.  It was a steal of a deal. I also tried on an old non-maternity dress in the back of my closet. Thank you Michael Kors for incredibly versatile clothing.  I have worn this dr...

Click here to view these pictures larger Didn't Amy do a fantastic job?!?!

How far along? Thirty-two weeks! Just under two months left. Time seems to be going so fast and so slow at the same time. How big is baby? She measured 4lbs and 9oz today.  About 3 days ahead of "schedule".  We had the ultrasound tech double check...It's still a girl! Whew! Total weight gain: My at home weight gain shows 40ish lbs. I think I've only gained 3-4 pounds this month and it's all in my belly. I'm not sure if the midwife was joking or not, but she said something about 12 pounds of water weight trapped in my legs! It's funny but it's not.  Maternity Clothes? As promised I haven't bought anything since my last post.  I am really hoping we don't have a cold Fall because I don't want to buy new clothes or shoes. Stretch Marks? They have consumed my abdomen, hips, and inner thighs.  I'd complain, but it's all areas I cover up anyway. I am thankful that I haven't had any on my arms or back, I would be even more ...

I am blessed to work with a wonderful group of women at our parish.  Two of us are paid employees the rest of the them are generous volunteers.  We have had varying degrees of duties at the church, or availability as volunteers, but our friendship has remained strong for five or six years now.  One of the joys  of our sisterhood has been throwing wedding and baby showers for each other. Yesterday the girls threw me a baby shower. Like my family, we have fun coming up with a theme for the shower, my favorite being the "tailgate" theme we did for Natalie when she was pregnant with Anthony.  For my shower, the girls threw a mexican fiesta, complete with virgin strawberry daiquiris and a delicious spread of wheat-free foods: nachos, tacos, guacamole, pineapple & strawberry salad.  For dessert they served these little devils....cannolis...which they insisted were "dessert tacos" haha.  They were not wheat free, but when no...

My family might get a little carried away with theme parties, as evident with my Mom's 50th birthday Decades party   (please ignore the horrible photos)  and David & Pagie's Monkey Baby Shower .   It was no surprise that our baby shower would be equally decadent.  And it did not disappoint. In addition to my mom and sister's creative touch, my friend Rosemary joined in the planning and hosting.  My sister-in-law, Paige, and my brother's girlfriend, Bridget also gave a helping hand. Thank you, ladies! Rosemary's sister is a graphic designer.  She made the invitations, banner and other signage for the party.  She used the diaper bag we registered for as her inspiration.  Creative huh?  {via} PS: You can click on any of the photos and collages to make them larger... (Yes, we had the Notre Dame game on during the shower. Duh. And we won. Finally) Given the invitations, I had no idea what the theme of our shower...