34 weeks

Total Weight Gain:  This past Monday we went to the doctor for our regular check up and things continue to go in the right direction.  Blood pressure and growth seem perfect according to the doctor.  Since our last visit two weeks ago, I've gained a total of 2 pounds, bring it to a whopping grand total of 33 pounds!

The Hogie Bun is measuring at 35 cm, so a bit bigger than where we should be at, keeping in mind that both ultrasounds that we got the baby measured 4 days ahead, so if this is the case then I think it's some what proportional.  Baby's heartbeat at the time of our appointment was at 134 bpm.

On a side note, I have been feeling pretty tired these days and feel that need to take bathroom breaks as soon as I get up from sitting.  Sleeping has become a bit more uncomfortable but at the same time, I have had those nice moments of deep sleep (it varies).  There are times that when I stay up too late the night before, that the next morning I feel like I have a hangover... granted these are weekends, so I can sleep in if I need to which always helps, but even if I do it still takes a while for that feeling to go away.  Note to self... slow down the late nights :)!


General Updates:

• Date night on Saturday went great!  We had a wonderful dinner and even if I wasn't able to have my favorite rolls with raw fish, all of the veggie rolls and the California roll tasted AMAZING!!! I could eat sushi rolls everyday!!!!

• We didn't make it to Chicago last weekend due to other plans that came up but we were able to used that time to get a great jump start at the baby's nursery :)  We were also able to get a lot of laundry done and get it all ready for his arrival.  There is still quite a bit to do, but hopefully by the end of this weekend that's all taken care off and ready to go!  I'm thinking that by the end of this weekend, the room will begin to take shape and feel more complete!

• 6 WEEKS TO GO!!!  and so the home stretch begins!!!  We attended our first labor/birth class this past Tuesday.  Overall, it's informative and there was some information that was really helpful to know.  Some people say that taking these classes help with the anxiety and anticipation that us moms-to be have when it's their first baby.  Well, like I told Dan, I don't think that seeing and learning more about the big day has made it any easier.   I do think that I will begin to practice the relaxation techniques because I am thinking I will really need them so that my stress does not make the pain any worse than it has to be.  

Irish Burrito's Baby Shower

This past weekend we had our little Irish Burrito's shower!  It was great seeing a lot of family and friends that we don't get to see very often.  We also would like to thank those who were not able to attend but that sent their well wishes for our family.  THANK YOU TO ALL for making this a beautiful shower to remember!  Our Irish Burrito is very spoiled with lots of love already!

Irish Burrito's Baby Shower
February 9, 2013
Country Springs Hotel

Our Sister-in-Law made the beautiful
"IT'S A BOY" & "SWEETS & TREATS" banners!

Can't get enough of the banners!!
Check out Uniquely Me Designs on facebook!!

Parent's To Be

Proud Grandma's!

Dessert

Handmade & painted cross magnets
made in Mexico.  

33 weeks

Parent's To Be Update:  We are starting to really prepare for what's coming and trying to also squeeze as much as time together as we can before we become a family of three!  Although technically, we are already a family of three, we are trying to meet with as many friends as possible and stay out a little later than usual because we know that once the baby comes, we might not be able to do this as often.

"New" This Week:  Mom over here is pretty much feeling the weight again on her back and lower tummy!  We still have 7 more weeks to go, so we are wondering how big I will get.  Any guesses as to how much this baby will weigh? Dan is starting to get into the mood of organizing the baby's room etc... which is a good thing, because I just haven't had as much energy as I would like in order to do everything I would like to do!

• We are heading to Chicago for a mini trip to get some essentials for the baby's room and enjoy the day together.. perhaps going out to get some sushi... (California & Asparagus rolls for me) and Dan (will probably get the super yummy ones!).  I think the two things I miss the most are: (Belgium Beers & Sushi).  We LOVE, LOVE seafood, so only being able to eat limited quantities and kinds during the week really puts a damper on things.  But that's a sacrifice I am willing to make! 

The Hogie Bun at 33 weeks

Co-workers Shower:  Today, I was surprised by a few co-workers at the lunch break room with a few baby shower gifts and a yummy cake!  They got our baby some super cute outfits and a stuffed animal.  I thought that was a very nice gesture from all of them!  THANK YOU!!!

32 weeks

On Monday we went to the doctor and it looks like everything is still on the right track!

Total Weight Gain:  Whooping 31 pounds!  Considering that at the last doctor appointment (week 29) I only gained a total of 1 pound, it looks like this past two weeks I've made up for it and gained 7 pounds!!!  The Hogie Bun is measuring at 33 cm.

Momma's Update:  I already feel/look a lot bigger and things have been "shifting" and creating some discomforts here and there but nothing out of the ordinary.  Some major discomforts have been my lower/upper back (too much weight to support), some ligament pains on my hips, lots of heartburn, some shortness of breath, and finally some Braxton Hicks contractions here and there nothing too uncomfortable.

The Hogie Bun at 32 weeks

• We have 8 MORE WEEKS TO GO!!!! which makes me a bit nervous but at the same time excited to meet our Irish Burrito in person.

• The Grandparents from both sides are throwing our Irish Burrito a baby shower this Saturday.  We are very excited to see many friends and family that we don't get to see very often!  After our baby shower, we will begin to set up the nursery and finalize the nursery before our baby arrives.

• One big problem with me!  I tend to read too much about pregnancy and everything that goes with it.  So I went on a mini hospital bag/post-birth shopping in order to not be scrambling towards the end trying to get everything I would like to have.  I have read/heard just about all stories regarding labor and post-birth "beauties".  Let's just say that reading all of them have made me chuckle quite a bit and terrified at the same time.  

Dad's Update:  He has been very supportive throughout this whole experience.  Couldn't have asked for a better partner!  He is just as excited to get the room all set up and get everything finalized for his little boy's arrival as we all are.  He will be a very busy man come these next few weeks :)!

Baby's Update:  He is one active little burrito!  I am not 100% how much he weighs at this time, but it is said to average about 3.75 pounds and is about 16.7 inches long and taking up a lot of space in The Hogie Bun.  The doctor mentioned that mom will be gaining about 1 pound a week and roughly half of that would go straight to the baby.  Which leaves me to believe that I am in for a treat on how big I can certainly get!

At our appointment, the doctor mentioned that it felt like Baby Hogan has flipped and is now facing head down :)!

On a side note: As I was getting things crossed off my TO-DO List for the BIG DAY! I came across a free class to learn how to make your own baby food.  We figured why not go, it's free and was offered at the hospital that we intend to deliver, so we signed up for it and attended it.  Needless to say we were both a little disappointed.  Mostly because we thought this was going to be a more hands-on "making baby food class", but it wasn't.  We got some important information that our pediatrician had already mentioned to us, and we did get to sample some baby food that they made for us.  The following were the samples that they prepared:

• Sweet Potatoes - Dan really likes sweet potatoes, so the taste of it wasn't bad.  Me on the other hand, I am not a fan at all of sweet potatoes, so for me I just didn't really enjoy it.  However, I do think that our Irish Burrito will like those someday.
• Avocado & Bananas - Who would have thought this funky combination was actually good!  We both really liked it!
• Pears - This one to us didn't taste like much, but a good one to have as an option.