The Buerglers

How far along? 19 Weeks and 1 day How big is baby? The weekly update from The Bump says  Average size: 6.0 in, 8.5 oz Or about the size of a mango (see picture!) Total weight gain: Hanging in around 14-15 pounds, despite my massive amounts of eating and baby growth spurt. I'm right at the top of the range for my pre-pregnancy weight. I'm curious as to what the midwife will say next week. Maternity Clothes? Yes. Yes. Yes. I bought these two dresses (I have a purple, blue and cream pattern instead of the back and white one) to wear to a wedding (and Mass, showers, etc) this weekend.  Thoughts on which one I should wear?  The purple one is a little more comfortable, but the blue one shows off my bump a bit more, which Eric adores these days. I'll wear the same shoes, purse and wrap for each. Stretch Marks? I found a new one on my boob. Katie was super impressed that I don't have any on my belly yet! Sleep:   This might sound crazy but I have been sleeping prett...

Okay, y'all...we are scheduled for our anatomy scan ultrasound on July 6th.  If baby ninja cooperates we'll get to find out if it's a boy or a girl! Eric and I are both so excited and can't wait to start choosing a name. Many have asked us if we would prefer a boy or girl. Truth be told, I am so torn and here is why: Girl: I am the oldest child in my family and a girl (duh).  My mom is also the oldest and a girl, her mom and her grandma were also the oldest and a girl.  Carrying on this generational tradition would be an honor.  It would also be fun to have the first girl in our circle of friends. Boy: My brother David just had a baby boy  and my brother Alex has a boy toddler .  Most of our friends from church have a boy... or one of each.  If we had a boy, he'd be in good company. My gut: I think my gut says boy but only because I call the baby "him" all the time.  This isn't founded on any particular hunch, just by what natur...

Monday morning didn't go as Paige planned.  She didn't have a natural birth.  She didn't even respond to the Pitocin to induce labor.  She ended up having a scheduled c-section Monday afternoon.  My heart broke for her.  How could she be okay not going according to the plan?  I would be so disappointed. But that's me.  I have it in my head that natural childbirth is like a million, billion times better and more noble than any other way. And you have bragging rights after.  Of course, when I take a step back I realize that is my pride talking. Yes, I have read all sorts of articles arguing that natural is the only way, and to fight your doctor tooth and nail if they suggest other wise.  "Women have been doing it this way for thousands of years", they say. Then the other camp pipes in with "We have all this modern medicine and technology why not take advantage of it?"  And the two sides argue back and forth.  Same goes for breas...

My brother, David, and his wife welcomed their son Zachary into the world yesterday afternoon.  Without sharing too much, Paige did not respond to the induced labor and a c-section was scheduled for 1pm yesterday afternoon.   Zachary was born around 1:30 at 8lbs 13oz and 21 inches long.  He is absolutely precious and perfect in every way.  His little mouth looks just like David's.  Though he's been sleeping, Dave got a good look at his eyes, and they are green! How unusual. Wonder what color they will end up. We've loved spending a few days here in Savannah spending time with David and Paige, and now baby Zach.  I can't wait to watch him grow up! Photos are courtesy of my Dad and his awesome new 50mm lens.  And check out the adorable cake my sister made for Zachary!

How far along? 18 weeks! How big is baby?   According to The Bump   5.6 in, 6.7 oz About the size of a sweet potato! Total weight gain: Oy. Y'all.  This week I saw a big jump, but I was only on the scale, once, after eating.  If it was accurate, it puts me at 14 pounds gained. Maternity Clothes? In full swing!  Mom and I went to Motherhood Maternity last week to find a dress to wear to a wedding next week.  I found a dress and a few other things. I had $20 off, and we only shopped the sale and clearance rack.  Mom helped a little too.  I got two dresses, dress shorts, and a few new shirts, including the one in the photo.  I needed church and work appropriate clothes and this did the trick without breaking the bank. Stretch Marks? Not yet! Sleep: I've had a few nights that I've slept through the night, but then it worries me that I'm not hydrated enough.  I generally wake up super sore in my lower back and hips, I've even tri...

(I think this blog hop is supposed to be for crafters...ooops. Oh well) Baby Update Being pregnant has exposed me to some realities of pregnancy that women just don't really talk about.  Everyone mentions their morning sickness or their terrible birth stories, probably because our society thrives on shows like CSI, Grey's Anatomy and House.  Obsessed with dramatic health.  Women don't talk about the growing pains like back pain, migraines, gas, and constipation. And sadly they rarely talk about the JOYS of being pregnant.  I want to hear more stories about sweet or romantic things people do for women while they are pregnant.  I want to know the honest-to-God truth about what is going on with my body.  I want to hear women celebrate the first time they feel the baby, or the crying from the overwhelming love for the little one growing inside. With that, here's a quick reality of my pregnancy this month: the baby is using up my already low supply of calc...

Think I popped a little while we were at camp? How far along?   17 weeks today (no photo today...Eric was sick and my eyes felt like they had sandpaper in them) How big is baby?   We went from orange to avocado and now an onion.  According to The Bump baby is about 5.1 inches and 3.5 oz and is supposed to double in weight in the next three weeks.  Oh, hello. Total weight gain : Holding in around 10-12 pounds for the last few weeks. Midwife didn't comment at my last check up, so I am assuming I am doing okay. Maternity Clothes? Rotating through all my purchases from the big shopping trip several weeks ago. It's about all I wear.  When I'm at home I wear my 2XL "workout" clothes I bought on the clearance rack at Target.  I also try to not wear my maternity clothes when I am at home, or working for Chris...I don't want to get sick of them.  Besides, yoga pants and Eric's tshirts are more comfortable anyway. I am going to a wedding in the fir...

My computer is still being worked on...so I snagged Eric's computer for the night.  And while I had my two cameras with me the whole weekend, I always had the camera card in the camera that I didn't have with me. Silly me. Several weeks ago Ashley contacted me to let me know she and Mike were thinking of taking the long way to their beach trip via Asheville.  Coincidentally it would be the same weekend that Eric and I would be a little over an hour away in Highlands, NC.  Perfect timing.  Much like last year's rendezvous in Indianapolis. Eric took Friday off from work so we drove to Highlands on Thursday night.  We enjoyed quiet conversation with my grandparents, and toured all the renovations to the house due to this winter's pipe bursting disaster. After a lingering breakfast at their cabin we drove to Ashville just in time for brunch with Ashley, Mike and Gabe.  Whole wheat strawberry-banana pancakes. Please, and thank you.  Eric had a local fish...

While at camp with the kids this week I was able to read another chapter and a half of the book, as well as spend some focused time journaling.   It's so easy to be thankful when you're at a place as beautiful as Covecrest...  Monday/Tuesday: 128. pre-trip breakfast dates 129. bus "rentals" for free 130. excited kids for camp 131. safe bus trips 132. no one getting sick on the bus 133. Covecrest welcome 134. feeling @ home at Covecrest 135. amazing small group leaders assigned to our small group for the week 136. watching the kids pray with their hands open for the first time 137. their attentiveness and participation 138. impressive small group discussion 139. easy lights out with 20 girls in a room 140 easy wake up with 20 girls in a room 141. sunrise Mass over the pond 142. Feast of the Annunciation- Mary, Elizabeth, and John's "fear of the Lord" 143. coffee talks with the YMs at camp 144. helpful and generous camp staff 145. 2 naps @ camp 146....

For my Dad's birthday we bought him a Groupon for a four hour photography class.  Shortly after, Eric agreed I could take the class with my dad. I knew it would be more fun for us to take the class together so we could practice and discuss after. The class focused on how to use a DSLR in full manual mode, meaning setting the ISO, Aperture and Shutter speed based on the lighting.  She taught us how to use features on our camera to monitor these settings and the exposure. She also taught us how to check the white balance.  After hands on sessions for each of these concepts, we spent the last hour of class practicing shots with live models. Once we mastered the settings for the sunny spot, she moved us all to the shade, where we had to reset our cameras and practice again.  She'd check our pictures after a few shots to check our settings.  After we were feeling comfortable with light and shade, she took our cameras and completely changed all the ...