And now...here we are...

In less than 24 hours, I am scheduled to induce labor so that our little girl can join Chris and I into this world. I am a whole mix of emotions right now and Chris is feeling the same way, too. We're excited, happy, nervous, yeah, even a little scared. Obviously the nervous and scared part will go away once she's out and we both know she's fine and healthy. But, I can't even explain the magnitude of all this....it's just so wonderful!

So, when you next read another blog entry, there will be someone new in our lives....and I can't wait for the world to meet her!

"We love you, Abigail. See you soon"
From,
Mommy and Daddy

34 weeks and counting down!

Well, I'm a little over 8 months now and in a few days it'll be about one month before we get to meet our little daughter. We're 100% sure now that she is a girl, because we asked the ultrasound tech to verify during our last ultrasound appointment. Her official due date still remains between February 27 to March 1, however, since my last blog, there have been some things that I've been going through. I got diagnosed with gestational diabetes during the 28 week glucose tolerance test. I have to watch my diet and take my blood sugars 4 times a day, and I've been doing very well. I miss all that "good" stuff, like the desserts and pizza (probably the only craving that I noticed since I got pregnant), but it doesn't mean that I can't have it! I just have to watch the portions and the timing is important too. So, yeah, that's the reason why little Abby will be coming about a week earlier than expected. I will be induced on February 19...and it's so exciting!

Today we will be having Baby Shower part 2. It'll be at my in-laws house. I'm looking forward to seeing what other people got Abby and I like how more low-key it'll be...more a house party than anything. No games, no giveaways...no sweat!

Well, this is my update for now...hope everyone is well!

Getting ready...

It 's 7 1/2 months today. I sorta slept in this morning. I woke up around 8:00 a.m. which is late for me considering I'm used to waking up around 5 a.m. every morning. I try to sleep a little more during the weekends, but I've noticed that 8:00 a.m. is my cut off point. It's also been getting a little more challenging to sleep through the night. I find myself waking up in the middle of the night, but then I'm okay going right back to sleep. It's probably just my body practicing for when Abby is born. Sometimes, she'll be the one waking me up because she's kicking and wanting me to shift my body, but for the most part, she's been a pleasure to have in my belly:) I still can't believe the blessings that we've been given. I get a little emotional just thinking about how it's now going to be the THREE of us (and hopefully, we'll be able to add to our Guiao clan).

The holidays are different this year. We are truly blessed...don't get me wrong. But as my brother mentioned in his blog, it's been a little sad, because this will be the first Holiday where our Shadow won't be around to hang out with us. I can tell it's affected the family. My dad did not put up the tree this year in their house (he did put up lights, at least). He said he just didn't feel up to it this year. I think it has something to do with his grief. My mom gets sad every time she sees a picture of a dog that looks like Shadow. My brother and I miss his kisses and the way he came up to us to cuddle and just let us know he loved us. Chris still can't believe he's gone. I really wish that Abby had a chance to meet him...I'm so happy Shadow came into our lives.

Preparations, preparations, preparations....that's what it's about! Chris and I are getting excited and we know we have a lot of work to do getting ready for Abigail. We have classes lined up in January. We have lots of stuff to assemble! We also have one more baby shower in mid-January. There are still lots to do...and time is going fast.

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year! I appreciate you all checking my blog once in awhile for a nice surprise blog from me.

So much to do...very little time (it seems)

So, I'm at the 6 1/2 month of the pregnancy. When I look at it all in perspective, I do feel pretty good. Abby is an active baby....doing karate kicks and hand strikes and probably somersaults in my belly. It's a wonderful experience! However, there is the yucky backaches and the overall fatigue settling in again. It makes it challenging to try to get things prepared for the little one, when you can only do so much at a time. But, I am taking it as easy as I can...I have a wonderful support network that keeps me in check.

We recently had part one (of two) baby showers a few weeks ago. It was focused more for the people on my side of the family/friend tree (my co-workers, my family, my friends, and close family friends). It was a lot of fun. We did the lunch buffet, games, mingling, gift-opening, etc., etc. and WE GOT LOTS OF STUFF.

It is still a work in progress on what we plan to do with all the stuff considering the room is not even cleared out, yet. We are waiting on my sis-in-law and future bro-in-law to clear things in their home so we can give them the spare bed in what will be nursery. We're not doing too much with it...we don't need to paint, but we will need to shift all of her stuff into this room and take out most of our stuff. Part two Baby Shower will take place at my mom-in-law's house sometime in January.

I have so much to do....and yes, it feels like very little time is given. But, I'll just have to pace myself, right?

little update

Let's see. I've been busy.

I am thankful that everything is going well with the pregnancy. We found out a couple of weeks ago that we are having a girl. Little Abigail is due on February 27, 2009. My parents are so excited; obviously, Chris and I are excited. We've been busy getting the house ready for the new addition. I have a list posted on our fridge showing all the things we want to accomplish before the baby comes....

We had a wonderful birthday celebration for my mom. It was a wonderful gathering of friends and family at a local restaurant. She received HEAPS of gifts. Turning 60 definitely has its' perks (especially when it comes to the monetary types of gifts, hee,hee)

I am busy starting to work on the baby shower and the baby registry. It s a little overwhelming!

Fall is in the air! I love the fall...the brisk weather, the color changes...it's just beautiful!

Well, I'm gonna continue enjoying my Sunday morning...

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy 32nd Birthday, Chris...Have a great day and just remember your wife and "child-to-be" love you very much!

ATTENTION: NEW POST! (FINALLY)

Hello bloggers! I have a little bit of time this nice Sunday morning to leave an actual blog for a change. I figured it would be good to just list some things that have occurred in the last 3 months that I haven't written in this thing....

Let's see:

1. Chris was a "man"-of-honor for his best friend, Kristina's wedding back in June. It was a great wedding. Chris did an awesome job and I was truly proud of him. We stayed the weekend in Windsor, Canada, it was like being "away" for a wedding. It was nice that we could still drive home, though considering I actually had to go back to the US during that weekend for a doctor's appointment.

2. We had a Guiao family vacation just a few weeks ago. Chris' mom/dad, brother/wife and kids, and sister/boyfriend all went to Old Orchard Beach, Maine for a week. Overall, it was a nice vacation to get away. But. it definitely had it's moments. It's a long story, but if you ever see me, you can just ask...I'll tell ya!

3. In August alone....we had THREE weddings to attend. First one, was Chris' cousin, Ate Grace's wedding in Toronto, Canada. Then a week later, we had a wedding for our friend, Noel in Windsor, Canada. Lastly, the Saturday we came back from Maine, we had a wedding for a close family friend, Patty. Very exhausting! (4 weddings attended so far this year, 2 more to go!)

4. Biggest news ever, well...Chris and I have been holding out making it a huge internet-news thing, but we are pregnant. We've been trying for over 2 years and with a surgical procedure prior to the fertility clinic and then going through the motions with the fertility specialist, we have been blessed with a little one. Too soon to tell what we are having, but we definitely would like to know. We've been telling people here and there, but word of mouth (especially in the Filipino community) goes a long way. I remember Chris even putting it on his Facebook status early on for about 5 minutes, then I told him that it was way too early to start telling people (but already several people were writing him back with the congrats). We wanted to get through the 1st trimester first before we really started telling people what's up with us.

I'm doing okay. I'm not as nauseated or fatigued as before. My belly is getting a little bigger. I continue to go through the beautiful motions and I am so grateful!

Will keep you posted on everything...