Approaching 37 Weeks!

Here I am on July 3 on our front porch before leaving for a potluck at my sister-in-law Roxanne's house. I am about 36 weeks & 2 days along in my pregnancy and looking quite big. My waist is measuring a substantial 45" these days and growing. Baby boy is stretching me out! Oh, the pangs of pregnancy!! I've been so exhausted & so out of breath lately, too, no matter what I'm doing whether it's just standing or walking for a few minutes. I have found some rest though in a rocking chair we purchased off of Craigs List for only $40. It'll come in handy after baby is born during feeding times.

I am continuing to rest and "nest" awaiting for the baby's arrival soon since Dr. Lai says that he might be here sooner than later. We can't wait to meet him finally!

Last Ultrasound for Baby

On Friday, July 2, Rommel and I had our last ultrasound for baby at the doctor's office. The technician confirmed that baby is most definitely a BOY! Thank goodness because everything we have bought for baby so far is centered around a little boy theme & colors! The ultrasound also indicated that the baby is healthy and doing well and is currently a whopping 7 lbs. 9 oz! Our baby boy is a big one! Dr. Lai also told us that I am about 1 cm. dilated already & 80% effaced, which means that baby might be coming in a week or 2 weeks (sooner than our due date of July 30)! With the baby weighing so much as the ultrasound indicates, maybe an early delivery is much better for me. In any case, I am not ready for baby boy yet. I still have more "nesting" to do.

Our Family Baby Shower

On Saturday, June 12, we had our family baby shower at Monte Verde Park in Lakewood, CA, which was hosted by Rommel's sisters, Roxanne Ignacio and Roslynne Manansala-Smith. Much love and thanks go out to Roxanne and Roslynne for conspiring to make our baby shower truly a success and very memorable. All hands were on deck and there are others that helped that we would also like to recognize - my parents for making additional food, providing drinks & for helping with the clean-up afterwards; to my brother, Ronnie, & wife Johanna for helping secure the venue, helping with the set-up, providing party goods & the lovely diaper cake; to my sister, Melanie, for painting the birdhouses for the centerpieces; to Rommel's immediate family- Ronald, Sharon, Cody, Chris, nephew Nyah & nieces Caitlynne, Rianne & Celeste - for helping with whatever needed to be done that day to make it even more special; to Rommel's dad, Ray, for providing video footage for prosperity; to Nanay Fe, for making her fine adobo recipe which everyone loved; to Cyndi & Joshua for helping with the setup & meticulously placing the branches for the centerpieces; to my friend, Quinn Bautista, for creating such beautiful, handmade cookies for our favors; and, last but not least, to the other family members whom I haven't mentioned specifically by name & whom helped that day without asking - WE LOVE YOU ALL!

From what I have heard, everyone whom attended enjoyed the food, the venue, the atmosphere and most importantly, each other. Thank you to everyone whom set aside their late morning to spend with us in preparing for the welcome of our baby. Baby thanks all of you for the lovely gifts, too!

My First Baby Shower at Cucina Donatelle

My good friend and ex co-worker and my current Haworth furniture sales rep, Paula Cardello, hosted my first baby shower at the quaint home of Mary Thibault of Cucina Donatelle in Tustin, CA on May 15th. A few of my closest friends in the design industry attended the baby shower. We all enjoyed a lovely brunch prepared by Mary and her mother, Helen. We even learned how to make the Italian Cupcake dessert after our brunch and even had the chance to devour them (I inhaled 2 cupcakes!) after opening presents. Everything was so yummy and so well planned. I am so honored to be surrounded by loving friends. Much love and thanks to Paula for coordinating a most memorable baby shower and to Mary and Helen for preparing a delicious meal! Here are a few pictures to share. I am 29 weeks at this stage of my pregnancy.

Our Maternity Photos

On May 2nd, Rommel and I ventured out to the "Wedge" in Newport Beach to have some maternity photos taken of us for prosperity, thanks to Stephanie Hill Photography. I am about 27 weeks along in my pregnancy at this stage. The beautiful, sunny day with the Pacific Ocean and its ocean breeze blowing softly was a nice backdrop for our pictures. Here are a few of our favorites. Enjoy!

Pigao-Manansala Baby Shower

Our family/friends baby shower is fast approaching. Hope you like what I designed myself. =)

A Bigger Waistline

Here I am at 22 weeks on March 24th. My waistline is definitely bigger and expanding exponentially on a daily basis! Rommel and I took a tape measure to my waistline around my belly button and I measured 39"! Whoa! It's amazing how much my tummy has grown in the past month. Even more unbelievable is how fast time is passing and before I know it, July will be here. There is still more to plan like the baby shower and child care and it's hard not to stress over it. Thank goodness I have great friends and a good support system to help me through these big changes in my life.