School Baby Shower

Last week the staff at my school threw me a baby shower.  I was beyond impressed with the detail and thought put into the shower and loved how girly & PINK it was!  Chris & I have been humbled throughout this journey by the generosity of those in our lives and this shower was no different.  We are so thankful for the gifts and goodies we have been given for Avery and promise they will get put to good use... very soon!  Here are a few snapshots from the shower...

Aren't these letters cute?  I've saved them for future use.  :)

The cake was delish!!

One gift was a picture of my class this year and the frame has their signatures.  So thoughtful!

I got a visit from a stork who presented me with a "baby" girl made of blankets, onesies, and clothes.

Both daddy & mommy need love, right?

The staff made an ABC book for Avery that I was so touched by.  They created a page for each letter of the alphabet and it was awesome to see the creativity and detail.  It's a gift both Avery and I will treasure for years to come!

These women are awesome & I am so thankful for them planning and hosting the shower.  Ginny, Patti, Connie, Christie, Phyllis, and Laura (not pictured)... thank you so, so much for your friendship and generosity!!

XOXO,

Erin

Baby Shower Fun

Last weekend Chris' mom, aunts, sister, and a family friend gave me a baby shower.  They did a fantastic job and I was overwhelmed by the amount of thought and love they put into the occasion.  I was overwhelmed by the number of people who came to celebrate with me as well as from the family and friends who live far or were not able to travel down to Texas who sent their love.  Each gift touched my heart and Chris and I have had fun organizing all of the goodies, hanging all of the precious clothes, and getting ready for Miss Avery's debut.  We truly are blessed to have such wonderful friends and family in our lives and are so very thankful for the outpouring of love shown by so many.  Here are some pictures from the shower...

My niece, Lucy, was the cutest welcoming committee ever. :)

My mother-in-law knows this is my FAVORITE cake of all time!! :)

Me with the hostesses: Aunt Lynn, Aunt Kathy, Kylie, Kristin, and Sharon

Me and Mom

Roxanne and Me

Blessed beyond measure.

Lucy helping me open presents.

Hardin-Simmons girls

XOXO,

Erin

Captured Moments

Two weeks ago we were blessed to have our friend Alex Galley take maternity pictures for us.  She was sweet enough to fit us in her busy, busy schedule.  She has such an artistic eye and we are happy with the way they turned out.  Alex, you're the best & we so appreciate you helping us capture these special days in our lives.  We will treasure these pictures for years to come and have fun telling Avery all about her growing in mommy's tummy.  :)

XOXO,

Erin

The latest in our journey...

This week began with an unexpected hiccup.  My doctor called on Monday morning to inform me that due to circumstances beyond her control she will no longer be seeing patients after the 31st of this month.  Gulp.  No mommy wants to hear that her doctor is abandoning her at 31 weeks in to the 40 week process.  I realize that lots of babies are delivered by doctors other than their obgyn, but this was not the news I was hoping for.  You see, I'm pretty attached to my doctor.  She has been with us through the entire process, from our struggles with conception to the ups and downs of the pregnancy.  It took us 20 months to get pregnant and then during the 5th week of pregnancy we found an ovarian cyst.  The cyst is large, nearly 8 centimeters, and posed possible conflicts (especially during the first trimester).  My doctor was proactive and sent us to a high-risk practice to get a second opinion.  We monitored the cyst and its growth until the 24th week and then were released back to our normal visits.  The belief is that the cyst is either a dermoid or endometrioma and benign in makeup.  In normal cases, a cyst of this size would be taken out immediately, but because the cyst has moved to a more central location and behind the uterus I am stuck with the little sucker until after baby girl is born.  Yuck!  With all of that being said, my doctor has been there each step of the way.  She's been a proactive decision maker and a calming source for this first time mommy and I am very sad that she will not be able to finish the process with us.

I will be honest and say that the news rocked me good.  I am a planner by nature.  I like to organize and wrap my head around the possibilities and make informed decisions.  The funny thing is that very little of this pregnancy has been in my hands and I have grown leaps and bounds because of it.  I have had to rely on faith and prayer to keep me calm and to place my worries down so they don't drive me insane (which is always a good possibility!).  I'd venture to say that I'm an ordinary mommy who dreams of the very best for her child and simply wants a happy, healthy baby.  But the reality of life is that all we're guaranteed is ups and downs and bumps in the road.

After tomorrow we have 9 weeks to our due date and Chris and I are so excited to meet our little girl.  We've finished painting the nursery, have the crib set up with bedding in place, & are working on small projects that will make Avery's room special and unique for her.  At the end of the day, we are making the most of this experience and finding joy in the thoughts of our little girl and her arrival.  We are blessed beyond measure and so very thankful that the circumstances are not worse than they are (even though they initially feel dooming).  Negativity breads negativity, and who has time for that??  :)

Without further ado, here is the latest info...

How far along?  30 weeks, 6 days

Total weight gain:  13 lbs

Maternity clothes?  Yep

Sleep:  Pretty good

Best moment this week:  We have spent lots of time together working on Avery's room and are having so much fun.  From painting to hanging up curtains, we are so excited about the final outcome of the nursery and hope she feels like the angel she is in our eyes.

Miss anything?  Getting in and out of Chris' jeep.  Ha!  It takes a minute to roll me and my belly into the seat.  Chris teases that he's going to make a pulley system to help me out.  :)

Movement:  She's very active and has me sporting a lopsided belly every once in a while.

Food cravings:  Still digging pumpkin goodies and drinking lots and lots of milk.

Anything making you queasy or sick?  Not recently.

Gender:  Girl :)

Symptoms:  Still swallowing fire with heartburn, boo!

Belly button in or out?  In, but definitely looking out of the ordinary.  :)

Wedding rings on or off?  On (No swelling as of yet).

Mood most of the time?  I'm choosing joy and doing my best to look beyond the scary unknowns.  

Looking forward to?  My first baby shower next weekend!  I'm ready to see friends and family and to celebrate our little blessing.  Just the thought brings a big smile to my face!  :)

Here is a pic from today, 30 weeks and 6 days.

XOXO,

Erin

28 Weeks

Hello 3rd trimester!  My, how fast things are going.  We had our regularly scheduled doctor's appointment last week and baby girl is doing great.  She measured 2lbs 6 oz and had a strong heartbeat.  We had a minor curve ball thrown at us when hooked up to the monitor and found that I was having contractions.  The doc monitored the uterus movement for a while in her office then decided to send me next door to the hospital to be checked out.  I was pumped with fluids and monitored for another 2 hours before being sent home.  It was stressful but all worked out fine and we're being very cautious about hydrating and getting lots of rest.  Baby girl needs 9 more weeks to get to full term and we are prepared to do whatever we can to make sure she's fully grown and ready to grace the world with her presence!

How far along?  28 weeks

Total weight gain:  9 lbs

Maternity clothes?  Sure am.

Sleep:  Not bad... definitely takes a minute to get this belly turned the other side. :)

Best moment this week:  We completed our registries this week and had a lot of fun doing so.  It is crazy to think that in a few short months our little girl will be playing with these toys or wearing these clothes.  I know for sure she is one blessed girl already!

Miss anything?  Being fast... I like to be on the move at work and get through the hallways fast.  I think that comes with working with kinder kiddos and always being on the move.  But by the end of each day this preggo is taking her time and going slow.

Movement:  Lots!

Food cravings:  Anything pumpkin.  I love this time of year and finding all of the seasonal goodies, but this year I'm really seeking it out! 

Anything making you queasy or sick?  Runny noses.  Our school is full of germs right now and the allergens aren't helping.  Let's just say I'm giving the "hygiene talk" on a regular basis.

Gender:  Girl :)

Symptoms:  Good 'ol heartburn and Braxton Hicks contractions

Belly button in or out?  In (should pop any day now)

Wedding rings on or off?  On

Mood most of the time?  I'm staying positive and taking things one day at a time and praying baby girl is healthy and stays put for a while.

Looking forward to?  Completing more in the nursery.  We're still in the painting process (accent wall) and due to our crazy schedules it is taking longer than we planned.  Hopefully by this weekend the walls will be done and we can keep the ball rolling.  This momma is ready to decorate!

Here is a picture from today at 28 weeks and 3 days.

Baby Uhlaender Update...

How far along?  26 weeks

Total weight gain:  8 lbs

Maternity clothes?  Yep... it's definitely a challenge to feel somewhat trendy and not so frumpy.

Sleep:  Still getting good rest each night.

Best moment this week:  I traveled to The Woodlands to spend the weekend with my twin bro, sis-in-law, their daughter Lucy, and my mom.  My sis-in-law, Shelby, is preggo with her second and we're 10 weeks apart.  We had a great time catching up and comparing symptoms.  It was fun sharing stories and she put my mind at ease about some of my questions and filled in the blanks with the unknowns.  Loved our time together!

Miss anything?  Sitting criss-cross on the carpet with my students.  My baby bump makes it to where I can't sit on the carpet and get on my kinder kiddos' level too easily like I'm used to.  I find myself fidgeting and adjusting quite often these days.  But that's okay... I can still dance with them! ;)

Movement:  All day, every day.  I pray I never forget what it feels like!

Food cravings:  Candy corn.  I've been fighting the urge to buy some and finally caved this afternoon, but now I can't put it down!  Ahhh!!!

Anything making you queasy or sick?  Not that I can think of.

Gender:  Girl :)

Labor signs:  Nope.

Symptoms:  Nose bleeds.  The doc thinks the mix of allergies and swollen mucous membranes common with pregnancy are causing the random bleeds.  Blah.

Belly button in or out?  In

Wedding rings on or off?  On

Mood most of the time?  I've been in good spirits.  I feel as though I am juggling many avenues of life right now but trying to stay focused and remain organized in order to not lose my sanity.  I can honestly say the best part of my days are spent with Chris and thinking of our sweet baby girl.  It's amazing how much of a calming force she already is for me.

Looking forward to?  We're going to register this weekend and I am super excited about it.  I know it can be overwhelming for some but I just can't feel anything but happiness when thinking of all the fun things we will get in preparation for her arrival.

Here's a pic at 26 wks and 3 days.  :)

Hope each of you have a wonderful week!!

XOXO,

Erin

Quote Me Fancy

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a sucker for reading.  I read fiction, nonfiction, poetry, song lyrics, and pretty much anything that has words on it.  I have a passion for writing and love playing with word placement and the emotions they create.  I have always been a sucker for quotes and am constantly looking to see how they can be applied to my life.  For me, it's similar to working with a tricky puzzle piece and the triumph you feel when making sense of where it belongs.  I came across this quote this afternoon and have been chewing on it ever since.  

"Chains do not hold a marriage together.  It is threads, hundreds of tiny threads which sew people together through the years."  ~ Simone Signoret

The words in these two sentences struck a chord within me upon first glance.  I love the imagery they instill and am intrigued by the simple message they represent.  However, it is the tug on my heart that makes it so special to me.  These words depict the work of a marriage over the years.  Two people working with one another to bind themselves together, not by force (chains) but by the hard work and time they put into the relationship (tiny threads).  We are human and each of us makes mistakes and fall short, but the beauty of a successful marriage is the other person is always there to pick their partner up.  "If one falls down, his friend can help him up.  But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up."  ~ Ecclesiastes 4:10.  I am by no means an expert on relationships nor am I claiming to have all the answers.  This quote was a simple reminder of what my outlook should be and makes me thankful for the partnership Chris and I have.  He is the partner God had intended for me and I am blessed by the growth we have made during both good and bad times.  I pray we always focus on the slow, blessed process of sewing our tiny threads together.

XOXO,

Erin

Another Milestone...

I hit 24 weeks on Friday!  Oh my goodness, the time is flying!! It felt like just yesterday we were announcing the pregnancy to our friends and family just before school was out for the summer.  Each day is a new discovery, a new adventure, and we are honestly soaking it all up.  I found this cute survey to use to update others on the pregnancy and figured it's better late than never, right?  So here it goes...

How far along?  24 weeks

Total weight gain:  7 lbs

Maternity clothes?  Sure am.  This has been a process to adjust to.  Maternity tops are easy to find, but the pants have been a struggle.  Maternity sizes are XS, S, M, and L and the majority of the XS pants are comfy but fall off by the end of the day.  Let's just say my belly bands are getting LOTS of use!! 

Sleep:  Still sleeping good.  I wake up every night to use the restroom but I'm viewing it as training for night feedings.  :)

Best moment this week:  Feeling and SEEING baby girl moving!  She is extremely active and I love it.  Last night we were laying in bed and she was going to town movin' & groovin'.  We were able to feel it & watch it with our eyes.  It is an incredible feeling and the best part of my days.

Miss anything?  Being able to sit on the counter to get ready in the morning.  When I was a little girl I would sit on top of the counter and my mom would fix my hair for school.  This has been part of my daily routine for about 25 years until this week.  I've moved to sitting in a chair and it just doesn't feel the same.  

Movement:  Lots and lots & I'm loving it!

Food cravings:  Pickles, pickles, and more pickles.  To be fair I ate pickles frequently before the pregnancy, but now I go through a jar of snack 'ems a week.  Can't get enough!

Anything making you queasy or sick?  Public restrooms.  With the heightened sense of smell I am finding it difficult to go in high-traffic restrooms.  The other day I pulled my t-shirt up over my nose while in a bathroom and a lady looked at me very strange while I was washing my hands.  Sorry lady.  This preggo had to go and the smell was atrocious.  

Gender:  Girl :)

Labor signs:  Nope, thank goodness!

Symptoms:  None so far.  I put this in here for further down the pregnancy so I can document swollen feet and hands or round ligament pain.

Belly button in or out?  In

Wedding rings on or off?  On

Mood most of the time?  Happy!  I really am enjoying this process and having fun keeping my family updated as we are spread all across Texas and other states.

Looking forward to?  The crib bedding is due to arrive tomorrow!  Choosing the bedding was a process to say the least (first two choices were discontinued), but we are so excited about our selection and ready to make the vision a reality.

Please ignore the cheesy bathroom pic.  Family has been asking for a picture and I didn't want to wake Chris up this morning to snap it for me.  :)

XOXO, 
Erin

Lovely Reminders

As I sat down to work on my Master's homework today, God provided me with the perfect mentality to have during this season of change.  Most of you know that I am a teacher and I began my sixth year of teaching yesterday.  The last two weeks of meetings and planning were hectic and necessary overload.  I left each day with a longer to-do list than the day before.  I love teaching and interacting with my kindergarten kiddos but the behind the scenes trainings, meetings, and preparation can be taxing.  The first two days have flown by and I have a sweet group of little ones that I know will keep me entertained and on my toes.  I am looking forward to an exciting year of growth and fun.  With that being said, I have been exhausted trying to adjust back to the routine and schedule of school.  My body is not responding to the constant ups and downs as it has in the past and I've let the frustration get the best of me at times.  I always play Pandora while working on my online coursework and today was no different.  The first song that played was Bethany Dillon's "Hallelujah."  The chorus alone tugged at my heart and was an excellent reminder that it's okay to be frustrated and struggle but having the right mindset is key to accomplishing great things.  Change is inevitable and this fall will bring many for the Uhlaender family (all good and perfect blessings!).  The lyrics of the song have challenged me to stay positive and to approach each change as an opportunity to grow and become a better person.  I have four short months until we meet our sweet baby girl and I am sure there will be times that school, working on my Master's program, Chris going through the fire academy, and preparing for our little blessing will get the best of me, but I pray God continues to provide lovely reminders as He did today to keep my mind in the positive and focused on the good.  I'll leave you with the lyrics of the song in hopes that you, too, may be blessed by the words.

"Hallelujah"

Who can hold the stars
And my weary heart?
Who can see everything?

I've fallen so hard
Sometimes I feel so far
But not beyond your reach

I could climb a mountain
Swim the ocean
Or do anything
But it's when you hold me
That I start unfolding
And all I can say is

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah

The same sun that
Rises over castles
And welcomes the day

Spills over buildings
Into the streets
Where orphans play

And only you can see the good
In broken things
You took my heart of stone
And you made it home
And set this prisoner free

Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
Help me to sing hallelujah
Hallelujah, hallelujah
Whatever's in front of me
I'll choose to sing hallelujah

Here is a link to the acoustic version on YouTube...  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY5_jMdELnw

Psst... Hug, high-five, or pat a teacher on the back the next time you see one.  The truth is the job is demanding and precious and the beginning of each school year is tough.  A little act of kindness goes a looong way! :)

All things GIRL!!!

We found out two weeks ago that we're having a girl!!  Our sweet little blessing is due to arrive on December 20th and we're so looking forward to meeting our Christmas miracle!  Christmas truly is my favorite time of year and always has been.  I was the little girl that bought into the magic of the season and wanted to keep up with all of the family traditions.  I love everything it entails... beautifully decorated trees, twinkling lights, cheery holiday music, yummy treats, and the cozy change in the weather.  But most of all I love celebrating the birth of Jesus.  Each year brings a chance to celebrate the birth of our Savior and doing so in ways that include family and making memories is what makes it so special.  I cannot help but smile when thinking about celebrating our little girl's birth during my favorite time of the year and know it will add to the joy of many people we love.  Our sweet little blessing is loved by so many already and we've been overwhelmed by the prayers and well wishes.  Only 18 weeks until she graces us with her presence and I cannot wait to love on the miracle God has blessed us with!

Oh yeah, did I mention how much fun it is to shop for all things little girl??

Thoughts of Joy

I'm wide awake at 3 AM as my mind races through the thoughts of the next 12 hours.  Today we find out the gender of our baby and I could not think of a better way to express my thoughts than by dusting off the 'ol blog and letting them free.  This journey has been a long one in the making.  Chris and I tried for 20 months to get pregnant.  The process was not as complicated as some go through but it definitely took a toll on my emotions.  It was a roller coaster of ups and downs and what, at the time, felt like a lot of disappointment.  My faith was tested throughout the 19 months of false tests and the unknowns got the best of me for sure.  Chris was my rock.  He stayed positive the entire time and always encouraged me to let go of the sadness and find joy in the current day.  His faith and belief in the experience kept me going and I love him for that.  With all of that being said, today I am 19 weeks and 5 days pregnant!  My heart is full of gratitude for God entrusting us with this new life and for being given the opportunity to become parents.  It is amazing how my thoughts have already changed and I view things in a different perspective.  We are truly taking this journey one day at a time and soaking up the experience (even the yucky evening sickness I went through early on).  I can guarantee you there is no taking things for granted on our end!  So as we go check on our baby today, our thoughts will be full of joy and we'll focus on the blessings we have been given.  For God is good all the time, all the time God is good.