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