Our Newest Addition!

On Monday we went to have our first ultrasound. Everything looks great and the baby is going well. I desperately wanted to find out what we were having but Tyler really didn't want to so I guess we will have to wait until the end!! My doctor gave me the due date of May 7th but the ultrasound is showing the due date to be April 27th so I guess we will have to see. I am currently 19weeks or 20weeks if you go by the ultrasound. Here are a few of the pictures...enjoy!




Rachelle

November Update

The month of November has come and is almost gone. It is a been quite a whirlwind in the Ulmer household.

Two weeks ago, my mom, sister and mother-in-law went to Great Fall, MT to do some shopping. We found great deals and I managed to get most of my Christmas shopping completed. Tyler stayed home with Abbi so we were able to shop from sun up to sun down. Jena was feeling a bit ill and had to hold back a bit but she still managed to find some things too.

Tyler has been busily working on the basement. If I can, I will try to post some before photos that we took. We have made an office downstairs and updated the spare room. We also created a larger closet in the spare room and made some extra storage in the laundry room. We are just finishing up the painting and then it will be up to dad and Tyler to get the carpet in. As soon as the office is done we can start on Abbi's new room. She will be moving into the old office and we will keep the nursery for the new baby.

Work has finally started to slow down this week. The month of November was busy with paperwork, report cards and testing on my part. We also had two nights of parent teacher interviews. With 6 hours of interviews I had one parent show up. I guess this is what you can expect when you teach a special ed. classroom. I did manage to do a lot of marking and planning instead!

Abbi successfully passed her first level of gymnastics. She had her ceremony last Saturday. We are not signing her up for the next session as we will be away too many Saturdays...we will try again in the spring.

I just had my doctor's appointment last week. I am now 17 weeks along. I did hear the heartbeat at my last appointment but this time my doctor was only able to hear a pulse. He said he suspects that the placenta is exterior??? and is blocking the heartbeat. It was nothing to be concerned about but will just make it tougher to find the heartbeat. We have our first ultrasound on Dec. 11th.

I am starting to feel a lot better. The morning sickness is gone and my appetite is definitely back. My lower back is very sore from a previous injury and I have started to go back for physio therapy. It is helping but taking care of Abbi makes it tough to totally rest my back.

Tyler is in Lethbridge for the entire week and I am a single mother again! He is reliving a manager there while she is on holidays. He is eager to come home and finish his basement project.

We are starting to get ready for Christmas and Mexico. I can't believe how quick both are coming. We have a few Christmas parties to look forward to in the month of December. I am also hosting Jena's shower and stagette on Dec. 29th so there is a lot of planning for that. We have already started to prepare for Mexico and getting things prepared. After Christmas will be so hectic that I know I have to get on it now. Abbi needs to get vaccinated for hepatitis and so we are trying to fit in two appointments before we go. It is also time to see what summer clothes still fit Abbi and will work for Mexico...hopefully she hasn't grown too much!

Well I guess that is all for now. We are very excited for the holiday season to begin. It has suddenly turned cold and snowy here and Abbi is loving every minute of it!! Sorry about the lack of pictures. I will post some when I get them downloaded.

Rachelle

Fall Pictures!

We managed to get out to the park and take some pictures with my family. Abbi was not too keen on the leaves but we managed to get a few good pics. Enjoy!



Rachelle

October Update!

Well we attended my girlfriend Angie's wedding on the Thanksgiving weekend. The wedding was in Medicine Hat and it was gorgeous. We had a great time and are so happy for both Angie and Dave. Abbi was the flower girl and my other girlfriend's son, Blake, was the ring bearer. The two of them did great and made it down the isle on their own!!! Here are some pictures of the wedding.

For Thanksgiving we also visited with my aunt, uncle and cousins from Fort Saskatchewan (near Edmonton). It was a great visit and was nice to catch up with them.

I have been crazy at work and I hope that it will slow down soon. We have some plans due at the end of October so that is why we have been working like crazy.

I am now 12 weeks along and happy that my first trimester is over. I was not feeling too hot and had difficulty finding an appetite. I felt the same when I was pregnant with Abbi and I started to feel better in my second trimester.

Tyler has started to renovate the basement. We are at the electrical stage so it will be awhile before we can start the drywall. At least this is the clean part of reno's. We are hoping to have the basement finished before Christmas so we can start moving Abbi over into her new room.

Not much else is new with us...just work, work, work! Here are some random shots taken this month.

Rachelle

Yes, we are expecting!

I guess it is public knowlege by now...yes, we are expecting. I am due in early May! We are very excited and will have a busy winter getting the basement done so we can move Abbi into her big girl room.

Rachelle

Wedding Update!

A quick update of the last couple of weeks. The last two weekends we have attended two weddings.

Two weeks ago my girlfriend, Megan was married. The wedding was in Medicine Hat and the weather was gorgeous. It was a lovely ceremony, great supper and dance. She had a live band at the reception which was great. We were able to leave Abbi with my parents for the reception so Tyler and I could enjoy the reception. Here are a few pics from Megan's wedding.

This past weekend we went to Winnipeg for my cousin Alan's wedding. Both bride and groom were looking great. Again, the weather was gorgeous, especially for Winnipeg. Abbi did last the ceremony and most of the supper. She enjoyed dancing...especially the chicken dance. She soon "died out" at about 8 and slept until we left at around midnight.

It was great visiting everyone in Winnipeg. I just hope that next time we have a bit more time then just the weekend. We stayed at my cousin's place, Brent and Cathy. They were lovely hosts!! I will have to send out a thank you to Justin and Kyle, my second cousins, who played and kept Abbi entertained...it was greatly appreciated.

We also had the chance to visit friends of ours while in Winnipeg. Kevin, Jocelyn and their daughter Kennedy. The girls had a great time playing while us adults could catch up. It was great seeing them.

Abbi did very well on the plane ride. She did fall asleep on the way there and on the way back but just for a short time. She did not cry when we took off or landed. It was a bit squishy holding her for the whole time but I think we will be okay for Mexico.

This weekend Abbi is starting her first class of gymnastics, so we are excited about that. Next weekend, Abbi is the flower girl for my girlfriend's wedding. Also, my relatives from Fort Saskatchewan (outside of Edmonton) will down to visit. It will be yet another busy weekend but very exciting at the same time.

Rachelle

First Wedding of the Season!

This past weekend, Tyler's brother got married in Elkwater. It was a beautiful wedding! It was cold the day of the wedding but just before the ceremony it warmed up and it was perfect weather for an outdoor wedding. Tyler was the best man and Abbi was the flower girl. Abbi didn't quite make it down the isle but she did walk the isle after the wedding was done. I think she was shocked to see all the people.

I am back to work full-time. It is hard getting use to a new routine and being away from Abbi so much. The change has not seemed to affect Abbi. She loves going to day home and runs up the driveway everyday. We must have one last cuddle and kiss and then she says "bye mommy."

We are attending another wedding this weekend in Medicine Hat. Next weekend we will be making the plane ride to Winnipeg for my cousin's wedding. We are not too sure about the plane ride but I guess it is a warm up to the plane ride to Mexico. Then we have another wedding on Thanksgiving where Abbi is the flower girl.

Well lets hope I can keep up with all the weddings. I will try to get them posted.

Rachelle

Last of summer holidays!!

We spent the last of our summer holidays camping at Kinbrook Island Park, which is located in Brooks, AB. We went with friends so there were 8 adults and 2 babies. The weather was beautiful and we were able to go to the beach and enjoy the sunshine. A friend's friend has a boat on the lake so were able to take advantage of a boat ride. There is a picture of Bridget wake boarding.

Abbi absolutely loved camping and managed to get dirty the minute she left the trailer door. I had a hard time trying to let go of the "dirtiness" and just let her have fun. She did have a bath at the end of the night and then stayed in the trailer until bedtime...mommy's orders!

I am posting a picture of Tyler actually starting a fire the natural way. I just have to add that the fire Heather and Tyler attempted didn't really work so Scott needed to add some break cleaner to get it going. The other pic is of the fire after it had some help.

I have been spending the last week getting my classroom and office ready for the new school year. I am not happy going back full-time but I know that it is just for this year. I managed to get a permanent contract which is exciting and so next year I am guaranteed a job and I can pick what hours I would like to work. I am excited to be back in the classroom and hope that I don't forget how it is all done.

We are preparing for our month of weddings. I hope the weather holds out for everyone. We will be flying for the first time with Abbi when we head to Winnipeg. It is only a 2 hour flight so I am hoping we survive. This flight will definitely be a warm up to the big trip to Mexico in January. We actually just received our passports in the mail so I guess we can officially head out of the country!!!

Here are some last pics of our camping trip...enjoy! The baby in the pictures is Jayla and is the daughter of Heather and Scott Osadchuk (probably spelt wrong). She was born premature in November at just 1 lb. 10 oz. and is now growing like a weed. The last picture is of us girls!

Rachelle

Busy, busy, busy!

We have been out and about for the last week or so. Tyler was on holidays last week and almost everyday of his holidays we were travelling. We started out by going to the cabin for the long weekend. It was nice and relaxing, the weather was awesome. On Monday, we packed up and headed to Lethbridge. We left Abbi in Lethbridge with my sister and brother in law, which made their household equal 5 kids! We then headed to Calgary Monday night without Abbi. We spent the day Monday looking for a new van and found one, we then headed back to Lethbridge on Tuesday. On Wednesday morning Tyler and I set out to the United States for our anniversary. We went to Kallispel which is just outside of Whitefish, Montana. We stayed one night and came back to Lethbridge Thursday through Logan's Pass. The drive home through the mountains was beautiful. On Friday, we all headed home for some much needed rest. On Saturday, Tyler had to go back to Calgary (actually High River) to pick up our new van and bring it home. Let's just say we were happy not having to travel on Sunday and spent the day at home getting some things around the house done.

I will be back at work in less than two weeks. I have been going to the school to get set up and spending my nights planning. I am hoping to have quite a few of my classes planned ahead so I do not have too much to do come September as we are attending 3 weddings as well as a stagette and stag.

This weekend we are camping with friends at Kinbrook Park which is outside of Brooks. No, we will not be tenting...we are using mom and dad's trailer. Tyler is not much of a camper in the
first place so if we were tenting he would never come.

Here are a few pics of Abbi and her newest cousin, Keetley. He is the fourth boy in the McAulay clan.

Rachelle

Summer Fun!

IT'S BEEN A HOT ONE!!

Well we have been busy for the month of July. I can't believe summer holidays are already half over!!!

At the beginning of the month my grandparents came for a short visit and my Uncle Bob came with them. We had a nice visit with them.

Abbi and I spent a few days camping with my parents in Saskatchewan at The Saskatchewan Landing. It was "smokin' hot" but luckily we got the last power site and therefore enjoyed the non stop air conditioner. We spent some time at the beach just trying to cool off. During our time in Saskatchewan we went out to my dad's cousin's farm for the day. Abbi was able to play with her third (I think) cousins. Here are a few pics of our camping trip...

July in Medicine Hat also means Stampede Time!! Auntie Jena made sure Abbi was dressed appropriately for the occasion and purchased the pink cowboy hat. We did take in a few activities this year. Abbi really enjoyed the parade and loved pointing out all the "horsies." Even though it was about +38 we did make it to the grounds to walk around however Abbi did not last too long. She loved watching all the people and playing a few games. We made a special trip to the petting zoo where Abbi "freaked out" when the lambs came up to her...needless to say she was not a fan.

This past week we were in Calgary. Tyler is working around Calgary so we thought we would spend some time with him as well as some friends. My sister in law and youngest nephew also came to Calgary to do some shopping with Abbi and I. Here are a few pics of our visit in Calgary.

In between our other travels we have tried to make it out to the cabin for some relaxation. Abbi has had a blast playing with her cousins at the beach.

At the end of the month Tyler and I celebrated our third anniversary. Since we were in Calgary and had company we will officially celebrate our anniversary next week when Tyler is on holidays. Tyler's sister has offered to take Abbi for a few days while Tyler and I spend a few days in the States.

Rachelle