gear update

Thanks so much for all the baby product advice! I love hearing what has worked and hasn't from people.

According to some of your emails/messages, I might not have been real clear on the infant carrier. We have this infant carrier in gray (it's called romantic most places). (It's actually on a truck being shipped to us right now. And there's a good story behind it-My uncle called one night asking about car seats. He had done some research and then found out which one we were wanting. He was wanting to know if it would be okay with us if he got it for us. How awesome is that? We have good family!) (I guess the story is better if you know my uncle).

It comes with one base and after much deliberation, we decided not to purchase a second base for R's car. Baby H will rarely (if ever) need to ride in R's car. I can count on one hand the number of times I've ridden in it this year (just for hauling stuff- hello Junk Bonanza). Other than hauling stuff, R only uses it for work. So we decided against the 2nd base but we have a good friend that offered to loan us theirs once their little guys have outgrown them (which is soon... tear). (We have good friends!)

On a somewhat related note.... my latest struggle in preparing Baby H's space is finding boy fabrics that match the ideas I have in my head for a nursery. I know this will apply to way less of you- but is there anyone that reads this blog that buys fabric online and knows of some great places to get fabrics? I love Amy Butler, Joel Dewberry and the like but I'm not really finding the boy colors I'm wanting (teals, greys, vintage blue, aquas, mustard, etc).

And yes, I'm thankful this is today's struggle. I know there are much bigger things in life to worry about. My brother has already told me how silly it is to spend so much time and effort into designing a space for a child that wont care. (However, he told me within the same hour how he likes my decor and what a good job I do with it so his nursery opinion was discounted.) My heart really aches for my friends struggling today because they long for a baby to hold and I know they couldn't care less about a nursery. My heart is aching today for those whose babies went Home too soon and should be here in their momma's arms today. I know the way our baby's nursery looks is a very minor detail that doesn't matter to most. But it matters to me. As I would sit in our guest room, rocking several other people's babies to sleep, I would pray that God's will would be done in my life. And I would often ask him if that will would someday have me rocking my own baby in a nursery up there. I'm so thankful that He has given us this day to worry about nursery fabrics.

On a related note... I appreciate those of you that chimed in with a resounding 'no' to the wallpaper border debate. R says he wasn't actually wanting it... he just thought that's what you were supposed to do in a nursery. ;)

Love to you today!

advice?

Updated: Thanks for all the emails, fb messages, comments. Keep 'em coming! You guys are so good! And I forgot to ask the other question (which is what sparred this post in the first place)- the convertible seat we want is on sale right now. Do they go on sale very often? Our plan was to wait to buy it after the due date with the discount but this sale price is even better. Will it be on sale again?

I'm a review junky. And I want what I want. Thus I spent over a year finding the right couch for our upstairs living room. And just as long reading reviews for household appliances and every other major purchase we made with our house.

So at our last appointment when the Dr said, "Well we need to do this since you are halfway through this pregnancy..." I looked at R with a panicked, "WHU!?!?"

Because honestly, the carpet is ripped up in Baby H's room and we hadn't purchased a single thing yet. We needed to get cracking.

(Okay.. that sounds misleading- we do have some things for baby H but it's been purchased by my family and friends. My mom got us an awesome crib and huge dresser. My uncle got us a car seat. My sister and friends have hooked us up with some clothes, bottles and other baby gear. We've even gotten diapers from Baby H's future friend that's already outgrown the newborn size. We feel so incredibly blessed to be loved on so much and we are so thankful for it. But we hadn't purchased anything ourselves yet. Since that appointment we ordered the flooring for baby's room so we since have officially made our first baby purchase. If flooring counts as a baby purchase.)

Anyway.. on to the point of this post. (I have been a lot like the mouse with the cookie lately, haven't I?)

Realizing we're halfway through this pregnancy, I need help figuring out the car seat situation.

We have two vehicles but R mainly uses his for work purposes only. If we are going out of town or going anywhere together, we typically use mine. We're assuming baby h will spend most of his vehicle time in my car. The only exception to that would be when baby h starts leaving the house for daycare, R may need to drop him off some mornings.

My uncle purchased us an infant carrier. We'll have the base for that in my car.

So my questions for you are.....

1.) Did we pick a good infant carrier? (Please say yes.)

2.) Do we need the second base (to put in R's car) (it is like $70! Yikes!)? (Please tell me we can get away without it.)

3.) Have any of you used a convertible car seat for a newborn? They say they are good from 5 pounds. Is that true?

4.) Is this a good convertible car seat?

5.) Will we eventually need two convertible car seats anyway?

and not really a question I need an answer to but 6.) Wow. Who knew all this stuff was so much money?

Oh. You did? Well aren't you a smart cookie.

And while you're dishing out advice. Talk to me about bassinets. We don't really need one do we? What baby gear could you not live without? What would you pass on?

this is why i do it

I love teaching. I do. It's who I am. It's in my blood. I'm in my element when I'm there. I feel good about what I'm doing when I'm there doing it.

But I'm figuring out what I love about teaching is working with people (especially kids, no offense to you adults) and being on 'stage' (because I always feel like it's a performance to teach 8th graders anything).

When I started doing photography, I realized I loved it too. I didn't quite feel in my element because I felt like I didn't know what I was doing (I felt that way when I started teaching too). But I loved it.

And then I figured out that what I love about photography is working with people (especially kids, no offense to you adults) and being on 'stage' (because I always feel like it's a performance to get a 2 year old to look at the camera AND smile).

Before every school day and before every session, I pray. I pray that God would use me to be a blessing to someone. And while I've had tons of 8th graders tell me lots of nice things (oh don't worry, I've had some tell me mean things too) and tons of photography clients tell me lots of nice things (and while they haven't told me, I'm sure they've thought mean things too) I literally teared up today when a client told me what a blessing I am to her.

And that's why I do what I do.

blog worthy?

As I was doing the 20th+ load of laundry today I realized our laundry room didn't have dirty clothes on the floor for the first time since I started doing photography. This was great. This was amazing. This was SO blog worthy. Well maybe not that last one, but I was definitely excited about it. Excited enough that it made me start to organize the craft corner a little bit (really my laundry room is a craft room disguised as a dirty laundry room- it's a work in progress). And as I started organizing the craft corner I found fabric for flowers. Which reminded me I needed to make Kylie's headband flower. Which reminded me I still hadn't found the fabric I bought for burp cloths and bibs. So I dug through the fabric until I found it. And remembered I had been wanting to make one of those burp cloths or bibs for a long time. So I made a bib.

I know you're comparing me to a mouse right now. Or a pig. Or the moose.

But look at this bib. I know you aren't impressed but it's the first thing I've sewn for fun in a LONG time. That's a big deal.

And don't worry, while I may have cried in the fabric store yesterday thinking the boy fabric was all ugly, I don't think it's ugly enough to make our poor little guy wear pink and purple. I'll pawn this off on the next little girl I see.

(You can make a bib too! Use the bib tutorial from Raechel over at Finding my Feet. Thanks, Raechel!)

No Worries

I was getting ready to write a post about worrying and while trying to look for this post I found this post. Mmm... I guess it's something I didn't think I did but apparently I've struggled with it more than I remember.

But really. Other than that (and, you know, a few million other times), I rarely worry. So when I woke up screaming a couple nights ago because I thought there was a tornado outside, it was a little out of character.

I guess tornadoes weren't as scary before I felt responsible for someone else's safety. Now that I'm carrying this little guy, I feel like it's my job to keep him safe in a way no one else can right now. So when I thought the tornado was going to suck me away (taking him with me), I worried.

Financially, I am not the worrier. Really. Despite what that post says, I really don't worry about it. I've never needed to because R has worried enough for the both of us. :)

But now, we are going to very soon become a one (1 1/2? 2?) income family at a time we are going to need more income than ever. This last year, we basically had 3 full-time incomes and nearly 2/3s of that is going away (I'll still be doing photography but it will be limited this fall and the winter after the new year is always a slow time for it).

I got a little worried.

I set up my fall photography schedule and prayed that it would somehow get filled. I knew it was maybe a little over zealous of me to think I could fill all the slots I put on that schedule but I was hoping that maybe, somehow, it would work out.

Well, I think God was trying to prove a point to me. By 12:09 am (I allowed for booking to start at midnight), ALL of my September sessions were booked. Really. In fact, I added two to the schedule for people that emailed at 12:01 but went to junk mail (I felt bad for them- they set alarms to get up and everything!).

So as I woke up this morning with a fear of R leaving for the day (for absolutely no reason at all except maybe my hormones?), God said, really? Haven't we already been through this? I've got this. Now stop worrying.

And the slow learner that I am is going to really trust Him this time.

Kylie Dedication

On Sunday, sweet Kylie was dedicated at church. I was the crazy lady at the front of the church trying to get a decent picture from my purse camera. But it was okay because I loved the front row seat to where this family is at right now.

(side bar- check out the thumbs up)

Gabe and his brother singing 'Before the Morning.'

I posted the song Before the Morning back in December. I vividly remember sitting on the couch with Ang, tears in eyes, waiting for 'morning.' When Kylie was born in January, it seemed far from 'morning' type of news. Sweet baby Kylie was born with a special heart. I posted this in January:

We were talking about the song "Before the Morning" and how not quite a month ago we were both so sure the morning was coming soon. Then within a few weeks, it seemed like the morning wasn't here yet. But my friend helped me realize that our idea of dark and morning could be completely different from God's idea of dark and morning. I wonder how many times in our lives He's protected us from things we couldn't imagine.

As Gabe sang "Before The Morning" at church on Sunday, the slideshow of Kylie played in the background. I lost it. The pictures of her in NICU took me back to the very moment that shutter was pressed (on that same little purse camera). I very clearly remember my friend's hand resting on the incubator as she longed to touch her little girl.

My knees ached as I was flooded with memories of falling to my knees in front of that same little bed. I remember pleading with God to protect this little girl that I already loved so much. As I tried to fight back the tears Sunday, I was reminded of fighting back tears so many times this winter, trying hard not to cry in front of my friend.

As I sit here today and look at more recent pictures of Kylie, my heart is filled with joy. I feel so blessed when I look at where she was and where she is. She still has a special heart but we know who her Healer is.

"Now to Him that is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us." -Ephesians 3:20

Class Reunion

Last weekend, we headed south for my 10 year class reunion (I know I look about 8 years too young to be having one...... or not).

We met at the Woodshed (despite it's 'backwoods' sound it's actually a really great place!). We had a low key hang out for lunch and the afternoon, ran home to take a quick nap, and went straight back out for the DJ. We were out there about a total of 9 hours. This mama was swollen and exhausted by the end of the night but it was a great time! So fun to see everyone! (Well.... everyone that showed up....)

Here's part of the class of 2001. It's the worst picture of me from the group but the only one where I wasn't blocking out C.W. behind me. The boys gave me a hard time for being large enough to block him out. Har har.

Here's Jill. I have so many great memories with her from growing up. Lemonade stands with rabbit mascots. Sleepovers. Being managers of the year. We were just awesome. Unlike me, she still is. You can read about her and the IT guy on her blog.

Tabitha and her cute family also have a blog. I know you recognize her girls from the {cb}h blog. EVERYONE messaged me on how cute they are. When we were growing up, Tab hosted the best slumber parties.

My best friend. Who graduated way earlier than 2001. ;)

Clintner is my earliest friend I remember (that wasn't a relative). I spent a lot of time at my grandma's and he lived right across the street. I have so many memories with this crazy guy! He and his wife, Reagen, have the sweetest girl named Piper. I love this family!

Laci (on the left) is one of my favorite in-laws. She is married to Mark (in the red, third from the right above- whom I didn't get a picture of with his wife) who was one of my college roommates and pretty much my brother. Laci pretty much lived with us too. (Unless her mom is reading this- then she went back to her own place every night.) Laci was a couple years younger than us in school but one of my best friends through high school and college. I just love her! (And Raegen too who is in the middle. Unlike me, she changed after sitting in the hot sun all day.)

Zach graduated a year ahead of us but ironically enough, more people asked where he was throughout the day than people from our actual class. He did show up for the daytime part of the reunion but after several people had already left. And obviously he was there that night. Zach is another one of my college roomies and is most definitely like a brother to me. I'm not sure if he treats me or (his actual sister) Sarah the worst (okay it's Sarah) but we know it's because he loves us the most. I probably have the most memories with him but likely because he reminds me all the time with his legendary stories. :) And ladies, he's quite the eligible bachelor if you are interested. :)

There's a few more people from my class that I absolutely love that, unfortunately, didn't make it to the reunion. Some of my very best friends to this day are people that have known me forever. There's just something about knowing someone from the time you are 3 that makes for a pretty special friendship. I always forget how much I miss all these guys until I'm with them again.

$1.00

Inspired by Raechel, I wanted to post my garage sale steal of the week.

Technically, this is Ang's garage sale steal of the week. She spotted them and even forked over the cash for them but since they're in my home I'm totally claiming them!

As we were out and about Friday morning, Ang spotted these baby Jordan's at a sale for ONE DOLLAR. ANY pair of baby Jordan's is going to cost around $30. Most around $40 and rare ones like the generation 8s are as high as $99 on ebay!! That's just crazy talk. And I know Ang is going to want these back to post on ebay now but R has officially fallen for his first baby item and has subsequently spent hours of research online looking for other suitable baby Jordan items. While he was on it, he decided he needed a matching pair of retro Jordan's. Which will end up costing us $130. So actually these baby Jordan's total cost is $131. But that doesn't sound like as good of a deal does it? ;)

It's a.....

A couple weeks ago we had a gender reveal party with a few of our close friends. It was actually Holly's idea and she and mom were going to come up to host. Instead, I got anxious and couldn't wait until it worked for both of us to do it so we changed plans and we planned this gathering in about 9 hours. :) In the not so far back future I would have thought this was a cheesy idea for a party but I'll take any excuse to celebrate and this seemed like a great excuse. It turned out being so fun!

PS- A little disclaimer about that last photo- where it says 'shocked' it should say 'mad as heck.' We had some seriously upset boys that thought they 'lost the game' since they chose pink and it was blue. And where it says 'excited' it should say 'stopped being mad.' But I figured in the long run having that in the baby book may not be the best idea. ;) AND the little guys are warming up to the idea of a baby boy around here- they've already hooked him up with his first Mav's shirt. :)

PPS- You totally cant see it but part of the reason those boys may have been so upset is because they got SO into the dressing up in pink. We've got Mr. Zay with his pink collar popped and Malachi with his sister's pink princess nightgown and pink shoe laces in. He really went all out!!

The View From Here

Here's the view I've been getting a lot of lately......

Yep. That's a bump.

(I think it actually looks bigger in photos and mirrors than real life... at least that's what I tell myself.) ;)

Bump is such a funny word for miracle but I'm embracing it.

We sent out an email last week announcing little one's gender and the majority of responses was, "WHAT?!? You're pregnant?!?!" Turns out most of the free world doesn't follow me on twitter or pinterest. (You are on pinterest, right?)

So I realized maybe that bump could make an appearance on the blog. And as the writer of this blog, I made that happen. Nice how that works out, huh?

Now from the bump diaries.....

as I was slaving over the stove (yes I was barefoot but that has nothing to do with my story and you shouldn't have wondered), my bump bumped into the stovetop. I thought to myself, wow for about two hours I forgot I was pregnant. I had felt good with no emotional outbreaks for two whole hours. Then as if on cue- there's a heart wrenching story on the Nate Berkus show. I start bawling. No, it was not the story about the lady with cancer in the hope room. The one about the college kid working at UPS to pay for their tuition. Baby H has a long time before college though. Right?.... Right?!? Someone please tell me I'm right. ;)

School's Out For The Summer..... School's Out Forever?

As they were playing 'Schools Out for the Summer' and the next line of 'Schools out forever' came on... I had to wonder if it was. Tuesday was a bittersweet day for me as my 8th graders hugged me goodbye with tears in their eyes and made me promise to email them back. I had an amazing group of students this year and it was really sad to see them go. But..... summer vacation is always welcomed with open arms around here.

And being (almost) summer vacation, I realized I hadn't posted anything from Jamaica vacation yet. I (finally) started a Jamaica scrapbook and will be posting pages as they are ready (I'm warning you it could take awhile). They are formatted for scrapbook size so I'm hoping if you click on them for the larger image you can read them/see them on the blog.