Wedding and New Camera Pics

I got my new camera on Thursday and am already in love with it. I took a few pictures at Sadie's wedding and while getting ready. Here are a few. I can't wait to start taking tons of pictures!

Thought I would try a classic "wedding shot". Needs a little photoshopping but still pretty cool.


Here is Sadie's hair courtesy of the FABULOUS Lisa Herman!!!



Pretty girls!!!


Me and my BFF Bonny who was visiting from Florida and was TONS of help for some last minute details and videographer of the ceremony!! Love you Midge!!


Getting laced up!



Just testing out the camera on some decorations.

My sister is getting MARRIED!!!!

My big sister Sadie is getting married tomorrow and I couldn't be more happy for her :) She is marrying a sweet, gentle man who is a great father to his 2 girls and a great step-father to Jada and Saniya!! I am sooo happy for their family and know they will really help enrich each other's lives and be true partners in the journey of love, parenthood, and life they are on!!! Congrats to SADIE AND MIKE!!!!


Also KUDOS to Candy and Steve Cross for throwing 3 weddings in less than 2 years!!!
-Heidi and Paul 8/16/08
-Nolan and Jenny 6/20/09
-Sadie and Mike 2/5/10

$1.99 picture frame

I was at Joann craft store and saw plain white wooden little frames for sale. They were $1.99 a piece and thought I could probably make some really cute baby room picture frames. I decided only to buy 1 as a test subject to see if it turned out cute. (I should have bought more because now I have grand ideas for a picture frame wall-art collage in the nursery.) Anyways, with some scrap book paper, buttons, Elmer's glue, and some clear spray paint finish, and of course some hot glue I have a cute frame for the baby room and the desire to make more :) It was so cheap and easy. I thought these would make GREAT gift ideas if you had some letters to personalize with a name or favorite toy theme or anything fun like that. Basically any little decoration, scrap-booking scraps, even small toys could be used to make the frame your very own...I might just have to head back to Joann next week...and wouldn't you know it I just got a flyer with some coupons...I think it's a sign.


Here are a couple pictures of the finished frame up close and then in the nursery.

32 weeks...and counting

Yesterday I was officially 32 weeks and counting...Which sort of gave me a reality check. I could have a baby anytime in the next 2-10 weeks!! YIKES!! It is just so surreal...I am hoping for a baby somewhere in the middle...Maybe 6-7 weeks from now would be JUST RIGHT :) Anyways, it got me thinking that i should probably buy my car seat. We (meaning I did all the research and told Paul about it) have decided on the Graco SnugRide 32. It is a little more spendy than some other infant carriers/car seats but it has the bonus of being able to support babies up to 32 lbs. (Most infant seats only go up to 20) And ALL you Mom's may already know this (I learned it in my car seat training/installation class for work this summer) but just because the law says it is OK to switch your baby forward facing @ 1 yr and/or 20lbs...It is actually recommended that they stay rear facing a lot longer and up to 30lbs. As long as they don't outgrow the height restriction for this seat..I think it will work perfectly. (Let's be honest..the chance of to average height people like me and Paul popping out a Shag baby is pretty slim) Found the best price on Amazon.com with free shipping. I am really liking this online shopping thing!!!

Just finished reading - The Red Tent by Anita Diamant

I just finished reading this book. It was recommended by my sister who read it while she was pregnant.
This is how the author describes the book on her website www.anitadiamant.com "The Red Tent retells the story of Dinah, which is found in the Biblical book of Genesis, Chapter 34. This episode, usually known as the "Rape of Dinah" has been a difficult passage for bible readers for centuries because of the murderous behavior of Jacob's sons. In Genesis, Dinah does not say a single word; what happens to her is recounted and characterized as rape by her brothers. In my retelling of the story, Dinah finds her voice. The Red Tent is told entirely from her perspective and the point of view of the women around her.

The Red Tent is historical fiction, but because it is based on a story in the Bible, many readers feel an extraordinary connection to its cast of characters, whose names and tales are part of our culture, and our families, too. After all, many of us have parents named Jacob or Rachel, and many of us have children named Joseph or Leah."

I REALLY enjoyed this book, not only because it is about and in the voice of the women of the time but it also deals a lot with birth and midwifery. It also has many themes about mothers, motherhood and what that entails (both good and bad). You really come to connect with Dinah and really get into the story that it seems she is able to tell for the first time. Whether you are familiar with the biblical references or not does not influence how great this book is. I highly recommend it to anyone especially mothers and mothers-to-be.

Crafting Corner- Shoe Box Storage

Since getting a wonderful book of crafting ideas from my sister for a baby shower gift, I have embarked on a few projects for baby. (see fleece boppy below). Todays craft was converting a couple old shoe boxes into cute sorage/keepsake boxes for the nursery. here are the supplies I started with.



SUPPLIES:
pieces of remnant material
old shoe box
hot glue gun and glue
spray adhesive
scissors
ribbon
any other extra's or bling you may want to add (buttons, iron on photos, etc)

I cut and adhere the material to the shoe box using the spray adhesive (which BTW is not good for anyone to breath in especially preggos so use it in a WELL ventilated area... I chose my basement with a window cracked and a fan blowing) Much easier to spray paint/glue when it is nice out and you can just use your deck/yard. Do the same for the lid. I chose 2 different fabrics but you can use the same fabric for both if you like. Then tack down the inside edges using a hot glue gun. (Pull the fabric so that it has no wrinkles first.) Next cut enough ribbon to go around the whole bottom of the box. Hot glue this down leaving 6-8 inches left to tie. Do the same for the lid (cut enough ribbon and glue down leaving 6-8 extra inches) I chose to glue two parallel ribbons but you can do just one in the center or off center, whatever looks best to you. Next put the lid on the box and tie the ribbons from the box and the lid together creating a cute little. Here is the finished product.




I made two!!!



Here they are in their new home in the baby's room. (Note the green material on bottom is a little see through but I think using the flash amplifies it. A thicker quilting material would cover better but I used what I had)

Take home outfit for Baby Nyquist

Can you tell I am excited for the baby to arrive??? Today I was sitting in the baby room enjoying the sights...I like to sit in there and relax. Maybe it's the colors or just being surrounded by sweet baby stuff. Maybe I am a freak or maybe this is normal for first time mom's, but I like to go through the clothes we have so far and look how small they are and put together little outfits. (I did love dressing up my Barbies and dolls when I was little so this could be a regression) Anyways, I decided to pick out a couple of options for the baby to wear home from the hospital. I feel a little bad that it will have to be yellow and green (since we don't know the sex of the baby), but CAN'T WAIT to have a little one wear these clothes!!! Two months from today is my due date but I keep visualizing March 21st in hopes the baby will come then :) (I am not holding my breath, from what I hear the baby will come when it is good and ready) He/She is kicking like crazy these days and keeping me up at night (practice for when it arrives) but I can not complain!! I am LOVING EVERY minute of this pregnancy and since the morning sickness stopped in the 15-16th week it has been SMOOTH sailing!!! I hope these next 8 weeks are just as joyful!! (even the huffing and puffing I now experience when doing simple tasks like running up the stairs after throwing in a load of laundry or prying myself out of bed and making my way to the bathroom in the middle of the night) I lost another pound at my last doctor appointment and she asked me if I was eating. I assured her that I was..I feel like I am eating a lot but make pretty healthy choices (maybe even more healthy than when I wasn't pregnant). Just in case I stepped up the fat/protein/snack intake. I figure this may be the only time in my life when I am getting instructed by a medical professional to eat more :) I better live it up!! My next doctor appointment is this Wednesday so we'll see what my progress is!! The fetal heart-rate has continually remained in the 150's through the entire pregnancy and my blood pressure is consistently around 110/65. (I don't know much about blood pressure but my nurse always says this is good so I trust her) I just can't wait for March and to finally get to me our healthy and happy baby!!!

Crafty Mama

Since I stay at home I like to spend my time doing different crafts, Mainly baby stuff and presents for other expecting Mommas I know. My sister got me this FABULOUS book of simple crafting ideas for my a baby shower gift. (Crafty Mama Makes 49 Fast, Fabulous, Foolproof (Baby & Toddler) Projects by Abby Pecoriello) It has lots of great ideas for crafting for/with babies on up to toddlers. My latest project was ULTRA simple and cute. My mother-in-law got a used boppy from a friend at work who was getting rid of baby stuff. Since I am not one to turn down hand-me-downs, I gladly accepted (even though I had received a new boppy for a shower gift I figured it can't hurt to have a spare either for Nana's house or for when one gets spit up/leaked on/etc. THe old boppy did not have a very appealing design and just looked a little dated. With a some fleece that I got on sale at Jo-Ann (one of my favorite stores) and 30 minutes of my time, I now have a cute newly covered spare Boppy :) I think it is so cute!!

28 reasons to love my FAVORITE 28 year old!!! Happy birthday Paul!!

1) He is one of the funniest people I know.
2) He is patient.
3) He is guaranteed to never go bald. (he's got a lot of hair)
4) His laugh.
5) His laugh when he is trying to press my buttons.
6) The excitement he shows for simple things.
7) His ability/willingness to fix stuff.
8) His DIY attitude towards home improvement.
9) How he compares the price per ounce while grocery shopping.
10) How he pauses and actually thinks (or is pretending to think) before responding.
11) His love for diet soda. His latest kick is Diet A&W.
12) He lets me watch Chelsea Lately and I think secretly enjoys it himself.
13) His ability to eat more than anyone I know and still be so skinny.
14) How he says "Pump it up!!!"
15) His love of the mustache. (He is currently sporting one)
16) He let's me cut his hair.
17) His inability to lie successfully.
18) He loves to play Cribbage with my grandpa.
19) He sports a speedo sometimes and doesn't look half bad :).
20) Grandma Huesmann absolutely adores him.
21) He's a farmer and loves it.
22) He misplaces stuff all of the time.
23) He is gentle.
24) He isn't afraid to be different. (this might be an understatement)
25) He loves disc golf (which is WAY cheaper than "ball golf" as he calls it).
26) He always checks what is on The History Channel and Discovery Channel.
27) He is going to be a GREAT FATHER!!!
28) He loves me more than anything, is supportive and makes me feel so lucky to be his wife on a daily basis!!!

Getting my Camera!!!!

So, I have been looking into purchasing a Digital SLR camera for sometime now. (Well since I found out I was pregnant) I figured what a GREAT excuse to splurge on an expensive camera!! I am excited to take pictures of my little guy or gal when they arrive. Anyways, after MANY hours of research both online and talking to photographers I had it narrowed down to the Canon Rebel or a Nikon D60. By a stroke of fate, a friend of a friend is selling her Nikon D60 in order to upgrade. (she is going into professional photography and is buying a D90) Anyways, long story short, we worked out a deal and I am buying her camera from her. (Along with a the 2 year remaining protection/cleaning plan @ Best Buy) which gives me GREAT piece of mind. AND she is going to give me a quick tutorial on how to use it when I pick it up!! Talk about working out perfectly!!! I get a new camera and she can now afford to buy her upgrade. (I LOVE networking for stuff) The only thing is that I have to wait until I go to the cities next Thurs for my sister's wedding to pick it up. Being the antsy Nancy I am, this will be a true test of patience :) Anyways, here's a picture of my new camera!! I can't wait to get it next week!!!


Oh and through my e-mail conversations with the nice yooung lady I am going to buy the camera from, I discovered two things. One that she is a mother of a newborn and is looking to get rid of baby stuff. So if I have a girl we might be seeing eachother again...and 2 an awesome website that I had never heard of called etsy.com. It is like an online craft sale!! It's FABULOUS!! I went on there and bought my self a cute homemade camera bag. THat is what the other pictue is of!! What a great morning!!

Baby Shower Jan, 23rd 2010

My WONDERFUL girlfriends decided to throw me a baby shower this past weekend. It was SOOO nice. I don't get out of Danube too much so it was really nice seeing everyone, chatting, and enjoying some DELICIOUS treats made by my great friends Sarah and Malinda. The gifts were all very nice too and will be put to good use!! Everyone keeps asking me what I need and I have the same response "Everything, this is my first baby so I am starting from scratch!!" I am very very thankful to have wonderful family and friends that are willing to spend a chilly afternoon celebrating the impending arrival of my little one with me :)

Good Karma

I found this list and really really liked it!! Since I am the good karma queen I thought I would share!!

20 Ways to Get Good Karma
By The Dalai Lama

Instructions for Life by The Dalai Lama


1)Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2)When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3)Follow the three R’s:
- Respect for self,
- Respect for others and
- Responsibility for all your actions.
4)Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5)Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6)Don’t let a little dispute injure a great relationship.
7)When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8)Spend some time alone every day.
9)Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10)Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11)Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and
think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12)A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13)In disagreements with loved ones, deal only with the current situation. Don’t
bring up the past.
14)Share your knowledge. It is a way to achieve immortality.
15)Be gentle with the earth.
16)Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17)Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other
exceeds your need for each other.
18)Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19)If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
20)If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

29 weeks!!

29 weeks down!! The baby is measuring at about 30.5 weeks but the doc hasn't moved my due date. She says the baby will come when it is good and ready!! Have been LOVING my hypnobirthing classes. (www.hypnobirthing.com) Am just just soooo ready for March!!! We can't wait to meet our little one and hold him/her in our arms.

Bathroom Remodeling Project

We have been in our house since May and have re-done almost EVERYTHING on teh main floor besides the bathroom. I guess we just got busy and kept putting it off. (It was really bad though) So, Paul and I decided that it needed to get done before the baby got here or we would be living with the eye-sore of a room WAY longer than we ever wanted to. Roughly $900, 3 trips to Menard's, and a week later, we are ALMOST done. We can see the home stretch!!! The pics already show the HUGE changes we made, from flor to ceiling and Paul got his coveted "fart fan" (exhaust vent installed) there was not one before. Here are a couple pics of our project! I will post the absolute finished ones hopefully sometime next week :)

We're on the home stretch!! 3rd trimester!!! WOO HOO

So today I am officially 28 weeks pregnant!! Which also means I am entering in my 7th month and 3rd trimester. I can't believe that in 12 weeks or so we will have a baby! I am really excited and have started getting lots and lots bigger... I'm sure the next few weeks my growth will continue at fast rate. Here's a picture of me I took today. I don't look the hottest thanks to this cold I have but you get the general idea...I have a big belly :)