Pregnancy Diaries: Jim and Josefine bond

So, I was reading pregnancy stuffs the other day and came across an interesting fact about week 25 (which is where Josefine and I are in this journey...well, technically, if you want to get down to business, she's only 23, but who's counting?). Did you know that around this time in pregnancy you can HEAR the baby's heartbeat if you put your ear up against your tummy!? Ok, really...how many of us could bend our ears to our abdomens if we WEREN'T pregnant??? Yeah, I know. BUT, I was able to put Jim up to it.

Jim put his ear (his good ear, mind you) against my tummy, right about where I said I could feel Josefine rolling around. He said he could hear a "swoosh, swoosh" and a "thump" when she kicked (or elbowed) him in the ear! Then, he said he could hear a faint pitter patter of her little heart. He "bu-bu-bu-bupped" the sound of it outloud and I put my fingers up to my neck to check my pulse. Was he hearing my heartbeat or Josefine's? That was the Big Question. But, his mimicking of what he heard was nearly twice as fast as my own heartrate, which Dr. says is what baby's heartbeat usually is. So, we deduced, it was Josefine!

What a great experience for Jim...especially since he's been on the outside for the whole time. He got to experience something that I physically couldn't! So...where can I find a stethescope???

Photography Blog Update

I just did my FIRST Sr. Picture photoshoot...and we had a BLAST! We took some shots at a park and then downtown (which is becoming my FAVORITE place to shoot). Lora was my beautiful Senior and her spontaneous sister, Susie, joined us...it was a TON of fun. Susie was my "props manager" and joined Lora for a few "sister shots." We all would have LOVED to have Johanna (the oldest sister) along for the ride. Maybe next time??? ;)

Click on any one of these "Lora Collages" to get to my photography blog!

Pregnancy Diaries: Josefine's High Chair

Ok, so this product is amazing...we haven't technically tried it out yet. Josefine still has some time left inside her Mama. BUT, I think it's soooo practical and functional and BEAUTIFUL to boot!

Click on Jim and the AMAZING high chair to see more photos of the Assembly Adventure! :) We are THRILLED about this purchase (Thanks to dear Grandma and Grandpa for their thoughtful monetary gift that allowed us to even consider it!) and we can't wait to use it. In fact, I have a friend w/ a little 1 year old coming over tomorrow...she can test drive this new puppy. *sigh* Isn't it just dreamy????

The Knitted Lyra Hood - Courtesy of The Golden Compass

The other day, Jim and I checked out "The Golden Compass" from the Library. Although I may not have been THAT impressed by the film, I fell in love with Lyra's knitted hood that she sported near the end of the movie. So, I googled it right away. I found lots of patterns...some were less impressive than others (some were VERY BULKY). But, I found the BEST one at THIS site. It's SUCH an easy knit and a quick one, too. I'm ready to knit one up for Josefine already - which, of course, will be an even quicker knit!

Here, in dramatic Sarah-esque fashion (I wouldn't have it any other way), are some photos of my new Lyra Hood.

Oh, the drama...and the stick up my nose....niiiiice.

Photography Blog Update

Check out my photography blog...I have a few children/baby updates!

These photoshoots were SO much fun! :) I ♥ kids!

Click the photo to get there!

Pregnancy Diaries: JOSEFINE's New Favorite Candy (23 weeks)

Let me tell ya...those Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs...she loves 'em. ;)

I don't care how...I want it NOW!

Anyone remember the Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory song (the old movie) where the spoiled rotten English girl wants a golden egg and sings this song that ends with the phrase: "I don't care how...I want it NOOOOOWWWW!" and she goes falling to her doom into the garbage shoot because she was recognized by the meter as a "Bad Egg"?

Sometimes, I feel like a "bad egg." I feel like Veruca Salt...wanting, and wanting things NOW. In fact, I jokingly sing the song occasionally when I know I'm being a little sassy!

Well, there are a lot of things that I WANT, but must WAIT for. Because, of course, everything happens in God's good and perfect timing...and who am I to question that. No matter HOW "uncomfortable" it seems or how impatient I am...or spoiled I may act.

Here are just a few things I'm "waiting" for:

• Ok, first things first. Seriously. Spring.
• Meeting Josefine for the first time (outside of the womb).
• Jim to come home for a little "us" time tonight. Only a few more hours! :)
• Meeting the 100% goal for support to get to Germany.
• 3 packages in the mail (a flash diffuser, card from grandma and some jewelry).
• My dishes to clean themselves. ;)
• Our house remodel to be complete.
• The payment of many a bill/debt.
• My memory to return.

That last one is an example of what I'm going to present to you now. Earlier today, I was thinking of the PERFECT parallel for the principle of "waiting" and how I would like to share that parallel via my blog. Now, I can't remember at all what I was going to say. Argh. Can I blame this on Josefine, too. Poor girl. Well, I'm satisfied with my "Willy Wonka" example, but I KNOW I had something else in mind. When I think of it, I'll be sure to tell you...but don't hold your breath.

Anyway, here's the jist. I need to be more willing to wait...trust God and rest in Him...believing He will bring to pass, in His time, all those things in life we wait for. Even the mail. Even finances. Even...well, you get the picture. The little things count, too. And I'm waiting on Him...for all of them. Well, except for the dishes. I could just get off my bum and do those. :)

Pregnancy Diaries: Foreshadowing

It was Sunday morning (last) and we were running late. Rather, I was running late.

Jim had his coat on and had already been outside to start the car. He had pulled it up to the apartment building and came back in to hurry me along.

These were his persuasive words: ...and he wasn't even talking to me, fancy that...

"Let's go Josefine...and bring your Mama with you!"

Oh, too cute. I was persuaded by my adorable husband and his first "conversation" with Josefine and we were out the door only 10 minutes late. Oiy.

And as we were tooling down the road, I began to think of the ironicy of it all. This might be a regular phrase around our house when Josefine is actually out of the womb. I can see it now - the Sunday Morning Rush - Poppy & Josefine waiting for Mama at the door. *sigh*

I try. Really, I do.

Alphabet Art: Poor Lonely "N"

Oops. I guess I did get and "N" during my last letter hunt. So, here is my "N." Poor loney guy. :)

Alphabet Art: The Missing Letters K, M, Q, & W

In my previous (actually, my FIRST) Alphabet Art post I had nearly all 26 letters of the Alphabet, save for K, M, N, Q, W & Z. I am still currently scavenging (is that even a word?) an "N" and "Z" which, obviously are related in shape...hehe. So, I can offer just 4 of my missing 6. Enjoy! (P.S. It's amazing and unbelieveble, but THIS is exactly how I found the sticks that make up the "K"!)

Pregnancy Diaries: Dream Sequence

O.k. So, I had this dream, and I'm blaming all my crazy dreams on Josefine and hormones, which is why this post is in my "Pregnancy Diaries."

There I was at a "Welcome Back" party that we were throwing for Jim. Although, I knew we were welcoming him back from a long stay in the hospital, I had no idea what kind of injury/illness would put him there.

So, I threw out the most ridiculous reason I could think of with as much sarcastic flare as I could muster (dream style, of course). "So, what'd ya do? Sit on the floor of shark infested waters with bait tied to your bum?"

To my surprise, Jim answered, "Yes, that's exactly what I did."

I responded, again in Sarah-esque dream-like fashion "WHAT?! Are you telling me you stayed for weeks in the hospital from an injury you got from sitting on the floor of shark infested waters with bait tied to your bum, and YOU want ME to bake you a 'Welcome Home' cake and feel sorry for you!!??"

And I woke up. Feeling pretty worked up by my dreamy emotional outburst, I turned to Jim, who was lying peacefully awake beside me, and told him "No more daring things from now on...no bungi jumping, no sky diving and no sitting on floors of shark infested waters with bait tied to your bum. Being a Missionary in Germany should be daring enough for you."

With this "Good morning, honey, I love you" Jim replied with a befuddled "Ohhhhh. K." At which time I began to explain my dream, which I totally and completely blame on Josefine. I'm not at all paranoid that Jim will do something daring and end up getting his bum bit off by hungry sharks...not at all.

Alphabet Art: Example

Here is a word I printed out (not w/ the BEST quality, as it was just a test) to hang on our wall...I'm not as happy with the "F", but we'll work on it! Also, I chose budget-friendly framing, which gives it kind of a modern look...and I quite like it myself. :)

Introducing "Faith"

Alphabet Art EXPOSED!

Finally, yesterday's weather was BEAUTIFUL enough for me to finally get outside and check off one of my "Things To Do When the Sun Comes Out."

For quite some time, I've been wanting to do a little Alphabet Photo Scavenger Hunt. It turned out to be much more work than anticipated, but the results were worth it. With the results I hope to be an encouragment to many via gifts and providing affordable Alphabet Art for all!

I also wanted to make Josefine a cool Alphabet to learn by - I was getting a little worn out by the common "A is for Apple" method.

Here is a little of what I came up with. I haven't got all the letters of the Alphabet yet, but after another excursion today, I hope to have collected enough to make many a happy words or monograms! If you think this is as amazing as I do and want a word, or even one enlarged letter, for yourself or someone else, I'd be happy to provide! Just a comment, some communication and a compartively modest fee (believe me, MUCH cheaper than other options) will do the trick, and you'll have your very own Alaphabet Art to display!

Also, I have more Letter options than just what is displayed below. This is just a preview and maybe what you would call "my first exposure" (no pun intended!) on my Alphabet Photograhy!

I'll soon be setting up a method (most likely through my "Captured by Sarah" Photography Blog) for you to see and choose which letters YOU want to make up your word/name/monogram.

"K" coming soon!

"M" coming soon!

"N" coming soon!

"Q" coming soon!

"W" coming soon!

"Z" coming soon!

Photography Blog Update

Just posted my latest photoshoot on my photography blog.

Click the photo and feel free to browse around when you get there!

Cold, Cold, Go Away!

Ok, so I really loath being sick. Especially, when I so LOVE being with kids...and this was a big week for me as far as being w/ kids goes. Oh well...not doing nursery duty at church tonight (and I'm actually REALLY sad about that!) and may not get to help a good friend out by baby-sitting for her tomorrow. Although, on Tuesday (at the beginning of this runny nose - and it got worse without warning) I was able to get a photoshoot in with the lovely Jennalyn! Anyway, looking toward the future, here's hoping today is RESTFUL and HEALING and I get better by the A.M. "High in the Sky, Apple Pie Hopes," you might say. I dunno...I just want this constant runny nose to stop it's running and get better already. Lots of do's and don'ts for colds during pregnancy...so, my guess is: sleep, water and OJ...and 1 bajillion Puffs Plus later I'll be set.

P.S. Congrats to my bloggy friend, Sylvia, who is having her baby, Elias (pronounced Elly-us) tomorrow! Yay!!!!