In The Spirit of Thanksgiving

I'm sure you already may have seen this on Nienie Dialouge's, but I had to post it here as a reminder for me. I loved this video and message.

Growing and Growing

So- I've decided to track my growing belly. Not sure why- it is fantastically strange to wake up and see that I have grown some inches while I was sleeping- but, I do think it is amazing to see how fast my body changes to make way for the little guy.

Watch out- here comes my baby (and my belly)!

Note: This is week 20 and 22, so as you can imagine week 21 was pretty intense too. (I didn't document my growing bump while I was in NY.)

seabear

Here's a lovely band to wind down to: seabear.

What are you listening to?

Washington D.C.

While in NY, we took a day to go to D.C. to see some sites. Here are just some of the highlights. But, probably one of my favorite highlights was seeing these friends:

(Thanks again Curt & Ali for meeting up with me!)

More observations while being pregnant:

+ I still worry… a lot.

+ I eat… a lot.

+ At my last doctor’s appointment, she said that I’m “growing like a weed.” Isn’t that a bad thing? Why call me a weed? There’s gotta be something more poetic.

+ I still try and sneak in a nap whenever I can.

+ I now feel awkward being around people who do not know I’m pregnant. I’m assuming they think I’m gaining lots of weight.

+ I still like to round up a week whenever I tell people how far along I am. However, I’ve learned to tell them in months rather than weeks.

+ I’m still very emotional. I well up every single day.

+ I bought clothes for our little boy while on a trip to NY and couldn’t believe how real it felt.

+ I still talk a lot about my body’s changes. I think I ask Jeff (three times a day) if my belly has grown. It usually has.

+ On said trip to NY, my body became almost useless. I couldn’t walk without something being in pain.

+ I think I’m a pregnant wimp.

+ My feet have started to swell (well- not on the everyday- but, when I was walking everywhere in NY they were)- so, I did the unthinkable: I bought Crocs.

(My crocs and I are on the right; my hot cousin in hot boots is on the left.)

+ But, they’re not bad right?

+ I’m starting to do research on all-things baby. Friends and sisters are a tremendous resource.

+ I have three pregnancy-related books on my night-stand that I peruse every single night.

+ I get heartburn just by looking at food.

+ Jeff and I already have many nicknames for the baby boy.

+ Baby's ultrasound picture is my new bookmark.

+ This baby boy is already so, so loved...

Noah and the Whale

The First Days of Spring Official Trailer from charlie fink on Vimeo.

Robin posted this lovely video by Noah and the Whale, who I've become a huge fan as of lately, and I had to share- perfect for this snowy morning. Enjoy.

Fun News!

Our fun news is that we're expecting a baby boy in March! We found out our happy news last Friday, and although I was expecting the news to be a girl (I was pretty sure of it, in fact.), we could not be happier to welcome a little boy into our home. A little Jeff is going to be thee cutest.

Marketa + Glen

Who else became mildly obsessed with The Swell Season after the movie "Once" came out? I'm definitely a fan. SO, I'm so excited to see that you can stream their entire new album "Strict Joy" via NPR here.

Final thoughts on the album to come... In the meantime, I have some serious listening to do!

New FREE Music

If you've been in a music slump like me lately, Urban Outfitters is offering a free mix of music here.

Highlights include:
+ The Dodos
+ El Perro Del Mar
+ Islands

Go here. Enjoy.

Back Into the Swing of Things...

Thanks everyone for your fun comments about our pregnancy! It's so fun to read what others have gone through; it's very reassuring.

So, I'm happy to say I'm (almost) back into the swing of my regular-life things... Example: I'm loving taking photos again! Yay! Here's a peek from a recent photo date:

Isn't she a doll? See more here!

Observations while being pregnant::

+ I worry… a lot

+ I love to eat Golden Grahams

+ I hate the smell of my work’s bathroom hand-soap

+I am no longer tempted with Jr. Mints (Anything mint has been difficult to eat.)

+ I always feel awkward telling someone the news that “We’re pregnant!”

+ I am always tired and always hoping for a nap

+ Whenever I tell someone how far along I am, I feel the need to round-up a week

+ I like to layer my clothing to try and hide the sorta pregnant belly starting to form (When really, I just look bloated.)

+ I cry at the drop of a hat- whether it be an episode from Oprah, Extreme Home Makeover, or Biggest Loser... man. I'm emotional.

+ I like to observe babies who will be my baby’s same age at this time in a year; I’m kind of obsessed about it, because I can’t believe that we will get one of those someday too!

+ We have a garden FULL of tomatoes, and I couldn’t go near them for 3 whole months- anything tomato made me want to gag

+ Jeff refers to my throwing-up as yakking because of HOW dramatic I am when I… yak.

+ I love www.babycenter.com’s updates; I always peruse week’s ahead to see what my baby will be doing soon

+ I talk way too much about my body's changes. I’m sure Jeff and my family are sick of hearing about it.

+ My little sister, Brecke, is also pregnant. She’s such a trooper about it; I want to be more like her.

+ I cannot wait to find out if we’re having a boy or girl. I think it’s a girl; Jeff thinks it’s a boy. But, really, I don’t care which, I just want a healthy baby.

+ Jeff has been the most amazing, supportive, sweet, loving husband ever while his wife has been somebody so unlike herself.

+ And finally, I still cannot believe we’re having a baby! We're so blessed.

A Very Special Mix

We created a very special mix to share with friends and family a very special announcement... Can you guess the theme?

01. Arrival/Sun Kil Moon
02. My Darling/Wilco
03. 2 Bodies 1 Heart/Noah and the Whale
04. He Really Needs Me/Jon Brion
05. Father and Daughter/Paul Simon
06. Edelweiss/The Innocence Mission
07. Forever Young/Bob Dylan
08. Real Love/Regina Spektor
09. What a Wonderful World/Louis Armstrong
10. Light Up My Life/Big Audio Dynamite
11. I Was Born/Billy Bragg & Wilco
12. All Is Love/Karen O and the Kids
13. Loves Me Like a Rock/Paul Simon
14. Feels Like Home to Me/Chantelle K.
15. Love/John Lennon
16. Danny's Song/Kenny Loggins
17. Bye-Lo/The Innocence Mission

And... if you cannot guess the theme, I'll give you a hint who the mix was compiled for- our baby due in March!

We're SO very, very excited.

But, a little sick, so please excuse the lack of motivation when it comes to blogging... hopefully I'll be back to it regularly very soon!

Out and About

My sister-in-law was worried sick about me because I haven't been blogging as much as I normally do... so, I thought I'd stop in and say hello!

All is well over here- we've been busy enjoying the last days of summer, and I've been trying to get over a blogging "rut" of sorts.

Here are some pictures I took at a recent family reunion... we had beautiful scenery all around.

Lemonade Stand

Look how adorable my sister-in-law's Lemonade Stand is! She built the stand herself... See more pictures here.

Cupcake Faces

Took these pictures at my niece Lauren's first birthday party... kids LOVE cupcakes! (I do too.)

Movies I'm Excited to See...

"500 Days of Summer"



"Paper Heart"



"Fantastic Mr. Fox"



And, of course, "The Time Traveler's Wife."

Any good movies you've seen lately?

Photostyling Crafts Segment

Here's the segment from Studio 5 today... I really had fun with this topic, and Brooke, the host, was so fun to work with!

Any new readers who are visiting because of the segment, please let me know if you have any questions on what I discussed in the segment- I'd love to help!

And, I can help with product imagery if anyone's interested. If so, email me for rates at laceyjanephotography (at) gmail (dot) com.

(Note: the product featured in the segment is nothing I crafted. (How I wish!) However, if you have any questions on where I got the product, just let me know!)

Photostyling Crafts

Geez- I just realized I haven't blogged in far too long. The summer is keeping us busy!

Just wanted to check-in with you locals to let you know that I'll be on Studio 5 again tomorrow. We'll be discussing how to "Photostyle Crafts." This will be a great segment for all of you amazing craft-sters who are trying to sell your product.

Tune in tomorrow at 11:00 am on Channel 5!

(Note: The earrings in the above photo are not something I crafted... but, how I wish to be so talented.)

Chocolate Pudding Cookies

Ingredients
1 1/2 C. Butter Shortening (It's the Crisco Butter kind.)
2 C. Brown Sugar
2 Eggs
1 T. Vanilla
1 Large Chocolate Instant Pudding
4 T. Milk
3 1/2 C. Flour
1 1/2 t. Baking Soda
1 1/2 t. Salt
2-2 1/2 Chocolate Chips
(Use whatever you have in your cupboard: Milk Chocolate+ Mint (as I used tonight), Butterscotch, White Chocolate, Caramel, etc.)

Directions
Mix shortening and brown sugar. Add eggs. Mix. Add vanilla and milk, combine. Add all try ingredients- including, Pudding, Flour, Baking Soda and Salt. Combine. Add chocolate chips. Bake at 375 for 8-9 minutes.

Yields
A lot

It was my first time baking these cookies tonight. My sister made these at my Recipe Exchange on Tuesday, and knew I'd be baking them. This recipe is perfect if you have a lot of left-over chocolate chips- including different combinations. Throw them into this recipe! Tonight was mint+milk chocolate, and it was a delish combo!

YUM!

"You and I"

I love Wilco, and I love Feist- incredible collaboration and beautiful song. (Wouldn't you love to sing a solo with Tweedy?! Man. She's a lucky lady.)