Jeff Playing

Jeff's teaching himself the guitar, and I get to be serenaded to often. I love it.

Thanks, Your Heart Out!

If you have one of these buttons on your site, or if you've frequented Your Heart Out, read this. AND, more importantly, don't you think we owe Ali, the amazing creator of the blog, a huge thank you? I do. So, leave a little note for Ali too.

It's been such a pleasure to contribute to Your Heart Out. I've loved this blog from the get-go and will definitely miss it. BUT, love that Ali set such a high standard in the world of blogging and has been a huge inspiration.

Leave a note of thanks here.

Thanks Your Heart Out!

Brecke

I got to take pictures of my beautiful little sister who is expecting her first in just a short five weeks. My sister is incredibly photogenic, so I had a lot of fantastic pictures to choose from. Plus, can't you see that pregnancy glow?

I'm so excited for her to meet her little one! She is such a loving person and is going to be an amazing mom.

Thanks sister...!

Favorite Songs of 2009

I wasn't planning on doing a "Best of" music post this year... mainly because I wasn't thee best listener this year. However, last night Jeff and I were going through all of our CDs looking for that one album we were dying to listen to, and I realized how much I love music. And, even though I wasn't the best music connoisseur this year, I still had favorites.

They include (in no particular order):

01. "You Told a Lie" by Camera Obscura from Maudlin Career (This is my favorite album of the year too.)

02. "You and I" by Wilco featuring Feist. Watch here.

03. "The Giant of Illinois" by Andrew Bird from "Dark Was the Night" compilation

04. "Basic Space" by XX

05. "Skeletons" by Yeah Yeah Yeahs

06. "Cheerleader" by Grizzly Bear

07. "Eet" by Regina Spektor

08. "I Was Only Going Out" by Loney, Dear

09. "Gimme Sympathy (Acoustic)" by Metric

10. "Knotty Pine" by Dirty Projectors and David Byrne from "Dark Was the Night" compilation.

11. "Middle Cyclone" by Neko Case

12. "In These Arms" by The Swell Season

13. "Laughing With a Mouth of Blood" by St. Vincent

14. "All Is Love" From "Where the Wild Things Are" soundtrack by Karen O and the Kids

15. "The First Days of Spring" by Noah and the Whale. Watch here.

16. "I Wish It Was Christmas Today" cover by Julian Casablancas... this just made the cut this week. Jeff and I cannot get this song out of our head- I have a feeling it'll stick in your head too.

More fantastic "Best of" lists here and here. Enjoy!

Happy Christmas!

Fave Portraits of 2009

Here are my favorite portraits of 2009. As you can see, I had a lot. But, I absolutely love taking portraits. Thank you to everyone who was kind enough to be my muse this past year!

Fave Pictures of 2009

I decided to post some of my favorite pictures that I've taken this year. I know it's sort of a self-interested thing to do, but... with all the photos I take each year, I wanted to remember my favorites. Next- I'm hoping to put up my favorite portraits of the year too.

Thanks for looking!

Merry Mix 2009!

Confession time: this song will not leave my head-



It's that George Michael- his voice is just too catchy.

However, I made a mix for Your Heart Out to help get this pretty obnoxious song out of my head. It's a non-traditional mix full of new holiday songs. See it here, and enjoy!

PujBaby Tub

Look what came in the mail for me! I'm an official product tester for PujBaby. Soon, I'll be able to test the above tub (which I've heard is amazing) with my own little guy and review it right here on this blog. Puj makes baby bath tubs.

To learn more about PujBaby and the tub, go here.

So Little...

I recently updated my photo blog with pictures of this little guy, and I cannot believe just how little they arrive. Isn't he sweet?

Makes me so excited to meet my own little one.

More Observations While Being Pregnant

+ As shown in the photo above, we're starting to accumulate a small collection of tangible items to remind us that we're having a baby! (Isn't that hat adorable? His dad has one just like it.)

+ I'm constantly thinking about food. (Like right now- I need a snack. And, I've already decided what dinner will be.)

+ I also am constantly thinking about baby furniture. Should I really spend $90 on Shipping for a crib?!

+ I feel like the little guy knows when I want to feel him move- when I think of it- he moves. For me.

+ It's thee worst being sick while pregnant.

+ I don't think I should take anything to treat this ridiculous head cold of mine. Is anything safe?

+ Maternity pants are strange.

+ We feel pretty confident of what the name of our little guy will be. But... it's still hard to commit to- this is a huge decision.

+ I have to weigh myself at this week's appointment. I have a feeling it's going to be the most weight gain to date.

+ While staying home from work trying to nurse this head cold, I started watching TLC's "Baby Story." Probably not the best idea- I'm now admittedly scared of labor.

+ Black is the best color to wear when trying to not look so huge.

+ When people ask how far along I am, I can now say "I am six months." I don't think people realize I still have about four months to go when they reply- "Wow- that went by fast!"

+ I'm always daydreaming of what our life will be like when the baby is here.

Top That!

(This post is dedicated to my two Top That! buddies, Ali and Allison.)

Big confession time (actually most of my friends and family already know this): I am a huge fan of the 1989 Fantasy, Teen Witch. And especially one scene in particular (note: this scene has made some boys, including my husband, nauseous from watching):

Top That! Right?

Designer Alia Shawkat is doing just that. She too must be a big Teen Witch fan because to show off her current line of clothing she's mimicking the above scene:



Awesome!

See more here.

(Via here.)

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!)