5 on Friday: maternity pictures inspiration

This is about the third or fourth time that I've done a post with link backs to Pinterest. It's because I can't find the original source of the photos. So instead of just stealing them, I am linking it somewhere with hope that the owner still gets credits. So if you know the source- please let me know!



I don't play around when it comes to capturing life events on "film". Most of the time I have my big girl camera with me and if I don't it's because I've reasoned that I wouldn't be able to keep up with it, protect it, or keep it safe. So I will never likely have it with me on a beach or a boat. Do you know how much damage sand does to a camera?! For the moments where I can't be the photographer (or at least an up to par photographer) I'll enlist a professional. Sometimes that professional happens to be my brother, other time it's a paid for hire person. Going into most sessions, I have an idea of the shots I'd like to capture. But, I've also learned from past sessions that  in order to accurate describe what I want to capture, words are not sufficient. At least my words aren't. I'm a horrible description. So, this time around I just bought actual example pictures. I've posted one of my inspiration boards to Instagram and here are the top 5 shots I wanted to capture.

5 on friday: If I had a baby shower

Still excited about yesterday's post, I decided to share a few baby shower ideas of my own! I'm pretty sure I mentioned in a previous post that hubby and I are opting not to do a second shower. Traditionally, etiquette dictates that a mother-to-be only gets one. Modern etiquette experts have now declared that a second shower is acceptable for babies of the opposite sex, and siblings born more than a few (I forgot the number) years apart. While we are having a baby of the opposite sex, we still decided not to.

I have been pinning baby shower ideas since my first pregnancy, then kept pinning because my bestie was pregnant and I knew that I would be helping to plan hers. Then I kept pinning with the hopes that one of my cousins would get pregnant so we could throw her a baby shower (none of my cousins are currently pregnant as far as I know). Now, I'm pinning because party themes are becoming more and more unique and coming together so lovely. Plus, now that i'm having a little girl of my own- I might just be storing these in my back pocket for future use (for her should she decide to have children).

Follow From Mrs.'s board Baby Shower likes on Pinterest.

I think my favorite theme is the "mama-to-bee". Despite my dislike for bugs, I think it's adorable. It's a neutral tone which make it great for parents who opt to find out the gender of their little one in the delivery room rather than the ultrasound room (or in my case- on the front porch). There's so much you can do with this theme to make it your own- the food, decor, and party favor options are endless!

Speaking of food- food presentation is a pretty big deal now. Cakes and  cupcakes are becoming a work of art with an edible bonus. I love how these items incorporates the theme and leaves guests wowed! I've always loved a good desert table. My love affair started with the candy buffet that we had at our wedding and it hasn't ended since. Desert tables also make really great decor centerpieces.

Decor is always a focal point of any party theme. It kind of ties it altogether. The theme starts with the invitation and ends with the parting favors, and the decor rounds out the middle. You can choose to have one show stopping piece of sprinkle it throughout the room.

I am personally not a fan of baby shower games, especially if you are in a a room full of people you don't know very well. I've attended baby showers with my mom for her co-workers daughter-in-law (confused?!) which meant I only knew 3 people in the room. That wasn't that fun. Some games are designed to embarrass the contestant a little too much- who gets a kick out of that?! Anyway, one of the games we played at my bestie's shower (2 years ago) was a game I've dubbed "waiting for labor". We froze itty bitty babies in ice cubes and gave one to each guest. As the ice melts the baby is 'freed' the first person whose baby is completely free yells "my water broke!" and they win a prize. I like it because there's not too much involved in terms of unscrambling words, quickly trying o change a diaper while blindfolded, or eating unknown baby food. It promotes casual conversation and even grandma (who may or may not be able to participate in the fast paced games) can participate! I originally got this idea from my brother's best friend's baby shower and will be using it at any shower I host from here on out.

Maybe I can use these ides to host a sip and see for baby girl once she's here. Since we no longer live near our family and friends, it would be a good way for them to meet the baby!

Five on Friday: The weekend

Our weekends this month are kind of packed. But that's the way we like it! I am hoping to be able to actually share the outcome of each of these but here is what's deck for the next 48 hours...

Tomorrow morning is the first of our hospital classes. Buggy is up first. He's attending a sibling class which I'm really excited about. According to the class description they will go over normal infant behavior, feelings the children may have, and ways to help mom and dad. My son is really excited about the new baby and we've been discussing it a lot. He says he is going to share with her, help take care of her, and teach her everything. Every once in a while he asks me to take a video of him so he can send a message to the baby. It so adorable! He even knows that when baby has a stinky diaper he will get a new one so baby can be changed. The class will also make a project for the baby to give as a gift and have cupcakes as a birthday celebration.

The rest of the day is going to be spent prepping for Father's day. My family is coming to visit with us again and we have lots planned. So, I have to start getting the house ready. Making sure the guest bedroom is ready, continue our spring cleaning, etc. It's not exciting but it has to get done. It's the only weekend we'll be home between now and then so I gotta start somewhere. I'm also home to spend sometime just relaxing as a family. I got buggy a new water table and if the weather is warm enough I'm whipping that out for him!

 Sunday we will - as a family- attend our first 5K run/walk. We've missed this event in years past so I'm happy we will finally have the chance to attend. I've started prepping Buggy for what to expect and I'm secretly hoping that he will win in his age category. I have no hopes of winning anything in my current condition though but it's a fun fundraiser for a good cause. Anybody have any good tips for us?!

 My current condition... It might be time for a bumpdate.

Sunday evening is going to be more relaxing. I have a one day business trip the following day and it's a long drive there and back. I almost wish I could drive down ahead of time just to easy the anticipation of the 'long drive'. It's not the drive itself that I'm not looking forward to- it's just that I'll be in the car with my coworkers and while I like them (a lot) I'm not a conversationalist and find it awkward to have to make conversation for 6 hours (3 there and three back). Plus, I'm a pretty private person (despite having such a public blog) and I don't want to go on and on about myself. Nor do I care to hear every single detail about someone else's personal life. Certainly we share our family updates and funny stories at the water cooler just like any other office, but not for 3 hours. In fact, we have to leave so early I'd probably like to be asleep for most of the drive. Of course that won't happen but still. Fun stuff. However, a day out of the office is a day out of the office...

Five on Friday: Party edition

I'm so glad this is back! These types of posts allow me to get out all sorts of random ideas I have floating around in my head.

My son turned 3 last month. And as I have always maintained we don't do big parties every year but rather small, intimate celebrations for the birthday person and I kind of like them that way. But alas, the party planner in me have some sort of idea of what I would do if I would've thrown him a party!

The cake most often seems to be the show piece of the party. If someone can't stay for the whole party they will likely say "I have to go after they cut the cake". No? Am I the only person who know people who does that? Cake has evolved so much from decorated sheet cakes to show stopping 3D structures. It makes me wonder if some of these cakes actually taste good. When I got married, I was actually more concerned with the taste of the cake and ask the baker to do a separate sheet cake so I could have the type of frosting that I wanted because you can't decorate with whipped cream. We didn't actually do it (cause it would've been way too much cake left over) but I gave it serious thought. I wanted something nicely decorated but I don't quite care for the taste of fondant. Anyway, we took cupcakes to my son's school but I still wanted it to look like a cake. The top collage is my inspiration photos and the bottom pics is the outcome. I was pleased with it and my son LOVED the decorations.

Five on Friday

Happy November!!!

{First}
I can't believe there are only two months left in 2013. Yep, let that sink in....

I guess time really does fly when you're having fun, huh?

{Second}