Me...

This weekend was really fun, I had my second shower and I had a maternity photo shoot with my sis. Now, I have to say, I have been very reticent to have photos taken of me; I have always believed that I am not photogenic. But so many people have suggested I chronicle this time in my life, and Dan really wanted me to, so I enlisted the help of a talented photographer who I happen to feel very comfortable around! Elana was up for the weekend because of my shower, so Saturday evening we had a photo shoot. Let me just say how glad I am that we did! She did such an amazing job - she made me look beautiful! (Check out her photo blog - here). So I thought I would post a sampling of the gorgeous shots she took. Enjoy!

 

Happy October!

I just love this time of year! 

And this October promises many new and exciting things!

I have officially been done with work for a month now, and I thought you all might be wondering what I have been doing to stay busy. Well, there has been much relaxing, and plenty of naps! And of course we are still working on the nursery...we were a little stalled out there for a minute, because Dan was so busy, but we're starting to make some real progress, and I am so excited to finish it! Beyond that I have been finding fun projects and things to do around the house...such as...

...Sewing! 

I am still such a beginner, but am loving the learning process! 

(Thank you to my mother-in-law, who is teaching me a lot!)

Couch pillows made from upholstery and vintage fabrics.

Kitchen cafe' curtains made from vintage fabric and buttons that I got on Etsy!

I recently taught myself how to sew a blind hem stitch in order to hem Dan's suit pants...

I am also learning how to tailor shirts for my skinny man!

Here's a sneak peek at the crib bumper I'm making for the nursery...

...Crafting!

I've made a couple of wedding clips for brides I know.

And I made a custom headband for a friend's sister with vintage millinery flowers and feathers.

I created a new blog for my portfolio, and I'm planning on posting things in my Etsy shop at some point after Benjamin is born. Check it out at pepperbluedesigns.blogspot.com

...Organizing!

I have been spending a lot of time in my happy place - our craft/art room. I have spent time cleaning and organizing to create a user friendly, and inspiring work space. I really do love how this room has come together, it's not perfect yet, but getting there. The biggest challenge (besides how to best utilize space) was how to incorporate both Dan and I in the room so that we both felt creative and happy sharing it!

Here's an informal tour!

So, what's to come? A wish list for my last few weeks of "freedom"...

-Pumpkins! I can't wait to decorate the front porch

-Gardening...well, I think my big belly and fat feet might prevent that, oh well...

-Cooking! This heat has been a deterrent, but as it cools down I can't wait for soups and squash and baked goods, yum!

-A trip to the library, I am seriously in need of a good book!

-Photographs...someone, please teach me how to do better point and shoot pics!

And of course, getting the house prepped, packing a hospital bag :) resting, cuddling the kitties, and naps!

I can't wait!

Rock'n'Roll!

 

For any of you that missed it, this Sunday was the Because of Love concert that Dan helped organize and played in! Boy, what a fun time we had. Thanks to all of you who came and supported not only the bands, but also our friends The Besks!

 

 Dan and the Dangle Root boys did an awesome job at their first performance - I was so proud!

 

Hurricane Roses seriously rocked it out, they are amazing, I can't wait for their CD to come out next month!

It was a really fun day, great memory of friends, family, dancing, and love!

36 weeks...that's right folks, 9 months!

We are officially less than 30 days from the due date (you'd better not be late Benjamin David, we're all much too excited to wait!) and everything is going well. Besides the natural discomfort one would expect to experience at this stage in the game, I am feeling good. We had an ultrasound on Wed, the midwife said he looks great, his head's down, and there is plenty of fluid still in the placenta (whatever that really means?!). I will be going in once a week from now until delivery - so crazy! Now there are just about a million things to do to get ready for his arrival, but I just can't wait!!!!

Going to the chapel....

I hope everyone had a wonderful labor day weekend! For us it was all about weddings...

 

Dan was in the wedding of our friend Morgan Peterson, who married the lovely Schell. They got married in San Luis Obispo, where they have been living, but after their honeymoon they are moving to Santa Cruz, we are so excited to have them!

While Dan was away tending to his groomsman duties, I got to attend the beautiful wedding of Brian and Kristin Jensen! They got married in Scotts Valley at the home of her father - it was such a fun, personalized wedding, I was so glad to be a part of it - I even danced! First time since I've been prego, it was a blast!

But that wasn't all - Saturday was also Dan and my six year wedding anniversary! I can't believe it has been six years! Although I missed him while we were at separate celebrations, I still was given a sweet reminder of how much our love has grown in six years, and HOW stinking blessed I feel being married to him, and knowing that God had this plan for our lives from the start. That even though we were young and had no real idea of what we were entering into when we partnered together some six years ago, that God would carry us through and bring us to the point we are now - the joy we feel about being together, and the blessing of growing our family!

Love you honey - can't wait for the next six and beyond!

And my last shout out is to my parents, who are celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary today. Congratulations you two, I love you so much! (unfortunately I don't have a picture of their awesome hippy lakeside wedding...Dad, wanna hook it up?)

32 (err, 33.5?) weeks

So I meant to post a new belly shot at 32 weeks, but got a little sidetracked, here is the most recent. I definitely had a growth spurt!

A reason to giggle...

I think I am in a silly mood because this picture I just stumbled upon makes me very happy for some reason...it's just so darn cute :) Happy September!