Baby Love: On The Hunt for The Perfect Baby Book

I wrote this post about a month ago...but couldn't post it until now (after I'd told people at work). I figured it was time to edit it and post it. :)

Not talking about my pregnancy on the blog is killing me, maybe that's why I haven't been posting as much lately.

I'm not sure if my mom kept an official baby book on me, I'll have to ask her about that. In general I like the idea of recording short little thoughts about the baby both before and after they are born. Lots of baby books are so cheesy, but here are some good options (though not necessarily cheap options...hmm...so are they really options? Anyway, they're pretty).

This Binth baby book which I think I first saw on Design Mom is so beautiful. It's $110 price tag is not as beautiful (ouch).

This baby record book is also modern, not cheesy, and priced more reasonably at $32-$42 (depending on the type of cover you choose). It comes in a couple different colors.

And I LOVE this baby book called "Hello Baby" (maybe related to my love of the cupcake place "Hello Cupcake" that I ate at in DC?). Ahh I want it so much. But, like the Binth it's a little pricey for me at $115, but it really is beautiful. Maybe for you if your budget allows.

This one on Etsy is cute.

Actual Etsy is full of good baby book options:

This one:

And this one, which I officially want. Very much. Better start saving.

Oh and this one which is a little cheaper.

I really should have become a graphic designer so I could just make my own.

A partial explanation...

A partial explanation for why I've been awol can be found here.

Someday I'll get my motivation back.

Family Pictures: Planning the Wardrobe

Joe and I have not had our pictures professionally taken since our wedding 2 years ago. We decided that's a problem so we're getting them taken on the 7th.

Problem is I couldn't think of anything I wanted to wear that I own---I was trying to coordinate with this sweater I wanted Joe to wear.

But lucky me, we went shopping Friday afternoon before our hot date at the Nickelcade. Apparently my obsession with Shade Clothing continues because I am going to be wearing this black interlock dress:

It's flattering and I like it. So now Joe is no longer wearing his sweater--he'll be wearing a new suit we got him a few months back. We weren't planning on dressy family photos...but so it goes.

Now I just have to figure out accessories....the problem is I am so not trendy. But I'm thinking of making a headband with a layered mum on it and wearing my hair down....and I'll figure out some sort of jewelry.

Blog to Book via Blurb -- With a Discount via a Coupon Code

I have previously mentioned my love for Blurb.com on my blog. I heart them. They make really good quality photo books with excellent software that allows for a lot of customization. And best of all they've got a Blog-to-Book feature which pulls all your data from your blog posts and helps you put it into a book (works with Blogger, LiveJournal, TypePad and WordPress).

After our wedding I used Blurb to make wedding albums for our parents--I made a general album and swapped out some custom pictures for each set of parents.You can see a preview of those three, here or here. They turned out so good I wished we'd spent a little more on photography without an album (we could have just made our own!).

And last year for Christmas my brother's and I made a blurb book of my mom's childhood photos. She LOOOOVED it. My brother scanned them all and he and I put it together. It's a great keepsake. And seriously, it was time my mom's childhood photos made it out of a shoebox and occasional picture frame into a book.

And for all you digital scrapbooker types, this is a great way to take all those layouts you've done and put them into a book (they recently came out with a 12 X 12 format which is perfect for a lot of scrapbooking). Tiffany, I still need to take you up on your offer to teach me photoshop...when are you free, I really do want to learn.

So, why am I blogging about all this again? Well because Blurb just sent me an email with a coupon code for 20% off your order plus free shipping. Which means I need to get to work on that blog book...and also maybe a book of my own childhood photos. :)

Oh did you want the coupon code. It's BLURBTREAT

I hope you have fun making books for yourself or as gifts. I know I definitely will.

Remember How I've Said I'd Get Back to Normal Posting?

Well...things have been stressful.

#1: Taxes
Our taxes finally were sent off yesterday, last day possible. Filing in 2 states when you husband is self-employed and some of your employment neglects to sent a W-2 or 1099 = nightmare with much frustration and crying (me, not Joe). I HATE filing taxes, it's just way way to complicated. And I'm a smart girl, but gosh, too complicated. I'm willing to pay if I have to I just hate preparing them. Bleh. But it's over, not to be attempted again for 6 months.

#2: Broken Washer
Anyway, with that giant stressor off my plate I just need to get a new washer. Our current washer which is almost 2 years old and sat in a garage for like 9 months of those 2 years, is dead. It will cost $200 to fix. I hate this washer and I hate Consumer Reports for leading me astray. Since Joe and I have been married 2 years and will be buying our 3rd washer, we're being rather cautious about the decision--and you better bet we're paying extra for an extended warranty. Sheesh. Thanks to my mom and friends for offers to use your washers.

#3: Other Stuff
Anyway, these two things, combined with some others I will not post about....have led to a tired, unmotivated Anna. I really do miss posting. And also making progress on projects. But I have been getting much enjoyment out of reading my Good Housekeeping, Better Homes and Gardens, and Real Simple magazines. So many projects to do, so little time.

Anyway, I'm very happy for the weekend.

Tonight Joe performs with his A Capella group, that's hot. I love to watch him. That + Laundry at my mom's = Hot Friday Night Date.

Then tomorrow my dear friend Helena is going to help me make some freezer meals so I can stress less about dinner -- I like how she's helping me be less stressed and she's 8 months pregnant. So by Saturday afternoon we'll both have some good meals prepared. Hooray.

Saturday night we celebrate my friend Stacie's birthday, good times.

And Sunday, thankfully, is the day of rest.

Happy Weekend.

I hope you are all up to something equally lovely.

Baby Stuff is Cute

A lot of my friends are having babies these days. I mean, a lot.

Today I was helping my friend Helena brainstorm  what to do for a blessing dress (similar to a Christening gown). Someday, if/when I have a girl we still have my blessing dress in my mom's closet and we plan on reusing it, so I won't need to hunt around for one.

But if I did need one, I thought this one on etsy was just beautiful. Simple and beautiful.

Joe is convinced anything miniature/tiny is cute. I must say this dress is especially cute because it's tiny.

Some Quiet Book Love -- aka Some People Have Mad Skills

No, not my quiet book. I have been working on mine (yay conference weekend). And there's definitely more work to come on that (and posts). There's been a lot of craziness happening around here, non crafting wise, and I just don't have energy or the desire to blog...sad, I know. I'll be back someday, hopefully soon.

For now, go look at my friend Emily's quiet book. It's pretty adorable. As Emily is. Actually I've never officially met Emily, bizarre, but true. But we're good blogging buddies.

Anyway, see her felt quiet book here. Bless your heart Emily for all that hand stitching, it looks adorable.

Have I mentioned how much I love felt.? Once I finish all these quiet book pages I'm going on a felt food making spree. Seriously.