So…life with a baby.  Since that is pretty much all-consuming at the moment, most of this week’s random thoughts are about baby Sloane.

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Sloane is pretty easy and hasn’t given us a hard time.  She sleeps three – four hours at a time at night, and isn’t too fussy as long as she has her necessities.  Lucky us!

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She’s 12 days old today.  I would swear I just gave birth to her yesterday.  For such a slow, slow pregnancy, time sure is flying now that she is here.

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I’ve perfected a few ways to have her snuggled into my office chair next to me and still be able to work.  In fact, that is where she is now.

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Recovering from a c-section is no joke.  I’m continually surprised by days that I feel better that end in pain and discomfort.  I’m still not allowed to drive, and I accidentally picked up my 24-pound nephew this weekend and was reminded of my weight lifting limit very quickly.

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Speaking of limits – I really miss the gym.  Just that daily cardio and endorphin rush – I’d love to have that again right now.  The hormone crashes after pregnancy aren’t much fun emotionally, and it seems like a good workout would do wonders.  Alas, I’m not allowed.  I’m also worried I’m going to loose a lot of muscle tone and shape, which I’ve worked so hard for, as I wait out the rest of my minimum 6 week hiatus.  I guess since I’m allowed to lift Sloane, it’s time to start doing some baby bicep curls.

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In other post-pregnancy news, my wedding ring fits again, and I can’t even describe how good that feels!

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The first wedding of the year is just three weeks away.  I’ve been thrilled with all of the snow we’ve gotten – but sad that the rain last night made a mess of it.  Plenty of time left to get a beautiful winter wonderland brewing for Robyn & Paul!

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It’s kind of poetic to me that winter waited to make an appearance until Sloane arrived.  I haven’t decided what it means, but I can’t ignore the coincidence either.

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Lest you think I’ve been sitting around staring at my child (okay, so a good portion of every day is spent this way), I have also been back at work.  There isn’t much of a maternity leave for those who own their own business.  I’ve been chatting with and meeting with new clients and the 2012 and 2013 calendars are filling up.  So, don’t hesitate or think you need to give me more time to recover.

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Have a great week!

We’ll start with the obvious.  Still pregnant, no baby yet.  I really think she might be holding out for her Grandpa’s birthday, as he requested – in which case we won’t see her until next week.   I definitely got more uncomfortable over the weekend – every movement seemed like a chore.  In truth I’m not sure if that is really happening, or if I just finally gave into some of the pregnancy symptoms, or started reading more into things.  We are starting to get a little impatient around here – so we are focusing on projects around the house and such to keep distracted.

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The “Best of 2012″ contest is going strong.  Just one week left to vote for your favorites.  You can vote once a day (per IP address).   Julie & Dusty are holding the lead currently, with Emily & Dave and Ashley & Tom right on their heels.  But there is lots of time for anyone to jump into the #1 spot, so get out there and ask for votes!  Emails, facebooking, tweeting, classic bribery, begging – it’s all fair game in the pursuit of victory.

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For those that don’t live here – you’ve probably been picturing us in sub-zero temperatures and buried in snow.  Normally, we would be.  Somehow though, it’s been downright warm – barely dipping below freezing in the morning, and there hasn’t been a milimeter of snow to enjoy.  From one stand-point, this is great – as I haven’t had to deal with being uber-preggo and icy sidewalks or jackets that no longer zip up.  From another – you have to wonder if this means we are going to get hit with a monster storm, or a terribly cold spring like last year.

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Hubby’s been off of work the last several days for baby girl’s arrival, and for the most part this is wonderful.  One big downfall though is having this occur during NFL football playoffs.  I swear we watched, listened to, discussed and stressed over more football than usual this weekend, and the Packers weren’t even playing!  He’s already warned baby girl that she should not come during the playoff game this coming Sunday.

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Ringo has been extra snuggly and clingy lately.  We are attributing this to him finally catching on that his little world is about to change.  I do still think he feels the nursery is a room we are making for him though.  Oh, how I hope this transition goes well for him!  If anyone has any tips for introducing a baby to a dog, we are all ears.

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That is our world right now – thoughts and preparations for baby girl and a few other small things.  So, not much else to blab about this Monday.  So, I’m off to make album edits, talk to new clients and keep things running around here, as we wait….

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Have a great week!

Welcome 2012!  I have to admit, I’m a little giddy over all that this year might hold for us.  2011 was great on many fronts, but it was also a rough and turbulent year in many ways.  At this point 2012 only holds promise, and there is something beautiful about that.  This is the year we will become parents, and that alone makes this an incredible year already.

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So on that baby subject – yep, still pregnant.  Hubby was a bit disappointed we missed out on the tax deduction, but I’m glad she is taking her time.  Holiday birthdays are no fun, and the longer she waits, the better on that front.  The baby isn’t technically due for just under two weeks, but of course she could come any day now.  We’ve been hard at work getting things ready for her – painting a dresser, organizing her things, washing little clothes, etc.  I’m still feeling pretty great, all things considered, and I’m thankful for that.

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I had a number of meetings with new clients over the holidays – so many awesome 2012 and 2013 weddings coming up!  Something like 30% of couples get engaged over the holidays, so it will be interesting to see what comes in as inquiries in the coming weeks.  We still have great dates in May and June open for this year, and many other months as well.  It’s always exciting to see how the year takes shape – what destinations I’ll be called to, what stories will be told.

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Big game today – the Badgers take on the Rose Bowl.  Ringo is already running around the house in his little Badgers sweater in anticipation.

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Our Holidays were great.  Busy, hectic even at times, but great.  The nephews were a joy to watch – especially Ethan, who is old enough now to participate in a way and really be fun.  I think Hubby was more excited to give that gift, than any other.  I couldn’t help but think that next year we will have three toddlers running around at Christmas – including baby girl.  Wow, how things change quickly!

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I understood why every retailer bombarded my inbox with sale emails pretty much every day in December.  But now that the holidays are over – they can stop.  I’ve been unsubscribing from lists for days it seems.  Goodness.  Sometimes it’s just all too much “shop, shop, shop!”.

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Stay tuned next week for our “Best of 2011″ contest – you don’t want to miss it!

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It seems like there should be more to write about, but my days really have been consumed by finishing up 2011 work, booking new clients, the holidays and getting ready for the baby.  I guess that’s enough really.  I hope your holidays were stellar and that 2012 looks especially bright for you.

Can you believe it’s Christmas week?  The year is almost over!  I’m not sure if I’m ready for 2011 to end.  Not to mention, there is still a ton of Christmas shopping to done in this house.  Like, all of it.

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Last Tuesday marked the one year anniversary of me signing up at my gym.  When the email came congratulating me it kind of took me by surprise.  I wasn’t working towards a certain goal in length of time or anything,  but a year?  Wow.  I can’t believe it’s been that long since I started going there.  I also can’t believe that I have truly gone consistently for a whole year.  Every other time I’ve committed to an exercise program, I’ve given up at some point.  I’ve really only missed going for trips out of town or weddings, or “pregnancy days” as I call them.  It’s pretty safe to say I’ve gone, on average, about 5 days a week that whole year, and nine months of it – I have been pregnant.  Allow me to pat myself on the back a bit.  The fact that this “anniversary” showed up out of nowhere to my consciousness means that working out is just part of my life now – and that really excites me.

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Pregnancy update:  I’ve officially reached that “uncomfortable” stage I believe.  Pregnancy has really agreed with me, and I haven’t had many issues or complaints up to this point.  But the last couple of weeks everything is just more difficult, I feel really big and rolly-polly, and my ribs are so compressed I’m in pain to some extent most of the day.  I guess if I’ve gotten thru 9 months with almost no symptoms to have some just this last month, I’m doing pretty well.  And in perspective – it could be a lot worse.   I think we have a pretty good attitude about it all, and one of my favorite memories this last week is Hubby laughing his butt off at me in the car because I couldn’t bend over to pick up my purse that had fallen on the floor.  My brain kept telling me I could, but I really just could not reach it.  Even I was laughing.  Baby girl (as we commonly refer to her) seems to be doing well, but it’s amazing how much space she seems to need in my body.

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I really hope Baby Girl comes on time or late.  I have so many projects I’d like to do before she gets here – a quilt/blanket for her, curtains for her room, pillows, etc- I just need the time.

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There is no holiday rest at the studio.  Lots of couples are squeezing in consultations while they are in town for the holidays.  This is great, as it means 2012 is really taking shape for weddings.  I still have many prime dates open though – so give me a call!

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We had a little snow last week – just half an inch or so.  But it was enough to see tiny Ringo footprints on our morning potty run – one of my favorite things.  I wouldn’t mind another fresh coat of an inch or two in time for this weekend.  Just saying.

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So, the Packers lost this weekend.  The undefeated dream is over.  Honestly, I think we are better off – and I’m not just saying that.  The pressure-cooker of “perfection” is just too much.  It’s like someone let the air out of the stress ball and we can all relax now and focus.

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Ethan learned to say “Auntie” this weekend – highlight of my day!

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I’ve set up the rest of the 2011 weddings as blog posts – there were quite a few left.  What does that mean?  Total wedding eye-candy coming your way on the regular from now until the end of the year.  And get ready, all of that wedding blogging means we have something fun in store!

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Have a great week, don’t shop too hard, and Merry Christmas!