tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62260418616797397932024-02-07T15:01:45.542-08:00Team StruckmeyerFor our friends and family, a little peek at what we're up to!Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.comBlogger655125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-3932619093189384862015-03-05T19:46:00.001-08:002015-03-05T19:46:39.421-08:00We're basically famous now. <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I guess I forgot to tell you that Sophie's nursery was on <a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/shhhsophies-librarythemed-nursery-my-room-207803">Apartment Therapy</a>. Half a year later, it still looks like the pictures in that post, only messier. <br />
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I would take a picture of the messy nursery and post it here, but... I can't find the camera. That's how we operate now. One hundred percent mess. It's basically a miracle that we're all still fully clothed (with matching shoes, I might add). </div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-33546028192312507972014-11-20T10:42:00.001-08:002014-11-20T10:42:17.665-08:00Whooo's that Adorable Baby? <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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After years of knitting for other people's babies, I finally sewed the buttons onto a sweater for Sophie! It's a little green cardigan with hidden owls around the yoke. I think she likes it! </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-58611023243927042182014-11-16T18:46:00.003-08:002014-11-16T18:46:32.379-08:00Hello from Sophie<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-77332234073979887462014-10-28T05:15:00.001-07:002014-10-28T05:15:27.128-07:00Our Growing Baby<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Sophie is now 15 weeks old! Here she is in the same chair, with the same soft friends, when we first brought her home from the hospital and then at 1, 2, and 3 months. <br />
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Red Dog is her favorite toy... they started out about the same size, but Sophie's got a few inches on him now! </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-91484808772049386032014-09-21T19:36:00.000-07:002014-09-21T19:36:05.963-07:00Sophie's First Camping Trip! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last week we ventured out for two nights at Mauthe Lake in the Kettle Moraine National Forest.</div>
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We had reserved the tepee, which meant that we didn't have to bring a tent, and we stayed nice and dry when it rained the first night. The tepee was super fun! It even had cots inside. </div>
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Our sweet little cherub liked it too. </div>
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This is how the inside of a tepee looks when it's inhabited by a family with an infant:</div>
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Papa Bear made Swedish pancakes for us in the morning. He also snuggled our baby while she woke up. I think they like each other! </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-949886484271228712014-09-03T20:39:00.000-07:002014-09-03T20:41:37.697-07:00Where'd You Get That? Card Catalog Edition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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One of the most commented-on items in our home is our card catalog, which currently serves as our baby's dresser. Visitors often ask where we got it. We were lucky to find it at <a href="http://www.bussvc.wisc.edu/swap/swap.html">SWAP</a> (if you haven't been to SWAP, you must go; do yourself a favor and borrow a friend's truck because you're sure to find several items you never knew you needed). </div>
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When we bought it, it was kind of in rough shape… </div>
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It had been sandwiched between two other card catalogs for all its life, so the sides were unfinished. </div>
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And the panel at the bottom of the catalog was totally gross. </div>
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Enter <a href="http://rosewoodandbrassrestorations.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/custom-work-for-a-nursery/">Rosewood & Brass Restorations</a>. Jenn came in with all kinds of tools, tape measures, stain, and reclaimed lumber, and in the blink of an eye she had the sides finished-- they're gorgeous-- and the bottom panel looking fabulous. She created a custom stain (which I didn't even know was possible), and it matches perfectly. Check out the photos of the finished product on her <a href="http://rosewoodandbrassrestorations.wordpress.com/2014/07/24/custom-work-for-a-nursery/">blog</a>!</div>
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One extra bonus of having Jenn work on the catalog was giving everyone in our neighborhood the chance to see a woman- and a young, adorable woman at that- pull up in her minivan, unload all manner of power tools, and go to work. </div>
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The labels on the drawers look like they're typed, but I'm really not that ambitious… I just created text boxes and used a typewriter-ish font in Word, then printed everything on cream-colored paper. </div>
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The drawers are the perfect size for baby clothes. Later on, I can only imagine what they'll hold… one friend suggested that the catalog could become a Barbie mausoleum. Can't wait to type the text boxes for those drawers! </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-75257225173082200212014-08-28T10:03:00.001-07:002014-08-29T06:04:13.495-07:00As Good as It Gets<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-87367144947562787112014-08-18T12:26:00.001-07:002014-08-28T10:05:09.605-07:00One Month Old! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Our Sophie turned one month old on the 14th! We celebrated with a trip to the zoo, complete with a ride on the carousel. We also managed to fit in a trip to Bagels Forever!</div>
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Breakfast sandwiches for Mommy and Daddy! </div>
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Of course we chose the badger for her first ride! </div>
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Chilling out with the penguins… Sophie is really into it.</div>
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Hanging out at home with Red Dog and Purple Hippopotamus (we took this same picture when she was just a few days old)</div>
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We ended the day with a fashion show/dance party featuring the onesies made by Lia and Elsworth for the baby shower. I also made up a joke: </div>
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What song do they play at baby Halloween parties? </div>
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Boo, Baby Baby!</div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-68461649888065870242014-08-11T13:48:00.000-07:002014-09-03T14:29:10.624-07:00Announcing Your Pregnancy, Library-Style<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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1. Gather some basic materials: </div>
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Plain notecards (the kind that don't open) and envelopes</div>
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Book pockets and date due slips (we ordered ours from <a href="http://demco.com/">Demco</a>); do yourself a favor and order more book pockets than you think you'll need for this project. You'll likely find lots of uses for them! These are the same pockets we've used for <a href="http://teamstruckmeyer.blogspot.com/2010/11/thirty-days-of-thankfulness-weekend_22.html">Advent calendar</a>s. </div>
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An ink pad and date stamp (also from Demco)</div>
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Heart-shaped printable stickers </div>
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2. Stick the book pockets to the notecards. </div>
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3. Find a typewriter (you might have to get special permission to use one in the back room of a library where you worked 10 years ago) and complete the title and author fields on the date due slips. Use the date stamp to add your baby's due date to the "Date Due" column. <br />
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4. Add a date due card to each book pocket, and put each notecard in an envelope. <br />
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5. Print the call number for books about babies (there are several; just choose one and know that no one is going to correct you, at least not out loud) on the heart-shaped stickers, and seal the envelopes with the stickers. <br />
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6. Pop the cards in the mail and wait for a delighted response from friends and family! </div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-77942628600619658152014-08-10T19:04:00.002-07:002014-08-10T19:04:26.046-07:00Ten on Ten: "I Only Take Pictures of My Baby" Edition<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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More about Ten on Ten <a href="http://rebekahgough.blogspot.com/p/ten-on-ten-photo-project.html">here</a>! </div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-9824221574497790762014-07-03T06:57:00.000-07:002014-07-03T06:57:00.802-07:00Best Baby Shower Ever! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Karl and I knew from the beginning that we wanted our baby shower to be fun. As in, no awkward games involving measuring my belly. And we wanted to invite everyone, not just ladies who happen to love finger sandwiches. Nothing against finger sandwiches, of course. And nothing against ladies, but we happen to also like hanging out with children and men. So we decided on a barbecue picnic in a park. Our families were gracious enough to indulge our request, and they went above and beyond to throw a picturesque shower that we absolutely loved. </div>
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Elsworth and Lia did all of the decorations and centerpieces. They could not have been more perfect! The park shelter was pretty rustic/brown, so we wanted to jazz it up with some color. Check out these gorgeous tissue paper pom-poms:</div>
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Karl was a natural pom-pom fluffer. You'll notice that I'm not actually helping in any of these pictures... that's because I was too busy eating cake. True confession: I ordered a separate cake just to have at home that weekend. We'll chalk that up to being pregnant, but honestly I probably would have done that no matter what the occasion was. And it was so worth it. </div>
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Hanna and Chad during a team-building exercise called "hanging up pom-poms." </div>
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Here they are, all hung up! This picture really doesn't do them justice. Imagine the most beautiful decorations ever, and that's what these looked like. </div>
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Centerpieces were little beach pails full of candy... and there were adorable striped paper bags for people to fill with treats to take home! </div>
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Speaking of photos that don't do their subjects justice... Elsworth and Lia made these amazing embroidered onesies to hang up. Here's a slightly better picture, taken at home later: </div>
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Who doesn't love to predict baby details?</div>
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Hanna coordinated this craft station for adults (kids were welcome to jump in, too, but hot glue was involved). We ended up with a beautiful bouquet of fabric flowers for the baby! </div>
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The set-up crew... Chad, Lia, Elsworth, and Hanna</div>
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Karl's mom and dad grilled brats and did a great job keeping everyone fed! Did I mention that we had 85 guests? 85 guests x 2 brats per person (hello, this is Wisconsin!) = a lot of work on the grill!</div>
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My mom (who took most of the pictures, which is why she's not in them... I think she does that on purpose!) rocked the desserts and drinks, as well as the paper goods, which were super cute but unfortunately went un-photographed. Next time we have a baby shower I'll have to take many more pictures! We had cake and ice cream (And ice cream cones! Super fun. Every baby shower should have ice cream cones.), lemonade, and beer. Once again, this is Wisconsin, people. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYAtLOZIEZrRnrsCU0fAnTJl4GS0lkw04gtQnLxps2fOBFZpBp3RSpg7lAnhVyJhybqkpl5MOYdycDyus-MKlYc28p-8fp-J6G8m2j3z_miRyQhu_nvbDNeAdRnsnNKgn0yZZ6anHp4In/s1600/IMG_3093_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlYAtLOZIEZrRnrsCU0fAnTJl4GS0lkw04gtQnLxps2fOBFZpBp3RSpg7lAnhVyJhybqkpl5MOYdycDyus-MKlYc28p-8fp-J6G8m2j3z_miRyQhu_nvbDNeAdRnsnNKgn0yZZ6anHp4In/s1600/IMG_3093_2.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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One detail that I loved (and so did our little friend, K) were these sweet polka-dotted nut cups filled with nuts and chocolate. I've always loved nut cups, but these were the cutest ones ever. <br />
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Many thanks to our families and friends for such a perfect shower! Everyone was so generous and thoughtful, and of course we loved having a chance to see so many of the people we love the most. </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-22883648324121512912014-06-30T06:13:00.001-07:002014-06-30T06:13:14.885-07:00Nursery in Progress! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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It's a miracle... we were able to somehow clear out our guest room/office/craft room/catch-all room! We're quickly filling it up again, though... here's a little sneak peek at the nursery as it's coming together:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0E0dPVYy4AlKJGwJGnqdDvpUjunIefQIrB1HSVI1ipIMEec7US9inY1Y09imUZkcX0iZbU87LCyjJHxkBYZ3DTO8lLXBnBDaJEAd0u-P06KhMub56B5a-Q-C3oMKfCv4TBYIUqOXopGh/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb0E0dPVYy4AlKJGwJGnqdDvpUjunIefQIrB1HSVI1ipIMEec7US9inY1Y09imUZkcX0iZbU87LCyjJHxkBYZ3DTO8lLXBnBDaJEAd0u-P06KhMub56B5a-Q-C3oMKfCv4TBYIUqOXopGh/s1600/IMG_0354.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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Book truck changing table! </div>
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Don't worry, the card catalog isn't missing a drawer. One drawer is with our friend <a href="http://rosewoodandbrassrestorations.wordpress.com/">Jenn</a>, who is helping us refinish the sides and bottom of the catalog.</div>
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My mom made this beautiful alphabet flower embroidery! </div>
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Karl did an awesome job building a closet system from scratch for the baby's closet; the paint is still drying and we have a few things to add, but let me just say that it is totally perfect and a huge improvement over the two bowed plywood shelves that were in there before. </div>
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Soon we'll have a little person to plunk into this room! We'd better enjoy the peace and quiet now... </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-40829924236057539922014-06-22T20:18:00.000-07:002014-06-22T20:18:42.705-07:00Baby Shower by Mail, Take Two! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You might remember the <a href="http://teamstruckmeyer.blogspot.com/2010/11/baby-shower-by-mail.html">Baby Shower by Mail</a> my college friends and I threw for our friend Mara back in 2010 (was it really that long ago?!). Now that Baby Struckmeyer is on the way, the same girls have taken it upon themselves to keep our mailman busy! <br />
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I videotaped myself opening all of the gifts, but it turns out I'm technologically challenged (wait, we already knew that), so the footage is stuck on our videocamera for the rest of time. This sub-par photo of all of their wonderful gifts will have to do! An itty-bitty sweatshirt from our alma mater... a Garfield hat and nightlight (I sort-of-jokingly have said from the beginning that I wanted to do a Garfield nursery theme, which would be completely hilarious, but somehow I haven't been able to convince Karl)... the world's best Annie book (we had the same one when I was growing up)... lots of adorable onesies and sleepers... beautiful wooden toys... chocolate bars, which went straight into the hospital bag... and lots of other thoughtful, perfect gifts. </div>
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I'm so lucky to have these ladies as friends, and our baby is even luckier to have so much love coming from all directions! </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-78722600806417904922014-06-18T10:28:00.000-07:002014-06-18T10:28:00.696-07:00Staff Lounge Reveal <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Last but not least: How to surprise your co-workers! </div>
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Make a little cardboard oven out of a shoebox (there are tutorials online, but I thought it was way simpler to just wing it... the oven door is made of a page protector, in case you're wondering). </div>
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It's fun if the oven door can actually open and close! </div>
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Inside the oven, put a picture of the expectant parents, along with a Date Due slip (which is especially perfect if you work at a library). </div>
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Order a bunch of morning buns from the local bakery. Pick them up early in the morning, and get to work before anyone else. Set up the oven and the buns in the lounge... </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-25171736500875795272014-06-16T10:05:00.001-07:002014-06-16T10:05:18.728-07:00How to Surprise Your In-Laws<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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We've already covered <a href="http://teamstruckmeyer.blogspot.com/2014/05/how-to-surprise-your-mother.html">How to Surprise Your Mother</a>, so let's move on to the in-laws. I told Karl we could break the news about our pregnancy to his parents any way he wanted to. Here's what he decided (I think it's pretty cute!):</div>
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He decorated two little white onesies, one for his parents, and one for his grandmother (who recently turned 100!). His parents had been on vacation in Florida, and when they got back to town, we wrapped up some gourmet hot cocoa as a little "welcome home" gift for them. Karl, who is an engineer through and through, tied a piece of fishing line to the bottom of the cocoa bag, and he tied the other end to the onesie. He buried the onesie deep in the bottom of the bag, under layers of tissue paper, so his parents would really have to dig. </div>
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We went out for dinner with Karl's family, and we gave his parents the gift. They were more than a little surprised when they found the onesie! </div>
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A few days later, we visited Karl's grandmother, and we gave her the other onesie. She immediately had us hang it up in her sunroom, and she tells us that she looks at it daily. She's bound and determined to meet her third great grandchild! </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-85063875090595993482014-06-04T09:04:00.000-07:002014-06-04T09:04:18.650-07:00Tub Time <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
You know how sometimes you see something on Apartment Therapy, and you think, "I totally need that!" but it's like a million dollars and really, you probably don't technically <em>need </em>it? That happened to me recently with the<a href="http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/puj-tub-69604"> Puj Tub</a>. So darling, so practical, but I wasn't about to pay-- or ask someone else to pay-- $40 for a piece of foam. <br />
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I was super-psyched when I volunteered to help set up for a giant children's resale in Madison, where I spied not one, but two of the coveted Puj tubs. Of course, no shopping was allowed during set-up, so I had to wait until the next day for the volunteer pre-sale. I made a beeline for the tubs... and they were both gone. Apparently I wasn't the only one with my eye on them! <br />
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Not being one to let things go easily, I went home and checked eBay, but that felt kind of gross for some reason, so I took a peek on Craigslist... and there was a Puj tub for sale in Milwaukee, still in the box and the plastic and everything, for $10. I texted my sister, who lives in Milwaukee, and seriously like 5 minutes later she sent this picture: <br />
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I have no idea how she did that so fast, but we'll chalk it up to a Pre-Baby Miracle.</div>
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Here we are at Easter, celebrating the fact that our baby will be bathing in style. </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-10903479470852216762014-05-26T20:08:00.002-07:002014-05-26T20:08:30.074-07:00How to Surprise Your Mother<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Have you ever wanted to surprise your mother? Here's a no-fail, step-by-step method: </div>
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1. A few weeks ahead of time, ask her if she'd like to go with you to a book sale. Make it sound really amazing-- they'll be selling lots of vintage German children's books, and each volunteer (oh, ya, you're volunteering at the sale) is only allowed to bring one other person to the pre-sale. She might come up with excuses, so keep making the sale sound better and better. Also mention that you usually bring your friend Kate with you, but this year she's due to have a baby around the time of the sale, so she probably won't be able to go. Everything in step 1 is a lie, so feel free to embellish to your heart's content. It's fun! </div>
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2. The day of the "book sale," meet your mom early for lunch. Bring along a little gift bag. Over lunch, plan your strategy for the book sale and mention that Kate had her baby the day before. Since the lunch spot you picked is located one block from the hospital, ask your mom if she minds stopping by the hospital really quickly to drop off a gift before heading to the sale. You won't stay long; you'll just drop off the gift and go. Don't make it an option for your mom to wait in the car! Kate would love to see her. </div>
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3. Check in at the hospital. Fill out some paperwork. If your mom mentions that she's never had to fill out paperwork to visit a baby before, say, "Me neither! They've really tightened up security!" Have a seat in the waiting room. </div>
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4. After waiting a few minutes, ask your mom if she wants to see the gift you have for Kate's baby. Hand her the gift bag. Watch as she pulls out a little box...<br />
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Inside the box, she finds a little hat, folded up... tell her to go ahead and unfold it... </div>
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There is no book sale! And Kate didn't really have a baby yesterday! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wGGrFweKjxTmBkZtWqEcWc1fxEzg5Ga9TrMvTc4gokCdZnRyOkXfdqHeYxyJGonrpMVXfBVim3ZTH1-5nmWGTB8me_u1-hAB0ZehlJsbUZIDWeOk8a5emjSoXTqbk515mo8HE9DkkRsn/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6wGGrFweKjxTmBkZtWqEcWc1fxEzg5Ga9TrMvTc4gokCdZnRyOkXfdqHeYxyJGonrpMVXfBVim3ZTH1-5nmWGTB8me_u1-hAB0ZehlJsbUZIDWeOk8a5emjSoXTqbk515mo8HE9DkkRsn/s1600/IMG_0030.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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5. Your husband pops out from behind the corner with the camera. The nurse calls your name, and your mom gets to meet her new grandbaby for the very first time...<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-67146423090210640492013-12-21T13:45:00.000-08:002013-12-21T13:45:00.094-08:00Christmas and the Project-Oriented Husband<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I could write a book called <em>The Project-Oriented Husband</em>. It would include topics like how to deal with (and even embrace) items that suddenly enter the household unannounced: sausage-making attachments for the Kitchen-Aid, large beer making supplies, high-tech music mixing equipment... okay, we don't have any music mixing equipment, but we certainly have plenty of other supplies for various projects. That chapter would be called "Space Invaders<em>."</em> </div>
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My book would also include a chapter on Christmas. Here is what you might find in a project-oriented person's living room around Christmastime: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyS26GsdPkyHH8onAdN4BYx86s_v83D0ZxdDJhDkMSmHH23HjM2Fk3yQBcPpa2HXxThqGbFweSjOeKPQ8f0AVPR6mbrdqbu6eAWZkeUaeyIYVjm2DNV8yPKPv0aTWM_mV7-WqyagnYx5yC/s1600/IMG_0161.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyS26GsdPkyHH8onAdN4BYx86s_v83D0ZxdDJhDkMSmHH23HjM2Fk3yQBcPpa2HXxThqGbFweSjOeKPQ8f0AVPR6mbrdqbu6eAWZkeUaeyIYVjm2DNV8yPKPv0aTWM_mV7-WqyagnYx5yC/s640/IMG_0161.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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That thing on the left is not a present. You might think it is because it's shaped like a box and it's sitting under the tree, but you'd be wrong. It's actually a big cardboard box with a rectangular hole cut in the top. Inside are special electrical carving tools (or something) and pieces of wood. For some kind of project. I don't even know what it is, and you know what? I don't care. Because as long as my husband is happily carving away, I'm happy too. </div>
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In all honesty, I have <em>waaaaay </em>more project supplies than Karl, and I do love it when he's excited about a new project. I think that's the best side of him. So I'll happily give up some under-the-tree space for whatever he's working on. And once I get this book deal, we'll be able to buy a second house, specifically for our project equipment. </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-52271939802842106652013-12-19T13:32:00.002-08:002013-12-19T13:32:56.114-08:00Cookie Swap! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Tonight I'm going to a cookie swap with my book club! Cookie swaps are perfect because they give me a chance to make a couple of well-loved recipes and get most of the cookies out of the house before I really do some damage. </div>
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Here's what's in my Tupperware for tonight:</div>
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<a href="http://allrecipes.com/recipe/chocolate-mint-candies-cookies/">Andes Mint Chocolate Cookies</a> </div>
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(I use Andes mints for the last ingredient listed)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8k1CqdhF4Ej4IQVI7AJ0v8RopV0Hf5iZgihyphenhyphen_HccM2Vn7G71gHDNuRXkRegsE0r5374kbnxfxWyjyTnswbT6A4-wm74KXOB_LyOOr08NWkicNDNzLQKh9aNgywyicShUIzD8IgyT607V/s1600/IMG_0159%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ8k1CqdhF4Ej4IQVI7AJ0v8RopV0Hf5iZgihyphenhyphen_HccM2Vn7G71gHDNuRXkRegsE0r5374kbnxfxWyjyTnswbT6A4-wm74KXOB_LyOOr08NWkicNDNzLQKh9aNgywyicShUIzD8IgyT607V/s320/IMG_0159%5B1%5D.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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These are hands-down my favorite holiday cookies. They're super delicious and they have a great consistency. Plus they're super easy to make, and once the candy is cool, they can be stacked on top of one another. I usually make these to give to our neighbors in little Christmas bags. </div>
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<a href="http://www.marthastewart.com/1043782/jamaretti-cookies">Jamaretti Cookies</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w51Otcu_-o8Ti7RgLXrtdm8Ap4lCY-Q_qUWB4CJ8TmNRXbgAKtr0ucSlx6o8u2g1r3QrmIx_KQsF_WD4ahjdH5THTq5S48KE9VskVuGMfsHajgalzKKDYkYpZKOQpOrIMg6V5uegGk2q/s1600/IMG_0164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0w51Otcu_-o8Ti7RgLXrtdm8Ap4lCY-Q_qUWB4CJ8TmNRXbgAKtr0ucSlx6o8u2g1r3QrmIx_KQsF_WD4ahjdH5THTq5S48KE9VskVuGMfsHajgalzKKDYkYpZKOQpOrIMg6V5uegGk2q/s320/IMG_0164.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I just discovered this recipe; it was in an insert in the most recent Martha Stewart magazine. I chose this recipe because: </div>
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a. it's made with almond paste, and I love all things almond</div>
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I used homemade raspberry jam for my cookies, but I think they'd be great with other flavors, too. They have a nice, not-too-sweet almond taste; the only drawback is that they can't be stacked. That's why God created cookie plates, though, right? I made these cookies for my co-workers, and they got such rave reviews that I decided to whip up another batch for the cookie swap. </div>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-32074843307911341822013-12-09T09:55:00.002-08:002013-12-09T09:55:08.550-08:00The Best Christmas Present Ever <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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As you probably know, I adore the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. Of course I was overjoyed to find out that Samantha Finglass, daughter of DCC Director Kelli Finglass, is posting a video blog every day in December! Vlogmas 2013, y'all. This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Her videos are mostly hair and make-up oriented. Watching the video of the day is my little treat during lunchtime at work every day. You can watch Samantha's videos through her <a href="http://crystalline14.wordpress.com/">blog</a>, or you can see them on YouTube.<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-82119781902967305602013-11-26T10:54:00.000-08:002013-11-26T10:54:01.724-08:00Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Day 26<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm so thankful that I have the day off tomorrow! I'm looking forward to sleeping in, doing some Thanksgiving prep, maybe going for a swim or taking a yoga class... it's going to be amazing. I can feel it. </div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-70796101406915365322013-11-25T15:41:00.001-08:002013-11-25T15:41:45.847-08:00Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Days 24 and 25<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Karl works overnight every Sunday, which is fine, but we really miss the Sunday night movie nights we used to have. We'd light a fire, snuggle in with some popcorn, and be ready to face the week on Monday morning. Those were the days... until he randomly had last night off of work! It was fantastic. He got home from deer hunting just in time for some sweet potato casserole and a fire in the fireplace. I'm thankful for... <br />
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<li>A Sunday night off for my husband! </li>
<li>An 8-point buck that rode home in the back of Karl's dad's truck</li>
<li>An inch or two of fresh snow on the ground this morning</li>
<li>A very short work week</li>
<li>Lots of fun plans for Thanksgiving weekend</li>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-70238507838532987702013-11-23T14:36:00.000-08:002013-11-23T14:36:05.563-08:00Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Days 21-23<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm thankful for: <br />
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<li>Thursday and Friday off of work! And a short week next week, too! </li>
<li>A <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1951264/">movie date</a> tonight with my book club</li>
<li>A <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Lowland-Jhumpa-Lahiri/dp/0307265749">good book</a> on my nightstand </li>
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-8208370337067833762013-11-20T08:24:00.003-08:002013-11-20T08:24:46.904-08:00Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Day 20<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I recently lent my <a href="http://www.americanbuttonmachines.com/Model_100_Button_Machine.html">button maker</a> to an acquaintance. She returned it a few days ago, but I just got around to opening up the box today. Inside the box were several delicious little treats, two pretty pencils, and a coupon for a product she knows I like (we once ran into each other at Whole Foods). So sweet! I'm thankful for little surprises and thoughtful gestures. </div>
Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6226041861679739793.post-11619370399201935952013-11-19T10:14:00.000-08:002013-11-19T10:14:55.797-08:00Thirty Days of Thankfulness: Day 19<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I'm thankful for a super-sweet, hard working husband! Karl never ceases to amaze me with his capacity for kindness, patience, and compassion. Plus he's pretty handsome! ♥<br />
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Amandahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11865039944343813603noreply@blogger.com1