Instafriday!

This last week has been semi-tough in the pregnancy department {I think the headaches are back to wreak their havoc upon my exhausted bod, but that's okay, darnit! I'm.....almost.....there...!!}, so I took very few insta's.

The ones I did take, however, I've already discussed to the point of exhaustion, but hey! Who cares!

This is Instafriday, and that means life needs to be recorded, baby!

So let's get a-rollin'!

 {here is the carriage our Rebel was delivered to us in.}

 {here we were the night I was reading the manual like a proper mama.}

{the first SUCCESSFUL peppermint bark we've ever made!}

{our first attempt in the bark department was horrendous. let's just say it involved the broiler for some gosh awful reason. ahh, trial and error!}

{our lovely LIT Christmas tree! I really hate stringing lights....It's by far my least favorite part of the holiday experience, so I'm darn lucky that Chad took over that duty while I was at work. Thanks, lovah!} 

{.....and I started reading this the other night. I don't know how long I'll last, since non-fiction isn't really my thang, but hey! That's what a Kindle-on-the-fritz will do to a gal! Plus I've heard nothing but good things, so I should just bear through it!}

A few more updates from this last week: 

* I'm fairly certain Carter is ready for potty training. During the last ten days or so he's been coming up to me in the morning to inform me of his bodily functions, so in my book that means it's go time, but not without some research. Does anyone have any tips or advice?

* ALL of my best lady friends now live out of state. ALL.OF.THEM. Two live in Arizona, one lives in Utah, and another just moved to Florida yesterday. I'm sad. Who told them it was okay to do that?

* I have one more two-week check up and then I get bumped up to once a week! Ahhhh, I can't believe it! Hurry, Babe #2, hurry!

* Chad has been working like a mad man to close out the semester on a high note. Seriously, I don't know how he does it. The man can be straight up robotic sometimes, and dagnabbit, that's why I love him so much. Talk about a fine-tuned-level-headed-multi-tasker. I would be a ball of stressed-out-tears. Good job, babe, you are awesome, and we appreciate you for it!

linking up in these super fun places:

& &
and here!

{playing with our new toy}

For some reason unbeknownst to me, I feel like I should be sneaky about these here pictures.

Like they weren't really supposed to come out of the lens we recently received from the glorious UPS man, because clearly someone else should own the glorious camera which is currently on my bed keeping me company.

Don't ask me why.

{$1 ornaments from Target}

Maybe it's because I've been anticipating this little slice of heaven for a long time, and now it's finally here?

Much like when you bring home a new baby?

Okay, that comparison is completely unbalanced, but you know what I mean?

I just don't want to break this thing, sort of like how I felt when we brought Carter home from the hospital!

{another completely unbalanced analogy, but you get it.}

Anyway, 

talk about feeling grateful!

{This electronic bundle of joy will be with us when we welcome Babe #2 into the world, while we are celebrating Carter's 2nd birthday, when we're hanging the ornaments on our tree, and even when the kiddos have snot running down their precious little faces. Yes, the Reb is a bona fide Cisneros, and we couldn't be happier to welcome her into our family.} 

Here is what she captured during her first trip around town {aka, Day 2 of her life}:

{Babe #1 enjoying A Bug's Life right before nap time}

{Paula Deen's peppermint bark Chad and I made last night} 

{favorite.favorite.favorite.favorite.favorite.favorite.} 

{Happiness hanging from our front door}

{Preciousness}

{Me pushing the Reb's limit's in the lighting/dirty mirror departments. She's a diva, and doesn't like it too much.}

{The model I'm raising.} 

{My Marie Claire's lined up pretty} 

{Me going over the top with the household photos} 

{This picture sort of defines why I wanted to get the camera in the first place...Look at the clarity!} 

{Mr. Hummingbird.}

{Babe #2's first outfit we have ever bought her...If she's a she.} 

{Ahh, the asymmetry!} 

{Some more foolin' around.}

So one things quite clear: I have a lot to learn in the realms of lighting and editing and whatnot, but hey! 

I'm happy with Reb, and all that Reb will bring us, so cyber cheers to all!

{and one more big thank you to everyone who pointed me in Reb's direction! Extra cheers to you!}

{and if you have no clue who Reb is, her full name is Canon Rebel T2i! Woohoo!}


linking up in these places, because feeling grateful is wonderful:

&

&

Awkward and Awesome

{circa 2008?}

AWKWARD

* Speaking too quickly while working and saying something totally weird on the microphone. While spitting at the same time. Because I was talking too fast. And making eye contact with someone while doing all that. I think I've lost my edge in the ole' work department as of right now. 

* Chad and I both falling asleep during one of our favorite shows and him telling me that the only reason he woke up is because we were both snoring quite enthusiastically. We are a sexy couple.

* Wanting - WANTING - to enjoy the finale of the Sing Off, but not being able to because of the a) Nick Lachey weirdness, and b) the let's-get-the-audience-involved-in-this-harmony action. I couldn't take it, I just couldn't take it!

* The extreme waddling going on around here. Man, this baby just does not want me to walk upright like a normal human being! He/she prefers for me to stay slightly hunched, with AT LEAST 3-5 feet of space between my knees at all times, and I mean that in literally the most unsexual way possible. {Have you seen me lately?} It's quite fetching, let me tell you.

{wine tasting, baby!}

AWESOME

* Knowing that Babe #2 is almost here with us {this coming Saturday = 35 weeks!}

* Having sorted Carter's old baby clothes into "BOY" and "UNISEX!" It's quite the big deal around these parts!

* The fact that Once Upon a Time has returned to me!

* The turkey sandwiches we have been enjoying.

* The Canon Rebel T2i we just got! WOOHOOO! {Today's nap session = reading the manual. This is one of those investments where you've just got to do it.}

* Experimenting with said cam-er-a! 

* Carter always wanting to help put the dishes away. He grabs things out and says, "AND THIS ONE! AND THIS ONE! AND THIS ONE!" So.Darn.Cute.

* Chad coming home with some SERIOUSLY AMAZING NEWS the other night! More on that to come.

* The fact that today marks the first official day of DECEMBER! 

* Blogging lately. I know this is SO one of those cliche things to say, but for the last few days I've been having quite a lot of inspiration come my way. I know, I know, I just said THAT, but seriously! It's pretty darn awesome.

I hope you've had a great balance of AWKWARDNESS and AWESOMENESS during your week,

because who can appreciate the awesomeness, without a little awkwardness??

linking up!

and don't forget to promote your small business amazingness!

Pinterest is the life for me.

Yeah, pinterest is still doing it for me.
I really can't foresee a day when it won't satisfy my every need, so in honor of this online black hole, here's  what I've been looking at for the past few hours minutes.

{source}
No need for words.
LOVE.THEM

{source}
These are PRE-PLANNED and PRE-PAID date nights for a year!
GEN.I.US

{source}
Ahh, stripes. I'm still obsessed with you.

{source}
IT.CAME.BACK.
woohoo!

{source}
Just one of the many nurseries I have stared at in the last few weeks.
This both unisex AND soothing.
GIVE.ME

linking up here:

and here:


and don't forget to link up that Small Business wonderfulness!

Small Business Tuesday!

......and we're back again, ready to see what the heck sort of holiday goodies you've stocked that shop with!

but first of all, for the past two Tuesdays, I'm sorry I've been such a lame hostess-o-Small-Business-Day.

SERIOUSLY!

I've just been feeling like the world's crappiest balloon, so things have been slipping through the cracks!

BUT NOT THIS WEEK!

Here are some of my favorites from the last TWO weeks!

Just a little ounce of preciousness from Digger's shop. 

I WANT. I WANT. I WANT. I WANT.

{and she's sweet beyond sweet, so go check her out. NOW!}

Ahh, Glow Kouture, I have loved your prettiness ever since Small Business Month launched last month.

You.Are.Fab. 

My favorite is The Poppy Clutch in Zebra Gray....Yes, yes it is!

Maddie Mack, Babe #2 has been pressuring me to buy one of your amazing designs! 

SO.ADORABLE!

Um. I want both of these. I can't pick a favorite. I just can't.

Sew Beastly, you are a genius. a GENIUS, I say!

 Have I ever mentioned that I'm a technological idiot?

Well, thank goodness for the Momma St. J's of the world. Seriously. Go look at her amazingness.

 Okay, not only do I love reading her BLOG, but her vintage eye blows mine out of the water.

Little Vintage Me knows what she's doing. For reals.

OH.MY.GOSH.

Is it weird that I've been searching for something EXACTLY like this at Target for the last week?

Seriously, Underground Vintage Studio, you hit the nail on the head here.

 Guess what? I'm obsessed with bib necklaces. Obsessed!....so if anyone wanted to send one my way....

JUST KIDDING!

Anyway, Salena from A Little Piece of Me, this is precious!

Why can't I have these organization skills??

Ashley from The Pink Ruffle has got it going on.

First of all, Katie's got style.

Second of all, her blog is precious. Bottom line.

 I know T-Day just passed, but this is adorbs. ADORBS, I tell you!

And, hi, I love the fact that on Two Sasters they share couponing advice. Me.Likey.

Ahh, the cuteness.

I met Dani last month during SBM, and let me tell you, she's awesome. just awesome. 

Go check out Me and My New Life!

Okay, that was fun, and

I'm going to do it again next week with the goodies that are promoted today, so get to flaunting yourself!

But here's a really quick recap as to what has been going on in my own business life:

{nada.} 

I KNOW, I KNOW, I hate even saying that, but I'm telling you! Babe #2 does not want me to sew right now! He/she just wants me to lie flat as a board and watch 19 Kids and Counting. Don't worry though, I will be making a come back VERY soon, and in the meantime I get to meander over to all the preciousness that YOU link up!

Grab a button!

<center><a href="www.threesforme.blogspot.com"><img border="0" src="http://i1103.photobucket.com/albums/g471/nicolecisneros1223/nicolesbd.png"/></a></center>

we did IT.

We have taken the leap.

Executed the plan.

Committed ourselves.

Purchased the goods.

Ordered the necessities.

We got ourselves a legitimate, high definition, crystal clear, fabulous 

CAMERA!

The

CANON REBEL T2i 

to be exact!

{thanks to everyone's sweet recommendations!}

Words cannot describe the excitement felt over here!

To think!

WE are now going to be able to take AWESOME PHOTOS when Babe #2 joins us, instead of iPhone pics!

WE are now able to capture Carter's preciousness {aka kicking fits and mini temper tantrums} with clarity!

Seriously, I think this was worth the wait.

And per the season, I need to say a big, fat THANK YOU to the events leading up to this joyous occasion:

- First and foremost, CYBER MONDAY! -

- My unwillingness to bend to the pressures of society and just purchase some stupid point-and-shooter because I knew that WITHOUT A DOUBT it would die some horrible death, just like the rest of my p&s's -

- My husband for being smart enough to cash in our points, therefore making this sexy thang quite easy on the pocket book -

- Carter and Babe #2 for being the real reasons behind me wanting an awesome camera in the first place -

- And you folks, who pointed me in the direction of this slice of heaven! Woohoo! -

Anyway, as soon as the Reb reaches us in the mail {November 29th!}, you can expect tons of these sorts of pictures:

{fetching!}

{so serene!}

{ahh, paradise!}

IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT!

{okay, no. but you get the idea!}

linking up here:

and here:

And don't forget about Small Business Tuesday! Grab a button from the ole' sidebar and link up to show us what new goody goody goodies you've got in that shop of yours!