"Life is always a rich and steady time when you are waiting for something to happen or to hatch" ~ EB White, Charlotte's Web

David and I are so happy to announce that we are expecting twins!!! There are so many words to describe just how we feel, yet I can't really find the right one. Amazed, shocked, scared, elated, anxious, nervous.... the list could go on! This pregnancy has already been a roller coaster of a ride but we're making it. Or should I say I'm making it! When we found out in November that we were expecting we couldn't control ourselves and immediately took our first 'belly pic'! No big belly, but I definitely have something that wasn't there before. Gas maybe???

4 weeks 5 days

Not only did we take a pic or two but we also called my doctor to set up our first appointment. We saw Dr Bennett on December 1 to have our first prenatal visit to confirm our pregnancy. Since I was a high risk preggers to begin with, they actually did an ultrasound! That is when we found out for the first time that we are expecting twins!!

Our very first picture of our two little miracles

The ultrasound tech asked me, "Do you see that?", and of course my response was "Um... I don't even know what I'm looking at". She just held up two fingers and I let out a big gasp and started freaking out! I shouted "TWINS?!" and David about dropped over dead! The entire 3-4 weeks of knowing that I was pregnant something inside told me that it was twins. I even told David and family of my premonition. I just knew because of the excruciating cramps that kept me up until 5am, the extreme exhaustion that I was already having, and then there was just that little thing called "mother's intuition".
My tummy just seems to keep growing. During the 8th week I looked down and BAM, there's more belly! By this time I've gained about 5 pounds putting me at a whopping 110-111...

Week 8

Last week, November 29, we had our second appointment which was my day to give away all of my blood for a million tests and to see how things were looking. Going into this appointment I had been winding myself into a ball of nerves and stress wondering how they were doing, if everyone was healthy, if there were still TWO babies.... you name it, I was thinking it! What we thought would be just another routine check up turned into be so much more! We actually got to SEE at our little bundles of joy again! Unfortunately no pictures are available... But, what we witnessed was absolutely amazing (sans pictures) and all of my worries were swept right out the door! We watched two little babies jumping and kicking around flailing their arms everywhere! It was such a shock to us both. Neither of us ever really thought about them actually moving like this at such an early stage. One actually had the hick ups and kind of did a jump/floating movement... we were such proud parents! Legs, arms, fingers and toes... noses and lips were there ~ words just fail me even thinking about it!

Sorry for the large post. I know that this was definitely a bundle to take in all at once! I will definitely post later with more info from our latest appointment and keep everyone up to date on the latest developments with our two little ones!!!

XOXO

"I am thankful for the mess to clean after a party because it means I have been surrounded by friends" ~ Nancie Carmody

So one thing I love to do is a host a party! Whether it is our annual Halloween bash or a baby shower for my girl friends, I think it's a great way to use my creativity in decorating and personally making the invitations. It may take some extra effort ~ OK... it takes a tremendous amount of extra effort - but I love working in Photoshop and/or hand making the invitations myself! I know there are a ton of invitation companies that are there to make life a little easier. But why take the easy route, right?

In August I threw a baby shower for my best girl friend, Aubree, who just gave birth to a beautiful boy, Xavier (post below). The "theme" for his nursery are just a few colors: bright aqua blue, light blue and orange. Without a character theme I was stumped on the invitations. So I decided to just create my own... For Aubree's invitation I created every detail all the way down to the stroller and it's pinwheels. I was pretty happy with it! Looking back there are a few things that I would change. But I can't change it now... unfortunately.

(I have decided to blur out all personal information seeing as how my blog is not private...)




In October I decided to overwhelm myself and host TWO parties in one day... Yes, I know. How could I be so naive? Did my mother drop me on my head as a child?? I think the answer is yes to that question! The first party was a baby shower my friend Emily who gave birth in November to Lily Cathryn! And the second party was our annual Halloween bash. Below are my invitations...

For Emily's invitation I created everything again. Every ladybug and the gingham pattern to look like a picnic blanket. It may look slightly angled, but it's just the pattern. I did not want it to be perfect.



For the Halloween invitation I wanted to create a vintage, classic look that would reflect our decorations for this year's party. Usually we go all out with the gory, gruesome decorations - which is fun and very scary - but I wanted to do something softer and a bit more relaxing this time around (maybe because I so humbly accepted the challenge of hosting two parties?) I unfortunately am not creative enough to create my own Photoshop brushes, so I used some free ones that I found online, did my own cropping, created the stained background color, and glued the two pieces to a beautiful plum color card stock. Here you see the plum background to give you the effect...

Front

Back

Although it's not MY party, David and his buds asked me to create their invite for the annual "Hunting Invitational". This is a weekend of crazy antics, drinking, shooting things (including pumpkins from Halloween) and just trying to see who's the bigger dork in my opinion! It was the first invite that I completed and David loved it.





Give me some feedback! I would love to know what you think. If you like what I've done and think I would be a great referral for friends and family, PLEASE feel free to let them know. I want to try and get into the business of creating personal invitations. Whether it be your bridal shower, a child's birthday party or a wedding... you name it, I'll try it and put 100% of my effort into making a beautiful invitation for any occasion!

"Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." ~Martin Luther

OK, so long time no see, huh? I promise that I am trying to maintain a healthy relationship with my blog. Sometimes I find myself lacking the inspiration. But in my defense, I have been working on a blog for a while now, but have not published because I do not have the correct photos... ('Creative' blog coming soon)

But to catch you up ~
This past weekend David and I made our way up to Ellijay, GA (or Redneck City) to take a tour of an apple orchard and absorb all of the beauty that the fall season has to offer! And we had company, Aubree, Jake and their little one, Xavier. Everyone had a great time ~ once we found an actual ORCHARD! I mapped out our day at an apple store, not an orchard. The website was deceiving!!!! After asking around, we finally found an actual orchard, Hillcrest Apple Orchard (http://www.hillcrestorchards.net/). The place smelled of cow and pig poo from their petting farm. Other than that, it was a great experience. My and Xavier's first apple orchard was a success!
We all picked tons of apples. David bought a large bag for only $13 and we filled it to the brim! I think we left there with 40-50 apples. Can't beat that! Now, what in the world do I do with all of these apples before they rot? I want to try baking, preserving, saucing... you name it, I'll try it. I just have to find the right recipe. Once I do, I'll fill you in on the delicious secrets.

David, Aubree, Jake walking down the orchard trying to find just the right tree for picking...

Debonair David

Aubree, Jake and Xavier (little older than 3 weeks old)

One of the many beautiful apples found, picked and/or eaten during our adventure...

Next year I would love to find a peach orchard and possibly a strawberry patch where you can pick your own... Mmmmmm ~ my tummy is already saying 'Yes!'.

"Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails. That's what little boys are made of !"

October 7, 2009 is a day that will always hold a special place in my heart. This is the day when Xavier Ardennes Bergmann graced us with his presence and made the world a brighter place! 22.5", 9 lbs 2 oz brighter!!! He is the son of my best friend Aubree and her fiancée Jake, two very lucky and proud parents! Aubree was a beautiful, pregnant bridesmaid of mine, (one of two pregnant bridesmaids). I have been so anxious ever since our dinner at Taquera Del Sol in February, (when I asked her to be a bridesmaid and she told me that she was preggers), to see this little bundle of joy and to finally learn his NAME! She withheld this very important information from me for 40 weeks! But, it was worth it...
I am so happy for Aub and Jake. They are two amazing people who are going to make two incredible parents. Xavier is very lucky to have them in his life just as they are lucky to have him...

Mommy's nose and daddy's mouth...

Sleeping with his mouth wide open... UGH! He's just so precious!

I'm not sure why, but the quality on these pictures is not the best! I am hoping that it's b/c of the lighting in the hospital room and not my camera!

"Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort." ~ Franklin D Roosevelt

Between all of the stresses and hurdles this world can throw at you, it's good to know that there are places we can go and things we can do to unwind, decompress and feel free. For me, it is using my imagination and being creative in what ever I do. From cooking to photography to reading to designing invitations, I love trying new things and immersing myself in projects. I feel like this helps me to become a better person because it forces me to see the world in a different light (whether through my own eyes or a camera lens).

This blog will be my boulevard of creativity. I will post photographs, links, recipes, projects... Anything and everything that I find beauty in, I want to share it with the world. I feel like being creative is my only outlet, so why not share it if it can make someone else happy in the process. Or maybe inspire others the way I have been inspired. I hope you enjoy my journey! I know I will.


The first thing I would like to share is my passion for photography. I am by no means a professional. I am just learning how to really use my camera. But, I will always try to post photos of things I find beauty in whether it is a field of flowers or an old building that has a history.
To start, here are a few photos that I took earlier this year. They may not be perfect, or even artistic to some people, but I love them and think I did a pretty good job!

Spring 2009





I will try and post at least once a week. Sharing will keep you updated on things that are new, useful and uplifting and remind me to linger just a little longer in the beauty, warmth and love that is surrounding me.