The Vander"blog"

The Sugar Path

2012-02-12T11:32:00.001-06:00

Need an idea for your sweetie on Valentine's Day?

The Sugar Path is an innovative dessert bakery owned and operated by three gals reinventing themselves one cupcake at a time. All our cupcakes & pies use the finest ingredients, many locally sourced right here in the Midwest.

ROMANCE MENU
SIGNATURE CUPCAKES
SPECIALTY CUPCAKES
SEASONAL CUPCAKES
THE SUGAR TAPCUPCAKES
TSP PIES
ARTISAN CAKES

The Sugar Path is currently internet based, but the TSP girls are located in the western suburbs of Chicago, IL. We sell our cupcakes, pies and other treats at local farmer markets or special events. (We regularly update the locations on our News & Special Events page!) We also deliver for no charge to the "Fox River Valley" area - Batavia, Geneva and St. Charles, IL and for a $10 charge to select Western Chicago suburbs (see below). You can also arrange to pick up advance orders by e-mailing us or talking to us directly!

You can order through our shopping cart on the Order Page. You can also talk to us directly by calling (630) 624-2344 or e-mail us at michelle@thesugarpath.com PLEASE REMEMBER, 48 hours advance notice is required on all orders. Thank you!

We would love to design a special cupcake or dessert buffet for your event! Call to speak to a TSP event planner and for a price quote. We also have unique cupcake stands built by a local artisan available for rent for your special event.

The Sugar Path girls are embarking on a new business venture and I am so happy for them. Turns out they weren't the only ones working at the law firm that had bigger dreams for a creative outlet just like I did. Except that they weren't the hired help...they were the bosses ;) Now they are lucky enough to do both as they run their law firm by day and moonlight as cupcake connoisseurs by night.

I can vouch for how delicious their creations are. Which reminds me of some good advice I got in my inbox from my Anthropologie newsletter:

No problem. The more I keep thinking about (and eating) all these sweets, the easier that will be to do.

Here is a sneak peek from a shoot I did last week. Why do I torture myself and surround myself with these treats?

Serendipity

2012-02-11T00:20:00.001-06:00

Thank you so much to everyone who came to my MJC Open House last weekend. It was so great to see all of you...some of you it had been way too long! Also, thank you to Nicole K., the MJC trunk keeper, for coming out.

I will let you know when orders come in (should be in about a week) and we can schedule your time slots for your mini sessions. I can't wait to see how cute all your little girls look in their new clothes.

So Rewarding

2012-02-10T09:57:00.002-06:00

Getting past that first three months of a new baby's life is huge.

They are no longer sleeping 23 hours of the day and they finally start reacting to your voice and rewarding a mom & dad's hard work with smiles & coos.

Theses fellas are finally earning their keep.

Riles Michael:

He is pretty generous with the smiles...

and a little thing we like to call his "lookie eyes" aka "the lookies":

Breck Dennis:

A little stingier with the smiles, but when you do get one, you feel like a million bucks. Also, once he starts smiling, he doesn't stop.

On this particular day, not so much.

Buddies.

Thank you Jaime for their hand made, custom onesies she made herself! What a welcomed surprise! Thank you Jaime!!

I have taught Brynn something new...she is finally earning her keep around here too.

Ky has give Brynn some new nicknames around here...is was "Brynnie", then "B", now "BB" or just "Beebs" for short. He continues to call Breckie "Ry Ry" and Ry Ry "Breckie".

All I wanted was one nice pic of my kids together. Is that too much to ask for? Apparently, yes.

Seriously?

Also, I wanted to say thank you to Erica Marten for the adorable onesies she found on Etsy for the boys. I would like one in my size please. These big boys won't fit in theirs for long if they keep growing at this rate. Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Erica!!

Happy Friday!

I {heart} Valentine's Day

2012-02-08T14:38:00.000-06:00

I never thought that the cliched "flowers & box of chocolates" was all that exciting. But I am changing my tune these days. I can not get enough chocolate. Darn these babies changing my taste buds!

A nice card is always welcome as long as it has a handwritten note inside with my Valentine professing his love for me ;) Which reminds me...Brynn seems to be stealing my Valentine these days. I had to laugh when I noticed all the nice things Chad says to her that he used to say to me!! He called home last night from Green Bay and told Brynn he wished he was home to snuggle her....he missed her...he loves her...yada yada. He always tells her she looks beautiful or her outfit is cute. He never forgets to kiss her good night and tell her he loves her. What am I, chopped liver?? I used to be your Valentine too! lol. Jealous? Yes.

That's ok. My time will come again ;) I can be patient. And I have my little boys now to love on.

Love is the theme this month in our house. I just can't get enough of Etsy. I find stuff on there that I never knew my life would not be complete without. Like this cute heart banner made from a vintage map of London. In love.

I am actually looking forward to Valentine's day this year. In years past, I am still usually recovering from Christmas and wishing for winter to be over and I let V-day pass me by. Thanks to Pinterest, my view on this "Hallmark Holiday" has been restored and my creative juices have been flowing like crazy lately. There is so much inspiration everywhere I look...and don't even get me started on Hobby Lobby. I walk through that store and I am ready to start my own business making things. I just can't narrow it down to one thing I want to make.

I have had this frame hanging around my office since visiting Mary the Urban Farmgirl last spring and I loved it so much that I was hoarding it away; waiting for the perfect photo to hang in it, or the perfect place to display it. I really wanted to do it justice. I finally thought of the perfect thing to do with it.

I have been dying to have an excuse to use the new chalkboard paint, and voila! I found my new project. Actually, they now make chalkboard paint with magnetism (not sure if that is the right word?) in it. I wish I would have known that before I made this one.

It was super easy to make too.

sorry, iphone pic ;)

The kids love it!

Be sure to love on all your Valentines every day.

Birthday wishes

2012-02-07T16:36:00.001-06:00

Last night we had our annual birthday bowling night for Miss Lisa's birthday. The night is always sure to be a good time and she always rocks us all on the lanes. She gets a spare almost every frame. Not sure what her secret is...maybe it is her own lucky bowling ball & shoes.

Court said, "Birthday crown = Lisa's 'I'm sexy and I know it' face."

I can't believe that my baby girl is 22!!!

Brynn always gets mad at me when I love on Lisa and give her smooches. She says I love Lisa more than her. I just can't get a break with that girl...she is always all over my case! Lisa, I do love you...and Brynnie, I love you too!! You goof.

Did someone say dessert?

2012-02-07T15:48:00.001-06:00

February is the month of love, so I thought I would try to finish up posting my weddings from last year. I still have more to come, including a beautiful red-themed wedding that I am saving for my Valentine's Day post.

Laura & Charlie's big day was last September. I was scheduled to go on bed rest a couple weeks after this day, so I was so glad I fit this wedding in. Although, I am not going to lie...I was planning to shoot this one by myself and I was nervous that I might not make it through the day. I was getting bigger by the minute and my mobility was not good. I had to call in the reinforcements...enter Faye to the rescue. She came and helped me finish up the reception when I thought I just might go in to labor. Kidding, sort of.

Laura & Charlie are the kind of people you just like being around. They are fun and easy-going and they adore each other. The day was perfection.

When I went back to look at the images from this day, I noticed there must have been about one hundred shots of the dessert table alone. Think I might have been having some cravings???

Congrats Laura & Charlie!!! xoxo

I won't bug you anymore....

2012-02-03T12:43:00.000-06:00

Reminder that tomorrow is my Matilda Jane Trunk Show launching the New Spring Line,

~Serendipity~

February 4th

11am-1pm

The Vanderploeg House

If you are unable to attend, you can email your "Wishlist" to Nicole Korensky, the Trunk Keeper atnicolek@matildajaneclothing.com

Just go to the website: www.matildajaneclothing.com

click on "Shop the Collection" and you can view all the lines including the new Spring 2012 line: Serendipity!

Make sure to include your name, address and phone number so she can contact you!

And, to reference my show!

Hope to see you Soon!

Pass on the Sass

2012-02-02T14:21:00.000-06:00

As I walked in to the old building the memories flashed before my eyes. Then I walked into the gym and the smell took me back. It was surreal. My middle school gym had not changed one bit, even after all these years. The old scoreboard, the hoops, the rings hanging from the ceiling. All the same. I even felt like I could hear the sound of Aerosmith's "What It Takes" playing as I envisioned my first slow dance with Eric Peters in the corner of that dark gym in 7th grade.

It was hard to believe I was now dropping my daughter off in this same gym where I had cheerleading try-outs, learned to play basketball, and climbed the rope in gym class.

She was taking part in the GHS Dance Team Clinic and they were practicing for their big performance in the Coultrap gym.

As a kindergartner, she was one of the youngest girls there. She clung to my leg begging me not to leave her.

When I came back to pick her up, she was all smiles and proudly showed me her pom-pons and her blue T-shirt she was to wear that night.

We climbed in the car and, like clockwork, I knew this was coming...she held up her shirt and gave it the once over and said, "Yeah, I am not going to wear this tonight. It looks like it is for a boy."

This seems to be the way things are going lately for her and I. Just when I think she is happy and agreeable, she inevitably throws me a curve ball. And don't get me started on the sass that comes out of her mouth. Heck, not just lately, actually her whole life. But right now there is a constant power struggle in our house between her and I. I remind her that she can be the princess, but not to forget who the queen is.

So, long story short, (too late) we went home and worked some magic with that blue T-shirt. The little fashionista, of course, had her opinion of what should be different about this shirt. I made the mistake of turning on Fashion Police on E! the other day while she was in the room. She had just as many comments and opinions about the dresses on the stars as Joan Rivers and Kelly Osbourne did. I would like that dress in a different color. That dress is too long. That one shouldn't have straps. Oh yeah, she's FIVE!!!

This is why I need to learn to sew. To keep the peace around here. So, I followed her directions and cut off the bottom of the shirt so it would be shorter (she refuses to tuck anything in). Then it was too wide, so I hand stitched from the inside and took in the sleeves and the sides. She was the only girl dancing in their own custom-designed blue T-shirt.

Then, she was supposed to wear leggings or shorts with her shirt...she insisted on a skirt...oohhh kaaay. White gym shoes? Nope, pink sequined. I wouldn't expect anything less.

And she wouldn't put her oufit on at home. She had to wear her own clothes and bring it with her to change when she got there.

Well, she looked great and danced her little butt off. I was proud. And needless to say, completely exhausted. I am resting up now for prom dress shopping.

I like her facial expression in this one. Work it, girl.

Brynn, you wear me out girl. But I love you.

Puppy love.

2012-02-01T15:50:00.000-06:00

I hear a crying baby upstairs, so I have to run...but I leave you with this great family.

Di is the kind of girl that puts a smile on your face. Always sees the glass as half full. So fun-loving, everyone loves to be around her. She is outnumbered in her house of boys, but she is their special lady.

New Matilda Jane Line "Serendipity" Launches Tomorrow

2012-01-31T14:45:00.000-06:00

Serendipity has so much to offer-More shirts, pants and dresses than Ever before!

And, I am Loving the Ladies Line!!

Fun Summer Dresses to stand out in a Crowd!

The line will be available to view on-line tomorrow, February 1st.

www.matildajaneclothing.com

Bring a friend to my house on Saturday, February 4th at 11-1pm!

If you cannot make my Open House on Saturday, you may email me a "Wishlist" once the pictures are online-which should be the morning of the 1st. Be one of the first to place your order!

Don't forget I am offering a free photo session for your daughter in her new clothes this Spring and I will be giving you 4-5 full resolution files with full copyright of those images too.

Have a great day!

cuteness.

2012-01-26T17:02:00.000-06:00

This kid cracks me up.

Oh my goodness....the rolls!!!

Matilda Jane Open House

2012-01-25T15:28:00.000-06:00

Springtime is almost here!! Time for some cute new clothes for Spring Break.

Save the Date

for my Matilda Jane Serendipity Trunk Show

February 4th

11am-1pm

The Vanderploeg House

Geneva

630-253-2939

Playful designs,

and cozy, stylish pieces for you and your daughters...

It's the perfect wardrobe for you and your little one, sizes 6m-12y!

Also, as my gift to you, I will include a mini-photo session for your little girl in her new clothes in Geneva this spring.

If you can't make it, but would still like to order something, let me know and I can order it for you.

Looking forward to seeing you soon!

Email me if you would like to come and I will give you my address.

**You can catch sneak peeks of the Spring Launch at www.matildajaneblog.com**

It's for the birds

2012-01-25T15:18:00.003-06:00

There seems to be an exceptional amount of wildlife in our neighborhood. We don't live out in the country, but coyotes eat small dogs around here, you can smell a skunk's spray just about every night, the fattest raccoon I have ever seen knocks our our garbage cans into the street every Thursday night, and a woodpecker drilled a hole in our siding. And don't get me started on the crazed, fat, greedy squirrels that terrorize the birds in our yard while trying to get to Chad's annoying bird feeders everywhere.

This is an on-going point of contention for Chad and I. We have had every squirrel in the Tri-cities in our yard. It's like they spread the word to all their little squirrely friends....Free Food at the Vanderploegs! All you have to do is climb on the railing of their deck and make a jump for it. When you land, just shake as hard as you can and it's like a pinata. The rest of us will gather all we can while you make it rain.

I am not anti-nature, but these fatties are seriously annoying. They are so bold that they will lay on the railings sunning themselves until they get hungry again. Or they will come over and put their hands on the glass to look in our windows to see what we are up to.

Chad has made an attempt to deter their progress by spraying Pam on the pole...which I have to admit was funny to watch them climb up the pole and then slowly slide down again. He's also moved the feeder around the yard to keep them from jumping from tree branches. These must be flying squirrels, because they always find a way to get back to the bird food.

Hey, here's a suggestion...STOP PUTTING OUT FOOD FOR THE BIRDS!

But he won't. Here he was last weekend. We don't usually have deer in our backyard, but here is a "deer in headlights," if you know what I mean. lol

BUSTED.

Speaking of fatties, check out my 12 week olds.

I am so sleep deprived...maybe a bit slaphappy. Chad has been out of town this week, my mom is in Door County and my sitter called in sick yesterday. SERENITY NOW!!! Calgon...take me away!

Tax season

2012-01-19T15:48:00.001-06:00

A huge thank you to my sis/CFO for working so hard on my 4Q sales taxes and 2011 income taxes.

I loved looking at the pics of her family from a warm, golden evening from last fall on this bitterly cold, white winter day outside today.

Stay warm peeps.

A wedding post, finally.

2012-01-12T15:19:00.001-06:00

There are not enough nice adjectives that can be used to describe Debby & Bryan. The two of them together are perfection.

They tied the knot in Hawaii last spring, but hosted a reception for their super fun family & friends last summer.

Looking at these gets me excited for wedding season all over again!

Debby's nieces were hilarious. They could give the Kardashian girls a run for their money.

LOVED Debby's Jimmy Choos. She even had them signed my the designer. Wowee!

Congrats you guys on your first anniversary coming up this spring :)

P.S. I wanted to share a wedding invitation that we received in the mail that took my breath away. It is so beautiful I had to find out where they had it made:

These are made by a Chicago company called MagnificentMilestones. I was smitten.

Snapshots

2012-01-09T16:43:00.001-06:00

I feel like I am going to blink and 2012 is going to be gone. The calendar for this year is filling up before my eyes...both personally and professionally.

I am so excited for some fantastic weddings I have booked for this year. It is proving to be another fun year. I still have weddings to share with you from last year. Yikes. I thought last year would be hard to top, but this year is going to be another great one and I feel blessed.

I have a few New Year's resolutions...in addition to my annual renewals of flossing more, church more, and working out more, I am adding to the list that I would like to learn to sew. I guess this would entail buying a sewing machine (minor detail). Also, I am adding to the list to slow down and take in every moment. I have a tendency to just get through events...birthday parties, vacations, etc. rather than truly enjoy them in the moment. I usually enjoy them after they are over and I look back at the photos. Be Calm & Carry On is my new motto ;)

I am learning that if I don't rush through things or into things, everyone seems happier in my family, including myself. Plan ahead for dinner or outings. Try to be less impulsive. I tend to fly by the seat of my pants a lot...

So, Riles & Breck are 10 weeks old today and got their shots today for the first time. Not fun to watch, but we made it. They are 11.3 lbs and 8.11 lbs now.

Here is how I took three out of my four kids on a walk the other day when it was 57 degrees out in January in Chicago. I got some looks, but it was great to get out of the house.

Brynn tends to favor Riles and is constantly in Time Out for picking him up and walking around with him like he is her own. Kyler picks on Breck continuously and calls both the babies "Brecky." Even when I correct him.

Breck was fussing the other day, which is becoming more and more common around here, and Brynn said, "Mom, I don't think Breck likes us very much."

I think he does.

Brynn is selling Girl Scout Cookies if anyone is interested. $4 a box. It's cookie time!! You know you love those Samoas!! They're going fast.

Happy Monday yo.

A run for my money.

2012-01-04T16:56:00.000-06:00

Holy Moly. How did God think it was a good idea to give someone more than ONE baby at a time???

These babies are slowly sucking the life out of me. They are passed that sleep all day phase which I am so sad to see go :( They are making it hard for me to accomplish anything these days. Yesterday the ONLY thing I accomplished was a shower. Riles wanted to be held all day long. I ended up putting him in the snuggly Baby Bjorn (thank you Carla!) just so I could finish emptying the dishwasher and give the other kids a bath...whew!

In the afternoon, I finally got them both bathed and down to a nap at the same time. I was already planning in my head what I was going to do with this free time as I covered Breck with a blanket and tip-toed out of the room. When I looked back and smiled at my sweet boys with pride, I was returned with the vision of projectile vomit shooting out of his mouth and all over his clean clothes. I wanted to cry. NO!!!

At 9 1/2 weeks old, Riles & Breck still have a two pound difference, so it is like having a newborn AND a three month old. They are in different size clothes and diapers, using different size bottles because they eat different amounts of different formula, thus leading to different sleeping and eating schedules. Boo.

Also, Chad just projected it is going to cost us $688,000 to send our children to college. Awesome.

Speaking of school, Brynn loves to play school but is always looking for new students. I let her "play" with her new brothers the other day so they could be her students.

I left the room for two minutes with STRICT instructions that the babies must not be moved on the bed.

She came in to me one minute later to tell me that my boys were big trouble makers and we needed to schedule a conference because they would not stop fighting and they had to be separated.

And so it begins...

2012-01-01T14:15:00.002-06:00

Baby, it's cold outside...and inside too.

2011-12-22T13:44:00.001-06:00

That blood-pressure raising sound...that high pitched squeal that screams I'm HUNGRY...came piercing through the baby monitor. Remembering that Chad was on vacation the next day, I lazily rolled over and gave him the "poke." That sharp poke with my fingernail that says Hey, do you hear that?? Get UP! It's your turn and don't even think about arguing with me because I WILL throw elbows.

He must have gotten my point, because he dragged himself up and out of bed as the wails became louder and doubled from down the hall. I snuggled down into my pillow and pulled the comforter up over my head and almost smiled as I planned to get back to my dreams of sugar plums.

I heard him mumble something about something not working and just like that, he was gone. But the noises down the hall didn't stop...they got louder. I can tell their little cries apart now...first it was Breck, then Riles chimed in for emphasis. Where had Chad gone?? Man, it is cold in here. What the h?

Chad was in the basement like Ralphie's dad in A Christmas Story cursing at the furnace. 1:26 a.m. and our furnace stopped working. You stinkin' hosticalfifer.

Two calls to different repair companies went unreturned. Finally, Pat at Pat's Heating & Cooling came over to rescue our frozen little family. My dreams of sugar plums would have to wait. Maybe tonight??

Number one thing on my list to do today...WRAP! However, we have no Scotch tape in this whole house, so Chad went out to pick some up. How is it that a 3M employee could actually have to pay for Scotch tape??

I got quite inspired yesterday when I saw some wrapping inspiration that Mary over at Urban Farmgirl & Co. posted on her blog. I would have a hard time unwrapping presents that look this good.

Then I started looking for some more inspiration of my own. Thanks to that girl over at Tinywhitedaisies...these are all great holiday inspirations.

I need to get to my wrapping...but I wanted to thank all of you for the Christmas cards this year. I have never received this many and it keeps me running to the mailbox everyday. We should send cards like this all year long...and we should keep lights up all year round too. Who's with me??

Here is what I have been doing with all the cards:

(I think I love my iPhone camera a little too much...I may start shooting sessions with it...I kid.)

Here are the rest of the cards that I haven't put up yet...I may need a bigger strand of twine.

I did a combo Birth Announcement/Christmas card this year. Hence, killing two birds with one stone.

Front:

Back:

I loved my sister's card this year. I need to blog the pics from their session...coming soon. Here is a little sneak peek:

3 more days!

Days go by...

2011-12-19T16:12:00.003-06:00

It's been a little bit of a blur...but a happy blur, filled with lots of laughs and love. The boys are seven weeks old today and we are taking it one day at a time. Every day is a challenge full of strategic planning and trying to stay one step ahead so we can keep a smile on everyones' faces.

(I am loving the camera on the new iPhone!)

One of my secret weapons to my sanity is my mom. I don't know if I tell her enough how thankful I am for her and her supportive pop-ins here and there to let me shower, take a nap or run to Target. Last week she came over in a heartbeat to take the boys for their first sleepover at her place so Chad and I could sleep through the night. I have often wondered if sleep deprivation can be fatal??

My mom has always been an inspiration to me. Her and my dad started their family very young and missed out on a lot of things that 20-year-olds get to do so that they could be the best parents they could be to my brother, sisters and me. She is strong, smart, opinionated and lives to do absolutely anything she can for my siblings and me to make our lives easier...almost to a fault. She is my sounding board when I am bent out of shape about something. She encourages and listens, yet always plays devil's advocate when I can jump to conclusions or make a snap judgment. She puts it all in perspective for me and challenges me to be a better person daily. She completes me.

These buggers complete me too...

We have been slowly venturing outside of our home to take in all the sights of the Christmas season. Yes, I said CHRISTMAS. So sick of all the political correctness out there. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

This was our very first outing as a family with our double stroller.

A special birthday shout out today to Finn & Tripp who are brothers that share a birthday. They are 4 years old and 1 year old respectively today. This was one of my favorite sessions from back when Tripp was 9 months old...Kristy, I think we need to schedule his one year shoot!

Happy Birthday!! 6 days til Christmas!!

My "Brov"

2011-12-09T15:35:00.000-06:00

Growing up, a six year age difference was like night and day. I was all about Delta Zeta Turtles and he was more like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. But, as we got older, the age difference didn't matter.

Although I still imagine him as the skater-haircutted-twelve-year-old in my mind, I have to admit, I am super proud of the man that my little brother has become.

I am also super proud to be shooting his upcoming nuptials next spring to his love, Laura, who we can not wait to welcome to our family.

Congrats E & Laura!

xoxo

Deck the halls

2011-12-05T16:34:00.000-06:00

I don't know if it is because I actually have the time this year, or if I am feeling a little House Proud (as Nate Berkus calls it), but I have loved decorating for the holidays and making our home feel as cozy as possible.

I especially love burning cinnamon candles (a tradition that started with my college roommates - complete with the Christmas lights on our ceiling -- LOVED that so much, we kept them up year round. Is that appropriate to do when not in college?? ;) which undoubtedly means Christmas time is here again.

I think these guys think it's cozy around here.

Have you started decorating yet?

Family photos...No, not mine.

2011-11-30T16:08:00.000-06:00

I figured you all had had enough photos of my family for a little while...so here is another family that I had a great time with this summer. Yes, that is how far behind I am in my blogging. Lots of photo sessions coming your way with hopes that I can get caught up.

This time of year I am always wishing I had planned ahead for that perfect family photo to put on my Christmas card. Maybe next year ;)

Are you sick of my kids yet?

2011-11-28T15:24:00.000-06:00

This is what happens when you fall asleep in my house. I may take your photo if you look cute.

Sleep tight!

Eat. Poop. Love. (& Sleep).

2011-11-21T15:25:00.000-06:00

Sleep? Well, not so much me, per say, but the boys do. And here is where they do it.

Together again, together forever...

2011-11-16T10:40:00.000-06:00

Sweet Breck is home. Our family of 6 is complete...a huge adjustment, but nonetheless, complete. And so is my heart.

Goodbye NICU!

Welcome home fellas!

Thank goodness for moms that cook and clean for us. We couldn't do it without them.

Riles is wondering who this kid is. Hey, scoot over.

xoxo

Giving thanks.

2011-11-05T12:21:00.000-05:00

The other day I saw on Facebook someone posted a quote that really resonated with me. I don't know who posted it or who to give credit for and I am paraphrasing here, but it went something like this: "What if you woke up today and all you had left was what you had thanked the Lord for yesterday." It made me think...how true is that?

Especially since this is the month to give extra thanks...I figure we have more than enough to be thankful for.

Breck is eating well and slowly gaining weight. He will be able to come home as soon as he reaches four pounds. I am counting down the days. It kills me leaving him there by himself in that little incubator. I have to psych myself up emotionally to go visit him to feed him. I hate when it is over and time to go.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, Brynn & Kyler are loving having baby Riles here.

What are you thankful for?

Crazy in Love

2011-11-02T09:07:00.001-05:00

They had me from hello. I am head over heels 100% smitten with these two. Riles & Breck are the perfect addition to our family and I already can not imagine how different our lives would have been without them.

At 5 lbs. 3 oz. and 18 1/2 inches long, Riles Michael, is the "big" brother. He reminds me so much of Kyler when he was born, except Riles' hair and eyebrows are much lighter. Could I get my blond baby?? Riles' name comes from a play on my maiden name "O'Reilly" and was actually my dad's nickname in high school. If I had my way, he would have been named "Jordy"...but the diehard Bears' fan in my husband could not let that happen since there is a "Jordy" on the Packers. I finally accepted that it wasn't going to happen and am so glad we came up with his new name.

Breck Dennis is my feisty little baby bird. He is two pounds less than Riles and is only 3 lbs. 6 oz. and 17 inches long. Unfortunately, he will not be coming home with us tomorrow. He will stay here in great hands as we try to get him to gain some weight and keep his temperature up on his own. He is a fantastic eater, so at least we have that going for us. Breck's name was fairly easy for us to come up with a couple months ago and I just always knew this strong, manly name would be perfect for my little fighter growing a little slower in my tummy. ** Also, his middle name is a shout out to Chad's dad, who is also a twin ;) **

Having a c-section was the scariest and most intimidating thing I have ever done. I think I squeezed Chad's hand off as I tried to relax on the operating table. The emotions were out of control as I nervously awaited the sound of crying babies and then the sense of relief was more than I could handle. I prayed for strength to get through this and then I gave thanks after I realized everyone was going to be ok. After preparing myself for the worst, that relief and thankfulness consumed me.

I love this shot that Chad got of our families checking out the little guys just after they were born.

Riles was cracking me up, so I grabbed a few shots with my iPhone.

Thank you everyone for all the encouragement and prayers over the last eight months. I think the adventure is just starting...

Happy Halloween, Baby

2011-10-30T19:54:00.000-05:00

We had some pre-Halloween festivities this weekend, which was nice because I was able to partake in them. I will be missing out on B's parade at school tomorrow as well as Trick or Treating tomorrow night and handing out candy at home since I will be in the hospital.

Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I am bummed to be unable to partake in the fun, but I am so excited to have Halloween babies.

Here are my Halloween babies that are already born...

Thank you everyone for the texts, phone calls, emails and Facebook messages. I am so anxious to get this over with, but nervous and excited too. Tonight might be a long night.

Until next time...lots of love...K

10.27.01

2011-10-27T13:16:00.002-05:00

Last year at this time we started brainstorming, asking for suggestions and were attempting to plan a vacation to the perfect destination to celebrate ten years of marriage.

Luckily, we never booked that trip. What a difference a year makes!

A new house and on the brink of becoming a family of SIX! Hawaii? Nope. Mediterranean cruise? Not this year. A hut in the water in Fiji? Not happening.

That's ok. Someday we will go on a vacation again and it will be worth the wait.

I can't stand it when people gush about how perfect their husband or wife is...to me that is always a red flag that they are compensating for something that isn't exactly the truth. But, I do want to say to Chad (because I probably never give you enough credit) that I feel so lucky to still be your girl and how happy I am to be sharing my life with you. I look forward to what the next ten years brings...as long as it is no more children ;) I think we will have our hands full enough.

Happy 10th Anniversary, babe.

Twins, twins, and more twins.

2011-10-26T10:30:00.000-05:00

In high school, we were somewhat inseparable. Faye, Leigh & I were footloose and fancy free. Enjoying not knowing where the future was taking us and enjoying living in the moment.

Ironically, this song just came on my Pandora as I sat here reminiscing.

In the words of Kenny Chesney's song "Young":

Man I don't know, where the time goes

But it sure goes fast, just like that,

We were wanna be rebels who didn't have a clue

In our rock n roll t-shirts and our typically bad attitudes

Had no excuses for the things that we'd done

We were brave, we were crazy, we were mostly young.

Young, hey and wishing we were older

And I wish it wasn't over...

Ironic doesn't even begin to describe the craziness that is the fact that we will all three be moms to twins. Together with our friend Nicole (who I mentioned a few weeks ago) we will be creating our own "Twins Club" ;)

Leigh is due next spring. If she has two boys, like Faye & I, I am seriously going to start playing the lottery. Leigh and I each had a girl first, then our sweet boys came along.

Faye has been amazing with the encouragement and positive thoughts. She sure makes it look easy.

Big brother, Leo, is so proud of his baby brothers.

Ok, I have mentioned that I struggle immensely with telling twins apart. This is Jake...or Bode.

Or is this Jake....or Bode? I seriously suck.

Faye & Jay are amazing parents and are truly an inspiration to me.

I literally just got a phone call from my doctor and after having an amniocentesis done yesterday, it looks like these boys will be here on Monday the 31st. Halloween babies! Halloween is my favorite holiday. Yay! There is an end in sight.

Things I would rather be doing...

2011-10-24T15:34:00.000-05:00

If we are friends on Facebook, you already know that bed rest in the hospital served me quite well and I was sent home yesterday to rest at home. No babies. Ugh.

Friday I was showing some signs of preeclampsia (which I had with both my other pregnancies), but those symptoms disappeared.

My family has rallied behind me and is picking up the slack around here. I will continue with my regularly scheduled appointments tomorrow and hopefully make some progress from there. I am over 34 weeks now.

As I laid in the hospital bed, my mind kept drifting off as I thought of so many other things I wish I was doing at that moment...

Like laying on the beach...

or shopping...

or clubbin'...haha...

or camping...

or drinking massive amounts of wine...mmm...

or going on a picnic with my family...

or wearing cute clothes instead of a hospital gown...

or sleeping like a baby...

or walking my dog...well, if I still had one :'( ...

or road tripping...

or going for a bike ride...

or having lunch in Italy...

or holding my babies.

(thank you to the world wide web for these photos)

This is it? Or is it??

2011-10-22T14:16:00.000-05:00

Well, I have been in the hospital for 24 hours now, but no babies. Lots of random complications and discomforts, but I will spare you the details. They are still running lots of tests and poking and prodding me at all hours, but for the immediate time being, these babies are staying in my belly. I am trying to enjoy being on bed rest and relaxing, but I don't do bed rest very well and my body hurts, thus making it hard to sleep. Plus, I can't eat anything in case it is time for a c-section, and watching "Willy Wonka" is not helping my insatiable urge to consume massive amounts of chocolate.

Thank you everyone for your prayers --- please keep them coming. I was really a nervous wreck last night, but feeling more at ease today.

Enjoy the day and thanks again for the thoughts and prayers. xoxo

Scaredy Cat

2011-10-19T17:04:00.000-05:00

It is not too late to order your holiday greeting cards from your fall session. Please get them to me right away if you would like :)

Well, Halloween is clearly not Kyler's favorite holiday. He is scared of the neighbors cute little ghosts in their front yard....10 houses down, he doesn't like our lights in our window, the scary face on B's pumpkin or my wreath hanging on my door. I am not sure how he could be related to his sister who eats this up and thinks the scarier the better.

This photo is so gross of me, but B took it and I think it is funny. I am quite swollen sleep deprived. We are waiting for the word from the Dr. as soon as it is "go" time. Looks like soon, even though they have been telling me that for 5 weeks now. For reals this time though. I better pack my bag. They were measured yesterday and Baby A is at 4 lbs. 10 oz. and Baby B is at 3 lbs. 5 oz. Quite a big discrepancy in their sizes and Baby B is only in the 7th percentile for his weight, so he is going to have to be a fighter. I can tell he is already.

Ky was scared to look inside the pumpkin. Who's kid is this?

Happy Fall!!

Still waiting.

2011-10-17T15:48:00.000-05:00

33 weeks now and still no babies. Good for the babies. Bad for me and my aching back, swollen legs, and growing belly.

Ashlie shares a due date with me...but this is her first and there is only one baby in there. I can not believe that I used to babysit for her and her little sister when I was in 8th grade. It is so wonderful to reconnect with people from my past. It makes me so happy to see how well everyone is doing. Ashlie has always had a good head on her shoulders and was always a girl that knew what she wanted. Her sweetie, Dan, was number one on that list for a long time.

Best of luck you guys. So exited for you.

xoxo

Mr. & Mrs.

2011-10-13T16:17:00.000-05:00

I watched the movie "Bridesmaids" today while editing Colleen & Claudio's wedding. I needed a good laugh and that movie delivered. Luckily these bridesmaids were nothing like the ones in the movie.

Faye spent some time with the guys while they got ready.

Meanwhile, I was with the girls.

I always love the look on the bride's dad's face when he sees his baby girl for the first time as a bride.

Thank you to Faye for these amazing shots:

What an amazing day it was. Thank you so much for letting us be there :) xoxo

Random thoughts and house pics

2011-10-11T14:00:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was my last shoot for a while...now on to the nesting...and editing!! But first, some randomness for ya...

I am really confused as to why Hollywood felt the need to remake a perfect movie, but I am not going to lie, I am looking forward to seeing the new "Footloose." Julianne Hough is so cute and I love watching her dance.

I came across a couple Indigo Girls albums in my iPod and it rekindled the love I had for them back in high school and college. I have been jamming to them lately in my car.

Have you seen the new Euro Vintage line at Target? I snagged the Vintage Charm Wooden Stool and am loving it.

Have you asked to join Pinterest yet? Not sure why you have to get approved to join, but nonetheless, I am trying to figure out how this works before I start "pinning" things on line.

I am hooked on West Elm and all its awesomeness.

A few "before" and "after" house pics for you...since I move slowly lately, most of these pics were snapped with my iPhone. I am just barely scraping the surface on all the work that has gone into making this house feel like our home. Unfortunately, I was just able to come up with ideas...all the manual labor was done by Chad and our amazing families. We are forever grateful.

We started with new outdoor lighting. New landscaping will be coming in the spring, along with some new shutters and painting the siding. Seriously, the work is never done!

Watching HGTV has taught me to be quite liberal with the spray paint...so when I saw this chandelier at the lighting store, I saw the potential for what it could be, not all the brassiness that it currently was. This cost $99 plus a can of black spray paint. Can't beat that. Plus, it matched the chandelier that was already in my dining room, jut much bigger.

Old foyer chandelier:

and the new one:

A little wainscoting, paint on the stairs and new carpet helps the entryway feel more cozy.

Powder room in the entryway:

Kitchen/Living room:

There was a ceiling fan in the kitchen that we replaced with this drum pendant from West Elm.

We took this off the fireplace. (when I say "we" I mostly mean "Chad" ;)

and painted the brick.

Obviously still work to do, but much better than before.

Dining Room before:

Yes, I am aware we look like we should be on an episode of "Hoarders," but we had to put our stuff somewhere while we ripped carpet and ceramic tile out of the other rooms.

Ky enjoyed helping.

This was the chandelier that hung in the dining room before:

A little spray paint, and voila:

I am still waiting for my burlap drum lampshades for the chandelier to come in from Ballard Design and I also need a rug in here, but this room is the closest to being "done."

The formal living room before:

Not sure what else to do in here...I am at a creative crossroads right now with this room. Interesting tidbit about the chest though...that was my great-great Aunt Emma's chest that she brought over on the boat from Sweden filled with her belongings as well as her seven children's things, including my great-grandpa Harold's stuff. That thing is super heavy while empty, I am not sure how she did it. Meanwhile she had all seven children tied together by the wrist so she wouldn't lose one as she mostly hung over the side of the boat with seasickness.

Here is my dad working on Chad's office. Don't worry, we returned that ceiling fan back to the Buckingham Palace. I am sure they missed it and all its brassy ornateness.

After:

Kids' bathroom upstairs before & after:

Kyler's room...still a work in progress:

Brynnie's room. She loves sleeping in her big girl bed:

The babies' room...pretty plain in here right now. Need some names for these buggers so I can continue. Any suggestions? We are at a stalemate. Nothing firm at the moment. That kind of freaks me out because I am probably going to name them something random just so they have names.

Master bedroom before:

I have a headboard that I ordered but we are waiting for it to come in. Can't wait to pull everything together.

Well, obviously still a TON of work to do, but hopefully this will appease all of you who kept asking for the house pics. This next year will be filled with all kinds of changes and improvements...in many, many areas of our lives :) xoxo

A bicycle built for two.

2011-10-06T10:01:00.000-05:00

I can not wait for Geneva & Erik's wedding next year. You can tell how much fun they have together. I am so excited to be a part of that.

None of us could stop laughing. How fun is a tandem bike??

baby update

2011-10-05T12:22:00.000-05:00

I mentioned we did family pics with my friend Erica Marten a few weeks ago. I was so grateful to her for squeezing us in. This year Brynn was quite cooperative, it was Kyler that gave us a run for our money. He was quite difficult to pin down. I was sweating and exhausted by the time we were done.

Also, just wanted to keep you in the loop with a Baby A & Baby B update. My days are spent going to doctor appointments it seems. Last week we had an important ultrasound as they measured the growth and the "doppler." Here is an email Chad sent to his family and I think he summed it up quite nicely:

Today we went for Kelly's appointment where they measure the size, "Doppler" (fluid movement in the cord from placenta to the babies), and all of the other vital...heartbeat, movement, breathing, etc.

The good news is the babies are continuing to grow. Today they are 3 lbs 1 oz for Baby "A" and 2 lbs 8 oz for Baby "B". 3 weeks ago they were 2 lbs 5 oz and 1lb 10 oz. Essentially the weight difference has remained the same @ around 20% difference. The other good news is they both continue to score a 8/8 on the "Bio Physical" test. This measures, heart rate, lung functionality, general movement, and something else Kelly and I can't remember....but either way the babies are good so far in those categories.

They are however still concerned about the "Doppler" test indicating movement of fluids from the placenta through the cord to Baby B. This has actually gotten worse which is something they will keep a very close eye on. Kelly will have the Doppler test done 3 times per week from here on out. If it continues to get worse she will either be sent to deliver or sent to the hospital for 24 hour observation.

All in all, the doctor is pleased she has reached the 30 week point and would be very happy if she can make it to 32. They are very comfortable delivering babies at 32 weeks....average twins deliver at 35 weeks.

Talk to you soon.

Chad

I have actually now made it to 31 weeks and 4 days and everyday that these buns stay in the oven is a major plus. Not to mention I have one last wedding to shoot this weekend and I REALLY want to be there!!

Please Kyler, PLEASE hold my hand!!! Come HERE! Ugh!

Ok fine. NO one look at the camera! Just Dad & I will.

So close!! KYLER CHAD!!

Erica, thank you so much for the fun evening...even if my family is crazy! We appreciate it!!

Cookin' with Giada

2011-10-03T16:14:00.000-05:00

Little Giada whipped up a little something sweet....and I ate it up...

Congrats Nick & Kristen!!! xoxo

Road trip to Wisconsin

2011-09-29T16:48:00.002-05:00

The weekend after I got home from Jamaica, I headed up to Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin for another destination wedding, but this time with Caitlin & Matt. It was worth the drive to spend the day with some fabulous people.

Although it rained like a monsoon on the way up there, it cleared up just in time for the outdoor festivities.

I've seen groomsmen pass the time before the ceremony in many different ways...usually it involves cigars or alcohol...Connect 4, well, this was a first, but I loved it.

Look at these sisters! Amazing genes in this family, and such nice people.

Married! Woot! Woot!

Love these shots Faye grabbed of the first dance...Faye, you rock.

Caitlin & Matt, you two are the perfect compliment to each other and we could not have had more fun being a part of your day. Erin, thank you so much for entrusting your sister's wedding to me :) xoxo

Also, thank you to Faye for driving me and my big belly home, even if I was a little nervous with you behind the wheel...lol. Love you!!

Family fun...

2011-09-28T16:41:00.000-05:00

...with a fun family.

happy wednesday!

Brody

2011-09-23T11:55:00.000-05:00

It's hard to believe that just 18 months ago, Tiffany & Adam were desperately hoping to be parents. Now they are the proud parents of three strapping, beautiful boys.

Max, Aidan & Brody, you guys are great. I am so happy to have Brody on my baby plan just like his brothers were. I love watching you grow...and I love all your names...now if only Chad and I can agree on such cool boy names...oy vey.

Another growing family

2011-09-21T14:51:00.000-05:00

It truly seems like everyone and their mothers are pregnant these days...well maybe not their mothers, that would be awkward...unless we were in Kentucky?

Love this little family. Best of luck to you as you wait anxiously for your little girl to be here this fall.

Where is the hump, you say? Yes, she was still tiny...I am ashamed to say this was a couple of months ago...

A huge thank you to Mike for the amazing wainscoting and picture molding he did for us...pics of that coming soon.

Shut the front door!

2011-09-19T15:02:00.000-05:00

I am not sure what the odds were of Chad and I having twins naturally...especially after Faye had twin boys just one year ago. So the fact that our best friends, Tony & Nicole, are now going to be part of the club, means we should all start playing the lottery.

Seriously, do NOT drink the water around these parts. I am not sure where we all went wrong.

Triplets run in Nicole's family, so when I wished twins upon them when I got pregnant, I was only half joking. Now I kind of feel bad ;)

If we ever get to go out as a family for dinner together again (which I doubt...unless it is for high school graduation), looks like a Party of 12 it is!

Brynn loves her Anthony!

I am still having a hard time comprehending how all our lives are going to change. Nicole, I pray you get that girl you have been so patient for.

We couldn't have better friends to experience this with than you guys. Here's to the beginning of the end of our lives! ;) xoxo

Meredith & Wren

2011-09-17T08:33:00.000-05:00

I just like their names. They go together perfectly.

Can you tell I am trying to get caught up on my blogging ? ;) Congrats Meredith & Wren on your engagement and also on your wedding next year!! xoxo

If you can't say something nice...

2011-09-15T15:31:00.001-05:00

...about pregnancy...then I shouldn't say anything at all, right?

I feel like I have not had many positive things to say since I found out I am pregnant. The whole thing has been crazy overwhelming and I am just now feeling the realness sink in...like when I look at the TWO cribs in my nursery...holy smokes. Right after my family set them up for me, I kept going back to the doorway and looking in...again...and again.

I am almost 29 weeks now and measuring at 38 weeks (for the standard of a normal "singleton" pregnancy). Which means from now on, any growing I do will be above and beyond where my skin has gone before.

As I mentioned a couple weeks ago, there are some complications with one of the placentas, so one of these little guys is much littler than the other. My doctors are thrilled I have made it passed 28 weeks and are anticipating delivery anywhere in the next two to four weeks. In order to help the guys' lungs with a little quicker development, I had a double dose of steroid shots this week which led to some major insomnia and a ravenous appetite. So far, no bed rest, although, the bigger I get and the faster Ky learns to run, the better a little bed rest sounds ;)

The house is coming along nicely and I plan to post some pics of it soon. I have to say, I am just loving this time of year and the weather has been fantastic. Last weekend my grandma Lois came over and made a pot roast after church and we watched the Bears' game while my Spiced Pumpkin candle burned. It was was heavenly.

I have a busy week and a half of shooting, then I am trying to start taking it easy and hopefully get caught up before the big "arrival."

In the meantime, I put together a little list of why I am ready to be done being pregnant.

Top Ten reasons pregnancy is not fun anymore:

(thank you to Chad for this photo ;)

10. The stares my belly gets from small children.

9. Dragging myself out of bed at least four times per night to pee.

8. Having to stop and catch my breath...even when I am just sitting and having a conversation.

7. Ugh, the heartburn!

6. Doctor appointments three times per week.

5. Constant cravings of donuts, cupcakes, milkshakes, candy bars, mocha frappacinos, chocolate ice cream cones.....mmmmm. (seriously, who goes through the Dunkin' Donuts drive thru at 3 in the afternoon?)

4. Sleeping only on my left side.

3. Whacked out dreams about inappropriate things I can't talk about here.

2. People I don't know rubbing my belly and saying "Won't be long now."

1. Full blown maternity clothes!

(Thank you to Erica Marten for grabbing a few shots of me with my family this past week as I try to make this a positive memory ;)

Mixing business with pleasure

2011-09-14T22:52:00.000-05:00

While we were vacationing in Door County this summer, I was thrilled to take advantage of some awesome locations I have always wanted to shoot at, but always wished I had a client to use them. Well, my dream came true as I was able to take my cousin's senior photos in one of my favorites places on earth.

Alex, you are a stunner...

Good luck as you are beginning your senior year! Thanks for a super fun time and thanks for being so cute!