Lilac Saloon

Baby: Week 22

Now that I'm over the halfway point of pregnancy, I'm starting to feel like getting into preparation mode. It's time to get serious! We finished our registry, I've started a class to prepare me for labor and we've even named the baby. Are you ready to know her name?!!!

Our sweet little Luna Brynn is our new favorite person. Mostly because she kicks me so hard that Evan can easily feel it already. It's kind of fun when she kicks because it reminds me that she's in there. It's like "oh, heyyy!" coming from her and I like it. I have had a fantastic pregnancy so far and have felt so darn good. I've discovered that I actually love and appreciate my body more now that I ever have before. I don't look for flaws or criticize or complain about my appearance. I love myself more now. That's pretty amazing and a side effect I didn't expect.

 

Baby: Week 20

What??? Halfway there? I always felt like time flew when observing others go through pregnancy and I figured it was just because I wasn't focusing on them all day every day, and suddenly they'd be more pregnant. Now it's me and time is still flying and suddenly I'm more pregnant! Ha! Just life, I guess!

We had a SUPER exciting day yesterday. We had the 20 Week ultrasound where they do really detailed measurements of all the different body parts and some of the organs too. Also, the most exciting part of course is that you can find out the gender at this time! YES, we definitely wanted to know.

I had been convincing myself that the baby was a boy. I pictured a mini version of my husband running around my house and it made me laugh. I have three younger brothers and am really used to baby boys and was pretty comfortable with the idea of having a boy. But "gut instincts" are not always the most accurate prediction of gender.

IT'S A GIRL!!!

I was so surprised - and to be honest - SO excited! I mean come on. Who can deny that a baby girl is going to be pretty darn fun to create adorable photo shoots for? Yep. I'm kinda excitedddddd.

We have already named her, too!!
I'll share soon. 

Best of 2011!

So much has changed for us this year! We never expected to be where we are right now - but in a really good way. I thought I'd skip down memory lane and point out some of my favorite (blogged) moments of this year! Won't you join me?

 New to the shop in 2011:

Felt Heart Confetti

You & Me Embroideries

Rope & Tassel Necklaces

 

Custom Orders:

Robyn's Wedding Flowers

Jamie's Flower Clip

 Eric & Audrey's Vows

Monogrammed Pajamas

Lorie & Jon's Vows

 

Celebrations:

2 Years Married - & - 9 Years Together

 One Year of Self Employment

 It's A Baby!

 

Fun Projects Completed:

The Sketchbook Project

 A Cutting Felt Video

A Hand Embroidery Video 

A Cutting Petals Video

Lilac Saloon + Brian Hart Collaboration

 

Photographed:

Julie (9 Months Pregnant!)

Hanna at 6 Months & Hanna at 9 Months

Sioux Falls, SD

Lauren & Michael and Matthew (my beautiful siblings) 

 Titonka, IA

Julie & Bryer

 

Favorite Reflective Moments:

10 Reasons Why I Love Being My Own Boss

Small Town vs. Big City

Time to Move Forward

Goodbye to Estherville

 11 Wishes on 11.11.11

 

Honorable Mentions:

Felt Heart Confetti featured on Brandon Kidd's photography blog!

Lilac Girl (modeling a custom necklace by Erin Giles!)

A fresh Facelift for the blog with the help of my talented cousin, Natalie!

 

 With all of that business-growing, job-getting, small-town-moving and baby-growing this year...I can't imagine what the next year will hold for us. I am lowering my expectations on myself because taking care of a new tiny person will make life totally different for us in so many ways! I'm going to do an awesome job at that...and then if I have time and energy to do anything else, then I shall. My goals are to push toward living simply, more naturally, making what I can and working with what I have, focusing on positivity and gratitude, and finding joy in the little moments. Cheers to happiness and love and 2012!