She's ENGAGED!

This won't matter to most (all) of you, but I just had to shout it from the rooftops!! A BIG Congrats to my friend Jennie and her boyfriend Caleb, they are engaged!! So, so, so excited for them! Can't wait to celebrate with you and hear all about it, so excited for your wedding!!!!

An engagement in the mountains! How amazing!

photo credit: Caleb's phone

Friday Frills: Let's Shop!

It's no secret, I love to shop. Most women do, don't we? One of my fave places to find unique things is meetmark.com Mark, is the "little sister" let's say to Avon. It's a fresh line of young and hip make-up and accessories. I've been loving them since I was in college. I buy all my make-up from Mark. I used to use all Clinique products (and sometimes still do, I have some faves) but for the most part all my make-up goods come from Mark, I love them. They are just as amazing as expensive brands in the department stores but super affordable. And even though you have to ship these products, they always have a FREE shipping special to make it easy on you.

Here's some of my recent fave finds from Mark, take a look you might fall in love too.

Loving this necklace, it's pretty and simple and goes perfect with this dress below:

I love this dress, I think I might have to get it for when I loose all this pregnancy weight!

I also like this shirt dress, wouldn't it be great for Spring with leggings and cute sandals!

This bag is pretty sweet too, I like it in black but it also comes in another color too for those that want a little punch of color!

Mark Jewel, is one of my go to scents. It smells sooo good, and isn't the bottle pretty too?!

Here's some of my go to beauty products that I always have on hand from Mark, it's the ones that keep me coming back every time:

These little gems are called Mark Hook-Ups; you can mix and match these little tubes of gloss, mascara, eyeliner, perfume, etc. The possibilities are endless, my fave are lip gloss. I love having two colors to make a perfect shade. $5/each

Mark Mattenificent Pressed Powder; I found this stuff and swapped it for the expensive Clinique stuff and haven't looked back. I love it. I usually order two at a time just so I can have an extra on hand cause I go through this stuff fast! Love the price too $8!

Mark Make It Big Mascara; love this mascara! It's thick and makes your lashes look full & thick! $7

If you want to pick up these products click here, and happy shopping!

Sweet As Apple Pie

I admit, I've never fully made an apple pie from scratch. I've always used store bought crust and fresh apples. Now, there's nothing wrong with this method but I wanted to try my hand at making a pie totally from scratch. I found a recipe from one of my Longaberger cook books and went to town last night it was a labor of love. Took longer than I thought it would, and I wasn't sure how it would all turn out but in the end it was delicious!

Before going into the oven.

Cool down.

This dough is thick & flaky

Doesn't it look amazing!?! The house smelled of wonderful cinnamon and baked goods! I love it, and it tasted amazing too! Hubby was pleased, he gave it a 10! Not bad for my first time baking an apple pic totally from scratch!

What have you conquered in the baking world lately?

35 Weeks; 5 weeks to go!

I can't believe we're already here, 35 weeks has come and gone by so fast. Orion and I were just saying the other day how fast this pregnancy has gone by. Even though it's been 8 months it hasn't seemed very long, of coarse we've had a few things to keep us busy (moving across the country, adjusting to life in AZ, a new church, new youth group) just to name a few. It has been an amazing 8 almost 9 months of planning for Baby Worley to make her arrival into the world.

This week has been especially exciting, Sunday I had my baby shower here in Arizona with some great ladies from my church. They really blessed Orion and I with some lovely gifts, we're very thankful for everyone who attended.

Also, Sunday night I got the best news of the week from my bestie from college. My friend Sara, let me know that she's planning on coming to visit me in Arizona the weekend before Ava is scheduled to arrive. I'm so excited, pinch me seriously! I can. not. wait!

That means all in the month of March I'll have my two best friends here, my Sister and my Mom to visit us. It sounds like a lot but I wouldn't have it any other way, I'm so blessed to have so many people want to be there for Orion and I during this time.

I'm actually hoping that she'll come a week early, so we'll see what happens.

Monday, I had a doctor's appointment. Since, we're going now weekly it's really exciting to see the progress and get to look forward to possible changes. This week, the baby still hasn't dropped and I'm not dilated any but my Doc is sure that the baby will drop in the next week or so. Which I am so looking forward to having her out of my rib cage and some breathing room.

The Doctor told me that she's been very pleased with my blood pressure & weight gain this entire pregnancy. Which was really good to hear, because I've tried really hard not to gain abnormal amounts of weight and eat a good diet. I felt like I'd conquered the world when she said that. I've gained a total of 17 pounds to date.

Some stats about Baby Worley: [from our Doctors visit]

Heart rate: 153

Weight: 5 lbs.

The doctor doesn't think she'll be over 7 pounds at delivery.

This week, I've been making lists and trying to get everything ready that we still need before the baby comes. One of those things was a diaper bag, I was able to pick one up with some gift cards and choose this little gem:

Smart. Sleek. Black, just what I wanted. I brought it home the other night and quickly began to fill it up with things we needed to have in there. I've found all these great interactive check lists on Parents.com that have helped me organize my thoughts and get a handle on what we need and don't need. I recommend them to any first timer!

Next, on my list of things to do pack a hospital bag for me and Orion. Anyone have anything suggestions on stuff that are must haves, or stuff you wish you'd had with you? Let me know!

How far along? 35 weeks/ 8 months/ 3rd trimester

Total weight gain/loss: 17 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yes daily, although I've been spending some days in comfy sweats when I know I'm not going anywhere or doing anything special.

Stretch marks? Yes, unsightly red ones on my lower stomach.

Sleep: None. I've been taking some naps during the day since neither my back or ribs seem to hurt during the day hours, only at night.

Best moment this week: Finding out that Sara is coming to visit! Still very excited!

Movement: Lots and Lots!

Cravings: Sweets, still! Glad this hasn't been the case my whole pregnancy and looking forward to it stopping!

Gender: Baby girl.

Labor Signs: Some cramping happening down there, kinda hurts!

Belly Button in or out? Starting to make its way out.

What I miss: Sleep and this is so random but I've been having cravings for shellfish in any form shrimp, lobster. So I've decided my first meal should be at Red Lobster after I have this baby.

What I am looking forward to: Having friends & family visit next month.

Weekly Wisdom: "Just when you think you can't stand being pregnant any longer is when she'll come."- My Sister. Thanks Sis, I'm looking forward to that!

Milestones: Packing the diaper bag!

Finally Finished & Organized:

Do you ever have those projects that somehow get away from you and before you know it they are out of control? Well, my photos are one of those projects. I was an avid scrap booker since I was in high school but in 2007 I converted to digital albums & scrap booking and since then have let my photos all prior get a little out of hand.

I was determined to get a handle on this before the babe arrives. I wanted to finish our wedding album and a few others.

I bought this album when Orion and I were engaged to put wedding pictures in it that we got from family & friends.

Here's a few pages that I worked on this past week:

I also picked up this album a couple years back, and decided to put images in them from 2006-2008! That's a long time, but they are all in there and now organized.

Here's a few pages from this book:

I had full intentions too of scrap booking all my friends' fab weddings that I've been in. I decided instead to take a wedding album that was a gift and organize them by date order.

Here's a little preview:

I also slipped the programs into the negative pocket, so you can take a little look back and see them whenever you want.

I still have a bunch of images from college, and I've decided that I'm going to buy some albums you can just slip images into for those. I also have images from our honeymoon, and those are the ones I want to scrap book, since I already bought the supplies for it back in 2007. But, that may have to wait until after the babe arrives....we'll see! I'm so glad that I have a handle on it all now!

What do you do with your photos now? Do you still scrap book, or do digital albums now like me?

PS- if you're looking for a site to do digital albums with I highly recommend Snapfish (I use them for all my personal stuff) and Shutterfly (I use them for all my pro photography printing and lab stuff) both are great sites and offer tons of discounts on books from time to time!

BC Challenge

Week #8

Blog Roll Monday: Talkbox

Talkbox

We've been MIA for the last couple weeks with my Blog Roll Monday posts, but it's back and today we're featuring one of my fave blogs to read! Talkbox, is written, by my good friend Courtney Feia. She happens to be an amazing worship leader at High Point Church, awesome graphic designer and all around amazing gal! She did the logo designs for my photography company and designed my promo cards too. I'm forever grateful to her for making Photos by Andrea look very awesome and professional!

Her blog is filled with random musings, liker her Craigslist find of the day and her worship sets from Sunday morning! If you're in the mood for something fun and creative she's your gal! Check her out!

The Bump Fairy: 35 weeks

5 weeks to go!

Arizona Baby Shower

This past Sunday, I had a baby shower here in Arizona. It'll be my last shower before Ava comes. I'm so grateful for the ladies at Destiny Church that came and blessed Orion and I with such wonderful gifts for our new baby. We love and appreciate you all so much!

The beautiful spread, the shower was hosted by Beverly & Jessica! They did a fantastic job and thought of every detail. Take a look:
Me, with the pretty cake. It was almost to pretty to eat....almost!

Didn't they do an amazing job coordinating everything with her Oh La La Nursery?!! I think so, I just love this pattern.

We played a few baby shower games, which I was not so good at. I'm convinced that once I become a Mom I will then dominate at baby shower games. For now, no more tasting icky baby food for me!

Funny Conversation Pt. 2

A funny conversation that took place on Valentines Day while at Blockbuster picking out a movie. It went something like this:

Me: What do you think about this movie?

Orion: Can we get something else?

Me: It looks cute! Do you want to read the back to see what it's about?

Orion: Nope, those movies are all the same!

We ended up going with a mystery instead! But, for the record I still want to see this movie.

Editors Note* We saw this movie this weekend (2.20.10) and it was a great movie. Not what you'd expect, I highly recommend it!

34 weeks:: 6 weeks left!

This week has flown by for us here. I started the week off with a Doctors appointment on Monday morning. Everything checked out ok, we're not dilated yet which is good cause she's needs to cook in there a few more weeks till she's full term. But, I've decided I'd like her to come a week early. We start going to the doctor every week now, so I have another appointment next Monday.

Tuesday, I finished up the changing pad cover. The last project that I wanted to accomplish in her nursery. So glad the nursery is done now.

Today, Orion and I had a little date. We went to Desert Ridge [a shopping center here] grabbed some Starbucks and sat in the courtyard and talked. It was such a beautiful day, so we had to take advantage of it. It was awesome. I love spending time together like that, spending little money or none at all and making it about each other.

Orion has become increasingly helpful over the last couple weeks. I love how involved he is and how much he wants to help me during this pregnancy, I'm so great ful.

I've been feeling more and more tired these last two weeks. I feel like I can barely get out of bed sometimes since I'm having a hard time moving around freely these days!

Sunday, I'm looking forward to my baby shower here in Arizona with my church family.

Can't believe how fast this time is flying by. It's amazing, when you start this process you think 9 months is going to go by slowly or you think 9 months is a really long time. But, the Lord has a method to his madness. He knows we women need 9 months to prepare and take it all in. I've been great ful to have these 9 months for just that reason, but now I am ready and excited for her to get here.

The video below, is a quick video of her kicking. I finally was able to get her to kick on camera for us. She starts in right away moving towards the left, you have to watch closely. Enjoy!

How far along? 34 weeks

Total weight gain: 16 lbs.

Maternity clothes? Yes, daily.

Stretch marks? Yes, just noticed a few red-ish marks across my lower stomach.

Sleep: I don't sleep, I've pretty much come to terms with this for now.

Best moment this week: Finishing the nursery. It's finally done, and I'm really glad that it's one more thing checked off our list!

Movement: She's moving a lot, it's crazy. Mostly at night still.

Cravings: Sweets! What's up with that? I finally got my DQ ice cream cake for Vday!

Gender: Baby Girl.

Labor Signs: None.

Belly Button in or out? In.

What I miss: Sleep and being able to move freely with out feeling like I just ran 5 miles!

What I am looking forward to: My baby shower on Sunday!

Weekly Wisdom: None.

Milestones: We're going to the Doctor now on a weekly basis!

Nursery Reveal: Ava's Oh La La Nursery

I'm really excited that the nursery is finally done. I'm debating about adding some other touches but for now I'm really excited that it's all finished! It ended coming out exactly the way I pictured it. I wanted it to be a transitional nursery one that wasn't to babyish and that she could easily grow into.

This little chandelier was a inspiration from Pottery Barn, that I whipped up on my own for a fraction of the cost. It's so pretty and simple, I love how it turned out and how it looks in the room. 

Custom Artwork I made.

The dresser was a Craigslist find for $50. The lamp we bought from Target and the baskets on top are filled with hair clips & headbands.

These wooden letters were made by my Sister, she gave them to me as a shower gift. I love how they turned out they go perfectly in her nursery. I added the ribbons on top to hang them.

Our crib is the Graco Lauren edition. I made the crib skirt for it. We painted the stripes on the wall as well. All the paint is Olympic in Black Magic, Vintage Lace & Pink Stork.

This picture, and the mirrors below were the inspiration for the room. I bought them at JoAnn Fabrics a while ago. They go really great in the room!

The baskets for the changing table came from Bed, Bath & Beyond. They silver rings match the ones in the curtains perfectly. I love how it all tied together. I also made the changing pad cover from some flannel fabric. 

This little rocking chair was mine as a kid, that I re painted white. The little sign is from Hobby Lobby, I got it for Orion for Valentine's day!

It's pretty perfect, I can't wait to bring her home and have this be her room. I can't wait to watch her play here, it's become one of my favorite rooms in our home. And, I've had so much fun over these last few months painting and creating things for her room it's made me feel closer to her, and I've added my own personal touches to make it special!