The Sketchbook Project

I just read about this and I really want James and I to get a sketchbook. Although, you would definitely be able to tell who drew what it still would be super fun. I LOVE the idea and for only $25 it's not a bad idea. I mean, how awesome would it be if I could say "ya, our sketchbook is traveling across country right now for everyone to enjoy." Then for it to be a permanent resident at the Brooklyn Art Library? RAD. That is all I can say. Check it out and doodle a sketchbook yourself! You may find a new art calling!






♥ Michelle

Origami Cranes part 1

James, Felicia, Loretta and I spent a couple hours learning how to create origami paper cranes. It was fun once we got the hang of it. We made over 36 of the 100 I am planning to make for Silver Strands. I am so excited to invite my sisters over to do these with me!

♥ Michelle

Baby Bump - Week 21

Friday we had our "big" ultrasound. To me, it wasn't much different than our sonograms we receive at our monthly appointments. I guess maybe it was a little bit more detailed. We know she has all 10 fingers and toes, she has all 4 heart ventricles and from the looks of it she seems to be doing just fine. Her legs are quite long and her feet seem big (or maybe that is just me being paranoid she is going to end up a big foot like her momma). The technician gave us TONS of photos to take home and you can even see her sweet little side profile in them! (looks like I will be making a cameo project for her nursery!) August 3rd is the next Dr Apt. They should be able to tell me how the baby is progressing and if the due date has changed or not. We can't wait!




♥ Michelle

Around the house

We are changing things up a bit around the house for all the guest we are planning to have when the baby comes. We are having my MIL for about a month around Dec and my father (and hopefully brother) come in January. We know we needed a place for guest to sleep now that our guest room will be taken over by the baby nursery.
We decided a sofa bed for the living room would be a good idea. Then today, I get this email from Ikea stating they have their Manstad sofa bed with chaise storage lounge on sale for $200 cheaper than its normal price, making it only $699 (super cheap!). It is compact, perfect for our very small living room and creates a good sized bed. It has a chaise on one side with HUGE storage underneath. I have read multiple website today that seem to have great reviews. If you are interested, Ikea fan seems to like it, and Apartment Therapy wrote a review here. Apartment Therapy also voted it one of the Best Sleeper Sofas & Sofa Beds 2010.



So it is safe to say that we will be heading to Ikea this weekend to check this baby out and possibly purchase. The only downsize is the lack of color options, but I know Joy and I can come up with something to make it pretty.

ohhhh and..... I GOT THE CRICUT! It was on 40% sale at Micheals Craft Store yesterday for only $98! I have been eying the Cricut for over a year now, especially because I like to hand make all my cards I give and I am a huge scrapbooker. I am so excited to get my craft on!

♥ Michelle

diaper bag dilema

So I have my heart set on the Oioi diaper bag. It's black, big, fashionable, rocker-ish and modern. It fits perfectly with my style. The only drawback is, it is $160. I can't bring myself to pay that much for a purse/bag/diaper bag whatever. I search for it on ebay, craigslist and other random sites, but still it is always around the same high price.
This bag seems to have it all, interior and exterior pockets, easy wipe interior, change mat and insulated bottle holder included. It also comes with stroller straps and a longer strap so you can wear it across your body, helping with my "purse shoulder" problem.

I was thinking of just getting cute hobo bags/totes that have a lot of interior pockets then purchasing a travel diaper changing kit like this one, and getting an insulated bottle pouch like something found here and just putting them inside the purse. Then I can purchase different purses that are cute and still functional and can use many of the purses I already own.

So, my question to you: have any of you tried to use your own purses and just get the extras to add in, or did you find that you really did need a good quality diaper bag with all the pockets overall?

♥ Michelle

1000 Cranes for Silver Strands

So there is this sweet little blog I follow called "Silver Strands". She started her blog when she decided to cut off all her silver hair to donate it to make a wig for her mother who lost her hair from cancer. She blogs about her inspirations and she is an inspiration to her readers.

She has asked her readers to help her create 1000 cranes that she will string together to give to her mother. You can read her blog about it here. The original story of the 1000 paper cranes can be found here.

I know I will be helping by creating at least 50 paper cranes to send to her. If you want to do the same, you can contact her via email: lovely.silver.strands@gmail.com

♥ Michelle

Nursery Update

Peanut has been extra loving lately. I think he really knows that I am preggo.

We finally agreed on a nursery scheme/color theme. We are going with light gray walls (to match the rest of our home) with pops of mustard yellow and turquoise. ( I LOOOOOOVE gray and yellow together!) We will accessorize with embroidery hoops filled with lots of fun and pretty patterns. We want to bring in more color with the acecssories so that everything we receive will "go" with the room. We are wanting a more modern look. We will be using James' late grandmother's rocking chair for the nursery, which I LOVE. I haven't decided if I want a college wall with letters a-z on there or just spell out her name, but that's a minor detail we will come to later. James and I will be hand making as much as we can, with the help of his Mom, I am sure.

oooh, and we started our universal registry, it is really fun when you get to pick out the random fun stuff not found at your typical baby store.

p.s. We found out last week that our sister in law, Paulina is pregnant and is only 1 month behind me. We are so excited for them and can't wait to meet their baby due in January.

♥ Michelle

Belly Bump Fridays - Week 20

I know, I know. We missed Week 19. I was just too busy last week and we completely forgot to take a picture. But this week, you can see my tummy is really starting to rise up. Oh, and the squishing of my insides and the shortness of breath coming along with it feels just grand. ;)



♥ Michelle

SCHAP

My dear friend Nichelle has helped started a non profit organization to help underdeveloped communities. I have put some of their information found on there website below. They need to raise $20,000 to create a school for the upcoming school year. If you can, check out the website and help them out. Buy a block,donate or purchase a necklace or t-shirt to help.


SCHAP stands for: sustainable, comprehensive, humanitarian, assistance & planning.
Mission Statement: "To bring sustainable solutions to humans living with extreme disadvantages in an effort to empower them with tools, resources, information & vision requisite for development & an increased quality of life, while also teaching the correct principles of sustainable & comprehensive humanitarian work to aspiring philanthropists."

It is a really great organization and I would love to see them be able to go back out there and build the school.

If you have any questions, you should email Nichelle here.

♥ Michelle

It's officially official

And the verdict is. . . . .. . . .. . . It's a GIRL!!!
Yes, little Chloe Darling Schmitz is to be the cutest little lady ever. Seriously, it's a scientific fact. The ultrasound gave Michelle and I great shots of her - and we'll have to put them on here soon to show you!
Now that we know what we're having, the excitement for this baby has just increased like 10 fold. Time to make this nursery come to life! Watch out Ikea and...other places too...here we come!!!

Ooh and other exciting news too! I felt her kick for the first time!!! I know Michelle gets to feel her all the time like inside the oven and everything, but I'm always missing out on all that action. This was a very monumental experience for me as a first time daddy. Thank goodness it was just my hand on her belly and not my face...shoot probably would have broke my nose.
Can't wait to meet her!!!


-James