tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59278846503312518292024-03-05T05:39:02.640-05:00Earning Our StripesJillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.comBlogger209125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-7907019196671025662015-03-12T09:12:00.000-04:002015-03-12T09:12:17.918-04:00Earning our Stripes has MOVED!Friends, I'm so happy to share that this is the last post on this platform! While Earning Our Stripes was originally a place where my husband and I shared our home renovations, as my business grew, it also became a place to share new projects and designs, and the work that was consuming my very-late nights and train rides in and out of NYC.<br />
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Please head over (and change your bookmarks & settings) to <a href="http://bellacartaboutique.com/blog">bellacartaboutique.com/blog</a> to see our new blog, new website and eventually, a new shop for Bella Carta! In the next few weeks, a redirect will automatically take you there, but for now, please follow the link above!<br />
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<br />Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-49560550084535402732015-02-25T07:07:00.000-05:002015-02-25T07:07:02.250-05:00Introducing: The Wedding CollectionToday is the day! We will be at The Big Fake Wedding in Brooklyn tonight, debuting our newest wedding collection! I'm so excited to share these images from Amy Roth Photography with all of you.<br />
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The Shelburne Suite<br />
<i>(calligraphy by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WestSheridan" target="_blank">West Sheridan</a>)</i><br />
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The Charleston Suite<br />
<i>(calligraphy by Sincerely Amy Calligraphy)</i><br />
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The Chatham Suite<br />
<i>(calligraphy by Sincerely Amy Calligraphy) </i><br />
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The Nantucket Suite<br />
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The Kennebunkport Suite<br />
<i>(calligraphy by </i><i><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WestSheridan" target="_blank">West Sheridan</a></i><i>)</i><br />
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I'll be sharing the inspiration behind each of the suites, soon, as well as the detail shots (which I just LOVE so much!). We will also be transferring our blog and website over to a new website platform this weekend, and will post a notice here of our new blog address!<br />
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Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-10729002602576001662015-02-13T07:30:00.000-05:002015-02-13T07:30:00.752-05:00Currently | 2.13.14<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I've been struggling with finding time to blog lately. For the first time, I can candidly admit that I'm juggling too many things, and I've had a hard time prioritizing. And just when you think that you can't take on anything else, your Thursday throws you a curve ball and your left spinning your wheels trying to fix a very big problem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So instead of stressing about not having time to write, I decided to share what's keeping me so busy these days. If you follow along on Instagram (@bellacartaboutique), you may already know some of this. And if you don't follow along on Instagram, you should! ;)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">ONE // Luca & James turned 1 last week! Overnight, they went from babies to toddlers, and my momma heart could have burst. I spent a lot of time last week reminiscing about the days leading up to their birth, our time in the hospital, and those fleeting, crazy days when you return home. These boys completed our family, and I can't help but feel overwhelmingly </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">blessed</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> to call them mine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">TWO // We celebrated L&J's birthday in a big way last weekend with an appropriately-themed Big Top Birthday party. Of course, I saved the decor until the last minute, and was assembling banners and </span>stickering<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> favor bags until the wee hours of the morning. And, I secretly loved every second of it. The party was a blast and I can't wait to share more pictures soon! Also - </span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>stickering </i>is not a real word, but I'm pretty sure it should be.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">THREE // At the end of this month, I'll have the honor of participating as a vendor in the <a href="http://thebigfakewedding.com/events/nyc/" target="_blank">Big Fake Wedding</a>, and I've been a crazy lady trying to get ready for it. A photoshoot next week with our very first wedding collection, a custom save-the-date suite for the actual event, and a slew of details to be ironed out. I'm one big ball of <i>alllthefeelings: </i>anxious, excited, nervous, delirious... I'll probably sleep for a week when it's over!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">FOUR // Since the moment the ball dropped on New Year's Day, I've been dreading getting my business finances in order for our taxes. DREAD-ING. Not your normal, <i>I'm really not looking forward to this</i>, but a physical, gut-wrenching dread. Thankfully I used an accounting program this year, so I'm ahead of the game. But what you can't see? TWO BOXES of receipts I need to sort through & organize. One entire box is probably hospital bills from the twins' birth, but the rest are miscellaneous receipts that need to GO somewhere. This weekend, we hired a babysitter to play with the kids for three hours so that we can tackle the disaster of receipts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">FIVE // I'm currently addicted to Scandal and Fixer Upper. Anyone else? When I have a lot of work to do, I move my laptop to the couch, make a big cup of coffee and watch my favorite shows while working on orders. I also end of falling asleep on the couch 5 out of 7 nights a week, but Otto is usually curled up right beside me! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">SIX // Last but not least, head over to my Instagram page to enter a super fun Valentine's Day Giveaway! A $450 gift card to Nordstrom is up for grabs! But hurry, the giveaway closes tonight at midnight.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy Weekend, friends! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-65879964935035839062015-01-28T08:00:00.000-05:002015-01-28T08:00:04.327-05:00What My Twins Taught Me About Motherhood<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This last year has been one of the best, and one of the hardest, in my life. In many ways, I felt like a brand new mother this year. Having one baby was challenging. Life changing. So, so, incredibly hard. I felt like I made all the rookie mistakes with Anthony - mistakes I swore I'd never make with my second. '<i>I learned the hard way</i>' I said. Baby #2 will fall sleep on their own. Will sleep through the night. Will not sleep in my bed. My convictions did not change when we found out Baby #2 was actually Baby #2 AND Baby #3. I was going to things differently this time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In exactly one week, Luca & James will turn one. Looking back on the last year - the anticipation of their arrival, juggling two newborns and a toddler, learning to enjoy the dance of it all - I can say I've grown in ways I never imagined. With Anthony, I always felt like I was playing house. Like someone was going to walk in one day and take it all away. That I didn't really know what I was doing. Luca and James changed all of that.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">1. I did not screw up my children.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Just a few years ago, I longingly gazed at the moms who had "easy" children. They were always happy, slept all night, never fussed, sat and played alone for hours... and I thought I somehow made Anthony high-maintenance. Was it my daily cup of coffee when I was pregnant? The formula I supplemented with? The twins - arguably exposed to identical environments from conception, and only separated in age by 11 minutes - have polar opposite personalities. One can fall asleep on his own the second you lay him down. The other, needs to be cuddled. One is loud and rambunctious and never stops moving. The other? More reserved, quiet, shy and is happy to sit on your lap and just 'be'. My children are who they are, not because of something I did - or did not do. They become who they are because of something and someone far greater than me, and embracing their differences is all part of becoming a parent.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">2. Be the Mom</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I tend to avoid confrontation at all costs. I'm the peacemaker, and never want anyone to think I'm the bad guy. With Anthony, I wasn't always the Mom I should have been. I found it hard to speak up for what I thought was right, or what I felt needed to be done. I always held a professionals opinion above my own - if the doctor said 'let's wait and see', more often than not, that's what I did. And most times, that was fine. But there were plenty of times when it wasn't. Where 4 trips to the doctor were necessary because I didn't say what I felt the first time - that Anthony was getting sicker when he should be getting better. Thank God it was never anything serious, but plenty of times I regretted not saying what I thought, because I didn't want the doctors or nurses to not like me. When Luca & James were born, that all changed. I realized that it's my responsibly to be their advocate at all times, not just when they've been sick for two weeks. They deserve a mom who doesn't shy away from the doctor just because she doesn't want to seem confrontational. I need to BE the mom. I now ask 100 questions to the nurse without caring if she thinks I'm annoying. I don't apologize more than once for taking up too much space with my double stroller or because someone is impatiently waiting for me to be done buckling them in their car seats so they can get in their car. I say 'no' when someone has the sniffles and wants to hold them. I finally feel confident in my right to be those things - to say those things - to be the mom they need me to be.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">3. You do whatever it takes.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I could probably write an entire post on this, but countless people asked me if we were going to have help once the twins came home. As in, a night nurse. A friend with twins actually told me that not hiring someone was going to be a huge mistake. And to be clear, we did have a lot of help during the day. Monday through Friday, when Craig was at work, we had at least one grandparent here to help. Sometimes two. To help bring A to preschool, to help with the laundry, to be an extra set of hands when I had to shower or needed someone to console the twin that had to wait to eat. At night? Every night - it was just us. Every two hours, for 8 weeks, we'd get up and start our 45 minute process. I'd take one twin to nurse, Craig would take the other for a diaper change. Then we'd switch. And then we'd swaddle, soothe, and get them back to sleep. We'd sleep for an hour, and do it all again. For 8 weeks. And we were <i>exhausted. </i>Actually, exhausted does not describe the depth of our tiredness. But never once did I think going into this, that someone else should be doing that for me. That I'd pay someone to do the dirty work, so I could wake up refreshed and energized. Because you know what? You do whatever it takes. You live on coffee and forget to change the laundry and leave the house without diapers (true story), but you adapt. You do whatever it takes. Its a season of life and it doesn't last forever, and circles under your eyes are a badge honor that I wear with pride. </span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">4. Loving them is all that matters. </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In the end, the love I give them is all that matters. They will not look back on their childhood and wish that I did more Pinterest crafts, or read more books, or had their closets color coordinated. They'll look back and remember laughing in the kitchen over dinner, snuggling under the covers on cold winter nights, and that they were loved beyond measure. All the other stuff, is just that - stuff. Loving them is the most important job I have, and I'll spend the rest of my life trying to do it well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I'm writing this post at 11:30, with a sleeping Luca on my lap. He's getting his molars, and sleep has been hard the last few days. And I'm the only one he wants. This wasn't how tonight was supposed to go - once the kids are asleep, its my time to get work done and finish up orders and catch up on the DVR. But, you do whatever it takes. Whatever it takes to get through the next hour, or the next day... that's just what you do.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Next weekend we're celebrating Luca & James' birthday with an appropriately-themed circus party. It perfectly sums up this season of our life - every day is a circus. By the time I get home from work, two of three kids are crying, there are dirty diapers on the porch that need to be brought to the trash, the dog is crying to eat, the house phone is ringing and we're trying to remember what time the twins had a bottle. Most nights Craig and I just laugh to ourselves that this is our life. Next weekend is a celebration of an amazing first year for the twins, but also a very big celebration for us as a family. We survived, we laughed, we loved - and it is only just the beginning.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Pictures c/o Tanya Charlesworth</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #999999; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: xx-small;">Are you new here? Hi! I’m Jillian. Wife & mom, and small business owner. Bella Carta Boutique is a custom design studio, specializing in invitations, announcements and stationery for all of life’s most special occasions. We are located in Northern New Jersey, but serve clients in New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and can ship worldwide. If you’d like to work with us, or learn more about what we do, <a href="http://www.bellacartaboutique.com/#!contact/cw1g" style="color: #fab187; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">click here</a>!</span></i><br />
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<br />Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-10285115642553170322015-01-23T09:41:00.001-05:002015-01-23T09:41:05.020-05:00Journey to Rebranding: Part Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This is the third post in this series. If you missed the first two, you
can find them <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2014/12/journey-to-rebranding-part-one.html" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2015/01/journey-to-rebranding-part-two.html" target="_blank">here</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">With my logo and brand board
complete, the last steps in my brand development were a website, collateral and packaging. Arguably, some of the most important pieces of developing a brand. These are the elements that my clients would see and touch, and judge me by, so that had to be perfect. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">For my brand collateral, I
had to think through presentation and packaging, and most importantly, what I
wanted my client experience to be. When I chose my business name, many years
ago, the word <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">boutique</i> was really
important to me. I wanted clients to get the same feeling you do when you walk into a local boutique: comfortable, inspired, and that you’re the only customer
they have. So I designed my brand packaging to be boutique-like: kraft tissue
paper, twine and a hand written note. Once I introduced address stamps into my
assortment, I added linen bags so that customers had a place to keep them long
after throwing their box away.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcqNFPo5t0s78rkA_xDV8vfptmpMJkvkGVkiqVj8WHEDI05jKFWvH7wCT2PV-Vay3OT_c3LeJ7Tu0SocLo7eFuttGn3H9pwq6bdHdEuKChK5ynBMN7EbNtb-2gy91DZdBzgeG_11xgohS/s1600/brand_collateral_newjersey_graphic_design.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQcqNFPo5t0s78rkA_xDV8vfptmpMJkvkGVkiqVj8WHEDI05jKFWvH7wCT2PV-Vay3OT_c3LeJ7Tu0SocLo7eFuttGn3H9pwq6bdHdEuKChK5ynBMN7EbNtb-2gy91DZdBzgeG_11xgohS/s1600/brand_collateral_newjersey_graphic_design.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">I was never a fan of packing up orders. </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">(Maybe one day this is something I'll hire someone else to do!)</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> But working with my brand elements & keeping all my packing supplies in one place has completely changed my outlook on this task. I always felt like it was so much </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">work</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">, and so disorganized. But knowing what goes in each and every package, and where all those items are, has been a game changer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Next up was my website. Once I hired a web developer,
I sent her my thoughts, ideas, logos, brand board & functionality
requirements, and she got to work building our current website. She did an
excellent job turning my vision into reality, and I’m so thankful for her
patience during this process. The entire process took 6 weeks from start to finish, and we finalized the website details just in time for our brand launch.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Because I continue to host my shop in Etsy, I did my best to brand my site there, too. Updating my header, changing the terminology in my listings, and creating links back to both my website and social media handles, made the whole experience more cohesive.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuI2KFoornOIND_aDrpmaWSzXhUwigo5TzIaYLOL_gdJacmmHiJt-zf-cV9Ys4Z-Lc51INu8ECHQV4bxV0itEA_nXVVyTMW5v2fvhCAQNQwqiBx1uGlnPCC8Zzz44ETEcjrHWWfKVWmxA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-23+at+8.59.04+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhuI2KFoornOIND_aDrpmaWSzXhUwigo5TzIaYLOL_gdJacmmHiJt-zf-cV9Ys4Z-Lc51INu8ECHQV4bxV0itEA_nXVVyTMW5v2fvhCAQNQwqiBx1uGlnPCC8Zzz44ETEcjrHWWfKVWmxA/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-23+at+8.59.04+AM.png" height="362" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Building a brand is so much more than a logo. It's about creating an experience and lasting impression on your customers. It's about telling your story through imagery. A powerful brand can completely change your business, and its is important to be thoughtful and intentional about the process.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Of course, now that I've shared all of this, our brand is going through a slight tweaking right now. If you read my business goals for twenty-fifteen, you'll know that I plan to move our website hosting platform early this year, as well as integrate my blog into the website (instead of it having its own domain name). All that means some small revisions for the brand - nothing crazy - but making sure that everything - web buttons, categories, links, Etsy listings - are all completely seamless and consistent. I can't wait to share some of the changes with you all, very soon!</span><br />
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #999999; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Are you new here? Hi! I’m Jillian. Wife & mom, and small business owner. Bella Carta Boutique is a custom design studio, specializing in invitations, announcements and stationery for all of life’s most special occasions. We are located in Northern New Jersey, but serve clients in New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and can ship worldwide. If you’d like to work with us, or learn more about what we do, <a href="http://www.bellacartaboutique.com/#!contact/cw1g" style="color: #fab187; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">click here</a>!</span></i></div>
Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-45143738467745098912015-01-20T08:51:00.002-05:002015-01-20T08:51:21.515-05:00My Favorite Things Series: Baby Mama Sew Shop<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Happy Tuesday! I had such a nice long weekend, and loved being off
yesterday. I was able to devote some time to work yesterday morning – in peace
and quiet – thanks to my very gracious parents, and then was able to bring my
oldest to hockey practice (something I don’t get to do often as a working mom).
So when he told me last night that he was “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">so
happy I could bring him to hockey and he had so much fun with me being there</i>”,
I just about died.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I'm planning a post to share some great tools I use to stay organized,
but had to share this one for all of you fellow planner lovers. Every
year, without fail, I start January off with my pristine new planner and I tell
myself that I’m going to be <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">super</i>
careful with it. No carrying my lunch, or a bottle of water or a sippy cup in
my bag, because I don’t want anything to spill on it. But all of that is
completely unrealistic, and usually by March or April, I’ve spilled coffee or
apple juice in my purse, and my planner pages get all grimy, and then for the
rest of the year I get a little annoyed every time I open my planner. I know
there are more people like me out there – that love something to look new for more than
15 minutes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">In December, I searched high and low for a perfect sized tote that would
allow me to keep my planner safe in my bag, and was also cute. And? I came up empty handed. Nada. And then I remembered the <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/babymamasewshop?ref=search_shop_redirect" target="_blank">Baby Mama Sew Shop</a> from a giveway we had both participated in, and I reached out
to her to see if she could make something custom for me. A few conversations
back and forth about size and fabrics, this adorable little tote was at my door
the following week.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;">Navy and white twill stripes, a coral pink bottom, and a tiny gold dot interior. I adore it! And, it also happens to match my brand. Win-win.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvGo9V4ddDzjnLWd9keHS0GMZzOi20g79edlzrPqoWu9Q_CEOYiFnz5UAg3LPD7BJD0hVKIrB3g92ieMeJwd7YvJ97ZlAE4Q3kRfE6FGNhrHZJsghCYU0umB7V6eyb2_uNeJBIWG0daZO/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZvGo9V4ddDzjnLWd9keHS0GMZzOi20g79edlzrPqoWu9Q_CEOYiFnz5UAg3LPD7BJD0hVKIrB3g92ieMeJwd7YvJ97ZlAE4Q3kRfE6FGNhrHZJsghCYU0umB7V6eyb2_uNeJBIWG0daZO/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13px;">I’m able to keep my planner and my notebook all in one spot, free from animal crackers and puffs and sticky baby fingers. Some people may think it is ludicrous to</span><span style="font-size: 13px;"> </span><i style="font-size: 13px;">protect</i><span style="font-size: 13px;"> a planner in this way, but for me – for my family – my planner keeps us organized and helps us make room for the things that matter most. Those pages are filled with birthdays and vacations, preschool events and family gatherings, doctors appointments, bill reminders and all the things its takes to run a household of five. The things written on those pages are what make up our life, and its important to me that I keep them safe.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>It should go without saying but I'll say it anyway, I was in no way compensated for this post, and purchased this product on my own. My review expresses my honest opinion, and is only shared so that other readers can benefit from a product I find useful! </i></span><br />
<i style="background-color: white; color: #999999; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></i>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #999999; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Are you new here? Hi! I’m Jillian. Wife & mom, and small business owner. Bella Carta Boutique is a custom design studio, specializing in invitations, announcements and stationery for all of life’s most special occasions. We are located in Northern New Jersey, but serve clients in New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and can ship worldwide. If you’d like to work with us, or learn more about what we do, <a href="http://www.bellacartaboutique.com/#!contact/cw1g" style="color: #fab187; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">click here</a>!</span></i>Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-66862738291950821532015-01-16T09:45:00.000-05:002015-01-16T09:45:20.238-05:00Twenty-Fifteen Business Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IoAuy21YuF6XgB4Lf8ofpShygLr2KhRrBnnC6-bqMzMyinWuAHnNZ_lBeSPXO2t6PJKfm50cZ-6IAYfjJ_AryM1akO6zfSPZU5S9WqpJSELVuPSULF6-PX04spr3GRM-MTCWsDPiRd0I/s1600/businessgoals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9IoAuy21YuF6XgB4Lf8ofpShygLr2KhRrBnnC6-bqMzMyinWuAHnNZ_lBeSPXO2t6PJKfm50cZ-6IAYfjJ_AryM1akO6zfSPZU5S9WqpJSELVuPSULF6-PX04spr3GRM-MTCWsDPiRd0I/s1600/businessgoals.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span><span style="font-size: 10pt;">For the last two years, I’ve
hesitated to set intentional and thoughtful goals for my business. I had broad
visions of what I’d like to see happen each year: more sales, new designs,
connecting with my customers – but they were vague, and too broad to measure
against at the end of the year. Honestly, I thought that goal setting was just
another buzz word people used to talk about their business growth. Another way
to compare ourselves – another way to boast that we were successful. I’ve
learned in the last few months that intentional goal setting is really a way to
stay focused, to be more efficient, and to help narrow our vision when you’re
devoting time to growing your business.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">So this year, I’m being
intentional with my goal setting. These were all written down, in one form or
another, during December. After my time at Creative at Heart, I decided to
modify them slightly, and add actionable steps for each. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>1. Optimize Etsy & Launch
Ecommerce</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">This is something I feel very strongly about. I think
Etsy is an amazing platform for small business owners, and I think I can do a
better job of making my shop ‘work’ better than it does now. I also want to be
able to offer direct checkout through my own website – something I’ll share
more in a separate post.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Revise listing copy, titles, tags and add-ons. I want
customers to not have any questions when they’re checking out about what
they’re buying, and what happens next.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Optimize my photos for each listing. Using stock
photography has been a huge blessing for my shop, but what I realized this year
is customers don’t want to see a styled desktop on my Etsy homepage. They want
to SEE the invitation. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo5; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Migrate my site & blog to a new platform, and add
an ecommerce option. I want customers to feel like they can checkout directly
on my site, or shop on Etsy – whichever they prefer. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>2. Connect with Customers</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">I want to feel more connected with my customers – new
and old – in the coming year. I want to share more about myself, the struggles
of growing a business, and about the heart of my brand. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Set a consistent blogging schedule. Planning posts
each month, and being realistic about the time I have to devote to blogging are
important steps in making blogging part of my routine.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l4 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Deploy monthly newsletters. I love getting newsletters
from other small business owners – highlighting new products, things we’ve been
working on, blog posts I may have missed, and of course, sharing exclusive
sales & promotions. I want my customers to receive these from me, on a
regular basis. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>3. Expand My Offerings</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">A crucial part of growing a business is to always be
learning. I want to challenge myself to invest in learning two new
skills/programs this year to help grow my product base and services that I can
offer my clients.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Launch a wedding collection, including save the dates,
invitations, day-of paper goods and thank you notes. Establish a pricing guide
to share with potential brides & grooms that answers questions about paper
types, quantities, and the wedding suite design process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Practice hand lettering. I’ve always had a fascination
with the art of calligraphy and hand lettering. I’ve taken several classes, but
need to invest more time in practicing. I hope to offer hand-lettering services
on my printed pieces later this year.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Illustrations & Graphics. Illustrator is a
weakness of mine – I don’t know the program well, and always find a work
around. I want to learn more about vector graphics, and how I can start
creating these on my own, rather than relying on purchasing them from other
sellers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Brand Development. I feel passionate about adding this
service to my business this year, and am excited about working with other small
business owners on developing & executing their brand. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;"><b>4. Organize & Streamline</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Last year, I felt like I was always 10 steps behind.
Part of this was my failure to set realistic and intentional goals for the
year, but more importantly, failing to choose the items I felt were important
to my growth. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Yearly / Monthly / Weekly goal setting. Keeping my
tasks realistic and attainable. <i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Finances. Separate our personal and business finances,
establish a monthly day where I can categorize expenses, file receipts and
evaluate the budget.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Shipping. I spend way too much on shipping, and need
to find some new and creative ways to lower my costs for each package.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Creating a Production Schedule. This was SO helpful to
me before last holiday season, and I want to develop it to be reflective of the
whole year. This means planning for the holiday card rush beginning in
September, so that come November, I’m not rushing to get my listings up and
photographs taken<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 7pt;"> • </span></span><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Clean up Email. This needs no explanation. At some
point this year I’d like to have my inbox at 0 at the end of every day.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">This lists seems sooooo long.
And I know that all of it may not happen, and that’s OK. Something that’s come
a little more naturally to me this last year is keeping things in perspective
and giving myself a little grace. I don’t beat myself up anymore. I’m a mom, I
work full-time, I volunteer on the Board for A’s school, and I want to look
back on every year and remember watching my kids grow and laugh and learn. Of
course, I also want to grow my business, but keeping that in perspective with
the rest of priorities has helped me define success in a better, more rewarding
way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">I hope to share monthly
updates on this list to keep myself accountable, and also to help you all see a
little of what happens behind the scenes with Bella Carta Boutique. This
business is a big part of my heart, and I think there is such joy in the
building of a business. It’s important to share both your successes and
failures, and remind your customers, and cheerleaders, and family and friends,
that there is so much more to this than pretty paper and Instagram pictures and
the number of orders. The heart of my business is in the not-so-pretty, 1:00 in
the morning, running on 2 cups of coffee designs and taping up packages with
Otto at my side… and I’m excited to share that journey with you.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-89061078979120899662015-01-12T08:24:00.000-05:002015-01-12T08:24:06.586-05:00Journey to Rebranding: Part Two<div class="MsoNormal">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Before the Christmas break, I introduced a new series: The Journey to Rebranding. This post is the second in the series, and if you missed</i><i> the first one, click <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2014/12/journey-to-rebranding-part-one.html)" target="_blank">here</a> to read it!)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Once I narrowed down my imagery and finalized my inspiration board and
colors, I got to work on both my logo and brand board. I felt strongly that I
wanted the words “Bella Carta” to be hand lettered. I knew going into this rebrand
that hand lettering was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">very </i>popular,
and maybe not quite as timeless as some other options. That said, I’ve always
loved calligraphy – talented calligraphers always make it seem effortless, and
I adore that no two letterers are alike. Calligraphy is a true, and rare, art
form, and I felt strongly that having my logo lettered with a slightly
whimsical tone would keep my brand authentic and approachable. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Back when I was pregnant with the twins, I had been searching Etsy for
the perfect calligrapher to help me make a custom art print for their nursery.
I stumbled across <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WestSheridan" target="_blank">West Sheridan</a>, and we got to work on the print that now hangs
in their <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2014/04/twins-nursery-reveal.html" target="_blank">room</a>. Fast forward a few months, while attending the Emily Ley
Playbook Webinar - Nicole popped up in the attendee list - and we reconnected.
She was probably thinking, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">who is this
stalker that remembers working with me 6 months ago</i>?! =) I emailed Nicole a
week or two later, sharing my ideas for a rebrand, and asking her if she’d
consider hand lettering my logo. What attracted me to Nicole in the first place
was her whimsical, imperfect lettering (and her sweet disposition!) and she got
started on the first round of my logo. After a few tweaks, and the decision to
add an alternate logo, this is where we ended. Nicole was a dream to work with,
and in the many late nights I was working on the rebrand and the new website,
looking at this logo made me know there was light at the end of the tunnel.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">With my inspiration board complete, colors chosen and my logo files in
hand, I set to compile a brand board of all of the key elements that would make
up Bella Carta Boutique. I searched for patterns & textures I thought best
fit my brand, as well as fonts that could play off each other well. Being able
to carry each element of your brand through to your website, print collateral
and the client experience is </span><i style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">so</i><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">
important, so I spent a lot of time experimenting with all of these elements
until I found the perfect combination.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-MEqxs-UDln6XIPfSft3eyRQOJSM2tiqBj6a45tLGzD0tYVu9tmkn2KKMUpp3fpL3Q0dXkXiqpOG8ZoQtJngGs8QvibIpYRX5uI25KmMyDv81sRMVndhAku9m8_wMGS3eLQQUlvcJypp/s1600/bella-carta-brand-board-new-jersey-invitations-announcements-stationery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-MEqxs-UDln6XIPfSft3eyRQOJSM2tiqBj6a45tLGzD0tYVu9tmkn2KKMUpp3fpL3Q0dXkXiqpOG8ZoQtJngGs8QvibIpYRX5uI25KmMyDv81sRMVndhAku9m8_wMGS3eLQQUlvcJypp/s1600/bella-carta-brand-board-new-jersey-invitations-announcements-stationery.jpg" height="640" width="494" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Confession: I love this brand board. I have a copy of it printed on my
desk, and sometimes just pull it out of the folder to take a look. It is such a
sweet reminder of the hard work that went into building this brand over the
summer, and was the first time I actually considered offering branding as a service
to clients. The entire process, and especially the methodical planning of each element,
really speaks to my type-A heart, and hopefully some time this year I will
begin offering this service to other small businesses!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Check back next week for Part Three in this series! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #999999; line-height: 18px;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;">Are you new here? Hi! I’m Jillian. Wife & mom, and small business owner. Bella Carta Boutique is a custom design studio, specializing in invitations, announcements and stationery for all of life’s most special occasions. We are located in Northern New Jersey, but serve clients in New York, Connecticut and Pennsylvania, and can ship worldwide. If you’d like to work with us, or learn more about what we do, <a href="http://www.bellacartaboutique.com/#!contact/cw1g" style="color: #fab187; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">click here</a>!</span></i></div>
Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-56879731055895264152015-01-09T08:00:00.000-05:002015-01-09T08:00:07.155-05:00Community Over Competition: Creative at Heart Recap<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Here we are, 3 days after the conference has ended, and I still don’t
feel like I have the appropriate words to share how attending changed me. What
I originally hoped to walk away with – clarity on the future of my business,
tangible changes to my marketing & product offerings – were quickly
replaced with things I wasn’t expecting. Inspiration. Community. Friends. A new
perspective on not only my business, but also on my personal life. The women at
this conference left a mark on my heart, and made me feel more confident and
inspired than I have in a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">One of my fears about this conference was that I wouldn’t learn enough.
That maybe this conference wasn’t right for me, or where my business was. Many
of the speakers and panelists were professional photographers, florists and
wedding planners. What could they share about their businesses that
would be applicable to mine? As soon as the very first speaker began her
presentation, I knew that fear was completely unfounded. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">Do any of you follow <a href="http://katelynjamesblog.com/" target="_blank">Katelyn James</a>? If not, you should start now. No
really, click over and read through her blog (after finishing this one!). She
is AMAZING. She began her business in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">college</i>.
And now? She and her husband run one of the most well known photography
businesses in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">world</i>. Brides pick
their wedding dates only after hearing when Katelyn James has openings for the
following year. You guys – that’s amazing. So when Katelyn started to speak –
about the importance of blogging for your business – what she had to say spoke
to us all. Stationery designers, florists, event planners, jewelry designers... every single one of
us were scribbling away, soaking in all of Katelyn’s wisdom. She didn’t build
her business on advertising, or social media. She built her business on
blogging. Most, if not all of her clients read her blog. And they want to book
her for their wedding day because they connect with her on a personal level.
They’ve witnessed her struggles, shared in the joy of her successes, and fell
in love with Katelyn before they ever wanted to be a KJ Bride. Katelyn was so
inspiring, so full of wisdom and thoughtful advice. She passionately believes
in education, and giving, and changing this entire industry to become one of
community instead of competition. That’s what made this conference unique. That
idea – community over competition – was the heart behind each and every
presentation, and is still what I’m hearing days later. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I could write for days about each speaker and what they had to offer,
and honestly, all of them were incredible. Katelyn’s presentation most
certainly set the tone, but each and every business owner shared their hearts
and wisdom with us, and changed each of us for the better. I was fortunate
enough to meet some woman whom I’ve admired from afar, during our breakout
sessions, and got to know them on a more personal level. I will forever be
grateful for their graciousness and willingness to open up to our group. And a huge thank you goes out to <a href="http://dearsweetheartevents.com/" target="_blank">Kat</a> & <a href="http://www.lettersofgracecalligraphy.com/" target="_blank">Taylor</a> for pouring their time and energy and their hearts into bringing all of us together. You both saw this vision long before we could, and we are all so thankful for your commitment to cultivating community. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">For those of you that know me personally, you know that I struggle with
feeling like my business is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">real</i>. In
the most literal sense, of course it is – I have a tax ID number, a website and
a steady stream of orders. But in the back of my mind, I have always felt like
this was a hobby, mainly because I was not in a position to take it full time.
And what I heard over and over this weekend, was that I was the only one
holding myself back. I was the only one minimizing my business. My commitment.
My dreams. Nothing tangible was ever going to make me feel legit, until I
started to own who I was, and what I did. The amount of hours I devote to my
business may not fit into a perfect 9-5 schedule, and that’s OK. Starting, and
growing a business is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hard</i> work. And
whether its 5 or 10, or 50 hours a week that I’m investing in this dream of
mine, its still <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">mine.</i> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I’ll be sharing my 2015 goals soon, which have changed slightly since
coming home from Creative at Heart. I want to be more transparent with you all,
about growing this business, about balancing a full-time job and being a
very-present mom and wife. Sharing my goals seems scary, but writing them down
and saying them out loud, in this space, will keep me accountable. I feel like
this week is my January first all over again – all I see is a blank
slate, full of opportunity, and am so excited for the changes to come this
year. I hope you all will follow me on this journey!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Are you
new here? Hi! I’m Jillian. Wife & mom, and small business owner. Bella
Carta Boutique is a custom design studio, specializing in invitations,
announcements and stationery for all of life’s most special occasions. We are
located in Northern New Jersey, but serve clients in New York, Connecticut and
Pennsylvania, and can ship worldwide. If you’d like to work with us, or learn
more about what we do, <a href="http://www.bellacartaboutique.com/#!contact/cw1g" target="_blank">click here</a>!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-16429463647786196952014-12-24T10:25:00.002-05:002014-12-24T10:25:21.454-05:00Thank You! <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">For what will most likely be my last post of 2014, I wanted to say thank
you. Thank you to all of my clients, new and old, who have trusted me with their most precious of memories, announcements and greetings this year. For the
clients that have challenged me to think outside the box, for the clients who are gracious when a package goes missing or when a printing error means that their invitations are delayed. For the clients who come back, year after year, and recommend
Bella Carta to their friends... thank you.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Thank you to all of our friends – both in real life, and our 'internet' friends –
who have cheered me on, shared their ideas and opened up doors that I didn’t know
existed. Thank you for giving me honest feedback, allowing me to bounce ideas off of you, and for the occasional vent sessions. Thank you to my sweet husband, who has never doubted this dream, who always supports my decisions, as crazy as they may be, and has always been my number one fan. None of this would be possible without you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And a special thank you to all of you that ordered in November, and helped me make a donation to St. Jude Children's Hospital in my brother's memory. Today would have been his 32nd birthday, and while nothing will ever take his place, knowing that there is a family out there who, in some small way, can benefit from our donation brings me so much joy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have big dreams and plans for 2015, and I've vowed to myself that I will take the next two weeks to make a plan of how to execute those dreams, instead of always feeling one step behind. I've learned so much this year, and am so thankful everything - good and bad - that has brought me to this place.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And while I wish I could send you all a card by mail, this one will have to do. This sentiment perfectly sums up this season of my life: rarely calm, but always bright. From my little family to yours, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy, New Year!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDFh79nCQwmdChtwh14aK1OzoxgjHNyVmrksGglUP_lZR0sT-1DeGgy2UPZ1Jss8-XF-vrsob_rcJA4gFo4-oerU9dU-mqHJq6mwSD8Ud5T0CiIp3Ws8nInyflSzy8jCgygykPs6nM2_B/s1600/ourchristmascard.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDFh79nCQwmdChtwh14aK1OzoxgjHNyVmrksGglUP_lZR0sT-1DeGgy2UPZ1Jss8-XF-vrsob_rcJA4gFo4-oerU9dU-mqHJq6mwSD8Ud5T0CiIp3Ws8nInyflSzy8jCgygykPs6nM2_B/s1600/ourchristmascard.jpg" height="638" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cheers!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(calligraphy by the talented <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/WestSheridan" target="_blank">West Sheridan</a>, design by <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BellaCartaBoutique?ref=hdr_shop_menu" target="_blank">me</a>!)</i></span></div>
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Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-57433752491532627102014-12-23T17:27:00.004-05:002014-12-23T17:27:56.204-05:00Favorite Holiday Cards from 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Oh, Christmas week, how I love you. I hope all of you (or most of you)
are reading this from the couch, in your jammies, getting ready to enjoy the
holidays with your families! Today was my last day of work, and now I’m off for
a week to celebrate the holidays and love on my babies!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">This season has been so incredible for my business – we’ve grown so much
since September, and have gotten to work with the sweetest clients. I’m so
excited for new things to come in 2015, but I’m having a hard time looking
forward to the new year. In many ways, I’m just not ready to bring 2014 to a
close. We just wrapped up one of our last Holiday Cards for the season, and in
doing so, realized how so many of this year’s cards have been special to me.
Here are some of my favorite cards from 2014!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjh3w0pvFbGX2RwN9DqxoqGkvIXFynGxjaxWtT3LmzI9A78BRUY2lWT1XtxO8InYiQYNYV1u5Sc3HarDqMfdnDwm-cqFnY3mVI6kCU3QwPuxaaQMMKZu2KfzT6FBLCpN7SYqa6DfjLjq7/s1600/IGfavorites_birthannouncement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEjh3w0pvFbGX2RwN9DqxoqGkvIXFynGxjaxWtT3LmzI9A78BRUY2lWT1XtxO8InYiQYNYV1u5Sc3HarDqMfdnDwm-cqFnY3mVI6kCU3QwPuxaaQMMKZu2KfzT6FBLCpN7SYqa6DfjLjq7/s1600/IGfavorites_birthannouncement.jpg" height="638" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">This card, for some reason, sticks out as my favorite. Maybe I’m feeling
nostalgic for my little babies (that are about to turn one in February!), or
the idea of having a sweet little newborn as the best Christmas gift a couple
could ever imagine. Either way, I just love that someone chose this design to
announce their daughter’s arrival.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7Bvecoxyu9zEe7dutuyUNDVCaM2LXWaly8azBjSPwqsduU0AUSf7m_IBAL2HS5hQSESgOrR5Wwnp3DjVIaAgWSyy7dRWKGJ28WaPqU3DHIW-ha4bgeA_3ZoQQeba1NorzOf3WpjdnQGR/s1600/favoritecards_group1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip7Bvecoxyu9zEe7dutuyUNDVCaM2LXWaly8azBjSPwqsduU0AUSf7m_IBAL2HS5hQSESgOrR5Wwnp3DjVIaAgWSyy7dRWKGJ28WaPqU3DHIW-ha4bgeA_3ZoQQeba1NorzOf3WpjdnQGR/s1600/favoritecards_group1.jpg" height="636" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lots of friends & family members in this group! I adore all of
these, and the Insta-Christmas card on the bottom left was by far and away our
most popular design this year. It makes me want to come up with new and more
creative ways to use Instagram pictures next year, since so many clients saw
this as an opportunity to showcase their ‘real life’.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia15peLwKw4gtnIaqMXCtVGqduwrJQQzB-gu_myAhrVOGnTnOAmN0dYbY13C47DsTCtYrnd6ge0u7itZ6xIrOQo0k_AyqDZN6tFHug0vdoPPenR8v-TbkyLRR90JvdzBFqYDaaresSMWlp/s1600/favoritecards_group2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia15peLwKw4gtnIaqMXCtVGqduwrJQQzB-gu_myAhrVOGnTnOAmN0dYbY13C47DsTCtYrnd6ge0u7itZ6xIrOQo0k_AyqDZN6tFHug0vdoPPenR8v-TbkyLRR90JvdzBFqYDaaresSMWlp/s1600/favoritecards_group2.jpg" height="636" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">And 4 more that I also love – two baby announcements, and two sets of
adorable little girls! I’ve mentioned it before, but I really do love the
challenge of new designs, and you our very first Thankful card definitely made
a mark this year. I’m already dreaming up some new designs to offer for next
Thanksgiving!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 10pt;">Be sure to check back tomorrow for one last post before I sign off for the
holidays!</span></div>
Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-29872897993769613522014-12-15T09:37:00.000-05:002014-12-15T09:37:07.554-05:00Journey to Rebranding: Part One<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Last week I mentioned I was planning to share more of the business, and
today I’m kicking off a 3-part series of how I tackled rebranding Bella Carta
over the summer, and how we ended up with the brand we currently have. I do
feel that building a brand is always evolving, and I’ve even made a few minor
changes after I landed on my brand board, but I am still thrilled with the final
result.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Prior to tackling my own rebranding, I did some research on what,
exactly, needed to be included, and looked to several designers I admire for
guidance on how to proceed. Small Business Rebranding is such a fascinating world, and there are so many designers who not only offer this service, but who also produce stunning results. While I would have loved for one of them to tackle
this for me, that wasn’t in the budget, so I decided to try it on my own.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">My very first step was to create an inspiration board on Pinterest of
images that really resonated with me – not just graphic design images, but
anything from outfits, to home décor and typography. I had read that
this was a crucial first step in a rebrand, and that you should focus on
imagery that you love, and that you feel resonates with the core of your
business. Narrowing down the images was difficult – I pretty much “love”
anything that I’ve pinned, so I tried to really find images that spoke to the direction
I wanted my business to take.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Right now, Bella Carta offers a wide range of products – invitations,
announcements, stationery & address stamps, for really any occasion. In doing this exercise, I also knew
that a big next step for us would be to include wedding invitations and
stationery, so I wanted my brand aesthetic to appeal to a wide range of
clients. When I started to put into words what I want Bella Carta to embody, I
realized at our core, I wanted the business to feel familiar and approachable. I want my clients to come back every year for their children’s
birthday parties, holiday cards, personal stationery, baptisms, graduations and
baby announcements. I want the busy mom who pushed off a party to the last
minute, to know that she can email me and have something the following week. I
don’t want customers to feel restricted by their budget or the size of the
party. I want all of my designs, regardless of the event, to feel clean,
classic and timeless. I want every design to always include something slightly
unexpected – a little touch of whimsy, or a small detail that makes it feel personal. I think this inspiration board is a
really great illustration of all of those things, and helped me make take the
next step in the redesign process.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc8SPMss1G7ldUGkCZTihXb_OD-RLPjgUli63onGJEJBUVnbUya-qSWxqBHB2OHNo96xWgoNC-iYCog-_-v5CmJ90H_YP4XhIpiiYAng_A812qAna_I9xtDgDnwv8IovySOGeD0oebHUu/s1600/bellacartabrandinspiration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKc8SPMss1G7ldUGkCZTihXb_OD-RLPjgUli63onGJEJBUVnbUya-qSWxqBHB2OHNo96xWgoNC-iYCog-_-v5CmJ90H_YP4XhIpiiYAng_A812qAna_I9xtDgDnwv8IovySOGeD0oebHUu/s1600/bellacartabrandinspiration.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Once I had my board together, I started to pull colors that were
reoccurring, and that would work well together both online and in print. Slate
Blue & Grey were the perfect neutral pairing, and coral and green seemed to
be a natural accent to those. Sophisticated but still playful. Classic with a
little whimsy. A strong foundation to build the rest of our business on.</span></div>
Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-55109703727509697082014-12-10T09:09:00.001-05:002014-12-10T13:39:16.541-05:00Creative at Heart<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">In four short weeks, I’ll be packing my bags and kissing my boys
goodbye, as I head down to Virginia for the Creative at Heart conference, the
brainchild of <a href="http://dearsweetheartevents.com/" target="_blank">Kat Schmoyer</a> & <a href="http://www.lettersofgracecalligraphy.com/" target="_blank">Taylor Schumann</a>, for two jam-packed days of
learning, sharing and laughing. When I began to reevaluate my business, I made a short list of conferences
that I’d like to attend as soon as next year. One of those was Stationery
Academy, which admittedly, is still very high on my list. This year, Stationery
Academy is in New Orleans and Phoenix, so I’m crossing my fingers they’re a tad
bit closer for their conferences in 2016. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">When Kat & Taylor announced the Creative at Heart conference back in
October, I was so thrilled. The conference is designed with creative
entrepreneurs in mind, to cultivate lasting relationships and community, and to
inspire woman to live their dream.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“It’s
about combining practical business knowledge, inspiring content & purposeful
community” – sounds pretty perfect, to me! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Kat and Taylor are women I admire in this industry, both for their
talent and tenacity, and for the grit to see their dreams through. The line up
of speakers is AH-mazing, with so many inspiring and creative women, willing to
share their journey, knowledge and failures with our group. I’m so excited to
soak up the whole experience, learn from these deeply passionate woman, and
walk away inspired and energized to follow my dreams in the new year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">One of the things I’m most excited about, is meeting some of my
“virtual” friends in person! I’ve met so many other wonderful women through
social media, and my business, who are also attending this conference, and I
can’t wait to hug them, share stories, and learn in this encouraging environment, together. And while I’m so excited for all of this to
unfold in a few weeks, I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I’m also a tad nervous.
For one, this is the first time I’ll be leaving the twins overnight, and only
the second time I’ll be leaving A. As a working mom, my night-time routines
with all 3 of them are sacred, so my momma heart breaks a little that I won’t
be the one putting them down at night. The rest of my emotions are a mix of
anxiousness and excitement: about spending 3 days with a group of 75 woman I’ve
never met in person, travelling 5 hours alone, and feeling a little bit
insecure about my business and my dreams. I know what I’m feeling is normal,
and that when I’m driving back on January 5<sup>th</sup>, I will be so thankful
that I made this decision. That I invested in myself and my dreams, and that I
took a giant leap of faith.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-13408572960905509632014-12-05T09:39:00.000-05:002014-12-05T09:39:28.029-05:00The State of Things<div class="MsoNormal" style="mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">It's been 6 months since the last time I wrote a
blog post. Blogging was always on my to-do list, but never seemed to make it to the
top. At some point this last year I decided that it would become a priority
again when I had the time, and that I would give myself permission to not feel
guilty about it until that time came. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">The last 6 months have quite literally flown by. 6 months ago, my
littlest boys were just 3 months old, and I had just returned to my full-time
job. 6 months ago, my oldest had just turned 3, and was adjusting to his role
as a big brother. 6 months ago, I made a commitment to myself to truly
reevaluate my business, and to think really hard about how, and why, I wanted
it to grow. I made a silent vow to myself when I opened Bella Carta, that
whenever I stopped feeling that pull to design - to be creative - that I would
stop. After the twins were born, I was so excited to get back into
designing, to bring to life new ideas I had written down over the last few
years… to truly challenge myself. If in the end, if it didn’t pan out the way I
thought it would, I didn’t want to look back and say <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">I could have tried harder.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBf0153LuKRP5MNP4lx6F6Nm44ESSa93HXo6Psy9TgcpKBQxZQWPJFhbNoiFgd6vqmFj6on5tUXKFtRLjo9Hqe8pAcInlkhUxp8JQ8_6Hhq0NBRkv1Wdh2bLQWbamnzXgFMd7N3Pb7kKBe/s1600/DSC_0007bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBf0153LuKRP5MNP4lx6F6Nm44ESSa93HXo6Psy9TgcpKBQxZQWPJFhbNoiFgd6vqmFj6on5tUXKFtRLjo9Hqe8pAcInlkhUxp8JQ8_6Hhq0NBRkv1Wdh2bLQWbamnzXgFMd7N3Pb7kKBe/s1600/DSC_0007bw.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">So while the last 6 months have been busy with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">life, </i>they’ve also been very full. Raising 3 little boys, working
full-time, and devoting all of my extra time to the business. My train commute
to and from work, nap-time, bed-time, car-rides – anytime I’m home, and not
being “mom”, I’m in work mode. I’m totally guilty of trying to also do work
while they’re awake, but it never, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ever, </i>works
out, and just leaves all of us frustrated. The balance is totally elusive, but
I work really hard to be present, and to do all my jobs, well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">As you can probably tell (maybe not, if you read this blog in
BlogLovin), the blog is now a part of the website. And while that is slightly
confusing and maybe not the best business decision, there was too much history
in my blog to abandon it, or change the name, all-together. Maybe one day, just
not right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So while a lot of this
blog has been very personal in nature, I’m not exactly sure if it will continue
to look like that in the future. I’m sure I’ll continue to share pictures of
the kids once in a while, but I’m not sure that every post will be about them.
Originally, Earning Our Stripes was intended to be mostly about our home
renovation projects, which most likely will continue to live on here. Most of
our projects have ceased – both for a lack of time, and for a lack of updates
that need to be done. We’ve completely outgrown our home, and are planning to
move in the next year or so, so any updates made from now on are with resale in
mind (read: maybe not my style!). I do love looking back at my old posts, so
for now, they’re not going anywhere!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA3vaaz2Z-1YBirjuI3DUiSkaABTCfe8fywNZCmlw5BL_rwl8I4Gkaa0VYfBI_-TJMZkhrXo386Rrd9kfVZsS6kRtLIZyMA-jKTjh172HvRjNXYjfpjmmZ1YQXmKXGoZ2V3R8b95ChnXz/s1600/DSC_0254bw.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyA3vaaz2Z-1YBirjuI3DUiSkaABTCfe8fywNZCmlw5BL_rwl8I4Gkaa0VYfBI_-TJMZkhrXo386Rrd9kfVZsS6kRtLIZyMA-jKTjh172HvRjNXYjfpjmmZ1YQXmKXGoZ2V3R8b95ChnXz/s1600/DSC_0254bw.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;">I will be sharing a lot more about the business in this space – about
the brand, my goals, our milestones and our struggles. I hope to share a bit
more about some other small business owners that I’ve met this last year, who
have helped shape me, or my business, in some way. I hope to be sharing some
new products, inspiration boards, parties and gift ideas. I hope that this
place becomes a spot for others to reference when looking for vendors, color
palettes, inspiration or advice. And if you originally came here to read about
my home, or my kids, I hope you’ll continue to read and be inspired. I’ve made
some wonderful – no, amazing – friendships from blogging the last few years,
and I’m so thankful for this community of inspiring, creative woman who
continue to support and encourage each other. I’m excited to be “back”!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Times; font-size: 10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Times;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>pictures courtesy of <a href="http://www.tandemstudios.org/" target="_blank">Tandem Studios</a></i></span></div>
Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-18061417984671177362014-05-15T01:26:00.000-04:002014-05-15T01:26:01.610-04:00Twin Talk Blog FeatureI'm honored to have been featured over at <a href="http://www.twintalkblog.com/2014/05/bringing-home-twins-with-older-sibling.html" target="_blank">Twin Talk Blog</a> yesterday!<br />
<br />
Amber & Meredith have created a wonderful resource for other twin moms, and asked that I share our story of how we prepared A for the twins' arrival. I know that this new site will be an invaluable resource for other mom's of multiples - I certainly wish it had existed when I found out we were expecting twins!<br />
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I'd love if you went to check it out! You can also follow Amber & Meredith on Instagram (@twintalkblog)<br />
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<br />Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-35483316652401977372014-04-25T13:46:00.001-04:002014-04-25T13:46:43.324-04:00Twins Nursery RevealSo thrilled to be sharing J&L's nursery! I'm so in love with this room. It's tiny & cozy, and everything I imagined it could be. <div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbISv1CQJHKZVv3c_7QCR-GwY4BHdurVMxNAm5K94zXL3T_9QJV3uXrFIrN0Yua0ukxkpxcbXDPcyDfGWHyCxJXzzuzdIraWX75Ao0-nUrtIsDZNqRMzj0Gu9HB7XpzBirmn3GmFrCUu9s/s1600/twins_nursery_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbISv1CQJHKZVv3c_7QCR-GwY4BHdurVMxNAm5K94zXL3T_9QJV3uXrFIrN0Yua0ukxkpxcbXDPcyDfGWHyCxJXzzuzdIraWX75Ao0-nUrtIsDZNqRMzj0Gu9HB7XpzBirmn3GmFrCUu9s/s1600/twins_nursery_4.jpg" height="640" width="496" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLDpRkJTtRVzUxAI04V4IVMMxQ4YK_wALW0oY4kbB6PHYMmVxct74jL1YesE_mE9HAQJrdyvmOTHr4waRbHDRhxEGNA7uX-8KZ-OgLWFdsMuTSdnsDrYEssJPv3KgD-ZWqna-YXEupztF/s1600/twins_nursery_5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLDpRkJTtRVzUxAI04V4IVMMxQ4YK_wALW0oY4kbB6PHYMmVxct74jL1YesE_mE9HAQJrdyvmOTHr4waRbHDRhxEGNA7uX-8KZ-OgLWFdsMuTSdnsDrYEssJPv3KgD-ZWqna-YXEupztF/s1600/twins_nursery_5.jpg" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
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I'll be adding a source list soon, but if you have any questions, please send me an email!</div>
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Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-5393066934227703822014-04-09T23:12:00.001-04:002014-04-26T21:43:38.321-04:00The Twins Are Here (and other musings)Well, well, well...<br />
Where do I start?<br />
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Lots has happened in the last 3 months.<br />
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First and foremost, we welcomed our two little loves into the world.<br />
Luca Charles & James Sullivan were born on February 3rd, at 38wks.<br />
Luca weighed 7lbs 4oz, and was 21" long.<br />
James arrived 11 minutes after his brother, weighing 6lbs 7oz and 20.25" long.<br />
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I won't be sharing their birth story, not because I don't love you all, but instead because I just think it's something I want to keep private. I will tell you that they were born naturally, and came much quicker than their older brother. I did end up going into labor all on my own (hooray!) and made it to the hospital just before one of February's biggest snowstorms.<br />
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These two little boys have filled my heart with so much love. It's true what they say - your love is not lessened for your first, it just doubles (or triples!) when you meet your newest family members. Luca & James have completed our family in a way I didn't know was possible, and I am forever grateful that they were big & healthy and were able to come home with us after a 2-day stay in the hospital.<br />
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A is doing great with them. I'm truly in awe of how much a two-and-a-half year old can comprehend, and process, about his growing family. Anthony didn't bat an eye when we left for the hospital bright and early one morning. And when my parents showed him a picture of his new brothers after they were born, he quietly asked "Babies came out of momma's belly?", and continued sledding. I did not believe that he understood that there would be TWO babies coming home (even though he would tell everyone there were two babies in Momma's belly), but as soon as he met them, he loved them, and hasn't stopped. He is a wonderful age to really "help" me - getting a diaper, or pacifier, or finding the sock I managed to drop from the nursery to the living room. Every morning he greets them with smiles and kisses, sings them songs when they're sad, and more recently, tries to get them to smile. Nothing makes me tear-up more than seeing the 3 of them interact...<br />
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And I'm choked up just typing that.<br />
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January was filled with a lot of waiting around, a few false alarms and subsequent trips to Labor & Delivery. I cleaned the house from top to bottom, willing labor to start on it's own, but these boys were on their own schedule. I spent a lot of quality time with A - loving on him, spoiling him and making sure he knew how much we loved him. I was angst-ridden at the thought of ruining his life by bringing his siblings home (I know - it was the pregnancy hormones - but I'm being honest here). All of my friends came to the rescue and told me that it would all go away the second I laid eyes on the twins. And it did.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Mq4ivrBw3y6WLn4U1XT3rE4W_hxGhtuxrKdH_LGaDPgjWZNNDi0Mym6-W4YrU2Q6jG3HSZTRxlzs5qYUHYR2ftX6voXjGHO5vXgGV83k4kF6mxlpnGTAkEdWF-dFDWx3jxJ-J6Yaddwd/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Mq4ivrBw3y6WLn4U1XT3rE4W_hxGhtuxrKdH_LGaDPgjWZNNDi0Mym6-W4YrU2Q6jG3HSZTRxlzs5qYUHYR2ftX6voXjGHO5vXgGV83k4kF6mxlpnGTAkEdWF-dFDWx3jxJ-J6Yaddwd/s1600/IMG_0387.JPG" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">taken the day before Luca & James were born</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I never would have made it through my pregnancy, or the last 2 months, without my "village". I am forever grateful to my parents, my in-laws and my friends for constantly encouraging me, loving me and picking up the missing pieces when I needed it the most. And of course, Craig. He was eternally patient, loving and level-headed during the craziest of times. Now, watching him with his 3 boys makes me love him even more than I did before. I am blessed beyond words.<br />
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I have been home for almost 5 months now, and cannot believe my maternity leave is coming to an end. I'm sad to go back, but also know that it's the right decision for my family. Maybe one day it won't be, but today it is. I hope to be posting more than I have been, but to be perfectly honest, there's not a lot of time in the day. Our days are filled with giggles & tears (from the twins and from A... and sometimes from me), lots of eating and snuggles, and a desperate attempt to get these boys to sleep better than their older brother. Life is crazy right now, but it is also fleeting, and I'm trying to soak it all in.<br />
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Hope to be back soon with a few more pictures & updates!<br />
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Linking up with <a href="http://www.twintalkblog.com/2014/04/multiple-birth-awareness-month-link-up.html" target="_blank">Twin Talk Blog</a> for Multiples Awareness Month!Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-44947413908350432582014-01-16T10:47:00.002-05:002014-01-16T10:47:56.298-05:00Twins' Nursery Sneak PeekI won't be sharing the full nursery until the twins' are here. First and foremost, there are zero in-progress shots. And second, one wall is not complete until it contains their initials - which we are keeping a secret until their "birth"day. This thrills my mother to no end (insert sarcasm here) - she doesn't understand why I won't just tell <i>her. </i>Some things need to be a surprise, right?!<i> </i><br />
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Until then, here are two pictures - one is my view from our room, and the other is their dresser & view into our room. Their nursery is so calming and sweet to me - maybe because it's (most likely) the last nursery I'll ever design, but also because it's super cozy. 10'x9' is a small space, but we made it work!<br />
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The dresser was a Craigslist purchase, and originally looked like this (photo taken by seller). <br />
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It was purchased when she was pregnant with her daughter, 18 years ago,
and also used as her changing table. She was thrilled when I told her it
would be finding a home in another nursery.<br />
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A little sanding, rub'n'buff and some new $2 handles from Lowes, and we had exactly what I had been looking for!<br />
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Hopefully only a few more days until our boys are here... fingers crossed!<br />
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<br />Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-56204593788064013212014-01-14T08:00:00.000-05:002014-01-14T08:00:03.842-05:00What I Read: 2013<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Reading is one of the few things that I do only for me...<br />
I love getting lost in a book, connecting with the characters, and thinking about the plot long after I've finished. <br />
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I tell my husband all the time that my dream job would be to read books and write reviews on them. I would love love <b>LOVE </b>to get paid to read books all day!<br />
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One of my 2013 resolutions had been to read 1 book a month. As someone who commutes by train daily to work, I read <i>a lot. </i>My reading happens to come in spurts, so while I do read at least 12 books in a year, sometimes I read 3 in a month and none in the next.<br />
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Here's a rundown of what I read last year, along with links to each book! <br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/030758836X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=030758836X&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Gone Girl</a>, by Gillian Flynn</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0345803450/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0345803450&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Sweet Tooth</a>, by Ian McEwan</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062024035" target="_blank">Divergent</a>, by Veronica Roth</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062024043/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062024043&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Insurgent,</a> by Veronica Roth</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCou4O7Loo6dVH-9wSoIyAIpcf8NhXlQyPzq6WOVZAk7alC9gwbl8G2nHQ7LkGqsEahoq45t4GaKvqfZ8P7Ub5f417vOy8ApJ1lAEgNsXZnNXgJsaqEmD0cMsJSYN_zr0pyecNne5esgu4/s1600/517gOImApNL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2%252CTopRight%252C1%252C0_SH20_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCou4O7Loo6dVH-9wSoIyAIpcf8NhXlQyPzq6WOVZAk7alC9gwbl8G2nHQ7LkGqsEahoq45t4GaKvqfZ8P7Ub5f417vOy8ApJ1lAEgNsXZnNXgJsaqEmD0cMsJSYN_zr0pyecNne5esgu4/s1600/517gOImApNL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2%252CTopRight%252C1%252C0_SH20_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1400064163/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1400064163&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Unbroken</a>, by Laura Hillenbrand</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00BZAJMWG/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00BZAJMWG&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">The Silver Linings Playbook</a>, by Matthew Quick</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310325501/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0310325501&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0310325501/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0310325501&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Praying Circles Around Your Children</a>, by Mark Batterson</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0312554184/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0312554184&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Where We Belong</a>, by Emily Giffin</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385344228/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0385344228&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Defending Jacob</a>, by William Landay</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAWXUav8PMG4SHQA1hcFjXBy0XWoVJZIyvrWCZ_wDvzDyYYP6oMH2lbN76eLHHrgX5-MDSmN0a9EgMzl8LrCoz-fyHsC8ouYC5C_OdwNGQtXvXwjDhvFsVYjSb9ye0qQYeyrKVBFMu3rP/s1600/51nok%252BZY6ZL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2%252CTopRight%252C1%252C0_SH20_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbAWXUav8PMG4SHQA1hcFjXBy0XWoVJZIyvrWCZ_wDvzDyYYP6oMH2lbN76eLHHrgX5-MDSmN0a9EgMzl8LrCoz-fyHsC8ouYC5C_OdwNGQtXvXwjDhvFsVYjSb9ye0qQYeyrKVBFMu3rP/s1600/51nok%252BZY6ZL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2%252CTopRight%252C1%252C0_SH20_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" height="320" width="210" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439102775/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439102775&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">The Storyteller</a>, Jodi Picoult</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0062045040/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0062045040&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Bloom</a>, by Kelle Hampton</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439164657/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439164657&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Left Neglected</a>, by Lisa Genova</div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439102813/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439102813&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1439102813/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1439102813&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Still Alice</a>, by Lisa Genova </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxPaO3Rx69H54M5AkTsMt0LGkHhnWUdZJJ1-mEhFvvARGWkJNjE7OYTvHhYS4AODRxpLsF2L3z0iC8Qd27Olvxn5S6ffWCoMYf7dkU23WWbV3TbI7FkHDhP5jRlfgIw94ui3nURtebQq8/s1600/51KLICoyayL._SX258_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxPaO3Rx69H54M5AkTsMt0LGkHhnWUdZJJ1-mEhFvvARGWkJNjE7OYTvHhYS4AODRxpLsF2L3z0iC8Qd27Olvxn5S6ffWCoMYf7dkU23WWbV3TbI7FkHDhP5jRlfgIw94ui3nURtebQq8/s1600/51KLICoyayL._SX258_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061803073/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061803073&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0061803073/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0061803073&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">When You're Expecting Twins, Triplets & Quads</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZzOYhjOa_ZAxGedQGDWorCU7LIFj4Zdk4MbKEWfIhe3krAWyOZAAy9G4VP8d-dEtuSIoYWk3HE-8FPf-PGNTNzjCOiGbnlB9C5MTfjkXbkzDbMaKLcvVEwVbWvlqgyFCBM_YdcCHI_px/s1600/41LPBRNaVCL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ZzOYhjOa_ZAxGedQGDWorCU7LIFj4Zdk4MbKEWfIhe3krAWyOZAAy9G4VP8d-dEtuSIoYWk3HE-8FPf-PGNTNzjCOiGbnlB9C5MTfjkXbkzDbMaKLcvVEwVbWvlqgyFCBM_YdcCHI_px/s1600/41LPBRNaVCL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="320" width="229" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDMwpzIP-uR-wvAAzFC37V5zd-xKfmxGy6yo2g2ngT0B2XxO3TbpDcx_Scmwt325R7-nJ_Tn3IQSCj1n118qko3kcsaft4ariuSk2VdVT9zVQmnAaaHf7ebLjNeWi0CpxmzEQrXjRinda/s1600/41k66TFC43L._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDMwpzIP-uR-wvAAzFC37V5zd-xKfmxGy6yo2g2ngT0B2XxO3TbpDcx_Scmwt325R7-nJ_Tn3IQSCj1n118qko3kcsaft4ariuSk2VdVT9zVQmnAaaHf7ebLjNeWi0CpxmzEQrXjRinda/s1600/41k66TFC43L._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545626382/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0545626382&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0545626382/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0545626382&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">The Hunger Games Trilogy</a>, by Suzanne Collins</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fVEk1coHH36ZF7I59ZAEntmNBqyqEJWookkoGepYjeKlOYmYsA_ITXzV4Snhda6nNcgxo6n04guOFLt7susg1ubf6vr4lGgQSove51P7HzyYHpMeCekvntFXQRnlQAmiAzy5y5qjRVyO/s1600/51u%252BqgsEUFL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2%252CTopRight%252C1%252C0_SH20_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fVEk1coHH36ZF7I59ZAEntmNBqyqEJWookkoGepYjeKlOYmYsA_ITXzV4Snhda6nNcgxo6n04guOFLt7susg1ubf6vr4lGgQSove51P7HzyYHpMeCekvntFXQRnlQAmiAzy5y5qjRVyO/s1600/51u%252BqgsEUFL._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2%252CTopRight%252C1%252C0_SH20_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399159347/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399159347&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank"><br /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0399159347/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0399159347&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">The Husband's Secret,</a> by Liane Moriarty</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EjVZ43yi6qiMGj5G1ZIBNQgUCwNwK785XH_pc0AubC8gO79cKGaqtWvdBOen5yUoYJjMXULcobb1m4vmQf1MJGvNrO7mc2vZu3s-l0oIdQSPpTdh6vu61qrl0QRzl3FJyiJbJx7HBWFY/s1600/51C4TVE-R2L._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5EjVZ43yi6qiMGj5G1ZIBNQgUCwNwK785XH_pc0AubC8gO79cKGaqtWvdBOen5yUoYJjMXULcobb1m4vmQf1MJGvNrO7mc2vZu3s-l0oIdQSPpTdh6vu61qrl0QRzl3FJyiJbJx7HBWFY/s1600/51C4TVE-R2L._SY344_PJlook-inside-v2,TopRight,1,0_SH20_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" height="320" width="219" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/006202406X/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=006202406X&linkCode=as2&tag=earningourstr-20" target="_blank">Allegiant</a>, by Veronica Roth<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Affiliate links were used in this post.</span> </div>
Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-62266331655880442282014-01-13T08:00:00.000-05:002014-01-13T08:00:05.787-05:00Family Pictures - Fall 2013Just wanted to share some of the family pictures we had taken this fall! A was a little ornery during this half hour session (he had a little cold, <i>and </i>had fallen asleep in the car = bad combo). But I still love looking at these, especially since our photographer was able to capture my belly, and some really great pictures of us as a family.<br />
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<br />Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-32928978989158288102014-01-10T08:00:00.000-05:002014-01-10T08:00:10.805-05:002013 Year-in-ReviewBetter late than never, right? It was so fun to look back at all of the posts over the last year - here are some of my favorites!<br />
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In January, I shared my <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/01/happy-new-year-2012-resolutions.html" target="_blank">2012 Resolutions</a>, and make some new ones for <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/01/twenty-thirteen-resolutions.html" target="_blank">2013</a>. I also shared our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/01/project-playroom-part-i-current-playroom.html" target="_blank">current playroom, </a>as well as my <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/01/project-playroom-part-ii-inspiration.html" target="_blank">inspiration</a> and project list for the new year to turn this space into a functional office/guest room/play space.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUZ-_18s8cHulXujUCTK46Uj8WYsKUx8IPyuUH7c3E4hQS-gGx4Blieo0pbG9Stn0K94AbKN4rs2ubUiagXD4adnHvAwmZOQW0vgl7FNLCsZPqutWXRPCUgFYTjovvvPg4k2WXBV_cKZK/s1600/plaroominspiration.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvUZ-_18s8cHulXujUCTK46Uj8WYsKUx8IPyuUH7c3E4hQS-gGx4Blieo0pbG9Stn0K94AbKN4rs2ubUiagXD4adnHvAwmZOQW0vgl7FNLCsZPqutWXRPCUgFYTjovvvPg4k2WXBV_cKZK/s1600/plaroominspiration.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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I also shared A's big <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/01/my-baby-sleeps-on-dog-bed.html" target="_blank">transition to a big boy bed</a> (via a dog bed - true story), which ended up being very successful for us!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyeOQgWmR0tFuIgSShNcGqrnI-6hY6jp53Bi-TaZR78YF3VeeNJtpBt3SOFkYx3MkPnRKm7o9YS29I8ps05ijsrfej_5y9-QJG-KRPS3jeXUqlohg6KovRf4JAalIeBX1e55Jgy7dS89F/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyeOQgWmR0tFuIgSShNcGqrnI-6hY6jp53Bi-TaZR78YF3VeeNJtpBt3SOFkYx3MkPnRKm7o9YS29I8ps05ijsrfej_5y9-QJG-KRPS3jeXUqlohg6KovRf4JAalIeBX1e55Jgy7dS89F/s1600/photo%25282%2529.JPG" height="298" width="400" /></a></div>
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And in some business updates, I shared <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/01/on-not-quitting.html" target="_blank">some of my struggles</a> as a start-up small business, and my decision to keep moving forward with my dreams (as well a picture of one of my favorite birth announcement displays, to-date!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBXT5AIKGPbO-qzFbGPD8-6UpTymf8rJUITrgpyb8HOL1H5JAJkIXv3zI3H-LUG-gpbguaFKfg32s6LdMQxy96ANnGZJnbTpG8K6zCQLeSqeVkHGv6cBFI-PRg0Gv5eZiPm4OjCxYF4yD/s1600/anounce94.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBXT5AIKGPbO-qzFbGPD8-6UpTymf8rJUITrgpyb8HOL1H5JAJkIXv3zI3H-LUG-gpbguaFKfg32s6LdMQxy96ANnGZJnbTpG8K6zCQLeSqeVkHGv6cBFI-PRg0Gv5eZiPm4OjCxYF4yD/s1600/anounce94.jpg" height="285" width="400" /></a></div>
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In February, I shared what we gave A for <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/02/a-valentines-gift-for-a.html" target="_blank">Valentine's Day</a>, some updates to our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/02/master-bedroom-updates.html" target="_blank">Master Bedroom</a>, <br />
and celebrated <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/02/happy-birthday.html" target="_blank">C's birthday</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffStbQjrRQNco6UfykjYNmryh1QdBk4depO97m_KBJB_gWGCPJfY1Sxs4q1Y1aH23sIiIC7Xk410DWTFLDEePsZZUeDcPKymB9reiBvJaynPly5qV9VQC6O3TIO1T5WmKkTbFKFoCQiJw/s1600/bedroomtweaks1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgffStbQjrRQNco6UfykjYNmryh1QdBk4depO97m_KBJB_gWGCPJfY1Sxs4q1Y1aH23sIiIC7Xk410DWTFLDEePsZZUeDcPKymB9reiBvJaynPly5qV9VQC6O3TIO1T5WmKkTbFKFoCQiJw/s1600/bedroomtweaks1.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNxwXmzv6I7aohPH2soU3-ddbK6gPBbUbY0PrdQKwKWbYS53wuRUxAAYqJ5vTSPqMeyMq5tAO9Zhp9pmYSVfruqEyRnhXHqKeiHrY9HKxeIVZVfYJZu_FUgrhomvInjDSAXg9TdKwc9OU/s1600/jillian_craig-0677.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwNxwXmzv6I7aohPH2soU3-ddbK6gPBbUbY0PrdQKwKWbYS53wuRUxAAYqJ5vTSPqMeyMq5tAO9Zhp9pmYSVfruqEyRnhXHqKeiHrY9HKxeIVZVfYJZu_FUgrhomvInjDSAXg9TdKwc9OU/s1600/jillian_craig-0677.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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In March, I shared what I included in A's <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/03/easter-basket.html" target="_blank">Easter Basket</a>, and some progress that we had made in the <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/03/project-playroom-part-iv-progress.html" target="_blank">playroom</a>. Knowing that we were repainting shortly, I also shared a tour of our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/03/home-tour-friday-kitchen.html" target="_blank">kitchen</a> as part of our Home Tour Friday series.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSE6wjBlPDgdf498LycpCxTUFrWp9FjHaQZQJDUXArGYZ1XFYrTD5Or0dbTf-3d9_gQXNxl0WCm7b4LIS6Ji5N71yjb2cdSQpmQxBbcNRln8C_18cWJ7wRpZzwmy0oQPI_icH3zfegSlu/s1600/easterbasket1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJSE6wjBlPDgdf498LycpCxTUFrWp9FjHaQZQJDUXArGYZ1XFYrTD5Or0dbTf-3d9_gQXNxl0WCm7b4LIS6Ji5N71yjb2cdSQpmQxBbcNRln8C_18cWJ7wRpZzwmy0oQPI_icH3zfegSlu/s1600/easterbasket1.jpg" height="400" width="291" /></a></div>
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I also completed two quick DIY projects: <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/03/mirror-update-with-annie-sloan-chalk.html" target="_blank">a mirror update with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint</a> and a <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/03/diy-fabric-covered-cork-board.html" target="_blank">fabric covered cork board</a> (also for my new office in the playroom).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgM-vEc-yDgdPvn7898FldZhBlH2m9vRLjDp285IJHaEHeNB6tBOSy4YJgoWWpHCGnTVcGXJvnsaTF8qp1ubBFssMZMDm3G3FW0TmMsfqDhYeuzHTg4vUpD99TcieUU-r7Hb54Y0K3EvyL/s1600/anniesloan4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgM-vEc-yDgdPvn7898FldZhBlH2m9vRLjDp285IJHaEHeNB6tBOSy4YJgoWWpHCGnTVcGXJvnsaTF8qp1ubBFssMZMDm3G3FW0TmMsfqDhYeuzHTg4vUpD99TcieUU-r7Hb54Y0K3EvyL/s1600/anniesloan4.jpg" height="400" width="297" /></a></div>
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And last but not least, I shared some of my favorite "<a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/03/our-mommy-must-haves.html" target="_blank">Mommy Must Haves</a>" with 4 of my favorite bloggers!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRl2lt7obXlHcjgTw-dtVRcZ8Jep0NTV8Pslezm0PIWEMMxMWECc9vgUNGV8iiPt2xX2Dov3Tb7zXbuOWI44AR0Mb629YkK9GxGmF7DKICZANjr2KQ5KdDVFHxsW998ImhzAbTnnYR0BR/s1600/musthaves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuRl2lt7obXlHcjgTw-dtVRcZ8Jep0NTV8Pslezm0PIWEMMxMWECc9vgUNGV8iiPt2xX2Dov3Tb7zXbuOWI44AR0Mb629YkK9GxGmF7DKICZANjr2KQ5KdDVFHxsW998ImhzAbTnnYR0BR/s1600/musthaves.jpg" height="400" width="400" /> </a></div>
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April was a really big month for us! First we celebrated Easter, and shared <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/04/project-playroom-part-v-art-wall.html" target="_blank">A's new art space in our playroom</a>!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYo62LYcHgZy_WscmzeSaaevNBxdGIwlPIqShkuHZhw119WdczDmeCEPFgQv0VRUQcWRux51W5b0fbN_HqCLab57yGJPCKVK07DumvCtXJOrnEu4OuwN_pVDKWh93aoKqHwgRhecnwGlr/s1600/artwall5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYo62LYcHgZy_WscmzeSaaevNBxdGIwlPIqShkuHZhw119WdczDmeCEPFgQv0VRUQcWRux51W5b0fbN_HqCLab57yGJPCKVK07DumvCtXJOrnEu4OuwN_pVDKWh93aoKqHwgRhecnwGlr/s1600/artwall5.jpg" height="238" width="400" /> </a></div>
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And the following week, our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/04/happy-birthday-a.html" target="_blank">little guy turned 2</a>! We celebrated with a <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/04/little-blue-truck-birthday-party.html" target="_blank">Little Blue Truck Birthday Party</a>, that was nominated for party of the week on Project Nursery! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUVj6DstHtJODie0z8KppY3yYHp7-nFUJCGe5mirmlx9APgFUDKdaxkkJwKbDUU38DrBynlmwAzgLUveOaFT7iHKKKNEoYNB8fJZl99e8P46iu1lerKssF81G5wyth51VjKcDhrGzUcCy/s1600/littlebluetruckglassware.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUVj6DstHtJODie0z8KppY3yYHp7-nFUJCGe5mirmlx9APgFUDKdaxkkJwKbDUU38DrBynlmwAzgLUveOaFT7iHKKKNEoYNB8fJZl99e8P46iu1lerKssF81G5wyth51VjKcDhrGzUcCy/s1600/littlebluetruckglassware.jpg" height="400" width="292" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLjTpDnF-aj07n7hrof9uEY1_giEO3AvhhHyqdbTermBGNJyMeYQxbXRFaXug5ureWwzTUj3T1KdpuXL8GvLAHbMU_p52RcVp0P4nwke9PQWBU6bze2EecDGg7yEPhXQ7tF7VADpVTRaM/s1600/littlebluetruckpartytable.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioLjTpDnF-aj07n7hrof9uEY1_giEO3AvhhHyqdbTermBGNJyMeYQxbXRFaXug5ureWwzTUj3T1KdpuXL8GvLAHbMU_p52RcVp0P4nwke9PQWBU6bze2EecDGg7yEPhXQ7tF7VADpVTRaM/s1600/littlebluetruckpartytable.jpg" height="400" width="295" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni6AmDWaF85QsBgWHybPlA7zCQLIRbNnrU7OA1BkttA-DBVOO6L5Phhx0sOm48mEqQ-sZWE_x1rK1BTQjBOz7OjhuAKRgSFNZxiU6gTZiguwTvu099ql-dXB3V7YrWCL05w8KV9GG_ObI/s1600/littlebluetruckpartycake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjni6AmDWaF85QsBgWHybPlA7zCQLIRbNnrU7OA1BkttA-DBVOO6L5Phhx0sOm48mEqQ-sZWE_x1rK1BTQjBOz7OjhuAKRgSFNZxiU6gTZiguwTvu099ql-dXB3V7YrWCL05w8KV9GG_ObI/s1600/littlebluetruckpartycake.jpg" height="383" width="400" /></a></div>
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In April, we also completed our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/04/our-finished-bathroom.html" target="_blank">major bathroom renovation</a> (thankfully, before the birthday party!) - our biggest DIY to-date, and shared our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/04/kitchen-updates.html" target="_blank">kitchen makeover</a> (which was really just some new paint!)</div>
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In May, I shared how I make our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/05/our-family-albums-through-blurb.html" target="_blank">family albums through Blurb</a>...</div>
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and linked up with my friend Darci to share <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/05/summer-patio-fun-guest-post-at-good.html" target="_blank">my dream patio makeover</a> (on a budget, of course!) </div>
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In June, I started my "What's Not Working" series - which was the catalyst for a lot of organizing around our house. The first thing we tackled was <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/06/whats-not-working-dvd-collection.html" target="_blank">our DVD collection</a>, and then, <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/06/whats-not-working-our-mail.html" target="_blank">our mail</a>.</div>
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We also <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/06/new-kitchen-pictures.html" target="_blank">painted our kitchen door,</a> which totally transformed the room. And I also made a few small updates to our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-few-dining-room-updates.html" target="_blank">dining room</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGXWnf9GiSc5MwYdBB6R16wxNKBNwbMFu7L2diStXzoSZ-486c_BT0C4hZqFQeIEMwsdXa3OUoPtAvfECQKZya2WGlRVJ6PYVoU1a01GWBHZILjFQ2WPxs8rN1qGGiJ__xUlWercdOL-5/s1600/diningroomupdates3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirGXWnf9GiSc5MwYdBB6R16wxNKBNwbMFu7L2diStXzoSZ-486c_BT0C4hZqFQeIEMwsdXa3OUoPtAvfECQKZya2WGlRVJ6PYVoU1a01GWBHZILjFQ2WPxs8rN1qGGiJ__xUlWercdOL-5/s1600/diningroomupdates3.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />July is when we started to slow down with house projects - I was pregnant, but hadn't announced it yet, so projects started to be replaced with napping :)<br />
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I did manage to update our bedroom with some <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/07/bedroom-gallery-art.html" target="_blank">2 gallery walls</a>, and while we were away on vacation, I had my friends <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/07/bedroom-gallery-art.html" target="_blank">Emily</a>, <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/07/pinterest-dream-homes-guest-post-from.html" target="_blank">Lyndsey,</a> and <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/07/pinterest-dream-homes-guest-post-from_17.html" target="_blank">Colleen </a>all share their "dream homes" via Pinterest. So fun!!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQwyeiNHSkRG6gVXfgLWmcJd-dm2ubaG1io3_WH0t6ZZlzL8yM8iXx86uIuMQINjWXgBYF_fKW61hRyvAPAlJiSpmEt7iaPc4ctmQf3ZVhdhrDs9DetxIpZtw1W3k_WEqcY116QMwrU6r/s1600/bedroomupdates4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidQwyeiNHSkRG6gVXfgLWmcJd-dm2ubaG1io3_WH0t6ZZlzL8yM8iXx86uIuMQINjWXgBYF_fKW61hRyvAPAlJiSpmEt7iaPc4ctmQf3ZVhdhrDs9DetxIpZtw1W3k_WEqcY116QMwrU6r/s1600/bedroomupdates4.jpg" height="400" width="272" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSCYJspXFN3VKH2Hr7pkUaCumqxcOebhwDsZCrd29nuZ9SLxSnw2qWSosp9bmvPLqXShcGGkzjocwK8c76TEIWIHlqhMX9BVD2LQj_r-J8UDJVN4WuE1EVn1ZYIYAmoXprMuanatrbo4v/s1600/bedroomupdates5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSCYJspXFN3VKH2Hr7pkUaCumqxcOebhwDsZCrd29nuZ9SLxSnw2qWSosp9bmvPLqXShcGGkzjocwK8c76TEIWIHlqhMX9BVD2LQj_r-J8UDJVN4WuE1EVn1ZYIYAmoXprMuanatrbo4v/s1600/bedroomupdates5.jpg" height="400" width="292" /></a></div>
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And we also shared our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/07/a-little-catch-up-family-pictures.html" target="_blank">family pictures</a> - some of my favorites to date!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5TOl9hdO_b5gzjMz4OtQcH4hPLcAxW6Gm6C7b_a0Yk5DpKTuohAPwVEns2ui0CXDruGv3Tdhd9JhE8vmqMAySdhOc10V7ZyLjP9jmQ_WkQJHzqhdK_0AuVQmq4Dby7ue30V7qV5rBHcG/s1600/palleschi_062213-0076.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz5TOl9hdO_b5gzjMz4OtQcH4hPLcAxW6Gm6C7b_a0Yk5DpKTuohAPwVEns2ui0CXDruGv3Tdhd9JhE8vmqMAySdhOc10V7ZyLjP9jmQ_WkQJHzqhdK_0AuVQmq4Dby7ue30V7qV5rBHcG/s1600/palleschi_062213-0076.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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August was a very big month for our family! We <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/08/our-big-news.html" target="_blank">announced that we were expecting</a>... TWINS!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_OMN1O7aVB4bxpmS6BAfgu4CVPgjNPMh2h-JKk0IdP1Nn-NwULFcqKjy6K-1e1mxx4jMkFyYnqwFBbMfppTyKkIqxCHBILaDQciAV4LeI9dTi_zC2RBJ6Bs41cfhTjG2AebK7zQKHvN_/s1600/palleschi_062213-0088.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU_OMN1O7aVB4bxpmS6BAfgu4CVPgjNPMh2h-JKk0IdP1Nn-NwULFcqKjy6K-1e1mxx4jMkFyYnqwFBbMfppTyKkIqxCHBILaDQciAV4LeI9dTi_zC2RBJ6Bs41cfhTjG2AebK7zQKHvN_/s1600/palleschi_062213-0088.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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And also shared some of our pictures from our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/08/maine-vacation-pictures-finally.html" target="_blank">family vacation in July</a>. I celebrated my <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/08/my-birthday.html" target="_blank">birthday</a>, and also (finally!) shared our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/08/our-guest-room-and-beginning-of-nursery.html" target="_blank">guest room</a>. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVSlCfoZIcsj6BlE-Un1JPFU5up8Fyp2QSH1Px8fmpLl7n-x500eIZtNlHk7gXbKmdMuUrwh1lOvwrsaNbezo5WSPIdIYUkgb5-gaVJyBf2AA_eTgsPr_KIrc8ESOdIeL5DlKLkT1FttL/s1600/DSC_6599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVSlCfoZIcsj6BlE-Un1JPFU5up8Fyp2QSH1Px8fmpLl7n-x500eIZtNlHk7gXbKmdMuUrwh1lOvwrsaNbezo5WSPIdIYUkgb5-gaVJyBf2AA_eTgsPr_KIrc8ESOdIeL5DlKLkT1FttL/s1600/DSC_6599.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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In September, we had our big <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/09/twins-gender-reveal.html" target="_blank">gender reveal</a> and I also shared my <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/09/boys-nursery-inspiration.html" target="_blank">inspiration board for their nursery</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBawxK_PFjLHLZbKKp31KDpxp_htwSmsdlWHwdJjVP2a_arkcVI6oDT_BobFiL0AYConWiapRO0WcA5DgVHXQHU9rco7rNn5A3Uu-pNnL_6PhMRGbwoMQ5Hv7KFImUbNhovJMvcZO33Vb2/s1600/wearehaving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBawxK_PFjLHLZbKKp31KDpxp_htwSmsdlWHwdJjVP2a_arkcVI6oDT_BobFiL0AYConWiapRO0WcA5DgVHXQHU9rco7rNn5A3Uu-pNnL_6PhMRGbwoMQ5Hv7KFImUbNhovJMvcZO33Vb2/s1600/wearehaving.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfzkXOeKIQ6QBHrM9CJiyHx2HEeGJLNraVkNiVaNE45M81RYJAoumDHxyDXEkvOgNFsAt5mKYBjz9K0Hb-dODH-ilFAT2AbVxvCEJWC9DPwqyHsTrmWsvUJv8GdS-88-nB8jXhkjLbXzy/s1600/twins_nursery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFfzkXOeKIQ6QBHrM9CJiyHx2HEeGJLNraVkNiVaNE45M81RYJAoumDHxyDXEkvOgNFsAt5mKYBjz9K0Hb-dODH-ilFAT2AbVxvCEJWC9DPwqyHsTrmWsvUJv8GdS-88-nB8jXhkjLbXzy/s1600/twins_nursery.jpg" height="640" width="363" /> </a></div>
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And lastly I shared a <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-little-pregnancy-update-19-weeks.html" target="_blank">little pregnancy update</a> (at 19 weeks), along with some pictures of my every-growing bump! </div>
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In October, we celebrated our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/10/four-years.html" target="_blank">four year anniversary</a>, and I also launched our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/10/holiday-cards-now-on-etsy.html" target="_blank">2013 Holiday Cards on Etsy</a>!<br />
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I also shared our new <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/10/whats-not-working-family-command-center.html" target="_blank">family command</a> center as part of the What's Not Working series.<br />
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November was the end of posting for me this year (oops!), but before I was done, I shared our <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-little-life-update-and-mommy-me.html" target="_blank">anniversary trip</a>, a <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/11/pregnancy-update-25-weeks.html" target="_blank">25-week pregnancy update</a> and a little <a href="http://earningourstripes.blogspot.com/2013/11/our-days-and-mommy-me.html" target="_blank">Mommy & Me</a> post with my favorite almost-big-brother.<br />
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Wow! What an amazing year!!<br />
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I loved looking back at all of these posts, and seeing what we were up to in 2013. This year will certainly look very different with our two little boys set to join us any day now... but we wouldn't have it any other way!<br />
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<br />Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-28358403181962441322014-01-06T06:31:00.000-05:002014-01-06T06:31:08.491-05:00Mommy & Me + Pregnancy Update {34 Weeks)<div style="text-align: left;">
Happy Monday!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This <span style="font-family: inherit;">is o</span></span>ne of my most recent favorite pictures<span style="font-family: inherit;">...</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;">Working from home the last few weeks has meant a little more flexibility in my<span style="font-family: inherit;"> schedule. And on this day (in a snowstorm), I drove <span style="font-family: inherit;">A to preschool and let him sit up front while we were waiting in line. Love t<span style="font-family: inherit;">hese little moments with him... not doing any<span style="font-family: inherit;">thing extra<span style="font-family: inherit;">ordinary, just singing Old Mc<span style="font-family: inherit;">Donald (or, "Ol McDaniel" as he call<span style="font-family: inherit;">s it) and talking about school. Love him to pieces.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><b><br /></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>How far along? </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">34 weeks</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Total weight gain/loss:</b>
As of my last appointment, up <span style="font-family: inherit;">36 pounds. I have <span style="font-family: inherit;">another appointment on Tuesday,<span style="font-family: inherit;"> so I'm sure it'<span style="font-family: inherit;">s more. I'm kind of over the weight gain at this point... I know it's what's best <span style="font-family: inherit;">for the babies, but <i>geez</i> - that's a lot of weight to lose after they are born! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> <span style="font-family: inherit;">If I'm being totally honest, m<span style="font-family: inherit;">ost <span style="font-family: inherit;">of my maternity clothes no longer fit. I remember reading early in my pregnancy that twin moms should buy two sets of maternity clothes - one <span style="font-family: inherit;">set for the<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">first & second trimesters, and another (larger) set, for the th<span style="font-family: inherit;">ird. I kind of laugh<span style="font-family: inherit;">ed at that, but now <span style="font-family: inherit;">understand why. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Most of my maternity shirts are too short, and my leggings & pants are too t<span style="font-family: inherit;">ight. Since they could come any day, I refuse to b<span style="font-family: inherit;">uy any more clothing<span style="font-family: inherit;">... and instead am doing laundry every<span style="font-family: inherit;">.single.day. Poor C<span style="font-family: inherit;"> sees me in one of two outfits almost every<span style="font-family: inherit;"> day.</span></span> Ha!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Stretch marks?</b> Not
yet! </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px;"><b style="line-height: 18px;">Miss Anything</b><b style="line-height: 18px;">?</b><span style="line-height: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Really just sleeping on my stomach. <span style="font-family: inherit;">And maybe <span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">also missing doing anything <span style="font-family: inherit;">with e<span style="font-family: inherit;">ase</span> - sitting down, standing up, walking - normal, every<span style="font-family: inherit;"> day stuff.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /><b>Movement:</b> Yes<span style="font-family: inherit;">, but this <span style="font-family: inherit;">has<span style="font-family: inherit;"> changed a lot in the last 10 weeks. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Both boys are <span style="font-family: inherit;">e<span style="font-family: inherit;">qually active, and have very distinct <span style="font-family: inherit;">sleep & wake cycles. I can almost tell you to the hour when they'll wake up and start moving<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">- its pretty cra<span style="font-family: inherit;">zy! <span style="font-family: inherit;">All movement is now seen from the outside, which has made for some pretty interest<span style="font-family: inherit;">ing comments at the doctor's office, the hair dresser, etc<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Food cravings: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">ICE! <span style="font-family: inherit;">Water has to be ice cold for me to drink it<span style="font-family: inherit;">, and I'm craving frozen fruit and vegetables. I know, it's w<span style="font-family: inherit;">eird (and yes, also a symptom of iron <span style="font-family: inherit;">deficiency, which I'm no<span style="font-family: inherit;">w a<span style="font-family: inherit;">ware of thank you to my dear fr<span style="font-family: inherit;">i<span style="font-family: inherit;">end Melissa!). Also have <span style="font-family: inherit;">cravings f<span style="font-family: inherit;">or clementines (we've gone through 5 crates in the last 3 weeks!) and Milano cookies. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /><b>Anything making you queasy or sick:</b>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, I've gotten sick a few <span style="font-family: inherit;">times now from silly things (lets just say having a <span style="font-family: inherit;">potty-trained two-year-old who <span style="font-family: inherit;">still needs to be wiped <span style="font-family: inherit;">could put me over the edge), but, I know my tr<span style="font-family: inherit;">iggers and try to avoid them at all costs. </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">I also never knew heartburn could be this bad - I've gone through more Tums in the last 10 weeks than I care to admit! </span><b style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px; text-align: left;"><b style="line-height: 18px;">Have you started to show yet:</b><span style="line-height: 18px;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">See picture above ;)</span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Babies are: </b>TWO BOYS! And yes, they have names. Coming home outfits have arrived, and <span style="font-family: inherit;">their <span style="font-family: inherit;">initials</span> for above the cribs are complete. B<span style="font-family: inherit;">ut we're still keeping them a secret until their birthday!</span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /><b>Belly Button in or out?</b> <span style="font-family: inherit;">Not really out, but just a <span style="font-family: inherit;">strange shape that makes a little bulge in my shirt.</span></span></span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> O<span style="font-family: inherit;">ff.</span> </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Happy or Moody most of the time: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Um.... maybe <span style="font-family: inherit;">C should answer thi<span style="font-family: inherit;">s. I'd say its 50/50<span style="font-family: inherit;">. </span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /><b>Looking forward to: </b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Meeting them! I cannot wait to see what they look like <span style="font-family: inherit;">and have <span style="font-family: inherit;">A meet them. <span style="font-family: inherit;">He talks about the "t<span style="font-family: inherit;">ins" all the time, asking if they're coming today, and<span style="font-family: inherit;"> if <span style="font-family: inherit;">h<span style="font-family: inherit;">e can give them a kiss. <span style="font-family: inherit;">I cannot wait to see him be a<span style="font-family: inherit;"> big brother!</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> <br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Babies Update: </b>As
of <span style="font-family: inherit;">my 3<span style="font-family: inherit;">2 week U/S, <span style="font-family: inherit;">Baby A was <span style="font-family: inherit;">4lbs 15oz, and Baby B was 4lbs 12<span style="font-family: inherit;">oz. No<span style="font-family: inherit;">w that we're two weeks past that, I fully expect that both are well over 5lbs each. Both are still head-down, so we're going to attempt a natural delivery (and by natural I do not mean without meds!), but my hospital requires that twin moms push in the OR, so that if something happens, I'm already prepped for a c-se<span style="font-family: inherit;">ction<span style="font-family: inherit;">. <span style="font-family: inherit;">I've also reached the multip<span style="font-family: inherit;">les "safe zone" <span style="font-family: inherit;">- meaning they can come any day now<span style="font-family: inherit;">! </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Linking up with <a href="http://dearbabyowen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Emily</a> & <a href="http://www.myeverydayloveblog.com/" target="_blank">Leah</a> for Mommy & Me Monday!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-29751521937521723832014-01-04T23:03:00.000-05:002014-01-04T23:03:50.801-05:00Checking In & Our Christmas CardWell, I certainly didn't intend to be away from the blog for so long... but life the last few weeks has been a non-stop whirlwind!<br />
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First of all - Merry Christmas & Happy happy New Year! I cannot believe how quickly all the holidays have passed us by. I LOVED celebrating the holidays with A this year - he was such a wonderful age to finally understand what the holidays were about, and even 2 weeks later, is still singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town!". Christmas is truly magical through the eyes of a child.<br />
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In the last month and a half, we've been very busy... hosting (and celebrating!) Thanksgiving & Christmas, finishing work (and training my replacement) before maternity leave, finishing the twins' nursery, Bella Carta's holiday season, and of course, enjoying our final weekends as a family of 3. Trying to balance working from home & taking care of 'me' was a challenge - I'm truly not very good at sitting and relaxing, and, little A was all about mommy, all.the.time. I can't blame him, he's not used to me being home, and of course I wanted to soak it all in.<br />
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Now that we're into January, I finally feel like I can breathe again. Monday marks my first official day of maternity leave, and I plan on taking more naps, reading more, and snuggling with my little guy before his title of "only child" disappears. <br />
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I have a lot to share over the next few weeks, of course, all of which is dependent on the arrival of our boys. Now that I'm 34 weeks, they can truly come any day! But while I'm still very <i>very</i> pregnant, I hope to be back to blogging on a more regular basis. And I'm also WAY behind on reading blogs, so if you see comments from me on some old posts, you know why!<br />
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Before I go, I wanted to share our Christmas Card from this year. We were thrilled to find a local photographer who did an amazing job with our family photos, and who has a daughter the same age as A (read: she didn't even bat an eye at his shyness or minor meltdowns). She was so wonderful to work with, and we love how all the photos turned out. I'll share the rest of the photos, soon!<br />
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<br />Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-56524208931868359812013-11-18T07:00:00.000-05:002013-11-18T07:00:11.087-05:00Our days... and Mommy & MeThere are weekends, like this one, when I wish time would slow down and I could soak it all in. We are caught in this mad-dash of getting ready for the holidays, getting our home ready for the twins, and trying to savor the last weekends we have as a family of three.<br />
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Our little guy is talking up a storm - literally. C and I look at each other at least 20 times a day, and say "Did you hear what he just said?! Where did he learn that??". Sunday morning, he called me into his room at 6:30 and wanted me to lay down with him. As soon as my head hit the pillow, he turned to look at me with his most-serious face and said ... "Momma? You and me-me, go store?".<br />
<br />Me: "The store? For what buddy?"<br />
A: "A puppy"<br />
Me: "A puppy?! We don't need a puppy, we have Otto!"<br />
A: "Yeah, momma. A puppy! You and me-me, go store!"<br />
Me: "Well if you want a puppy, maybe you should talk to your daddy about it"<br />
A: (taking out his pretend cell-phone from his pretend pocket in his jammies) "Dadda? Hi!! Me-me and momma go store? Puppy? Yah? Otay!" "Momma, Dadda yeah puppy".<br />
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For the next half hour, I answered questions about if the sun was up, if the moon was out, if Emma and BB were sleeping, if Otto was playing and if the wee-ohhs (fire engines) were coming today. My little guy told me that my ears, hair and teeth were all pretty, and wanted to know where my earrings were. And then he counted my teeth (like the dentist had done to him the day before), and then asked with the most genuinely-concerned look: "Momma? Teeth otay? Teeth hurt? Good Momma, good". He cracks me up!<br />
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I cannot believe that it was exactly 6 months ago that I was in his 2-year check-up, struggling to come up with the barely-20 words he knew and could say without assistance. In 6 months, our little guy has completely blown us away, and I am so, SO proud of him. <br />
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A has also recently become much more aware of the babies in my belly, and has been such a big help getting their room ready. He helped us paint, and helped put the cribs together this weekend. Of course, now that the cribs are up, all he wants to do is play in them ... a far cry from the child who <i>never </i>slept through the night when he was in the crib, and climbed out at 20 months.<br />
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He's been resting his hands on my belly lately, and telling me that he feels the babies kicking. My momma heart could explode when he kisses the babies, and tries to talk to them through my belly button. I'm so happy he's "getting" it, and seems excited. Of course that could all change when they actually arrive, but for now, I'm savoring his excitement about becoming a big brother.<br />
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A few weeks ago, we had family pictures taken. Our little guy was fighting a cold, and had fallen asleep in the car on the way to the park, so needless to say... he was not the easiest subject to photograph. Pictures of the two of us are rare these days... I wish there were more, but I'm often guilty of being behind the camera, and for making excuses when C tries to get me in the picture. I'm thrilled that this was one of the pictures we received back. Even if A has on his fake/I have snot dripping down my nose, smile ;)<br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span>Hope you all had a wonderful weekend! </span></span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span>Linking up with <a href="http://dearbabyowen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Emily</a> & <a href="http://www.myeverydayloveblog.com/" target="_blank">Leah</a> for Mommy & Me Monday!</span></span></i><br />
<br />Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5927884650331251829.post-61773057345307161022013-11-06T17:23:00.000-05:002013-11-06T17:23:44.848-05:00Pregnancy Update: 25 Weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">Ok friends - a peek inside life at 25.5 weeks with twins! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><i>(pictures were taken 1 day apart - I just think my stripe maternity top conceals my real "size")</i><b><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>How far along? </b>25.5 weeks</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Total weight gain/loss:</b> As of my last appointment, up 24 pounds. I cringe every time I look at the scale in the doctor's office, but according to them I'm perfectly on track for twins... so I'll just swallow my pride. I gained 28 in total with A, so I'm only 4 pounds away from my 41-week weight with him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><b>Maternity clothes?</b> Ohhhh yes. There are a few pants that I can still wear with my belly band, but by the end of the day I'm pretty uncomfortable. With only 4 weeks left in the office for me, I refuse to buy anymore maternity pants. And I'd say 80% of my tops are maternity, as well.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 17.98611068725586px;"></span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Stretch marks?</b> Not yet! I haven't been as diligent about my oil this time around, but I'd be very surprised if I make it through this pregnancy without stretch marks.</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px;"><b style="line-height: 18px;">Miss Anything</b><b style="line-height: 18px;">?</b><span style="line-height: 18px;">
Wine. Definitely wine. And bending over with ease. Painting my toes. You know, the normal stuff. </span></span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;" /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /><b>Movement:</b> Yes. Baby A is still much more active than B, as they have been for the last 12 weeks or so. Baby B is in a very strange position (laying across the top of my stomach), and is facing my back, so his movements are harder to feel, too.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><b>Food cravings: </b>I can't say anything with consistency. Last week my favorite sandwich was goat cheese, sundried tomatoes and avocado on a roll. This week I'm loving the left over Nestle Crunch Bars from Halloween. Overall, my appetite is nothing like it was with A. </span></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;"><br /><b>Anything making you queasy or sick:</b> Still getting sick in the mornings if I don't take my meds. I've weaned myself to every other day, so I'm pretty proud of myself! </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span><b style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.796875px; text-align: left;"><b style="line-height: 18px;">Have you started to show yet:</b><span style="line-height: 18px;"> Ha! Hahahaha!</span></span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Babies are: </b>TWO BOYS!</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /><b>Belly Button in or out?</b> Almost out. Sad, sad day.</span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Wedding rings on or off?</b> On. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Happy or Moody most of the time: </b>I'd say overall I'm pretty happy. I try not to complain too much, but C hears it all, so maybe he has a different opinion. I have my days, like anyone else. </span><br style="background-color: white; line-height: 20.798612594604492px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /><b>Looking forward to: </b> Finishing the nursery - November is Nursery Month in our house, my 28-week ultrasound and deciding on their names (we are so close!). Also really excited to almost be done with work! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><b>Babies Update: </b>As of last week, Baby A was measuring at 1lb 12oz, and B was 1lb 10oz. Both, according to our doctors, are healthy and very very active (we've witnessed them kicking each other in the head!). </span></span></div>
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Jillianhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11080896236589526045noreply@blogger.com2