enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

around here.

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I’ll be sharing that Project Life spread in detail Sunday, but the cute HOORAY stamp is by Whitney Rae Paper.

This week was another round of “make a million lists and cross off a few things.” Haircut done, maternity photos taken, blog posts prepped, diapers pre-washed, orders shipped, errands ran, granola & pesto made, dining chairs assembled. For maybe the fifth time this year
I went through the entire house and found all the items I don’t
love and piled them up for the donation truck. I’d (much) rather have an
empty corner than a corner filled with crap I feel blah about.

I have my parents and brother coming into town this weekend for one last “MOVE & SET UP ALL THE THINGS” adventure before the baby comes. The plan is to get the house “done” so my nesting mind can focus on smaller tasks like washing blankets and packing and re-packing a hospital bag. This is likely the last time I’ll see my dad and brother before the tiny one arrives (my mom is going to come down in June and wait with me on pre-baby high alert until Paul gets home) and that is pretty surreal.

This last little bit feels like it’s going to go fast. That is a good thing, I suppose. After a relatively quiet week, I am looking forward to a productive weekend.

Friendly reminder that the stamp and book shops will be closing for my maternity leave on Wednesday, May 29th. Be sure to shop now if you’re interested in stocking up. AND… the online workshop I contributed to “The Phone Photography Project” is still available at the introductory price of $39. Read more and sign up here.

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28 responses to “around here.”

  1. Jennifer Avatar
    Jennifer

    You are getting so close! You must be getting so antsy and excited. Also, check the link at the bottom, it wasn’t working for me!
    xoxo

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  2. iHanna Avatar
    iHanna

    Your around here photos (well all photos) are always so crisp and clear and happy. Love these posts!
    Have a great weekend!

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  3. Alinor Avatar
    Alinor

    oh boy i LOVE her stamps (and yours of course!) Need them all!
    xxo

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  4. Leigh Anne Avatar
    Leigh Anne

    I love your around here photos! There is always at least one from a perspective I would never think of taking 🙂
    Enjoy your weekend with the family!

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  5. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    fixed! thanks so much for the heads up.

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  6. Bryn Avatar
    Bryn

    Hospital bag advice: remember to pack baby wipes! Meconium is no joke, and usually the hospital only offers gauze-like wipes that you wet with water. Also, they usually give you a pack of disposable diapers for while you’re there, and unless you also purchased newborn CDs, baby girl might be too small for the one-size cloth.
    Good luck!

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  7. Claire Avatar
    Claire

    Oh just so so so exciting! I love how organised you are and just how calm you seem to be. I literally found out 2 days ago that I am pregnant – very early days but I cant help but get so very excited for all the things yet to come. Happy weekend Elise!!!

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  8. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    that is wonderful! congrats! 🙂

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  9. Kari Avatar
    Kari

    Hi Elise –
    I’m a fairly new reader but I have to say that I love everything about you. I am curious if you are choosing to cloth diaper exclusively? I am currently expecting and used disposable diapers for my first child but felt like pretty guilty as cloth diapers just seem like the way to go (financially and environmentally); I would love to hear your plan and inspiration for cloth diapering. Also, how many did you buy up front to get started?
    Thanks for letting me be nosey! Happy weekend.

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  10. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    We are going to give ourselves some time to adjust to actually having a baby and then cloth diaper as close to exclusively as we can. I do plan on writing about it down the line, but I feel like I need to have at least a few months of actually having a baby in diapers under my belt before I offer any insight! Basically though, the inspiration is how easy the whole process appears to be and the major cost savings/reduced environmental impact.

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  11. Jessica Avatar
    Jessica

    I would love to know more about the Phone Photography Project. I’ve purchased similar classes before and classes through Big Picture but have been disappointed in actually purchasing classes that the content was nothing new or exciting….I paid for things that are already FREE! So many great photographers offer up free challenges, insights and advice and I’m just wondering that’s different about this class?

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  12. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    hey Jessica,
    Thanks for your question.
    I hate to just refer you to the class listing, but there is a lot of information there on the actual deliverables that the course offers. (http://www.bigpictureclasses.com/phone-photography.php)
    This is a big class with many instructors all in one place so you’re paying for different insight, challenges and app reviews from a large variety of folks without needing to search for it. I think some people like to take classes for inspiration as well as motivation to actually take photos or get projects completed. Having the class format and a sense of accountability helps them do this.
    That said, e-courses are not for everyone and if you haven’t loved them before or already have many ideas and free resources (and yes! there are a lot out there!) then this might not be a great fit for you. 🙂
    Hope that helps a bit to clarify. I recommend getting in touch with Big Picture for further explanation and customer service.

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  13. Chrystal Avatar
    Chrystal

    Those are the diapers we use (well, an older version), and love them. We started at about 5 months (my baby is 18 months old now). Really a lot easier than I had imagined CDing, and so much better for the environment! Kudos to giving it a try! 🙂

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  14. hjerteliv Avatar
    hjerteliv

    Hi Elise,
    Oh so close you are to meeting your baby Girl. I became a mother to my sweet and first little Girl 6 months ago and have been using bumgenius all the way and loved it! We bought 20 regular ones with buttons plus 4 with velcro to use during nights because they have extra thick inserts almost towel-like, so comfortable. Looking forward to reading your thoughts about them down the line. Congrats ón the biggest and most beautiful life-adventure!
    Signe, Denmark

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  15. Sarah Avatar
    Sarah

    Earlier this week I was scratching my head as to how you managed to hang up a mobile from the roof while standing on a bed while 36 weeks pregnant… now I’m wondering how you tackled dining-room chair assembly. 🙂
    I have to say, the last month or so of my first pregnancy was a very special time in my life. So much fun getting all those little clothes washed, wondering how life is going to change, etc… so many things to prepare for and so much that one really can’t prepare for. Either way, it’s exciting and I’m excited for you. 🙂

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  16. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    Enjoy your busy weekend with family I’m sure the lists are going to have lots of things done for you. Savour the moments and lots of photos of family helping out never go astray either. Have a good one. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  17. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    Ps yes I love he photo from the floors perspective Regards Kathy A, Brisbane , Australia

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  18. Kellie Winnell Avatar
    Kellie Winnell

    I am loving seeing all your plant pictures. I think being a reader of your blog since the start of the year and seeing the process is what has now gotten me into my plant obsession. So not really sure if I should be thanking you or blaming you haha. So far I have managed to get about 15 or so, some succulent off cuts from my front [in need of care] garden. I am usually a plant killer so we will see how this will go. Even going to a plant sale today and picked up the most GORGEOUS hanging succulent.
    Have a fabulous weekend getting your house into a home.

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  19. Sandy Avatar
    Sandy

    So excited for you!!!

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  20. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie

    Elise…as I sit here designing my first born sons high school graduation announcements, I feel the need to tell you to take in every single moment of this special, wonderful, amazing time with your newborn. I know that everyone warns you that the years will fly by… and they will. My MIL told me when I had my first, “The days are long and the years are fast” and boy that is so true. My first baby is getting ready to head off to college and just yesterday I was rocking him to sleep. I swear it. Dont blink…dont blink. So excited for you! :o)

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  21. Vivid Avatar
    Vivid

    You are going to LOVE cloth diapering! I started my first at two months and my second has been in cloth since birth. 9 months later, not a single disposable. I’ve tried almost every brand out there and bumgenius are still my hands down favorite, good choice & good luck!!

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  22. Mandy Avatar
    Mandy

    Elise, Can you show us your plant stand? The long one in front of the window? I am thinking you made it? Thanks!

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  23. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    http://eliseblaha.typepad.com/golden/2013/03/diy-wooden-plant-stand.html

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  24. J3SS1C4 Avatar
    J3SS1C4

    That plant stand seriously looks amazing!!! I love the variety in the plant sizes, too. And the 4th photo down, taken from the floor with the plant stand on the left… Is that a coffee table to the right? It looks super interesting with all the cutouts! I quite like it 🙂

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  25. brooke Avatar
    brooke

    We love our BumGenius dipes. Can’t wait to see your little one rocking her cloth. 🙂

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  26. claireabellemakes Avatar
    claireabellemakes

    You are so organised! I know one thing my friend found useful right after she had the baby, was meals already made up in the freezer. We helped her make healthy nutritious meals that could be put straight into the oven from the freezer and it took away the stress of cooking when she had no sleep!
    Good luck, I’ve been following your blog for a while now and it’s amazing to see how strong you are throughout your pregnancy. We can’t wait to meet her too.
    Claire x

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  27. royela Avatar
    royela

    so glad to hear you’re going cloth.
    we use a mix of bumgenius all-in-ones (both pocket and elementals) and flip covers with prefolds but couldn’t start using them until aidan was a month old. even weighing 9.5 lbs at birth, his little newborn legs were too skinny even on the smallest rise.
    and totally agree with commenter Bryn that meconium is no joke. if you’ve read it being compared to tar, it’s not an exaggeration. if you do cloth from day one, you might consider using a liner (bummis flushable liners are our fave!) but newborns need to be changed 10-12 times a day soooo just some food for thought 😀
    and if you get staining, remember the sun is an excellent natural bleacher so line dry in the yard!

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  28. Chrystina Avatar
    Chrystina

    Yay for your mom being able to be around during this. And your family being able to come so many times to help. That’s awesome. I think that sometimes I totally underestimate the power of family, but my family would definitely be there for me – and I have to start to remember that. Thanks for reminding me.

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