tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-57236759973797840672024-03-13T18:07:46.912-05:00la de dahmandreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.comBlogger390125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-91983389678809256232015-05-01T11:49:00.002-05:002015-05-01T11:49:27.308-05:00baby bea belly!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-59975344017065506972015-02-11T16:05:00.000-06:002015-02-11T16:06:05.101-06:0032 weeksMost of my dresses do NOT fit me anymore, but by an act of sheer will I was able to squeeze this one zipped for Heather's birthday party. I found it amusing how big it made me look (well, I am getting there) especially from the side as it tented off my growing belly. Here are some photos of my 32 week belly in the dress. Brandon affectionately pointed out the resemblance this dress creates between my belly and a hot air balloon (see blog header). Touché haha.<br />
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For your amusement this is the last time I wore this outfit (my 12th week) in Las Vegas:<br />
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And here I am most of my way through week 31 at Heather's birthday bash:<br />
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andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-63131215487388614592015-02-05T08:32:00.000-06:002015-02-11T16:05:10.283-06:00belly and nursery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Here's a little update! My belly and the nursery are coming along! Brandon took a few photos of me in the nursery at the end of week 29 (I'm 31 weeks now (as of Tuesday)).</div>
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People have been so loving to us and so generous with gifts and baby showers over Christmas break, and we've been able to start putting together a space for the baby. It's so fun!<br />
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We have the crib and an ottoman (thanks Paula and Jeff!) and the rocking chair (thanks Chad and Sheryl!), a fun yellow pillow (thanks Caryn and Scott!), an adorable toy basket with custom handmade liner (thanks Alissa!) and our old dresser in there so far. Heather helped me paint the walls grey a couple of weeks ago (thanks Heather!) It's really nice to get things going because I'm definitely nesting these days.<br />
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Baby girl moves around like an acrobat and I've starting having Braxton Hicks contractions this last week (normal for this time). It does feel like we're closing in on the last leg and it's SO exciting but also scary.andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-64785379208395960522014-11-26T14:49:00.000-06:002015-02-11T16:05:20.841-06:0021 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-81107740128030257652014-11-26T14:47:00.000-06:002014-11-26T14:47:02.675-06:00it's a girl!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-24239075695110766862014-11-26T14:45:00.000-06:002014-11-26T14:45:26.206-06:00:type travel tuesday: {pretty paris window shopping}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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A window somewhere in Paris. Thinkings all things girlie this week!andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-70832381465659374952014-11-12T16:52:00.001-06:002015-02-11T16:05:38.630-06:0019 weeks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week has been an exciting one. I started to feel the baby moving around FOR SURE two days before my birthday! Brandon even got to feel the little jelly bean! What an awesome feeling it is. Again, this is getting more and more real. I also like being able to tell exactly where the baby IS. Gotta start keeping tabs on him/her now.<br />
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I kinda popped out this week too. I like finally looking pregnant-for-sure. We'll see how long that lasts. I had to buy maternity jeans weeks ago but now even the loose shirts and dresses that I have been easily wearing are starting to become short and snug.<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-17365009123730773282014-11-12T16:43:00.000-06:002014-11-12T16:43:48.213-06:00baby cage!Last weekend we put our crib together! Baby cage: complete. These pictures are misleading, Brandon really did 90% of the assembly work (and our office-turning-nursery is much messier than it looks). Dad job #1 was a big success.<br />
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This is starting to get more and more real. What else is getting more and more real? How small our apartment is. Bring on the baby gear!andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-70049418670289398352014-11-11T15:25:00.001-06:002014-11-11T15:25:46.045-06:00:type travel tuesday: {fabulous las vegas}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The world-famous FABULOUS LAS VEGAS sign!<br />
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I haven't been blogging in a long time, partly because of this:<br />
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I'm sure all of you (my adoring audience) noticed and even mourned the loss of my blog updates. ;) Well I'm going to try to start them back up, including and focusing on pregnancy and baby deets!<br />
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We'll see how it goes.andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-33367092618837736922014-07-01T18:03:00.000-05:002014-07-01T18:03:11.226-05:00:type travel tuesday: {la boulangerie, nola}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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La Boulangerie, Uptown, New Orleans, Louisiana.andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-29256377098924388332014-06-25T13:46:00.003-05:002014-06-25T13:46:52.768-05:00:type travel tuesday: {optical shop, nola}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Canal Street. New Orleans, LA.andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-87725290475605692132014-06-17T16:23:00.000-05:002014-06-17T16:23:13.135-05:00:type travel tuesday: {dimanche soir}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Just reminiscing about a lovely summer's day strolling through Paris with mes amies and stopping at this adorable café for some refreshing vin blanc, one year ago. I love PARIS, I mean c'mon there are even adorable bicycles being reflected in this perfect café window from across the street. Just stop it, Paris........no please don't! ...and I LOVE THOSE LADIES! Now DeAnn is getting married this Saturday. Time flies.<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-2434813118404219692014-06-10T13:01:00.001-05:002014-06-10T13:02:26.539-05:00:type travel tuesday: {délicieux, toulouse}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Patisserie et boulangerie, Toulouse, France.<br />
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I WANT TO EAT THESE RIGHT NOW.<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-35853892345375921852014-06-06T12:41:00.000-05:002014-06-06T12:41:23.845-05:00:type travel tuesday: {villa capri}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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More from SoCal. I've been MIA and it's not even close to Tuesday, in either direction. Sorry.andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-90728421253561192292014-04-29T06:00:00.000-05:002014-04-29T06:00:06.132-05:00:type travel tuesday: {cafe 1134}<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tpMyIIsGAo/U163J32colI/AAAAAAAAIjs/ZDLf6NFWyaI/s1600/iMG_7981blog.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--tpMyIIsGAo/U163J32colI/AAAAAAAAIjs/ZDLf6NFWyaI/s1600/iMG_7981blog.png" height="471" width="640" /></a>Coronado, California<br />
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andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-39334878391578679032014-04-22T18:51:00.001-05:002014-04-22T18:51:39.748-05:00:type travel tuesday: {the brigantine}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Brigantine, Coronado, Californiaandreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-66960529428946768072014-04-10T12:09:00.000-05:002014-04-10T12:09:07.025-05:00chosen: a half-second of fame<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QozE9NoBaGo/U0bPxI4vy1I/AAAAAAAAIho/8zFtL7CpOck/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-10+at+12.05.41+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QozE9NoBaGo/U0bPxI4vy1I/AAAAAAAAIho/8zFtL7CpOck/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-04-10+at+12.05.41+PM.png" height="370" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://youtu.be/tl_SkFIsZAY">WATCH THIS VIDEO.</a> It's the CHOSEN: Catholic Confirmation Materials promotional video. See that lady at 2:38. Yep, that is my half-second of fame. Somehow I was chosen out of a crowd of about 99,000 people, while at the Papal Audience in Rome last May, to be in their video. You can also see Heather and Brandon behind me! Huh? Now if only there was a way to make even a penny off of my appearance. :)andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-47260995931706286542014-04-09T08:28:00.000-05:002014-04-09T08:28:17.193-05:00:type travel tuesday: {champion of the thames}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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King Street, Cambridge, UKandreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-51545053204071537812014-03-11T21:02:00.001-05:002014-03-11T21:02:17.714-05:00:type travel tuesday: {east side show room, austin}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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East Sixth Street, Austin, Texas.andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-70581984187375749272014-03-07T10:33:00.002-06:002014-03-07T10:35:44.250-06:00photography treasure<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Saw <a href="http://www.webburgr.com/vivian_maier/">this story</a> on fb this week and it's so wonderful! Some random guy buys a box of negatives at an auction and discovers "perhaps the most important street photographer of the twentieth century...a nanny who kept everything to herself." He discovered her photographs in 2007 and she died in 2009 before he figured out that her name was <a href="http://www.vivianmaier.com/">Vivian Maier.</a><br />
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Apparently (especially from the sheer volume of her work) she spent a lot of time walking the streets and taking pictures, but she never shared them (with anyone?), and many were even left undeveloped. This must be a case of truly enjoying the process of taking pictures, among other things. It's impossible to imagine that she could keep her photography a secret from the people who knew her. Anyone who has ever traveled with me, or even been around me for 10 minutes, knows I love to take pictures and I have no idea how I could ever do it secretly.<br />
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Her street photography skills are impressive. I wonder what (if anything) she said to people before, during or after she took their photograph. I am usually embarrassed and feel like a creep if people know I'm taking their picture so I just try to be really sneaky. Partly because when people do know, they often become awkward, self-conscious, and unnatural looking. So many of the people in her portraits look so real yet aware that she is there. Then a few people do look confused, surprised, annoyed and/or angry (too late, people, she already stole your soul).<br />
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She took brilliant portraits, editorial shots (even of a few uber-celebs like Audrey Hepburn and Frank Sinatra), architectural and travel photographs. She also took great selfies.<br />
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There's something so mysterious and sort of beautiful about the fact that she didn't share her pictures, and it's especially impossible to fathom in today's share-everything-you-think-see-and-do era, but I also think that it's sad and maybe a little selfish that she kept these hidden away.<br />
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Anyway, there are about a million amazing photographs and you should go check them out <a href="http://www.vivianmaier.com/">on her site</a> (which I think that dude created for her).andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-7555776938726161912014-03-04T13:33:00.001-06:002014-03-04T13:33:30.606-06:00:type travel tuesday: {divo, london}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Divo.<br />
12. Waterloo Place, London.andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-64724558725041936602014-02-25T07:00:00.000-06:002014-02-25T07:00:13.968-06:00:type travel tuesday: {restaurant le caveaux du palais, paris}<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-54763905345069067942014-02-24T14:11:00.001-06:002014-02-24T14:21:44.337-06:00vivaldi in sainte chapelle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Probably my favorite church I've visited is La Sainte Chapelle (The Holy Chapel) in Paris, the royal medieval gothic "chapel" of St. Louis, King Louis IX of France. It was built (between 1239 and 1248) to house his collection of relics, which famously included Christ's crown of thorns!<br />
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It <i>is</i> rather small in comparison to gothic cathedrals, but is incredibly grand and arresting. The size is big enough to make you feel small, but small enough to have a special intimacy, and so you can really see the details. I always think walking into <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sainte-Chapelle">St. Chapelle</a> is like walking into a medieval illuminated manuscript. The colors are so vidid and cover every inch (I can never capture them in my photos (especially the bright blue ceiling). It also houses "one of the most extensive in-situ collections of 13th-century stained glass anywhere in the world." One of St. Louis' political advisors (and friends?) was none other than St. Thomas Aquinas, during the time when Aquinas was teaching at the University of Paris, so we like to assume that St. Thomas has been to the King's Chapel a time or two.<br />
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It is located inside what is now Paris's government complex, and it is no longer an operating parish, but a museum. While walking around Paris we saw a poster advertising a concert inside St. Chapelle, which featured Vivaldi's Four Seasons (Quartre Saisons). A few of our friends had never been there, so we decided to put our admission fee to better use, and go to the concert.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IzQ258TonZ4/UwuhHwqyEpI/AAAAAAAAIas/PQwA3MkEn8c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-24+at+12.40.43+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IzQ258TonZ4/UwuhHwqyEpI/AAAAAAAAIas/PQwA3MkEn8c/s1600/Screen+Shot+2014-02-24+at+12.40.43+PM.png" /></a><i>(The gang hanging out at a cafe across the street before the performance.)</i><br />
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The chapel itself is located above the ground-floor, so usually when you visit you enter downstairs and climb the tiny winding staircases up to the chapel (which is pretty great), but for the concert we got to enter through the chapel's enormous doors for the first time!<br />
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The concert was wonderful. It was very intimate with only (I'm terrible with numbers) a couple hundred people? The head violinist was a character, jumping around the stage and acting just how you might imagine a mad musician wearing tails would act. They also played pieces by Pachelbel and Vitali. It was such a great experience. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paUvEk2wY-E/Uwuk_-ib21I/AAAAAAAAIbI/iEeEQt4xVLQ/s1600/IMG_4619blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-paUvEk2wY-E/Uwuk_-ib21I/AAAAAAAAIbI/iEeEQt4xVLQ/s1600/IMG_4619blog.jpg" /></a>andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-52194301059610751122014-02-21T07:00:00.000-06:002014-02-21T07:00:00.169-06:00painter's squareMom and Dad bought us this painting from painter's square in Paris, a few years ago. I love it and it's hanging in our living room. I tried to take a photo from the same vantage point while we were there this summer. It isn't <i>exact</i> but it's still fun to look at them together.<br />
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<br />andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5723675997379784067.post-82728719402169048002014-02-19T07:00:00.000-06:002014-02-19T07:00:07.963-06:00a special re-purposeFor a while now Brandon has had his Mom and Dad's wedding rings from when they were married, waiting to do something special with them. He recently had the idea to melt down the gold and make them into two crosses, one for him and one for his full-sister Chelsey. <div>
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Over Christmas break my Dad helped him make the crosses using the dental equipment and resources he has used to make jewelry in the past. </div>
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To make the whole process easier they took a cast of a crucifix that Brandon got while we were in Rome, and used that as the model. They made a mold of the cross, and then filled the mold with black wax. Brandon then cleaned up the new molds and they took them to the dental lab in town to have the metal cast (since there was a limited amount of gold they wanted the lab's precision and expertise).</div>
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At the lab they melted down the rings, made a cone shaped mold around the wax crosses, melted out the wax and spun in the melted gold. </div>
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One of my biggest IDIOT moments EVER is that I forgot to take a before photo of the wedding rings! It all happened so fast, I didn't go along to the lab and I just completely forgot. We looked around in Pella over Christmas and couldn't find any photos of their rings either. Based on my memory of what they looked like, I made this quick sketch. They were gold, and if I remember correctly, were etched with a pattern similar to this.</div>
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BEFORE:</div>
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AFTER:</div>
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andreahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17079225704425603799noreply@blogger.com1