always Early

the kiss

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:24:00 +0000

My little brother is married.

Crazy.

12.17.11

Getting My Bake On

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 20:53:00 +0000

For Christmas, I received a Barnes & Noble gift card (thanks, Kim!). What did I get? This cookbook. I love it. 350+ recipes, many with step-by-step photographs. And what a great way to get motivated for my baking resolution, no? So far, I've only made the Apricot Danish Pastries. Oh. My Gosh. They were SO delicious. However, they were SO time-consuming (or maybe that was the baby?), and kind of difficult. I don't think I'll be making them again any time soon...

On today's agenda? Some sort of raspberry cream meringues...

EBE

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:55:00 +0000

I can't believe she's almost three weeks old!

Look at those long legs!

11.11.11

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 22:16:00 +0000

I'm trying to get caught up on editing 198473246897 photos on our computer;

can't believe it's almost been two months!

We were sealed on November 11, 2011.

Resolved

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:21:00 +0000

Last year, I had some resolutions. Eight resolutions, actually. I didn't do too bad! I played NO Facebook games. Seriously--zero. [Instead, I wasted my time on Pinterest. Eh.] We definitely worked on making our house more home-y, which I LOVE. It is so much easier to stay put when you've worked so hard on putting it all together. I saved for my new camera and bought it a couple months ago. I worked hard(er) on my Etsy shop (of course. How else would I have gotten the camera $$?). And I certainly drank more water... and retained it. Oh, the joys of pregnancy!

I did not minimize my sugary-snack intake. And--let's face it--I'm still not monitoring my sweets. I'm breastfeeding. Also known as eating whatevertheheckiwant and still dropping the pounds. I did not lose ten pounds. Instead, I gained 48! My final goal for 2011 was to be cuter. Not sure if I accomplished that one. I had a really cute belly, but I often wore sweatpants. I got my hair cut super short, but I only wore make-up about 5 times all year (more on make-up below). I bought tons of new clothes, but they weren't a cuteness priority; I just needed something that fit!!

My goals for 2012? Keeping it simple!
Lose all my pregnancy weight, plus the 10# from last year's resolutions.
Become a better baker: bake one new something each week.
Be myself and feel good about it! For example, don't feel guilty about going without make-up 99% of the time.
Take more pictures.
Laugh, a lot!
Work on pattern development & clothing design.
Be the best mom I can be, for ~~reals~~ realz.

What are your goals for the new year?

Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 19:35:00 +0000

Photo taken near the beginning of January. Emerson arrived on the 22nd and we spent most of Christmas Day in the hospital.

Christmas did not feel like Christmas this year. We put up our tree without much thought (and took it down with even less), amid the hustle and bustle of a wedding, an impending baby arrival, work, & finals (for Chris). There wasn't a lot of time, this year, for thoughtful gifts or holiday baking or Christmas movies (though, I've watched Home Alone 2 three times this week). I'll bet 2012's Christmas feels like Christmas, though. How can it not with a little one to celebrate with?

A Preview

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 15:25:00 +0000

Emerson's nursery is 99% complete.

But she's already here.

But it doesn't really matter that it isn't finished.

It's not like she uses that room, yet...

Anyway.

Here's a little preview of the wall in her room.

[taken in the night by the light of her own personal Christmas tree, hence the graininess]

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 18:58:00 +0000

Ten days ago I gave birth to the most perfect, precious person I've ever known.

Hoping your holiday season has been filled with as much excitement, change (the good kind), and overwhelming love as we've experienced for ourselves.

Happy New Year!!

how to birth a child: part three

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 13:00:00 +0000

Birthing class this week (okay, fine...last week) was horrifying! We watched the video. You know, the one where you see a naked, moaning woman release a bloody, floppy, tiny person into the world? Yes, that video. I'm traumatized. At that point, I had decided that I was no longer anxious for E to make her appearance. Heck; let's just schedule induction at 43 weeks and call it a day!

We also took a tour of Labor & Delivery. Loved it. There were only a couple babies in the nursery, but they were so precious! We saw the crochet hook they use to break your water, the laser-controlled spotlights, the vending machines, and the recovery rooms (and yes, these four things were what stood out to me. Ha.). All the recovery rooms are private (no weirdos, yay!), and vary in size. I'm thinking I like the tiny one best; so cozy and you can really only fit so many visitors into such a small space. I'm anticipating that too many at once will be bad news for me. :)

Our next class is tonight. I guess we are technically finished with learning how to birth a child. From here on out it will be post-delivery care for me & E.

PS. Remember how I was fine with waiting as long as E took after seeing the video? Wellllll... I had an appointment on Friday and I'm already two centimeters dilated and 50% effaced. I know it doesn't really mean anything as far as when she'll be ready, BUT! I worked really hard this weekend on getting ready, just in case, and now I'm dying to have her. This week. Today. Right after I hit publish. Another driving force behind my sudden readiness? A stretch mark. A REAL one! I know it's there, but I can't find it now... Come on, Emerson! We're ready for you!!! xo

how to birth a child: part two

how to birth a child: part one

thanksgiving

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 03:49:00 +0000

I'm pretty much crazy and decided it would be nice to have our own Thanksgiving dinner. I cooked for six hours. We ate for 15 minutes. Why do I always think we'll eat the leftovers? We never do...

a typical weekday night

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:24:00 +0000

A typical weekday night in the Early home usually goes like this:

Compliment one another on good looks and/or nice outfits. Probably some smooching.

Make a quick meal (one that is probably lacking some major food groups, but is still better than Taco Bell); eat said quick meal.

Watch an episode of New Girl, Terra Nova, Once Upon A Time, Up All Night, or The Office.

Discuss happenings of each person's day (during Hulu Plus commercials, of course).

Change clothes and head out for some sort of evening activity: birthing class, grocery shopping, dessert with friends, etc.

And somewhere in there, forget that you were photographing your evening. Whoops.

Oh, hello dahling! Smooch.

Corn. If he had only known I can't eat corn with pepper in it...

Leftover ribs. Nomnomnom.

Chris' day included getting a free granite slab for our counter top from a customer.

My day included getting worked up over an idiot customer (not pictured) who was snooty. And wrong. So wrong.

how to birth a child: part two

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:32:00 +0000

This week in our (2.5 hour!!!) class, we were all made aware of that guy. You know, the support person who vigorously scribbles down every tiny bit of information, and then asks a series of off-topic questions to ease his mind about the impending birth (and his impending fatherhood). Gosh, that guy is quite the character. I don't know how his lady can take it! Not only is he that guy, he is that perverted guy. See dialogue below:

Nurse-instructor-lady: Okay. I want all the moms to get on their hands and knees. Support people, get behind them. We're going to practice some back-labor relaxation techniques.
That [perverted] guy: Giggity. This looks familiar.

Stuff like that. How embarrassing for his lady! Oh! And apparently he is not only that [perverted] guy, he is that [perverted] guy whose pants show off his crack, oh and by the way, Tasha, his three inches of exposed crack is only about six inches from your head because we plopped down right next to him. Jeez.

Chris is not at all like that guy. Sure, he does jot down the occasional note in class (and it is so adorable when he does!), but he spends most of the class time flirting with me and making faces & comments that evoke a burst of uncontrollable giggles from myself. It probably doesn't make sense now, but we were almost in tears over our endorphin dolphin last night. I won't even try to explain...

how to birth a child: part three

how to birth a child: part one

a shower

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 13:22:00 +0000

My wonderful mother and amazing future sister-in-law held a baby shower for us last week.

It was awesome!!!

Thank you times a million, guys. :)
Also thanks to everyone who came & those who couldn't be there but sent a gift, anyway:
Ruth, Vi, Amy & Rachel, Paige, Terriann, Abbie & Emma, Bailey, LaDawn & Mazie, Kristian, Brenda & Sam, Krystal, Janna, Jo Ann, Ramona, Cindi, Caroll & girls, Grandma Lynch & Aunt Pam, Amy, LeAnna, Jennifer & Katie, Kim, and Heather. Phew!

how to birth a child

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Tue, 08 Nov 2011 13:06:00 +0000

We had our first childbirthing/Lamaze class last night. Is there anything more awkward than synchronized hee-hee-hee-who-ing? Probably, but I think it ranks pretty high. The class was full of things I already knew--maybe it's more for Chris? I will say, however, that I tried really, really hard to keep a straight face and not giggle inappropriately. There's just something about the way the lady voice on the video said 'vagina...'

Vagina, vagina, vagina.

how to birth a child: part two

my twenty-fourth birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 18:54:00 +0000

1: my cousin brought me cookies at work
2: Chris let me wear his lucky shirt
3+4: We experimented with city lights & manual focus
5: dinner @ Red Robin
6+7: my birthday sundae
8: my handsome man
9+10: a little nursery sewing before bed

our Halloween

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 12:27:00 +0000

This Halloween we didn't do a lot. Trunk or Treat at the church building, carving a single pumpkin with family, and visiting nieces, nephews, brothers, & sisters before they headed out on their trick or treating adventures. Pretty low-key. We even used costumes from two Halloweens back. Shame, shame!

Wow! You're 24.

noreply@blogger.com (Christopher) — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 21:03:00 +0000

Tasha you don't know I'm writing this. It is your birthday. I hope it is awesome! I love you with all my heart and I'm very blessed to be your husband. Here are 24 reasons why I love you more than anything in the world.

1. You love me.
2. You are extremely intelligent.
3. You are carrying my child.
4. You didn't have a boyfriend when I asked you that night.
5. You're really good at everything.
6. You have always supported me.
7. You think I'm really funny.
8. You want to buy me things even when I refuse... a lot.
9. You are an amazing cook.
10. You are extremely funny.
11. Your are flippin' beautiful.
12. You wanted to marry me only 8 months after we met.
13. You hate it when I tickle you, but you're so cute.
14. We rarely fight or argue about stuff. (knock on wood)
15. You introduced me to T.V. shows.
16. You want to go to the Temple with me.
17. You love Great Danes as much as I do.
18. Your funny when you make fun of people for what I just did. (I know you caught that)
19. Reread number one.
20. Your side of the family loves me.
21. You have good taste in music.
22. You want me to do well in school.
23. Sometimes you call me oppa and sometime you call me poop.
24. You are the cutest pregnant person I've ever seen in my life.

I'm sure there are about 19 more but I am out of years. I love you. I love Emerson too. (let her know for me) Happy Birthday! You are my favorite.

November

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:53:00 +0000

November; my absolute very favorite month of the entire year!

Can I even count the reasons why?

Christmas music. Two whole months of my favorite tunes, and they start today.

This year I'll be adding She & Him to my regular rotation of Sufjan Stevens, The Killers, and Music From The OC Mix 3 (the Christmas album--don't laugh!).

My birthday! I'm turning 24 this month. I already got the ultimate birthday gift (a new camera), but I can't wait to celebrate with a special dinner & dessert. :)

This year's lineup of November festivities includes a baby shower for Emerson. Yummy treats & fun times with all my favorite people? Yes, please!

Jackets. It's jacket season! Did I mention I love jackets?

Thanksgiving. Lucky for me, Chris and I have about four Thanksgivings to attend each year.

I've been dreaming of pie + turkey + mashed potatoes + pie for months now...

This November will be pretty special. It may be the last full month Chris & I ever have together--just the two of us. Emerson's arrival is speedily approaching. Our goal is to have her nursery finished by Thanksgiving; I can't wait to show you what we've come up with!

xo, Tasha

happy Halloween!

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 01:40:00 +0000

five dolla

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 17:00:00 +0000

Just a heads up! I'm now selling all my vintage scarves for $5 each. :)

anticipation

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 01:46:00 +0000

This is a cell-phone photo.

I promise it will be the very last cell-phone photo

I ever, ever post on this blog.

Why?
Because, my brand new camera is arriving tomorrow.

Then again... let's admit it. I'm pretty lazy, and once Emerson comes

I'm sure I'll be grabbing at any device within arms reach to capture

every

little

thing

about her.

Fall

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 01:00:00 +0000

Some people call Fall Autumn. I call Fall Fall. And it's finally here! There is something about Fall that makes something inside me snap. The cool weather comes in and all of a sudden I'm baking. Cooking. Cleaning. Crafting. Planning. Scheming. Smiling. I'm motivated & energetic. I feel myself just gushing with happiness; gratitude. And there really has been so much to be grateful for lately--for friends & family, for my hard-working husband, for my job, for the sweet little baby kicking around inside me. I'm just enjoying myself--taking it all in.

I know I rarely post here anymore (sorry?), but lately I like living to live. The planning, the photos, the trying to think of something to post? Not always worth that which you might miss out on in the process. But then, what better place to store all my sweetest memories than here? More to come. We only have a few months, after all!

117 days

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 18:15:00 +0000

We only have 117 days before our baby girl is due.

Her nursery = a wreck.

Today I finally painted the eggs for her mobile.

I'm seriously in love with these colors.

i was wrong

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:00:00 +0000

I was so wrong. Our baby is not a boy, as I was convinced.

She is a girl. A sweet little perfect pretty baby girl.

four years

noreply@blogger.com (Tasha Early) — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 12:15:00 +0000

Happy Anniversary, sweetie. I love you more than words!

I mean, I love you more than they could say. Although I DO love words, too.

ooxxooXoXXx