I have been doing some design and photography on the side for friends and family.
I started another blog for that alone.
Check out some of the fun things I recently created! Follow the link below.
Celebrating our Anniversary
Justin and I got away this past weekend to Madison to celebrate our anniversary. It was such a nice time away for both of us and I think we both feel re-energized!
We stopped at Wollersheim Winery on the way down. It was a perfect day for a tour.
Once we got to Madison, we checked into our hotel and went hopping around to a few different places to eat food and have some drinks. It was fun to stop at a bunch of different places.
We actually got back to the hotel at a reasonable time. I woke up feeling well rested and ready to take on this next week. I was feeling a bit tired lately. All this "fun" reading for school!
Averie stayed at Grandma Stephanie's this weekend, so she was able to spend time with her grandma and grandpa and her auntie Bethany. She had so much fun!
All in all it was a great weekend for the entire Hoerter family.
Milo was a lucky pug and got to spend time with Grandma Brenda.
I am sure he got some good loving from her.
Family Camping Trip
Averie's first camping trip was Labor Day Weekend 2013. We had such a wonderful time. The three of us stayed in our tent and Milo was able to sleep in luxury in my parents trailer they recently purchased.
We traveled to Lake Gogebic in Michigan. This lake is pretty big and has some great fishing. My parents have been coming here for the past few years and they really enjoy it. They enjoy it so much, that my dad, who recently retired, bought a 35 foot trailer that was located at the site they usually stay at the weekend after he retired.
Having the trailer really worked out well with Averie. She was able to play outside during the day when it was nice and then when it got cold, or was raining, she was able to play inside. It was very nice to have, or else I think her and I would have been spending a lot of time in the tent.
Justin and my dad did a lot of fishing. I went out a couple times, but the guys were not as lucky as they were without me. They caught a lot of fish, so our freezer is stocked!
Averie, my mom and I spent a lot of time playing. We visited with our family friends that were up there. We went swimming one day. It was really fun. Averie really changed a lot over the weekend. She is really turning into such a little girl. She has become more independent on walking. She will get up on her own and walk to something now. Before she mostly walked just between two people or furniture walking. She stands up on her own and is not so scared anymore.
The cutest part of the weekend by far, was when we were asking her what a dog says and she says aarf, aarf, aarf (she has done that for a while now). Then we asked her what a cow says and she said mmooo. It was so cute. It really made me feel good as a parent to know that the things we are teaching her are really starting to catch on! It is amazing to watch your kids grown and develop. She is just the sweetest thing in my world.
Hope you all had a lovely Labor Day Weekend!
The Hoerter Family
My Breastfeeding Story
I wanted to write something about my experience breastfeeding Averie because
I read so many articles and had so many amazing friends help me through
the entire process. Averie just turned one and I am no longer breastfeeding
her, so I thought now would be a good time to share my story.
At first I wanted to at least try it and if it worked out then great. If not, then oh well. That was the thought in my mind and Justin's. We were never hard set on anything. When Averie was born, she latched on so easy and did such a good job breastfeeding right off the bat that I just felt it was right.
Those first couple days were perfect and then all of a sudden I was in a lot of pain. I will be honest and say that your nipples will probably get chapped and possibly bleed and have scars, but if you can get through that first week or two, I promise it gets better.
After that it was pretty much a breeze and it was so easy. We never had to prepare too much during the first 6 months because as long as I was with her, she had her food source! I really will say that the first six months was pretty easy for me. I would pump more to stock up the freezer and had a good supply.
I drank lots of water, about 100-200 ounces a day, and ate well. I know a lot of people want to get back in shape after the baby is born, so they try to diet. I always ate heatlhy, but I wasn't so concerned about calories and fat. You burn so many calories from breastfeeding, so if you try to diet too much, your milk supply will be in jeopardy. Your body needs that fat to have a good milk supply. I ate a lot and still weighed less than I did before I got pregnant probably about six months after she was born. So be sure to drink lots of water and eat lots of food. Your body needs it!
I continued to breastfeed Averie four times a day from 6 months on. As she got older and ate more meals, she would feed less and less. Finally at about 10-11 months I started to take one feeding away each week. The week of her birthday, I was only feeding her in the morning. Then one morning when she woke up, I got her out of her crib and tried to entertain her with something else, so she would not want to breastfeed. I did that every morning to keep her occupied until she ate breakfast. Now I think she sort of just forgot about it. Some mornings she is fussy, but we just play with her or feed her and then she is fine.
We took out the night time feeding first because Averie would not take a bottle anymore. If Justin and I wanted to go out at night, Averie needed to get used to not having a night time feeding so we could get a sitter.
Averie started to not take a bottle at about 10 months. This is my fault completely…since I was home with her, I was only breastfeeding her and not giving her a bottle because that was twice the work for me. Not thinking that would lead her to not want a bottle anymore. Lesson learned for child #2! Anyway, so we took that feeding out first in case we had a sitter one night. The first week or two she would wake up at 2:30 am. I would not feed her, just cuddle with her until she went back to sleep. Finally she started getting better.
I tried giving Averie milk, but she didn’t like it yet, so she wouldn't drink anything before bed. One day after reading different stuff online, I decided to mix milk with some orange juice. Well I gave it to Averie and she liked it! I tried it first and it was sort of like a dreamsicle. This was perfect because at least then she would have some substance in her tummy before bed. Now we just mix a little chocolate milk in with the whole milk and she loves it. Hey…you gotta do what you gotta do. Now she is sleeping, well, like a baby again! Mommy and Daddy are loving that!
So this is my story. As you know, different things work for different people. This is what worked for our family and our daughter. Now I need to figure out how to teach this kid how to eat with spoons and forks. Any suggestions? Right now we still just put everything on her highchair in pieces and she eats with her fingers. The thought of putting things on a plate with a spoon makes me stressed. Food will be flying. I would love to hear what others have done.
At first I wanted to at least try it and if it worked out then great. If not, then oh well. That was the thought in my mind and Justin's. We were never hard set on anything. When Averie was born, she latched on so easy and did such a good job breastfeeding right off the bat that I just felt it was right.
Those first couple days were perfect and then all of a sudden I was in a lot of pain. I will be honest and say that your nipples will probably get chapped and possibly bleed and have scars, but if you can get through that first week or two, I promise it gets better.
After that it was pretty much a breeze and it was so easy. We never had to prepare too much during the first 6 months because as long as I was with her, she had her food source! I really will say that the first six months was pretty easy for me. I would pump more to stock up the freezer and had a good supply.
I drank lots of water, about 100-200 ounces a day, and ate well. I know a lot of people want to get back in shape after the baby is born, so they try to diet. I always ate heatlhy, but I wasn't so concerned about calories and fat. You burn so many calories from breastfeeding, so if you try to diet too much, your milk supply will be in jeopardy. Your body needs that fat to have a good milk supply. I ate a lot and still weighed less than I did before I got pregnant probably about six months after she was born. So be sure to drink lots of water and eat lots of food. Your body needs it!
I continued to breastfeed Averie four times a day from 6 months on. As she got older and ate more meals, she would feed less and less. Finally at about 10-11 months I started to take one feeding away each week. The week of her birthday, I was only feeding her in the morning. Then one morning when she woke up, I got her out of her crib and tried to entertain her with something else, so she would not want to breastfeed. I did that every morning to keep her occupied until she ate breakfast. Now I think she sort of just forgot about it. Some mornings she is fussy, but we just play with her or feed her and then she is fine.
We took out the night time feeding first because Averie would not take a bottle anymore. If Justin and I wanted to go out at night, Averie needed to get used to not having a night time feeding so we could get a sitter.
Averie started to not take a bottle at about 10 months. This is my fault completely…since I was home with her, I was only breastfeeding her and not giving her a bottle because that was twice the work for me. Not thinking that would lead her to not want a bottle anymore. Lesson learned for child #2! Anyway, so we took that feeding out first in case we had a sitter one night. The first week or two she would wake up at 2:30 am. I would not feed her, just cuddle with her until she went back to sleep. Finally she started getting better.
I tried giving Averie milk, but she didn’t like it yet, so she wouldn't drink anything before bed. One day after reading different stuff online, I decided to mix milk with some orange juice. Well I gave it to Averie and she liked it! I tried it first and it was sort of like a dreamsicle. This was perfect because at least then she would have some substance in her tummy before bed. Now we just mix a little chocolate milk in with the whole milk and she loves it. Hey…you gotta do what you gotta do. Now she is sleeping, well, like a baby again! Mommy and Daddy are loving that!
So this is my story. As you know, different things work for different people. This is what worked for our family and our daughter. Now I need to figure out how to teach this kid how to eat with spoons and forks. Any suggestions? Right now we still just put everything on her highchair in pieces and she eats with her fingers. The thought of putting things on a plate with a spoon makes me stressed. Food will be flying. I would love to hear what others have done.
Averie's Rainbow Theme First Birthday
It went off without a hitch!
Averie's first birthday party was a success!
Our outfits were finished in time thanks to my talented mom!
The cake turned out great even though I am not a baker by any means.
And everyone loved the sliders we made!
It was such a nice birthday party.
Here are some photos from Averie's Rainbow Theme First Birthday Party!
Why a rainbow theme party? Well it all started when we went to visit my cousin Laura in Indiana. We stopped at a fabric shop, The Scarlet Thread Quilt Co., to look for some fabric for some dresses Laura wanted my mom to try to make for Audrey. While we were there my mom and I found a rainbow chevron pattern that we liked. I thought it would be neat if my mom could make Averie a dress and then make me a skirt to match. From that I got the idea to make this invitation.
I also designed this chalkboard birthday poster. These are all the craze right now on Etsy.
Click on the image to go to my Etsy shop!
My oh so talented mom sewed these outfits for Averie and I to go along with the theme.
A nice family photo before the craziness takes place!
Outside decorations
Inside I designed this pennant birthday banner!
I put together a little display of her birthday poster as a 5x7, some photos from when she was born, photos that people could take, her outfit from the hospital and her hat, and then I also put on a shelf all of the monthly photos I took of her over the last year as you can see in the background.
Averie had a lot of fun opening her gifts!
She is the most precious little girl in my eyes!
Averie is such a ham!
Auntie Bethany got Averie her own bun-bun! Long story, but basically her auntie gave her the same stuffed animal that Bethany has still to this day!
What a cute idea! Averie is lucky to have such a sweet aunite!
And what is a birthday without a minor meltdown!!!
Most people don't think she looks like me, but yikes, she sure has my BOLD personality!
And then the cake! This was a piece of work to put together.
It was not hard, but it was time consuming. I found the recipe on Martha Stewart's website,
but I used cream cheese frosting instead found here.
It was not hard, but it was time consuming. I found the recipe on Martha Stewart's website,
but I used cream cheese frosting instead found here.
This cake was a lot of fun to make. I am not a baker and to have this amazing presentation at the end really made me feel good!
Since I was running around like a crazy lady, I was unable to snap photos like I normally do. I want to thank Kyle for taking such great shots while I was busy.
I am so glad my mom and Justin's mom were able to capture some really nice photos.
It was a lovely day spent with wonderful family and friends.
We are so lucky to have such amazing people and generous people in our lives.
Thank you for making Averie's first birthday so magical for all of us!
Grandma Brenda and her grand-daughters
Our Trip to Indiana
Last week, my mom and I went to visit my cousin Laura in Rochester, Indiana. It was such a fun time. Alyssa and Averie were along on the trip as well and they both had so much fun.
I remember being Alyssa's age and doing almost everything with my cousins - Laura, Chris and Michelle...and of course my brother was there as well!
We always had so much fun with our moms. They took us everywhere. Being the youngest, Laura and I had to do some crazy things on our trips. Let's just say we are happy the laws are more strict now for vehicles and kids! TOO FUNNY!
Anyways, I just hope that I too can bring as much fun to my daughter's life as my mom did for me. It was so fun being able to spend a week with my cousin and doing fun things with our kids. I am so blessed to have such an amazing and caring family. Thank you so much Laura for hosting us and thank you to my mom for all you do for me. You're an amazing mom!
Ok on to the good stuff. I wanted to share some photos from our trip! Check them out!
Audrey and her pirate dress!
Audrey is such a good model...when she wants to be!
Another pug lover. This is Deccy.
She looks just like her mommy!
Love this shot!
Here is little Annabelle
Averie having fun on the swing
Audrey is styling with her mommy's sunglasses
Annabelle and Averie were born just a few weeks apart
Styling with her sunglasses
Our sweet Alyssa had fun being the oldest kid
Annabelle and Averie
Alex and Alyssa
Alyssa, Alex and Audrey
I love sunflowers
Pretty little Audrey
Alex smiling for his mommy
Alyssa being crazy!
It was such a fun time. We will be sure to visit again soon. You have a lovely home and an even more lovely family. Love you Ault's!
Here we are at the Zoo!
Ate lunch at an Oasis on our way down.
We stopped at the Indiana Sand Dunes on the way home as well.
Here we are at the Zoo!
Ate lunch at an Oasis on our way down.
We stopped at the Indiana Sand Dunes on the way home as well.
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