You know you're a Mom when...

• People know it's okay to text you at 7:25am on a Sunday morning...you'll be up.
• Your TV is on Nick Jr. or some other form of cartoonish-ness 90% of the time it's on.
• It looks like you're moving out of the house every time you leave to go somewhere for longer than a day.
• You have plenty of baby or toddler food in the house, but it might be hard to scrounge up your own meal at times.
• You get teary-eyed any time you see a young man or woman do something awesome (i.e. be named football MVP, win American Idol, publicly praise the Lord, or thank his Mama).  That could be your baby one day.
• Your heart positively breaks for Mothers who have lost their children far to young.
• You might unintentionally refer to your husband as "Daddy" when talking about him to your friends/relatives.
• You have bad dreams of finding hidden spoiled milk sippy cups. 
• There are 409 pictures (so far) on your iPhone and 407 are of your kid.
• It's not about you anymore, and you couldn't be more okay with that.

A Friday Morning List.

1.  My son woke up at 5:45 this morning.  No idea why - must be the early sunrise.  Since I'm now at home, I can't justify nudging (read: shoving) Nate out of bed to go get him.  Thus, I stumbled in to his room and retrieved the wide awake kid.

2.  This blurry picture was taken around 7:00a.  Please note the one frog boot and that he is talking fervently on a very tiny pretend cell phone.  He thinks that you have to walk around when you talk on the phone...wonder where he got that from.

3.  Harris Teeter had Triple Coupons this past week...I rocked out.  My second trip is pictured below.  $11 for all of this - I saved roughly $26.  It's an awesome thing to do when you need to get all you can out of a dollar.  Time consuming, but well worth it!

4.  Some very good friends of ours had a baby girl 2 days ago, and I met her last night.  My goodness she is beautiful - she was born in the same room I had my son.  It was special being back in that room again holding a tiny little one.  Baby fever, anyone?  I digress.

5.  I'm going to go start some laundry or something while the kid mentioned in Items No. 1 and 2 sleeps off his early wake up time...bless him.

The New and Improved Me!

My recent (super recent) transition to a stay-at-home Mom has allowed me a little more time to write.  That is not to say I'm not busy.  Holy cow.  I think this is the first time I've sat still since last Friday when I said Adios! to my good friends at the workplace!  I don't feel like it's real yet.  I keep going to sleep thinking, "I'll have to go to work tomorrow." But, no.

Part of that may be due to the fact that God is awesome, and has already all but put in place a working from home job for me.  Not to mention, I have cake orders coming in left and right.  It's like it was meant to be!

Since hubby was in Canada for my first week as a SAHM...

Nate and giant pike.

...it wasn't all that realistic.  Me, my boy and the dog stayed with my Mom all week.  It was awesome to be back home for a while!

My goal for the re-start (for the bazillionth time) of this blog is to share random thoughts, recipes and funny stories about my new life!  I hope you guys enjoy!

p.s.  I'm sorry if you are my close friend or family member and you are finding out about me leaving work through my blog - I'm not one to make a huge deal out of things like this...Love you, mean it.

Today:

I resolve to eat better.  (No, that mini-oatmeal raisin cookie I had this morning does not count - Nate said I had to try it.  I was just being a good wife.)  I'm not trying to lose weight, just trying to prevent gaining more - plus, I'd like to feel a little better.  Eating habits are a good place to start for that.

Problem is, I resolved to do this last Monday, too - except I then proceeded to eat so many Frosted Flakes for breakfast that I had a sugar high, and ate about 741 chocolate covered raisins.  Fail.

Good news:  this week I'm out of Frosted Flakes and chocolate covered raisins.

Other goals involve only having one Coke every other day (I'm addicted, okay - this requires baby steps), sweets such as the Halloween candy can only be had once in a blue moon,  (anyone want some Halloween candy?) and fast food only once a week. 

High stakes, but I need to do this!  After all, the Holidays are right around the corner and I'd like to be able to enjoy them...by rewarding myself by eating whatever I want to!

I miss blogging.  It's true, I do.  Well, to be truthful, I miss writing and giving people the option to follow and read it or not.  Is that the definition of blogging?  I think I'm a good writer (well, decent) and I communicate much better on paper, because there I can formulate my thoughts ahead of time and actually be witty, and possibly even make a good point now and then.  In real life, I think of something funny about 10 minutes after "the moment" has passed.  And though I spend literally hours in the car per week thinking of what to write about (weird, I know), when I sit down at the computer, nothing comes.  All those clever ideas?  Gone.  Little quips?  Out the window.

I think my problem is just getting going.  That first post after my five month hiatus.  I figure, the best way to get over this hump is just to give a general update.  Then my random thoughts, pictures and ideas will pour out?  One can only hope.  Here's a list:

1.  My baby boy is about to be 9 months old (Wednesday).  Nuts, I know.  He's standing up by himself and trying to walk already.  Bless him.  He's also in the 95 percentile on everything.  Who knew I'd birth a giant?  Love, love this kid. 

2.  Sometimes you wonder if you've done the right thing in life.  Right?  Saturday night I was up with said sweet boy above at 1:25a.m.  It dawned on me that while I soothed my teething baby, my friends were out drinking with sexy costumes on while I sat in a rocking chair half asleep.  Then I realized...there is no way in the world I would trade places.  (Don't get me wrong, I would have fun if I went with them - that's not the point.)  This is where I'm supposed to be.  Here with my boys (and chocolate dog).  It was just that little confirmation you get every once in a while that you might be on the right track.

3.  I'm still making cakes.  Just finished my 3rd wedding cake this past weekend!  I also have slacked off on my cake blog.  If I'm feeling super ambitious, I'll update it tonight after Little Man goes night-night.  Don't hold your breath though.  This is a pic of the second I've done.

4.  I'm part-time paralegal, full-time Mommy, and part-time cake maker.  It makes for one busy woman.  Oh, and a wife, and friend, and daughter, and sister, and time management is important.

5.  I'm ready for the Holidays.  I usually get mad at Christmas music the day after Halloween, but you know what - being a mother has taught me a valuable lesson in appreciating and embracing every day.  No use in avoiding happiness.  Plus, I get to be Santa Clause this year! 

6.  I went to New York a couple weekends ago.  Mark that one off the bucket list!  I'll post more on that adventure later.

7.  I'm liking the way this writing thing is feeling...I'll be back y'all!

Well, hello there.

Hi everyone!  Sorry it's been so long...but life is happening.  My son is now 9 weeks old.  And time is flying by.  I don't even find time to get on facebook as much anymore.  And that is saying something. 

I last blogged about my work dilemma - and I can't lie, I was in the process of making some changes with it, but wasn't ready to say it out loud yet just in case it didn't work out...but my firm as so graciously allowed me to come back part-time.  I'm the first person in my position that they have approved to do so (although I'm not sure anyone else has ever asked?).  Either way, I guess my hard work finally paid off and is appreciated!  I'll be working 3 days a week, leaving 4 for my little man!  It's the perfect compromise for me because I absolutely 100% could happily be a stay-at-home-mom, but I do crave the adult interaction.  I think it will be good for me and Peanut to have our time with others, and this way I'll have more money to buy my little man toys and cute clothes. (Note: this is me justifying my return to work to myself.)  

Peanut is great - growing like a weed.  He smiles and coos and does all sorts of cute baby things.  I love it!

A Nice Break.

I've spent the last few weeks getting acclimated to life as a parent.  Whoa - yeah.  It's a wild ride!  I've learned so much, and yet felt so dumb, all the while growing to love a tee-nincy little boy more than I ever thought possible.  I've taken a break - a break from work, writing, cake decorating, living life as I used to know it.  I've spent a few great days on my couch watching two or three Harry Potter movies while holding Little A, and I've spent days doing nothing but cleaning.

Now here we are nearly six weeks into life as a Mom (yeah, he'll be six weeks old next Wednesday!) and things are slowly going back to the new normal.  I did my first cake last weekend, and have been so pleased with how many people didn't forget about me :)  I already have 4 orders for March and have been asked to do three more wedding cakes!

While I'm okay with things going back to normal - I'm not okay with the thought of working just yet.  I seriously could write a really loooong letter to my Congressman (or whoever I need to yell at) that six weeks is just.not.enough. for maternity leave.  I haven't even begun to scratch the surface of my son's personality, likes and dislikes and according to corporate America I'm just supposed to hand him over to someone when he can't even fully control his head movement yet.  Uhh no.

Luckily, my firm has been so understanding and is allowing me an additional two weeks (I couldn't take the full 12 FMLA weeks because of my bedrest - that's another letter to the Congressman) and I am fortunate enough to have my Mom willing to keep little man when I go back.  I don't like it though and that's all I have to say about that right now.

I've also taken a break from reading other blogs - not by intention - just by exhaustion.  I sit down on the computer and totally forget what I'm doing.  So, I apologize if I haven't commented on your blog in a while - I haven't forgotten about you and promise to catch up soon!

Now, it's time for me to go to bed...super early, on a Friday.  I'll just be up in three hours anyway! :)

Motherhood is...

A full time job.  Crazy.  Rewarding.  A feeling like never before.  Waking up at 1, 4, and 7 a.m.  Lots of laundry.  Wearing a baby bjourn for the first time.  Fun.  Nerve-racking.  Endless amounts of pictures.  Smiles.  Tears.  Playing dress up.  The biggest responsibility of your life.  The reason I had to stop 7 times to do something for the baby while writing this post.  A little scary.  Sleep depriving.  Amazing.  Loving your husband in a new way.  Seeing your parents light up when they look at their grandchild. Sustaining another life.  Constant prayer for your child.  Learning to do everything one-handed.  Sheer joy when he smiles...even if he doesn't know he's smiling yet.  Changing diapers.  A tiny hand wrapped around your finger.  Talking like an idiot in your "baby voice."  Looking at the world in a whole new light.  Being the person that can make the baby stop crying when no one else can.  Trying.  Staring at him because he won't be this little for long.  Cleaning just to clean up again tomorrow.  Driving slower because there is now a life more important than yours in the car.  Being nervous every time he grunts in the middle of the night.  Crying because the baby is a whole week old.  Expensive.  Discovering that you can, in fact, sleep for several hours without moving while the baby lays on your chest.  Having to make time for yourself.  Appreciating family and friends.  Not to be taken lightly.  Remembering what it felt like to sleep for more than 3 hours at a time.  Googling every.single.thing. you worry or wonder about.  Re-prioritizing your life.  Pure Joy.

My sweet baby boy is here!  Austin Phillip was born Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 4:21 p.m.  8lbs 2oz.

The past few days with him have been wonderful, and I'm just trying to soak it all in :)  Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers.  I'll post my Baby Story soon!

Check, please.

I apologize for my absence.  Things have been quite hectic these past few days and I haven't been in much of a mood to write.  At my doctor's appointment this past Monday I was released from bedrest - which while I'm thrilled to be able to start doing my own thing, it also means I'm supposed to go back to work.  Not so thrilling.

How in the world do you go from doing positively nothing one morning and then that afternoon you are to begin doing everything per usual.  Couldn't someone have mentioned at least ONE time that I would be going back to work after 36 weeks?  I mean don't you think that is some information I deserved for a doctor to have mentioned?!  It's definitely a shock to the system that can't be explained.  I haven't made a decision outside of what pajamas to put on in weeks, and now I'm supposed to return to a 10.5 hour day (including travel time) just like that?!  Long, emotional story short - I am going to return to work this coming Monday.  I don't want to - and I think it's stupid to go back to work just to go into labor but whatever.

I have begun to progress though - 3cm and 60% effaced as of Monday (sorry if this is TMI for some of you).  And I will be 37 weeks tomorrow, so bring on the baby!  I've been doing my housework and attempting to mentally prepare for work all the while hoping that I go in to labor...as soon as possible.

I have been having Braxton Hicks contractions...false labor...CONSTANTLY - and I mean contractions at the very, very least every 12 minutes (they average around 8 minutes and have gotten down to 5 minutes a few times) since Thanksgiving...in November.  Y'all, I am over this false labor crap - bring on the real stuff and let's DO this.   

So I'm off to eat Mexican food, walk all the time and do er...um...that other stuff that they say induces labor ;)

Side effect: Bravery?

So you guys have no doubt heard me moan and drone over the past eight-ish months about the side effects of this wonderful thing we call pro-creation.  There have been vision problems, nausea and vomiting, nose bleeds, and many, many other ailments that have come my way in these 35 weeks.  At times the suck-factor of pregnancy has been 10+, but as I sit here and write, my little man has the hiccups causing my whole belly to jump, and well - I can already tell you that he's gonna be worth it.

Pregnancy does have it's positives.  I grew a cup size (woohoo!), prior to bed rest - people were super nice to me and always held the doors open for me and offered to help frequently with anything I did,  the vitamins gave me smooth skin and long, healthy fingernails, and I got to buy a new wardrobe (I think that's a positive) to name a few. 

As previously mentioned, I have been re-reading the Harry Potter series, and I'm currently half way through fourth installment, The Goblet of Fire.  This book begins to show the darker side of the series, and it is no longer as light-hearted as the first three.  I am a scaredy cat - and while I don't shake in my bones reading this one (that happens in the books 5-7) it makes me nervous.  The Goblet of Fire just so happened to be on TV last night as well.  So, I have a fresh memory of exactly what Voldemort (the bad guy, for you non-Harry Potter readers) looks like.  He creeps me the freak out.  Annd I keep hearing the music of the Tri-Wizarding tournament before the maze scene, which while light-hearted and springy, leads to the scariest part of the movie.  So basically what I'm trying to tell you is - I was nervous when I went to bed last night.  Also suffering from insomnia - what a way to spend the night.

A good ten minutes after I lay down, Nate's sound asleep, Bailey is snoring and I'm staring at the ceiling. (Stop picturing Cedric die) I toss (stop thinking about Voldemort's weird nose and ugly head) and turn (stop thinking about Harry's pain) and then...I have to pee.  I don't know about y'all, but since I was little, I decided that as long as I was under the covers in bed, I was safe - only when my foot or hand slipped off the side was I vulnerable to the bad things (wolves, monsters, whathaveyou).  Even if I am sweating profusely, I'm not taking those covers off!  Well going to the bathroom involves leaving the safety of the fort - and I'm just not ready.  Peanut gives me a nice smack in the bladder and it's either wet the bed or get up. 

I think happy thoughts and crawl out of bed (only after shining my cell phone light at the floor to ensure that Voldemort isn't there) and begin my journey to the bathroom.  Half-way there, I ran into something around knee height at the foot of my bed.  A freaking shirt.  (Where is my wand?!)  I felt freaking clothes, someone is perched at the foot of the bed on all fours waiting to jump up and curse me, the chocolate dog and my husband who is blissfully unaware that I even left the bed.  You know what I did?  

I turned around and kicked the sh*t out of it.  It was at that moment that I (my toe) realized my dear sweet, blissfully unaware husband left a piled-high laundry basket at the foot of the bed with one of his shirts lying over the top so that it felt like a t-shirt draped over someone's back. 

I then walked on to the bathroom and cried.  No really, I didn't cry, but I was sweating so bad that my clothes were stuck to me and I felt like my heart was just going to pound right out of my chest.  Then it occurred to me - the thought that crossed my mind when I walked into this would-be-attacker was, "oh hell no you didn't - this is MY house and I will protect my family."

Where in the WORLD did that come from?  If this would have been a few years ago, I would have screamed, jammed my fingers in my ears, and ran to the bathroom, locking the door for Nate to have to deal with the offender alone. (Chicken.  I told ya!)  But somewhere in this past few months I found something - courage or bravery or some sense of protectiveness over the things that mean the most to me. 

Had that actually been someone crouched at the foot of my bed (after slapping Bailey for being a terrible guard dog) I would have realized that my kick would have done little to no good.  It wouldn't have maimed them or even hurt them, but daggum it, I would have tried.  I guess being protective is part of the package of becoming a Mom.  Perhaps those maternal instincts will kick in after all...

Brief update.

Brief update on the baby peanut.  I had a doctor's appointment yesterday, and since I have spent the last two weeks on bedrest and medicine, we are at a point that it looks like we may be able to make it past 36 weeks!  Woo hoo!  At my 36 week appointment they will take me off the medicine and "let nature take it's course!"  I am to remain on bed rest and keep up with the meds, but things are looking much better for us than the last time we were at the doctor!

Life's Little Blessings.

By order of the doctor, I have now spent 11 days in my bed or on my couch - only getting up to go get food, go to the bathroom or shower.  I have done well to stick to these orders considering the fact that I am a control freak and like to keep stuff clean -- not to mention, I'm nesting, and so not allowed to nest!  I've had to focus completely on the baby's safety and health, and forget making sure the kitchen is spotless - Nate has only had to force me to sit down a few times.  It's just so aggravating to just sit!

I have, however, had time to do things that I would have usually put off until later or just not done at all.  I've re-read the first two Harry Potter books - halfway through the third now, watched all my Christmas gift DVDs and lots of cartoons, stalked countless people and pictures on facebook, got started back up on writing my book (yes, I'm writing a book - and honestly, I think it's a pretty good story if I can just keep at it!), and probably most importantly, I've rested.  I think I may have finally recovered from my months and months of late nights making cakes while super-preggo!

I was feeling pretty good this morning, so I got up and...packed my bag for the hospital.  Talk about a reality check.  How in the world does one pack for probably the most monumental event that will ever occur in your life?!  Comfy clothes, socks, hairbows, toiletries, and a coming-home outfit.  Ahh!  It is just all so insane, and nothing seems good enough.  I'm sure if I was allowed, I would go out and buy a new outfit to come home in for me and the baby.  Tomorrow I hope to pack little man's bag: fleece receiving blanket (it will be chilly!), an outfit or two just in case, and the coming-home outfit. 

With all the pre-term labor issues we have had, he could come today - or in 6 weeks.  We really just don't know - our most recent goal was to make it to 34 weeks, and praise God, we've made it.  I'm 34 weeks today!  Next goal - 36 weeks!  Being prepared has taken on a whole new meaning for Nate and I.  Of course, we may never be fully ready, but at least we'll be as prepared as we possibly can be should he decide to be a January baby instead of February!

In all the hustle and bustle of the Holidays and hospital visits, I think sometimes I forget to sit back, stop complaining and just count my blessings (in January - not your typical November Thanksgiving).  There is so much to be thankful for:

I made it past December 19th - As I have gone on and on about - I did my first wedding cake that day, and in the weeks before it was as though I knew something was going to happen unexpectedly in my pregnancy, so every time I thought about it - I prayed that I would "just make it to Dec. 19th"  "Lord, please just let me get this done."  I'll be danged if I didn't start having contractions Dec. 20th...haha

I was able to pack a bag for the hospital- some people get no fair warning that their baby might come early (ahem, my Mom with me) and are left a month early being told not to go home and pack but to come straight in.  Nursery not finished, carseat not installed.  Nothing.  Not being able to feel like I at least had something that I liked with me would make me so sad.  It's just not the same to have someone else pack it for you!      

I made it to 34 weeks -  I know 34 weeks isn't the typical goal for Mom's, but it was a goal that was set for me by my doctor and we made it!

"Your baby now weighs about 4 3/4 pounds (like your average cantaloupe) and is almost 18 inches long. Her fat layers — which she'll need to regulate her body temperature once she's born — are filling her out, making her rounder. Her skin is also smoother than ever. Her central nervous system is maturing and her lungs are continuing to mature as well. If you've been nervous about preterm labor, you'll be happy to know that babies born between 34 and 37 weeks who have no other health problems generally do fine. They may need a short stay in the neonatal nursery and may have a few short-term health issues, but in the long run, they usually do as well as full-term babies."

I have an amazing husband- These last few weeks have been trying at best, and without Nate's constant support, I just might have lost my mind.  I've been lonely while he's at work, but he's always good to call and text throughout the day just to say hey and to see how we're doing.  I am very fortunate to have a better-half that isn't above cleaning the house and putting up Christmas decorations.  Sidenote: Nate was offended that in my last post I did not mention in my list of the great things that happened in '09, that he shot and killed two deer this year - one being his first 8 point.  So thanks, not only for being there for, me but for providing food for the family. (...happy now?) :)

Oh, and that crazy chocolate dog, too :)

A Year in Review.

2009 come and gone already!?  Every year seems to come and go faster and faster as I get older, and I have a feeling that with a baby coming oh-so-soon it's not about to slow down.  It's time to focus in on enjoying every day as it comes and stop wishing for Friday or next Tuesday or that vacation months away to hurry up and get here because - well my gosh! it will be here and gone before you even know it!

It has been a good year for Nate and I - we were able to take a few vacations, including our one big trip overseas to London, celebrating our second anniversary, and my cake business grew and grew hitting an all-time high with my first wedding cake!  (p.s.  I'll be back in business some time around late Feb./early March - so go ahead and get your cake orders ready and in!) But, no doubt when we reflect back on 2009 we will remember all of the times circling around the pregnancy with our first child.  Taking the at-home test (June 5, 2009), telling our parents (June 6, 2009), hearing the heartbeat for the first time (168 bpm), getting our first glimpse of the little one (it's a boy!), and making it together through morning sickness (13 weeks of it), weird migrane/contact issues that caused me to lose vision, round ligament pain, and two visits to the hospital for pre-term labor. 

It's been a roller coaster ride straight from Six Flags, but we could not be more excited to meet our little man - who apparently is really excited to meet us too, but God willing he won't come until 2010 (he's still got about 11 hours, and nothing would shock me at this point!) haha

All in all, I have enjoyed '09 and am looking very much forward to 2010.  A new baby and all that comes with it.  Nate and I still plan to travel (I know it will be harder with a baby - got the memo) and I can't wait to see which destination we pick!  We have a "bucket list" of sorts for the traveling hotspots we want to visit at some point in our long lives together - and baby peanut just may be one of the best traveled kids of his time...at least we hope :)

I wish all of you a very Happy New Year in 2010!

Christmas Survey.

Well - I'm on temporary bed rest because I'm having consistent and close contractions.  When I rest they stop - so here I sit.  Bored. Out. Of. My. Mind.  I was NOT hard-wired to relax.  I don't even think that part of my brain works.  So I'm trying to think of things to do to stay occupied.  This Christmas survey is my distraction of the moment :)

Are you a Black Friday Shopper?

Last year was the first year I had ever participated in Black Friday Shopping and I got some awesome deals.  You gotta have a plan though, or it's a waste of time.  This year I went because it was 4 am and I couldn't sleep - oh the joys of pregnancy.

When do you put up your Tree?

Right after Thanksgiving.  You need time to enjoy it!

Do you Travel at Christmas or Stay home?

Well we live close to all of our family which is sometimes harder because then you are expected to be at every single event that day - even if it means going to 4 houses in one day.  So, we travel at home.

What is your favorite Christmas Movie of All time?

I think, Tim Allen's The Santa Clause.


Do you do your own Christmas Baking, what’s your favorite treat?

Surprisingly, not really.  I don't eat that many sweets anyway so it's not necessary.

Fake or Real Tree?

I love a real tree!  Nate says next year we're getting a fake pre-lit so he doesn't have to do it anymore.  (I have no idea how to put lights on a tree - so I'm no help.)

What day (as a mom) does the actual panic set in to get it all done?

Not a Mom just yet, but I know me - and I'll say Christmas Eve. haha

Are you still wrapping presents on Christmas Eve?

Probably.

What Christmas craft do you like the best?

I don't really have one.  I like decorating the house and tree, etc.

Christmas music. Yes or No, and if yes What is your favorite song?

Yes!  I love Trans-Siberian Orchestra anything and everything by them.  Mary did you know? Silent Night.  I hate. hate. hate "Christmas Shoes" - but other than that it's all good.

When do you plan to finish all your shopping?

Unfortunately, I'm not allowed to finish my shopping this year because I can't walk around :/ but my Mom and Sister are finishing it right now for me.

When do you take the tree down?

Probably after New Year.

Do you like eggnog?

I don't think I've ever had it - and I don't think I would like it either.

Hardest person to buy for?

My Daddy and my brother in law.

Easiest person to buy for?

My sister.

Worst gift you ever received?

A pair of English knee-high riding boots when I was younger.  I a) did not ride horses and b) did not have a horse.

When do you start shopping for the holidays?

Black Friday.

Have you ever recycled a present?

I don't think so.  But won't judge if you do as long as you don't give it BACK to the person that gave it to you the next year (this happened to my Mom)

Favorite thing to eat during the holidays?

Dressing, mashed potatoes, corn, ham!

Lights on the tree?

White lights, please.

Angel on the tree top or a star?
I actually don't like anything on top of the tree - I think it overpowers it.

Favorite ornament theme or color?

I have a lot of reds and golds as the basics, but my favorite ornaments are from the places Nate and I have gone together or personalized ones from over the years.

What gift are you hoping to receive this year?

Well, I need a camera so I can take pics of my baby boy :) - but I'm so spoiled, I really don't need anything.

Mission Accomplished.

I finished my first wedding cake!!

Amber, bless her heart, trusted me enough to allow me to do her wedding cake - and while I'd love to show you all 67 pictures I took of it, I refuse to steal this bride's thunder and will allow her to enjoy her honeymoon and have time to post her own pictures before I do.  I will, however e-mail you one if you are just dyyying to see it.

I actually had the privilege of going back to the reception hall and cutting the cake for everyone.  Amber looked beautiful and the place was set up very nicely in her Christmas-y theme!  I loved it.  Girl, thanks so much for letting me be a part of your big day - even if it was just a small one!

Now that I've done a big cake, I can officially say that I love it!  I was worried that wedding cakes might not be my style, but it was great!  It, obviously, takes more preparation and a few days work instead of just one night, but it is pretty cool and very rewarding.

Baby Update:

I'm 32 weeks today - thirty-two weeks.  Eight months.  Holy moly.

The baby boy is currently doing jumps off the high dive or some kind of somersault in my belly causing the whole thing to move.  It's an interesting experience.  My belly "dropped" this past week - it is significantly lower than it was.  I'm convinced he's coming early for some reason.  I guess from all these Braxton Hicks contractions I've been having and what not.  I just want him to wait at least 4 more weeks!!

I haven't taken on any more cakes since I am so far along and don't want to risk not being able to finish the cake because I'm in labor!  I'm not entirely sure what I'm going to do with my life until he gets here now! I have done at least one cake a week for the last 10 weeks or more, and it will be very strange not to come home and get started on a new one!  I think it will be a much needed break before my little man gets here - but once he does, and I'm all-clear we'll be right back at it!  Cakes are what I want to do!

I'm hoping to write more over the next few weeks - I have lots of topics in my mind that I want to write about.  So stay tuned!

Ramble On.

I can't sleep anymore.  My new car had leather seats put in it today, and it's purdy.  Work stresses me out like no other.  I temporarily have lost partial vision twice in my pregnancy.  Yeah.  Men see colors different than women.  Coral pink and orange are not the same thing.  Just like lavender and light blue are not the same thing.  I failed my sugar test last week so I have to go back next Wednesday and take the 4 hour test - probably gonna fail that too if I had to guess.  I can't wait to hold my son.  It makes me tear up to say, "my son."  I'm making my first wedding cake in 18 days.  I'm nervous and excited.  I just bought my dog a $27 embroidered stocking that matches the ones Nate and I have.  I really like decorating for Christmas.  I like listening to Trans-Siberian Orchestra even more.  I have amazing in-laws.  I really can't imagine life without Nate's family.  Of course, mine is awesome, too.  I still haven't seen New Moon.  This is upsetting.  Now that I've seen "pictures" of my baby boy, I have no idea what I want to name him anymore.  Not being able to sleep makes me delirious - especially in the morning.  I'm ready to wear jeans that actually button.  I do not like maternity pants.  Even though I've been through some pretty bizarre and scary things in the last 7+ months, I wouldn't say I've had a "bad" pregnancy and would do it all again in a heartbeat.  I really need to go attempt to sleep.  I hope y'all have a good week!

Meet Little Man!

Here he is in 4-D, and I hate to start bragging but...how FrEaKiNg cute is he!? I love him already!  Nate sure can't deny him, because he already looks like him!  He also looks a little like my brother from some angles and has my facial expressions.  Crazy we can see that already, huh!?  When we were having the ultrasound it was more like a live video instead of pictures, and the way he moves his mouth looks just like me.  He looked really mad a few times and well, that's when he looked like his Mama! 

It's hard to fully comprehend that this little thing is growing inside of me.  It is so wonderful to feel him move and kick - at 2.5 pounds he can't hurt me...yet! 

I had two family showers this weekend (Nate's famililes on both sides are HUGE so we split them up) and seeing all of the little outfits, receiving blankets and bibs has me itchin' to hold my little man. 

I'm feeling better - still having Braxton Hicks, but not nearly as frequent.  Looks like I'm just gonna have these until he gets here!  I guess it's good practice! 

Can't wait to kiss these little feet!

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving!

I'm not entirely sure there is a whimsical way to introduce this story, so I'm  just gonna tell it like it is since basically no one knows...

Saturday night I started having some right-sided abdominal pain (think where your appendix is) and chalked it up to a pulled muscle.  I mean after all, I had been super nice and sat in the back of a two-door car - super stupid.  Anyway, that pain continued constantly and became unbearable to a mental breaking point for me after going to bed Monday night - so Nate and I called the doctor  around 12:30a and they told me to come in immediately.

Once hooked up to all the monitors (which was pretty immediate,) it was very clear that I was having contractions every 3.5/4 minutes.  These contractions only hurt because of the right sided pain, but were otherwise painless.  The nurses eyes grew wide when they saw how often and consistently they were coming, so my cervix was checked and hallelujah - it was still closed.  Everyone breathed a sigh of releif and it was on to the side pain. 

Basically, I spent the night in Labor & Delivery and heard two little ones cry their first little cry in this world while being taken to the nursery.  It was beautiful. 

I was given pain meds for the side and in hopes of easing the contractions.  They didn't slow - so I was given a shot which stopped them altogether. I was released about 10 hours after we got there after being re-hydrated and having the pain under control.  The side pain is the infamous "round ligament pain."  Fine.  I suspected that all along, but it was the contractions that were causing it to be unbearable for so long and what were cause for concern.

I can't wait to see my peanut...but not yet!  I need him to cook a little longer.  I have a new perspective on having him now.  I honestly don't see myself making it all the way until February 13, but I will pray every day that he is a healthly strong little boy and stays in as long as he wants!

When the nurse said the words, "we need to see if you are going to be having him within the next few weeks" Nate and I were floored and in shock.  We've realized now how much we have to do: birthing plan (wtf is that, really?) we don't have a carseat, not one single bottle, no crib - we're totally unprepared!  But, we're not really supposed to be yet!  This is not to say that we are planning on him coming early, but all of the sudden the, "oh my gosh we're having a real baby" has hit us and we both would like to be more prepared - at least mentally.

As of today, the right-sided muscle pain is better, but I am still having some Braxton Hicks contractions pretty consistently.  Thankfully, I have a doctor's appointment today anyway so I have a list of things to ask the doctor.  After my gestational diabetes test...I get to see my peanut!!! Today is the 4-D Ultrasound and I am PUMPED.  I haven't "seen" him since September 4th - and I can't wait.  I'll try to post some pictures after we get them.

Right now, I just ask for your prayers for little man. He's fine and in NO WAY in distress (he's actually very healthy and active,) I just want to be sure he bakes a little longer :)  I also have a lot on my plate coming up as far as cakes.  I'm booked until Dec. 19th (the wedding cake!!!!) and am so excited about all of these opportunities - I'm just going to need a couple of prayers a long the way.  And no, I wasn't given any restrictions or written out of work, they told me to continue life as normal.

I'll keep you guys posted and will hopefull get some pics up of that ultrasound soon!

Well, I tried.

Hey long, lost blogger friends!  After much debate with myself - I have decided not to discontinue this blog and start over.  After all, if someone is really that interested in my cakes and my life...so be it.  You can google my name and the blog will pop up anyway, so I will just be careful what I post - as I always have. 

I have truly missed writing, but oh-my-gosh have I been busy.  Not only have I been preparing for the baby, but I have had literally 3 or more cakes a week since I last wrote.  Such a blessing!  But also very tiring.

In baby news - I'm in my third trimester now!!!  Holy schnikes!  I'm doing better with the hypoglycemia and have learned to eat appropriately.  Of course I still mess up from time to time, but I'm doing better!  Our 4-D ultrasound is in two weeks, and I can't wait to see my little man again!  I also have my gestational diabetes test (which we already know I DON'T have, but pray I don't fail it falsely!)

Nate painted the nursery last night and I love it!  I'll post some pics as soon as there is something in there to actually look at!  We had our first shower Nov. 1 (oh the blues and greens!) so we have things, just no furniture.

Well, I must go ice a cake - but it feels good to be back!