Luca's Birth Story: Part I

A whole year later, and I am  just now writing this, but I want to remember it as best I can. One of the best days of my life! I wrote a short version in Luca’s baby book, but it just doesn’t do it justice. So here is the long version. Probably the very long version. Not sorry at all....

 

I’m going to start this story at the doctor’s office when I was 36 weeks pregnant. A routine check-up. Weight, Blood Pressure, Ultra-sound, measure the baby (and remember, I did not know the gender!). “You’ve got a big baby.” Every Appointment, my OB would scare me half to death. Jokingly, but in all seriousness. He would measure the spine, the legs, the belly. Always in the 80-90^th percentile. And the head, don’t even get me started on the head… Always at least the 90^th percentile. I was so scared. “How on earth am I ever going to bounce back from this… Can I just have this baby now? Please I beg you” Of course I couldn’t be induced at 36 weeks, but my doctor did say since my baby was measuring so large I would probably have he/she early and if I didn’t naturally, he would most likely induce me a week early. “Ok, ok so October 2^nd. That’s the latest I’ll go.” (My due date was October 9^th). So from that moment on I had it in my head that no way on earth was I going to have this baby later than October 2^nd… He also checked to see if I was dilated at all. And I was… 1cm!  Not much, but still a good sign. No doubt in my mind. This baby was coming early!... Boy was I in for the biggest let down of my life…

Fast Forward to the 37 week checkup… Finally full term! First words out of my mouth at the appointment, “You can induce me now right?” My Dr. laughed. Ultrasound. Measure the baby. “Holy Moly this kid is a giant.” Check to see if I’m dilated… No change.

38 week appointment… Doctor: “It’s looking like your baby weighs over 8 pounds already!” Me: “Why am I cursed!? Induce me already!” Doctor: “Let’s wait one more week.” Checked to see if I’m dilated… No change. The doctor said be active and walk a lot. Try to get labor started.

I was bound and determined. That week John and I went to the Morris Corn Fest three times! It was hot..  And every time we went, we walked what felt like 10 miles. I think I maybe had one Braxton hicks contraction on the last day we were there. The second of 2 I ever got my entire pregnancy… Later that week I painted our master bedroom, almost all by myself! (John helped too, but I did the majority) I was standing on chairs, on my hands and knees.. Talk about a labor inducer.. Ha, nope!

So then came the 39 week appointment. October 5^th, 3 days after I thought this baby was going to be out! I had it all planned in my head. John was getting off work early to come to the appointment with me. I did my hair and make-up all cute because of course my doctor was going to send me to the hospital right away to get induced, and I HAD to look good during labor. (Cause that’s the biggest priority when it comes to the whole process.. wow! Ha!) Bags had been packed since week 37, so we were all good there. I took some bump shots because these were going to be the last ones I ever took. John got home from work and off to the doctor’s office we went…

Talk about excitement. I was so ready. I was going to have this baby tonight or tomorrow, for sure!

We were the last appointment of the day. Doctor walks in, happy as can be. “You’re next on my list! Let’s see where we’re at!” Ultrasound: HUGE! And I mean measuring over 9 lbs huge! I legit almost cried. I remember picturing my baby as this chubby, bald kid (because I was a bald baby. Who cares that John had lots of hair as a baby. All our kids in my mind were going to be bald.. ha!) with rolls on rolls and an abnormally huge head. Kind of Michelin Man-ish, just bigger head. I remember telling myself “Every mom thinks their baby is cute, don’t worry…” I was worried.

Next up.. check to see if I was dilated anymore. In my head: “Of course I will be. I walked a marathon and painted a huge bedroom this week.  We’re all good.” Checked. 1.5 cm.. so basically no change. Now the tears did start flowing. I knew what that meant…

In the simplest terms I can use.. My doctor wanted my body to be a little more ready before he induced me. He explained ever so thoughtfully to us that if he tried to induce me that night I would probably end up needing a C-section. Now he told us if I was just really done he could call the hospital and I could either A. Try to be induced with probably no results and then C-Section tomorrow. B. He could just do a C-Section tonight. Or another option would be C. Wait one more week and then no matter what I will be induced, but hopefully my body will have progressed more by then.

Of course in my crazy, 39 ½ weeks pregnant, hormonal state of mind I wanted either A. or B. But then my doctor continued to explain that since I hadn’t progressed really at all on my own, if I ended up with a C-section, I would probably end up having C-Sections with all of my children, because my body will not know how to start labor…

“Are you kidding me!?” This is not what I wanted, at all!

He then continued to tell me that, after seeing how big the baby was measuring and again, “simple terms” how small I was measuring, I should probably prepare myself for what was most likely going to end up a C-Section no matter what. Basically, he didn’t think the baby was going to fit…

Obviously, he wanted to try to see if I could do it, but I should prepare my heart and mind for a very different scenario than I had thought these past 39 ½ weeks…

My heart was broken… Literally I felt like someone had just taken a knife to my chest. I was crying, sweating, overwhelmed.

Both John and the Doctor were encouraging me to wait it out another week because of that small chance that I could do it on my own. But of course I, all caught up in emotions thought, “If I’m going to end up with a C-Section no matter what, why wait? End my misery, please.”

I can so vividly picture that moment in time: John and my doctor both looking at me waiting for my decision.

What was I going to do? I was so torn. This is not what I wanted.

Little did I know, God had a plan. A perfect, beautiful plan for how my little Luca John was going to come into this world. And this was just Him setting the stage. It was God’s way of telling me, “You may think you know it all, but remember, I am in control.”

Hello Blog. I Didn't Forget About You.

So I’ve been a lazy blogger.

Scratch that, a really lazy blogger.

You know that post I did when I first started this blog. I said “It’s going to be a casual thing.” Ha! I got that right.

I’m sure you all have noticed the trend. Luca’s 7 month update: Posted on the 12^th! Luca’s 8 month update: Posted on the 12^th. Luca’s 9 month update: A couple days late, but not too shabby. Luca’s 10 month update: Over a week late. Luca’s 11 month update: Non-existent.

What can I say? Other than I’m a mom to a crazy boy who doesn’t stop moving unless he’s in his crib sleeping. And I cannot do anything on my computer while he’s awake, because just like every other baby born in the past few years, he is already addicted to technology and will not leave me alone until his hands are banging on this keyboard.

Also, speaking of lazy…

When I started this blog, I totally meant for it to be, yes, mostly a “mommy blog” with the occasional design or baking post. But it was definitely meant to be more than just talking about my kid each month… He likes this, he hates that, he crawls, he walks… But what can I say? Just like every other mom out there I’m obsessed with my kid and think he’s the coolest, so of course I’m going to talk about him, a lot…

Well, I skipped 11 months, and PSA, once October 12^th is here, I have a 1 year old! Not a 12 month old and then a 13 month old. A ONE year old.. No more month updates…. I’ve gotta start being creative with this.

So this is me saying I haven’t forgotten about this blog. I’m going to try to be better. I want to. You have no idea how much fun blogging is for me. I just need to find the time to do it. And I will. Even if I have to put in The Lorax for an hour to do it…

 

Also, I have been working on a new post (Besides this one of course) It’s Luca’s birth story. I know, weird, I’m writing it an entire year later. But, again, just like every other mom out there, the story of how my son came into this world is so special to me. I never ever ever want to forget it. As simple as it is, I think it’s just so beautiful and I hope everyone who ends up reading it can be uplifted and encouraged. God truly taught me about patience and I learned more than ever that no matter how much I try to plan every little detail of my life, HE is in control and His plan for my life is perfect!

It is still a work in progress and I’m hoping to have it done by Luca’s birthday.

So, until then <3

Vacation And Luca's 10 Month Update

So I’m only writing this a week and a half after I meant to… It’s cool, it’s cool. But that’s life when you have a 10 month old boy. NON STOP! If I can get more than 5 seconds to myself these days I’m in heaven. I’m currently writing this during naptime. The time of day when I normally try to do that whole one load of laundry or clean the 50 dishes piled up in my sink, but whatever, those things can wait. I like this better. I’m sitting. Starbucks in hand. Let’s do this.

 

So a week and a half ago we were on a lovely family vacation. My parents recently bought a cabin at the dead end of a gravel road, on a lake, in the middle of nowhere, north woods Wisconsin. One of my favorite places on this earth. It was so nice to just spend time with family for a whole week with the only worries in our lives being: who’s going to catch the biggest fish, and should we go get ice cream today? Vacation at it’s very best. (Oh and my talented husband caught the biggest fish! 10+ lb northern pike FTW!)

 

There was just one little reality check that I had to get over starting day one.

 

That is. Vacationing with a baby is not the same as vacationing without a baby. Repeat, NOT THE SAME. Those 6:30 AM wake up calls.. Still there! Scheduling every event around naps and nursing sessions. Yep! That thing I mentioned earlier about not being able to sit for more than 5 seconds.. multiply that by 10 because the cabin is tiny and deep water is dangerous. There was also that 8 hour car ride. Oh and sleeping in a portable crib in mommy and daddy’s room. I now remember why I made sure my newborn slept in his own room early on! Every roll, every sigh, every moan.. my mommy ears heard! Props to the moms who can sleep with their babies right next to them. I don’t know how you do it!

 

So let’s just say day one was a little rough. One hour of screaming for his afternoon nap later and I was in tears. Thank you grandpa for staying in the cabin with Luca while I tried to ignore the wails and moans coming from the baby monitor as I laid on a floaty in the middle of the lake. Thankfully it only took the one day for Luca to get used to the portable crib and the rest of vacation he napped like an angel baby.

 

It was all a good lesson learned for me. Yes, the tears were flowin’ day one, but I learned that even on vacation I need to lay aside my wants for my child. I WANTED this child and he is a gift from God! Once that set in, vacation was a blast! Watching Luca go on the boat, splash in the lake, and eat all my ice cream was a ball. My husband, mom, and dad also gave me a few much needed breaks every once in a while so I could tan on a floaty or go fishing. Thank you all!

 

 

So, while we were there my Luca turned 10 months old! We hit the double digits people! It’s crazy to think that in less than 2 months I will have a one year old. Where has the time gone? Sometimes I look at his newborn pictures and I’m sad that my baby is no longer a baby, but mostly I’m excited.  Excited to see what the future has in store for him. Every day I’m getting a better glimpse of his personality and I love it! He’s such a loving baby, but he’s also funny, playful, and ENERGETIC… Seriously, his switch gets turned to “on” at 6:30 am and it’s non-stop moving until bed time! Sure, we get a couple naps in here and there, but they are usually forced and greeted with some crying before he gives in to that ever so lovely 45 minutes of my day when I get to shower and make my bed. It’s tough a lot of days… make that most days. I’ve had to learn that it’s ok if I can’t see the floor of my family room because it’s covered in a million toys and pillows. Or, it’s ok if it takes me an entire day to do 2 loads of laundry. To be honest some days I’m not okay with it and the minute John comes home I beg him to take Luca outside so I can mad dash clean for 10 minutes. I’m a total surface cleaner these days. I don’t dare look under my couch EVER… hello dust bunnies and probably the 100 pacifiers we’ve lost recently… (Seriously though. Pacifiers = the new bobby pins. I buy 20 and within a day we have one left.  I don’t know where they go, but my goodness I swear those things have legs.)

 

This month, Luca learned to give kisses. Sweetest thing ever! He also learned how to completely stand up on his own without holding onto anything and halfway through the month he took his first step! … Why am I cursed!?! I thought firstborns were supposed to be all cautious and do everything late because they don’t have an example older sibling to look up to? Well in the Genau household, that is not a thing! Luca has done everything early. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a proud mommy, but when I see other 9/10 month olds happy to sit for minutes on end and play with one toy or be content to have their mom hold them through an entire church service, I’m like.. What is wrong with my kid!?! I know, nothing is wrong. He’s just absolutely 100% a boy and God’s perfect little masterpiece. So trust me when I say, I’m joking. But if God blesses us with more children in the future, I really really hope at least one of them is content to stay a baby for a little while longer.

 

Luca’s favorites this month include, being outside, reading, climbing stairs, dancing, when daddy throws him in the air, puffs (duh!), and we have discovered pouches. His favorite and my favorite! He can feed himself and mommy can actually sit down and enjoy a meal at the same time. Win, win!  He also really discovered his love of ice cream this month… I mean we were in Wisconsin! If he spots anyone with an ice cream cone in hand he will crawl up to them and whine until they share. It’s like we have another dog… Luca’s dislikes this month were pretty typical for a 9 month old.. Stranger danger pretty much sums that up. New people are not ok and nurseries are not fun. We did learn how to survive the nursery at the ice rink this month though! I can teach for an hour and leave him in the nursery if he is in his own stroller, in front of the TV, with about ½ a can of puffs on his tray. It’s amazing. No tears whatsoever!

 

Overall it was a very fun month! And now that were almost halfway through 10 months old (oops) it’s only getting better! As much as I jokingly complain about not being able to do anything anymore, I wouldn’t trade this stage of life for the world. However, I’m still looking forward to the day when I can go down to the basement to switch the laundry without it being a marathon sprint up and down the stairs only to be greeted by Luca’s hand shoved in his mouth while sitting next to Elsie’s food bowl. That will be nice…

 

Eating a leaf...

 

Being a stud...

 

 It's tradition in our family to get a "Hayward" shirt every year. This is his first one.

 

Best family picture out of 5...



Luca at 9 Months

Bad me... I'm writing Luca's update 2 days late this time. I know it's no big deal, but OCD me MUST do it on the 12th and now that I'm not I feel like a failure! But the truth is, life has been crazy and I just haven't had a moment to stop and write lately. I'm lucky I got his pictures taken on the actual day, but I'm almost regretting that decision, because it was the hottest, muggiest day ever and we both got bit by mosquitos... I'm already planning on doing his 10 month photos indoors unless it so happens to be a perfect 70 degree day, but were talking August soooo probably not.

So, Luca is now 9 months old! He's as mobile as ever and can crawl across the house in the blink of an eye. Hence, I'm writing this while he's taking a nap because when he's awake I can forget about accomplishing ANYTHING! John has actually come home from work a couple times and been like "Wow, you vaccumed!" It's sad that is an accomplishment at this point in my life... But for real, if I can vaccum, or cook a decent dinner I feel on top of the world! Because trying to get anything done with a crawling baby, who eats everything, and loves electrical sockets, and thinks climbing our hardwood stairs is the coolest thing since sliced bread, is literally impossible! So props to all you moms who have 10 kids and manage to clean, cook, and keep up with the laundry... You're my hero.

Unlike last month, where I felt like I was writing in Luca's baby calendar every day because he was doing something new, this month was pretty low key. Basically everything he learned how to do last month he just got better and quicker at this month. He can stand for a few seconds on his own now and took 1 step a couple weeks ago, but I'm not counting that as walking... that was just random luck on his part I think.

His eating schedule changed a lot this month. He is only nursing 3 times a day (and he's actually doing better with it! For a couple weeks there I thought we might be done already, but I think that just had something to do with teething.) He is now eating breakfast, lunch and dinner. John and I try to include him at dinner time now. We put him in his high chair and give him some puffs or a taste of whatever were eating. It's so much fun being able to eat together as a family! Luca started eating meats this month. Only chicken and turkey blended up... nastiest stuff ever, but he likes it. Were also still working on drinking juice and water. For some reason he just hates it and will only drink milk! Everyday I try putting the bottle in his mouth with the juice and once he gets one drop in his mouth he flings his head to the side and wants nothing to do with it... His favorite foods are puffs, and puffs, and umm, puffs. Those things, I swear he could sit in his high chair all day and never stop eating them. He does not like, well juice and water and real bananas... Strangest thing! He loves the gerber bananas, but I've tried multiple times giving him pieces of real banana... nope!

He still only has 2 teeth... I thought for sure his top 2 were coming in for a few days there, but I was el wrongo. This month, Luca also started waking up with the sun... It was June. Longest days of the year, meant I'm waking up at 5-5:30 in the morning. Not cool. Separation anxiety is still a big issue for us. It started around 4/5 months and has not gotten better! This kid does not like being away from his mommy unless he's with daddy or grandma. It's bad! Just yesterday he finally stayed in the nursery at the ice rink so I could work, for an entire hour! (but I'm not counting that for his 9 month update, because that was after the 12th ;) ) So I can see the light, but man it has been a rough road! *A special thank you to all the nursery workers who have had to listen to him cry for hours!

I think that about covers Luca's 9th month. As much as I jokingly complain about him being mobile and my life being over, I still absolutely love this stage. Seeing his personality come through more and more each day is so much fun! He is such an inquisitive baby, always analyzing everything, but at the same time he's a complete daredevil (that's John's fault, definitely not mine). This month I also started noticing how loving he is. He already gives me hugs and started giving kisses. And even though he is becoming more independent, he still has moments where he crawls up my leg and cuddles right into me. He's so tender and loving about it and when he does that I cannot help but feel like I'm in heaven. He is my heaven.

 

Our Baby Free, Used Furniture, Target Accessorized Bedroom

Well, it's official. The house has been baby proofed. We're down to the bare essentials. Couch, coffee table, end table, TV, TV stand, kitchen table, oh and a book shelf that only has books on the top shelf because, well you know... It is attractive, let me tell you. At least I get to keep my cute rug, because, hardwood floors... not the best place for a baby to learn to crawl! I waited as long as I possibly could to get rid of my vases, and flowers, and pictures, and trays, and every other home accessory that made its way into my cart while shopping at Target...

"John, I'm just running to Target quick to get diapers" #oops

I went to school for interior design. So needless to say having my house look like a barren wasteland covered in baby toys and dog hair was literally killing me.

One room. I needed one room amidst the baby mania.

Hello bedroom makeover.

Flowers, pictures, frames, pillows, clocks, vases, basically every accessory I couldn't have out anymore made its way into my bedroom.

This room is by no means magazine material. Every piece of furniture is used, including our bed frame. (Thanks mom and dad!) But houses are expensive, and the deal was if I wanted a nice house I would have to go without buying nice furniture for awhile. Of course I took the deal, but every so often John gets to hear me whine about that cute couch I want from Ikea or the fact that we don't even have matching nightstands. But I get over it pretty quickly and just remind myself that I'm blessed. I have a roof over my head and that's what matters.

So here is designer me using things I already have to try to make my bedroom the one place in my home that is not completely centered around my kid...

Below I will explain how and/or where I acquired each accessory and piece of furniture. You can read if you want, or if you don't care you can just look at the pictures.

Bed frame: My parent's attic
Side table: My parent's house, but I believe it's originally from an antique shop. (Can you sense a theme already. Thanks mommy ;)
Bedding: Not used and from Pottery Barn. But, only because I worked there and got a 40% employee discount. That throw is my absolute favorite! I love the texture of it and it's super warm! I was so proud when I found this in the back of the basement at Pottery Barn. Originally $130!! It was on sale plus I got my discount... So I got it for 30 bucks! And now Elsie has taken a liking to it and we lay it on the floor for her to sleep on every night... #spoiled

Lamp: Goodwill
Lampshade: Target
And of course I have to wake up every morning to my precious 3 week old baby Luca <3

Frames: When we lived in our last apartment I wanted to do a wedding picture wall, but then I got pregnant and lazy and never finished it. So I had a bunch of these frames in a box in our basement. So hello frames for my bare bedroom wall! The far left and right are our wedding vows that John and I hand wrote on cardstock. So simple to do and now something I will cherish forever! I filled the other frames with wedding pictures, our wedding invitation, and of course a picture with Luca at the hospital!
Clock: Found it in the basement. A random Target purchase.
"G": Was on the end table in our family room... Target 
Flowers: Originally in the family room... Target
Vase: Sister's wedding
Nightstand: Made by my talented husband when he was in high school. I forgot to get a good picture of it, but it's what the flowers are standing on!

This. Chair. *insert heart eyes emoji* From my grandma. It's a Scandinavian design and is something my inner designer has been eyeing for years! She no longer has room for it, and was kind enough to let me have it. Thank you grandma!! I'm in love. It has been sitting in my empty living room, because I figured that's where I would eventually use it. But, light bulb moment! Why leave it in a room that I'm not using when it just so happens to go perfectly in my bedroom!? And now I can stare at it everyday.
Pillow: From Luca's room... oops. Sorry kid, but you won't remember that your rocking chair no longer has a pillow on it. Originally a Target purchase.

Dresser: Originally garage sale. Then used in my childhood bedroom. It was white. Then I painted the nobs black...? (That was also when I painted my bedroom walls orange... I had a brave and kind mother!) When we moved to this house John so kindly refinished it and we bought new knobs. He's a keeper.
Picture: From my grandma's basement.
Vase and flowers: From my sister's wedding reception
Laundry Basket: Target (Can you guess my favorite store yet?)

Another view of my dresser.

So there's the tour!
*John also has a dresser that was his childhood dresser which he refinished to look like mine... But the top of it is usually covered with random stuff that comes from I don't know where. And no matter how many times I move all this "stuff" it always has a way of coming back!

In the end, (if you're still reading), I am very proud of my used furniture, random Target accessory filled bedroom. This is now my safe haven. The place I go when the rest of the house is covered in baby everything.

So, thank you family members and Target for my beautiful bedroom ;)

Luca at 8 Months

 

It's official, I am the mommy of an 8 month old! I know everyone always says, "I blinked and now my baby is so big!" But seriously, I blinked... I thought time went fast before I was a mom, but now time is functioning on a whole new level. And that level is too fast.

So in the blink of an eye, I now have an 8 month old who crawls, stands up (assisted), claps, says "dada"(still working on "mama"), feeds himself finger food, holds his own bottle, and has 2 teeth. He no longer will lay in his Rockaroo and he gets bored pretty quick in his exersaucer. All he wants to do is explore! He has already figured out all the things he shouldn't touch and makes a B-line for those things the second I turn around (ahem, dog food...). He is constantly trying new food, and is becoming less and less interested in nursing. My heart could break. He loves oatmeal, bananas, any combo of fruit that involves bananas, peas, yogurt, and ice cream... oops. He hates peaches, don't ask me why, and squash. We're working on drinking apple juice. Some days he loves it, others not so much.

This month Luca did and tried so many new things I'm sure that I am forgetting something. Seriously every day I had my phone out recording his newest accomplishment. This month was magical.

Still, as exciting as this month was. Today, there were tears in my eyes. Stupid me looked back at old pictures on my phone. Pictures of my precious baby in my belly. Pictures at the hospital. Pictures of my 8 pound little munchkin who barely looked like he should fit in his car seat as we took him home from the hospital. And just like that I had a knot in my stomach. Where did the time go? And it's only going to get worse... so I've heard.

Today was just an ordinary day. Church, come home, eat lunch, take Luca's picture (he was happy this time, yay!) try to get him to nap... and yeah, he decided today that wasn't going to happen. Sundays are always rough because church falls right when Luca should take his morning nap. Sometimes we get lucky and he falls asleep on the way there in the car, but if he doesn't... well let's just say the rest of our day is not so fun. And today was one of those days. Once 4 o'clock hit we had a very unhappy baby. So I nursed him, laid him in his crib, turned on his sound machine, kissed him, left the room... screaming... And I don't mean a few little sobs for a couple minutes. Legit. Screaming. He wasn't sad I wasn't holding him, or sad he was alone. Nope. He was angry. Overtired. Devil Child. After 15 minutes I went in to comfort him. It only made him scream louder. So I left. And, basically repeat everything I just said for the next hour. It was awful. I sat on my bed a lot of the time because when he gets like this I cannot accomplish anything. And as the minutes drag on I find myself getting angry. It got to the point where I knew he wasn't going to fall asleep, but inside it's a battle. And I. Must. Win! So John, being the kind, compassionate parent that I was not in the mood to be, went in Luca's room to comfort him. Horrible me... I got even more mad. Because, now I lost. And if Luca wasn't going to sleep before, he definitely wasn't going to sleep now. The battle was over. And just like that my anger turned to guilt and I couldn't let him cry a second longer. So I went in his room, picked him up, and held my baby. Yes, he is still my baby. I walked back to bed, put my now quiet baby on my chest and just held him.

I knew all I had taught him was that if he cries for an hour, mommy will come rescue him. But I didn't care. I knew he was going to fall asleep in my arms within minutes and that last hour of torture was all for nothing. But I didn't care. All my son wanted was for me to hold him. And now that's all I wanted too. My mind went back to the pictures. The thousands of pictures I've taken of my son. And then started the tears. Not his anymore, but mine. Time is a thief and all those moments are gone. But now I had this moment and I did not want to just let it pass in a blink. So I held him tighter and watched his eyes drift. And we sat there. Me and my baby. Time stopped. It was heaven.

As each month goes by I'm a mix of emotions as I'm sure every mom is. Happy my baby is getting bigger, showing his personality, but at the same time sad. Sad to see my baby grow up and need me less and less. Just a year ago I was carrying his heart inside me and now that same heart is beating just in him. Each day he becomes more independent and it's hard, yet incredible to watch. I love it and I hate it, but I think I mostly love it.

Luca, I love you. And as each month, day, hour, and second goes by I love you more and more. So as hard as it is to watch you grow up, please keep on doing it. Because I cannot wait to see how much more I will love you. Right now it doesn't seem possible that I could love you any more, but I know I will.

Yep, I already do. <3

His 2 little teeth.

 

 

Making a Cake

Baking and decorating cakes is kind of a hobby of mine. It's a fun way for me to be creative, but at the same time indulge my inner sweet tooth. Yes, I am that person that ends up with a crazy sugar high while frosting a cake, because taste testing is a must and extra frosting should not go to waste! I make cakes for family and friends, but it's not a business and I don't ever plan to make it one. (Just wanted to make that clear right off the bat!) Still, I love doing it and when someone asks me to make a cake for them I have a hard time saying no. Just know, I am not perfect at this and have had many cakes break, or frosting fall off of them on a 90 degree day. There was also that time I made a layered cake and it literally looked like the leaning tower of pisa. So just know, if you want me to make a cake for you, there is always that risk that something bad will happen. I am by no means a professional baker.

A couple of weeks ago I made a small wedding cake for a friend. She sent me the Pinterest idea and I tried my very best to recreate it. It wasn't very hard, and I'm happy to say, this was one of my cakes that thankfully ended up looking fabulous!

So below are some pictures and step by step instructions on how I frosted and decorated this small cake. Sorry in advance if it makes you hungry or crave something sweet. It's a good thing I'm not writing this at home or my oven would already be set to 350....

 Cakes, Frosting, and Candy... Heaven on a kitchen table!

 

First, I get the cake on my spinner. (It makes decorating so much easier!) Then I put a large dollop of frosting on the first layer of cake.

 

Next, I spread out the frosting. I use more than I think I need to and spread it over the sides of the first layer of cake. Having that extra frosting there makes frosting the sides once you have both layers on super easy!

 

 Then I put the second cake on top of the first and dollop another extra large spoonful of frosting. At this point I usually taste the frosting to make sure it's still okay to use ;)

 Now it's time to spread the frosting over the whole cake! For this particular cake, I knew it didn't have to look perfect because I was going to pipe flowers all over it.  So I just put a thin layer of frosting over the whole cake. However, if this were a cake where I was going to see this frosting layer, I would have used much more frosting and trust me, it wouldn't be see through!

 

 Next, I piped flowers over the whole thing! I used the 1M Swirl tip by Wilton. Normally I use this tip for cupcakes, but it worked perfectly for this cake! I piped the circular flowers first and then later went in with the same tip and added the smaller flowers.

 

 For the final touch I put large pearl candies around the bottom and tiny pearl sprinkles on the small flowers on the cake. Then I transferred the cake to my cake stand and Voila!

 

  It is finished! At this point I put it in my fridge to keep cold so that the frosting doesn't melt and then I pray I don't drop it on the way to the wedding. I also forewarn my husband that he will have to drive like a granny for the entire 45 minute trip. He was thrilled.

 

 

 

 And here it is! At the reception in one piece! Mission Accomplished.