I’ve been keeping a secret…
And trust me, it hasn’t been an easy one to keep to myself.
This November, Zach and I are expecting a sweet new addition to our household ❤️
I’m currently 23 weeks pregnant. I’ve been dying to share this with you. I’ve kept everything to myself mostly out of sheer anxiety (even at 23 weeks I feel so grateful to be here but still worry, a lot), so forgive me that it took me so long to share this sweet news with you.
I’ve also been sick. Compared to a lot of morning sickness stories I’ve heard, I honestly think I’ve been pretty lucky, but I had non-stop nausea from 5-15 weeks and some serious food aversions. When you’re a food blogger, that can be a little bit problematic (not to mention not being able to taste-test cookie dough anymore, thank goodness for edible cookie dough!).
Zach and my mom have been lifesavers, helping me with recipe testing and kitchen cleanup, as my productivity in the kitchen took a nosedive.
Fortunately, the morning sickness has almost completely subsided in the second trimester and, aside from some back pain, I don’t have too much to complain about. I do get hangry, though, and have had a lot of crazy-vivid dreams about Zach being really mean to me!
What?! Please tell me I’m not the only one who’s experienced something like this because I’ll admit I’ve spent a few days upset at my actually amazing and very patient husband because of something I’ve dreamt. 🤷🏼♀️
Weird dreams and back aches aside, life right now is hectic and crazy and honestly a little stressful, but I am so, so grateful for all of it.
With just 17 weeks left, there’s still so much to do, and so much to buy! Cribs and adorable itty bitty baby clothes and diapers… I feel over my head reading reviews and my sister is pushing me to finish my registry! Please leave me comments with any and all of your pregnancy/newborn must-haves, I would appreciate it so much. (Like, do I really need a diaper genie? Is there a stroller out there that I could actually love?)
Oh, and are you wondering, boy or girl? We did find out, and I’ll share that with you in the near future, but for now I’m going to keep you guessing…
Thank you for sticking with me through a non-recipe post! If you’re looking for something sweet to snack on I did share a new video today for my Dirty Brownies (one of my early pregnancy cravings).
Wicche
When following the link to your corn chowder I found your wonderful announcement albeit a year or two late lol. I hope by now you’ve seen how little of the ‘expensive extras’ are truly needed ( I found out as a cash strapped single mother over 40 yrs ago – tis a shame how many folks prey upon an already insecure, even terrifying time in a young person’s life ). I found cloth diapers to be both economical and better for my son’s skin, diaper pail beside the loo and diapers rinsed prior to dropping them in – contrary to currently popular belief that water from the tank is clean and provided you wash the bowl regularly… Back then the kitchen sink with a bath towel or two in the water ( on bottom and up the side ) proved to be the perfect bath, and a nice large laundry basket with a pillow in the bottom proved to be the most mobile bassinet although a good sized drawer will work it’s less portable. Seriously young ladies should consult their Grand and great grandmothers in addition to their moms.
Sam
Thank you so much for the advice! We have definitely found that we don’t need nearly as much stuff as “the experts” tell you you need. We’ve learned a lot in a year. 🙂
Julie
I know I’m really behind in writing this post because you’ve already had your baby, but I just wanted to put my two cents in about the diaper genie. I got one when my daughter was born, and just a couple of poo diapers later when it was nowhere near full, I realized I completely dreaded even opening it because of the stench that would waft out. So after that I only used it for pee diapers. For the poo ones I would just hang a plastic grocery bag on the corner of the changing table, put the dirty poo diaper there, and then clean her up and put her back in her crib and walk that bag all the way out to the outdoor trash can. Don’t know if this info will help, but I remember dreading stepping on that diaper genie foot pedal like it was yesterday. So anyway, now my daughter just turned 11 and I have to tell you she won first place in her age group for best tasting cupcake in junior baking cupcake challenge by using your chocolate cupcake recipe. She even won second place in the entire challenge, adult professional bakers included, for best tasting cupcake. She topped them with peanut butter buttercream and decorated them to look like little bears and was so thrilled to get so many compliments on them. So thank you for your fabulous recipe!
Sam
Thank you so much, Julie! I did end up getting a diaper genie, and since our little boy is only 7 weeks old at this point the poo isn’t overly strong yet. I just dread the long walk outside especially when there is snow all over the ground. UGGGHHHH. We are pretty happy with the diaper genie for now, but I guess time will tell.
That is awesome news about your daughters success! I love hearing stories like that. Hopefully she will keep baking and making you delicious treats. 🙂
mary ann
beautiful baby
Minoo
Congratulations! I’m really happy for you and wish you all the best :*
Sam
Thank you so much! We are so excited! 🙂
Jeff Stone
After being a daddy 2X I suggest a half gallon of whiskey! For Zack that is. lol. So happy for both of you. Congratulations and best wishes.
Sam
Haha, just now seeing this! I’m sure he won’t object to that 😂
Michelle
Congratulations! What worked for me is rest when you can – dishes/laundry are nice to have done but nothing to stress over! If anything, maybe a housekeeper once a week or send out for a laundry service. Good luck!
Sam
Thank you so much, Michelle! I will certainly be trying to get my rest in. 🙂
Emily Ramos
Honestly don’t go crazy because you never know what your child might like but diaper genie is a must. Bamboo breast pads
a must , Diapers and wipes keep them coming. Don’t go crazy on bottles and pacifiers and crazy gadgets you might use them once or twice. White noise machine is a great thing to have for both you and baby. Burp cloths as well. Honestly stick with the essentials because babies grow very fast then you are stuck with a million things you never really needed. But one thing my daughter still uses is the baby infant to toddler rocker and she is 3.
Sam
Thank you for all the advice Emily! I am trying not to go crazy with all the extras, but it’s so hard. I’m so excited and nervous at the same time! I don’t want to miss anything. 😬
Emily Ramos
All a baby really needs is love clothes and diapers. Don’t stress so much on anything else a bassinet that’s mobile is also a life saver. Also after the baby is born don’t create habits you will not be able to keep up with all the time because they get used to routines example: rocking the baby to sleep, playing music to help baby sleep, in my case it was breastfeeding her to sleep. It became a nightmare for me especially when she got older and refused to go to bed without her nightly feed. All babies are different follow YOUR motherly instincts because family and friends will always have opinions. Remember there is no child manual and don’t waste your time on reading tons of books. It will be exhausting at first but you will do amazing. BTW I will be using your cake recipe and possibly your cone cupcakes for my daughters 3rd birthday will let you know how they turn out.
Best of Luck
Sam
The baby will get plenty of love that is for sure. 🙂
Janet
Congratulations! How exciting. Our two sons really liked being in a baby swing and our grand daughter enjoyed her swinging bassinet or being rocked in her stroller. The movement relaxed and helped the babies to fall asleep. (I too had weird dreams in my pregnancy–that was over 30 years ago.) Very happy for you and your family!
Sam
Thank you, Janet! I have definitely been looking at buying a swing. I just bought a rocker so that should help me a little bit I hope. 🙂
Jackie Harvill
You can never take too many pictures. Get them printed and put into a book with all the whats and nots. I have three sons and for each marriage I gave them the Baby Book, ( The bride loved them).
PS: Listen to your mother she knowes.
Sam
Thank you so much, Jackie! I will definitely be taking TONS of pictures. 🙂