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Ode to Peter...

     My son Peter will be 3 on April 16th. He may be going on 3, but he acts like he's a 6 year old. Or should I say, he has the vocabulary and language skills of a 6 year old. He's my little boy and be warned: I will be bragging...
     For my first pregnancy, I had no idea I was pregnant. Bella was an unexpected surprise. But with Peter, I just knew I was pregnant. I can't describe how I knew, but I did. I even knew before "Aunt Flo" was due to arrive. I had a really good pregnancy with Peter. He was way more active in my belly. I could feel him move around nonstop. Because I had a c-section with Bella, my only option was to have another c-section. I didn't want to have another one but vaginal deliveries after c-sections come with their risks. Everything went smoothly though. I was scheduled to have Peter on Adam's birthday. It's funny how some things work out. He shares a birthday with his daddy now and that means more presents, more cake, and lots of love to squeeze in on one day. My little man was born at 8 lbs 6 oz. He was a big boy! I wasn't sure if I could love somebody as much as I loved my little Bella, but Peter proved me wrong.

Here we are before Peter's birth!

Here's my little guy.

      My son is something else. I couldn't be more blessed to have him. It was a true joy to take care of him when he was a baby. And I mean that. Really. I'm not lying. He slept through the nights, he took really well to breastfeeding and was just a happy baby. He still is! Except that he's not a baby anymore. He'll be 3...Ugh. I need to get over that fact. I wish I could keep them babies. But now that he talks to me and tells me he loves me, I wouldn't go back at all. He's so much fun to be around. He loves to snuggle. He is every body's little snuggle bug. And let's face it, he is part of the male species, so with just those puppy dog eyes, he gets whatever he wants.

See? Puppy dog eyes...

      Not just from me, but the whole family. Poor Bella is like "seriously, guys?!" As much as I want to brag at how cute and wonderful he is, he does act out. He's starting those "terrible threes'"...Which means he'll throw toys or say no when he doesn't get his way...but enough of that. Peter is full of energy and laughter. He's goofy and tells silly jokes that don't make any sense but he'll laugh hysterically at them. 

Silly boy

     He's got my eyes and his daddy's smile. It always melts my heart. 

Fav!

Captain Smiley

weeee!

Like father, like son.

So silly!

 

     So Peter, when you're older and you're reading this, I want you to know you are truly one of the loves of my life. You fill my heart with so much joy. Even though your sister drove you nuts:

And you drove the deer nuts: 

    I enjoyed your toddler years. They're not over yet but, boy, you're off to a great start. I love you angel. 

  Until next time...

Ode To Bella

     Today I'd like to talk about my beloved Bella. I was having some issues with her today. Bella is now five years old and loves to test my parental limits. She wares me out. She even drives me insane. Bella is full of energy and from the moment she wakes up, she talks my ears off. She's loud and can sometimes annoy me. Yes, my own daughter of five, can annoy the crap out of me. Let's face it mommies and daddies out there, children are a handful, annoying, and messy. So why do we continue to produce them? Why? Maybe because they are the most precious creatures on this earth. Really. We all know being a parent is tough, blah blah blah, but it's worth it. 
     I was on the phone today with my sister, and while I was talking Bella decided to act out. She followed me around everywhere I went in the house just to annoy me. I had a hard time focusing on the conversation I was having. I had to put Bella in timeout. After I got of the phone, Bella came up to me and said "I'm real sorry. I know I'm not supposed to be naughty. I promise I will try harder not to do that again." I was thinking, yeah right. But she said, "I love you to the moon and back momma." Usually, I'll immediately respond with I love you to the stars and back, but I was taken back. Looking at my little Bella, I got all gushy.  She has really grown up. I know she may have some behavior issues right now, but what kid doesn't? 
     Let's take a look back at some of my favorite Bella moments. 

 

  

Here I am at 9 months pregnant with Bella. In this picture, her head was lodged into my rib cage. She was born 3 weeks premature because the little bugger wouldn't change positions. So, bring on the c-section. Then my little Bella was born on March 14th, 2006. 

Isabella Pauline

Daddy's little girl.

Worn out and tired!!!

 Here she is. Frog legs and all. I remember being in the surgery room, and looking at Adam while the doctor was taking her out. The doctor said, congratulations it's a girl! Adam looked at me with tears in his eyes. One of my most precious memory of that day. Here is Adam holding his little girl for the first time. He fell in love with her and I fell in even more love with him. Life with little Bella was so full of love and new found worries. Bringing her home from the hospital, Adam was driving so slow. Like, snail slow. I was sitting in the backseat with Bella giggling. It was scary to think we were responsible for such a tiny creature. As the time went on, Adam and I slowly got the hang of the whole parent thing. We became avid coffee drinkers and bottle washers. We were a good team. There were days when every moment was so precious. Then there were days like this one:

She was a really good baby though. At 3 months she was sleeping through the nights. Sometimes it was hard to get her to sleep so I'd sing all the typical baby songs, but the one song that seemed to calm her down the most was "This Kiss" but Faith Hill. Weird, I know. But it worked. So, I'd bounce her, slowly, on my exercise ball and sing that song. Worked like a charm! I think one of my favorite things about having a baby is dressing it up! Duh. Bella didn't seem too amused, though..

Smile for the camera!

Daddy and Bella!

Peek-a-boo under the coffee table!

Bella doing some laundry.

Apple picking.

All smiles.

Story time.

First Halloween! 

     I could post thousands of pictures of her. Each picture taken is a moment to cherish. That's what the people of Hallmark say, and I believe it. So, Bella, when you're old enough to read this, I'd like you to know you drove mommy crazy. But I wouldn't change anything. You are my whole life my little bologna butt. 

     More stories to follow. Next, ode to my son, Peter...Stay tuned.

Wilton

     As I was organizing my "cake cabinet", I was looking at all the stuff that I have acquired and I let slip a happy giggle. I've got to tell you how blessed I feel. Blessed for family, blessed for my God-given talents and blessed for the products that Wilton has put out there. If I didn't have these products, I don't think I'd be able to start off this cake business. If you're interested in making your own cakes let me show you a few of the items that have helped me get started.
First, the Wilton Deluxe Tip set. I use these tips for every single cake I make. When I first bought it, I didn't know what the heck I was doing so I took each individual tip and experimented with it. I was able to figure out what the tips are used for just by piping lines and stars. If you want an extra teaching tool you can always get the Wilton practice board. It's pretty self-explanatory, but it tells you what tip to use to make different piping lines, stars, drop flowers, and such. So, if you're going to start decorating your own cakes, I highly recommend buying a tip set.
Next, my favorite decorating tool is the Wilton fondant/gum-paste tool set. What a savor! I can't tell you how much I adore this set. When I was just starting out with fondant and gum-paste, I was only using my hands. I'm pretty decent at modeling fondant, but after I got the tool set, it was so much easier. There are a variety of ways you can use the tools and it's helped with my modeling so much.
My next favorite tool is the Wilton Easy Glide Fondant Smoother. Boy, that's a mouthful! Decorating cakes with fondant is so popular today. Fondant is that chewy sugar mold that you put on cakes to give them a smooth clean finish. Many cake decorators, including myself, have this tool. The fondant smoother makes it a lot easier to smooth your fondant on your cake. It has a round end and a flat end that are used for two different purposes. Both ends are able to get into the nooks and crannies of your cakes to smooth the fondant into place.
Of course, rolling fondant out on your table isn't going to cut it. There's a chance your fondant could get crumbs and such in it. To solve that, I use the Wilton Roll and Cut Mat. It's the best! It's so much easier to work with fondant and gum-paste on this mat. There are so many other Wilton products that I use and adore. I've run out of time for now but I will be writing more on the Wilton products I love and find so helpful. Until next time...










P.S. Here's a picture of the first cake I ever decorated:

First decorated cake

And here is one of my latest cakes:

Look how Wilton has helped my cakes!

Mothers...

     I just got off the phone with my mother and I promised her I'd be in bed by 10:30. How old am I again? Yes, I'm 25 but my dearest mother still likes to give me a bedtime. I only have 20 minutes to type this so I better hurry.

My mother: fashion victim of the 90s

     My mom is a one of a kind. Seriously. She's this incredibly strong woman who is so full of energy she'll knock you flat off your ass in seconds. She's tough and rough and cute and loves to snuggle. I have so many silly images of her, from long ago, tattooed in my head. Like this image for example: frilly, flower, pearly, curly...aaahhh. My mother is one beautiful lady, but lets face it, that dress would not look good on anyone. (No offense mom, if you're reading) Let's keep in mind folks that my mother was taken hostage by the 80s and 90s fashion style. It twas not her fault. I also have fond memories of watching my mother do her makeup. She was always good at it but it could become scary at moments. One day, long ago, my mother actually attached an eye last curler

Don't mess.

 to her eye and left it dangling there and chased me around the house. For what? I'm still not sure. But I laugh at the thought of that because I know I will be doing the same thing to my daughter to amuse myself. She's goofy and always in the mood to tickle me or my kids. My mom means the world to me. I know, I'm getting sentimental over here folks, but really, she's the best. Always so loving, always so forgiving, always so supportive, always so protective and always there for you. I couldn't be more proud of all the things MY mom has accomplished.

Oh hey! Did I mention she's a firefighter?

Until next time...

My momma

And for good measure, wasn't she the cutest lil' thing?

Getting down to business...

     What are your dreams? Your aspirations? When I was in high school I had my heart set on becoming a forensic pathologist. With many of the new crime drama shows out there, I'm sure you know what that means. My dream was to cut open dead people and figure out why they died. Yeah...not so much now. Maybe mother hood changed that in me. Maybe not. I still have a passion for forensic science but there are so many careers out there that I want to try. I think my list has grown to about, hmm, 92 dreamy careers I'd like to have in this lifetime.
     For starters, I would love to be a writer. But, I think this blog will be as far as I'll ever go with writing. I was good at it. I wish I could dream up of the next story that will be treasured by thousands of generations to come. Damn, J.K. Rowling for jumping me to the gun. I so wish I had thought up of Hogwarts. Cheers to her.
     Next on my dream career list would be an animal cop. Seriously. I have a huge passion for all creatures small and would love to take justice out on the idiots who hurt and commit such heinous crimes against animals.
     I would also love to become a ninja. I mean who wouldn't? Next, a school teacher, an artist, a singer, and the list could go on and on. I'm only 25, there's time right?
     But for right now, my passion is cake decorating. It's my fabulous creative outlet. And I'd like to turn my talents into a business. I have read so many success stories that I'm really motivated to start this cake business. I've never been to cake decorating school but I would die to go. Here are a few of my cakes I've made:

     Decorating is where I'm at in my life. I've got two great kids, a wonderful husband-to-be, and a HUGE passion for all things cake! Until next time...

Stress and my kids

     Today I'd like to talk about stress. I had one heck of a stressful day. I'm a mom who chooses to stay home with my four year old and two year old. I don't like to complain much about the work or the stress being a stay-at-home mom is but, today, I'm going to make an exception. MY KIDS DROVE ME NUTS TODAY. There I said it. I'm not ashamed of that at all. My wonderful four year old daughter is FULL of energy and likes to be running around constantly. My two year old son is a mama's boy and loves to be played with...all the time. Man, do I love my kids but sometimes I want to lock myself in the bathroom and just stay there. haha. When things are getting to be too much, (i.e. sibling fights, spilled messes, whining, and so on) there are two things I like to do to calm myself down and regroup. First thing I do, is grab my mp3 player and turn the volume right on up. ::sigh:: Music certainly can change my mood and it's a damn good thing. The other thing I do to calm down is go on over to ScaryMommy's blog and read her entries. ScaryMommy is such a fabulous writer and mother. She writes about every day motherhood and she's real about it. It always lifts my spirits to know I'm not the only mother out there who goes crazy every now and then. So you should go to her site and read. And enjoy. And maybe even laugh your ass off. She also has this ingenious thing called Confessions. You can find it on her blog. Confessions is a totally anonymous gig where you can type up a confession and have people 'like', 'hug', or 'omg, me too' your confessions. I have already confessed a bunch and have gotten many hugs from total strangers and it feels awesome. So, go ahead and confess anything you want. You may even get a hug out of it.
     Being a mom is one tough gig but it has it's rewards. You mothers out there know what I'm talking about. Those moments where your kiddos randomly come up and tell you how much they love you. Moments when you are so proud of them, you think your heart might explode. They are little treasures and I feel so blessed to have my monkeys....even if they drive me bananas.

Mother's day, 2 years ago.