Saw It. Pinned It. Did It: Carrot Cake

February 28, 2013

I had a random pregnancy craving for carrot cake last week. Funny part about it is that I don't even really like carrot cake. I hate the texture of the shredded carrots mixed with the bits of nuts. Ick, ick, ick. My brilliant mind got to thinking that there just had to be a way to get the delicious taste of carrot cake sans the nasty texture. Enter some Pinterest searching...and I found just the answer to my prayers.

Baby Food Carrot Cake

Inspiration:

Creation:

This recipe is seriously amazing. It's beyond tasty, super moist and doesn't have the nasty texture of carrot cake. And it's super easy to make! 

Follow These Steps: 
 You'll Need: 

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 cup canola oil
4 eggs
2 (4 ounce) jars carrots, baby food
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
2 teaspoons vanilla

Follow These Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350ºF.
2. Grease and flour a 9x13 baking pan.
3. Place the ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
4. Beat with electric beaters or mixer paddle for 2 minutes on medium speed.
5. Pour the batter into the prepared pan.
6. Bake in 350ºF oven for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean.
7. Allow the cake to cool completely; prepare icing in the meantime.
To Make The Cheese Cake Frosting:

You'll Need: 
2 pounds cream cheese, softened
2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
3 cups confectioners' sugar
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Follow These Directions: 

1. Beat cream cheese, butter, and 1 cup sugar with a mixer on medium speed until combined.
2. With machine running, add remaining 2 cups confectioners' sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Add vanilla, and beat until pale and fluffy, about 4 minutes more.
4. Spread over cake

And enjoy! 
 I'm telling you that this cake {especially the frosting} is to die for! 

Spring? + Winners! + Birthdays As A Nurse

February 27, 2013

Here we are: Hump day Wednesday! Whoot! 
Today is the first of three days off for me and so far I've spent the day in bed sipping cappi. I've got a wicked headache and am less than crazy at the fact that it's snowing outside...again. Winter is really starting to turn me into a crabby person. I want my 50 degree spring days already! Enough is enough Wisco! 
I had plans to do some shopping today. Because let's face it...I haven't been to Target in like three days and TJ Maxx in like two weeks. And, this baby bump of mine is growing everyday so chances of me fitting in my pre-pregnancy clothes for much longer are looking slim. So the plan was Target and TJ Maxx today to damage the ole' piece of plastic a little. That was until I woke up and saw this outside my window:
Ahh. Nope, no thank you. There's no freaking way I'm going out in this nasty snow covered land with more snow coming down on my head. Couch, blogging and too much reality TV? That sounds more like my style today. 
Speaking of growing baby bumps. I'd love to hear where you ladies loved to shop while pregnant. Some maternity clothes are SO expensive and I just can't see spending money on clothes that I'll rarely get to wear as I'm in scrubs 75% of my life. With that said, I'm totally looking forward to legging and dress weather! We also have a handful of weddings coming up this spring/summer so I'm on the lookout for some killer dresses for this bump of mine :)
I'm here today to link up with Anna for her monthly nursing link up. 
This month's topic is: Birthdays As A Nurse
 I've had two birthdays pass while working as a nurse. The first was my 23rd birthday and I worked a pm shift that day. The morning was boring as I slept in and then woke and headed to work. And let me tell you...that night was a sign that I should never work a birthday again. My patients where on their call lights all night long, where impossible to please and a few of them took turns accusing me for their poor health. On top of that it was a busy night and our beds {all 38 of them} where full meaning it was run, run, run all night long. The night got a little brighter when my sister came to surprise me with flowers and cake but that was one of the first times I went home bawling my eyes out. Horrible, horrible night at work!
 
My 24th birthday fell on Thanksgiving this year which made me the happiest girl EVER because Thanksgiving was one of my off holidays this year! We spent the day with my extended family with tons of great food and laughs. It was laid back and nothing super special but days with my family are my favorite. 
 
I've decided that from now on I think I'll take my birthdays off. Get myself a pedicure and/or a massage and enjoy a day of relaxation. I'm looking forward to this coming birthday, my 25th because I'll be enjoying maternity leave with my new little mister or miss! Couldn't ask for anything better than that!   
 
 
Also, I'm sure you all might be curious as to the Jewelry Custom Designs & the Token of Love winner! Well here they are!
 
Jewelry Custom Designs Winner Is: 
a Rafflecopter giveaway

And, the Token Of Love Winner Is: 
  
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congrats to you ladies! Hopefully you love these products as much as I do!  

14 Weeks

February 25, 2013


How far along?  14 Weeks!
Size of baby M?  Baby M is the size of a lemon!
Total weight gain/loss: I had gained about 1/2 to 1 pound but this week I'm measuring back at my pre-pregnancy weight.
Maternity clothes? None. Though I've been using the hair band trick here and there as my jeans are getting somewhat uncomfortable. I'm looking forward to warm weather so I can wear dresses and leggings.
Stretch marks? None 
Sleep: Has actually been a little bit better these last few nights! I'm not nearly as exhausted as I had been though I find my body still wears out quicker than it did pre-pregnancy.
Best moment this week: Watching my bump grow! I'm no longer looking like I ate too many doughnuts!
Have you told family and friends: Yes
Miss Anything? Margaritas! Don't judge! My co-workers all went out the other night for margaritas and I was slightly sad I couldn't join!
Movement: None yet!
Food cravings:  Pink lemonade! It's all I want to drink! And potato skins! I could eat them for every meal!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Not really, that's been better lately!
Symptoms: Dizziness! 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Happy :)
Have you started to show yet: Oh yes! Welcome little bump!
Gender prediction: Still feeling boy! Hoping for a girl though!  
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: My next appointment {next Friday} and scheduling our next ultrasound in which we'll find out if baby is a little mister or a little miss!

Last Chance! Get Em While You Can!

February 24, 2013

Hey dolls! Loads to do on this Sunday morning but I'm starting it out with warm cinnamon rolls, a cup of cappi and stopping in to let you ladies know that there is ONE more day left to win the Token Of Love and Jewelry Custom Designs Giveaway! These products are lovely and I can NOT wait to select the winners! Two ladies are about to get reeeaaallll lucky! 

If you haven't entered yet feel free to below! 


Handmade Camera Strap from Token Of Love
{Your choice of a camera strap!}
a Rafflecopter giveaway

I <3 U Necklace from Jewelry Custom Designs  

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Also, I'm looking for some swap buddies. My sidebar is looking for a little loving! Let me know if you're interested!

Allena Mistral Giveaway!

February 23, 2013

I'm sponsoring over at Allena Mistral this month and partaking in the monthly giveaway as well. I figured I'd post it here today if you'd ladies would like to enter too! There's ad space, shop credits, and some adorable jewelry. All together the prizes are valued at over $100 and one winner gets it all! Happy entering! 

Giveaway Time! 

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Shop . Facebook . Twitter
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Friday Letters

February 22, 2013


Dear Readers: Just another shout out to you for all of your thoughts, well wishes and congrats on our new bundle to be! We're overjoyed and are really starting to look forward to meeting this little baby and learning all about him/her. Dear Work: It's finally Friday! What a week it has been! So glad I have off this weekend and that hubs does too! Dear Wisconsin: No.More.Snow! So sick that of white crap and it's just supposed to snow more today! Ick! Dear Camera: I'm sorry that you and I have been spending a lot of time apart lately. I promise, promise to make it up to you soon! Dear Summer: Are you ever coming? Dear Hubster: I love you. Simple as that. Dear Mommy-to-be/New Mommy Blogs: I'm obsessed with you lately! Is it sad that I'm all about researching products for baby, finding the best deals and reading all about your trials as a new mom? Cause this momma-to-be is beyond obsessed! Dear 14th Week: Please bring less dizziness! I'm looking forward to the days when I don't have to worry about blacking out in patient rooms anymore! Dear Forces That Be: Please stop making me the death/cancer angel at work! Lately patient's I'm taking care of have scans to check for simple things and end up finding out that they are full of cancer! I do realize I have no control over this and that I did not cause it but it makes my heart hurt. I had two patient's in particular this last week whom this happened to and I just wanted to cry for them. Both had very, very few treatment options as the cancer had spread to multiple organs already and showed no signs of stopping. I'm already a hater of cancer and this past week has just made it worse. The downside to nursing is that one gets really attached to a patient when you're with them for five straight days and then to sit with the oncologist while they get the news that their days are number is just heart breaking. Maybe it's the pregnancy hormones playing in too but those situations have been rough on me lately. A co-worker also recently lost her 44 year old husband to esophageal cancer which has my whole work place kind of down and out. They had two children, ages 6 and 8. It just proves that life really is too short and that you never know what the future holds for you, your family and your friends. The quote above "Make this moment count" is one that I firmly believe in & one that I really feel everyone should try and live by. Life is short, tragedy happens and what the future holds we do not know.

Our First Appointment & Ultrasound

February 21, 2013

We had our first OB appointment on January 21st. It was the basic full exam, chatting with the doctor about what to expect, urine and blood samples. We'd figured at that point we where 9weeks 2days pregnant but when the doctor checked the size of my uterus she estimated we where more like 10-12 weeks.  Therefore she scheduled an ultrasound to find out exactly how far along we where and to figure out our due date. Other than seeming to be a little further ahead she said everything was looking great. So, we scheduled that for January 31st and waited a very long 10 days to see our little baby love.

Written the morning of January 31, 2013

Well baby today is the big day! Our first ultrasound to see just how old you are! When I had my first OB appointment we thought that we where about 9 weeks along (that was last week) but after checking the doctor thought we could be more like 10-12 weeks. Meaning today we could be somewhere
between 11.5 and 13.5 weeks. 

I'm not sure how I slept last night baby. I am SO excited to see your little self bouncing around and hear the doctor say that you look healthy and wonderful. You've turned your mommy into all sorts of worried baby. I'm constantly wondering if you're okay in there so seeing you todayis bound to help me relax a bit. I think daddy will love it if I relax a bit too. Looking forward to seeing your lovely self baby. You have me so in love already. 

Love, 
Mommy  



Written the evening of January 31, 2013

I am in love! Seeing our baby moving around today inside my belly was simply amazing! The little bean was trying to do back flips during the ultrasound..cutest thing in the world! The heart beat was steady and strong at 169bpm and hearing it made me cry. Hubs couldn't believe his eyes and was shocked when the tech showed him a model of how big the baby actually is. Seeing baby move, wiggle and hearing it's heart beat made this all so real. Leaving the office I couldn't help but feel all sorts of excited, amazed and blessed. 

This new adventure came far sooner than we ever expected but we're ready to take on the challenges and excitement that being parent's involves! 

13 Weeks

February 20, 2013


How far along?  13 Weeks!
Size of baby M?  Baby M is the size of a tangerine
Total weight gain/loss:
Maternity clothes? None
Stretch marks? None 
Sleep: Great but when I wake up to use the restroom I have the hardest time falling back asleep and there has been some nights I'm just not able to fall back asleep. Makes for very long work days!
Best moment this week: Letting the news out!
Have you told family and friends: Yes!
Miss Anything? Sleeping through the entire night but I know that's only going to get worse. Just prepping for baby :) 
Movement: None yet, can't wait to feel it though! 
Food cravings:  Fudgesicles, chocolate milk, chocolate pudding. Notice a trend?
Anything making you queasy or sick: Greasy foods & the smell of eggs.
Symptoms: Tired though it's getting better. I continue to have headaches and dizziness but am definetly starting to feel better! 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy :)
Have you started to show yet: Yes, I'm sure you can tell in the photo above!
Gender prediction: I flip flop back and forth but I continue to feel like it's a boy most of the time. 
Labor Signs: None
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: Hearing the heart beat at our next appointment though we've listened to it a few times with the fetal doppler I bought :) 

Weeks 0-12

February 19, 2013

Before we get to all things baby again today don't forget to enter the Token of Love and Jewelry Custom Designs giveaways! They close on the 25th! 

I have no updates for weeks 0-8 because we didn't find out about our little baby love until I was eight weeks. Most people who hear that think I'm crazy but the only symptom I had was being tired and I am always a tired person by nature so I didn't think anything of it. Baby love was super kind to mommy through out the first 10 weeks of this pregnancy and I really felt great. 

Written Saturday January 12th

How far along? 8 Weeks!
Size of baby M? Baby M is the size of a raspberry!
Total weight gain/loss: None. Starting weight of somewhere between 105-107
Maternity clothes? None yet!
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: It's all I want to do! I sleep pretty great at night though it takes me forever to get comfortable & I'm up between 1am and 2am to pee
Best moment this week: Blood tests to confirm we where pregnant & telling daddy!
Have you told family and friends: Not yet. Our appointment isn't for another 9 days and we're waiting until after then to make sure things are going well! 
Miss Anything? Cappis! Said goodbye to caffeine! 
Movement: Not yet
Food cravings: I've been chugging milk but other than that I'm just hungry for anything!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Meats. I got about half way through a BBQ chicken sandwich the other night and it nearly came back up.
Symptoms: Sore breasts {tmi?}, constant exhaustion and frequent urination.. The nausea hasn't been too frequent and I'm hoping it stays that way. I'm dizzy pretty often as well.
Happy or Moody most of the time: Nervous! We weren't expecting this so soon! But we're excited for all the fun & new experiences!
Have you started to show yet: Not really. Just looks a little pudgy.
Gender prediction: Hoping for a girl but we'd be happy either way!
Labor Signs: Gosh no! Hopefully not for a long while!
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: Our upcoming appointment and telling family & friends! 

 Written Saturday, January 19th

How far along?  9 Weeks!
Size of baby M?  Baby M is the size of a cherry! Already about 1 inch long! 
Total weight gain/loss: None. 
Maternity clothes? None yet!
Stretch marks? No
Sleep: This one has been tougher this week! I'm always tired but haven't been sleeping well at all! I've been waking up 3 or 4 times a night to use the bathroom and have been having some crazy dreams that wake me/keep me awake as well.
Best moment this week: Catching daddy ordering stuff for you online!
Have you told family and friends: Not yet. We're waiting until after our appointment to make sure things are going well! We have plans to tell family and close friends next week {10 weeks} Everyone will have to wait a few weeks!
Miss Anything? Cappis! My mornings just aren't the same without them!
Movement: Not yet
Food cravings: Milk! I've gone from about a glass every other day to about 6 glasses a day! Holy calcium overload! I literally can't get enough of it! We're going through multiple gallons a week & it's just hubs & I! I also can't not stop eating popsicles! Yum, yum!
Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of coffee and some meats.
Symptoms: Sore breasts {tmi?}, constant exhaustion and frequent urination.. The nausea still hasn't been too frequent and I'm hoping it stays that way. I'm dizzy pretty frequently as well. 
Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy. I've caught myself a few times when I was about to snap but so far hubs has lucked out with my moods!
Have you started to show yet: Right now it just looks like I ate too much. Though at night there's definitely a bit of a bump! 
Gender prediction: I have no definite feelings either way.
Labor Signs: No! Hopefully not for a long while!
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: Our upcoming appointment and telling family & friends! 

 Written Saturday January 26th
How far along?  10 Weeks!
Size of baby M?  Baby M is the size of a kumquat! 
Total weight gain/loss: We weren't entirely sure of my exact starting weight but I think we're going to go with 107 starting. At our 10 week appointment I weight 107.5. So we'll go with a half of a pound.
Maternity clothes? None yet!
Stretch marks? None!
Sleep: This week I've been FAR more sick than any other week up to this point. Meaning sleep is not always the greatest. I've been getting up sometime around 3am to use the restroom and then I can't fall back asleep.
Best moment this week: Telling family and a few close friends! Everyone was SO shocked and excited! Feels SO great to be able to talk about the little love with other people!
Have you told family and friends: We've told our parents, siblings and a few close friends. Waiting on an official due date to tell everyone else!
Miss Anything? Cappis & having energy! 
Movement: Not yet but I can NOT wait to feel this little bean moving!
Food cravings: Milk, Raisin Bran, Garlic Bread and Popsicles  
Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of meats, eggs and anything spicy/greasy
Symptoms: Constant exhaustion, frequent urination, wicked back pain, nausea and the migraines have been crazy intense this week! No fun!
Happy or Moody most of the time: Mostly happy. I'm only moody when people drive me nuts at work...and then I'm mooooddyyy!
Have you started to show yet: At night after 4+ meals I've got a belly for sure!
Gender prediction: I have no definite feelings either way. Think pink!
Labor Signs: No! Thank goodness!
Belly Button in or out? In
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: Our ultrasound on Thursday & telling the rest of our friends 

 Written Saturday February 2nd

How far along?  11 Weeks!
Size of baby M?  Baby M is the size of a fig
Total weight gain/loss: 0.5 pound 
Maternity clothes? None yet!
Stretch marks? None! Lotion, lotion, lotion!  
Sleep: The past two weeks have been rough! I'm sleeping like crap...some nights only about three hours. I've been having far more nauseous now then I did the first 10 weeks. And the dizziness...horrible!  
Best moment this week: Being able to discuss baby with our families has been wonderful. Keeping secrets is beyond tough for this girl so it's a relief to have people that know. Seeing baby on ultrasound was amazing. We got to hear the little heart beating a healthy and steady 169bpm! Made me cry hearing and seeing our baby for the first time!  
Have you told family and friends: Word is out!  
Miss Anything? Being able to clean the house in one day! I'm so exhausted that I get about 1/3 of the way through and have to nap. Hoping this gets better in the second trimester!  
Movement: Not yet  
Food cravings: Milk, Popsicles, Fruit   
Anything making you queasy or sick: The smell of eggs and fish 
Symptoms: Constant exhaustion, frequent urination, wicked back pain, nausea and the migraines have been crazy intense! No fun! 
Happy or Moody most of the time: I've had more cry sessions this week but overall I'm pretty happy.  
Have you started to show yet: Oh yes! There's no hiding it!  
Gender prediction: I've been feeling boy this week.  
Labor Signs: No! 
Belly Button in or out? In 
Wedding rings on or off? On 
Looking forward to: Watching the bump grow bigger :) 


Written Saturday February 9th

How far along?  12 Weeks!
Size of baby M?  Baby M is the size of a lime 
Total weight gain/loss: 0.5 pound 
Maternity clothes? None. There are some days I have to use the hairband trick though. Especially after really large meals. Otherwise I'm fitting {snugly} into all my regular shirts and pants 
Stretch marks? None
Sleep: I sleep pretty good up until about 2am-4am and then I've got to get up and use the restroom. After that I have the hardest time falling back asleep. Hubs says I do a whole lot of tossing and turning too. It's already tough to get comfortable some nights. I've started using a body pillow though so we'll see if that helps at all.
Best moment this week:  Telling more of our family and friends. Hubs also made me the adorable chalk board you see above so I can start using that for updates :) We also bought an at home fetal doppler so it was wonderful being able to hear the baby's heartbeat!
Have you told family and friends:  Just about everyone knows now!
Miss Anything? I've been really wanting a margarita this week! 
Movement: None yet. 
Food cravings: Fudge sicles, fruit, milk and cheesy hashbrowns!
Anything making you queasy or sick: Some meats still, greasy foods and the smell of fish and/or eggs
Symptoms: I'm starting to get less tired which has been amazing! I still have pretty frequent headaches and dizziness though which makes work challenging some days. There's been a few days I've had to excuse myself from patient rooms because I the world goes black and I have to sit down for awhile.
Happy or Moody most of the time: My mood is great usually. There are a few people at work though who just seeing them can make me grouchy.
Have you started to show yet: I certainly think so! My bump is especially large at night! There are times I can hide it {under large sweatshirts & such} but for the most part it's noticeable.
Gender prediction: I've been on the fence more and more about this lately but I'm still feeling very boy. Hubs is thinking it's a girl though so we'll see! 
Labor Signs: None, thank goodness! 
Belly Button in or out? In :)
Wedding rings on or off? On
Looking forward to: Our next appointment which isn't until March 1st. Seeing baby again on ultrasound in April {when we'll possibly find out the sex} and watching the bump grow :) 

Finding Out About Baby

February 18, 2013

Thank you all so much for your well wishes, thoughts and congrats surrounding our big announcement last Thursday. Hubs and I are over joyed and looking forward to sharing this new journey with you! Today kick's off a week of all things baby related! We'll chat about finding out, telling our families, our first appointment/ultrasound and there just might be some bump photos as well ;) 


I wrote the following letters on the day we found out about baby & the day we had blood tests to confirm the six home pregnancy tests I took.

Written Thursday, January 10th

Dear Baby-

Today was a day that changed my life. See Mommy hasn't been feeling well for the past couple of weeks but chalked it up to winter, all the icky bugs going around and working so much. Boy was I wrong baby. I woke up this morning feeling even more nauseous than before. I decided to take a pregnancy test though I was convinced it would be negative. I'm sure you can only imagine my shock when I saw a little plus sign appear. So I did another...plus sign. It was early in the morning when I did these tests baby so I thought maybe I was seeing things. Off to work I went thinking about you all day long. After work I came home and told your daddy about you baby. I bawled my eyes out while telling him. I never thought for a moment that we'd be so blessed so quickly after marriage. Daddy took the news like a champ baby. I must tell you now...you have the best daddy. He's going to make our lives so wonderful and full of laughter. Just you wait baby. He held me as I sobbed and talked about all the things we could do with you, the things we could teach you, then fun we'd have with you. He talked about what he thought you'd look like and who you'd turn out to be. He's amazing little baby. We are so incredibly blessed to have him.

Later that night Mommy took two more tests just to be sure she wasn't in fact seeing things. And the results? Another plus sign and a big ole' positive. After five tests I figured there was no way I was seeing things so I gave the doctor a call. They scheduled a blood test for tomorrow morning baby love. Then we'll have a sixth confirmation that you're in there.

I'm not going to lie to you baby. Mommy and Daddy are nervous to find out about you. We're worried that we aren't prepared to be the kind of parents that you deserve. We're worried about giving you all you want in life plus more. I know deep down though that everything will work out and that we are going to be the happiest little family of three. 

Overall you've been pretty nice to Mommy little love and for that I am grateful. A few backaches, some moderate nauseous, and pure exhaustion sums up our adventure so far baby. But we'll see what kind of things you have in store for the next coming months ;)

That's all for now baby. Just know that Mommy and Daddy love you already baby. And we are so, SO excited to have you in our lives!

Love Mommy



Written Friday, January 11th

Well the blood tests say it's official baby...you are officially growing right inside my tummy. I got many congratulations today on you baby from the lab ladies, the receptionists and the pharmacists. It made me smile baby, just thinking of you and what is to become. Mommy scheduled an appointment for the 21st of this month to meet with the doctor and find out more about your little self. That's a whole ten days away baby! How will I survive until then?

I'm terribly excited to see your little self on the ultrasound monitor and hear your little heart beating. Just thinking about it makes me cry baby love. You have no idea the love I have for you already...and I've only known you existed for one day.

Daddy has plans to stud up some cars baby. He says that he can't have his child riding in lame vehicles. I don't know about this guy baby. He's got big plans to turn you into his little buddy and I'm sure once you meet him you'll be all about that too. I can't wait to see you in daddy's arms love. The pure thought just fills my heart. You two are going to make life feel full, wonderful and incredibly joyful. And for that, I can't wait.

That's all for tonight baby love.
Love Mommy

Friday Letters

February 15, 2013


Dear Friday: You aren't as exciting when I have to work straight through the weekend until Tuesday. Bo-ring! Dear Readers: Thank you so, so much for all of the thoughts and well wishes regarding our announcement yesterday! It feels so good to finally have it out in the open and be able to talk about it! And watch out Instagram! I have 12.5 weeks of photos to upload! Haha! {Btw...it's stormyann22 for those of you who aren't following!} Next week I'll fill you in on all the details. How we found out, bump updates, and more! We'll just call it baby week! :) Dear Readers: Yes, you again! Be sure to enter the two giveaways that are going on right now! You can win an adorable necklace or a handmade camera strap of your choice! Dear Cappi: You taste so good today! And don't worry...I'm only having 1/2 a cup people! Dear Warm Weather: Anytime now, anytime! Dear Work: Please be kind. Pah-lease! Dear Hubs: You are by far the best! Thanks for being my Valentine yesterday and for all of our amazing-ness!

Coming In August

February 14, 2013


A HUGE thanks to Whitney of Whit Meza Photography for braving
the Wisconsin snow storm to capture a few photos for us!

Here's the latest update photo we took: 

Saw It. Pinned It. Did It: Oreo Poke Cake

Morning ladies. We'll totally get to this piece of yum:

 But, first things first here this morning. Happy Valentine's Day to you all! I woke this morning to a chocolate cake and a gorgeous hydrangea and tulip plant. And a card that made me bawl my eyes out. My hubby is by far the sweetest. Sometimes I just look at him and wonder what I did to get so lucky. I've yet to figure the answer out but I'm certainly not complaining! Life without him wouldn't be any life worth living. He laughs at my stupid jokes, he cheers me up when I'm having bad days, he'll let me eat the last piece of dessert with no complaints. And any man that lets his girl eat the dessert is a man worth keeping. So in honor of the day and all the love I have for him here's some photos of us through out the years! Crazy to think that this is the FIFTH Valentine's Day we're sharing together! 

He is honestly the perfect man for me. I am overly blessed to have him in my life and just want to take a moment to say: Happy Valentine's Day Babe. I love you!

& moving on.

I promised y'all some big news today and it's coming, I promise! You'll just have to keep your eyes open for it! {Can you tell I enjoy torturing you all just a little a lot?} In all reality though I can't just give you the info first thing in the morning. This is something that I need to spring on you...when you least expect it. So, to start off the day I'm going to partake in one of my favorite link ups, Saw It. Pinned It. Did It with Steph and Katie. Usually I have a craft to share with y'all but today I have a delicious, easy, terrible for you dessert to share with you. 
And trust me it's tasty. Like so good I'm eating it for breakfast. #dontjudge

Inspiration: 

Creation: 

Like every craft or recipe I make this cake is super easy to make. 
In fact you just need seven ingredients!  

You'll Need: 
A Chocolate Cake Mix {I used a milk chocolate mix}
Eggs, Oil & Water per cake mix instructions
Two {4ounce} boxes of instant cookies & cream pudding
Four cups of milk
Oreos {doubled stuffed is certainly the best if you ask me} 

Do this: 

Preheat oven according to cake mix box. Prepare cake mix according to directions on box. {Make sure the pan is well greased!}

Just before the cake is done begin preparing the pudding. Blend until most of the lumps are gone.  Let pudding sit for about two minutes {you want the pudding to be slightly thick but not fully thickened into pudding}. While the cake is still warm poke holes all over the cake using a wooden spoon or straw. 

Then pour the pudding mixture over the cake aiming for the holes. Spread out the pudding with a spoon and gently push the pudding down into the holes. Allow the cake to cool for about one hour in the refrigerator. Once cooled top with crushed oreos and enjoy! 

*Keep cake refrigerated!* 

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