Silly Stories with J.J.

I am having a very tiny potluck at my apartment to say, "hey! we are so excited Aimee is having a girl let's eat together and talk about girl stuff!" It's low key but I decided to order invitations because Aimee loves stationary and no matter how simple, I still want it to be special.

So, I found these really cute (and very girly) invitations by Tiny Prints that I ordered. They came, I loved them, I addressed them, and I put them in my laundry basket. That sounds weird but I was going to Aimee's to babysit so I thought I'd do a load of laundry and then I'd stop by the post office on my way home.

So at Aimee's I go to throw the laundry in, not remembering the invitations, click on the normal cycle, shut the door, and walk away. Fifteen minutes later I am looking in my purse for the invitations and am hit with that awful sinking feeling realizing what I had done.

I RACED me and my belly over to the washer, shut it off, opened the door, and this is what greeted me.

IT WAS EVERYWHERE. Those invitations had completely disintegrated and taken over. My eyes couldn't have been bigger as I looked at it in horror. I texted Josh and he really freaked me out because he was concerned that I was going to clog their washing machine. Something I had not considered. I called Aimee but she didn't answer. I told myself to stay calm and mentally went through my rolodex of people to call. I landed on the perfect person, THE mom expert - my MIL, Sharon.

She gave me good advice and two hours later, 4 disposable chopsticks, a roll of paper towels, and 10 q-tips later, the clothes and the washing machine had survived. 

I left happy about the washer but devastated about the invitations. By the end of the night I had resigned myself to sending an Evite when Blane got wind of the situation. He called Tiny Prints right up and shared with the customer service guy my sob story. He told Blane, "Well, that's the first time I've heard THAT story." And then promptly said new ones would be delivered the following Wednesday, free of charge. 

Free of charge.

Getting something I don't deserve? Yup. Tiny Prints and customer service guy for the win. Geez, what the heck? I suppose I didn't believe in pregnancy brain until it happened to me. -_-

This is the end of Silly Stories with J.J. Now, please go order your Christmas cards from Tiny Prints. :p 

Remember that all good things - your possessions  your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time - are gifts from Me. Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude. Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of my hand. - J.C. 

Good-bye Cyrus

Cyrus is Josh's family dog. He was originally meant as a guard dog for the family business but he proved to be afraid of the dark so he was at the family home more often than he wasn't.

Yesterday he had to be put down prematurely because of a brain lesion.

Cyrus had a vicious bark but was a gentle giant. We would go for walks together and he would run with Josh and I around the neighborhood. He was smart - he would rough house with Josh's brother but he wouldn't with me because he knew I didn't like it. Whenever I was in the yard he would stick to my side and when he heard our voices in the house he would come to the back door with his tail wagging, hoping we were going to go for a run or had a treat. He would often be dinner table entertainment as someone would recount one of his escapades, like escaping from the backyard only to end up by the front door. I've never been drawn to animals, but Cyrus taught me that you don't have to be afraid of dogs and in fact, sometimes they are the best companions in the world.

To Cyrus, thanks for loving me. I loved you too.

Sam + Annie

Although Josh is paying for it now (lots of study study study!) we had so much fun this weekend. On Friday we went to a friends rehearsal dinner and on Saturday to the wedding. The festivities were held in the bride's father's backyard. He even built a wooden dance floor to cover the pool. It was gorgeous.

The standouts - Annie in her dress. WOW! The backyard. The yummy food. The tireless monkey. The ice cream sandwich bar. The sparkler sendoff. And just having a really good time with really good people.

BFF's

Him in a suit and tie..I never get tired of it. 

And this is Mike - the reason my stomach hurt all night. I haven't laughed so much since...who knows. :) Good times.

Friday Favorites

I mean.

/ / Web Favs / /

The latest on vaccines + kids + autism.

America's Mood Map - which state should you be from?

Illustrated wedding invitations? I think so.

Homemade Halloween Fashion Icon Costumes

And my favorite saved for last: It really was the "Best Coin Ever Spent"

Pregnancy Wedding Attire? O Me O My.

/ / 

Before I forget, here is the recipe for that amazing strawberry shortcake, courtesy of Leah. Below are her addendum's. 

• taste your strawberries...depending on how sour/sweet they are, adjust your sugar.  The ones I bought were pretty sweet, so I used 1 TBSP sugar for my purée 
• I don't strain my purée...I just purée it well, but I like the seeds in it
• for the top crust, I never measure the sugar on top...I sprinkle it all over until I think it's yummie...heehee...I feel like the 1TBSP sprinkled across the top isn't enough and I like a crunchy sugar top crust...that's just me though.

/ / 

So far, we have three weddings to attend while I am harvesting a baby elephant. The first one happened when we went to Seattle, with our dear friends Jonathan and Jayna. The other was Dave and Neeka's reception, and the other is this weekend.

I can't exactly wear my go-to dresses. I tried that in Seattle and found my outfit to be so tight and therefore uncomfortable that I didn't even eat dessert or dance. 

See, proof. Me with Baby Kyrie and my too tight dress. Thank goodness for that loose flap.

Dave and Neeka's wedding reception was a casual affair so I borrowed my sisters clothes and went in a cotton black dress. But the next one is more traditional.

This sounds cheap but I don't really want to to buy a dress I'm only going to wear 1x. I saw these at ASOS maternity. Aren't they great? They are wooing me into splurging on one great maternity dress. 

What to do? What to do?

When Cole (fill in the blank).

Happy Anniversary to Blane and Aimee. This year held different kinds of milestones for them compared with last years epic checkoff list. Like, when Cole started sleeping through the night, when Cole moved to his crib, when Cole started on a bottle, when Cole graduated to 2,3,4, and 5 diapers, when Cole started to crawl, when Cole (fill in the blank).

It was less about them and more about what they do for Babycakes but then that in its own right is about them.

They are a fascinating couple, really. I studied Psych and Social Behavior in college and how Bil and A relate to one another and handle all the people in their lives is a case study of its own. When they first started dating I was adamantly against it (another story for another time) and now I cannot imagine life without those two.

These two pictures sum them up to me.

By default they are always part of my blog and so even if you don't know them, don't you feel like you do? If you're curious, pics from their wedding and my recap of their big day.

Happy Anniversary!

With - Child Wendi

Where was I when I was drinking from a cup titled, "With - Child Wendi, you ask? At a bachelorette party, of course! It was there where I learned how to find your stripper name. Your first animals name coupled with the name of the street you first lived on. We had a fish I suppose. Goldie Marshall? Doesn't sound so stripperie. 

The things you learn when hanging out at a Passion Party.  Hmm, If you want to know more about what I was up to, click on the link. Enter at your own risk. :p

We had Leah and Sherwin over for dinner last night and they brought this AMAZING dessert. I haven't gotten the recipe yet, but when I do I'll be sure to share it with you. 

Have a wonderful week!

Friday Favorites + A Bonus Story About My Mom

Babycakes went to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach yesterday for the first time. Enraptured!

Yesterday I was having lunch with a dear friend and didn't hear my phone ring, twice. I clicked the voicemail button and I hear my mother's voice loud and clear saying, "Your mother has just taken a serious illness. If you want to speak with her and hear her last dying words she has about five minutes so you can call her. Okay, bye."

And with that, have a wonderful weekend. ;)

xoxo, J

It's That Time Again

It's that time again. When you walk into Macy's and Target and see both Halloween costumes and decorated Christmas trees. You know what this signals..time to start thinking about Christmas cards!

I have been browsing the normal sites - Tiny Prints, Minted, Shutterfly, and Zazzle. I've got to say, I wasn't that impressed. They seem like last years except there's a lot of "joy!" and gold (which was sooo last year :p just kidding).

Here's some homemade ones that caught my eye.

link

I initially committed to making our own version of the second one and then I etched one out and my hand was already cramping so Josh x'ed that right away. 110 more? I don't think so.

So I'm a bit stuck. What is your family doing?

Jayna and Jonathan

Remember when I mentioned we went to Seattle for Labor Day? It was to attend Jayna and Jonathan's wedding. We are family friends and were honored to make the trip up to witness their union. If you follow me on Instagram you saw the most incredible cake display and the beautiful venue. But sadly those were the only pictures I took. Luckily for us, some of their wedding photos were posted on Facebook this week. Yay!

The Father of the Bride's reaction to seeing his Jayna. 

These two praising the Lord during the ceremony. Um, I may or may not be tearing up just looking at this picture.

This joy you see pervaded the whole event. 

Sodo Park

Mom cheering with a baby bottle at our table. What can I say, we brought the LA class to Seattle. :p

In case you forgot, that amazing wedding cake display. But who could forget?

Jayna and Jonathan, I always say weddings are a reflection of the couple and you two were no exception - joyous, Godly, fun, genuine, kind, and classy. We love you guys and are rooting for you. Thanks for letting us be there for your special moment!

The Subconscious Arm Protection Move

At church on Sunday one of the high school students touched my stomach. I lurched back in utter horror, UTTER HORROR.

Josh is the only one I feel comfortable touching that belly. Here is Melissa asking me if she can reach on in and my immediate gut reaction (note the subconscious arm protection move).

Am I crazy? The first time around people touched my sister's stomach all the time. Lots of moms did it so I just assumed that was normal. Now that it's my turn, I already know that feels too personal for my taste, almost intimate.

There's one lady at church who is a toucher and I make sure to maintain a 3 ft radius around her. People probably wonder why I'm suddenly shouting, "How was your week?" and "Oh, we're doing just great, thank you!"

I apologize if you were ever pregnant and I touched your stomach. ;)

Meet Bobby

My life was forever changed yesterday. My mother-in-law came home after church with lunch from some hole in the wall in Culver City. Little did I know that take-out bag would change everything.

Meet Bobby - a Thanksgiving Meal in a sandwich.

I guess it was obvious how much I loved it because she sent me home with some leftovers. It's teasing me from the fridge right now. In fact, I almost had it for breakfast but my will power won out. Save it for lunch.

If you love the traditional Thanksgiving meal with stuffing, turkey, and cranberry sauce, you need to break from what you are doing and go get this sandwich.

You'll thank me later, J

P.S. We had a great weekend but I can't tell you about it right now since all I can see is that sandwich starring at me. GO TRY IT!

Fridy Favorites // Cole Update

My cousin Noah having the most fun with Babycakes.

Cole update - He is currently a babbling genius. He likes to copy you and make sounds that resemble words. He loves to laugh, crawl, and pull himself up on things. He is a master eater and thrower of things. Although he doesn't like to be left alone, he is your textbook introvert who comes out of his shell with less people or when he's around people he knows. He easily adapts and is a great napper (the best I've EVER seen). He constantly woos wait staff and grandma's alike and can pull a smile out of any stranger with his generous wave.

My little love. All of our little love.

/ / Web Favorites / /

Bon Appetit picked one in LA. Nice.

Best Date Spots in LA - I vouch for 4, 5, 7 and want to do 6, 8 ( those chocolate cookies, yikes. NEED.)

A take on A Baby In A City.

Rupert Murdock bought this 28.8 million lot near our place. We're so close...yet so far. ;)


Have a great weekend!

Say It Ain't So!

Have you heard that my sister is also pregnant?

Say it ain't so! They are a month ahead of us and we are ecstatic. They are due February 28 and we are due March 29. It has been months of many doctors appointments. We have different doctors who work in the same area so it has been fascinating seeing how different they do things. I am thankful that I am not the only one in the group keeping us from doing non-pregnancy things - like riding roller coasters for example.

Here we are at my birthday on Monday. Neither of us like showing these photos but alas the truth is the truth. For prosperity sake I hope one day we'll appreciate that that we took them. ;)

It took a lot of begging and pleading to get her permission for this.  If you know her, please thank her for allowing me to post these photos. :)

P.S. I feel compelled to state for the record that she's not really that much taller than me. I can't say for certain but I'm pretty sure she's cheating and on her tippie toes. :p

Happy hump day.

Today Is The Day After My Birthday!

Today I woke up and told Josh, "today is the day after my birthday!" He laughed.

I had a great birthday. A took me to get a pregnancy pedicure (since apparently you can't get a normal one when you are preggers) and then we had dinner later that night. Here's our typical dinner celebration pose, sans parentals who left before we thought to take a group photo. Whoops, sorry dad. 

I truly appreciate these people. In Melissa's words, "through all the stormy weather" they have remained. 

Happy Tuesday friends. Thank you for all the texts, posts, flowers, cards, hugs, cupcakes, and gifts. You brightened my day.

It's My Birthday!

Pinterest

Yahooooo! It's my birthday! I am unabashedly celebrating my birthday today.  I'm 32 and gosh darn it, I'm excited. I don't think I've been this excited since my parents let me have a bowling party back in the day (at which I cried on my dad's shoulder because I kept getting gutter balls). 

No, Josh isn't flying me to Paris for gelato or hiring Incubus to come play for me and anyone cool enough to know who that is. We aren't doing anything spectacular or unique. Frankly we don't have any money for that. But the celebration of my birthday is not what drives my excitement this year. No, instead I am overwhelmed with gratitude for the prayers God has answered for Josh and I. 

Josh wanted to move home. Check. We both prayed we would be able to start a family. Almost Check. I prayed for a church community and older men to come alongside Josh. Check and Check. God is working overtime for us this year. Truth is we still have financial worries, the concerns over our future, and looming feelings of inadequacy about whether or not we can raise a child right. But all I see in front of me is a bunch of prayer requests that have turned to praises. 

"I am the Alpha and the Omega - the beginning and the end", says the Lord God. "I am the one who is, who always was, and who is still to come - the Almighty One." Rev 22:13

/ / For kicks and giggles / / 

How I spent last year's birthday and my transition from the 20's to 30's two years ago, The Roaring Twenties and The Misconception of 30.

Friday Favorites

Babycakes is also excited for Fall. 

/ / Favorite Web Finds / /

Search the world's constitutions. Google Constitute for the win.

Getty images free to download? Yessssss.

Anthony Bourdain explains the Israel-Palestine conflict through food.

Why Generation Y Yuppies are unhappy.

Alec Baldwin interviews Lena Dunham. She's fascinating.

This tweet broke my heart.

Jet Blue, can you fly out of LAX? I would love to spend my money on you.

A Whale of a Tale

Let's talk.

I am not one of those skinny pregnant girls. You know what I'm talking about. The ones who only gain weight in their stomaches. The ones who turn around and you can't actually tell they're pregnant. Yea, those girls. The ones every girl in America hopes she will be when the time comes. Like this girl.

Maternity dress

I am not one of those girls.

I think my hopes for a "pretty" pregnancy began to dissipate at Week 6 when the waist of my pants were already beginning to feel a little tight. You might be thinking, "you're pregnant, that's what is suppose to happen" but friends, let me tell you, according to all the books and all the online pregnancy tracking data, you aren't suppose to start feeling "snug" until Week 8 - and that's only in the chest area.

Week 10 "you may or may not be ready for maternity wear now".
I was ready three weeks ago lady!

Week 12 "you may already be into maternity clothes, especially if this isn't your first pregnancy. If you're still fairly small and not ready for maternity clothes, you've no doubt noticed that your waist is thickening and that you're more comfortable in loose, less restrictive clothing."
Wait, this IS my first pregnancy...and I'm already into maternity clothes..

Week 14 "The top of your uterus is a bit above your public bone which may be enough to push your tummy out a tad. Starting to show can be quite a thrill, giving you and your partner visible evidence of the baby you've been waiting for."
Um, STARTING to show!?!

At this rate I'm going to be a whale.

P.S. Please don't expect to see me after month 7. I'll be hiding my big arse indoors and away from prying eyes. ;)

Circumstances

Josh had his first midterm today. Have I told you? He's taking a class at USC, courtesy of work, to learn some new stuff. He's always been an excellent student. In fact, one of his strengths is Learner.

He doesn't complain but I feel for him because he works all day, drives home in traffic, quickly eats dinner, and then sits down to study until 11:30 or later. Every night work/study, work/study, work/study.

While he studies I search and apply for jobs. Who is going to hire a pregnant woman you ask? Someone out there, I believe. I have to believe.

I think about these circumstances. Everybody has something don't they? Today I was reminded that God's presence is continual*. Not even the closest person can know the intimacies of your heart, mind, and spirit, like our Father does.

"Indeed, even the very hairs on your head are all numbered." Luke 12:7

Whatever your circumstances are, know you are never without the love of Christ. Right in this moment, he understands your fears and anxieties. Give them over to him, the ultimate Lover of your soul.

Jesus Calling, Oct. 2

Hello Fall!

This morning we woke up to a government shut down. Josh jokingly wondered if that means we don't have to pay taxes. ;) 

It's October! I love the end of the year and Josh loves Christmas. It's his favorite holiday and we are thrilled to be home for the entire season. It's our first year of being married and not having to come into town for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years, like tourists. We are excited - to say the least. 

Fall means pumpkins

Tailgating

Layers

 Pictures of changing trees

Cold nights and warm fireplaces

Spiced cider

All photos from Pinterest

It also means Christmas tree shopping, and holiday decorations. It means parties and festivities, and shiny dresses, cold nights and hot days. It means lots of Silent Nights and O Holy Nights. It means Prime Rib and Honey Baked Ham, stuffing, and mashed potatoes. It means a joyous time to celebrate this wonderful life God has given us and the hope for what the future holds. 

Welcome Fall. You are welcome, indeed.