Our Family is Growing! Exciting News and Life Updates
We are absolutely thrilled to finally share some incredibly exciting news with all of you – our family is expanding! That’s right, there’s a bun in the oven, and more specifically, a sweet new addition is making its way into my oven. Etienne and I are overjoyed to announce that we are expecting our third child, with a due date set for April 29, 2018. This upcoming arrival brings a beautiful blend of excitement, anticipation, and yes, a touch of nervous anxiety into our lives. With my days already bustling with our two energetic little darlings, the idea of adding a third to the mix is still something I’m trying to fully embrace!
The Journey to Three: Embracing Our Growing Family
Three! The number itself feels significant. Growing up in a family of five, I always harbored a quiet dream of having three children of my own. Siblings, in my experience, are truly one of life’s greatest gifts, providing a unique bond and lifelong companionship. However, being right in the thick of toddler and pre-school stages, the thought of managing another tiny human feels wonderfully daunting and a little overwhelming at times. Yet, amidst the understandable concerns about logistics and sleepless nights, there’s an overwhelming sense of joy and eagerness to meet this new little person. We can’t wait to discover their unique personality, and to watch them complete our very own family of five.
The decision to expand our family to three wasn’t made lightly. It involved many late-night conversations, balancing our desire for a larger family with the practicalities of space, time, and energy. But ultimately, the pull towards nurturing another life and witnessing the unique sibling dynamic that will undoubtedly unfold was too strong to resist. We are so ready to embark on this new chapter, welcoming the chaos and immense love that another child will bring. Our home is about to get a whole lot livelier, and our hearts, even fuller.
Navigating Pregnancy: Morning Sickness, Food Aversions, and Cravings
As a food blogger, the past few months have been nothing short of challenging. If you’ve ever experienced morning sickness, you’ll undoubtedly understand the struggle. The term “morning sickness” is truly a misnomer; it’s more accurately described as an “all-day, relentless sickness” that can strike at any hour. This persistent nausea has been a constant companion, making even the thought of food a difficult proposition. Beyond the nausea, I’ve battled a seemingly endless list of food aversions. Foods that once delighted my palate and regularly featured on this blog, like my beloved chimichurri pork, suddenly became utterly revolting.
Our kitchen, usually a hub of culinary creativity, underwent a significant transformation. For a period, we practically became vegetarians, though even most vegetables proved tough to stomach. It felt more like we were “bread-tarians,” relying heavily on simple carbs to get by. This phase was certainly a test of patience for my husband, who patiently navigated my ever-changing dietary whims. Thankfully, I’m delighted to report that the fog is finally lifting! With each passing day, my appetite is slowly returning, and much to Etienne’s relief, I’m venturing back into the kitchen, bringing a little more color, flavor, and yes, even some meat, back to our family table. This renewed energy for cooking is a welcome relief, both for me and for our meal rotation!
One delightful silver lining throughout this period has been my unwavering affection for sweets. While many savory dishes turned me away, cakes, cookies, and other delicious treats remained incredibly appealing. It was a comforting constant in a sea of changing tastes. I may or may not have indulged in three of my cranberry white chocolate donuts in one sitting just the other day – a small but significant victory in the battle against food aversions! Managing pregnancy cravings and aversions as a food blogger has been a unique experience, forcing me to think outside the box and find joy in simple, comforting foods, even if it meant a temporary hiatus from more complex recipes.
Life Beyond the Bump: Milestones, Sickness, and Celebrations
Beyond our big announcement, life has continued its joyful, albeit sometimes challenging, rhythm. This fall marked a significant milestone for our eldest, Oscar, as he embarked on his pre-kindergarten journey. This new routine has brought an exciting new structure to our days, and it’s been wonderful to see him thrive in his new environment. A delightful bonus of this new schedule has been the dedicated one-on-one time I now get to enjoy with our youngest, Mr. Wally. These precious moments together are truly invaluable, allowing us to connect and play without the usual flurry of activity.
In other news, I’m proud to announce that I finally feel like I’ve truly mastered my sourdough starter! After several attempts and learning curves, I’ve consistently been baking a gorgeous, tangy loaf of sourdough bread at least once a week. There’s an immense satisfaction that comes with baking your own bread from scratch, and the aroma alone is pure bliss. We absolutely adore breaking into a fresh loaf, still warm from the oven, and soaking it up with a generous drizzle of high-quality olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar. It’s become a cherished ritual in our home.
The past month brought its share of challenges as well, as most of you know. Our family battled through various illnesses, leading to a few solid weeks of major Netflix binges and cozy blanket snuggles. It felt like we were in a constant cycle of runny noses and coughs, but I’m happy to report that we seem to be out of the woods, save for a few lingering coughs. This time of year always brings with it an increased susceptibility to colds and flu, making warm snuggles and comforting home activities all the more important.
A Season of Celebrations: Birthdays and Family Gatherings
December, for our family, is synonymous with birthdays! Etienne celebrated his birthday earlier this week, and mine is just around the corner on Monday. I’m practically counting down the days until I can turn 25 again (a girl can dream, right?). This past Friday, we also gathered to celebrate my father-in-law’s 65th birthday, a wonderful milestone filled with joy and laughter. We were incredibly fortunate to have Etienne’s sister and her family home from Kelowna to join in the festivities, making the celebration even more special. Of course, no family gathering is complete without an impressive cake, and this occasion was no exception!
I had grand plans to dedicate a separate blog post to the elaborate cake I made for my father-in-law, but while it was undoubtedly delicious, it didn’t quite turn out as aesthetically perfect as I had envisioned. It was, in a word, *way* over the top. Picture this: a rich brownie bottom, a creamy white chocolate cheesecake layer in the middle, and a decadent chocolate mousse layer on top. And that’s not all – pounds of icing generously slathered between each layer and all over the exterior, finished with a cascade of chocolate chips. While it tasted incredibly good, it was intensely sweet and simply “too much” for my original vision. However, every baking adventure is a learning experience, and this cake certainly taught me a few valuable lessons about balance and restraint in confectionery!
Holiday Baking and Sweet Indulgences
Speaking of baking, the holiday season is in full swing, and my friends and I just completed our annual Christmas cookie exchange this week. This wonderful tradition is one of my favorite parts of December! It’s such a fantastic way to stock up on a diverse array of amazing holiday sweets without having to do all the work myself. My contributions to the exchange included my popular holiday twix bars, a perennial favorite, and a batch of irresistible double chocolate peppermint biscotti, which I’ll be sharing the recipe for next week. Having a variety of homemade treats on hand is perfect for unexpected company or simply to enjoy with a cup of coffee during these festive days. It truly embodies the spirit of sharing and community during the holidays.
Anticipation Builds: The Gender Reveal and Future Preparations
The excitement in our home is palpable as we eagerly await next week’s gender reveal appointment! We can barely contain our curiosity to find out if our new little peanut is a boy or a girl. Having two wonderful boys already, I confess to a quiet hope for a little bit of pink in my life – perhaps a daughter to complete our family dynamic. The thought of dressing a baby girl, imagining her personality, and seeing the bond she might form with her older brothers is incredibly heartwarming. However, above all desires, our ultimate wish is simply for a healthy baby. That’s truly all we can ask for. Regardless of gender, this little one is already so loved and anticipated, and we are busily making preparations, from mental adjustments to planning for a new nursery space, to welcome them into our loving home.
Cheers to a December Full of Love and Laughter!
As December unfolds with its magic of babies, delectable baking, and all the sparkling Christmas bling, I wish you all a season filled with an abundance of love, hearty laughter, and, of course, a generous helping of ridiculously indulgent food. May your holidays be bright, joyful, and utterly delicious!
Cheers!
K.