Love is Sweet

the baloney bug

This past weekend I threw a bridal shower for my friend Jessica.  We became quick friends when she started dating Jon’s best friend Matt.

I always used to tell Matt that I wanted him to date someone who I could be friends with, so I was pretty excited when he introduced me to Jess.

the baloney bug

I of course had to have a mimosa bar, because what event is complete without a little booze?  I served the champagne with grapefruit, orange juice and raspberry lemonade.  The raspberry lemonade was by far the most popular choice (probably because it was awesome).

the baloney bug

This cheese board is actually Jon’s masterpiece.  Thank goodness I had him around to help set up before the shower because preparing for a shower with a newborn takes a tiny bit longer than I expected.

the baloney bug

I used this recipe for the cucumber topping.  It’s just Boursin cheese and a tiny bit of heavy cream.  Easy and awesome.  Done and done.

the baloney bug

Then there were cheesecake pops.  Oh, cheesecake pops.

True story: I tried to make my very first cheesecake the day before the shower while Adelaide was napping.  I rushed through it and got it in the oven literally at the same time that she woke up.  I baked it for an hour and then let it cool in the oven for the recommended five hours.

And then I forgot about it.

The next morning I woke up and realized my mistake.  I’m pretty sure the guests wouldn’t have appreciated eating a cheesecake that had been sitting out for twenty four hours, so I had to throw it out and send Jon to buy a store bought one.  The worst part isn’t that I had to throw out a perfectly good cheesecake, it’s that I wasted an entire two hour nap.

Next time I would skip trying to make it from scratch and just buy a store bought one to begin with.

the baloney bug

Congratulations to Matt and Jessica.  We couldn’t be more excited for you!

The Best Advice

the baloney bug

the baloney bug

the baloney bug

the baloney bug

the baloney bug

the baloney bug

the baloney bug

I’ve gotten a lot of advice in the last year.  Some good, some not so good, most of it heard before.  Someone finds out you’re having a baby and all the sudden they’re an expert on your child.  But there was one thing someone told me that  has been a lifesaver more times than I’d like to admit.

Onesies pull down.

Yep, that’s the lifesaving knowledge that was imparted.  When Adelaide has a diaper blow out I don’t have to pull her poopy outfit over her head.  Simply pull the outfit down and save yourself poop smeared through sweet baby hair.

Moms everywhere, you’re welcome.

Funny Faces

the baloney bug

I took an unplanned break from the blog last week and used the time to get in some extra snuggles with Adelaide.  At six weeks old both she and I are starting to get a hang of this whole thing.  Each day seems a tiny bit easier.

We went to visit my parents last week and I spent a good amount of time driving around and enjoying some of the pleasures of living in suburbia.  Like parking lots and Target.

Except I couldn’t for the life of me figure out how to get the car seat into the base, and almost had a meltdown in the parking lot of Target.  But by the end of the week I had finally mastered the challenge that is the carseat.

City girl problems…

the baloney bug

the baloney bug

the baloney bug

Week 34

34 weeks

Just six weeks left to go??  It seems like the shortest and simultaneously longest amount of time possible.

I had an ultra sound last week to measure growth, and baby weighs 4.5lbs.  She’s been head down for a couple of weeks now, hiccuping at least once a day and kicking and stretching non stop.  It seems like she’s beginning to run out of space in there, because what used to be little jabs have become more of pushing up on my belly to make more room for herself.

It’s pretty amazing.  And a little bit freaky.

In other pregnancy related news, I still haven’t had any abnormal cravings and have not sent Jon out for any midnight runs.  It takes me an unusual amount of time to decide what I want to eat for each meal, unless that meal is cheese and pasta.  That, I always want.

I can still sleep through the night without having to use the bathroom, which I feel like is totally grounds for bragging at 34 weeks.  I still walk Brady every morning before the sun comes up (and holy heck, last week was cold) and take him to the dog park on weekends.

34 weeks

34 weeks

Oh, and I still can’t get a seat on the subway if my coat is zipped up.  New Yorkers do not mess around.

Three Year Blogiversary

easter

This week marks three years that I’ve been documenting my life on The Baloney Bug.

In the last year I enjoyed my boys:

jonsmorgasburg

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rain

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bradyrocket

bradyandtess

I tried some new recipes:

Biscotti_017

{here}

pie pops

{here}

heart cupcakes

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oatmealcreampies

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mini ice cream brownie bites

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groompops

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carrotcake

{here}

I learned not to lend people my phone:

411

Had a bride cut me off:

happily ever after

I traveled:

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spain2

spain1

I spent time with my family:

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family3

family2

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And the best of them all, I’m expecting our first child:

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baby girl

Thanks to everyone who ever clicks over to this page and shares in what happens over here.  This blog has become my place to document my little family, my modern day scrapbook.

I can’t help but to be excited about what the next year will look like.

Maternity Photos

maternity1 I’m not sure if being a good photographer’s a requirement for marrying into my family, but my brother in law Rich and husband both fit that category.

On our last night in Wellington, Rich took us out to shoot a couple maternity photos.  We were out way past my strict 10pm bedtime, but I’d say it was definitely worth the lack of sleep.

I’ve heard I’m going to have to get used to a little sleep deprivation anyways.

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maternity2

maternity3

{Brace yourselves, these are the first photos ever seen on the blog that weren’t taken by Jon or myself.  Thanks so much for the awesome pics, Rich!}

Milford Sound {Part 2}

 

milford sound After the six hour bus ride down from Queenstown, we had finally reached the Milford Sound where we would take a two hour boat ride.

milford sound
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Hour many hours does that make our travel on this trip so far?  Seven thousand?

Queenstown

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Jon and I spent three days in Queenstown, and from the second we left the airport had already fallen in love with the city. The town is beyond adorable, with an unlimited supply of restaurants and bars as well as the most spectacular views.

After we checked into our hotel we started walking around town for a bit and then decided to take a gondola ride to the top of the mountain. The views were unbelievable, but I have to admit I was a little queasy being up that high.

My husband of course took my paranoia as an opportunity to question the stability of the observation deck and enjoy a little humor at my expense. What a sweetie.

We spent the majority of our time in Queenstown just walking around, going in and out of shops and cafes and grabbing a bite in some of the adorable restaurants.

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^^can’t resist posing with a classic, especially a mini^^

queenstown

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queenstown

I can only imagine how Queenstown must be during ski season. We talked of going back in the [very distant] future to ski, but I imagine that kind of travel is going to get a bit more tricky once baby girl arrives.

Until then we’ll just ski on the tiny East Coast mountains with the fake snow.

It’s totally the same thing.

Milford Sound {Part 1}

the spring behind us was clean enough to fill up our water bottles

After a couple of days in Wellington Jon and I took a three day trip to Queenstown, in the South Island.  We hadn’t gotten a chance to visit the South Island on our first trip to New Zealand five years ago, so we were pretty excited to be able to explore some other areas this time around.

On our second day in Queenstown we hopped a bus for a six hour ride out to the Milford Sound.  Along the way were some of the most breathtaking scenery I’d ever seen.  It’s the stuff you see in the movies.

No, really.  It’s where they filmed Lord of the Rings.

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA ^^ I pointed out every sheep we saw along the way.  I’m sure it wasn’t annoying.  At all. ^^

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milford sound

 

Five Years Ago…

I was in New Zealand visiting my sister for her wedding.  With the help of my parents, Jon flew over, surprised me and proposed on the beach in Otaki.  I can’t think of another time someone has been able to keep a big surprise from me, so the fact that he managed to fly around the world (with a ring in his pocket) without me having any idea is still impressive.

On our first free day back in New Zealand, Jon surprised me by taking me back to the beach where he’d proposed five years ago.  We had such a fantastic day, walking along the beach, enjoying lunch and strolling through the small town.

It’s crazy to look back at all that has happened to us since the last time we stood on that beach.  A wedding, a dog, multiple apartments and now a baby on the way.

I’m such a lucky girl that I’ve gotten to experience it all with Jon by my side.