Who dunnit?

I have no idea who is styling Ms. Barrymore these days, but she has never. looked. better.

We now return to our regularly scheduled program of diapers and spit up.

She completes me.

Our darling Frankie Sophia was born on 8/20/2010 at 9:32 a.m.

The mister and I couldn't feel more blessed having her in our family. When I heard her first cry, it was as if time stood still, and the waves of emotion were so strong, I couldn't keep it together. Then I heard the anesthesiologist say, "she's perfect", and I lost it. I made her repeat what she just said, "she's perfect", she said again, and in that moment, so was the world.

We had a bit of a scare during the pregnancy-testing positive for down's with that AFP test.

After a few more tests, we were told that everything looked normal, and that the "false positive rate" of the test was very high. However, as a parent, that still sticks with you throughout the pregnancy no matter how strong your faith is.

Truth be told, if there were anything "wrong" with Frankie, that wouldn't have made a difference to Jared and I, but hearing "she's perfect" changed me that day in a way that I'm still not able to put into words.

Our family of 4 is doing well. Her big brother isn't a huge fan of her yet, getting used to a lack of sleep has been tough (although it's NOTHING like the first time-at least I'm sleeping some!), and recovering from a c-section isn't a walk in the park, however, I really wouldn't trade any of this. These are the moments you can easily forget several months down the road, and I am doing my best to savor them all.

As I sit here and write, my son is sleeping soundly in his crib. My husband is sleeping soundly with Frankie wrapped in his arms, and I am weeping. Weeping because I have been given so much, and I am so incredibly thankful to God for His blessings, for His promises, His faithfulness.

I will do all that I can to take great care of His gifts.

New baby=Famine?

I have no control over this nesting thing anymore. I give up. I have been cooking gigantic meals to freeze, because I think I will never go to the grocery store again. Lasagna, Enchiladas, Spinach Pie, Soup, Corn Bread. I need to stop.

I went to Costco the other day and considered buying things that I would never even think of eating. Giant box of cream puffs? We might need those. Huge platters of cheese? What if guests come over? Maybe an industrial sized case of pop, even though the mister and I don't drink the stuff.

I presume this little girl living inside of me is going to be quite smart, as she has sucked every last brain cell from my head.

It's been really hard to "take it easy" this week even with braxton hicks contractions that bring tears to my eyes. I am so excited to meet this little person, yet can't stop obsessing over having enough toilet paper, paper towels, swiffers, etc.

I am hoping that I mellow out just a wee bit....geting my roots touched up, and a Rachel Zoe episode should do just that.

My girl.

This girl.

There is so much to be said about this girl.

She is my bestie. My soul sistah. My family.

We met about 13 years ago, and my life changed.. I know that sounds dramatic, but it's true.

The things that we have been through together could fill a novel, and be a film that could win awards.

She is everything anyone could ask for in a friend, and more. If she loves you, she LOVES you. When she listens, she LISTENS. She is creative, and smart, funny, and brave. I admire how strong she is, and she has even given me some of that strength.

So today, on your birthday my dear Em, know that you are loved. Know that you are cherished, know that you are one of a kind. Know that if this gets any sappier our movie will not win awards and only be showed on Lifetime starring Merideth Baxter Birney.

Seriously--I love you, and am so proud of you.

Happy Birthday.

It's not too hot for hotcakes.

It's INSANE here in the KC. Temperatures that are not even worth mentioning because I will start to sweat.

So, let's turn on the stove, shall we?

I bookmarked this recipe in House Beautiful Months ago, and decided to give them a try this afternoon. They are a Curtis Stone recipe, and he never disappoints. Thank God the mister has been working from home this week, or big mamma would have tipped the scales at her check-up this afternoon. They are that good. The ricotta makes all the difference.

Super easy to make, and I am sure they would work with many variations. Except maybe ground beef.

Total side note, but did any of you ever watch The take home chef? I miss that show. I love how he was able to scout out the women who only drove cars over 50 grand and had kitchens that were equipped with viking stoves.

Too cool for school.

I'm so stoked to have this little girl join our family-in two weeks!!

I have been told that dressing a girl is so much fun, and I would be a big fat Italian liar if I said I wasn't excited about that. I just cleaned out my closet and packed away a huge box of vintage to give to her someday.

I will have to say that dressing my little dude has been a blast. There are much better options for boys now than there were even a few years back......these 2 young chaps take cool street style to a whole new level.

I would love to sit down and share a juice box with them.

Don't say I didn't warn you.

As I mentioned in my last post, I am currently living on planet insane. Yesterday was a CRAZY day. We had our painter here working, and there are beds in hallways, clothes everywhere-madness. I spent the morning doing makeup for a photo shoot, and then I had to race to a doctors appointment that involved waiting for an hour and forty five minutes (this was a short wait by the way). Needless to say, this pregnant woman was exhausted.

So, instead of using my brain and just picking up something for dinner, I decided to make Martha's Summer Corn Chowder. In 100 degree weather, this woman wants to make soup.

That's not all--I also made Ina's Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread.

Was it worth it? Yes.

No tweaks made with the bread...with the soup, I used turkey bacon and dried thyme.

Try it-you'll like it.

I'm going off the rails on a crazy train.

So, remember when I said we were having some work done around the house? That consisted of Painting our screened in porch (ceiling and fireplace included), 5 pieces of furniture, and the little dude's new room (tons of trim involved here).

Well, because we are completely from the planet insane, we decided that even though bebe number 2 will be here in about 2 weeks, let's do phase two.

Yep.

THIS consists of wallpapering the little dude's room (one wall-done by amazing husband), and having our AMAZING painter come in and paint the following:

Master bedroom (which required clearing EVERYTHING out, and having the mister spackle some areas, and wipe everything down)

Vintage desk

Vintage Table

Vintage chair

2 Chandeliers.

We are out of our minds, yes, and I can NOT wait for this to be O-V-E-R.

Here's a sneak peak of Mr. Big boy's room:

If this little lady decides to come any earlier, I am in trouble.

Needless to say, blogging will be a bit on the back burner.