Happy Halloween + Random Thoughts

1. First thing, we need to discuss the cuteness below. (I know I'm partial, but she kills me with those little cheeks and eyes!) Caroline sends her best wishes for a very Happy Halloween to all of you!

Caroline's bow was made by the beautiful Elaine of Honey Pie Accessories! There will be a full post on this fabulous shop tomorrow, just in time to buy your little one some adorable accessories for the holiday season.

2. Can I please say how happy I am to be wearing non-maternity pants again? Yes, they're comfortable; there's something to be said for a zipper and some buttons, though.

3. I am loving maternity leave to the nth degree. It's going to be exquisitely difficult to say goodbye to our little lady every morning come January.

4. That said, we took our first trip through the Starbucks drive-thru yesterday afternoon because I thought my head might explode from being stuck inside for another day. I had a Pumpkin Spice Latte and Caroline had...a nice nap : )

5. I purchased this scarf and these jeans from H&M and I would suggest you do the same. Talk about comfy cozy!

6. Anyone out there have a preferred baby-wearing device? (Moby, Ergo, etc.) I'm looking to get one, but wanted to poll the masses first. I like the look of the Moby, but wondered if it might be a bit tricky to put on without assistance.

7. I've rekindled my relationship with sweets now that I'm not pregnant anymore and can finally stomach sugar without wanting to heave. With that said, I've got a box of Halloween confetti cupcake mix in our pantry, just begging to be whipped up. Say a word of prayer that I don't eat every last one of them in one sitting. Because I may.

Tah-tah for now, dolls.

Caroline's "Birth" Day: {A Birth Story}

Blogging has been a little sparse lately, but with good reason. See Exhibit A below.

Taken after her Dr. appt. on Friday. It wore Miss Priss out.

Our Caroline is a JOY. I don't know how we ended up with such a happy and easy baby, but I'm very thankful. I wanted to share a few sweet photos from Caroline's birthday, as well as a little recap of the day while all the details are fresh in my mind.

I don't want to forget any part of this babe's arrival and first days, so please bear with me for a few more baby-centric posts : ) Fashion and outfit posts will return soon enough. Pinky promise.

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Our Cesarean was scheduled for 5:30 a.m., so we woke up at 4:00 a.m. to shower, pack last minute items and get ready for our big day! We headed out the door at 5:20, as we live approximately two minutes from the hospital we used. It was so nice to have a quick drive!

The sunrise was GORGEOUS on the morning of Caroline's birth. We snapped this pic from our Labor & Delivery suite on the fifth floor of the hospital.

We arrived and were promptly taken to our room for the next three days in Labor & Delivery. I was so relieved that the two nurses on call that morning were both ladies I'd met during a previous visit. (Thank you to Joanna and Emily for making us feel so calm during the pre-op prep!)

This was our last photo as a family of two!

I got changed into my gorgeous hospital-issued gown (blech!) and they hooked me up to a contraction monitor. Soon thereafter, Joanna started my IV, I was given an antacid and they began to give me fluids and antibiotics for the surgery. 

Around 6:30 a.m., Caroline's "welcoming committee" arrived: my parents, Stephen's mom and his two sisters, Sarah and Stephanie. For the next few minutes, we talked and laughed and got "pumped up" for what was about to happen! I was SO happy to be sharing this special morning with the people we love.

Our doc, Dr. D., came in at 7:00 a.m. to go over last minute details and answer questions. He was super reassuring that everything would go smoothly, which made me feel so calm and collected. 

Next, the anesthesiology team came in to talk about their plan of action. Here's where things got a little complicated...

Because of some test results, they decided an epidural would be safer than a spinal. (I'm still not totally sure of the reasons, but I do know that it had something to do with my specific blood volume and the speed at which the spinal goes in versus the epidural.) We knew a spinal might be more effective, but we trusted that they would know best what to do for the safety of Caroline and me.

Now, y'all know that the spinal/epidural was the part I was dreading the most. I am happy to report that although it wasn't a cake walk, the epidural wasn't the most horrible thing. The worst part were the two numbing shots they gave me before putting in the actual epidural. Thankfully, they let Stephen stay in the room and hold my shoulders while they administered it! He was an excellent source of comfort during the whole thing.

This was me listening to one of the nurses describe the epidural process. My entire face says, "Um, they're going to do WHAT with that needle?!" Ha!

Stephen got suited up  in his "Breaking Bad" garb for his daddy debut!

After the epidural was started, my legs started to get warm and tingly, so to the O.R. we went!

They began to put more medication into the epidural once we got to the O.R., but quickly noticed that it was only taking effect on the right side of my body. They gave a little more and even tilted the operating table to spread the medication more effectively, but I still wasn't getting completely numb.

Unfortunately, they reached the maximum dosage on the medicine and I still wasn't numbing as completely as I needed to for a comfortable C-section. To ensure Caroline's safety and also that she would be alert upon delivery, they told me it would be best to make the first two incisions before putting me under. (General anesthesia makes it very important for the baby to be taken out really quickly to cut out the risk of any side effects it could potentially cause.)

I said a quick prayer in my head and tried to stay calm. Although I did feel the incisions a bit on the left side, it was so worth it to know that our girl would be alert and safe. 

The last thing I remember is the anesthesiologist telling me that everything would be okay and that they would get Caroline out within a matter of seconds after I went to sleep. 

Next thing I knew, I woke up in recovery and, less than an hour later, was getting ready to meet my girl! 

They wheeled me up to my room where Stephen was waiting with a HUGE smile on his face. At this point, no one had held Caroline yet because Stephen wanted me to be the first. (Thank you for that, honey!)

Moments later, a sweet team of nurses brought in our girl and I started bawling my eyes out. 

She. Was. Beautiful.

I was so overcome with emotion. Happy emotion. The kind that makes your heart feel like it could explode. 

I also appreciate the hospital staff for what happened next:

You see, the nurses wanted me to have a special bonding moment with Caroline, so they undressed her and I got to hold her skin-to-skin. It was incredible.

Next, since we knew we wanted Caroline to be exclusively breast fed, we wanted to give her the chance to latch naturally. If you are expecting, PLEASE do this. It was so, so neat to see her find her way to me, latch on and start nursing without any assistance. 

It was that moment more than anything that I'll never forget.

This is our first photo as a family of three!

The rest of the day was sort of a blur. Visitors and family came in and left, nurses were constantly in and out and we were exhausted. 

It was the best exhaustion I've ever experienced, though : )

Even though I hated having to be put under for the last minutes of her delivery, I definitely feel like we got to have that special first moment. I can honestly say that I don't feel robbed of anything. The amazing staff in Labor & Delivery made sure to help us feel like we were completely in charge and involved with Caroline's birth. It was an incredible experience and I'm so thankful that she got here safely.

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Stay tuned for another post on Caroline's homecoming and a nursery reveal, all happening this week!

Early Surprises of Mommyhood

I am positively loving being a mom to our sweet girl! Each day brings a whole new set of experiences, challenges, lessons and surprises, and I love that. For someone who lives by her planner, I've had to learn quickly to just take each day as it comes and savor each delicious moment of this new adventure.

Caroline is wearing her cupcake onesie and pink bow in honor of her daddy's birthday today! 

Here are a few things that have really surprised me thus far:

I adore breastfeeding. I honestly don't know why I was so intimidated by nursing because I'm telling y'all, it's the most incredible bonding experience. Sure, there are challenges that we're still working through, but I'm proud to say that I've stuck with it and it's starting to become easier each day. I've been very lucky that Stephen, my mom and my mom-in-law have all been such great cheerleaders for me. I would definitely encourage any soon-to-be mommas to give it a solid try. It's flat-out the neatest thing to be able to bond with your baby on that level.

Dirty diapers aren't as bad if they come from your own kiddo. I'll 'fess up. I have the weakest stomach imaginable and wondered if I'd be squeamish about certain things when Caroline arrived. I'm here to tell you that it's not nearly as icky as you might think. Pinky swear. You just do what you gotta do!

I have actually had time to shower and apply make-up. Yes, having a baby is a lot of work, especially a newborn. But, somehow, I've found time nearly each day to shower and put on a little foundation and lipstick. I've also found that it makes me feel better to take five minutes each day to freshen up. I think that's important for we mommas to do, don't you?

I'm shocked that my heart hasn't exploded. It's such a crazy thing; you fall in love with your kiddo when they're in the womb, but man, oh, man...it doesn't even compare to the first time you hold them in your arms. Each day, the love only grows, not only for Caroline, but also for Stephen.

What were some of your early surprises of being a mom? 

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I'm so excited to share TONS of photos and fun posts, including Caroline's birth story, a log I kept of our first days as parents and so much more. Keep an eye out for that in the coming days and weeks. So much to share!

And finally, I'd like to say "happy birthday" to my husband! He is definitely the better half of this relationship and my love for him has only grown in the past ten days as we've become parents. I cannot thank the good Lord enough for placing him in my life. 

Happy 29, honey!

And So Our Next Chapter Begins

Just one week ago, we welcomed our sweet Caroline Rose! I'd been aiming to blog this past weekend, but I had other priorities, like gazing at this little beauty...

Friends, I cannot tell you how much happiness and fullness Caroline has added to our lives already. Every. Moment. Is. Perfection.

This post had the potential to be really, really, really long. To save you all from going into a coma from boredom, (I get it; our kiddo is a little more exciting to us than the general public, ha!), I decided to break up everything over the course of the next few weeks, including a recap of our favorite first moments, lots of fun pics from our first days as a family of three and much more.

Taken Thursday right before we were discharged. How sweet is our pink little princess with her big pearl and satin fascinator?!

How Baby Caroline is Doing

A healthy little lady

Our beautiful girl was born last Monday at 8:30 a.m. on the dot weighing in at a dainty 6 lbs. 9 oz. and 19 in. long! She scored a 9 on her Apgar test and the nurses kept commenting on how alert she was immediately after she was born.

After a check-up with the nursery pediatrician, Dr. J., Caroline was deemed 100% healthy. (I cry as I write this, thinking about the early scare we had with her at 14 weeks in utero. Thank you Jesus for a healthy child!)

Taken Saturday while she watched enjoy College Game Day on ESPN with her daddy : )

Her personality

We have been SO incredibly blessed with a happy, content baby. She is one of the most alert newborn babies we've ever been around, always bright-eyed and constantly absorbing her surroundings. Caroline is also a pretty good sleeper for such a new little thing! The hospital staff was tremendously helpful in getting her on somewhat of a schedule before we were discharged last Thursday and we have adhered to that same schedule (as best as two rookie parents are capable) here at home. 

And we think she's sort of adorable...

We were just smitten right away with her insane amount of thick, dark hair -- great for bow-wearing (!!) -- and petite features. She came out with a perfectly round little head and our doctor said he took extra care to deliver her without a scratch or mark. She has a lot of her daddy's features, but people say she got my eyes. I honestly couldn't tell you. To us, she just looks like...well...Caroline : )

About an hour after Caroline was born.

How We are Doing

The new daddy

These past few days have made me not only fall even more in love with Stephen, but have also made me appreciate our relationship even more. He is SUCH a good father to our baby girl, y'all.

My heart nearly explodes when I watch him change her diaper, rock her and talk to her in a whisper that only they can hear. I love watching those secret conversations they have.

He has not only been doing the lion's share of the diaper changing and cooking/cleaning, (since I'm out of commission due to the C-section), but has also taken on the role of my nurse. I appreciate him beyond words.

Holding my girl for the first time.

The new mommy 

I knew going into this that C-sections were really tough. And after having just gone through one, I can vouch for that. The first day I felt barely any pain, thanks to all the stuff they pump into you for the surgery, (yay for great drugs!) By Day Two though, I couldn't tell if I had gone through major abdominal surgery or been hit by a semi truck.

It. Hurt.

Each day is getting a bit easier, but it's going to be a slow recovery.

However, I'm sleeping better than I ever did in those last few weeks of pregnancy. Just being able to walk and lean over without a watermelon hanging on my torso is a huge relief.

Last photo as a family of two, which was taken just moments before they wheeled me into the operating room!

Mommyhood

I love, love, love being a mom! I love nursing sweet Caroline, cuddling her close, taking in her sweet baby smell - it's almost too much! I figured I'd be a mess of hormones after she arrived, and I've heard C sections can make that worse, but I've never felt so happy or at peace ever.

Like, ever.

I don't know why God chose me to be this little girl's mom, but I'm overcome with gratitude that he did.

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So that's it for today! I've got a hungry little lady that's ready to eat, stirring in her Rock 'n Play next to the couch.

Thank you ALL again for the hundreds of sweet Instagram messages, tweets, emails and, most importantly, prayers that were sent our way last week. We realize that we are incredibly lucky to be surrounded by such a caring community of family and friends - be it in "real life" or "internet life". 

Introducing...

Caroline Rose Sisti
October 14, 2013, 8:30 a.m.

6 lbs., 9 oz.
19 in.

And, the most wonderful blessing we've ever been given. 

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I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 

1 Samuel 1:27

Dear Caroline

If this post is live, it's because we have gone to the hospital! Please keep us in your thoughts as we prepare to welcome our baby girl this morning. Naturally, we'll share a photo or two of our little darling as soon as we can.

Thank you for praying us through this life-changing day!

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Dearest Caroline,

It looks as though you'll be making your arrival today and we couldn't be more excited! It's hard to believe that this day is finally here. February 11, 2013, the day we found out we would become parents, seems like such a long time ago.

For months, we've been preparing your nursery and getting ready for your debut. Over and over again we've imagined what it will be like to see you, which parent you will most favor, what kind of personality you'll have and what our first moments of "meeting" each other will be like.

It's hard to believe that all of our daydreaming is about to become our reality.

We want you to know that we love you so very much. You were deeply wanted, Caroline. You were created from the love and commitment that we have for each other and this marriage. Baby girl, you are the sweetest gift we've ever received and the ultimate blessing from God.

It is you, darling daughter, who has made us parents and we are thrilled to begin this journey with you.

We love you, sweet, sweet Caroline Rose.

Mommy and Daddy

The Final Bumpdate: {39 Weeks}

Can you girls believe that this is the last bumpdate post? Hard to imagine, but it has been 39 weeks since my pregnancy journey began. From a teeny little speck to a watermelon, our sweet girl has grown and grown, and is finally ready to make her debut.

And frankly, we couldn't be happier.

I plan to take a final "bump" pic on Monday before they take us into the OR for the C-section, then I plan to put together a timeline with all the bumpdate photos. I can't wait to see the gradual transition of growth through photos!

So, for a final time, let's see what's happening in bumpland this week.

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Look everyone! It's a make-up-less Leslie!
(My apologies for your eyeballs having to take all this loveliness in...the exposed bra, no make-up, sweat pants...it's hot.)

Weight Gain: About 18 pounds, give or take. 

Baby's Growth: We had our last ultrasound on Monday to confirm her position, get a weight estimate and take a look at the placement of the placenta. She's measuring 6 lbs. 3 oz., give or take a few ounces. They couldn't measure her whole head; that's where babies carry a lot of their initial weight. It seems her noggin has already moved too far "south", ha! (And yes, her momma can FEEL it - ouch!)

Cravings: Steak, potatoes and sweet tea. Three of God's greatest edible/drinkable gifts, in my opinion. 

How I'm Feeling: Still lots of energy! I cleaned the house for a couple hours today like a mad woman. We're talking base boards, window sills, the whole nine yards. 

Yeah, sure; pregnancy is uncomfortable at the end. But man, oh, man. I am so, so appreciative that I have been able to carry our girl well past full term. As un-fun as the very last days of pregnancy can be for some, I'm just thankful to the Good Lord every day that he's kept our babe in there to grow and develop to her fullest.

Movement: It has decreased a bit since Miss Priss is officially out of room. She still squirms and wiggles a lot for a 39-weeker. Again, not the most comfortable situation, but I'm so happy that she's still so active. 

I'd source where I've gotten all the fancy pieces I'm wearing, but they're all couture and very expensive. 

Favorite  Moment this Week:  Getting a pre-op reminder for the C-section on Monday, meaning, "OH MY GOSH, WE'RE MEETING OUR DAUGHTER IN A FEW DAYS!" 

Sleeping: Not sleeping, but I'm 100% certain it's because I'm just SO excited to meet Caroline! Well, that and the fact that I have a big 'ol watermelon attached to my torso : )

Clothes: Pants are all maternity, shirts are a mix of both. Dresses are mostly non-maternity. Workout leggings/sweats and long tanks have been my outfit of choice lately, since I've been working from home. (See Exhibits A and B in this very post.)

Most looking forward to: Monday. Meeting our daughter. Seeing her sweet face for the first time. Holding her. Feeding her. Sharing her with our families. Hearing her cry. Hearing her hiccup. Counting her fingers and toes. Becoming a family of three. 

Thankful for: This baby, a healthy pregnancy, an amazing husband, our families and, most of all, the blessings that God has bestowed upon us. My cup runneth over.

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

Hey, hey! Well, ladies, it's the last Confessional Friday post I'll ever write as a non-mama. I'm sure that, if anything, motherhood will only make my Confessional posts more interesting ; )

Stay tuned for the final Bumpdate post later this afternoon - it's a good one!

Without any further adieu, let's confess.

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1. I confess that I'm getting a manicure, pedicure and spray tan this afternoon. (And yep, checked with the OB before booking a spray tan.) I refuse to do this whole labor and delivery (or C-section) thing looking like a hot mess. (Okay, so I'll probably still look like a hot mess, but I'll at least feel well-groomed beforehand.)

2. I confess that I have packed, re-packed and then re-re-packed our hospital bags so many times that it's starting to become a little abnormal. I'm pretty sure that my Howard Hughes-like behavior is starting to worry my husband, especially when combined with the horrible case of nesting that has set in this week.

The way I see it, at least we'll be coming home from the hospital to a clean house. And we'll have plenty of clean socks, magazines and contact lens solution while we're there.

3. I confess that I have never felt more ginormous in my entire life. Or more unattractive. I am no longer glowing, rather I spend most days sweating like a pig in heat. And my face? It has swollen to Goodyear Blimp-like proportions. My lips are even puffy...what the??

4. I confess that part of my heart is a little sad for Ruby as she loses her position as the golden child. Pretty sure lil mama has no clue what's about to rock her world!

5. I confess that I'm SO ECSTATIC to be on maternity leave during the holidays! I cannot wait to spend time with our babe while listening to Christmas music, finishing last-minute decorating and just soak up the newness of being a mom during the coming months.

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Finally, has anyone read any good books lately? I need a recommendation for a couple good reads for the hospital.

Your turn, ladies!

'Twas the Week Before Baby

Yup. Still here. Still pregnant.

Barring anything unforeseen, it looks like we're on target to deliver Caroline on our pre-scheduled date of this coming Monday, October 14. Part of me really wishes she'd get here already, but part of me is content to wait it out until Monday.

Status update: We went to the doc yesterday and I've made more progress! I'll spare you the deets, but our OB said we'd decide on Friday morning if we want to go ahead and shoot for Monday or if we may see her sooner...eep!

1. We'll definitely be posting and sharing photos of our little gal once she arrives. (We are so excited to share our joy with y'all that have been following our pregnancy!) Since Instagram is the easiest way to post quick photos, you can follow us there for the latest, if you're interested. My username is ablondeambition

2. Caroline has received so, so many beautiful gifts from friends and family. Here are a few of the latest items that have been added to her closet. I'm so excited to have our own little "doll" to put these on in a few days ; )

3. I am so grateful for this blog and the amazing advice and countless well-wishes we've received from you girls! There is much to be said for a strong community of women. I truly believe this is the coolest part of blogging: the sisterhood that it forms between perfect-strangers-turned-friends.

I cannot tell y'all how many times I've gone back and read the hospital bag post for tips on what to take for delivery week. I've also had several girls reach out to answer questions about C-section births, breastfeeding and the crazy process of bringing a human into the world. You have all truly made me feel so much better about these first-time mom anxieties and questions. Thank you ALL from the bottom of my heart.

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On that sap-filled note, I'll let y'all get back to doing whatever it is you're doing ; ) Thanks for listening to my rambling, gals.

Bumpdate: {38 Weeks}

This is a tad belated, but we've been crazy busy getting ready for Miss Priss. Hard to believe that this is the second-to-last official "bumpdate" post. It's a little bittersweet, but mostly just sweet. I'm beyond ready to not be pregnant anymore, ha! More than anything,  I am just  over the moon that we're "here", the end of this chapter of the journey.

In just a little over a week, we'll meet sweet Caroline Rose! Our daughter.

Before we get started, I am THRILLED to announce that I'm guest blogging over at Peekaboo Magazine! It's an adorable, free online mag geared toward moms and families in the Northwest Arkansas community and I'm honored to be joining their panel of bloggers. How fun, right?!

Check out my first post on "Mom Jeans" here!

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Weight Gain: No change this week, which is really common at the very end of pregnancy, (or so I'm told by our doc.) Total so far is still about 16 pounds. 

Baby's Growth: Thriving! They think she'll be in the 6 lb. range. Her features are so precious and petite.

Cravings: Chili, soup and McAlister's sweet tea. Our weekend weather has been a little on the brisk side, so I plan to make a big pot of white chicken chili tonight. (My recipe is here if you want to try it.)

How I'm Feeling: I have a good amount of energy still, which has been awesome for getting all this last-minute house cleaning finished. No swelling of the hands or feet, (praise the good Lord I haven't had to deal with it much during this pregnancy!) Rings are still on : )

Lots of nausea, though, which has resulted in a few frantic trips to the loo to heave. Zofran is helping a lot, though. I think it's because Miss Priss is taking up ALL the room in my tummy. Heartburn is also in full force. Thank goodness for Zantac!

So much pressure in my pelvis and hips, as she has dropped even more. I'm sure I look really graceful when I walk.

Movement: Since she's too big to give full out jabs and kicks in there anymore, most of her movement consists of rolling and squirming, which she does constantly. That's a good thing though, since they watch for movement very closely in the last few days of pregnancy to make sure baby isn't in distress. And if good movement is a sign of a stress-free baby, our girl is as cool as a cucumber. 

Favorite  Moment this Week:  My mom came up for my 38 week appointment last Thursday and brought with her a certain smocked dress for someone's "going home" outfit. It honestly made me teary-eyed to take it out of the plastic and look over every sweet detail. 

Sleeping: I have no idea why, but sleep has been AMAZING this past week. It takes me a while to get sleepy, but once I do, I'm out. I'm soaking up every minute of it until baby girl gets here, as I know it will be scarce then.

Clothes: Pants are all maternity, shirts are a mix of both. Dresses are mostly non-maternity. Living in Piko tops lately, too. I also purchased this super cute tunic from Hot Mama. Presh, right? 

NOTE: Be careful Googling "Hot Mama", if you decide to search for their site! It will return some interesting photos and links. Instead, search "Shop Mama". I did a quick search on my phone and was a little shocked, ha!

I ordered the small and the fit is SUPER generous. If they had an XS, I'd have gotten it instead. Size down if you buy! I'm going to belt mine to give it a more snug fit, postpartum.

Most looking forward to: This is trivial to the nth degree, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't excited. My very sweet husband told me to pick out a new purse as my "push present", (yes, C-sections deserve push presents, too, haha), so I'll be upgrading le Louis Vuitton later this week ; ) That man of mine, he's a good egg. His momma raised him right.

Thankful for: The support of my husband, family, friends and church family as we prepare for Caroline's debut. Stephen and I have gotten so many calls and messages with offers to send food, clean the house and help run errands after baby gets here. We can feel the prayers being sent up and are so, so thankful for the blessings that have surrounded this entire pregnancy. 

Confessional Friday: {Link Up}

This week has flown by, as we continue to prepare for Caroline's arrival! The final countdown is on and we couldn't be more excited for October 14th! Bring on delivery day!

1. I willingly took a flu shot at my 38 week appointment yesterday. This is huge for me. I am truly phobic of needles, but the thought of coming down with the flu and trying to take care of a newborn was enough to scare me into doing it.

2. Not really a confession, but I do think it is funny that this task was on my "must-do before baby" list. I'm getting my hair done Monday in preparation for delivery day, ha! I may be undergoing a major surgery, but heaven help me, my hair will look decent. Excited for Casie and the team at The Crown to work their magic again!

3. My husband and I are going on our last real date as a family of two tonight! We're going out to a nice dinner and then to see the new Hugh Jackman flick, Prisoners. This excites me to no end, because I cannot wait to soak up some quality time with The Mister. He's been working so hard lately, so that he can take some time off to hang out with the baby and me for the first couple weeks. Annnnd, it's been a while since I've gotten to get dolled up for a date ; )

Remember that next Friday will be the last Confessional Friday until probably November. I'll definitely be blogging, but I hate to commit to a weekly link-up for the first few weeks of being a new parent : ) 

Okay, your turn!

The Best Apple Crisp You'll Ever Eat

Okay, so I may have oversold this recipe just a tad with the post title, but I promise, it is really good. If you like apples. And crisp, buttery desserts. (And if you don't like either of those things, then my friend, I feel sorry for you.)

But, if you're hankering for a delicious, spot-hitting, fall-appropriate, coffee-complimenting sweet treat, then girlies, you've come to the right place.

Ingredients

4 medium tart cooking apples, sliced thinly (I actually use  mixture of granny smith and honeycrisp or gala.)                        

3/4 cup packed brown sugar                        

1/2 cup all-purpose flour 

 

Pinch of salt                       

1/2 cup quick-cooking or old-fashioned oats                        

1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened 

 

1 Tbsp. maple syrup                       

3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon                        

1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg                    

 

Cream or ice cream if desired, (and trust me, you should desire it.)                       

Directions

Heat oven to 375ºF. Grease bottom and sides of 8-inch square pan with shortening or non-stick cooking spray. (I use the spray to spare calories. I like my calories where I can taste 'em...in the butter!)

Spread apples in greased pan. In medium bowl, stir remaining ingredients except cream until well mixed; sprinkle over apples. 

I recommend sipping a pumpkin spice latte while assembling this dessert. I find it yields a better outcome ; )

Bake about 30 minutes or until topping is golden brown and apples are tender when pierced with a fork. Serve warm with vanilla bean ice cream or whipped topping!

Banana Powder, A Nursery Update and More

I'll be honest, blogging is going to be hit or miss for probably the entire month of October as we prepare for the arrival of Miss Priss and then adjust to being new parents. I'm determined to soak up every last, amazing drop of the coming days and weeks, so I know you'll understand if this little corner of the internet doesn't get quite as much attention as it once did ; )

Which would explain why it's 8:19 p.m. and this post is just now going up.

Banana Powder

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably saw my photo of the Ben Nye Bella Luxury Powder. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this stuff, y'all! It's a finishing powder, used after primer and foundation, to give an airbrushed look to your face.

I applied mine on top of my foundation very lightly and love that it gave my skin a polished finish. I will say, a little bit goes a long way, so use sparingly or you run the risk of it looking "cakey". I also applied it with a big, fluffy powder brush in a circular motion ONLY to my T-zone, (forehead, nose and chin.) Again, I wouldn't go crazy with it, or it might look a little thick.

Here's what it looks like in natural light...and with a Razorback face tattoo ; ) Hey, it was game day when I took this!

Not a great picture, (snapped it with the Mac while I typed this post a sec ago), but I haven't touched up my face since I applied my make-up first thing this morning. I call that a W-I-N.

*I purchased the 1.5 oz. container from this online store for only $10, ($16 with shipping.) Note: It defaults to the 3.0 oz. size for a bit higher price when you click on the link.

*Nope, didn't paid (in dollars or product) to say this stuff, nor was this a sponsored post : ) I simply thought I'd pass along the product recommendation.

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The Nursery

So after hmmm-ing and hawww-ing for a few days, I think we've decided to wait until Caroline gets here to show any photos of the nursery. After some thinking, it felt more appropriate to Stephen and me to let Baby Girl see her room first : )

(Yes, we're aware that she won't remember or care, but it just didn't seem right to share it with the internet before the resident of the room had a chance to scope it out for herself, ha!) Not to worry though, she'll be here no later than October 14 and we will definitely post lots of photos soon thereafter!

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Products I Love 

Also, I've updated my Products I Love page with the latest and greatest in my current rotation. Check it out!