Cupcake Pandemonium

After we sang “Happy Birthday” to Charlie, we set her up at her new bistro table with a cupcake and let her go to town. Ethan jumped right in and took a seat next to the birthday girl. After that, Henry and Olivia set their cupcakes down at the table, and before you knew it, we had a double date on our hands. It was definitely one of the cutest moments of the day.

Never underestimate the power of a cupcake when it comes to toddlers. Good thing we had disposable bibs and wipes because there were purple-icing-covered kiddos EVERYWHERE. I looked over at Charlie at one point and she was so intently eating her cupcake, you couldn’t have pried it from her if you tried.

Meanwhile, the adults enjoyed the “big” cake and tried to keep purple-icing-covered-fingers off the furniture.

Friends!!

Here are just a few shots of some of the dear friends of Charlie that came to celebrate her. Vann and I were just commenting this morning on how rare and amazing it is that Charlie has so many kiddos that are around her age!! We are blessed with the greatest community and I can only hope and pray that we will find something akin to this after we move.

The size of our apartment limited us a bit. Last year we had her 1st birthday party outside, and were able to invite quite a few more people. This year, we tried to stick with the kids that Charlie plays with most often. I imagine that’s what you do as your child gets older and it’s less about you and more about them and who they spend the most time with.

We’ll just call these the “Before” pictures…you’ll see why in a little bit…

Sweet Signature

My other big requirement for this party was the cake. I knew that if we were going to host it at our house (not my first choice, but necessary due to the extreme prices I found at party “places” in the city), than we could afford to splurge in other areas. This journey started out slowly, because so many of the bakeries in Chicago charge upwards of $200 for a child’s birthday cake. I know. Staggering, right?? When Vann’s colleague showed him a picture of a cake she had made for her son and told us where the bakery was (and how affordable it was), we HAD to go there.

It’s called Sweet Signature Bakery, and it’s located at 5708 W. Fullerton, which is a bit of a drive from our apartment but SO worth it. I went in with a picture I found online and the owner, George, literally made it a reality. It was layered chocolate and vanilla cake with custard in between, topped with purple rolled fondant. I got my two-tiered masterpiece, and for an amazing bargain price. And the taste?? Holy cow, AMAZING. I cannot recommend this place enough…they were SO nice and did everything possible to make me happy. George also made a chocolate cupcake for each child.

We have enough cake to last us until next year, in fact, last night I carefully sliced what was left and filled three containers with cake to freeze for later. I thought it’d be great to share it with all the grandparents when they come up for Baby #2’s arrival. I am not someone to take on baking my own cake for a party (as I know some of you are, and I envy you for it!) and am so thrilled with how it turned out!! Here’s a pic of Auntie Em helping me mix up the “Fizzy-Lifting Drink”…

A Purple Pettiskirt Birthday

First of all, let me just say that it’s probably going to take me awhile to fully document Charlie’s birthday weekend. We took sooo many pictures, as well as the funniest video you’ve ever seen. It was such a good time, and even more importantly, I think Charlie had a ball. She was mostly well-behaved, and despite some minor interventions involving sharing (or the lack thereof), I am happy to say that my daughter avoided any major meltdown’s!

Now, on to the the outfit. Some friends helped me research my options…I knew I wanted it be mostly purple, as that was the main color featured in all the decorations and treats…and I’ve always wanted a pettiskirt for Charlie but haven’t had the occasion to break one out. This seemed like the perfect time. I ordered the whole outfit from an online store called Miss Things Boutique, and let me just say, I adored it pulling it out of the box. Seeing it on Charlie yesterday was the icing on the cake. Or should I say, she looked like the icing on her cake. You decide…

Oompa Loompa doompadee doo…

So tomorrow we are having a small birthday party for Charlie. She will be 2 on Tuesday!! Her party is a “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” theme. I realize this may be the last time I get to pick the theme for a birthday party (next year she might want Dora–gasp!)…and I have had such a ball planning it. From the “Golden Ticket” invites to the Mad Hatter/Willy Wonka inspired cake, it is truly cool to see an idea blossom into reality. Cross your fingers that it all comes together!!

This is a pic from yesterday…Charlie is loving on her birthday gift from her cousins Dali and Owen. She LOVES this Hello Kitty stuffed animal…started calling it “Sissy” right away and took it for a spin in her doll stroller. Thanks Dali and Owen!!!

And for all my sweet friends who have inquired as to the results of my test yesterday, I so appreciate the love and support. I haven’t heard yet, but expect to at the beginning of next week. Until then, I shall indulge in a lovely piece of Mad Hatter/Willy Wonka chocolate/vanilla custard fondant cake, thankyouverymuch.

Play on, Pancreas, Play on

…so tomorrow is the day of my “Stupid” test, a.k.a. the Dreaded Glucose Tolerance Test. I have suffered through three days of no coffee. I have eaten more than my fair share of extra carbs and drank more than my fair share of orange juice. In approximately 8 minutes, I can’t eat or drink anything until 12:30 pm tomorrow.

Faithful blog followers, please say a little prayer for my pancreas. Please also say a prayer for my mental state of mind as I embark on a three hour journey of waiting room magazines. I have been told that I cannot leave the waiting room (of course, I called, I mean, my OB’s office IS right down the street from Sephora) for fear of fainting. Apparently, they must keep an eye on you. Rats.

Some people have asked me what gestational diabetes is. Here’s a quick rundown from Babycenter.com, just in case you were wondering:

This is a type of diabetes that some women develop during pregnancy. Between 2 and 7 percent of expectant mothers develop this condition, making it one of the most common health problems of pregnancy.When you eat, your digestive system breaks most of your food down into a type of sugar called glucose. The glucose enters your bloodstream and then — with the help of insulin, a hormone made by your pancreas — provides fuel for the cells of your body. Like the type 1 and type 2 diabetes you can get when you’re not pregnant, gestational diabetes causes the glucose to stay in your blood instead of moving into your cells and getting converted to energy.

Why does this sometimes happen when you’re pregnant?

During pregnancy, your hormones make it tougher for your body to use insulin, so your pancreas needs to produce more of it. For most moms-to be, this isn’t a problem: As your need for insulin increases, your pancreas dutifully secretes more of it. But when a woman’s pancreas can’t keep up with the insulin demand and her blood glucose levels get too high, the result is gestational diabetes.Most women with gestational diabetes don’t remain diabetic once the baby is born. Once you’ve had it, though, you’re at higher risk for getting it again during a future pregnancy and for becoming diabetic later in life.

So, there ya go. I am SO happy I remembered I just joined Laura Ingraham’s website and have two 90 minute podcasts to catch up on. That should help pass the time. And you know where I’m going as soon as I’m done.

Dunkin’ Donuts. Oh yeah. Sweet relief.