We are officially just over 2 weeks away from Baby Boy’s due date (Nov 24th!) so I thought I’d take a moment to touch base with a more personal post.
Life here has been hectic and time has been flying. I’ve been working more than ever trying to get posts prepared and ready so that when he arrives I’ll be able to take something of a “maternity leave”… not sure yet exactly what that is going to look like!
I have posts scheduled out through the end of this month and December but hope to be able to hop in and touch base/share some life updates along the way. It has been a little strange making recipes so far in advance and I’m even a little sad that (for all blog-related purposes) I’m actually already finished with my Christmas baking!
I’ve also filmed all of my videos through January for YouTube, so if it seems that I’m still getting bigger and bigger in my videos even after the baby is born, well, that’s why! 😂
I’ve been doing pretty well. Feeling huge, for sure. Waddling everywhere I go and always keeping an eye out for the nearest bathroom. I’ve been living in Target yoga pants and anything I drop these days (which feels like everything) I just have to write off as a gone from my life for good. Acid reflux is my newest nemesis (thank goodness for Tums) and putting on shoes is essentially impossible.
Photo from my baby shower that my sisters threw me a few weeks ago. I have 4 sisters but evidently only got a picture with 2 of them!
But Baby is healthy and a “good size” (5 lbs 15 oz!) as per his last ultrasound and that’s the important thing and I’m trying to remember to be grateful (because I am so, so grateful) even when I’m uncomfortable and tired and taking 20 minutes to get my socks on. I’m enjoying his kicks and movements and so excited to see what he looks like.
Pregnancy Must-Haves
I don’t really have a long list of must-haves, though a few of you have asked, but there are a few things that have made my life a little easier.
Even though I’m not sleeping well I am so glad I bought a pregnancy pillow early on. I didn’t think it made that much of a difference until I tried sleeping without it one night.
Also, while I wouldn’t exactly say this has been a “game changer” I’m also glad I bought the Blanqi belly support band. It totally does roll up if you move a lot from standing to sitting but I notice a clear difference in my back pain on days when I wear it vs. days when I don’t and it’s worth the annoyance of having to pull it down every so often.
Since I’m thirsty all the time, a big water bottle that actually keeps my water cold has been essential. I had a few metal ones that I just didn’t like drinking out of once I got pregnant and ended up switching to a 24 oz Tervis tumbler (and yes that goldfish design is the one I have 😂). It’s huge and keeps my drink cold longer than a regular glass, doesn’t leave condensation and has a lid for traveling so it’s become my constant companion.
As I mentioned: Target yoga pants. Champion is the name of the brand, I think. Soooo comfy. I bought maternity jeans and a pricey pair of maternity leggings that got rave reviews but I never wear them, I’m not comfortable in anything except these yoga pants. They are not maternity-style, but they’re so comfy. I just wish they made them with pockets!
Any suggestions for must-haves after the baby arrives are very welcome!
The Nursery!
Zach and I finally finished organizing and setting up the nursery last weekend. Realistically the baby won’t be sleeping in here until he’s a bit older (I have a bassinet in the bedroom), but it was so important to me to have it done before he arrived.
We ended up with a Lion King theme for the nursery (my favorite movie ever as a child), even though my original intention was just generic jungle.
I completely love it, even though Zach was left scratching his head about how we ended up here. I think he would’ve preferred a theme somewhere along the lines of hockey, cars, or baseball, but here we are. I’ll leave some links at the end of the post for most of the items we bought/received. Just about everything came from Amazon!
Photo from my cousin’s wedding last month, I was a bridesmaid and by some miracle my dress that I bought back in February didn’t even need to be altered to fit me.
So that’s life lately! Big changes are coming up any day now and I am excited and honestly a bit nervous!
While I’m a little naive still about what life with a newborn is going to look like, I do plan on getting back to the kitchen as soon as possible and I hope you love all of the recipes that I have planned for you over the holidays.
Thank you so much for reading, it means a lot to me 💜
Links for Nursery Items.
Some of these links are affiliate links.
- Babyletto White Crib — “Scoot”
- This is the rug we went with (an 8’6″ square in Beige). I was super skeptical about buying a rug off of Amazon but after looking everywhere else and not finding anything we liked (or in our budget) this one had great reviews so we went for it. Zach and I keep commenting on how plush it is and how much we love it, ha!
- Graco Changing Table
- Little white bookshelf — this is really a pretty flimsy little bookshelf and I anticipate we’ll be exchanging it for something sturdier when he gets bigger, or maybe we’ll end up moving the rocker into this spot. It works for now, though!
- Elephant Ottoman
- Lion King Bedding Set
- Graco Glider Swing
- Most of the artwork is from Etsy with the exception of this canvas hanging over the changing table.
Jada
I just came across your page when i looked up how to make cheesecake and i love this site already…i will be using it from now on!!!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Jada! I hope that you enjoy the recipes. 🙂
Donna Stewart
Hi sam, wish you a safe delivery when the time comes, couldn’t get a better gift for the holidays. All the best. By the way I have to tell you, I’m in baking school and I used your carrot cake and vanilla cake recipes for my practical, everybody loved it. Thank you for these recipes.
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you for the well wishes, Donna! I appreciate it! I am so glad that the carrot cake was a hit. I wish you the best in school. 🙂
JoAnn
Dear Sam, I so appreciate your recipes and tips. All the best wishes,to you and your baby. How exciting for this very special time in your life. Congrats to you and Zach.
Lots of Love
JoAnn
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, JoAnn! I appreciate your kind words and well wishes. 🙂
Corrin
That’s so exiting! Love the design in the nursery. Very nostalgic! 🙂
Hope your baby brings extra joy for you and your husband in the coming holiday season!
Lots of love
-Corrin
Sam
Thank you so much, Corrin!! <3
Julie Gallagher
Sam, I’ve never met anybody with almost as many sisters as me! I have five sisters and no brothers. I also have a little boy who is not so little anymore. I blinked and he is 12! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. What a wonderful time to have a baby… right around the holidays.
I love your recipes, especially the worst chocolate chip cookie recipe because I knocked my sister Karen’s chocolate chip cookie crown off her head and now everybody asks me to make them for special occasions and get together’s! She has held that title for many years!
Can’t wait to see pictures of your beautiful baby boy. God bless and Happy Holidays!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Julie! I appreciate it. Happy Holidays to you as well. 🙂
Selah M. Howard
My, oh my! This is fantastic!! It’s approaching so much quicker than I thought! Praying for smooth delivery and good timing! And don’t worry about posting recipes, you deserve a lengthy maternity leave. Newborns change way too fast, especially if you’re worry about the blog, take it easy! Beautiful sisters!
Absolutely love the nursery, you must be such a good house-keeper! You’re doing things right, Sam!
Good luck and God bless labor and post-delivery!
Sweetly,
Selah
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Selah! I appreciate it! 🙂
Fatimah
Hi Sam,
I love all your recipes. Wow! The baby’s room is beautiful. You look great too. I wish you easy & safe delivery. Can’t wait to see the cute baby picture. Take care!!!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Fatimah! I appreciate it. Stay tuned for lots of baby pictures to come! 🙂
Diana Dsouza Udani
Hello Samantha,
Your posts on baking tips are extremely helpful.
The baby’s room looks bright & cheerful. All the very best to you.
Regards,
Diana
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Diana! I am glad that you find the baking tips helpful. I have a feeling the baby room will be will my favorite room in our house. I am happy with how it turned out. Thanks for the well wishes. I am really looking forward to motherhood. 🙂
Lily
Oh Sam!! I love your food and I am so happy for you. Have you picked a name yet? Thanks for your awesome stuff!!
Sam
Thank you so much, Lily! We have but are keeping it secret until he gets here 😉 🤐
Lily
Ooh, can’t wait!
Hope Walker
WOW! You have been busy! As the mother of 3 boys, (2) 8 pounders and a 10 pounder in the middle, I know life will never be the same! All those Tums are going to all the hair he is growing. The third time around I didn’t even know I was pregnant until I got indigestion! (that was the final determining factor) The one thing I struggled with the first time was nursing, but that is a whole other story… I am so happy for you and you have done a great job at planning and juggling everything. All these skills will come in handy with the baby, planning ahead etc. I always look forward to your recipes and love all of them. Enjoy every minute of sleep while you can…….
Hope
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Hope. Yes, sleep! I am trying my best to catch up on it now while I can. Thanks for your kind words and support. I really appreciate it! 🙂
Joanna
Such a fun update…thank you!! That room is AWESOME!! What a very cute decorating job. The color is perfect and you look beautiful pregnant! Just enjoy “labor day.” Yes, there is going to be discomfort and everything may not go perfect, but it continues to be probably the most special day in my life. I cannot drive past the hospital where my daughter was born without looking up at the exact window of the room that she was born in and thinking about that day. Enjoy every minute! On a side note, last night I strayed from your pizza dough recipe, my regular, and tried another person’s recipe. It was terrible and I couldn’t even eat it because I have strange “flour issues.” LOL. Your recipes are awesome! Positive thoughts and prayers are coming your way from me. Can’t wait to see a picture of baby!!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Joanna! I appreciate your kind words and prayers. I am excited to share pictures of our little guy once he arrives. 🙂
Angela
Thanks for sharing! Everything looks so beautiful! What a wonderful time and so much to be thankful for this season! Enjoy every minute! God Bless! :))))
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Angela! I appreciate it! 🙂