The Rozlyn Epistles & A Merry Christmas

My Dearest Rozlyn,

Today is Christmas Day! Out first Christmas knowing you exist. Our last Christmas as just me and Papa Bear. I can't help by be overwhelmed withe excitement when I think in just 365 shore days we will be spending our first Christmas with you, as a family. I think of what you will be life in those first 10 months. I know you will exceed my expectations and wow me everyday with your presence. 

Today, on the day of Jesus' birth, I know what a wonderful gift He gave me and your Papa Bear. Never forget how great He is and He will always provide to you the greatness you deserve.

Love,

Your Mother

___________________________________

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope everyone's day is just as magical as mine will be!

Is that gas???

Or little baby kicks???

From what I've read, those little kicks start out as little flutters or butterflies.

And it's been said that this starts around 16-20 weeks.

Well, 21 weeks rolls around and I still haven't felt a thing!

But for the last few days, I've felt these strange twinges of gas, so I thought.

(I apologize if that's TMI)

So, I ignored it till last night.

I was cracking up through a movie and it was just too odd that those little odd twinges would hit me as I'm falling apart on the floor.

This is when it hit me, this very well could be my child!

Then, this morning, I woke up unreasonably early and to pass time, I decided to push on my belly.

Sure enough, those strange twinges pushed back at me.

This is the conclusion that I've come to since she kicks when I laugh:

She either has a sense of humor like her mother OR I get on her nerves (like I do everyone else with my sense of humor!).

Either way...I'm glad I can finally feel her.

I'm not sure if I can feel it from the outside yet but I cannot wait for Mark Dean to get home to see if he can feel it.

GRAND!parents

I'm not one to write about hard times or anything of that nature.

I tend to bottle all that up and pretend everything is ok.

I cry alone.

I hurt in hiding.

But lately, that has been hard.

My grandfather died last month. 

I've never experienced lose like this before.

The other day I heard Carrie Underwood's song "Just A Dream".

I cried then.

Alone in my car.

And now, I'm crying out loud.

I wrote this on my very first blog.

It sums up what my grandfather means to me.

So I realized...what the grand in GRAND!parents is really all about.

GRAND!parents are supposed to teach you memorable things - things that will guide you through life - things to build a strong mind and being - and in the end, leave you with things to tell your children but only after they learn them from their grandparents.

And I have come to realize, too, that mine are the best!

I can so happily say that my wonderful grandmother taught me to write a check, order from a catalog, and planted the love seed for the Home Shopping Network and other ridiculous home shopping programs...all this before I was 8 or 9. I can so vividly remember staying at her house and watching old sitcoms that used to be on Nick @ Nite (which are now on TV Land, maybe) and then moving onto the home shopping programs till 12 or 1 AM.

As for my grandfather, being just as wonderful as my grandmother, has embedded in me the silly love of simple science experiments and a love for maps, atlases, and road trips. I can remember standing in the kitchen where he showed me the split spoon experiment. I can remember standing at the kitchen table where he showed me how to look up the coordinates of a city in an atlas (and between my grandfather and my dad, I got it down pretty quick and owe a lot of geographical knowledge to them).

And with the love these 2 share, they created my mother, who I owe all of my being to (as if, I don't owe just as much to my dad). I envy the love that they share - that they share with each other, with my mom, and with me.

And the creator of my wonderful father - she was just as grand! Though she left while I was quite young and been gone for many years now, I can still say I learned from her. I learned how to argue and be very headstrong. This she passed on to my father first which then passed to me. And when I get the slightest whiff of some down home country cookin', I can't help but think of her - even then I didn't eat that stuff, I can still see my wonderful family sitting around her kitchen table.

Yes, they are grand! So very, very grand.
And they are the best because they are mine.

The Rozlyn Epistles

So, I've seen a lot of "Letters to..." on momma-to-be/mommy blogs.

And thought I'd join in on leaving sweet things for my dear child to see when she grows older.

So, here's my first epistle to my sweet daughter:

My dearest Rozlyn:

I am half-way to meeting you. The wait is killing me. I hope these letters to you will help me to pass the time as I wait for your arrival. It will give me time to tell you of the hopes and aspirations I have for you, sweet one. 

I want you to create your own path in life. As your mother, I want the very best for you and I hope the choices you make will be the best. I know there will times that you will struggle and fall but always know I am here for you. And remember that these challenges you will face are along your path of life to make you who you are to become. As I sit here waiting to meet you, I realize that you have already begun to create your own path...ultimately, you will be the one to decide when to make your debut. And as bad as I want to meet you, I will be patient. As long as you are safe, you are free to discover who you are and who you want to be. This means letting you stay in the womb, close to my heart as long as you need. 

Sweet child of mine, you do not the intensity of the love I have for you. And you probably never will. But this love runs deep and I know it will only continue to grow. I know because I feel it each day.

With Undying Love,

Your mother

Nursery Inspiration

In my head, the nursery is complete.

I can't say it's all my own creativity.

But building the nursery, piece by piece, has def. been a creative outlet for me.

Here's what has inspired me:

(mostly all from Pinterest)

White furniture.

Neutral walls with lots of pink!

Ruffles!!!

An adorable sidetable

And a little inspiration from Etsy, too.

White Ruffled Valance

So, I've started a few projects here and there.

We'll see how it all comes together.

I'll def. be sharing it with you when it's done!

A Little....

GIRL

is in our future!!!

Our little Rozlyn Chevelle.

This is the special picture text that we sent out to our family and friends.

And here are a few more from the shoot.

And here's a profile picture of our sweet little girl .

I would post more but since I don't have a clue what I'm looking at when I'm looking at the ultrasound pictures, I figured it'd be best if I didn't.

Maybe when we get the 4D ultrasound done, I can make more sense of what I'm looking at! Haha!

Gender Reveal Plans

We had planned on having a gender reveal party but there have been a few things in my family that a party would only complicate things even more.

So, I decided to do just a simple text to the family.

But I had to make it cute,

in some way or another.

I, first, took these adorable pics over the weekend.

And posted them on Facebook for our family and friends to vote on whether 

they thought the baby was a boy or girl.

So, come Thursday, I'll be sending out a text to our family and friends with a special reveal picture.

Then that evening, I'll post it on Facebook...and of course, right here!!!!

After I get home from shopping!

Re-Vamp

I'm thinking a little blog revamp may help me get back into the blogging game.

Construction begins...
NOW!

A Special Visit

Yesterday, I got to see our bambino again.

13 weeks 3 days

The picture isn't the best.
But our baby is still a cutie pie.

It was the most amazing experience so far on this journey.

Throughout the ultrasound,
the baby had the hiccups.
And the whole time, it was sucking it's thumb.
Each time, it would hiccup, it'd release it's thumb and fly to the top of the sac.
Then fall right back into place, thumb in mouth.

So. Darn. Cute.

After our appointment,
Mark Dean and I went to Pappasito's
to celebrate our ONE YEAR WEDDING ANNIVERSARY.
A few days early.
And it was, by far, the best meal I've had in a very long time.

It's so hard to believe it's been one year.
One amazing year.
That is for sure.

Well, I hope everyone is enjoying their week.
Time to hit the books.
Again.

I'm Positive...

And along with being positive, I'm lazy.
Which is why I neglected my blog once again.
And am just now sharing the news with you.

I'm positive-ly pregnant!

Mark Dean and I found out back in July...sometime.
Haha!

And this was me then...5w4d.

And this is me two weeks ago...10w2d.

I just look pudgy.
Not pregnant.
Which means not fun and cute.

And this is our little babe.
Baby M.

Due March 11, 2012.
Cannot wait!!!

Overall, the experience is awesome.
And I could not be happier!

I even went a little crazier and started crafting some things up.
Since the gender is a secret for another 6-8 weeks...stupid science making parents wait sooooo long!

I've been told my blanket is no gender nuetral.
But I know the baby won't know the difderence.
And it's just too cute!

That's all the pregnancy news I have for now.
Until our next appointment with our midwife next Wednesday!!!
_____________________________________________________________



On to other happenings.

I started school this week.

And that might have been what led me back to my blog.

Since I'm taking all my classes online this semester.

And prolly next semester...

I feel more inclined to wonder back to Blogger in between my "eventful" classes.

And I've completely fallen in love with Pinterest.

How am I just now finding out about this wonderful place on the web???

Anyways,

I'm glad to be back...again.

And I am so so sorry to have neglected you.

Please forgive me. :)

Summer Plans

Apparently, it's hard getting back into the routine.
The blogger routine.

I have so much to fill you all in on.
But I'm just not ready to sit down and type it all up.

So, I thought I'd share with you what I've been doing more recently.
Pretty much since I've come out of hibernation.
{Internet hibernation, that is.}

I've been consumed with reading.
You'd think after ending a semester of reading non-stop, you'd be over it a lil.
Not in the least bit.
I now get to enjoy what I want to read.

And baking, of course.
Mark threats to not come home once I show him the deliciousness that I whip up for him...
yet I still have my lover boy in my arms every night.

So, that's what the summer forecast looks like.
I think it has hibernation all over it.
And I'm not complaining a bit.

I'm Baaaack...

So, I know it was much longer that I originally anticipated.
But I just felt lost.

I can't really say that I've found anything on this long break from blogging.
I've just missed all my friends.

I suppose I will ramble on until I find my way.
Just to have you all back.

So, let me feel you in on what's been going on:

Yellowbird's has been doing pretty good.
I've gotten several order just by word of mouth over the last few months.
I've got a shop that I'm in the midst of renovating.
I'm hoarding information like crazy to get my license and permits squared away.
(Which reminds me I have a workshop regarding this tomorrow!!!)

School has sucked.
I do believe I've lost my drive to become a teacher.
I will be speaking to a counselor soon just to get some kind of degree as soon as possible.
(Like I said...I've been lost.)

Mark and I.
I'm just so lucky to have him.
I can't say it enough.
And though, at times, I may take him for granted,
the love I have for him makes my heart want to explode.

Anyways,
it's good to be back.
Talk to you soon.
<3

Vacation

Life has gotten a lil crazy.

And rough.

And I just wanna breath.

Seeing as I've already been away from the blog for a week now.

I don't think another week or two will hurt.

I could really use a REAL vacation....

But I suppose a blogger vacation will suffice. 

Cupcake Take Over!

And I'm not complaining!

Last week, I tested out Rum Punch Cupcakes...
These babies were by far the most challenging thing I've ever baked.
But I was determined to perfect them.

Here they are, in all their glory!

Let me tell you a lil story about Rum Punch, Yellowbird's, and these cupcakes...

You see, Mark Dean and I honeymooned in Jamaica.
While in Jamaica, we drank Rum Punch...
a lot of it.
And I, to this day, continue to drink Rum Punch...
a lot of it.
Also, while in Jamaica, a local named me "Yellowbird".

While browsing for a name for the shop,
I mentioned to a friend that I wanted the name to be connected to Mark Dean in someway.
Since that's where my love for baking spawns from.
And she remembered that they called me Yellowbird!
GENIUS!

So, that's where my bakery name come from.
And I thought to myself...
"Self, if you are going have a Jamaician-named bakery, you must have a Jamaician cupcake."
So, I was bounded and determined to make this cupcake a success.

While I used a whole bottle of Malibu Rum in these cupcakes,
I found that it was not necessary to achieve the Rum Punch flavor...
so, I'll prolly opt out of that next time.

AND...
Tonight I made the most amazing Reece's Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Frosting.
And they were def. heaven in your mouth.
I don't have enough words to express the amazingness that I experienced while biting into those bad boys!

MMM MMM MMM!

Until later this week, when I show off Key Lime Cupcakes that I have planned to bake.
And...the 2nd Yellowbird's order!
Woo!

Here's to an amazing week!
(Just imagine me raising my Rum Punch drink...or cupcake...for a toast! Ha!)

Menu Monday - 3/14

I fell of the healthy wagon.
I'm still working out.
But...eat healthy.
That was sooo 3 weeks ago.

But I'm hoping the wagon will come by in the next lil while
so, I can hop back on.

For far, I don't see it though.
Cuz I just ate one of the most amazing cupcakes I've ever made.
(I'll be posting soooon about it!)

This week, we'll be grubbin on:

Monday - Steak & Baked Potatoes
Tuesday - Sticky Chicken & Potatoes
Wednesday - Tacos & Guacamole
Thursday - Meatloaf for Mark Dean...and whatever I can find for me
Friday - Spaghetti

No Class, The Handwriting Game PLUS Menu {Tuesday}

I drive an hour to school.
Roughly, 40 miles.

So I get a little irritated when I walk up to my classroom door
and see this...

Yes, that pisses me off.

But I made the best of it
and spent my time in the library
working on a fun little game.

Over the weekend,
Heather of Some Kind of Wonderful
tagged me!
And I've been procrastinating...like it's homework or something.

Well,
here it is.
My {sloppy} handwriting.
Which I try to distract you of by making the page all cute with post-its.
Ha.

AND...
I know I've been slacking on my menus.
So, here's what we are having this week:

Monday - Papa John's Pizza Special :D
Tuesday - Eating Out! Baby Isaac is here!
Wednesday - Tacos
Thursday - Italian Creamy Chicken Pasta
Friday - Marlboro Man Sandwiches
MMM...MMM...MMM...

For the First Week of...

March,
this is what I accomplished...

The first Yellowbird's order.

And I just whipped up these bad boys.

Guinness Cupcakes with a Bailey's Irish Cream Ganache Filling and Bailey's Irish Cream Frosting

(recipe from Annie's Eats)

Plus,

I made a Key Lime Pie...

which I will be featuring a recipe for next week. 

__________________________________________

Linked up to:

Weekend Wrap-up @ Tatertots & Jello

More the Merrier Monday @ The DIY Home Sweet Home Project

One of My Favorite Things

are
Fortune Cookies.

I have this weird obsession with them.

At every Asian food place I go,
I get at least 3 fortune cookies.
(And if they have them up for grabs, I take more)

I guess I love the mystery of not knowing what they fortune says.
And the inspiration that will comes with reading it.

One of the coolest presents I ever received
was a bag of 21 fortune cookies.
I had all 21 opened by the end of the day.
(21 cookies for my 21st birthday!)

And something else pretty off about this obsession,
I never eat the fortune cookies.

Yellowbird's Is In Business

So, since losing my job several months ago,
the idea of me starting
a cupcake/bakery business
has been thrown around.

And yesterday,
I got my first official order!

I am SOOO excited!

I went home and tested a recipe
and
the flower design.

Here it is:

Vanilla Cupcakes
w/ a Super Yummy Buttercream Frosting
AND...Marshmallow Flowers (which I will be perfecting over the next 2 weeks)

Oh, Facebook!

How you rule my life!


I finally broke down
and
made a Facebook page for the blog.

(So, go "like" me.)

All because of this little lady,
Ashley at The Shine Project.

I really wanted to share a link to this amazing cause that she's doing.
And Facebook seems like another appropraite place to do that.

So, thanks Ashley
for getting me up to speed with techonolgy
AND doing something so cool!

Menu Monday - 2/22

Finally,
I'm back on my game.

I planned early
which is something
I'm NOT used to.

I had this week's menu planned by Saturday.
Shopped Sunday.
And pumped about it all by today!

So, for this week:

Monday - Sticky Chicken & Potatoes
Tuesday - Hamburgers
Wednesday - Steak (for Mark Dean & Grilled Chicken for me) w/ Baked Potatoes
Thursday - Beef Enchiladas and maybe Spanish Rice???
Friday - Marlboro Man Sandwiches (for Mark Dean) and something Chicken-y for me

MIA...Again

This week was crazy.

School kicked my butt.
Gym kicked my butt.

But now...
it's time for the weekend!!!

And...
my awesome cousin, Callie of Scrappin with Life,
told me a lil story
that inspired me!

She told me about
her and some blogger friends of hers
renting a beach house together.
She said she had the best time of her life!

I'm jealous.
And I want to meet some of your lovely ladies.

Is anyone down to save up and do something this cool???


Pleeeeeease.

Week Re-cap

I didn't do anything
cool
this week.

I did,
however,

pass my 2nd Spanish test with a 90!
lost 2 more pounds...welcome 126!
(Lil story: I tried on a dress that I've had for over a year, which didn't really fit that well a year ago when I wore it...well, I put that sucker on and it FIT! And...could still be taken in some on the sides. Yes, I'm extremely happy, excited & energized by my newfound fitness!)
And I will be at Supercross all day today which I'm not really complaining about.

Tomorrow:
Preparing a Valentine's dessert for Mark Dean
And lots of homework
With a mini work-out


Have a GREAT weekend everyone!

Surprise! For Me!

Mark Dean just brought this home...
for me!

So, he says.

Please disregard how rough I look.
The point of the 2nd picture is that it's so cute.
Just the perfect size for lil ol' me!

In the end, I know Mark Dean has ulterior motives.

P.S. I've only got 8 sentences down on that essay. Boo!
I'm in for a long night.
Again.

I'm Speechless...

But completely distracted.

I should be watching a movie
to write an argumentive essay over.

Hmm...I think I made up:
argumentive.

Instead
I'm thinking of:
What to bake next
My Spanish test that I'm pretty darn sure I did excellent on
How hungry I am
How much weight I've lost
The new car I want

If you are interested,
I'm watching

Which is quite interesting.

But less interesting when you HAVE to watch it.

And I've seen half of it.

And....

I've got the basic framework of my paper drafted out.

So,

I'm done rambling.

I hope everyone is enjoying the night more than I!

Menu Monday - 2/7

I'm down 2 more pounds or so.
Of course, it fluctuates.
Stupid human body.

But I'm sticking to it.
So, gotta stick to a healthier menu for the week.

Plus, I ate really bad over the weekend
and I need to make up for it.

Monday - Potato Soup, Homemade Mini Beer Bread Loaves, and Sandwiches for the boys (might as well be a Panera chef)
Tuesday -  Hamburgers
Wednesday - Baked Tilapia & Red Potatoes - new recipe...super excited!
Thursday - Bestie Night (last week was cancelled due to Houston's INSANE weather)
Friday - Spinach Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken

And Supercross is this weekend! (So prolly more bad eating...grr...)
Let's go #129!!!
I will be feeding this boy all week
so, he should have all the right nutritional "things" to make him race really well!
Haha!

Follower Appreciation Day

Over the weekend,
I received
the GREATEST e-mail ever.

I think I read it 10 times.
Then read it to others around me.

I was so elated.
It is what makes all my blogging worth it!

THANK YOU
Heather
from
Some Kind of Wonderful!

You are so amazing and special to me!
As are all my amazing and special followers!

So anyways,
about this email.

Heather e-mailed me telling me
that she has NEVER made anything from scratch
and that she made my "awesome peanut-butter cupcakes
and that yummy frosting" and SHE DIDN'T MESS THEM UP! :D

Heather surprised herself,
got compliments from her hubby,
AND her in-laws,
PLUS sent that super duper sweet e-mail
WITH pictures!

It's for people like Heather,
and these boys....

that make what I do in the kitchen all worth it!

I hope I get to share more amazingly sweet e-mails and people with you in the future!!!

Good Morning Pancake Cupcakes w/ Maple MARSHMALLOW Frosting

I woke up with this idea.
And of course, I wanted to adapt
the marshmallow frosting
for these lovely breakfast delights.


And they hit the spot!


But once the weather warms up
and the roads are drivable,
I've GOT to hit the gym!!!
_________________________________

Pancake Cupcakes
From BrownEyedBaker


Ingredients:
2 cups All-Purpose Flour
1 tablespoons Granulated Sugar
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
1 teaspoon Salt
1½ cups Milk
2 Eggs
2 tablespoons Butter, unsalted, melted and cooled

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a standard muffin pan with liners and then spray the liners with non-stick spray (important step!). (I used a mini-muffin pan and just sprayed the pan; no liners.)

Whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt in a large bowl; set aside. 

In a separate medium bowl whisk together the milk and eggs, then stir in the melted and cooled butter. 

Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients and whisk together until just moistened and combined. Like pancakes, lumps are okay! 

Spoon the batter between the muffin cups and bake until puffed and firm to the touch, about 10 minutes. (I baked my mini-muffins for 8 minutes.) Let cool for about 5 minutes and then remove cupcakes to a wire rack to cool completely.

Maple Marshmallow Frosting

Ingredients:

1 stick of Butter, room temperature
~1/8 cup Maple Syrup (start with less, add more if you want it sweeter) ~1/8 cup Milk - I guessed because it's hard to measure an 1/8 of a cup
~2 cups Powdered Sugar
~3.5 ounces Marshmallow Creme
Dash of Half & Half

In a large bowl, mix butter, maple syrup, and milk on medium speed till smooth and well blended. Add in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, on low speed till blended. Once blended, raise speed to about medium for a few minutes. Mix in marshmallow creme untill smooth. Add a dash or two of half & half till you reach desired consistency. (Mine turned out a little thinner than other frostings but I really like how it turned out for THESE cupcakes...if you want a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar)

______________________________________

I shared this recipe on:

Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum
Fun w/ Food Friday @ Paisley Passions
Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertos & Jello
Sweet for a Saturday @ Sweet As Sugar Cookies
Sundae Scoop @ I <3 Naptime
Made By You Monday @ Skip to My Lou
Tasty Tuesday @ Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Peanut Butter Cupcakes w/ Peanut Butter Frosting

Because Mark Dean has
a SERIOUS obsession with peanut butter,
the decision was easy...
a double dose of peanut butter.
___________________________________

I was a little impatient and frosted the cupcakes while they were warm.
Don't do that.

Peanut Butter Cupcakes
Recipe from Allrecipes.com -

For 12 cupcakes
Ingredients:
1 cup Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Shortening
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1 Egg
3/4 cup Milk
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
1 1/4 cup All-Purpose Flour
1/2 teaspoon Baking Soda
1 teaspoon Cream of Tartar
Dash or 2 of Salt

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a cupcake pan with paper liners.

Combine the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda and salt.

In a large bowl, mix brown sugar, shortening and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg then the vanilla. Stir flour mixture into the batter alternately with the milk.

Spoon into the prepared muffin cups.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until the top of the cupcakes spring back when lightly pressed.

Cool in the pan for at least 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Peanut Butter Frosting

Ingredients:
1 stick of Butter, room temperature
1/2 cup Peanut Butter
1/2 teaspoon Vanilla
~1/8 cup Milk - I guessed because it's hard to measure an 1/8 of a cup
4-5 cups Powdered Sugar
Dash of Half & Half

In a large bowl, mix butter, peanut butter, milk, and vanilla on medium speed till smooth and well blended. Add in powdered sugar, one cup at a time, on low speed till blended. Once blended, raise speed to about medium for a few minutes. Add a dash or two of half & half till you reach desired consistency.


______________________________________

Sharing this recipe on:
Catch a Glimpse @ A Glimpse Inside
Foodie Friday @ Designs by Gollum
Fun w/ Food Friday @ Paisley Passions
Weekend Wrap Up @ Tatertos & Jello
Sweet for a Saturday @ Sweet As Sugar Cookies
Sundae Scoop @ I <3 Naptime
Made By You Monday @ Skip to my Lou
Tasty Tuesday @ Balancing Beauty and Bedlam

Top 10 Things I Wanna Buy Baby Isaac

This last Saturday was Carrie's,
of Our Small Haven & my SIL,
baby shower!

It turned out so beautiful!
And just made me want to go shopping, again
for Baby Isaac!!!

Here are the Top 10 Things I Wanna Get Him RIGHT NOW:

1. Keep Calm & Rock On Sign:
From Nuevo Designs

2. Photo Book Toy - JUST for Baby Isaac

From Genius Baby Toys

3. Squeaky Shoes

I can't tell you how much I love hearing these shoes when I'm shopping!

From Pip Squakers

4. Cute Lil Growth Chart

From KidOBabyAccesories

5. Blocks

For Now.

From Little Sidekick

6. More blocks

For Later.

From Littlesaplingtoys

7. Adorable lil hats.

From Propmania

8. Circus Sleep Sack

From Gymboree

9. Lil Red Tricycle

I'm ready for him to grow!!!

From Radio Flyer

10. Baby Einstein DVDs

Cuz Baby Isaac is gunna be one smart cookie!

From Baby Einstein