The Hulihee

After months with no exposure to the light of day, I can see skin on my husband's face.  A chin, to be exact.  Ladies and Gentlemen, meet Harlan's new facial hair, lovingly named The Hulihee.  Definition: a type of beard distinguished by its fat chops connected at the mustache. In Hawaiian, Huliheʻe means “Turn and flee.”

There was some debate on whether he'd be able to keep this style for very long, but he's gotten a lot of positive feedback (mainly of the male persuasion) so he may keep it a week or so.  Next up, the Fu Manchu.  Come back next week for pictures!

I'm officially past full term now (almost 38 weeks), so we're anxiously awaiting any signs that she might be ready to come on out!  I felt quite the flurry of activity a few nights ago, and it definitely feels like she dropped!  I guess time will tell!  Here's the ever growing belly:

Maternity Leave is Right Around the Corner

Next week is my last week of work.  When I scheduled this date, what that really meant did not register with me at all.

What I've discovered about going on maternity leave:

-I won't be working (Duh.).  I can't recall a time I didn't have a job, and even though I'll be a very busy mom very soon, it's still very strange to think about.

-I will be leaving my family behind (sort of.). As I have been preparing my team for my leave, I have realized I won't be seeing their faces every day.  They are like family to me.  They walked through infertility, the loss of our first baby, and this pregnancy with me.  I didn't realize how hard it would be!

-I won't be as directly involved with the work I'm so passionate about.  While I will always love and support the work Austin LifeCare does, I won't be involved in the day to day activities anymore.  That means I won't see our fabulous, servant-hearted volunteers or our courageous clients.  It's very bittersweet!

So how am I coping with all these changes?  I'm baking, of course!

I asked each staff member to tell me their favorite dessert, and I plan to bake them all before I leave.

First up, Karen.  Karen wanted Boston Cream Pie, which was very exciting since I've never made one!  I used 2 different recipes to come up with the final product.

Cake & Custard: Joy of Baking

Ganache: Food Network

The ganache recipe made WAY too much, so I ended up completely coating the pie with chocolate.  I didn't mind the extra chocolate, and I don't think Karen did either.  Here it is, along with a picture of Karen enjoying it.

Next up, Italian Cream Cake for my boss, Pam.  I used this recipe, but honestly, Italian Cream Cake is another one I just don't have a lot of experience with.  I typically gravitate toward chocolate things, but I did try a little piece of this and thought it was pretty good.  What do you think?

So here's my list of things to make next week:

Dense, rich chocolate cake - This recipe's looking really promising, or maybe this one. 
Pumpkin Scones - I'll be using the Starbuck's recipe
Brownies - Not sure on this one.  SO many recipes to choose from. 

There's a passage I love that perfectly sums up my prayer for my team at work:

"The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine on you and be gracious to you;  the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

Nursery Update

We have completed the nursery, but I haven't taken any pictures! Please stop by next week to see the Fu Manchu and the room.  We're ready to meet you, little girl!

Another Year Older, Another Week Closer

THIRTY IS LOOMING

I have one year left of my 20s.  My friends love to give me a hard time about this.  I am, and have been terrified of turning 30 for the last 10 years.  I remember turning 20 and feeling like my life was basically over.  My friends couldn't believe I was even thinking about 30 when I was just barely 20... 

Now, I know.  There's nothing wrong with 30. I will turn 30 next year, whether I like it or not.  In the meantime, I'm soaking up my 29th year and welcoming our baby girl in just a few weeks!

Belly and Beard

I am now in my 36th week of pregnancy.  Harlan took my picture, and I must say, I am huge.  Everywhere I go, everyone says, "You're so tiny!"  The doctor says I have a "little peanut" and that she'll most likely weigh just at 7 pounds when she's born.  I can't even imagine what I'd look like if I was carrying a nine pounder!  Here's what my belly's been up to:

Harlan's beard has an expiration date.  His birthday's coming up in a few weeks, and he's promised he's going to begin the process of shaving off his beard.  He plans to try out some of these styles as he shaves it off.  Get ready for lots of pictures!  In the meantime, here's the beard in all its red glory:

A Break In the Heat Wave

After a record-setting number of days above 100 degrees, we got some temperatures in the 90s last week.  Mornings were starting off in the 60s.  It. was. glorious.  However, as exciting as cooler temps were, Texas was simultaneously being ravaged by wildfires. Even as I type, the largest fire in Bastrop is only 50% contained.

I know there's got to be at least one family expecting a baby soon who have lost their home.  It is so, so sad to think about the number of people who have lost their homes, possessions, memories.  Please, Lord, send rain.  We need it so very desperately.

Here's just one of the awful pics taken by Jay from the Austin American Statesman:

Fall is in the Air

Fall is one of my favorite times of year.  I think I love it because Texas doesn't really have a Fall, per say.  However, I love pumpkins, warm drinks, fires, boots, and all the other things that should come with Fall.  Since Baby Elam is due as Fall begins, I know I may take a little hiatus from the Fall baking I also love.  To make up for that, I've decided to start Fall baking now! 

First Up - Martha's Pumpkin Swirl Brownies

• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, plus more for pan
• 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups solid-pack pumpkin
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts or other nuts

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch square baking pan or dish. Line bottom of pan with parchment paper; butter lining.
   
2. Melt chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.
   
3. Whisk together flour, baking powder, cayenne, and salt in a large bowl; set aside. Put sugar, eggs, and vanilla in the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; beat until fluffy and well combined, 3 to 5 minutes. Beat in flour mixture.
   
4. Divide batter between two medium bowls (about 2 cups per bowl). Stir chocolate mixture into one bowl. In other bowl, stir in pumpkin, oil, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Transfer half of chocolate batter to prepared pan smoothing top with a rubber spatula. Top with half of pumpkin batter. Repeat to make one more chocolate layer and one more pumpkin layer. Work quickly so batters don't set.
   
5. With a small spatula or a table knife, gently swirl the two batters to create a marbled effect. Sprinkle with nuts.
   
6. Bake until set, 40 to 45 minutes. Let cool in pan on a wire rack. Cut into 16 squares.
   

I'm taking these to several neighbors who gave me thoughtful baby gifts recently.  Hope they like them!

Labor is Looming

There has never been a time I have known more fully how much I need God.  As labor approaches (yes, I'm still planning on an unmedicated, natural birth), I know that I absolutely cannot not do it without Him. 

John 16:21 (The Message) says, "When a woman gives birth, she has a hard time, there's no getting around it. But when the baby is born, there is joy in the birth. This new life in the world wipes out memory of the pain."

How incredible is that?  I have talked to so many women who say that very thing.  They don't remember the pain because of the amazing joy that follows.  I could not be more excited to hold my baby girl soon...

Amazing Chia-Pet style beard trimming coming up soon!  You don't want to miss it!