Happy New Year, dear friends! It feels almost surreal to be welcoming the second month of 2018 already. Time, as they say, truly flies when you’re making memories and navigating life’s exciting journey. I’ve been diligently trying to savor every precious moment, which might explain my quiet presence on the blog these past couple of months. How have you all been? I sincerely hope your year has kicked off to a wonderful and promising start.

Before we dive back into the delicious world of new recipes and culinary adventures, I felt it was absolutely essential to take a moment for a much-needed life update. There’s been quite a bit happening behind the scenes, and I’m thrilled to share some incredibly special news with you all.

While my kitchen has seen a little less action in terms of new recipe development recently, I assure you, I’ve been “cooking” something truly extraordinary. Get ready for an exciting reveal…

We’re Expecting Baby #2! Our Family is Growing!

Yes, you read that right! Our family is joyfully expanding, and we are absolutely thrilled to announce that I’m expecting our second baby! It still feels incredibly surreal to type these words, even with my unmistakably growing baby bump, but here we are, 16 weeks along in this incredible journey. The excitement in our home is palpable; we are beyond thrilled and eagerly anticipating the arrival of our little nugget. This new chapter promises to bring even more love, laughter, and beautiful chaos into our lives, and we couldn’t be happier to share this wonderful news with our cherished community.

Navigating the First Trimester: Challenges and Quiet Moments

The first trimester, as many of you who have experienced pregnancy know, presented its unique set of challenges. It was, to be frank, a period of profound exhaustion. Despite sleeping upwards of 12 hours a day, I constantly felt a deep, pervasive fatigue that made daily tasks feel monumental. Thankfully, I didn’t experience severe morning sickness; instead, I had a persistent, light queasiness, particularly as the evenings approached. This was a familiar sensation from my first pregnancy, and while manageable, it certainly impacted my energy levels.

Perhaps the most significant and unexpected hurdle was an intense aversion to screens and computers. The thought of sitting down at my laptop, let alone crafting blog posts, editing photos, or even casually scrolling through social media feeds, felt utterly unappealing. This explains the quiet period on the blog – my creative energy was entirely dedicated to growing a tiny human! It was a time for quiet reflection and a much-needed break from the digital world. I genuinely missed connecting with you all, but my body clearly needed to prioritize rest and internal focus. Now, however, with the first trimester behind me, I’m delighted to report that I’m feeling significantly better, with renewed energy and enthusiasm. I’m incredibly excited to jump back into the kitchen and start sharing fresh, delicious recipes with you once again!

A Tropical Escape: Sun, Sand, and Relaxation in Kauai

In other exciting news, our family recently returned from a truly rejuvenating vacation in the breathtaking paradise of Kauai, Hawaii. This trip was a much-needed escape from the biting cold of a North Dakota winter, offering a refreshing change of scenery and a chance to recharge our batteries. The picture you see above (or perhaps, a snapshot of our journey if I manage to embed another here!) was taken right from our hotel room, capturing just a glimpse of the serene beauty that surrounded us. Kauai’s lush landscapes, stunning beaches, and tranquil atmosphere provided the perfect backdrop for some quality family time before our newest addition arrives. I have countless beautiful photos and stories from our Hawaiian adventure, and I promise to share more details and a full photo dump with you all next week, so stay tuned for that!

Grant’s Big Brother Journey: A Heartwarming Evolution

One of the most heartwarming aspects of this journey has been observing Grant’s reaction to the news of a new baby. When we first mentioned the idea a few weeks ago, his response was often a look of genuine confusion, quickly followed by a firm “NO!” He’s only just starting to grasp the concept of a sibling, and it’s been a truly precious evolution to witness. Fast forward to today, and his reaction has transformed beautifully. Now, when asked about the baby, he no longer says “no.” Instead, he frequently approaches my belly, gently pats it, and whispers “Hi, baby!” It’s the sweetest thing to behold, and each interaction fills our hearts with so much joy and anticipation for the bond they will share. Interestingly, he has also become incredibly clingy lately. While we’re not entirely sure if it’s directly related to the impending arrival of his sibling, it’s certainly a phase filled with extra cuddles and reassurances, which we are happy to provide!

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Incredible Community

And finally, but certainly not least, I want to extend my deepest, most heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you. From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for being an integral part of this blogging journey. Your presence here, your willingness to try my recipes, your invaluable feedback, and your constant connection through this space mean the world to me. I absolutely adore reading your thoughtful reviews and seeing the incredible culinary creations you’ve brought to life from the recipes on this blog. It’s truly inspiring to see how these dishes become a part of your homes and celebrations.

I recently updated our community page with the latest photos you’ve shared from your kitchens. It’s a vibrant testament to the incredible community we’ve built together, and I encourage you all to take a look! Please, keep those amazing photos and stories coming – they truly brighten my day and fuel my passion for creating more delicious content.

Celebrating Milestones: Record Traffic and Viral Success

Reflecting on the past few months, December marked a truly phenomenal milestone for the blog. We achieved record-breaking traffic, shattering all previous records! This surge in readership was incredibly validating and exciting, a clear indication that our recipes and stories are resonating with more people than ever before. A significant part of this success was thanks to two particular videos that went viral on Facebook. Our mouth-watering Prime Rib video captured the attention of countless home cooks, showcasing the art of creating a perfect festive roast. Similarly, our delightful Divinity video spread holiday cheer, intriguing viewers with its unique confectionery charm. Witnessing these videos reach such a wide audience was undeniably a huge highlight of my holiday season and a testament to the power of shared culinary passion. Once again, it’s your engagement, your shares, and your enthusiasm that make this “job” of mine so incredibly fun and rewarding. Truly, without YOU, this vibrant corner of the internet wouldn’t be possible. Thank you for being the heart of Sweet and Savory by Shinee!

Here’s to an absolutely amazing and delicious 2018, filled with new adventures, cherished family moments, and countless delectable recipes to share! We’re so excited for what the rest of the year holds.