BEYOND THE OVEN: A BUN IN THE OVEN
It’s about time I let the cat out of the bag! We are expecting … a BABY!! The hubs and I are so thrilled and can’t even begin to express how lucky and blessed we feel.
Being our first baby, we decided to keep the news under wraps for a while with only a few close friends and family knowing. And of course being an African (read: severely superstitious), I was just nervous to let it out to the world given that everything was going so well. But I couldn’t hold in the happy news any longer and just have to share with you!
This may explain why things have been slow/ chaotic/ all over the place around here. Hope you can forgive me for that :). I am still wrapping my head around all the changes coming my way!! With trying to finish up my PhD, moving into a new house and keeping up with exhaustion, it’s just been a ride!! But thankfully, we are all settled into our new place and I can finally start preparing for baby.
OK a few baby details for those of you that might be interested:
How far along: 27 weeks. Almost onto the third trimester!! Due August 2nd.
Gender: IT’S A BOY!!
Morning sickness: No. I was lucky and blessed to have no early pregnancy symptoms. I think I only puked once but that was from over-eating!!
Total weight gain: ~15 pounds (I think!)
Sleep: It’s a constant struggle. This may be my only pain point. Some days are better, others just not happening. Thus why I am constantly tired.
Cravings: Anything sweet. I am not usually a sweet person (shocking I know) but once I started the second trimester, all I want is sweet carbs. Cinnamon rolls, donuts, cookies, you name it. I need to stop. And obviously the weight gain is not a surprise.
Emotions: Mostly happy but I get a burst of panic from time to time about how I am going to do it all!
Belly Button: On it’s way out.
As always, THANK YOU for being the best and always checking in on this blog! I heart you and will continue to create scrumptious recipes for us all 🙂
MAJOR congratulations!!!!
Thank you 🙂
OMIGOSH OMIGOSH OMIGOSH!!!!
AHHHHHH!!!!!!
I AM SO HAPPY FOR YOU! CONGRATULATIONS!!! You look adorable–those maternity photos are the cutest–and you’re gonna be such an amazing mom to that little boy! I’m sooooooo excited!
Ahhhh!! Thank you dear!!! You are the best!!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is wonderful news!!! I have to admit: I suspected! You look wonderful and I am so glad that you are feeling relatively good!! When is your due date?
Hahha I figured!! I’ve been MIA recently lol! Due date is Aug 2nd!
Many many congratulations! I am so happy for you. Being a mother of two boys I can say it is an exciting adventure! xo
Thanks Jamie!! I can only imagine how much fun (and work!) two boys are!
Congratulations! That’s so exciting!
Thanks Ashley!!
Such cute pictures! Congratulations, Zainab 🙂 So happy for you. I never knew you were not a huge fan of sweets. I don’t eat sweets nearly as much as I used to … and yet, we’re both dessert bloggers. Go figure 🙂
Hahha I am a savory person but love baking and decorating! That’s how I got started 🙂
Congratulations Zainab. Wishing you and your hubby all the best. Your bump is so cute xx
Thanks Chichi!! I’m getting used to the bump lol!
Omg congrats!! How exciting! You look great!
Thanks Julia!
EEEEKKKK! I’m so excited and happy for you. This is awesome news! And you look absolutely fantastic! XOXOXOXOXO!
Thank you Liz!
WHAT?! I am SO SO SO HAPPY FOR YOU!! Doing cartwheels actually. You are THE BEST SECRET KEEPER EVER. I can’t believe I had NO IDEA when I saw you in Feb!! Crazy.
Awww thanks!! Was going to spill then but we were all so busy running around lol!
Aaaah! Congrats little mama! So excited for you. xo
Thanks Heather 🙂
You are the cutest preggers lady ever!!! I am beyond excited by the news, and can’t wait to meet your bundle of joy!!!
Thanks Joc!
Oh my gosh, you look so adorable pregnant and I’m beyond excited for you! Being a parent is a crazy ride, but if it weren’t terribly rewarding none of us would do it. 🙂 You are going to be the best mom ever — congrats to both of you!
Hahha thanks Marcie! And you are right…I figured there had to be a great reward otherwise we won’t still all be having babies lol!
Yay! I’ve been waiting for this post! Of course, absolutely love the pics. You guys are so sweet. Can’t wait to meet the new addition to your family 🙂
Awww! you will meet him soon 🙂 Now you have reason to come home more!!
So, SO very excited for you, friend! And can I just say you have THE MOST ADORABLE bump in the world? Because you do. Congrats! xo
You are the best!!!
I totally got teary eyed seeing your picture! You look fabulous and I couldn’t be happier for you and your husband! Congratulations!
AWWW Thanks Nancy!!
This is such exciting news! Many congrats to you and hubby!
Thanks Jen!
SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!!!! NO WAYYY! AHHH THIS IS SO EXCITING, CONGRATULATIONS!
Hahha thanks Meriem!!
Z, you know how happy I am for you, momma!!! LOVE the photos .. you look so beautiful!!!! I can’t wait for you to experience motherhood . . your life will ever be the same. . it will be better. 🙂 love you!
Thanks dear!! I am super excited too!! xoxo
Yay!! Congrats again Z! So so happy for you and J 🙂 You are glowing and look so beautiful! I am beyond excited for you guys and I know you will be such an amazing mama!! Love this post! xo
Thanks Kelly!!
Awwww…. a huge congratulations to you and your hubby! What an exciting time in your life right now!! Your baby boy is going to have some awesome parents! He’s also going to be receiving some awesome birthday cakes by his baker mama!!
Ahhhh thanks Renee!! And YES birthday cakes are going to be an event 🙂
HOORAY!!!! I am so happy for you and Mr. J, and SO happy that the cat’s finally outta the bag! Woo-hoo! You two are going to make the most amazing parents! You are positively beaming in that pic. So thrilled for you- CONGRATULATIONS!
Hahha thanks dear!!
Congratulations, Zainab!!!!!!!!!!!! 😀 😀 😀
OMG you look so cute and beautiful! Eeek how exciting…send good vibes your way~~
I can’t wait for August to come and of course I can’t wait to find out the baby’s name! ^_^
*HUGS*
xo,
Tammy<3
Thanks Tammy!!!
I can’t believe I almost missed this post… ah I am SO excited and happy for you. Having a baby is the best and from my experience with a baby boy, it’s amazing:-) We didn’t have a baby shower or really get much/accept gifts before L was born so I was nervous about having everything but it all really works out. Plus, you have SO much more of an idea of what you need once life with a baby starts so don’t worry if not everything is done before he is born.
Ah congrats, friend!!
hahha thanks Lauren! You have been so helpful without even knowing it 🙂 And I will stress less knowing that it will all work out!!
Zainab – Congratulations!!! How exciting 🙂 Having a baby is one of those decisions in life where you have throw timing out the window. Each time I got pregnant my husband and I were in the middle of major life changes (moving, starting a new job, building a house, etc.). Everything fades to the background when your beautiful child is in your arms. I’m so excited for you and your husband! Wishing you a pregnancy and delivery full of health and ease!
Thank you Aida!! I keep hearing this and can’t wait!!
congratulations!! so exciting! 🙂
Thanks Sarah!! Hope the move is coming along 😉
Huge congratulations!!!! So exciting 🙂
Thanks Annie!!
CONGRATS!!!!!
Thanks dear!
Massive congratulations!!!! I’m so happy for you!!
THANK YOU 🙂
Aw look at you! This is so exciting, Zainab! I’m so excited for you and your family. A tiny little baby blahnik baker! Haha 🙂 Congratulations!!
Thanks Beth!!
Zainab, this is the best, best, BEST news I’ve heard in a while. I’m so happy for you!! I love the photos with the little baby shoes!! I can’t wait to see pics of your cute little boy when he comes! I’ve been having baby fever and I’m going to have to live vicariously through you for a bit! Eek!! I’m so excited!!
Please…I can get mama advice from you in exchange lol!
I can’t believe you kept the secret for SO long!! Congrats – you look gorgeous
hahha I know…it was hard!! Thanks 😉
HUZZAH!!!!!!!!! OMG I AM SOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU GUYS! And I hope that our little dudes will be virtual food buddies, too 🙂 This seriously makes me so happy. And you look absolutely radiant!
Yay!! And I know…they have to be buddies!!
I am just catching up on my blogs and needed to find this post. I am so happy for you and your Mr. J. And happy that you are doing so well. Oh my August will come so soon. Enjoy every moment; the chaos won’t go away. If you have any questions just ask. Congratulations!!!
Thanks Emily!! I will be bothering you soon with questions. Miss Olivia is so beautiful!!
I have no idea how I missed this announcement on your blog! I just wanted to say congratulations again. I am so excited for you!
Thanks Ashley!!
So, I was going through you Fashion Friday post and feel so bad for missing this announcement!! A HUGGE congrats to you and your husband!! You look great, Zainab!!
Oh thanks Lisa 🙂
I can feel your excitement. Congratulations!
Thanks dear!!
Congratulations, so happy for you. You look beautiful!
Thank you Patricia!!
Congratulations!! from the Netherlands,
Groetjes Carla
Thanks Carla!
Oh my goodness, Zainab! I am soooooooo happy for you! As I read this, I just started to cry…….I love how you wrote every word! Baby announcements are all so precious! I know that your precious little blessing has made you and your husband very, very happy, but he has made a lot of your devotees very happy too! Looking forward to reading all your joy as his tiny little life progresses along…. Can’t wait for August. God’s blessings to the 3 of you. Enjoy every moment!
Oh Toni thank you very much!! We are so excited and can’t wait to meet our little guy!!
Awww, congratulations to you. I look forward to your posts of your growing baby bump. My daughter is also expecting a boy in August as well. Stay beautiful, loved and blessed!
Thank you!! Hope your daughter is doing great too 🙂