9 1/2 years ago, we welcomed our first baby into our family. It seems like such a long time ago, looking back. I remember specific moments with Jacob that I don’t remember with my three girls. There’s the first time he fell asleep in his high chair with a mouth and face full of food. My awe and surprise at the first time his chubby little hands reached out for a toy hanging on his infant carrier. My heart melted in an instant the first time his little voice repeated back the “I love you sweet baby” that I’d say to him every night as I put him down to sleep. He is my first, and as much as I do love my girls, Jacob will always have an extra special place in my heart because of that.
My dear blogging friend, Maria, and her husband Josh, are getting ready to welcome their first baby into their “pod”. A sweet little boy. I am so excited for Maria to experience all the firsts that a mom gets to experience. I won’t go on about the eye opening firsts that I remember as a new mom, but I will tell Maria that she is in for a joyous and exciting and sometimes challenging ride. Being a parent is something I feel so blessed to do (although if you would ask me on most days, I’m ready to pull my hair out because of the kids typically).
Maria – take lots of pictures, treasure the moments, and enjoy being a mama to your sweet new bundle. Congrats to you and Walter Dan Josh. From our family to yours, much love and happiness. I can’t wait to meet him!
Several bloggers have joined together for a surprise virtual baby shower for Maria and Josh. Check out the list of participants below the recipe! I hope you’ll take a minute to click around and visit some of the great blogs participating!
Recipe: Oven-baked Apples
- 4 tart apples, such as Fuji or Jonagold
- ½ cup brown sugar
- 4 Tablespoons butter
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Scoop out the core from top of the apple, leaving a well. Do not cut all the way through.
- Stuff each apple with 2 Tablespoons brown sugar and 1 Tablespoon butter.
- Place in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle with cinnamon.
- Bake in preheated oven for 15 minutes, until apples are tender.
Drinks
Simple Bites – Lemon Balm infused Lemonade
Ingredients, Inc. – Healthy Fruit Punch
Food for My Family – Lemongrass Soda
Heather’s Dish – Mixed Fruit Punch
She Wears Many Hats – Mini Pistachio Smoothies
Appetizers/Savory Bites
With Style and Grace – Truffle Popcorn
Family Fresh Cooking – Baby Peas & Cheese Frittata
Barbara Bakes – Creamy Orange Fruit Dip and Fruit
Aggie’s Kitchen – Pasta Salad with Balsamic Basil Vinaigrette
Reluctant Entertainer – Nutella Berry Bruschetta
Dessert
TidyMom – Blue and Chocolate Cake Balls
i am baker – Baby Pea Baby Shower Cake
Brown Eyed Baker – Pavlova
Picky Palate – Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Sandwich
What’s Gaby Cooking – Coconut Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Icing
Cookin’ Canuck – Nutella & Cream Cheese Swirled Blondies
Kevin and Amanda – Baby Blue Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookie Cups
Sweetopia – Decorated Sugar Cookies
Mountain Mama Cooks – Lavender Shortbread Cookies
Sweetapolita – Decorated Sugar Cookies
Bake at 350 – Petit Fours with fondant pea pods
RecipeGirl – Baby Button Cookies
RecipeBoy – Mud Cups with Gummy Worms
Add a Pinch – Blackberry Tartlets
Dine and Dish – Oven Baked Cinnamon Apples
Crafts
Wenderly – Handmade Sweet Pea Cards
Our Best Bites – How To: Make a Diaper Cake Centerpiece
Such a sweet post, Kristen! 🙂
This is just the best idea ever! Maria and Josh are so blessed to have friends like you and everyone else that participated.
Such a tender post Kristen. And it’s so true…indulge in every moment. It goes so. very. fast.
I just looooove this! HUGE congrats Maria, coming right at your face, dawlin’!
Baking butter, cinnamon and sugar in an apple can only mean good things!
Oh I love this idea Kristen!!! These sound like the perfect indulgence with out too much guilt
Thanks so much Kristen. I need all of the advice I can get:) You are all too too kind for throwing me a shower. What a fun surprise!!! Thank you for your friendship! Please come visit us soon-I would love for you to meet the little pea in person:) And Walter Dan says thanks too:)
Oven baked apples is one of my favorite desserts to make during the Fall.
How good do these look Kristen!! I love your post…I remember so much about my first baby, special moments about being a new mom. I remember singing my first lullaby and realizing I didn’t really know the words. First books, walks in the stroller…such precious memories. (sniff sniff)
Congrats Maria and Josh!
so FUN! congrats to the pod on their newest pea! the blogging community really never ceases to amaze.
Kristen, I love these! Your words are so sweet and sincere, and what a wonderful post! Love that last photo–so rustic and gorgeous.
Your post brought tears to my eyes. Yes, those firsts are absolutely amazing!
Delicious treat for the shower. Maria is blessed to have such lovely friends. Enjoyed this post.
What a perfect treat for fall. Thanks for the reminder of the falling to sleep in the high chair moment. Cute post!
What a lovely post, Kristen. Motherhood is definitely a roller coaster, but all the highs more than make up for any lows that may come along. These apples would be a wonderful dessert for my family.
My mom used to make me apples like these when it started to get cold. It was always such a special treat.
love this Kristen – you’re so right that Maria & Josh will have first memories they will never forget!
Kristin, a simple & delightful recipe to celebrate Maria, Josh and my upcoming favorite season….fall 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in on the fun. I agree with your thoughts and comments about the first born child…nothing like it. Precious. xo
What a beautiful post, Kristin! So much comfort & happy memories connected with cinnamon baked apples, makes me smile! Thanks for being apart of this special event, wouldn’t be the same without you! *hugs* xo
oooo these are making me hungry! I’m ready for fall and I’ve got apples on the brain!
What a sweet post! I too remember those sweet moments late at night with my first baby. And while so many fun moments lie ahead of that- I will always treasure those precious first few months. I love the apple post- maybe the very first of the season! I’m getting in the mood for fall 🙂
I’m starting to crave apples – can tell September is creeping in! These look so warm and yummy. A very lovely post for Maria & Josh.
My first baby is almost 20 now. So hard to believe. Love these apples and perfect for a shower or a party. I sure wish we could have all been together today in real life! xo
Brings back such memories – just delivered my first baby to college today….http://www.tinyurl.com/botcollege
Such a beautiful and heart-felt post, Kristen.
What gorgeous photography Kristen, and such a lovely, heart-felt post. Thank you for sharing!
This is a cute idea!
And, being the lover of babies that I am (had three of my own), I get so excited for first time moms. One of my favorite baby shower gift ideas is a big basket of all the small-ish, but really important things I couldn’t have lived without or really loved having when my kids were babies.
New moms don’t know much other than what they are told, so it’s fun to give them an ample supply of fun stuff to try. Great idea, and congrats to Maria and Josh!
This looks fabulous! Wonderful photos!
Aw, I love baked apples so much, and we’re entering into the prime season for them. You’ve got me all excited now!
These are a favorite of mine, Kristen! I wish I could say the same for my children. Perhaps this fall they will fall in love with the rustic charm of baked apples.
Beautiful post!
Ohh, YUM!!
I love baked apples!
Your recipe looks delicious. I just blogged on Baby Shower Etiquette, but did not discuss food to serve at the event. But I would recommend this recipe. Thanks
I love brown sugar with cinnamon combo. Sounds delicious.
Great post and some very good reciepes, especially the baked apples.
Summer is approacing in Europe, and we are getting ready for the barbecue season. Our kids favorite starter on the grill is “shrimps on a stick”. Its actually very easy to do, just shrimps combined with preferred vegetables and then medium done on the barbeque. This is a traditionally barbeque starter in Europe.
regards,
Lars
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