If you’ve read any of my articles this year, you know that we had a special little bun in the oven…. And she arrived safe and healthy and absolutely beautiful at the very end of July!


Pregnancy is so hard, but man is this little lady worth it. We just couldn’t love her any more than we do! And now we have 6 kids…. Which really hasn’t been bad! Except the laundry. Oh the mountains and mountains of laundry.


But I mean, come on. Look at that gorgeous smile. I guess I can handle some extra laundry ;).

As much as I love snuggling this little baby beauty, I have also really enjoyed being back in the kitchen. When I’m pregnant, cooking is just HARD. I have an issue with my left hip that makes standing almost unbearable most times. The idea of standing over a hot stove, doing dishes, and sometimes even pouring a bowl of cereal seems so overwhelming that I break down into actual tears.

Maybe absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I forgot how much I truly LOVE being in the kitchen. It’s actually fun making stuff when you’re not in excruciating pain the whole time ;).

My daughter celebrated her birthday just a week or so after I delivered my sweet baby. She is really into Harry Potter right now and her favorite color is red, so she was hoping I would make a cake that reflects that. I baked the cakes before the baby came and put them in the freezer, but did the decorating on her actual birthday- and I had so much fun! Fondant is not my strong point, but I’m quite pleased with how my cake turned out! (It’s the first picture in the article). And my daughter was thrilled.

I’ve also baked cakes for my husband’s and sister’s birthdays. My sister said she felt so bad that I was in the kitchen slaving away on a cake when I just had a baby- but I offered to do it because I truly enjoy it! I have so much fun baking cakes and trying different flavors.



Unfortunately, these cakes didn’t get to be super decorated- because I DO have a newborn who doesn’t always want to be put down long enough for Mommy to do stuff ;). I may or may not have frosted these cakes while holding her….. #momskills


I also made my first ever Chicken Pot Pie. How have I never made one before? So, so good. The crust was perfect and flaky and buttery and I just felt like a homemaking QUEEN. In all seriousness, there is a peace that comes into my heart when I am doing my best to create a wholesome, beautiful, peaceful home. And baking and cooking falls right into that.

I have missed being in the kitchen. Sure, some days I get flustered and it seems daunting, but most of the time, especially once I start- I LOVE being in the kitchen. I love trying new recipes, making old favorites, creating things that are delicious and pleasant to look at. After several months of pregnancy, I’m back in the kitchen and it feels so good!

I’d love to hear from you- what do you love to spend your time doing in the kitchen? Do you love baking cakes? Trying new recipes? Making sourdough bread? Are you the cookie queen in your neighborhood? I’d love to hear your kitchen joys in the comments below!

    Camille Hoffmann
    Monthly Newsletter Contributor since 2014
    Email the author! camille@dvo.com