Diaper Cake

As the hostess of a friend's baby shower next Saturday, I decided that the gift of a diaper cake would not only be practical, but useful as decor at the shower.  This gal is all about black and white chic, so after a little brainstorming and 100+ diapers later, I made my very first diaper cake!

 

Diapers (size 2), glue gun, rubber bands, ribbons, cardboard cutout, fabric, cardboard roll from wrapping paper - All ready to go!

 

 Roll the diapers up and secure with a rubber band (vs. tape).  This helps the happy couple save on diapers as they'll be able to reuse from the cake!

A sneaky trick is filling the center with a blanket, onesie, etc... so that it reduces the number of diapers you'll need to use.  I decided to make an 18" diameter cake, so I still ended up using over 100 diapers.  I cut out a circle from an old cardboard box and wrapped it with black fabric with grey treble clefs on it since her son is named after a musician.  The wrapping paper tube was my way of ensuring that the layers wouldn't topple off during transportation.  It was easy to stuff the center with a diaper to hide it from the top view.  I used string to tie all the diapers together before wrapping the ribbons around and securing them with a glue gun.

 Voila!  Topped with her love of stuffed elephants and a pair of black and white chucks, the cake is complete!  I think I might add a black mustache in the front since it is a mustache and bowtie themed shower - that's TBD!

Stay tuned for the rest of my shower decorations next week!

Gary & Lillian

My baby brother tied the knot this weekend!  It was such a wonderful celebration that encapsulated both of their quirky personalities.  Everyone who knows Gary can attest to the fact that he is the most caring, genuinely kindhearted, patient, responsible, and hard working person they know.  Growing up, he was the one who would sit next to me for hours while I fought off a stomach ache and the one who would let me pinch his cheeks until they got droopy (I know, I am so mean).  As an adult, he is my voice of reason and an inspiration.  I am so happy that he has found his lifelong partner in Lillian. 

 A rare photo opportunity with both grandmas

The proud parents

Here comes the bride!

My brother joyfully receiving his bride

It's official!

My brother gave one of the best speeches of all time, tastefully roasting his younger brother creating a room full of laughter

J and I trying to be creative with our photos

Weekend Recap

This past weekend, we hosted a carrot themed pot-luck.  Similar to Top Chef, the secret ingredient was carrot and each person had to incorporate carrots into their pre-assigned dishes.  I was so impressed by how creative everyone was!  Our menu featured:

- Curried carrot soup
- Beef shank and carrot soup
- Rice balls
- Chicken pot pie
- Lasagna
- Carrot Cake

Next secret ingredient: BACON!

My youngest brother is also getting married this Saturday!!  Here we are at his rehearsal!

A Confession and A Realization

There is something that has been weighing heavily on my heart for a few months now that I have not really shared with anyone, but I feel compelled to put it in writing tonight.  So, here goes...

I have always heard from others that their wedding day was one of the best days of their lives, that everything was perfect and exactly how they dreamed it would be.  Unlike many girls, I actually didn't have an idea of what my dream wedding would look like.  All I knew was that I wanted my wedding to be unique to my husband and I and be a stress free celebration surrounded by those who loved the both of us.  I feel so much guilt confessing this, but truth be told, I am holding onto a lot of disappointments from that day.

I wish that I could have had the tea ceremony to celebrate my parents and grandmothers, that we could have personalized our wedding with the musical performance that I have always dreamed of, that my now father in law did not announce his grandson's birthday during his speech, that the corner table did not get so drunk and roudy, that a last minute guest did not pick up his phone and proceed to have a conversation during our ceremony, ah the list goes on.  For 3 months now, I have been torturing myself with what could have been.

But then, as I look through the pictures my friends took of the day, there is one thing that stands out.  Even in the background, without knowing that they would be captured in the photos, my friends and family were all smiling and celebrating us!  I was so clouded by my disappointments that I failed to see that I was surrounded by love; by people who were genuinely happy for us, and that is what truly matters to me at the end of the day. 

There is one particular photo that fills me with joy.  My cousin sent this panoramic photo to me.  It was when I made my first appearance toward the altar coming down the stairs with my Dad.

As I scanned the photo, I noticed one person in particular who was beaming with joy...

My Mom...

I finally resonate with the old saying "A picture is worth a thousand words".  I am truly blessed.

Good-bye 2013, Hello 2014

Reflecting on 2013

This year, I hope to take more photos to capture those fleeting moments I don't seem to appreciate enough of.  To seize opportunities to give back more both with my time and my resources.  To make time to read more books.  To live more in the present and in reality.  To invest more in those who matter.  To try harder to maintain a heart of gratitude.  To make each day count.  And to grow closer to Him.