I find it only fitting that the last Piece of Cake post for 2019 is number 20. Taking us into the new year, and new decade.
There has been a whole lot that has happened over this year. Sometimes it’s actually hard to believe everything that’s taken place in 2019.
So rather than my usual one month update, I’m giving you a whole year in review.
Here we go. I Only Came for the Cake’s 2019 review.
Piece of Cake: 2019 Review
Quarter 1: January – March
I’ll be honest. This first quarter of the year wasn’t all that exciting.
I had lost my job at the beginning of December 2018 and was on the hunt for something new.
We were also in our last few rounds of IUI. A process to help us get pregnant, that hadn’t been working.
The month February I became a certified nutrition and wellness coach. It was a 6 month coarse that I crammed into one month. I was so proud of myself for this accomplishment, and set out to create an intuitive eating program.
March brought on our last failed IUI and a huge decision about whether or not to start IVF.
Quarter 2: April – June
Now this quarter, this is where all the excitement started to happen.
I had completed all the content for the mindful eating program and had started recording a lot of the video modules that would take someone through the whole program.
We also made the leap into the IVF world. One that was honestly pretty terrifying, but exciting at the same time.
I was honestly so worried because I was still jobless when we made this decision. But my doctor told me this actually is probably perfect timing. It meant less time off work for the multitude of doctor’s appointments I was about to embark on. Plus more time to relax.
I took a huge step back from working out during this time period. Lots of walking and only four days of moderate exercise a week. Plus an attempt at putting on weight. Quite a change for me!
In May I accepted a new job at an agriculture focused marketing agency. I never anticipated that this would be my path in life, but I’m so grateful God has lead me here.
June was quite possibly the most exciting month of our entire lives!
We went through the entire process of IVF. Egg retrieval went extremely well. They retrieved 36 eggs…which has to be some sort of record. 12 were fertilized and frozen.
On June 3rd we transferred one embryo and waited to see if it stuck.
I’ll honestly never forget the phone call I received from my doctor 10 days later.
I was standing in an empty conference room at work, heart pounding, preparing for the best and worst at the same time. Tears started flowing down my face the instant my doctor told me we were pregnant!
Tears still come to my eyes when I think about this moment. It was hard to believe that I was already four weeks pregnant at the time. My gratitude was overflowing.
We told our parents that weekend as a surprise over Father’s Day weekend. It was such a special moment. One I’ll never, ever forget.
Quarter 3: July – September
In July we announced our pregnancy to everyone else. A moment I had honestly dreamed of doing for over two years.
I’m not going to lie, I had a pretty easy first trimester. I was able to keep up with my workouts. Had very little nausea, and overall pretty decent energy levels.
Which was a good thing, because in July we decided to put our house up for sale and move!
We stayed in the Madison area, but moved from the west side to the east side. Even though I was three months pregnant, it was the best decision for our family.
With the help of my mom and some pretty amazing movers, we closed on both houses in one day and started getting settled in.
I took a break from the blog during this time to just get settled into my new job, focus on pregnancy and packing up our house.
In August I also celebrated my 30th birthday. Burken was traveling for work, so my mom, dad, godmother, uncle, grandma and grandpa all came up and surprised me that night.
Knowing our little baby was growing in my belly was quite possibly the best birthday present I could have received. But I’m so glad I also got to spend it with some pretty incredible people.
Quarter 4: October – December
October was a very exciting month because we found out the gender of baby Burken. We’re having a girl!
We did an intimate gender reveal party with our parents and siblings and both my grandparents.
The majority of the group had guessed that we were having a boy, so everyone was stunned when they bit into their cupcakes to reveal pink frosting.
I also *finally* launched Piece of Mind. Remember back in quarter 1 where I said I had completed becoming a certified nutrition and wellness coach? And then when I said I had all of the content completed for the actual program?
Yea, I put things off for awhile. I mean, obviously there was a lot of stuff going on, and I was honestly feeling a bit scared to launch.
These past few months have brought changes to the program, and I’ve officially turned it into a membership experience where you can learn to ditch your diet, and all the negative feelings that typically come with being on a diet. Oh, and actually still lose weight during the process.
This quarter has also brought on the start of the third trimester and prepping for baby.
I’m moving a lot slower in my workouts, but it still feels amazing to keep up with them.
We also celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas with both of our families. Something I can’t wait to do next year with our little girl!
Piece of Cake: 2020 Here We Come!
This year I’ve actually decided to write down some goals. Not resolutions, but goals I’d like to accomplish in the year 2020.
Some of them are lofty, and some of them are easy. But all of them are reasons to kick off 2020 as one of the best decades yet!
Here are just a few of them:
- Give birth to a healthy and happy baby girl
- Go on a trip with Burken to New York, San Diego or somewhere tropical
- Run a half marathon
- Help at least 25 women become more confident in their food, body and mind with Piece of Mind Squad
- Give gratitude every single day
Piece of Cake: What You Loved in 2019
It wouldn’t be the end of this Piece of Cake post if not for including what you loved the most in the year 2019.
It comes as no surprise to me that the top two most viewed posts are:
Peach Upside Down Cake and Six Best HIIT Workouts Under 20 Minutes.
It’s kind of funny, because both of these posts were sort of done on a whim. I made the cake for an Easter brunch we were hosting at our house. Last minute I decided to take some pictures and post it on the blog. Who knew it would be such a crazy hit?
Speaking of HIIT. This workout post was another one I decided to just throw in last minute. I think it was actually the start of taking my blog in the direction of health and wellness. To include not only healthy treats, but also workouts and mindset related posts.
The others in the top five?
Walnut Pie Crust, Healthy Pumpkin Spice Cake Pops and Gluten Free Rhubarb Cheesecake Bars.
I’m honestly a bit surprised about the walnut pie crust making it into the top five. But the others are absolutely to die for, and are must-makes in 2020.
Thank You!
I just have to say one final thank you in 2019.
Thank you for being here these past two years through the blog. When I started it back in 2017 it was just a fun way to write about the healthy recipes I enjoyed making and taking some pictures.
I’ve learned so much, and my writing and photography skills have improved along with it.
But {cliche moment coming atcha} it all wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for you all. Coming here and reading these posts. Getting to know me and my, now, growing family.
There will be so much more to share in 2020 and beyond, so I hope you’ll stick around for it all!
If you’re not already a subscriber, make sure to get on the list so you can stay up-to-date on all things healthy eats, mindsets and of course baby girl Burken when she makes her arrival in February.
Cheers to 2020!
