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22 Weeks

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry4 Comments

How far along are you? 22 weeks 3 days (it took me this long to realize my due date is actually March 1st and not March 2nd?! Thanks to my doctor for clearing that one up!)Cravings? Honestly? Nothing significant that I can really even call a craving. My sweet tooth has come back a bit lately, but that can usually be satisfied with a piece of chocolate at the end of the day. Other than that, I’m feeling and eating pretty … Read More

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Life Online: When My Motivations Are Ugly

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry27 Comments

Last weekend I did something a little bit crazy: I started working on crafting our Christmas cards. In October. We took our photos incredibly early this year because, after years of taking our photos in the freezing cold of mid-November, I promised myself last year that we would take the photos when it was still warm and pretty outside for a more pleasant experience. And because Joe got braces last week, he preferred to have the photos taken before his … Read More

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Quick Weeknight Pastitsio

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry4 Comments

Even as someone who cooks and develops recipes for a living, the question of what to have for dinner frequently leaves me a little bit weary. I love cooking when I have plenty of time to plan and prepare, but the weeknight routine of figuring out what to eat serves more as a stressor than a stress reliever. Usually dinner is sandwiched in between after-work plans and trips to the gym and by the time it’s actually mealtime, I just … Read More

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Splurge v. Save: Maternity Fashion

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry5 Comments

When I was first pregnant, I spent a lot of time trying to figure out how I was going to maintain my personal style while dressing the ever-expanding bump. I soon found that there were a few high-end maternity brands, like Hatch Collection, that matched my personal style quite well. However, the price-tag for said brands was a little hard to swallow. After saving my money, I splurged on buying a Hatch Collection dress, the Afternoon Dress pictured below. I … Read More

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Grace in Our Weakness

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry16 Comments

For a while I got into a really good rhythm of writing authentically, saying what I was really thinking and feeling and processing. And then, a handful a months ago, I fell out of that rhythm for one reason or another. It’s not that I’m intentionally keeping anything from this site or not saying what I mean to say, but the truth is that this pregnancy has been all-consuming. The rocky beginning that shook us to the core, the desperate … Read More

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21 Weeks

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry4 Comments

How far along are you? 21 weeks 1 day Cravings? Orange juice, milk and pizza. Although I can’t say any of my cravings have been super strong except the orange juice, which is strange since I never drank or craved orange juice or milk before this pregnancy. Now I drink both every day! Pizza, on the other hand, I’m trying to limit to once a week!Weight Gain: I don’t have another doctor’s appointment until next week, so I have no idea!  Perhaps 15 pounds?Fears: This is … Read More

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Loaded Chocolate Chip Cookie Bites | Espresso and Cream

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry1 Comment

How was your weekend, friends? Joe and I had the best weekend with absolutely no plans on the schedule. After traveling or being crazy busy for the last month, this was the first weekend that we had a chance to hang around the house with no actual plans. It was glorious. We did a big deep “fall clean” of the house on Saturday morning, tossing and throwing things away and sorting. Please tell me I’m not the only person who … Read More

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Wearing Pink with Skechers

In Fashion, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry3 Comments

My family, like a lot of families, has been touched deeply by cancer. I don’t think I’ve ever really mentioned it on this site, but when I was in middle school I lost my grandmother to bone cancer and a few years later my dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Thankfully, my dad is many years post-surgery and cancer-free. Skin cancer also runs in my family and I have an aunt who had breast cancer, and all there really is … Read More

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20 Weeks

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry10 Comments

How far along are you? 20 weeks 1 day Cravings? Lately food has really sounded unappealing to me and my appetite seems to either be raging or completely non-existent. It’s strange to fluctuate between the two! Pizza always sounds good, but I’ve been limiting my pizza consumption to once a week and opting for veggies, fruit, whole grains, protein and dairy instead. I’m pretty thankful not to have many cravings, since it means I can eat like my usual self. Sweet still sound … Read More

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Food Should Taste Good Party {and Guacamole}

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry1 Comment

Today marks the final installment of my partnership with Food Should Taste Good. It’s been so fun to have an extra reason to host and entertain friends while serving really delicious chips. But then again, I love any reason to have people over and eat a meal together. We had our church group over last night for Mexican night. Although entertaining on weeknights after a busy work day used to stress me out, I’ve implemented a few simple strategies that make it … Read More

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19 Weeks

In Pregnancy, Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry10 Comments

How far along are you?  19 weeks 1 day Generally Feeling: I’m continuing to battle headaches quite regularly, but other than that I’ve been feeling really good. I still find that I’m tired at the end of the day more easily than before I was pregnant, but nothing too extreme. Showing? Yes! I’m convinced I’m not going to ever get a huge pregnancy belly because I’m on the taller side, but perhaps I’ll be laughing about this when I’m 35 weeks along and huge?! … Read More

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On Turning 27

In Uncategorized by Madison Mayberry13 Comments

Yesterday I turned 27. I’ll admit that for the first 10 minutes of my birthday I totally forgot how old I was. I looked into the mirror in the bathroom and thought to myself, “I think I’m really going to like 28” only to realize a few minutes later that I was actually 27. I guess it takes the sting off getting older when you’re prematurely aging yourself! I’ve always taken the opportunity on my birthday to look back on … Read More