Today is my 4 year blog anniversary.
On the one hand, it's hard to believe it's already been 4 years that I've been blogging. I mean...so much has happened. I've learned so many lessons on life and parenting and blogging and food. And I still have so much to learn.
I've also *eh hem* eaten A LOT of tasty food in the process.
On the other, it feels like I've always had this blog. That I've always been the Sweet Pea Chef.
Starting a food blog changed my life. Before A Sweet Pea Chef, I kept a lot inside and was very quiet and reserved. I even gave Dustin a hard time once when he suggested starting a blog to share pictures and updates of our then-baby Jordan with our family. That was after I asked him what a blog even was! Did I mention I've learned a lot these past 4 years?
But, then I started to share my love, passion, thoughts and, well, weirdness with the world. And you responded positively. I couldn't believe it. You asked for more and were interested and appreciative of what I had to say and share. It was so amazing.
Over the past 4 yeas, this blog has been both a blessing and a curse, depending on my attitude. At times, I have found myself chained to the routine at times and just posting to keep content going, not really doing it for myself. I hate those times. Those times make me not want to blog. Those times are when I'm tired or lazy or wanting something new and shiny (which I do every so often).
But the blog is always here. Waiting for me.
Before Hunter was born, Dustin and I had planned on me returning to work after my 8-10 week maternity leave. Neither of us was happy about it, but we knew it had to be. Life was different than it was when we first had Jordan.
Then, at 3 am on morning when Hunter was just barely 2 weeks old, I brought him into the emergency room for a 102.7 degree fever. I'd never been to the emergency room with my girls so this was very, very scary. It's funny how a mom of three can feel like a first time parent. The hospital thermometer read Hunter's temperature at 103 degrees. Not good for a 2 week old. The nurses explained they'd have to run a lot of tests to rule out everything since an infection in a newborn could spread fast. Words like "meningitis," "spinal tap," "get admitted," and "IV" were spoken. Blood was drawn. Urine was taken. An IV was inserted into my little baby's tiny hand.
Then came the spinal tap at 5:30 am after Hunter had been transferred via an ambulance to Dell Children's Hospital to run further tests. Dustin was now with me and we were both scared and worried about what might be wrong with our precious little boy for whom we had waited so long to meet.
We had been up all night. We were terrified, exhausted and confused. But, in the midst of all that, sitting in a hospital room looking, helplessly, as our baby boy lay on the sterile hospital bed, we both shared an epiphany: I should stay home. Who were we kidding here? Hunter needs me at home. Savannah and Jordan need me at home. I need me at home.
We agreed we had to find a way for me to stay home.
Fortunately, all the scary tests (and there were a ton of them!) came back negative. After a 3-day hospital stay, it turned out Hunter had a kidney infection for which we have had, and will continue to have, follow up appointments with a pediatric urologist to track him.
But that event solidified we were going to have me stay home. And I'm excited to announce we made it work and I am officially home for good now.
I am so excited to get back into this blog and all the passion I (and my family) have put into it. I'm ready and able to embrace the joy that is food and family and good times...again! While I enjoyed many parts of my recent job in the start-up tech world, I know my place is here with my family. With this blog. With you.
I can't tell you how great it's been to receive your comments and emails about how happy you are to have me back. Those are the best and I so appreciate your patience and support. It means so much to me.
This 4 year anniversary is an important milestone for ASPC. And it's only the beginning of more goodness to come. A re-beginning.
So, thanks again for everything. You guys are awesome and I'm so happy you're here with me.
Lacey
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