Shelby's Celebration in Nashville, TN

In my work as a baker, I'm so blessed to be a part of so many celebrations - birthdays, weddings, baby showers, thank you's  and 'just thinking about you's.  In many ways this cake, made in honor of Shelby Morgan Hercula was no different.....and yet it was different in every way.

This 3 tier cake pop cake, with its three shades of pink and 3 flavors, was made for a celebration of Shelby's short and cherished life.  Shelby was born and passed away just one week shy of her June due date.  There really aren't any words that I can write to capture her sweet parents unspeakable grief.      

In their sadness, her parents decided to do something unexpected to honor her and to share the sweet memories of the daughter they lost before they really had a chance to get to know....they decided to have a celebration of her life, for the many family and friends who had eagerly anticipated her birth, who loved her, and love her still.

Shelby's celebration was filled with all the things a little girl loves.  Lots of pink.  Balloons.  Flowers.  Candy.  Stuffed animals....and yes, cake:

Her family also decorated the room with the wisps of tiny memories of her, ultrasound pictures, decorations from her room and some beautiful portraits from a wonderful company her parents asked that I mention here:  Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep (NILMDTS).  NILMDTS is a non profit company that comes to hospitals and hospices to provide free photographs to parents who suffer the loss of an infant.  On the wall of the room where Shelby's Celebration was held, her parents hung a beautiful picture and tribute to her:

I know its hard to read due to the glare, but here is what it says:

I never got to hear you laugh, you never saw me cry.  I didn't get a chance to say "hello", you never said "goodbye."  I didn't think I could feel so sad, lost and forelorn.  I never knew God chose his Angels, before some of them were born.  

Your life was short yet special, I shared it all exclusively.  I felt you breathe, I felt you kick, you were alive inside of me.

Every Baby is an Angel and every Angel is divine.  God needed one in Heaven, he came down and took mine.  And although we are not together, we're not really apart, for you will always occupy a space, deep within my heart.  

Time has begun to ease my pain. It's only some days now I cry when I think I wish I could have said "hello" and heard you say "goodbye"

Please keep this sweet family in your thought and prayers as they journey through difficult days and weeks ahead....

Kenzie's Mended heart Cake Pops

The Story behind these cake pops, with their pretty swirls and mended hearts, is by far much sweeter than the cake pops themselves.....for its the story of faith, love, friendship, family and healing.....its the story of Kenzie's Mended Heart.

A year ago February, my sweet friend Alicia gave birth to their second daughter Kenzie.  Unknown to them, to all, in fact, was that she was born with a life threatening heart condition.   Thankfully, the condition could be surgically repaired, but, the surgery could not take place until baby Kenzie was about 7 months old.

All you moms and dads out there can appreciate what the next few months (waiting) were like for my friend and her family.  In fact, I'm not sure that my friend Alicia slept much in those months.  During that time they were surrounded by a host of family and friends who fed them, loved them and most importantly prayed for them and for Kenzie.

In July of last year, Kenzie had her surgery at Vanderbilt, right here in Nashville.  It was a success!!  I wish I had her picture to post here.....she's now a chubby, precious 1 year old with adorable blonde curls and a completely infectious smile.  To celebrate, her family held a party to thank all the friends and family who stood by them during the past year.  I was honored to make a few (o.k. 100) cake pops for the event.  When Alicia contacted me, she said she pictured  "hearts with a band-aide".  I have to admit, I had my doubts about pulling it off....but I love how they turned out.  When I delivered them she said they were exactly as she had them pictured in her head......(you really couldn't have given me higher praise, my friend).