As soon as I saw this type poster from Mochatini on pinterest I knew this was my motto for 2013 {although I would say "I'm Going to Make it Happen" as I'm a bit kooky about grammatics}. But, sadly I can't move forward with any of my plans just yet as the flu has invaded our house. Our 6 year old daughter tested positive for the flu yesterday and hubby came home from work with it as well. And, now I have it myself. I'm just praying we can keep it away from our 15 week old daughter. I have big plans and ideas for both my blog and BestWeddingSites.com this year and I cannot wait to share more details. But, for now - I'd like to ask all my visiting brides to share with me what frustrates you the most when it comes to planning your wedding? I want to hear what's driving you crazy {or did drive you crazy} as you plan for your dream day. Your feedback will help me to know which of these problems I can help solve for you in the future.

As we finish out the first week of the new year {which I hope was an amazing one for all of my readers}, I have some great things to share with you - from saving money on your wedding favors to starting a new business and more - let's make 2013 a great one.

A new year means a new you! Now is the perfect time to launch your own business {or side business} and join Stella & Dot's growing team of Independent Stylists! Stella & Dot creates flexible, work from home business opportunities for entrepreneurial women. Create the success you deserve. And for a limited time, Stylists who sign up between now and January 31st will receive an extra $100 in product credit for a fabulous start to launching their own business.

I LOVE today's Pick Your Plum deal. You can receive push pops for 53% off - and they even have a tray available {which I'll be ordering as I already have the push up pops from Courtney of Pizzazzerie's book signing}. Don't forget that you can find Courtney's Push-up Pops book here for lots of creative and fun food presentation ideas.

Thru Sunday January 6th, you can shop at Little Things Favors and receive 10% off any size order with code Resolution10 at checkout.

Shabby Apple is having a site-wide sale - yes, everything is on sale. And, the best news? The sale is on sale! Simply use code NewYears to save an extra 20% off of the site-wide sale prices.

And, now for a quick little round-up of the week . . .

Here's the Top 5 Posts that were re-pinned this week {counting down to number 1}:
5. Pink and Gold Wedding Inspiration Board
4. BHLD's winter wedding gown collection 
3. Strawberry Cupcakes in Mason Jars
2. Gluten Free Apple Raisin Muffins + Recipe
1. Red and Black Wedding Inspiration Board

Lastly, here's the posts from this week in case you might have missed any:
- Mad Men Inspired Wedding
- Couture Wedding Dresses by Yumi Katsura
- Host a Hot Chocolate Party for a Bridal Shower
- Glittery Black and Silver Wedding {perfect for New Year's}

* This post contains links to proud affiliates of Brenda's Wedding Blog

As many of you know I've been taking a short maternity leave as my hubby and I added a baby girl to our family. Thank you soooo much for your words of support!! They really mean a lot to me, my husband and our daughter . . . well actually it's now daughters :)

The time away has allowed me to reflect on my business . . . and I want to find some new ways I can help you.

So there's one thing I really want to know . . . What's driving you crazy in the wedding business?

It doesn't matter if you're a bride or a groom. A wedding photographer, planner, stationery designer, baker, DJ, venue owner, etc. Whoever you are, and whatever you're doing, I want to know, what are you struggling with?

In 11 years of running this site, I've seen many challenging situations and I've come up with a lot of creative solutions. Maybe I can use my knowledge and experience to help you solve your most frustrating problems.

If you could leave me a comment below, with the most frustrating thing you're dealing with right now, I promise I'll do my best to help you find a solution to it.

Please note that since I recently had a baby - the latest giveaway has been extended for another week. So please be sure to enter to win either a beaded handle brooch bouquet or a $75 gift certificate to Eight Tree Street.

Coming Up tomorrow on the blog - The Wednesday Wedding Accessory PLUS a real wedding {each Wednesday this month will feature a lovely couple's wedding}.

Yesterday I made the announcement of my baby girl arriving and today I wanted to share the labor and delivery story with you. On Thursday September 20th I knew I didn't quite feel right. I was having irregular contractions {braxton hicks}, but they were quite strong and I needed to breathe thru them. I was finishing up a huge etsy shop order for 133 hand-painted escort cards and 22 table cards and got them all packed up to ship. My mom ended up bringing my daughter to ballet as I could barely walk {due to pubic symphysis being super bad that day} and she took the package for me to ship. Ballet started at 4 pm and my contractions started coming every 20 minutes from that point on. {I think my body knew the huge project was now completed}. I called my midwife's office to let them know it looked like it might be that night. After dinner they were getting stronger so my doula recommended that if my parents could take our daughter it would probably be best. I took a bath while hubby brought daughter to my parents. They continually stayed at 20 minutes all night long - I even slept in my make-up thinking we'd be heading to the hospital {yes, I'm one to never leave the house without some makeup on LOL}. That morning I called the midwife's office and they wanted me to come earlier than my scheduled appointment. I found out I was nearly 3 cm dilated and was sent home with a prescription for 2 sleeping pills that would help me get some rest that afternoon in preparation for the big event. The midwife I saw was certain we would be meeting our girl that night or on Saturday.

I ended up being able to sleep for a few hours and the contractions kicked into high gear at 5 pm and became about 8 minutes apart. Hubby and I ate an early dinner and around 7 pm I called my doula. She was going to head down to our house to help me out as the back labor had started and I couldn't move during the contractions. I was prepared for the back labor as the baby was posterior {all limbs forward} but was told that very often the baby will change to the optimal position during labor. At 8 pm I knew I had to head into the hospital {the key here is to always listen to your body - you may not necessarily get to the 5 minute apart contractions they always tell you about}. We called our doula to meet us at the hospital and we let our midwife know we were on our way. Well, just before getting to the hospital I suddenly said "Oh Shit!!!!!!" {and I never swear so my hubby knew it was something serious}. My water had BROKEN!!!!!! I never imagined that would happen as with my first I was fully dilated and had to have it broken. Hubby pulled up to the front door and ran in for a wheel chair - I know it wasn't, but it seemed like an eternity before the nurse appeared with one. I had gone in with a birth plan and expected to labor in the birthing tub - but that room wasn't ready when I got there. But, turns out baby had other plans - so my best advice is . . . go in with a birth plan, but also go in with an open mind and be ok with any change in plans. Once I was wheeled into another room {hubby was parking the car at this time} I started involuntarily pushing and the nurse could tell I was doing this. She wanted to get me to the bed ASAP. When hubby came in the room he asked if I could get an epidural or something - but come to find out - the baby was already on her way. I know it sounds crazy {as I had even said this to my husband the night before}, but I ended up delivering on the bed on my hands and knees. Once I got there, it was the only position I could get myself into. {I had read how another lady with pubic symphysis delivered this way to prevent further damage and guess what - it WORKS!!!!!}. When I started pushing - our doula and midwife hadn't even arrived yet. They arrived about 5-10 minutes later. We checked into the hospital at 8:35 pm and our little girl arrived at 9:07 pm. We made it just in time!!!!! And, the most amazing part of the delivery was when my little girl was passed to me and I got to hold her right away. I'll never forget that moment. I'll also never forget being able to go home together as a family of 4 from the hospital as I was discharged after hubby picked our daughter up from kindergarten. We are very blessed to have two super sweet girls in our lives.

I'm so excited to share this news with all my readers today. On Friday September 21st, my husband and I welcomed our 2nd baby girl into our family. Despite 29 hours of labor and barely making it to the hospital in enough time, we have a precious little one that we are totally in love with. Our 5 1/2 year old daughter is having a bit of a hard time adjusting, but she is loving her sister more and more each day. Yesterday she read her little sister five stories - it's just so cute seeing the baby watch her bigger sister. I'm certain they are going to have so much fun together :)

As I'm still recovering and taking it easy, I have been rather quiet online lately. If you have emailed recently, please know that I will be doing my best to reply as soon as possible. And, a thank you to all those that have checked in with me online and via email to see how I was doing. Your love and caring mean so much to me.

PS: if you want to hear about the labor and delivery, please let me know as it was nothing at all like my first {which was actually only 13 hrs of labor}. It's one for the story books.