Last bump update! I can't believe the time is here (well....almost- the two week countdown starts Sunday). Now that my pregnancy is nearing the end, I wanted to post a little about how baking in the third trimester was for me, what will happen now, and what will happen after baby.
Photos done by the amazing Kelsey Jean Photography
Baking in the third trimester wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. Sure....bending over is getting to be quite the challenge (trying to remember to squat instead) and sometimes when you drop something you really contemplate whether or not it's worth picking up. I did develop carpal tunnel syndrome due to pregnancy which has made things a bit painful and difficult, but knowing that it will eventually go away has made me just push through it. Overall, I've been very lucky to have good energy and been able to power through the last few months while still filling orders.
Don't get me wrong....by back and feet will ache like no other after a long day, but I have been able to get through it. I was worried about the last open day because they really wipe me out. It takes long hours to get everything ready and the day of I'm up at 3am filling the weekend orders (and I had A LOT of them this time), while my husband gets everything organized and out for the customers. I reduced the amount of cupcakes I did, and thankfully my husband has gotten so good at running the front that I was able to focus on getting weekend orders done most of the day and only jump out front when a line built up.
I just did my last wedding before baby last weekend-which is so strange to think about! Weddings start up again for me August 20th so things will be getting very crazy around here soon. Which brings me to "time off." I've been getting a lot of questions about how much time I will taking off and when I will be taking orders (understandably so). And my answer is....I don't have an answer!
I don't have a scheduled leave. I currently still have orders coming in up until my due date-all these people are aware that if I go to the hospital their orders won't get filled. After I get home from the hospital, my plan is to take in inquiries and fill them based on how I feel. So I'm basically taking it day by day and order by order. If someone needs something and I am feeling up to it and have the availability, I'll fill the order! If I'm having a rough couple of days and don't feel up to it, then I will pass. Obviously I have the weddings to do regardless...I'm just going to "buck up" for those....so depending on when I go into labor and all of that, it will really depend on when I go back into things full boar. So I am telling people to not be afraid to ask; I will fill whatever orders I can!
Now I'm sure a lot of you are thinking "girl...you don't know what's about to hit you...your crazy if you think you can deal with a newborn and bake/run this business right away." I've gotten a lot of blank stares and somewhat sarcastic "good lucks" from people when I try to explain my plan to people. But guess what? Steph's Sweet Treats is my business....I'm the ONLY baker (and yes I like it this way and plan on keeping it this way). If I don't continue to fill orders-people will go elsewhere. I know it happens. But the more I turn away, the more potential customers and returning customers I could lose. And it's not free to run a bakery! I still have upkeep to pay for, bills to pay...not to mention my own livelihood to account for.
I don't think it's going to be a cake walk (no pun intended); and I never said it would be easy; I know I will be exhausted and it will be harder than I can ever imagine....but it's my business and my family and it's how I want to do things. I hope everyone can respect that. Thankfully, I will have help with the baby and I can hopefully work my schedule around the baby and the baking. And don't you worry, I will take in every second I get with my baby-so please don't think I will be pushing aside my child for my business, because that is NOT what I am saying.
It will be a learning curve, but I am up for the challenge. Opening a small local business as a female in my early 20's wasn't easy and still isn't easy. Maybe I just like a good challenge? Or maybe I'm insane...either way, I'm up for it and will face this head on and keep up my confidence in myself, even if others think I"m crazy for it.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me and this business. A crazy whirlwind of excitement (and exhaustion) is about to blow through and I can't wait! Thank you for another week of orders!
Don't get me wrong....by back and feet will ache like no other after a long day, but I have been able to get through it. I was worried about the last open day because they really wipe me out. It takes long hours to get everything ready and the day of I'm up at 3am filling the weekend orders (and I had A LOT of them this time), while my husband gets everything organized and out for the customers. I reduced the amount of cupcakes I did, and thankfully my husband has gotten so good at running the front that I was able to focus on getting weekend orders done most of the day and only jump out front when a line built up.
I just did my last wedding before baby last weekend-which is so strange to think about! Weddings start up again for me August 20th so things will be getting very crazy around here soon. Which brings me to "time off." I've been getting a lot of questions about how much time I will taking off and when I will be taking orders (understandably so). And my answer is....I don't have an answer!
I don't have a scheduled leave. I currently still have orders coming in up until my due date-all these people are aware that if I go to the hospital their orders won't get filled. After I get home from the hospital, my plan is to take in inquiries and fill them based on how I feel. So I'm basically taking it day by day and order by order. If someone needs something and I am feeling up to it and have the availability, I'll fill the order! If I'm having a rough couple of days and don't feel up to it, then I will pass. Obviously I have the weddings to do regardless...I'm just going to "buck up" for those....so depending on when I go into labor and all of that, it will really depend on when I go back into things full boar. So I am telling people to not be afraid to ask; I will fill whatever orders I can!
Now I'm sure a lot of you are thinking "girl...you don't know what's about to hit you...your crazy if you think you can deal with a newborn and bake/run this business right away." I've gotten a lot of blank stares and somewhat sarcastic "good lucks" from people when I try to explain my plan to people. But guess what? Steph's Sweet Treats is my business....I'm the ONLY baker (and yes I like it this way and plan on keeping it this way). If I don't continue to fill orders-people will go elsewhere. I know it happens. But the more I turn away, the more potential customers and returning customers I could lose. And it's not free to run a bakery! I still have upkeep to pay for, bills to pay...not to mention my own livelihood to account for.
I don't think it's going to be a cake walk (no pun intended); and I never said it would be easy; I know I will be exhausted and it will be harder than I can ever imagine....but it's my business and my family and it's how I want to do things. I hope everyone can respect that. Thankfully, I will have help with the baby and I can hopefully work my schedule around the baby and the baking. And don't you worry, I will take in every second I get with my baby-so please don't think I will be pushing aside my child for my business, because that is NOT what I am saying.
It will be a learning curve, but I am up for the challenge. Opening a small local business as a female in my early 20's wasn't easy and still isn't easy. Maybe I just like a good challenge? Or maybe I'm insane...either way, I'm up for it and will face this head on and keep up my confidence in myself, even if others think I"m crazy for it.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me and this business. A crazy whirlwind of excitement (and exhaustion) is about to blow through and I can't wait! Thank you for another week of orders!
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