These beautiful snickerdoodles were made by 11 year old Emma, my daughter and fellow blogger here at Bread & With It. They are uniform, delicious and amazing. She is really developing into a skilled chef. We were sharing these treats with Winnie this week and I really wish you could have seen the smile on her face after just one bite. Winnie’s smiles lift my heart. I have been reflecting this last week on the day Winnie came into the world. In one single moment I was handed my new innocent baby girl and witnessed my little girl grow up into a young lady. I was a moment I will cherish forever.
Winnie was my only baby that decided to take her time coming into this world. When you are two weeks over-due it can easily feel like forever. I remember walking around complaining that I had a two week old child inside me. I don’t know why she waited so long to arrive but she did. I wanted to have a natural child birth with as little intervention as possible but as the days past my due date continued to pile on, Michael and I made the decision to induce. After 41 weeks gestation the risk of a still birth can increase and while we wanted to have that beautiful natural birth story we wanted to also insure her safety too.
We arrived at the hospital at 9:00 am. I was terrified but I had an amazing team of midwives to calm my nerves. We tried as many less invasive forms of progressing labor but when labor wasn’t progressing and I was beginning to become exhausted from pre-labor, we finally decided to use a very small amount of pitocin to push things along. Long story short, after 28 hours it was time to begin pushing and meet this beautiful baby girl!
This whole time we were at the hospital my daughter Emma was with us. Originally we were not going to bring her but she was so heart set on being there. I was on the fence about whether she would be ready at 10 years old, but it would have crushed her if I said no. In the end we decided to let her be there with the understanding that my mom would be her support. I am so glad we made the decision to let her come.
She didn’t complain, not once. She was attentive, understanding, loving and patient despite the fact that we were in the hospital for 28 hours. When it was time to push, Michael and my mom held up a sheet to make it modest since she was in the room. During those 30 minutes Emma held my hand and lovingly encouraged me saying “You can do it mom, push!”, “The baby is almost here”, “I love you mom, you can do it!”. She held my hand tight as I squeezed (probably crushing her hand) and as soon as they tossed Winnie on my chest, Emma was right there to greet her baby sister into the world. Tears of joy rolled down her face as she gasped from the intense emotions surging through her. Every one of us including the midwives and nurses could not help but cry. Not only because we just witness the miracle of life but because of the touching moment when my Emma blossomed from a little girl into a young lady.
My girls are bonded like I have never seen children bonded. It brings Michael and I such joy and pride to see our family so closely connected with an unbreakable love. We are truly blessed.
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 egg
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- In a medium mixing bowl beat butter with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Add the 1 cup sugar, baking soda, and cream of tartar. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionally. Beat in egg and vanilla until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Stir in any remaining flour. Cover and chill dough about 1 hour or until easy to handle.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Combine the 2 tablespoons sugar and the cinnamon. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in sugar mixture to coat. Place 2 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes to 11 minutes or until edges are golden. Transfer to wire rack; cool.
