To say that the past few months have been “crazy” would be an understatement. I feel like I haven’t been able to come up for air since about April. As hard as this small chapter of life has been, I feel incredibly lucky and blessed with the way things have worked out. My biggest blessing has most definitely been the early arrival of my son Oliver! His early entrance was due to a serious condition called HELLP Syndrome that I developed unexpectedly during my pregnancy. I delivered Oliver by emergency c-section on June 24th, 2012. I was 28 weeks pregnant to the day, making his arrival close to three months early. Thankfully baby Ollie is doing fantastic. It’s everything we could ask or hope for with such an early arrival and there is no reason to believe that he shouldn’t grow to be a perfect and healthy boy. We just celebrated his one month birthday and NICU stay. He will most likely be in the NICU for another 4-6 weeks as he grows bigger and stronger until he is ready to come home. For the time being, he is being taken care of by the sweetest team of NICU nurses this side of the Mississippi. I’m lucky enough to hold him every day and spend time with him at the hospital singing songs and talking about the big exciting life that I envision him having.
Right before Oliver was born I had just finished filming season 4 of Kelsey’s Essentials. I had a strategic plan in place to make the most of my last three months of pregnancy that included getting settled into our new apartment and putting together a nursery for the baby, finding a weekend to relax and breath somewhere warm, and to finish writing my cookbook. It was going to be tight, but I knew that I could do it. Well, 10 days after we wrapped filming, I delivered a baby and that plan went straight out the window.
Now my days are filled with frantic cookbook writing in the mornings and visits to the hospital to see my sweet boy in the afternoon and evenings. I know that things will get even crazier once he gets home (which I cannot wait for!), so I’m doing my best to try and focus on getting as much done for the cookbook as possible. I’m usually writing headnotes for recipes during my subway rides to and from the hospital trying to take advantage of every free second.
Even though the cookbook is sandwiched in between chaos in my life right now, I’m so excited about it! The book has been in the works for quite some time and I’m so thrilled that the initial content is almost finished and ready for the next stages. If there is anything you would like to see specifically in a cookbook from yours truly, please let me know. I spend a lot of time thinking about who will read and cook from this book and how I can best write recipes and content that will be helpful to that reader. I told my husband Robby the other day that I feel like writing this book is like “writing the biggest book report of my life…except for the fact that I’m actually writing the book.” It’s a report or collection of recipes that I’m reporting from my kitchen to yours. Essential recipes that I make and love and think every home cook should have in their back pocket.
So my life right now can be summed up with two words –”baby” and “book.” I cannot wait for Oliver to come home and pray for progress every day that gets him one step closer. The book is a good distraction from my worry as a new mother with a baby in the NICU and a great project to wrap up before I take some time to be with my baby and adjust to new life as a mama. I’ve surrendered to the fact that life will never be the same and I’ll most likely be tired for the rest of my life, but that’s okay…in fact it’s perfect. I’ve always wanted to be a mother and knew that this day would arrive soon, I just can’t believe it’s actually here! Stay tuned for more regular updates on baby, book, and all things food!
You and your baby are in my prayers… Such a beautiful child.. God created a special one for you and your husband….
Congratulations!
Wishing you all the best and lots of happiness with the new addition to their family and great success with the new book!
Congratulations!!! I’m so happy to hear that baby Oliver is doing well. I can’t wait to see your new cookbook. I love to watch your show. You always have such fun and useful ideas and recipes. Thank you.
Kelsey,
Much congratulations! I wish you and Oliver the best- what a cute name by the way. I too had complications, not quite what you had, but so glad that everything turned out. I’ll be patiently waiting your new cookbook!
Congrats Kelsey, he is beautiful!
Congratulations! What a sweety.
What technology can do today is such a miracle. My first son was born at 28 weeks and lived only half an hour. We believe we will see him someday.
We had our own miracle when my daughter was born the following year and grew up to be my best friend. She named one of her sons after her brother she never met.
Love your show, it is one of my favorites. Such practical information even to long time cooks like myself.
Oh how exciting! Congratulations! I’m so glad that he’s doing well.
I was in the same boat with my first daughter. I had HELLP syndrome and delivered at 28 weeks and 2 days via an emergency c-section. It’s an emotional ride when you are a NICU parent but she is three years old now and thriving! Before you know it, he’ll be home and brightening your life even more. I’m so happy for you and will pray that your little guy comes home soon.
I can’t wait for the cookbook! Your show is my absolute favorite cooking show!
My husband and I are young couple like you and Robby…hoping to start a family soon too
Thank you for your honesty here..your strength encourages me! And Ollie is just precious.
We are huge fans of yours and have followed you since Next Food Network Star..good luck with everything! We will be first in line to get your book!
Congrats Kelsey!!! He is a beautiful baby boy. I hope that he will be able to come home soon. Try and take care of your self. Can’t wait until your book comes out.
Oh Kelsey! Congrats to you on your newest addition! He is so, so lovely! Prays sent your way for a speedy return home and a successful book…can’t wait to pick up a copy!
Kelsey,
So happy for you and baby Oliver. I know the NICU is scary but so glad your little one is doing well. Our 4 year old was born at 24 weeks. Congrats and we hope baby Oliver continues to do better and better.
The Harris Family
Congrats on your sweet baby boy! I hope you include the recipes from your iron skillet episode in you new cookbook. They are some of my favorites.
Congratulations! We’ll pray for you and your beautiful child.
Kelsey,
I had to write you and let you know that I understand what you are going through. I delivered our triplet boys at 23 weeks 4 days in St. George, Utah. We spent the next five months in the NICU. So many questions ran through my mind when I went in for an emergency c-section. The biggest question was “would they survive”? Now, almost one year later, I am proud to say that my husband and I have perfectly healthy baby boys. We love them so much! However, spending five months in the St. George NICU, while my husband attended dental school in San Francisco, was not so much fun:) Despite how difficult it is, you can do it!!! What a beautiful baby boy you have! Congratulations! And I can’t wait for your book to come out! You need to come to San Francisco for a book signing!
Congrad on your new baby boy! Oliver is a handsome baby and will bring you a lot of joy. Hang in their Oliver will be home soon. God Bless you and your family.
OMG!! I didn’t even know you were pregnant!! Congratulations and don’t worry about him growing normally. My nephew was born 3 months early and today he is 26 and 6 ft tall! Enjoy him he is very handsome! Can’t wait for your new cookbook!
Congratulations! How wonderful to hear that Oliver is doing well and things are progressing. Agreeing with you in prayer that he continues towards a full and speedy recovery.
Looking forward to your new book.
Blessings to you and your family.
Marie
You have so much on your plate right now and it sounds like you’re handling it with as much peace and grace as possible
Hang in there mama! Made a delicious meal for friends who just moved… your sloppy janes, summer panzanella and carmelitas! Thanks for the inspiration!
Congrats! He is adorable!! Good luck with the cookbook, I’m sure it will be great!
Congrats, Kelsey! So very happy for you!
Congrats on your new arrival! So glad to hear you are all doing well! Thoughts and prayers that things continue on this path and ANXIOUS for your cookbook!
I am so happy to hear he is doing well! Congratulations on your beautiful bundle of joy! I am very much looking forward to your cookbook. In the meantime, try to get some rest, and best wishes to you and your family!
Congrats to you and your husband on such a beautiful baby! I love your show and am so excited you’re coming out with a cookbook. One of the things I particularly love about your show is that you’ll give variations on a “basic” recipe, and I really hope you’ll have a few of those types of recipes in your book!!
Oliver is gorgeous! I can’t wait for your cookbook it will be an essential in my kitchen for sure!
Congratulations, Kelsey! I’m so happy for you and your family. I will be praying for you, your husband and Oliver. Hang in there and take care of yourself so you can be strong for that beautiful baby.
Take care,
Andria
Congratulations on your beautiful little boy and best of luck with your cookbook. I look forward to reading it.
Kelsey im so glad you & your cute new baby boy are doing well, my heart ached for you when my dad told me the news. Im glad all is well now. We cant wait to meet him. Best of luck!
Congratulations Kelsey!!! Being a mother is the most incredible feeling in the world! That must be so hard not having him home with you. Seems like you’re handling it incredible though. What a little miracle, truly!! I’m so excited for your cookbook! You are one I my absolute favorites. So delicious but practical. Prayers with your family..
Well, Congratulations – from a guy’s standpoint, whenever we see a woman who “might” be PG, it’s best just to keep our mouth shut and not ask! LOL I’m guessing this is your first – how exciting. Well, you can kiss sleep goodbye for a while anyway. As the Dad in our household I was regulated to the kitchen (oh, yes, I was allowed to wash diapers too) so this took some of the strain off Mama. Our children are now in their 50′s (WHAT?) so while I’m STILL locked into kitchen duty, it’s a whole lot easier now. Last night was a Bourbon-brined 2″ bone-in Pork Chop, with a bourbon glaze – I can not tell you that even after dinner I continued to salivate, it was that good. Well, all the best to you and Oliver. Hugs.
Many blessings as you go through this transition. Your new edition is beauitful! I am excited for your cookbook. I think you’re a talented gal, and obviously a strong one, as well.
Congratulations Kelsey. The birth of a baby solidifies a marriage in a way nothing else will. Hope you enjoy this new adventure and challenge. Be easy on yourself as you adjust to this new demand on your energy. Again, congratulations.
Blessings,
David Galloway
Atlanta
Oh, I want to hold that teeny guy so badly! And I can’t wait for that cookbook. Love you guys!
Kelsey, You will look back at this time and wonder how you did it all! Keep focused on that precious baby boy and before you know it you will be walking out the NICU with your little miracle in your arms for good! God Bless you and I will keep you in my daily prayers! Oh, btw, I look forward to your first Cookbook as I enjoy watching and doing your recipes! Can’t wait to buy it! Keep up the positvie attitude!
Barb
Congrats Kelsey! Love your show and you.. this post is so honest.. love that! Congrats on Oliver- Ollie.. what a cute shortened version! Enjoy!
Congratulations! I am so happy that all of your family is well, especially Oliver! Take care and good luck to everything in your future.
Kelsey! Congrats!! We’ll keep you guys in our prayers! Oh, and Katie and I will be buying said cookbook when it hit’s culinary shelves.
He is so beautiful Kels. I’ve been thinking so much about you guys lately. I’m super excited for your cookbook..hopefully it has so crock pot recipes..that thing is my best friend when life gets crazy.
Oh what wonderful news! Oliver is beautiful and I love the name. I think your show is so great, I felt that way from the first show I viewed. I hope how to make pasta is included,in your book, can’t for it I want to really try to make pasta. Plus a little more on candy-making.
Count on my prayer for you and Oliver and his daddy.
Blessings,
Shirl
Congrats! So very happy for you and your family.
I cannot wait for the book
Congratulations on the little guy!! He is adorable. And good luck with the cookbook. Can’t wait to see the final product.
Thanks for sharing your story. Sending prayers for Oliver. Should we see him on your show in the future, we will remember this blog post. Wishing you the best with baby, book, and life
Congratulations on the birth of your sweet baby boy! Hope you relish every little moment with him – they really do grow up in the blink of an eye. Love your style and your recipes – looking forward to the book.
Kelsey,
Baby Ollie is just darling. I’m so happy to hear he is doing well.
I’m so excited to hear your doing a cook book!! Im always printing off recipes that u have done on your show. Luv u lots!
Congrats to you Kelsey! And I will be first in line to buy that book!
Also, would be thrilled to see recipes in the book for roasts or other slow cooked meats that feed a big crowd, like leg of lamb, brisket, pork shoulder, etc., with delicious sauces to go with them, as well as instructions on reaching the perfect internal temperature.
Kelsey,
It is so good to hear how you are doing in your words instead of just through the family pipeline! We’ve worried about you cousin! We have prayed for all 3 of you since you went into the hospital & my boys ask all about how baby Ollie is doing. I’m so glad to be able to report good things to them! Know that we are still praying for and thinking of all of you!
Congratulations on your beautiful baby boy! The chaos will slow down and the cookbook will just flow because it is “Essential”. Looking forward to your new cookbook!
Congrats, I’m so glad he is doing well and your family will be in my thoughts. I CANNOT wait for your cookbook and to see some new shows!
Kelsey, Just know that you are truely blessed. Get as much rest as you can. Once Oliver is home, there will be much less. Once he is walking and talking, he will only get faster and you more tired. But, it is a wonderful thing. They grow up so fast. In the blink of an eye, you will wonder, where did the years get to. Document each milestone and treasure them and your little boy always. Just remember, so many are cheering you on. Love you.
Awww how precious. Congrats on baby Oliver. Much prayers for both of you!
Love this! Love that baby boy and I too, am SO excited for the cookbook! You are one tough cookie Kels! Love and miss you guys so much!
I was hoping you’d update here–saw your pic on twitter…What a happy ending to a scary situation! He’s a handsome little guy and I’m sure he’ll be home and thriving soon. Congratulations and take good care of you and Oliver
Love that little Ollie already. Hugs!!
(and can’t WAIT for the cookbook!!!)
What a sweet boy! So happy for your little family!
So excited for you and your cute little family! He is a beautiful baby and I’m so glad to hear that he’s doing so well. I’m sure you can count on myself and the rest of the Millers to buy a cookbook! Can’t wait! Good luck with all the craziness
What a sweet baby boy!!! Love the name Oliver and SO HAPPY for you! We will definitely be purchasing your cookbook! Congratulations!!!!
He is absolutely beautiful. Congratulations and welcome Oliver! I can’t wait for that cookbook either – if you ever want a review done just let me know!
All the best to your family as the little man gets stronger every day! I’ve so enjoyed catching up with your show during my summer break and now it’s on regular recording status on my DVR. You give such great tips which I’ve never heard on other cooking shows. Can’t wait to get your cookbook!
Hi Kelsey, I’m so happy for you and hubby! I didn’t know you had a baby! Awesome! My first baby was born 8 weeks early and she weighed 4 lbs – went down to 3 1/2 lbs after a couple of weeks, but
started gaining rapidly and after a month we took her home at 5 lbs.
Oliver is a cutie!
I’m glad you have the book to keep you sane during this time. Lol.
I would love to offer a few ideas???
Baked stuffed lobster
Stuffed clams
Linguini and clam sauce
Shrimp curry and baked stuffed
Fried fish– the right way– not my way!!
Clam cakes and chowder
Can you tell I live a few miles from Narragansett in Rhode Island?
I hope that is a little bit of help. (I can come up with plenty more!!!)
Thanks, Becky. P.s. We’ll be praying for you and the little guy!
Congrats Kelsey! He is so sweet, you’re in our prayers! Can’t wait for the book!
Kels!
I am so excited for you! I am glad everything is going well. Good luck with everything! I know how much of a change it is and then trying to balance work with it all.
I am so excited for you guys!!!!!
What a blessing! Oliver is one lucky little man to have you as his mother. I recently discovered your show and just love it.
he is beautiful. i will keep him in my prayers at church. sue
What a beautiful package you cooked up this time. Little boys are a blessing, I know I spoiled mine rotten. Now I am enjoying the little girl he has given me as a granddaughter. You have a lot to look forward to.
I only found this blog because I have fallen in love with your show “Kelly’s Essentials”. I desperately was looking for your cookbook. Now I know it is in the writing. Can’t wait until it comes out.
My little daughter was born at 29 weeks here in Guatemala. She came home one months and one day later, I know how hard it can be right now for you and Oliver, but everything is going to be alright. Pía just started walking few weeks ago, she is now 18 months and loves to cook, we will be waiting for the book! Animos!!!
Kelsey!!! I’ve been thinking about you so much lately, hoping everything with you and the baby is going well… so happy to hear that he’s doing great! I don’t think we’re FB friends and your blog is private, so I’ve been asking some of our Coug girlies what’s going on with you, but I’m so glad I thought to check this blog for an update. Anyway, I’ll keep you and sweet baby Oliver in my prayers
xoxo
I am totally amazed by you, Kelsey! You are such a delight to watch on your show, making cooking so much easier, breaking things down to the basics, and always with a smile…and you do all of this while writing a cookbook…and now with an itty-bitty newborn. Ollie is adorable!! Congrats!
And we can’t wait for the cookbook!
He is adorable!! I’m so excited about the cookbook!
Congratulations on both! I just found your blog through a friend…and want to know that I know all the worry of a new mom with a baby in the NICU. My baby (who just turned TWO) was born 6 weeks early (emergency C section just like you) and I was on hospital bedrest for 2 weeks prior to his birth. He was in the NICU for almost a month and he is now perfectly healthy and the greatest joy of our lives, as I’m sure Oliver will be in yours.
My heart goes out to you during the NICU phase. One blessing of the NICU for me was being able to spend SO much time just holding and loving my little boy without any distractions that you usually have when at home.
Best of luck!
Natalie
My neighbor right across the street had her son 3 months early and every thing is wonderful. You and he will be okay you just have to let the people around you have a little wonderful. I love every second I have had with my neighbor’s child and I really hole they allow me as the older neighbor to babysit in the near future.
Congratulations on your sweet arrival – I always look forward to seeing Ollie updates on Twitter and can’t wait to see him continue to grow bigger and stronger! You are amazing and I’m exited for your new season and the cookbook. Keep up the good work and being such a great mom to that darling baby.
Congratulations on Oliver! You look adorable holding him and he looks healthy. My Great Niece was born quite early too, my Niece also had HELLP. My GN is now 15 and a gifted student. All will be well in your life, has to be because you are so sweet. Enjoy Oliver – Motherhood is the best.
Congratulations on your baby boy! I’m glad he is doing well and I’m sure you’re ready to have him home with you. I just had a baby boy last week and can’t imagine having to go home without him. It will be soon! Just want you to know I’m a big fan and think you do a great job. I’ve been watching your new show and absolutely love it! You have so many great recipes and all are easy to do too. Look forward to seeing the cookbook!
I’m a big fan and noticed while watching your show that you were pregnant. I decided to log on to your website to see the expected due date and noticed you already delivered. I’m very happy to hear you and the baby are doing well! I definitely will be checking out your cookbook. I find you to be very original and a joy to watch!
Kelsey, I watch your show faithfully every day & LOVE it! This morning I noticed what I thought was a baby bump & am now in the loop about baby Ollie. Sending many blessings, prayers & strength your way! I will be buying your cookbook as soon as it comes out….can’t wait!! Hugs, Chelsea in WA State