mani-pedi party

Last weekend I threw my good friend, Denise, a bridal shower in honor of her getting married next month.  As a new mom, she wanted something relaxing that she could share with her girl friends.  So we had a mani-pedi spa party, followed by dinner at a nearby restaurant, and a bachelorette evening at her place.  It was wonderfully relaxing for all of us, as we got to catch up with old friends and get a little pampering in.  It's multi-tasking at its finest.

We love this nail salon, which was ideally set up for events like these. The favors for everyone included a Voluspa candle, dry body oil (very Denise) and Essie nail polish (in colors named after wedding themes).

Some chocolates, strawberries and champagne to snack on while we got pampered.  Denise's sister, Alora, thoughtfully got all the girls flip flops.

month five

You're Five Months, Gavin!

During this fifth month, your personality has started to really shine through as you are growing bigger by the day.  You weigh a little over 15 lbs now and turning into quite the handsome little man.  You love smiling at us in the morning when you wake up, followed by crying because you're hungry and want to eat! right! now!  You're sleeping through the night (usually a nine hour stretch) in your crib in your own room 50% of the time.  The other 50% of the time, you'll wake up in the early morning in search of your pacifier.  Sometimes it's just easier to bring you into bed with us, where you'll clock another three to four hours.  You still find so much comfort holding our hands as you sleep, and I can't resist your sign of affection.

You are starting to enjoy tummy time more, spending a lot more time playing on the floor.  You have a new interest in toys, and love putting everything in your mouth.  You think your sister is pretty amusing, especially when she plays peek-a-boo with you or sing-songs "hi gaaaaaaavin."  She truly loves you and is always more than happy to bring you a toy, or smother you with kisses and hand-holding.  She especially likes to point out your "nose-nose-nose."

You're learning to sit up more, enjoying jumping up and down, and soaring through the air.  Your favorite game is chasing Ella around the kitchen island while we sing the bicycle song.  "The Itsy Bitsy Spider, "Patty Cake," and "Open Them Shut Them" still bring you such delight, as does your daddy's voice and smiles.  You took your first dip in the pool, and love being a lounge lizard outside.  You attended your first big event, our cousin's wedding, and while you were extremely tired, you refused to sleep in fear of missing out on the festivities.  You'll generally smile at any friendly face, and are quite social and talkative these days.  You're kicking and grabbing, and you discovered your feet.  Best of all, you're starting to hold on to us when we carry you, and your little hugs will never cease to melt my heart.

namaste

Once upon a time (in 2009), I fell in love with yoga.  Then I got pregnant.  And I got pregnant again.  And I lost my practice in the process of having babies and becoming a very busy mom.  But now that things have settled into somewhat of a routine around here (and with the support of Adam and Donna), I've returned to the mat.  This week I started up lessons again, and I have to say, it's the best gift I can give myself.  Even though I have to work to get my strength and flexibility back, I already feel the positive affect yoga has on me.  My mood is improved, my energy levels are up, and I just feel more rejuvenated.  I've definitely rediscovered why I love yoga so much to begin with.  It's the perfect balance between the physical and the mental.  It's the best therapy when things feel overwhelming sometimes.  Plus, I can't wait for Ella to join me in doing yoga when she gets a bit older.  She already does several poses for fun, so I'm excited to see if she takes an interest in it.  It would be so nice for us to be able to share this together.

"Bakasana" (crow pose) with my sisters-in-law during a Mother's Day trip to Santa Barbara in 2010.

I know it will take time to reacquaint myself with all the poses and to do the things I was doing at the peak of my practice, and there's also the fact that my body is so different now, but it really is amazing to breathe deeply again and take an hour and a half out of my day to just focus on the present moment and allow the good in my life to seep in.

Namaste.

Father's Day and Celebrating Love

Ella and Gavin attended their first wedding this past weekend when we celebrated my cousin, Jamie, and her new husband, Allen.  Things definitely did not go as smoothly as we liked with two young ones in tow.  We showed up late and left early due to restless and overtired kids.  Thankfully, we packed pj's for them so they could be easily transferred from the car to their cribs when we got home.  We ended the night with root beer floats and watched the season premier of True Blood.  Not too bad an evening!

The wedding was beautifully done, and we definitely enjoyed the opportunity to dress up for the occasion.

G was unimpressed by the fancy attire.

Sunday was also Father's Day, which we celebrated with burgers and some time in the pool.

family portraits and ella at two

I commissioned my sister-in-law Kathie again to take pictures of our family with Ella at two-years old.  I had a vision of E playing with balloons, bubbles and sidewalk chalk in our backyard, which I felt captured her interests and personality at this age.  We were only able to successfully photograph two of the three activities, but we did get some good family shots (and shots of Gavin), so I'd say it went well. It's definitely my favorite shoot we've had with Kathie so far, as she was able to translate what I had imagined into print.

ella + OLIVIA

Ella started watching a lot more TV (than I would have liked) once Gavin came along.  But thankfully, she fell in love with a show that we could all embrace.  Every day she would ask to watch "lie" (or Olivia) after her nap, and with a newborn baby that needed to be nursed and cared for, I happily obliged.  So it only felt fitting to throw her an Olivia-themed birthday party.  We decided to stick with the book version (which she loves just as much), and designed the party around a black and white theme with red accents.  We asked the guests to wear neutral colors, so Ella could pop in red as the birthday girl.  We also served red food, and decorated with balloons in the same color scheme.  And of course, there was a (makeshift) photo booth with pig ears and snouts along with other fun accessories for guests to partake in.  I had initially planned for something small, but with 40+ guests, Ella's birthday celebration became quite an event.  And we enjoyed every minute of it.  (Thank you, to Auntie Ashley, for all your help!)

I decided a hand-drawn invitation would set the right move.  Ashley did an awesome job sketching Olivia.  We colored in her dress red before sending them out.

It took a few weeks to finish all the details and preparations for the party.  I was super excited to find the red and white washi tape on sale, and the mason jar and straws were from Etsy.  The polka dot wrapping paper were the perfect splash of red; these wrapped up Olivia books as favors for the kids.

She turned two and suddenly sprouted an attitude.

The guests sipped watermelon frescas out of personalized mason jars.  I love how vintage hollywood Ella looks in this picture.

The favors.  My "balloon wall" didn't come out as planned, but they were cute nonetheless.

Inspired by an idea I saw on pinterest, I made Ella a board summarizing her at this age.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to include her height and weight. 

Madelyn and Alexa checking out the photo station with Olivia.

All the kids got goodie bags with some activities they could do during the party (in lieu of planned entertainment or a bouncy house).  Ella loved her sidewalk chalk.  And yes, we had Olivia tattoos for the kids.  Ella chose a half-sleeve.

Actually all the kids enjoyed the chalk.  By the end of the day, our backyard was pretty well decorated.

More chalking.

Our lovely guests dressed in black and white.

Gabe got in on the pig action.

These two became fast friends.

I love color coordination! 

You can't serve red food and not have Jell-O!  

After being introduced to it a couple months ago at birthday party, Ella loves her jello-jello (as she calls it). 

She also loves balloons.

Ashley had the idea to make giant clouds to give the backyard a storybook feel.  Apparently, Kathie found them delicious.

Ella with her puo-puo and gong-gong.

Peek-a-boo with Olivia. 

Ella was on cloud nine.  Sorta.

Taking Olivia for a ride.  Ashley drew a life-size version for the photo station.

Lounging as the party winded down.

Piggy fun.

E had so much fun running around, I barely got to see her.  Here's a rare moment we got together at the end of the party.

And now, photo booth fun!  Ashley made the adorable pig ears and snouts.  I made the banner and supplied the red accessories.

Not a fan of being the center of attention in large groups, Ella did not enjoy the cake part.  I mean, she enjoyed the cake, but not the singing.  We'll have to work on that.

Taste testing her red velvet cake.

Not impressed by the rendition of "Happy Birthday"

Waiting for it to end.

At least the cake was worth it!

Despite the warm weather and all-around craziness of hosting a toddler birthday party, we all enjoyed ourselves.  Most of all, Ella had a blast and it was the perfect celebration in honor of this little person that she's growing into.