Time is flying...

... and Lo is getting bigger by the minute!

Work, baby and hubby are keeping me VERY busy, hence the lack of blogging.

Baby girl is such a good baby and we CANNOT get enough of her!
She loves EVERYONE.

She's a good sleeper (knock on wood, I'll probably regret putting this in written word, but she deserves some credit for how well she's slept since such a young age).

She laughs and smiles especially in the morning when she first wakes up.

She's starting to grab and hold on tight to things (we call things like this tricks).

She loves tummy time, now that we've elevated her on a boppy and got a new snail friend (must have toy for tummy time aka. tummy torture, before boppy and snail friend).

She gets grumpy in the afternoons and can be a real wah wah baby butt (but so can I).

She's still sleeping in our room, but we'll probably try to start transitioning her to her big girl crib or at least her room SOON!

She's growing out of clothes like crazy (I get sad packing little things away).

She's a trooper in the car.

She loves nature and being outdoors.

Enough about the bug (my nick name for her- bug, buggie...), here are some recent photos.

Looking cute in Ethan's onsie after peeing through her diap (oops, mommy forgot a change of clothes)- First walk of shame! ;)

Her BFF's James (left) and Ethan (right)

They've known eachother since they were in our bellies. 
This was their first playdate and as you can see, they are clearly super entertained by one another!

Tummy time!!!

We recently tried Stroller Strides (not exactly strolling) & Mommy & Me Yoga!

We go to a Mother's Gathering Group every Monday at a Mother's Haven, where we learn new songs, exercise and discuss milestones and motherhood, it's amazing.

Life is full and complete, I'm a happy mommy and wife.

Looking forward to a fun summer that's bound to fly by!

XO,
S



Nursery Time!

So much to post, not enough nap time!

Jillian took some amazing pics of London's little nursery that I've been dying to share.

I (we, my mom, Shane and I) had the best time hunting and piecing it together London's nursery.
I'd have ideas, share them with Shane, he'd approve and my mom and I would search to find the perfect items at great prices. Teamwork people!
Home Goods, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Overstock.com, Walmart, Target are just a few of the places we bought items from.

Pic on the left: 

• The stripes were painted by my neighbor and friend Dan and myself. Click here for more on striped fun!
• The canvases above the crib were an inspiration from a baby decor blog (ontobaby, laybabylay...), can't remember which one.  My husbands graphic artist took the prints and made them into jpegs and I had them printed on canvas at Costco. The canvases are light weight and I velcroed them to the wall, so the peanut will be safe in her crib once she's sleeping in there.
• The crib is from Walmart and looks like many of the modern cribs I liked, but for less than half the price.

Pic on the right:

•  A cute curio shelf thingy I bought at an antique store in Hermosa Beach when I lived down there.  It was originally green has been used in many rooms of various apartments I've lived in.  We painted it white to soften it's look for the baby's room and it's a perfect nik nak holder.

Must say something about the beautiful blankie hanging on the crib.  That's a Bon Bon original.  My mom put a lot of work into it and it paid off.  We love it and it keeps lil Lo warm each and every night. 

Pic on the left:

• The glider is a must have in every nursery.  I can't tell you how much I've enjoyed rocking and nursing my sweet baby girl.  Won't get into the fact that it's still a loaner because the dumb company we bought it from has not delivered ours.  NIGHTMARE, but I'll keep this post positive.
• The awesome Baby Love Pillow was a gift for my shower from our friend Megan.  Click here to see the Etsy boutique it was bought from.

Pic on the right:

• The dresser was my first furniture purchase in college from an antique store in SLO.  We had it refinished to match the espresso and white mixed furniture we went with in the nursery.
• Shelves are from Pottery Barn and while they look great, I don't recommend them. They are more than a pain to hang. 
• Shelf items: Cute silver owl- West Elm, Rocking Chair on shelf- Pottery Barn, Frames-TJ Maxx, Piggy Bank was a gift from Nordies, Glass canister being used for baby's headbands-West Elm

These darling crowns were a little find at Bed Bath and Beyond.  Handmade knit hearts, a chalkboard from Michaels and the most darling Cynthia Vincent dress (my daughter has cuter clothes than me) hang from these hooks!

The day bed has been a huge hit.  Ever end up in a friend's nursery while she's nursing, changing the baby, or the babes are playing and wonder where you can sit and sip on a much needed glass of wine?  Well I have.  Thus the inspiration to have seating in our nursery.  Luckily, it's a spacious room and this fit perfectly.  It's also a great nap spot.  You can buy here.  The pillows are a sale combo.  The white ones were a steal from Pottery Barn, someone must have returned them and I snagged them way on sale, love when that happens!  The beige pillows are from Restoration Hardware and were also on sale, woohoo.  The Pottery Barn baskets underneath the bed will be filled with shoes, toys and other London stuff as she gets older! 

Lastly, this is our changing station/dresser.  Love the functionality of having a dresser under the changing station that we won't need forever.  The dresser is another buy from West Elm, click here.

Lamp is from Home Goods.  The London banner was decor for my shower and made by a college friend Rachel Golden, check out her facebook page for all kinds of hand sewn children items.  I love, LOVE, LoVe the chevron pattern right now and got the changing pad cover and bed skirt to match from this website. 



 

Happy Friday! 

XO,

S

London Eve Ball

Where to even begin...
I'm overwhelmed with love and a peaceful happy/content feeling that life is JUST PLAIN OL GOOD! 
London Eve Ball came into our lives at 11:51 a.m. on April 11, 2012.  She weighed a whoppin 8 lbs. 6 ozs. and was 20.5 inches long. 
Our Birth Story:
After some discussion with our doctor, we decided to induce on my due date.  So unlike the old fashion way, we weren't rushing to the hospital when my water broke, it was planned, like much of my life (Shane likes to tease that I had to have it this way, so I could put her birth on the Outlook calendar! Heehee).  Even with planning, our birth story started off with some unexpected excitement! We got down to our car with our bags packed, birth ball in hand and sure enough, my car wouldn't start.  Thankfully, it was just a dead battery, so after a quick jump start, we were instructed to drive around for at least 30 minutes.  We called the hospital, let them know we'd be late and headed over to Brian's Shave Ice for a final snow cone before baby!

Can't get enough shave ice with sour spray, YUM!

We got to the hospital around 9:30 p.m. and it wasn't until the first nurse came in to start filling out paperwork that it all hit me.  It was time, in less than 24 hours, I would be experiencing labor (which I was terrified of) and meeting our baby (my life long dream).  Let the waterworks begin! Everything  at that moment became real and hit me. 
They hooked me up to a baby monitor and watched all our vitals.  A magical nurse gave me the dreaded IV and it was NOTHING.  I was so worried about this IV, I even lost sleep over it and I have to say, it was honestly NOTHING.  I could not believe it. 

After the IV, I was feeling pretty invincible! 

Super Sam!

We then waited for the Cervidel (inducing agent) to be delivered and the nurse explained what it does and how long it would take. We were told that I'd probably start feeling contractions the following morning and that my doc would be there to check in on me at around 9 a.m.   They gave me an Ambien, which I stupidly shared with my husband and told me to get a good night's sleep.  YA RIGHT?!  I tried to sleep, but basically just watched Shane sleep and stared at the fetal monitor.  At around 2 or 3 a.m. the fun began, I started to feel a tremendous amount of pain.  I tried to sleep and ignore it, but I finally gave in and called in a nurse.  She was the ONE mean nurse we experienced and probably the one I needed most to be nice to me.  She came in and I said can you check me, I'm in a lot of pain.  She said, it's probably "just cramps" from the Cervidel.  I thought to myself, if these are cramps, I don't know if I can do this?  She then said, what's your question?  Well nurse lady, I do not know, I've never given birth.  Unfortunately, I couldn't come up with what I was thinking-Am I supposed to feel this much pain this early?  I was told tomorrow?  Are you sure they aren't contractions?  Mean nurse lady then said again, "yes, they are just cramps, try to get some sleep, you're going to need your energy to deliver tomorrow."  Sure, I'll just go to sleep while I'm gripping the bed in pain, so simple! BITCH (pardon my French London). So I basically stayed up all night, holding onto the bed for dear life.  At around 5 a.m. I woke Shane up and said, babe we've gotta turn on the lights, TV... and get a nurse in here to check me.  I think am dying (insert a super dramatic Sam).  Thank goodness the mean nurse lady was off and I had a new nurse.  She came in and checked me.  I was dilated to 4 cm and definitely in "active" labor, having contractions.  OKAY, now that's an answer that makes more sense. 

At this point, I ask for an epidural.  It takes some time to get one and by the time I did, I was probably at 6 cm.  My labor was moving along rather quickly.  Dr. Pushkin (isn't that the best name for an OBGYN?) arrived and checked on me and said things are going great, she'd be back to deliver our baby after a c-section, sometime around 2 p.m.  

But NO, NO, NO, lil miss London wasn't going to wait that long.

I got an epidural (another thing I was dreading more than life) and it too was not bad at all.  And oh boy, let me just tell you, this epidural was my new best friend.  Once I had the epidural, I was laughing, joking and happy as could be.  I was ready! 

The morning went by and my awesome nursing team checked me again and sure enough I was 10 cm.  They said, let's do a test push and see if we should call the doc.  Sure enough it was time.  They told me to hold tight and Dr. Pushkin was there a few minutes later.  They taught me how to push and less than 30 minutes and some pushes later our beautiful baby girl was born!  I pushed for dear life, all I could think about was getting her out quick, so A) her head wasn't all cone shaped and B) I could hear that first cry C) so she didn't get stuck in the birth canal.  I pushed so hard, I broke blood vessels in my head and neck. 

Holding London for the first time was indescribable and a moment I will never forget.  Our lives had been forever changed and our story as a family of 3 had just begun!



Just a few of my favorite pics from her first moments of life, thanks to our dear friend Jillian Rose that arrived to the hospital within 30 minutes of her being born!

So much more to write and catch up on, two photo shoots, meeting lots of aunties, uncles and some of her grand parents. 

London is a keeper and we couldn't feel more blessed!

XO,

S

DD-Day (Due Date Day)

Just shy of 40 weeks!

It's hard to believe that after over a year of being pregnant, minus 3 weeks, today is my due date.  In most ways this pregnancy flew by and in others it feels like I've been pregnant for a lifetime.  Tonight we will check into the hospital to be induced with Cervidel and hope that sends me into labor by tomorrow morning.  Who knows, by this time tomorrow, we could be holding our baby girl?! 

So many feelings are rushing through my body, I thought I should blog about them before I forget!  The oddest of the feelings is this sense of calm that has come over me, since my last doctor's appointment and deciding to induce.  I really wanted everything to happen naturally-lose my MP, have my water break, labor at home for a while and head to the hospital around 4 cm, BUT as your told in class and quickly learn with pregnancy, you have to be flexible with your ideas and desired birth plan.  The decision to induce came from my doctor and I after weighing the facts and options.  Little London is already thought to be a good size, in the 7lbs. range.  I haven't gained a lb. in a month in a half (oops), not for lack of trying, I've eaten plenty and indulged at times, I just haven't gone crazy.  Side note, the belly and baby have grown, so the lack of weight gain isn't that huge a deal, it probably just adds to the uncomfort because there is no where for her to go.  Baby isn't a big mover, so it's hard to get healthy kick counts of 10 moves in a 2 hour period (she just likes to nap a lot like her mommy).  Also, my amniotic fluid was in the low range at 35 weeks and has probably depleted some since then.  After your due date, risks of the baby pooping inside go up and your placenta starts to go bad.  With that said, she seems to be perfectly healthy, so why not get her out.  Fine by me.  When you're ready, you're ready and I'm READY (well, as ready as I'll ever be for labor).

So, that's the plan!  It was weird saying goodnight to Shane last night.  It's the last night in our bed that we'll be a family of 2.  I cannot wait to meet our baby girl and introduce her to the world.

Here's to hoping I don't freak out at the needles and can continue to feel that nothing matters, so long as our baby girl is healthy! More on that later! 

XO,
S

This and that...

This:

vs.

As most of you know, I'm pretty much an OCD clean freak, so cleaning supplies and things that smell good are almost as exciting as flowers and new shoes to me.  With a baby on the way, I've been trying to be more conscious about the environment and chemicals in these things...  Pre-pregnancy it was- what can make my floors gleam and who cares what's in it.  Recently, I was on a hunt for dryer sheets that would be okay for baby.  I found these Method Baby Dryer Sheets, but the smell was a little intense for me, however some might like and they definitely fluff and make your clothes soft (at least I think so).  While at a new baby store in Newport, Bel Bambini I picked up a box of these BabyGanics Dryer Sheets and I think I'm hooked.    Side note: Bel Bambini is a super cute store with lots of furniture and a great variety of baby/young kiddie stuff.  I believe there is one on  Robertson too. 

That:

On another note, I was in a cheapy mood while buying stuff at CVS over the weekend and picked up the TP on sale.  BAD/BIG mistake!!  Scott toilet paper is "worse than what they probably have in prisons," says my husband Shane.  Oops.  Note to self.  Spring for the plush stuff when buying TP.

This:

So Shane decided that while I'm 35 weeks pregnant, it would be a good time to do a pretty crazy cleanse and drop a few lbs.  Seriously?!  Shake and fruit for breaky, shake and protein bar for lunch, some almonds as a snack, shake and veggies for dinner.  All while wifey is not supposed to diet and has been pretty limited on exercise due to a pelvic bone that feels like it's breaking in two!  I'm proud of him for sticking to it and making it through 5 days of cleansing though.  Here's to hoping it wasn't that bad and he'll do this kind of thing with me when I'm not carrying our child anymore.  At the end of his cleanse he got sicky.  Poor guy was man down with a cold, similar to the ones I've mentioned in some earlier blog posts.  He had to miss our first birth class on Saturday.  Didn't want daggers thrown our way for bringing a sniffling fool to class.  Luckily, mom doesn't live that far and was able to pinch hit for him right at the last minute.  Click here for info on Birth and Beyond where we took our class.  It was rather informative and made me realize a few things I'd like to shoot for in the arrival of our little one.  For one, staying home as long as I can or until I'm in active labor before going to the hospital seems pretty ideal to me now. Part 2 is next weekend and I'm excited  to have Shane by my side.  One things is for sure in all this having a baby stuff... it's a wild unpredictable ride and I'm trying to prepare myself for the unexpected, while hoping for the best case scenario. 

That:

This weekend was GORGEOUS, like now I know why I endure traffic and other annoying LA crap to live here, gorgeous!  Yesterday we took maternity photos with my dear friend Jillian Rose.  It could not have been a more perfect day weather wise.  She found this amazing succulent nursery in Malibu, Cosentino's.  I wish I took a pic to share now, but you'll just have to patiently wait like me to see our photos, as the ones I've found online don't do this place justice. 

This:

Our nursery is 90% complete.  We are waiting on our glider, some canvases for over the Boo's crib and for hubby or neighbor Dan to hang a shelf (had to throw that in there since they both hate me for bugging them to get it up) and it will be finished.  I love spending time in there already and know that it will be truly complete when she arrives and we can share moments with her in there.  Can't wait to share when it's finally finished.  It's been fun and interesting collecting things from all over to achieve our vision while not breaking the bank!

Happy Monday!
XO,

S

Capo, Infant CPR, 34 weeks...

Follow up to date night at Capo!
Capo is the real deal, definitely among the finer dinning experiences I've had in my life! 

However, it will be reserved for VERY special occasions in the future.

(don't get me wrong, taking advantage of not having a bambino yet IS special, but not quite Capo Special)

Had to snap a shot of the $275 Russian Golden Beluga on the menu.

So despite the fact that I could have bought a piece of furniture for the price of our dinner, I have to say the food, service, environment and company all get an A+!

I wish I had pics of the food (but this is like a nice, no cell phones allowed kinda establishment), since I don't, here's a recap on the delicious food!

We started with fresh veggies and burrata and mushroom porcini soup (oh me, oh my)

Followed by a half order of their corn raviolis (the waiter said life changing and he wasn't kidding).

I ordered the Salmon Special which was grilled to perfection on this amazing stove they have.

(it was only $60, no biggie)

Shane ordered the Lobster Risotto, super rich but delish!

For dessert we had a blackberry crisp with their homemade vanilla ice cream.

Lastly, we received a complimentary plate of goodies from the pastry chef (hello, this could have been dessert). 

A miniature array of cookies, chocolates and biscotti. 
I couldn't eat another bite, but I didn't hesitate to ask for a doggie bag for the treats!

Ate them the next day and they were unbelievable. 

My love and I waiting for valet! 
My Target dress (not maternity and found in the juniors section) for under $20 was a BIG hit.
Would have just looked cheap and trashy if I weren't pregs, but for some reason a cotton tight striped dress looks rather cute with a belly (at least I think so).
Buy here.

We spent the rest of the weekend laying low. 

Sunday was our Infant CPR class.

Teacher was great, here's his website.

So glad we took it, but could have watched a tutorial online and probably learned just as much. 
Don't get me wrong, it's all VERY important and I appreciate the knowledge and ideas for emergency lists... but the actual infant CPR has been so simplified over the years.

In short, if victim is not responsive or breathing?

Begin chest compressions with two fingers. 

These compressions are at the point on the breast bone, at the nipple line.

Do 30 pushes (1/3 of chest depth)

If no response, lift victims chin and give two easy breaths (breaths have been omitted for adults).

Continue to do this until victim responds or help arrives. 

Glad Shane and I will be prepared in the event any little ones need us.

Hoping that will NEVER be the case!

Hard at work, practicing my technique.

XO,
S

Knowledge is Power!

...or OVERWHELMING!

Here's my new library, mostly given or lent to us by friends. 

I think I bought two of these and have opened three.(insert ashamed face here)

The first 16 weeks were about trying to feel better, now it's time to get my read on. 

Do you have a favorite, must read baby book?

I must say Exploiting My Baby by Teresa Strasser is my fav!

Happy Reading!

XO,
S

More Babies...

This past weekend, I made the journey to Santa Rosa to celebrate my beautiful friend Amy and sweet Baby Lucia on the way.  After an 8 hour drive on Friday, we went to a favorite winery- Mazzocco, where we got to see the Seaton and Cromie families, listen to live music, enjoy some eats and tasty wine!  

Saturday we had Amy's shower at her dear high school friend Lindsay's parent's house. Gotta love Nor Cal, where peoples families live close and have homes and wineries to host special events!  It was a gorgeous day and things couldn't have gone more perfect.  

Here are some photos and details from the shower. 

 Glowing Momma to Be

I'm tellin you, a little bit of ribbon on a Classico or capers jar makes the cutest flower vase!

My amazing mother slaved away making chocolate covered caramel pretzels for the favors.

(I helped with 6 out of 45 and they were a lot tougher than you would think)

Thanks Mo Mo, you are the best!

 Always a fan of the clothes line.

Knitted items by my momma!

Can't ever have enough CHEESE!

Perfect weather in a beautiful backyard. 

Couldn't have been more perfect!

Gifts galore.

-Diaper game-

We wrote messages on diapers for Amy and Luke to enjoy while they are changing sweet Lucia.

The food. 

Grammy's chicken salad croissant sandwiches

(I will try to get this recipe from the one of the hosts, as it's too yummy not to share)

Yummy green salad

Fruit salad

LA LA Love You framed print for baby Lucia's room made perfect decor. 

(Lucia Arizona- initials LA)

Get yours here.

The infamous fingerprint tree guestbook.

Always a hit, buy a variety here.

The hostesses and momma to be.

 

Let the countdown for baby Lucia's arrival begin!
She's going to be a little Scorpio like her Auntie Sam, yippee. 

XO,
S

The PERFECT Gift...

...for a newborn.

It's always nice to take a little something the first time you meet a dear friend's baby

or to send a welcome something in the mail.

I'm big on thoughtful gifts that don't break the bank!

This is one of my absolute favorites.

A wooden block with all the baby's info on each side:

baby's full name

baby's initial

date/time

where they were born

height, length, weight

proud parents of...

a special gift from...

Here's baby Jade (just 13 days old) modeling with her block.

Click Here to buy your personalized block!

Something sweet that she can keep forever. 

XO,

S

Amy's turn...

Babies GALORE.

One of my DEAREST friends is having a baby girl this November.

I am honored to help throw her a baby shower for the little girl she's always dreamed of

Lucia Arizona Chiurco

Shower isn't until September, but I was in charge of invites, so here's a sneak peak at what's brewing.

Amy's nursery has a whimsical theme and will have little birdies, so these were just perfect. 

Invitations from here

For those that know my Ames, she LOVES LA!

So it's quite cute that her baby's initials are going to be L.A.

I designed these little stamps, so perfect!

Order your own customized stamps, here

More on this shower after it happens- fingerprint tree guest book, adorable gift ideas and more Bon Bon Knits! 

XO, 

S

So teeny tiny!

Meet Jaxon Gray Horwitz

Just a few hours old. 

 Two days old and getting cuter by the minute.

Looks like a little glow worm. :)

Couldn't be more elated for our dear friends Cyndi and Brett.

I can already tell, he's going to bring so much happiness to all our lives. 

I am so excited to watch him grow.

XO,

S

P.S. Remember her baby shower, click here and her maternity shoot by the amazing Jillian Rose, click here. So much fun!

Back from a blogging hiatus...

Life has been busy as usual, but I finally have something FUN to blog about!

Sunday, I helped host a baby shower for one of my oldest and dearest friends, Cyndi Horwitz. 
As some of you may know, I LOVE being creative and putting together events and this one was no different.

My love and excitement for Cyndi and her soon to be baby boy was perfect inspiration for a story book themed shower at Sonoma Wine Garden in Santa Monica. 

Here are a few shots by the talented Jillian of Jillian Rose Photography

 Farmer's market fresh flowers in mason jars.
Who knew spaghetti sauce jars were so cute once you soak off the labels and put them in the dishwasher?
Add a little ribbon and wa-la!

It was too much fun collecting books with items to match.
And the best part, the centerpieces made a great gift for Cyndi and baby from the hostesses.

One of my favorite party items is this guest book idea.
It's a fingerprint tree from an artist on Etsy.
I ordered the PDF and printed it myself at Staples (money saver).
And bought a frame to match Cyndi's baby furniture at Michael's (don't forget your 40% off coupon).
It's great decor for the baby's room and a memory from her special day.

 

Chocolate covered caramel pretzels for party favors. 

Delicious.

 Clothesline of baby items and baby pics of Cyndi and Brett.

Turned out even cuter than I imagined.

 A wonderful variety of food.

 Little signs for the food.
Used the corks from my wedding.

Lastly, homemade cupcakes by one of the mother's of a hostess.

Now to await the arrival of Baby H in August and finally learn his name! 

P.S. I'm starting a little side biz, Havin' a Ball Events by Yours Truly.  If you have a small event and need some creativity, you can hire me! 

XO,

S