Ava's Fist Christmas Card

We wanted to do something a little extra special for Ava's very first Christmas card, so I played around with her Dear Santa photo PowerPoint, shimmery gold card stock, spray adhesive, and red ribbon to come up with these... Joyeux Noel!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Well, after over a week of sitting in the middle of the room naked, we finally just finished decorating our tree and putting up a few decorations around the house. All while blasting Pandora's Christmas station nonstop. And I have to say, these simple traditions really do help put you in the spirit of things.

Wait, the tree was sitting in the middle of the room naked for more than a week, not us. Although that would probably do more to help put us in the spirit of something else.

And Ava's really taking to the taste of pine needles and tinsel.

Dear Santa

 
We took Ava to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what a good girl she's been and she's too young to even have a clue what she wants for Christmas this year... so I've compiled a list for her:

1. Pajamas. Our little chubster is starting to outgrow even her size 12 months feet pajamas, and those really are the best thing for cold winter nights. 
2. Shoes (like these white boots (they're on sale now!) and leopard print shoes from Zara, my absolute favorite store since I first discovered it in Paris almost 10 years ago.
3. Slippers (like these tigerlily booties or dalmatian booties... um, yeah).
4. Rainboots/wellies, raincoat, umbrella.
5. Black faux-fur vest (they have one at Zara but they also have one at Target that would do the trick).
6. Jewelry (maybe a faux-pearl necklace?); apparently Ava's obsessed with bling right now. Thanks Aunties Chelsea and Lulu.

Black Friday, Black Friday

[...to the tune of the YouTube sensation, "It's Friday."]

I have never been to the Black Friday sales, but we're in desperate need want of a few key pieces for the house we had been eyeing at Restoration Hardware and they were available at the outlet store for an extra 30% off starting at midnight on Black Friday.

And so here is the story of how we lost our Black Friday virginity.

It was crazy, but RH was practically empty. I don't know if it was the time the sale started (midnight) or maybe there just aren't many people in the market for high-end furniture willing to brave the Black Friday madness. (My sister waited in line for over an hour just to enter the True Religion store next door!)

This is what we set out to find:

• Chairs for the new sitting room we're trying to create to one side of the long dining room (with this as the main piece sectioning off the two spaces).
• A stool or bench to put at the foot of the bed in our master.
• Any other amazing furniture that we could never afford at full price at a super deep discount.

This is what we ended up with by the time our zombied, red-eyed bodies rounded ourselves up and loaded up the car:

• This amazing chair in white linen.
  
  

  

  Ours is more of a gray wood, but otherwise the same.

  We were thinking of putting it in the bedroom, but we decided to loan it out to the sitting room since we didn't find the perfect pair of chairs for that space. We also just realized it matches a mirror we picked up at Home Goods that currently sits in the foyer perfectly.
  
• Duvet cover for the master in matching white linen.
  



Stonewashed Framed Belgian Linen Duvet Cover and Shams in White with Fog

• Open Weave Sheer Linen Drapery in Linen for the foyer, Sheer Belgian Linen Drapery in Optic White for the master, and a sheer white floral pattern for the guest bath.
• A couple Vintage French Grain-Sack Linen pillow covers (similar to these) for the sitting room and a couple brown knit ones for the family room and two more gray linen ones for the sitting room.
• Chenille throw blanket in Chocolate for the sitting room.

Stay tuned for pics of each item as I incorporate them into the decor of my humble home.

A Weekend in San Diego

We flew down to San Diego this past weekend to visit my baby sister for Ava's first family vacation. 

(We told you we would come see you soon, Chelsea!)

Here is a recap of the amazing long weekend in pictures:

Excited for take-off!

Celebrating Chelsea's birthday at Nick's. 

An absolutely perfect San Diego beach day.

Fighting Dad for the shades.

Walking in the sand.

Running from the waves and loving the sunset.

All the girls dressed up for a fancy dinner out.

Our Sweet Little Strawberry

We racked our brains trying to think of the perfect family Halloween costumes, but in the end we didn't end up dressing up together anyway, so it worked out that Ava was a strawberry (costume available here) and we wore random costumes from the Bag of Halloweens Past (not pictured).

And she was the sweetest little strawberry you'll ever meet...

Craigslist Find: Kitchen Table Makeover

When Alex insisted on buying this table and bench set on Craigslist to put in our kitchen, I was not enthused. It looked like something from Hansel and Gretel or a little girls' doll house, not the Provencial look I was trying to create in my ranch-style country kitchen. (I always love to hear the story behind a Craigslist find: This set came from a couple who received it as a wedding gift from the bride's grandmother ten years ago; they are finally switching it out as part of a kitchen renovation.)

While I was reluctant at first, today's project changed my mind about it.

Alex started out with a coat of primerless, high-gloss paint in Swiss Coffee.

Then I added the detail work.

***Update: It probably would have been helpful if we had read this first.***

Ava Walks!

I know, the title of this post is a little misleading. She's not really walking physically quite yet (although I have a feeling she's close). But Ava participated in her very first fundraiser Walk for the Cure today at the Oakland Zoo.

Here she is in her official t-shirt. (She spit up all over her track suit on the way there and I didn't have a spare outfit for her -- How many times does this have to happen before I learn that lesson? -- but luckily there were plenty of free t-shirts.)

I thought it was so awesome that the course took you on a tour right through the zoo. You wouldn't tell from her face in this picture, but she really was excited to see all the animals ("woo-woos" as she calls them, after Nonno's dog).

The Pumpkin Farm

We took Ava on a little excursion to a pumpkin patch in Half Moon Bay on Saturday. She was a little too young to appreciate all the activities they have there for kids, like the petting zoo and the train ride, but at least we took some good pictures of our little farm girl.

Ava with her buddy, Baby James.

 The winery next door, La Neppia, also had a nice velvety cab (2004) that I wouldn't mind coming back for.

Maternal Instincts

Is it just me or does having a baby make a woman so much more compassionate? I was thinking about this as I was stuffed into an over-crowded commuter train on my way home from the office last night. Beads of sweat dripped down the faces of the tired passengers as they fanned themselves and stripped off layer after layer of defeated jacket or sweater. Several of the lucky seated passengers napped with their heads tilted back. That's when I started to see each one, one passenger after the other, as a newborn babe cradled in a mother's arms. With some of the puffier people it was easier to see the chubby baby cheeks and big round eyes, but even the most defined features melted and transformed them before my eyes into the miniature fuss-buckets they must have once been. I wanted to reach out and console them collectively, as I would my sweet Ava if she were having a rough time. I missed my Ava more than anything and couldn't wait to hold her close as her innocent whimpers faded with the calm, steady beating of my heart.

Now that I'm hallucinating in public, I think it's safe to say I am deliriously sleep-deprived.

Cool Neighbors

NBC's new show Up All Night hits home with where I am in my life on so many levels. Besides the obvious first-time parenting theme, I love Reagan and Chris's easy-going comedic exchange, especially the "ironic" jokes, which had Alex and I both rolling and have brought a little more wit and humor back into our own relationship (because we like to think of ourselves as pretty funny when we want to be).

Speaking of new neighbors, we just hosted ours for a BBQ on Saturday. We've been promising and planning since we moved in over two and a half years ago, so it was long overdue. We wanted to finish landscaping before we showcased the yard, but since it seems that day may never come, we went ahead and settled for a mowed lawn and chemically-balanced, algae-free pool.

It wasn't the rager that kept baby Amy up all night in the Up All Night episode titled Cool Neighbors on Wednesday, but it was nice to bring everyone together, and many neighbors who hadn't met in all the years living within a one-block radius were grateful we gave them the opportunity.

Flowers in Her Hair

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One of my best friends just announced she's engaged and I couldn't be happier for her.

Then she asked if Ava could be the flower girl at the June wedding and I'm completely ecstatic about the thought of getting her all dolled up in a silky white dress with flowers in her hair (will she have hair by then?!) and watching her toss pink rose petals down the aisle (will she be walking by then?!).

I may have to carry her down the aisle, but Ava's such a trooper, I know she'll do great.

But what do you think, is 16 months too young?

Being Neighborly

We're on our way to deliver these invitations to some of our neighbors for a little neighborhood BBQ and pool party in a few weeks. 


I'm excited to try this new peach sangria recipe (sorry, I don't remember where I found it): 

• 1 750-ml bottle dry white wine
• 1 1/2 cups Essensia (orange Muscat, a sweet dessert wine)
• 1 1/2 cups sliced strawberries
• 1 cup peach liqueur
• 3 peaches, each cut into 12 slices
• 1 large orange, cut crosswise into 6 slices
• 1 large lemon, cut crosswise into 6 slices
• 1/4 cup strawberry syrup (optional)
• 3 to 4 cups ice cubes

Mix white wine, Essensia, strawberries, peach liqueur, peaches, orange slices, lemon slices, and strawberry syrup in large pitcher, smashing citrus slices slightly. Let stand at room temperature at least 2 hours or chill up to 4 hours. Serve sangria over ice in sugar/orange rimmed champagne glasses.


(Plus, this is great motivation to clean up the yard!)

Finding Work/Life/Baby Balance

Joanna Goddard posted a series of interviews about how women balance work and family on her blog, A Cup of Jo, that really inspired me. In honor of Labor Day weekend, I decided to share my own unsolicited responses to her insightfully probing questions.

1. What's your work schedule?
Since I work for an SF-based company where working from home is the exception rather than the rule, I maintain the standard office hours of 9-5 (or sometime between 8:30 and 9 and sometime after 5:30 or 6), and sometimes later into the evening if I have a deadline or didn't feel I was as productive as I could have been during the day. Ideally, I like to get up at about 7 and take Ava out for a long walk/jog and then take a quick shower before I sit down to start my workday because I get so wrapped up in work that those things just don't happen if not then.

2. How do you handle childcare?
I am probably one of the most fortunate mothers out there who has not one, but two grandmothers with flexible schedules that allow them to alternate days they watch Ava. They usually come between 9:30 and 10 and take care of Ava the majority of the time while I'm working and just bring her into me for feedings as she's just now being gradually introduced to eating solid foods. It's so wonderful that she gets to spend this quality time with both her grandmothers and really get to know them and learn from them. They're both amazing women who have so many gifts to share with her.

3. Where do you work during the day?
Before I had Ava I worked from home once a week and I usually just kept my laptop open wherever in the house I felt it was most convenient to be. But I've found that I work best with a set routine. I have my desk set up in my home office and I treat it as if it were my cube at work. This way, I know that when I finish for the day, I'm off and I don't have to feel like I'm constantly on-call just because I have access to my email. And I just recently started spending one day a week in the office and this really helps break up the week.

4. What do you like best about your current set-up?
I love that I have the flexibility to still feel like I'm present for Ava and can poke in and have a snuggle whenever I like, but I can also focus 100% on work when I need to. And because my job is a bit on the isolated side, I love that I have a place to go in the city where I can feel like I'm in the middle of the action.

5. What do you find so-so/tricky/hilariously bad about your current set-up? What would you change if you had a magic wand?
Honestly, I appreciate how fortunate I am to have this dream situation. Not all of my new-mom friends have this luxury or flexibility and it has made being a working mother so much less conflicting. Sometimes I'll have Ava on my lap as I'm typing away on my keyboard and just think, Wow, if this is what work looks like, life is pretty good. 

6. How does your husband contribute to managing the juggle/house/childcare?
Alex really is an equal partner in Ava's care. He's changed at least as many diapers as I have and he's been so attentive to her from day one. When it comes to household responsibilities, I think I take on more, mostly because I'm home and I can throw in a load of laundry between phone meetings if I have to. I take care of dinner most nights during the week. Alex cooks the day I work in the city and on weekends. We just came up with this schedule a couple weeks ago and it has been such a dream. Before that, we were both feeling like we were doing all the cooking ourselves (isn't it funny how people always feel like they're doing so much more than the other one?) so this schedule breaks up the workload more evenly. Plus it motivates me to plan for meals better when I know it's my turn instead of both of us waiting for the other one to cave in and throw something together. 

7. How do you and your husband fit your marriage into the balance?
It's really nice when Ava goes to bed at a decent hour and we can unwind together for a couple hours before bed (usually around 11). (Lately, we haven't been so lucky but everything comes and goes in phases so hopefully she'll be back on a normal schedule again soon.) We try to have date nights once a week. Since I'm home all day most days I really appreciate being able to get out of the house. We haven't been so good at making this a priority (sometimes it's just so much easier to stay in) but I feel like this is something I need, so we're working on it.

8. Do you have any time for yourself? What do you do during that time?
Ha... that's funny, really. Unless of course you mean the time I'm able to spend showering or eating or doing laundry.... Then I would say yes, I somehow manage to make time... sometimes. Actually writing this blog is something I do purely for me. I don't get paid for it and it really doesn't count as contributing to the upkeep of my family, so in that case you can tell by the infrequency of my blog posts how little time I'm able to take for myself.

9. Do you ever wonder how other women manage the juggle? Have you talked to other women about it?
I am actually in awe of how most working mothers I know are able to deal the cards they're dealt. Whether they work from home or outside the home, they seem to have found a situation that works for them.   

10. What advice would you give to other moms about how to balance work and life?
This interview has me questioning what work-motherhood balance really means. I don't think it means having sufficient time to indulge in your every whim (I've never had that, even before baby). I think its more about making life work for you, not giving too much thought to what you "should" be doing, and feeling satisfied with your decisions, knowing you're doing all you can.

When life hands you lemons...

Set them in a pretty pitcher to make a summery centerpiece.

These mini lemons are called calamondin and they originated from the Philippines. They're more round than lemons and have an orange tint when they're ripe so they almost look like clementines. Any cooking/serving suggestions?

Oh the Places You'll Go... for a Sofa

Last night, Alex and I dropped Ava off with her grandparents and went on a wild adventure to the city to get this sofa.

The most adorable Psy. D. and her six and a half month baby girl were selling it on craigslist for a steal. (This sweetie pie was only a couple weeks older than Ava and the most agile little thing I've ever seen... she was practically crawling up the walls! I can't believe Ava's going to be moving like that soon. Alex and I were joking that Ava's movements are more brute force right now.)

The sofa is a Mitchell Gold Harrison in natural denim from Restoration Hardware circa 2006.

We had been looking for something to section off a formal sitting area within our dining room space for a while. I wanted something more formal and structured than your average living room couch, something light to brighten the cave that is our dining room. I fell in love with this one from Serena & Lily, but we don't have major cash to blow so our options are basically limited to what people are nearly giving away on craigslist.

We had the hardest time carrying it down the narrow, windy city apartment stairway, just Alex and me in our shorts and flip flops amidst the cold city fog, but it was so worth it. Our new formal sitting area in front of the fireplace is starting to take shape. Stay tuned for the grand tour -- I'm just a couple chairs and a coffee table away from the big reveal.

Our Little Angel

Ava was initiated into the Catholic Church yesterday. I found out just a couple weeks ago that this was the only date the church had available until next year. I didn't think she should wait that long to have her sins "exorcised" (the deacon kept using that word which kind of freaked everyone out). So we managed to pull it all together with only two weeks of prep time (but with lots of help from the grandmas and godparents).

I set up the dessert buffet on the kitchen counter, but draped a tablecloth over it to give it a more ethereal look. The portrait of Ava on the left was a gift from her godparents, my brother Joe and his wife Lulu.

I ordered the Whoopie pies and angel cake pops from Caty Kobe of OmNom Treats. She has major talent!

Caty's angel cake pops were the clear standout of the party. We decided to go with an angel theme since we've been calling Ava "Baby Angels" and it just seemed appropriate for a religious celebration.

Any last-minute preparations are usually stressful to me. I'm the kind of person who likes to be over-prepared and well in advance. That's usually why I try to delegate the food items at a party to others if possible. So the fact that we had to wait until we got back to the house after the baptism to set most of the food out did not leave me breathing easy. And certain things didn't get done as planned. But I guess that's just how these things go.

I also just wanted to point out how incredibly fashionable Ava's godmother (and my SIL) is. I so admire that about her... especially since I've been challenged in that area lately. In fact, we were five minutes late getting to the church because the dress I bought (which was too tight to begin with) actually split all the way up the back seam as I was switching out of the heels that kept sliding off my feet on our way out the door. (It was a hectic morning.)

These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

I love feeding Ava in the early morning hours and she's calm and relaxed and sifts her fingers through my hair, so feminine and graceful. I love the voices she's starting to make, as if practicing impressions of different characters with deep voices which then cracks her up. I love how independent she can play now, but mostly I love how she flashes me the biggest self-assured smile when she notices me watching her and then goes right on back to playing.

Pool Day

We couldn't squeeze Ava's little sausage legs into her 6 month swimsuit and she's ready to start enjoying the pool so I picked up this little number and matching headband on sale at Janie and Jack.

There were so many precious suits to choose from, but I loved this one's burnt orange color and geometric pattern... and the sweet ruffles just make me happy.

Looking fierce practicing her strokes on the bed before braving the waters.

Photobooth Fun

Our friends James and Emily recently snuck away to some amazing tropical island in the Caribbean and eloped without telling anyone, then had a casual outdoor BBQ to celebrate with friends and family at home. It was really nice to finally catch up with so many of our friends we haven't seen since before baby.

The Wives (and soon-to-be wives) Club

Everyone had such a blast taking pics in hilarious poses in the photobooth... except Ava. (I don't remember why we decided to take pictures during the only time throughout the day she wasn't her happy, laughing, smiling self.)

Photobooths are such a great memento to send guests home with. Jordan Ferney has a tutorial on how to make some pretty awesome cutouts I'm excited to try for the next shindig we throw.

Twinsies

My baby sister (who I used to call "my baby girl" so who is now "my original baby girl") was sweet enough to ditch her awesome college life in San Diego and watch Ava while I work for the summer.

It's given us all lots of time to bond. Plus, Chelsea has mastered that casual, beach-sexy So. Cal. summer look so she's motivated me to wear something other than my PJs all day.

On this particular day, Chelsea showed up wearing the exact same colors I had Ava dressed in.

We're going to miss you like crazy when you go back to school, Chelsea, but we promise to visit soon!

Happy Birthday My Love!

For his birthday, my husband didn't want a big party with all his friends, he didn't want to go out to an expensive restaurant, he just wanted to have a nice dinner at home with his immediate family.

Since he is the birthday boy, I made him the dish he requested using a recipe from the Bride & Groom First and Forever Cookbook (which I highly recommend) -- Linguini with Scallops, Spinach, and Bacon in Champagne-Cream Sauce (similar recipe here).

For dessert, he asked for the island treat we had during our honeymoon in Hawaii -- hula pie. It's easy to make; I just filled an Oreo cookie pie crust (just mash up a package of the cookies with half a stick of butter) with macadamia nut ice cream. You can top with hot fudge and whipped cream if you like, but it was already plenty rich without it.

Thank you, Alex, for being the best husband and father your girls could ever ask for.

Red, White, and Blue

We just finished cleaning up our yard a bit (the pool is finally blue again for the first time this season!) so we wanted to have our friends over to help us enjoy it. But I was feeling a little overwhelmed at the idea of prepping for another party. So when any of my friends offered to bring something, I decided to take them up on it. And I'm so glad I did because I wouldn't have been able to pull off anything as even remotely close to Martha Stewart worthy as this:

Kristen's festive and delicious yogurt-covered strawberries could have been on the cover of MSL.

Jenne topped these confetti cupcakes with strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and chocolate mint leaves... all from her own garden!

Happy 4th!

The Ballerina Photo Shoot

Ma Petite Danseuse woke up early this morning so while Dad was still asleep I was suddenly inspired to pose her as a ballerina before she outgrew her adorable pink tutu and ballet slippers.

Being a prima-donna.

Removing her dancing shoes.

"Alright, Mr. DeMille, I'm ready for my close-up."

I think Ava found artistic inspiration (literally) listening to "Dirty Dancer".
(Hey, even ballerinas have to do the business sometimes.)