exciting morning

Happy Sunday!

Did you "fall back" an hour?  I loved this time change when I was younger.. I loved the thought of gaining another hour of my day and another hour of sleep.  I was awaken this morning by Connor's little happy voice making kissing noises.

"Mwah! Ta-tu!"

(He's really saying "thank you" for the kiss because that's what we say to him after he gives us a kiss, but I'm not about to correct him, I'm grooming my son to be a charmer ;) Ha!)

Slightly annoyed and puzzled that he was already up at 7:30am (he usually wakes up between 8 and 8:30am if we let him), I laid there exhausted, hating myself for staying up too late the night before.  And then it hit me, I did sleep an extra hour, it was really "8:30am."  Score!  I totally gained another hour!

I know, lame.  The things I get excited about.

Anyhow, moving on to another exciting thing.. I signed up the the Sunday newspaper and today was my first delivery!  I felt so grown up looking for the paper on my driveway in my robe and UGGs.  It was delightful.  I made myself a cup of coffee and sat and opened my paper while Connor ate his breakfast.  Cheers to a good start this morning! 

Hope yours was just as delightful :)

Howl-o-ween weekend

This weekend we celebrated all things Halloween.  We started with the Cal Poly pumpkin patch to get in the Halloween spirit.  Connor was a little ham.  He was enjoying looking for a pumpkin when he started rolling down the hill.  I seriously thought he was going to roll down the entire hill.  I will admit though it gave David and me the giggles.

Here's C doing one of his favorite things, sitting on Daddy's shoulders.  He always wants to see how far he can lean back and then pull himself up.  This makes for a nervous Mommy when it looks like he may fall off, so I just opt not to look!

Look at that little face.  He clearly hadn't rolled down the hill yet.  Ha!

On Sunday, we went to Long Beach to the Halloween Dog and Kid Costume Parade.  We had never been and it was fun!  It is crazy to see what dog owners do with their dogs.  There was a dog dressed as Tinkerbell that was suspended in the air to look as if he was flying.  Crazy I tell ya!

One of the best things about Long Beach are the homes.  They are just gorgeous.  I was snapping pictures of the homes on the hike back to our car and David was embarassed.  He didn't want homeowners to think I was a creep.  So if you saw an asian girl trying to take pictures of your home in Long Beach, I promise it was simply because I admire it :)

Here's a picture of David because I was trying to act like I wasn't taking pictures of the homes...

But alas, I got one!  SWOON :)

Happy Birthday Little Man

Last year, I was laying in a hospital bed waiting for my Connor to make his entrance.  He was finally born at 11:58pm on July 15, and at that moment my whole world changed.  He was and still is precious, my little bundle of everything. He fills our lives with so much love and joy, I cannot imagine our lives without his little squeals and giggles.  Happy birthday to my sweet baby boy.  Mommy and Daddy love you more and more each day.

For the Love of my Brides

Disclaimer: this might be a little mushy, so if you're looking for a different kind of read tonight, I'd click the tiny "x" out of here. ;)

Today was the ultimate bridesmaid day- I met with Erin this morning to go over bridesmaid dresses and details of the wedding.  Seeing all the details of her big day really brought everything to life.  We've all had Roldan and Erin's wedding on our calendars for a while now, but it is a short three months away, and it is going to be amazing.  You will not believe what they have planned!

After that, I met with Vivian to help look for platters for her dessert bar.  We went to several stores, searching for the perfect pieces to complete the look for her big day.  All the while, I was exchanging text messages with Vanessa while she was shopping for her wedding shoes.  I think I could die wearing Vanessa's shoes. Haha.  You have to see those puppies. 

This day just is the beginning to an incredible wedding season... with that being said, this post is dedicated to my dear girlfriends.

Erin: I am so incredibly excited for everything in store for you and Roldan.  I cannot believe in three short years how our friendship has flourished and how I am now going to be standing beside you when you marry the love of your life.  We are so blessed to have you and Roldan in our lives.  David and I love that we have the two of you as our best friends, two people that we undoubtedly know we can count on for anything- whether it be a weeknight double date or someone to call on just to chat.  Thank you for your kind heart and your love for Connor, we could not begin to even explain the love we have for the two of you.  We can't wait for the big day!

Vanessa: In college, remember when they said, "you don't go to college to meet your husband, you go to meet your bridesmaid,"- and although it kinda sounded funny, at the same time, it didn't sound wrong?  I was so honored to have you as my bridesmaid, and now to be standing next to you at your wedding, I am amazed at all the memories we have together.  How lucky can we be, that through the chapters of our lives thus far, we have grown together?  From college fraternity parties, late night snacks at Mel's Diner in Hollywood, to a career at Cintas where we talk everyday- a new chapter in our lives, and I cannot wait to see how it unfolds.  I am so happy for you and Andrew.  The way you two compliment each other is admirable.  I am certain that the two of you will honor and respect each other and that will be just the beginning to your great story.  The countdown begins (I am dying to see your dance floor ;))! Ha!

Vivian: Oh my!  Who would have known that we would have been as great friends as we are?  I am forever grateful for the friendship that we have.  Our friendship is the kind of friendship where we can literally do nothing together, and it was a fufilling day lol.  And we have tested that theory. ;)  Thank you for being you.  With you, I can be myself, and you let me.  I know that Tom appreciates those same qualities that I do.  Your kind heart, makes it easy for us to count you twice when we count our blessings.  I am not quite sure I like the idea that you're going to be in YL all the time, but I suppose it'll be worth it if it means that you're one step closer to having babies! Yay- ha!  

Connor's First Birthday...

Yes, I know how crazy that sounds, but it is five months away.  If you don't already know, David and I are VERY busy this year.  A lot of our dearest friends are getting hitched, and with that, we are esentially booked from March/April to August.  Five weddings total, and I am in three, David is in two.  With that being said, you can imagine why I'm ready to plan Connor's birthday and not let the poor little man get lost in the shuffle.

I have an idea of what I want the birthday theme to be, but I'm opening it up to our dear friends to help us out.  Any ideas on a cute first birthday theme??  Let us know!

BTW, I'm super excited to show pictures of our new and improved kitchen... David did very well, very, very well ;)

Happy New Year, 22 days later!

Its been a crazy few months for us.  Between transitions with work, the holidays, David re-painting our cabinets, our two year anniversary and Connor's first cold- we have had our hands full.  This is the first evening that I'm home just basking in the silence of a semi-empty home.  Connor is sleeping and David is out at his Fraternity's Anniversary Party.  I wish I could have gone, but someone has to watch the little man!

So here I am finally catching up on the blog.  I have to tell you, I was pretty blog crazy for a while- and I need to get back into it.  I need to have an escape to push me to day dream, to focus on some fun time, and to have something for me.  This includes following more blogs, updating my blog, and being more inspired- by anything and anyone.  My first task of accountability will be making a list of goals that I want to accomplish- both short term and long term.  I will post them here so that anyone can call me out on them, or help me to re-focus.  Like I said, 22 days later- but I do have intentions of getting to them ;)

Stay tuned...

Neeed... Moooorre.... Silver!

I came across this picture a few weeks ago of someone's mantel.... everytime I look at it, I crave, need, want, more silver decor!  I don't know what it is but I feel like I've been bitten by the silver bug.  Has anyone started decorating for the holidays?  Send me a picture please!

Hugs!

This Thanksgiving..

We are spending it at Grandma and Grandpa Allas.  I asked Mom if I could decorate the dinner table since I have been spending all my free time browsing interior decorating blogs.  Its a wild addiction.  I noticed that when I got engaged, I was consumed with everything that had to do with weddings.  When I bought a home, I was consumed with decorating my home to fit our personality styles.  And with having a baby, I am consumed with building a home with my husband, baby, and puppy.  I'm making decisions everyday to make our house a home that my son will love and have fond memories in.  Which is why I follow certain blogs.  In each of those blogs, I see a part of who I am and who I want to be, for my family and friends.

Focus.  Since I stayed home sick (I'm convinced I got this flu turned fever from some careless individual that wandered in public contaminating everything they touched.  Stay home sick people!) I kept thinking of how I was going to decorate our Thanksgiving dinner table.  Here is an idea board of what I want the table to look like.

1. Burlap- used as a table runner, for texture

2. Pomegranate- scattered around the table

3. Pine Cone Turkey- used as a place card setting, if I can make them ;)

4. Fall Leaves- scattered around the table

5. Candle Spread- to create different levels on the table

So what do you think??  Any suggestions on changing something out or adding anything in??  Let me know!  Its always nice to have an extra set of eyes to help.  Cheers!

Week 1 of Day Care

I'm finally back at work, and although bittersweet, yesterday morning was predominantly bitter.  I was feeling good, slept well, on time, and out the door for Connor's first day of "school" (no, its not school, its daycare- i just call it school).  I thought I was doing good, until I burst into tears saying my goodbye.  It was grueling.  Upon my exit, I immediately called David and gushed about how I had to bee line my exit out the door.  My heart ached feeling guilty that I had left my baby boy with a someone I barely knew.  Don't get me wrong, I feel comfortable with the sitter he is with, but its not me. 

After collecting myself and reapplying my makeup, I headed out to work for the day.  It was a busy and productive day.  After finishing up everything in the office, I was on my way home.  I called David to see how Connor was doing, and he was happy to report that Connor had done very well that day.  They said that he ate and slept well.  I was a proud mama.  As soon as I came home, we played, sang songs, and sat together on the sofa working on the computer.  He sat in the perfect crevice between my arm and my side.  I couldn't have been more content.

I don't have very many friends that have little ones.  So it was hard to go through the emotions, not knowing what to expect.  Connor is so sweet and easy going that he was perfectly fine.  It was harder on me that it was on him.  But to walk away from that experience and not have learned something would be a waste.  I learned that each moment I get to spend with my family when I get home is important.  Sure, we occasionally need some time to ourselves, but when we give a part of ourselves to those that we love- the love that they return to you is a blessing I count twice.

Happy Halloween from the Allas'

A few weeks ago, I put it out there for everyone to vote.  Connor was either going to be a bananna or a monkey for Halloween.  It was actually a tie with the vote, but Daddy played tie breaker and voted for the monkey.  So our sweet baby boy was a monkey for his very first Halloween.  We went to Grandma and Grandpa Allas' for dinner, and finished the evening setting out on the porch, passing out candy and sipping on champagne.  It was quite the evening watching all the kids pass through the neighborhood.  On the way home, we talked about dreams of our next home and the neighborhood we wanted it to be in.  I'm curious to see when and where that will be!  But in the mean time, I'm okay with daydreaming!  Here's the roo being one silly monkey ;)

Beef, Blessing, Burden.. I choose Confession

Recently, David and I started going to bible study.  Its a group of other couples going through similar life stages, but coming together to talk about God's word.  I went to bible studies when I was younger, but its something about going to one, because you choose to, not because someone told you to.  Either way, its been fun, and one of the things we do is "beef, blessing, or buden."  We share whichever one we would like to, if we desire to.  Hannah, one of the funniest gals there decided to share a confession.  It was hilarious.  Inspired by Hannah, I have a confession...

This past week, I have been online... a lot.  I am obsessed with blogs.  Clearly, not mine, because this is the first time I've posted in a couple of weeks, but with interior design, crafty, DIY, creative type blogs.  I have clicked the "favorite add button" more times this week, than I have all year!  What on earth!  Who am I?!  It all started last week when I bought an issue of Real Simple.  Inside, they mentioned a blog about a girl who is a designer, and finds "high end home decor for people on an ikea budget."  From there, I read post after post, and then I clicked on her links to other bloggers she gets ideas from... I'm addicted. 

I'm going to share with you my favorites this past week... but I warn you, it can get dangerous ;)

http://www.copycatchic.com/
http://jonesdesigncompany.com/
http://brynalexandra.blogspot.com/
http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/
http://www.projectprettyblog.com/

What shall Connor be for Halloween?

So I've been thinking of what Connor could be for Halloween.  I thought about dressing up with him and toting him around with me, but then I thought, where the heck would I go with a three month old baby?!  Yeah, our lives have definitely changed.  We went from grown adults dressing up and going to Hollywood and San Diego clubs to.... well, Grandma and Grandpa Allas don't know it yet, but we'll probably just hang out with them and pass out candy.  We're still going to dress Connor up though, wouldn't want to cheat our son out of his first Halloween.  With that.. what'll it be???  Cast your votes everyone!  Should he be......

a banana or a monkey??

Don't let that face fool you, he really does like them both ;)  Cheers!

Mammoth bound...

We had our first trip to Mammoth a couple of weeks ago.  It was amazing.  We were able to spend time with Grandma and Grandpa Allas, Auntie Audrey, and Uncle Scotty.  When David was growing up, their family would take family trips to the mountains and fish, camp, hike... all the things that my family did not do.  Actually, I do remember the boys fishing a few times at Lake Berryessa, but that was usually just a day trip.

The trip was a success.  We.. err... I, survived ;)  When I first started dating David, I was hardly considered a nature kind of girl.  Even to label myself that now would be a term used very loosely.  But, I think over time, David has managed to open my eyes to a new world.  We gathered pumice, went to Schat's Bakery, toured the town, picnicked by the lake, even fishing, and I LOVED fishing!  It was so fun to just cast the line out and reel it back in... over and over again.  Don't get me wrong, I failed miserably a handful of times, and poor Dad Allas had to wade in the water to the bushes where my line was tangled in, and free my line.  David had to put food on my hook, after I flung it off, and Scotty and Audrey were kind enough to let me clean my first fish... but that was disgusting. Ha!

Connor was such a good boy throughout the weekend.  He would be such a trooper with letting us take him wherever we wanted to go, and he would just sleep.  He probably was thinking though he had a pretty sweet deal because Grandma, Grandpa, Auntie Audrey, and Uncle Scotty would just hold him and feed him whenever he wanted.  On the ride home, I thought about how much fun I had and would love to do it again.  I think I enjoyed the fact that after all that nature, I was still able to go home to a shower and a bed.  Yet David reminds me that although we will be back.. the next time will probably be to sleep in a tent.  He says we haven't fully enjoyed Mammoth yet without hiking and camping.  Thank goodness for baby steps.... ;)



Blogging world, meet the Allas'

When I mentioned that I wanted to start a blog for our family, David thought it was silly.  I thought it was brilliant.  I could blog about our life, our little one, and whatever my little heart desired.  With the little one now, its sometimes hard to find the time to update everyone with what's going on in our lives.  So this is my attempt to give family and friends the opportunity to stay up to date with us.  And finally, I also read you can turn your blogs into a book.  I'm not one to make a scrapbook, but I do love pictures, stories, and family albums, so this is what I figured would best satisfy all three of those loves.  Enjoy!