Musings on motherhood.

I'm still shocked/amazed at how quickly Olivia is growing. I don't mean in height and weight. I mean how quickly she is growing as a child, as a person. Every day, every week, she does something new. Or some new facet of her personality shows itself. The way she grabs her feet and pulls them all the way to her face. How she lunges forward when she's sitting up to grab her toys and land on her tummy (she's ready for crawling,m that's for sure). I love her little tiny teeth that are sprouting (all 4 of them!), even though it means there are some rough days. I love hearing her say "Mama", which she says all the time now. Or hearing the little sounds she makes when she first wakes up in the morning to let us know that she is awake. I roll over, always a bit bleary-eyed (I'm sorry, but the waking up early thing just has never gotten easier for me, I've adapted, but it still isn't easy), and she flashes me that mega-watt little baby smile at me. Well that just makes it all worth it, now doesn't it?

I remember when I found out I was pregnant in January 2011 and I went into complete and total panic mode. To be honest, I felt that way for the duration of my pregnancy. And probably the first two months of motherhood. As I've mentioned before, I'm an only child and the youngest is my family by far. I had zero experience with children. I also have a long history of being a mess. Issues everywhere, as far as the eye can see! I feared, from the beginning that I was not cut out for motherhood. 

I'm so happy that I proved myself wrong.

I'm incredibly lucky to have a healthy, happy, and vibrant baby. I remember at 18 weeks when my doctor told me that due to the nature of my pre-natal screening test results, I should consider an amniocentesis. That was the only hiccup in my entire pregnancy, but it was a big one. It was a terrifying experience and a rough week and a half waiting for those results. I remember the relief that washed over me when the results came back normal. All 46 chromosomes, right where they should be, as they should be (I would have loved her no matter what, but it is still a bit scary and overwhelming). This kid lights up a room, I tell ya. We get stopped everywhere we go. Seriously, everywhere. I don't know if it's the blue eyes, the chubby cheeks.....I like to think it's the whole smooshy package. She's pretty charming. 

I often tell Lucas that Olivia is my best friend. He laughs. But it's true! We do everything together, she comes with my pretty much everywhere. I can tell her anything and she doesn't judge me. She's the best audience when I practice my speeches for school. Maybe it's a little silly to say but I'd like to think we're buds.

Motherhood is tough, that's for sure (so is fatherhood, shout out to the dads!). Harder than I imagined and yet easier, if that makes any sense at all. I never thought this is where I'd be at this point in my life. I'm still figuring it out. But I am ever so grateful for my little family. And especially this little girl.

Have a great weekend!

P.S.-Happy Birthday to my mama!!! We love you!

P.P.S.-I'm looking for anyone with web design experience to help me out with this blog!

She needs some sprucing up.

Day Trip to the Getty Museum.

Last week, before we left for Palm Desert, we took a quick day trip up to the Getty Museum. If you are local and have never been, I highly suggest you go. If you are not local and ever make a trek to L.A., you must make this a stop on your trip! The museum itself is beautiful with all of it's modern architecture. The exhibits are wonderful too. But everyone knows that the best thing about The Getty is the view. On a clear day you can see all the way to the mountains, Palos Verdes, and even Catalina Island. It was a bit smoggy the day we went but you still couldn't beat the view.

We went because I am required to visit a museum for my photography class (geez, twist my arm why don't ya?). I am a self-proclaimed museum geek and The Getty is one of my favorites. We didn't stay very long (teething/hungry baby), just enough to look at a few exhibits and get what was required or my class. I was there mainly to see the In Focus: Los Angeles 1945-1980 exhibit but was tickled pink to discover the Herb Ritts exhibit! And a celebrity portraits one! Those both just started so we definitely picked the right day to go. Photography exhibits for the win. The Herb Ritts one was spectacular and if you are at all interested in fashion/fashion photography it is a must see. Unfortunately you couldn't take pictures of the photography exhibits so I have nothing to show for those lovely shows.

That garden was closed for renovations (bummer) but frankly it looked a little dreary anyway. That's winter for you. Give it a few more weeks and this thing will be in full bloom.

Since we didn't get to see as many exhibits as we liked we're planning a return trip very soon. I'm thinking we should recruit Lucas' brother and sister-in-law for the next one (what do you think, J.P. and Jennie?). Looking forward to the next visit!

Check out The Getty Museum here.

Easter Weekend and a Wedding.

This weekend we took a little weekend road trip to Palm Desert. We had the pleasure of attending the wedding of Steve and Tara, two friends of ours. It was a beautiful wedding and we had an amazing weekend spent with great friends. We spent some time poolside and bought Olivia her first swimsuit and she had her first swim as well! She seemed to like it until a child jumped into the pool next to her and she got splashed. Then she didn't like it so much. 

Special thanks to Lucas' mom who was kind enough to drive out on Saturday morning to spend time with and watch Liv so we could go to the wedding that night. We really appreciated it and I know Liv did too!

We had a lazy Friday afternoon/evening when we arrived in the desert. A bunch of our friends were staying at the hotel across the street so we went to the cocktail hour with them followed by a massive Target trip for bottled water, diet soda, bathing suits for mom and baby, a clutch for the wedding, and snacks for the hotel room among other things. Managed to find a chic one-piece and sheer cover-up that didn't make me feel frumpy or over-exposed. I'm just not ready (or confident enough) to get back into my bikinis. 

Saturday evening was the wedding and boy, was it gorgeous. It took place at the Miramonte Resort and Spa in Indian Wells. Steve looked dapper in his suit and Tara looked phenomenal in her strapless dress. As usual, I cried during the ceremony, especially when they read their vows to each other. However, we did have some amusing commentary from our friend Todd which served as fodder for the rest of the night ("College rule!"). We had beautiful weather and enjoyed a fun reception outside under the stars. Then it was party time and party we did until after 2AM. Yes, we paid for it the next day but it was worth it!

On Easter Sunday we headed back home, slightly hungover but filled with stories and inside jokes from the weekend. Once we got home we enjoyed a quiet evening that included a nap, pizza (no fuss!), and Celebrity Apprentice. But really, how cute does Olivia look in her Easter dress and bunny hat?! What a weekend! 

Congratulations again to Mr. and Mrs. Guden! Thank you so much for inviting us!

Also, do I really have to go back to school tomorrow?

Bowling Date.

Earlier this week we ventured out of the house to reclaim our social life. First up on the list was a bowling date with some of our close friends, Nikki and Adam and Ryan and Kristi. I've known Nikki forever. Like, literally forever, since we were eight years old. Nikki and I were pregnant at the same time and in December she gave birth to adorable little Logan. Also it must be addressed that Ryan and Kristi just got engaged. Congrats again, you guys! We also brought the babies out for their introduction to bowling. The babies better get used to the bowling alley because we all had a blast.

This is Adam making fun of my bowling technique.

Note the 66 score. That's me!

Thanks for a great time you guys!

Lentil Soup.

Anyone who knows me well knows that I can't cook for beans. Okay, well no, I guess that is not entirely true. I just don't cook. I'm lucky that I have a boyfriend who loves to cook and is also very good at it, so there is no need for me to ever have to worry about it. The extent of my culinary skills is rather limited (ramen, grilled cheese, egg sandwiches, anything that can be heated in the microwave, occasionally I'll whip up a batch of cupcakes). So on Sunday night I decided to give Lucas the night off and attempt to make a dinner that did not involve microwaveable foods. I was nervous.

We've had a bag of lentils sitting in our pantry for a little while now and we're a big fan of soups in our house so it seemed like a good idea to make a lentil soup. I bookmarked a recipe for this about a month ago and had been eager to try it. I followed this recipe and it was simple, fresh, and incredibly easy.  

While I was out picking up onions for the soup, I thought to myself that no soup is complete without some bread to dip in it. I picked out a small whole wheat baguette and made a basic crostini and it was a great complement to the soup. I also made an olive oil dipping sauce for the bread (so simple and one of my favorite things in the world to whip up, thanks Grandma!).

I'm happy to say the soup turned out great. I impressed myself, let me tell you. Even my meat-o-saurus boyfriend enjoyed it. He enjoyed it so much he ate two bowls. And most of the crostini. Next time I'll buy a bigger baguette. So while I certainly will not be whipping up any master chef creations, at least I know I can cook more than just a grilled cheese. 

spring break!

I feel nerdy saying this but being a mom is so much fun! Seriously, every week Olivia does or discovers something new. This week's fun? She's started saying "Mama!". Can you believe it?! It's incredible watching her grow and learn things. I can't believe she is six months old already. Why must it go so quickly?! I want to savor every moment. She has so much personality and spunk. I get a lot of compliments from strangers on what a well behaved baby she is. I'm very lucky she's so good! Except for when her teeth hurt, but that isn't her fault, she can't help that. By the way, teething! Stinks! Ugh looking forward for that stage to be over. Poor kid.

She likes to scrunch up her face and breathe heavily through her nose, almost like she's snorting. 

I decided today would be a good idea to torture myself and step on the scale. I haven't done that in awhile because I was working out almost everyday and counting my calories obsessively and the scale refused to budge. I was pissed. Then school started up and the gym took a back burner to homework (yeah, I know, I'm bad). I was pleasantly surprised to see that I have actually LOST 5 lbs. How this happened I am not sure, but I'll take it! Honestly I think it does have to do with going back to school and not eating as much, as I am constantly running around. More importantly though, I stopped counting calories. Oh and I gave up sweets. That probably helped a lot too. So that plus the fact that I got my tax return meant shopping! Yay, something I never ever get to do ever anymore.

As of last Thursday afternoon I am officially on Spring Break! Super psyched because I don't have a crazy amount of homework either. I definitely have some though and I need to get it done ASAP because we have a ridiculously busy week ahead of us. I actually get to have some semblance of a social  life which I am very much looking forward to. Monday: couples' date night (plus baby! she goes with us everywhere) with friends. Tuesday: friend's birthday party. Thursday: Getty Museum (stoked!). Friday through Sunday we will be in Palm Springs for a friend's wedding. Long holiday weekend in the desert? Yes, please! Also it will be nice to not be 8 months pregnant in that heat. That was brutal last summer. Looking forward to actually exploring what Palm Springs has to offer. 

Without further ado, I give you snorty, scrunchy face Olivia. Ignore my ridiculousness in the background.