gettin crafty.

i'm getting started on little misses' baby book.  we just have a few tiny ultrasound pictures (for now) but i am gathering all my craft goods and having lots of fun.

in little packages...

...come big surprises.

we received the nicest package of newborn goods in the mail yesterday.  thank you aunt barbara and uncle tony.  we are just thrilled! 
they are so cute, cuddly & tiny.

a chocolate chip morning

we thought it'd be fun to do something different to start the off the week.  so aside from the usual catch-up on monday, i had a few of my favorite people over to do a little baking.

 

jaiden michelle, the cutest little baker around and our whole wheat chocolate chip cookies...yum!

 

little man relaxed on the sofa while we did the hard work.

baby brixton with a silly expression making momma amy laugh.

    and the finale...artist jaiden's depiction of me (with baby) and kevin at a dance party, what an artist.

beach belly

the weather was so incredible on saturday.  

we indulged and relished in it with a little time in the sand.    

my view was slightly blocked by little girl. 

  

but all three of us enjoyed the warmth of the sun.

babies

kevin took me on a date to see the movie babies this weekend.  we had planned on going mother's day weekend but were way too pooped.  it was so fun to see all the babies growing up in totally different environments and watching their personalities and skills develop.  it was totally sweet. 

hopscotch

 when it comes to dressing a little girl,   
does it get much cuter than this?  

http://www.hopscotchdesigns.com/

bellissima

my blooming belly on mother's day morning.  

i am so looking forward to the experience of motherhood. 

i find myself enjoying her little kicks,   

movements & talking to her during the day.  

me and my love snuggled up after at the end of the night.  we mellowed out on the sofa with thai take-out and a cheesy 90's movie.  i even got a luxurious foot massage.  it was (in my opinion) the perfect way to end the night.

ooh la la!

hydrangea is simply my favorite flower (okay i love orchids and tulips too) but really, hydrangea is my favorite.  kevin surprised me with the hugest bouquet of hot pink blooms today... i'm still swooning!

 and attached was the sweetest note from kevin and sweet baby girl.

momma mia

this year we had lots to celebrate, two beautiful loving mothers and one mother to be (yours truly)...

we started our sunday off with appetizers at our place before brunch.

fresh mozarella, cherry tomatos, basil, 

strawberries, green grapes &

sparkling apple cider...yum!

 

mother's day brunch at my favorite breakfast spot, claire's at the long beach museum of art.  quite an array of fresh fish, fruits, pastries & an omelette stand.the sunshine, fresh ocean breeze and live jazz were just the right combination for this special occasion.  we missed the other sibs but enjoyed the afternoon together. kevin sharing our most recent ultrasound pictures with the momma's, they were thrilled!

"I love my mother as the trees love water and sunshine - she helps me grow, prosper, and reach great heights."

-Terri Guillemets

tiny decor

decorating is one of my favorite things to do.  so, you can imagine the ideas floating around in my head for the nursery.  a few inspiring images, along with some vintage finds i recently perused.

the white ceramic letters are my favorite find.

we're going to paint one wall with yellow stripes.  inspired by the seaside umbrellas of the french riviera, tres chic! a combination of this clean, crisp, bright, look and the soft, sweet, pink room.  when i asked, kevin requested "lots of pink" in the baby's room, which i thought was so sweet. 

something bright and colorful, like this tantalizing display of sweets.

art alive

last weekend was our annual girl's trip to the san diego museum of art's, art alive.  every year a host of local florist come to the museum and create their interpretations of the museum's permanent collection.  it is really a feast for the eyes.  this years event smelled especially sweet with the whole first floor covered in white lilies and tuberose.

 

(the sisters, my mom and aunt denice)

after the event we enjoyed a picnic lunch on the balboa park grounds, then visited the san diego art institute gallery to see one of karen's paintings on exhibit. 

(the ladies: monika, julie, mom, karen and denice...i'm behind the camera)

next on our list... extraordinary desserts.  we each had something totally decadent.  if you haven't been, this is a must stop location on 5th street.  i had the triple chocolate mouse cake; it was divine.  and does anything you eat get prettier than this? 

a few of us stayed the night at the westin gaslamp and ventured out for a delicious italian dinner.   the following day we ate breakfast, took a walk to the bay and then took the coastal drive home.  all-in-all it was a fabulous time.  i am already looking forward to next year.