Mustang

I've wanted a classic Mustang for years, but really got the bug this past June while we were vacationing in Napa and I saw one for sale while I was out for a run.  I couldn't get the Napa car out of my head, and even flew back up to test drive it in late August.  Ultimately I passed, but didn't stop my search.

In September I was out looking at a local Mustang shop when I met a 20-something Russian kid who was interested in helping me restore a car.  In fact he already had one in mind.  I spent the last four months picking, tires, colors, interiors, audio, and waiting impatiently for the finished product.  As with most things of this nature, there were some bumps in the road, but I'm really happy with the result.

Before

What a mess

Really?

Just back from paint

The finished product

Decided to go with the two-tone blue

My Baby's Not A Baby Anymore

Our baby girl is 15 months old!  I feel like up until now I have done a good job keeping her alive but we are officially entering unchartered waters ... we now have a toddler!  Now that Blaire is walking, she is way too busy to do much of anything else (eating, napping, walks in the stroller).   It must be exciting to have this new freedom but it is making mommy's job so much harder!  That said, she is so much fun and I absolutely love watching her discover her world.

Our Toddler ...

Walking!

Has the cutest curls behind her ears.

Can sign a plethora of words (milk, water, cookie, kitty, daddy, more, eat, bird, dog, ball).

Still doesn't say "momma".  I've accepted that I might always be known as "bob".

Thinks her kitty is a dog and follows her around the house saying, "woof".

Is bilingual.  Okay, maybe just one word (agua), but I'll take it.

Goes "weeooo" when she hears a siren.

Furrows her brow frequently (she already thinks mommy and daddy are crazy).

Walks around with her arms in the air like she's heading to a party. 

Loves to do her baby yoga on the fluffy rug in her room.

Is all girl (loves to wear shoes and jewelry).

Little Baby in the Big Apple

Confession.  I proudly wear my cheesy "I Love New York" tee shirt.  Although I live on the west coast, I would say I am definitely a New York girl.  I hadn't been to the city since we moved from Utah to New York to Los Angeles four years ago, so when Dean mentioned he had to go for work I literally booked my flight the next day.  I had so much fun introducing the city I love to my baby and momma.  Enjoy the highlights!

New York Girls!

Riding the subway like a local

Not amused by our Irish carriage driver

The Park

Our old neighborhood downtown

Jersey Boys

Hard to believe it's been 10 years

This cute girl had no problem getting a cab

I never thought I'd see the day ... my mom on the subway!

Walk The Line

Blaire took her first real steps on Labor Day but would only walk short distances until two weeks ago yesterday.  Once she figured it out she has been non-stop.  It's like there was no learning curve.  As soon as she started walking she was able to carry toys, brooms, whatever.  As most of you know it's a two edged sword, but mostly we are having fun with our newly mobile baby.

Summer Wrap-Up

It's hard to believe summer has come and gone.  There is a bit of a chill to the air (who says we don't have seasons in Los Angeles?).  We had a great summer traveling, playing at the beach, spending time with family near and far, and celebrating birthdays.  Frankly, I'm ready to slow down, cook some yummy Fall meals, and enjoy the new season at home!

At home in Malibu

Touring the wineries of Napa

Visiting the Great Papa

Baby's first ATV ride

Mini vacay to Vegas

Birthday party #2 at home

Pool time with Daddy

Go Dodgers

Playing in the backyard at Nanny and Pa's house

Dance Baby Dance!

What kind of magic spell to use?
Slime and snails
Or puppy dogs' tails
Thunder or lightning
Then baby said....

Broke My Heart

I went into work a little later this morning than usual so that Ally could go for a run (she's in training).  As a result, I spent some rare morning time with Blaire.  We played with some toys, she helped me make a sandwich for lunch and brush my teeth, and she helped me pick out a tie for the day.  It was really nice, but when it came time to leave she wouldn't go to her mother.  She cried and cried with her arms streached out toward me as I walked out the door.  It was heartbreaking!  Never have I hated leaving for work as much as I did today.

Hopefully she will like me as much in her teenage years.

Celebrate!

So I seriously spent 4 months planning my sweet baby Blaire's first birthday party and it didn't disappoint.  I figured she'd only turn one once so why not go big?!  What a special day it was filled with family, friends, cake, and fun.  Thanks to my sweet sissy and brother-in-law for hosting and my dear friend, Amy for taking such great party pics!

The Birthday Girl.

I decided that turquoise and orange were the perfect colors for a summer birthday bash. Add some fun tile prints and ... voila!  I found a shop on etsy that helped me design all the paper printables.  I also spent a lot of time at Target and Party City (and countless hours online!) browsing for party supplies in our colors.  So much fun!

I made the welcome wreath.
A fun way to let our guests know they had arrived at the party place!

I found these super cute boxes at Target.
A little embellishment and they were perfect for holding roses, paper straws, and forks.

Cupcakes, cookies, taffy ... yum!

Party favors.

Face painting for the kiddos!

Cake time!  Blaire wasn't quite sure what to make of her cake.  She was more interested in showing off for everyone by clapping and laughing.  We finally gave her a spoon and she dug right in!

Homemade yellow cake with lemon curd filling!

What a special day to celebrate our sweet baby girl.  She is our treasure and brings us so much joy.  Happy Birthday darling Blaire!

These paper lanterns were from our wedding almost ten years ago.  Full circle.