weekend memories

This weekend feels like a big blur.  We had a lot going on and I feel pooped from it all.  Not to mention Quinne is teething up a storm and has a slight cold.  So sad.  I feel like my day is ten times longer when she is not feeling well.  And I have to tell myself to be patient and loving the whole time.  I hate how quick I become frustrated these days.  I'm happy that teething and colds don't last forever!  


From a baby shower to a birthday celebration and everything in between I'm happy to sit back and eat some popcorn tonight.  


Yummiest popcorn:
     1/2 cup popcorn
     3 tbs coconut oil
     melt oil in large covered pan with 5 kernels.  Once they start poppin add the rest and shake pan until the popping 
     stops.  Sprinkle a bit of salt if you like.  It's the best popcorn with a tiny hint of coconut.  Enjoy!

serious biting 

aLike app.  I mean really? Moby?!?

grinding gums

a reminder of true beauty

watching some wild dogs play

more chewing.  she's so cute

my friends. yay!

Love, Noelle

blogger for birth kits

I was reading one of my favorite blogs tonight.  Melissa over at Dear Baby has wonderful posts on motherhood, family, and honest moments in her life.  Tonight I was especially touched by her post.  I wanted to relay what she was sharing and hopefully shine some light on a tender, sad thing happening in Papua New Guinea.  


Fact: the rate of maternal death is 1 in 7 in Papua New Guinea


Adriel from The Mommyhood Memos is on a mission to collect clean birth kits through Medical Ships.  These kits are simple tools that will help in the labor and birth of babies in Papua New Guinea.  These tools will keep the mothers and babies safe from infections that arise during and after delivering.  They will help save these new mothers.  New mothers that have waited 9 long months to meet their sweet babies.  

The Birth Kits are so very cheap and simple.  From twine, to a piece of soap(not even a whole bar. A piece) can make a huge difference in these women's lives.  

I was so moved by this movement.  I cried reading about the struggles I will never fully understand.  My heart hurts for these women.   I can't imagine the thought of not making it through my labor.  Of never being able to hold Quinne.  I take for granted so many things, and medical attention is one of those things.  I don't have to worry about not getting the aid I need, or my baby.  I am so blessed in my life.  I have a home, a healthy baby, and loving people all around me.  How could I ask for more? 

I am so excited to be able to contribute to this!  Giving back is the best feeling in the world.  It's what life is all about.  My plan is to buy these things in bulk and invite my mom girls over to assemble them.  I hope you will check out Adriels blog for more info.  

Love, Noelle

sunshine

I guess I'm pretty into the sunshine since I won't stop talking about it lately!  Today is rainy and so I thought we should share some pictures from a sunny day.  Our friends had us over to enjoy the warm weather, and relax.  Quinne got to play with some of her boyfriends and even ride a tractor.  It was the funniest thing watching her ride it while these boys pushed her around the yard.  (They were all naked and I felt weird about putting nude pictures up of my friends kids, so you don't get to see those!)  Trust me it was really funny.   


I just love having friends with babies.  One day they will all be playing together and I can't wait to see the fun they will have.  

I'm off to make scones.  Coconut, almond, and chocolate chip scones.  Yum!  I guess having a gloomy day isn't so bad after all.  Happy Wednesday.

Love Noelle

weekend memories

Warm sunny weather makes a weekend one million times better.  People seem cheerier.  You want to be outside enjoying each minute we have with the sun.  I am one of those people that will completely ignore house work for a good day playing.  We had a heat wave this past weekend and everyone(myself included) ditched the jeans and sweaters for dresses and tanks.  Although I'm realizing I should spend some alone time in the backyard to work on my tan.  Oh the things you stop caring about after you have a little one!  

My wonderful dad turned 60 this past week.  That's pretty crazy.  He said he can't believe he is 60.  It happened too fast.  He's not sad about it, just in awe of how time really does 'fly by'.  We headed up to their house to have a little Mexican Fiesta.  It was really nice to be there.  Eating tasty food, and enjoying the company of family.  It's just the best combination.  I took some pictures, but they really are pretty dumb.  None of the birthday boy or Quinne.  But I did get some of their tortoises(yep my parents have 5 desert tortoises)  and Sangria.  Delicious Sangria.  

A little bath time baby after a fun day

they partied hard

Happy Monday out there!

a few of our favorite things

park time

friends and bbq-ing 

baby bathing suits(!!!)

the greatest kitchen appliance.  and oreos! 

beer and sushi. the best. 

Happy Weekend! 

A night out with Elladolce...

I feel like a proud parent writing this post.  My sweet and wonderful friend Taryn is making a name for herself in the jewelry biz.  Seriously elladolce is the cutest jewelry and so affordable it's a true win win situation.  And what girl doesn't want a little arm candy every now and then?  Elladolce is a combination of vintage pieces paired with modern chains, geodes that will make you drool(well, I do) and sweet little touches that make your pick one of a kind.  I recommend you heading over to her shop after reading this.  You will not be disappointed!  

This past Saturday Taryn held a trunk show at a local wine tasting venue in Avila Beach.  It was a perfect evening.  Good snacks thanks to Michelle, yummy wine from Peloton Cellars, and girls getting their arms and necks adorned with beautiful jewelry.  Not to mention the weather was perfect.  Who could ask for more?  Not me!

 the cutest being cute

im so artsy(or maybe it's the wine)

 how could you choose?? that arrow spoke to me

 aaahhhhhh!!!! i wanted them all

 don't even get me started

 fancy nuts...mmm...

 yes that is a credit card swiper.. she's big time people!     girls and their vino 

this bun took me 46 minutes to do.  46 minutes!?!?!  how pathetic

All in all it was a wonderful evening.  I am so happy for you Taryn.  You truly are amazing!  Thank you for being the friend that you are.  I am an elladolce fan for life.  And so is Quinne.  

Six month update

growing baby:  18 pounds 8 oz
                                   27 inches long


hobbies:  rolling over to your belly then back to your back.  Repeat a million times
                      talking. talking. talking.
                      holding onto your toes 
                      ending up in funny positions when you sleep
                      "sitting" up
                      putting EVERYTHING in your mouth.  I should shave my hair off now
                      eating food mommy makes you (but you prefer nursing and I love that!)

This past month has been really fun.  I'm finding it hard to leave Quinne to go off to work.  She is becoming such a silly, fun baby.  I really noticed so many new things happening lately.  She is learning and developing so fast it's hard to keep up with her!  I feel like everyday I'm surprised be her.  She is in the 90th percentile with weight and height.  That makes me feel so good.  And we are lessening her zantac dose everyday and she is responding quite well.  I'm relieved that her reflux is taking a backseat.  Other good news I am able to eat a normal diet again! No more oatmeal and boring chicken breasts.  I can have tomatoes and marinara sauce, chocolate, and beans!  Her allergies to pretty much everything tasty have passed.  For both our sakes, I am really happy!!


Quinne you are wonderful.  


Love your mama
               
               

a surprise lost to the wind

When turning 30, one should be showered with special love and attention.  Months ago I started saving all my cash tips at work(that sounds naughty.  I do hair people!)  and hiding it in my dresser.  I was going to take David skydiving in Lompoc.  He was going to be so excited and happy I could barley keep the secret!  But, I love surprises so I didn't talk or hint towards anything.  We had to wait a week after his real birthday because of obligations to go out of town for Easter.  I seriously couldn't handle myself.  

Then the week after he turned the big three Oh it rain everyday.  Serious storms.  And where we are that is a crazy rare thing.  I was so upset.  I couldn't believe the great surprise might get ruined.  So all week I prayed it would go away.  Begged that it would go away.  And on Friday it was clearing up and no more rain was predicted.  The skydive place called and said they were on "wind delay" and I was supposed to call at seven the next morning.  Poop.  I went to bed having visions of David flying through the air, and his shoot not opening.  Horrible.  One minute I was pissed about the weather and the other I was kicking myself for sending David up in a plane, only to jump out of it, plummeting to the ground.  Finally I drifted off to sleep and woke to clear skies.  Hallelujah.  

David still didn't know what we were doing.  How exciting!  We started driving south and I was horrified to see that it was the windiest, blustery day.  It took about 45 minutes to get to the Lompoc airport and as we pulled in I yelled" You're going skydiving!!!"  He was shocked.  I was so satisfied.  Then, there was a lot of paperwork to fill out and weird videos to watch.  I sat waiting patiently in the freezing wind inside the hanger.  I had a horrible feeling this wasn't going to go as planned.  The wind was crazy!! 

And sure enough they told us that we were going to have to reschedule.  It was as if I was a balloon and someone took a big needle to my thin latex shell.  I power walked to the car so nobody would see me crying.  I couldn't have been more bummed about anything at that moment.  We started to drive away and I broke down like a three year old.  I couldn't be consoled.  We drove through Lompoc and David commented on all the donut stores there were.  All I wanted was to give him a great present and it wasn't going as planned. 

 Little side note:  I am one of those people who builds things up to an unattainable degree.  The expectations that I create in my head of how things should happen are so beyond normal, making the letdown very extreme.  Resulting in lots of crying and being angry for a moment.  

So, this day not going as planned hurt so bad.  I couldn't stop apologizing.  I felt so sad for David.  I wanted him to have an amazing, unforgettable day and the weather didn't.  Good thing he is the coolest.  He wasn't upset at all and just wanted to spend the day with me.  Gosh I'm lucky.  And come to find out Lompoc is a weird little town.  It's called the Arts and Flower town.  Seriously there were murals and paintings on every wall in the whole town.  Pretty neat if you ask me.  And there were multiple community gardens.  So we explored the town, enjoyed a cappuccino, and antique shopped.  

Here are some pictures of the artwork (and the birthday boy).  There are a million more, these are just some of my favorites...