Baby Sleeps, Mama Relaxes

I am one lucky Mama. I know, I know, I shouldn't rub it in, but I can't help but count my blessings. My beautiful baby girl blessed me with an easy, low maintenance pregnancy, a quick and simple birth, and now that she is here she is just as simple. She sleeps most of the day and most of the night giving me plenty of time to swoon over her and still indulge in the little things.

After one busy week and LOTS of visitors I am happy to start back up my little daily routine of a big breakfast with morning talk shows, afternoons filled with blogs, and keeping up with Etsy (and of course taking care of Baby Girl). Today I decided to start slow and indulge in the fall issues of InStyle and Elle. Now that the belly is mostly gone I am dying to wear skinny pants, shorts skirts with tights, blazers, and oxfords. I like to keep my looks simple and Banana Republic, J. Crew, and Gap always have the best simple but stunning fall looks....

J. Crew's Fall Lookbook is amazing. Definitely watch the behind the scenes video on the website if you haven't already. I love that the inspiration is Edie Beales Goes to Summer Camp.

Gap is so simple and effortless.

I MUST GET THESE JEANS.

And this video makes me crave fall in New York City.

{A quick thank you to Michaela and Stephanie who left very sweet comments recently. I am so thankful to strangers who read my blog. It is always pleasant surprise.}

More Photos (from the BlackBerry)

This belly pic was taken Monday night before I went into labor. Actually, when this photo was taken I was already in early labor, I just didn't realize. I was having back pain and my mom just wanted to snap a picture of my belly. Good thing she did.

This is how she always lays on my chest.

She always keeps her hands by her face.

Grandma and Baby!

Grandpa and Baby

Hello World!!

I'm a MOMMY!

I can't believe she is here. I honestly didn't think she would come until the end of the month as I was having NO contractions or pains. AND THEN....I went to bed last night with some pretty uncomfortable back pain and woke up at 2:30 in the morning because I thought I felt my water break (not quite...). At 5 AM I couldn't take it anymore and my mom and I came to the hospital. They hooked me up and checked me and I was 4-5 cm dilated and having regular contractions. We went to the delivery room where the contractions began to get a little more intense. I sat in the birthing ball and I swear to you it was the AMAZING. I was in pain, but my mom was rubbing my back and could totally handle the pain. NO epidural needed. At 7:30 I had a really intense contraction and felt the need to push. I screamed a little and asked the nurse to check me. I was 8 cm dilated. Talk about progress. She quickly set up the table and what not and called the doc ASAP. Thankfully he was already at the hospital and he came in as I was yelling that I needed to push. (A little background: My doctor is a very funny older man and we constantly joke around. I was so thankful to have him there because there were many laughing moments before, during, and after the birth. He was extremely encouraging and made everything run smoothly.) I probably started pushing a little after 8 AM and Baby Girl arrived at 8:39 AM. Shortest push ever. The doc, nurse, and my mom were in awe. And I was so surprised how fast it all happened. Thank goodness. So that is the recap of the birth but I plan on writing an official birth story soon.

Until then, meet the love of my life Ava Madelyn Lopez....

I couldn't be more smitten with my little lady.

Let's Begin the Countdown

Happy Monday!!

Today begins my official Countdown to Baby Girl's Arrival. I am so excited and can't wait to meet her. I think that she will be quite charming.

So.....her official due date is SEPTEMBER 8. However, I think she will make an early appearance (but not too early). After my weekly appointment on Wednesday I was told that I am 1-2 cm dilated and 90% effaced. While these numbers are important they are extremely misleading. They simply make me even more anxious. My doctor of course didn't help when she said, "We'll see you next week, UNLESS she decides to come early!" So here I am making silly predictions on when she will arrive. Last week I made the prediction that she will come sometime between TODAY and WEDNESDAY. And WEDNESDAY marks 1o days ago when I said that she will come in 10 days. I am just randomly picking numbers and dates. It's silly, but fun.

In any case, I don't think she is coming today.....

In the meantime here is a wonderful video that makes me sooo happy. I also am now obsessed with the song in the video by Rabbit.

Magic- A Belly Grows from The Panic Room Videos on Vimeo.

I Can't Wait for Fall

I can't wait to wear dresses with belts and cardigans.

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I can't wait to wear dark skinny jeans and cute oxfords.

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I can't wait to wear scarves and carry big bags.

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I can't wait for my two best friends to visit and meet Baby Girl.
(this is not her, I am still awaiting her arrival)

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I can't wait to be a Mom.

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And to think....Baby Girl will be here in just a few short weeks (if not sooner).

xoxo

Must See...

Inspiration

My new favorite site for inspiration when it comes to interior design, photography, and even style is Freunde von Freunden (Friends of Friends). I stumbled upon the site through Apartment Therapy and I have been smitten ever since. The interiors are so perfectly simple and lovely and the people are so interesting (and extremely good looking). The website is in German so be prepared to translate. However, you may just become so entranced by the photography the translation will be unnecessary.







P.S. I am hosting a giveaway from My Shop over at Melissa's blog Oh, My Darling. Definitely check it out!

Jolene

Currently obsessed with both versions of this song...






Is this an appropriate song for a Birth Mix??

Simplicity

I am adoring these simple designs....

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And I am really adoring this ring...

A is for Baby Girl's Name.

xoxo

Hair

Since Baby Girl is due to arrive very soon I have decided it is time to get a haircut. I haven't had a haircut since February or March (so long I can't remember). Granted it's been great because I have been trying to grow my hair out for a while now. But the last few weeks I have been so annoyed with my "blah" hair and my weird bangs (they are in that awkward growing out stage) so it is finally time to treat myself. Here are a few of the styles I am looking at, mostly for the long sweeping bang...

I also really like Mandy's layers...

I have always loved Reese's bangs (I wish my hair were that grown out)

I am pretty much obsessed with Nicole Richie's all around style.

So effortless...

So there you have it. I think I'll take in that photo of Nicole Richie. My hair is just that length. I can't wait!

New in the Shop

Just a few new goodies that I am seriously tempted to keep for myself...

Vintage Red Striped Scarf

I would pair this red scarf with a simple white tee shirt and skinny dark jeans with lots of gold jewelry. I love how versatile a big sheer scarf can be.

Vintage Coach Purse

What a find! I have one very similar and I wear it with everything. It is the perfect brown that goes with every other color. Great with navy shorts and gold sandals and it's the perfect size to carry all you essentials.

More to come soon. xoxo

Baby Belly Photobooth Pics

Just a little fun with this big belly!

P.S. I am 1-2 cm dilated.

Baby Project

Here are a few more photos for the book for Baby Girl....

(a baby hanger)

(a little holiday dress)

(her first baby booties)

(picture of her great grandma holding her mama)

(my first baby picture)

After giving it a lot of thought I have decided the text that will accompany these images and future images will simply be little stories from my time being pregnant. I have had such a easy and wonderful pregnancy and I want that to be reflected. Here are what some of the stories will be about:

**The day I decided to embrace this situation wholeheartedly (it was a very emotional experience)
**The First Reactions (I'll probably edit this one a little)
**My obsession with baking
**Choosing a middle name
**Finding out I was going to have a Baby Girl
**Dreams I have had while pregnant (they can be quite interesting)

There are a ton of little stories I plan on writing (I should probably have kept a journal through all of this...) . I simply want this book to be full of love and I want her to know what a blessing she is and how much I love her. As I write some of the stories I will defintely share them.

**Side note** How funny do I look in that Baby Picture?? (What is going on with my hair? My pursed lips? and my clenched fists? and don't I look like a baby boy?)

Loving....

...everything in this Beautiful Shop...

Isn't the model a beauty?? I love her long hair and red lipstick.

Baking to Cooking...

I love to bake. I used to be a lazy baker and use the mix from a box but lately I am much more ambitious and make everything from scratch. Since I've been pregnant and moved back home I spend majority of my time in the kitchen baking cookies, brownies, cupcakes, and muffins. Almost every week I try a new recipe, some more successful than others. However, when it comes to cooking actually meals, I am not so talented. For some reason I become impatient with dinner recipes and usually end up ruining the entire dish. SO when I stumbled upon a recipe for Lasagna Cupcakes (!!!) I became overly excited. I MUST try to make these:

and these....

and these...

AND these...

**All images and recipes from the amazing blog Framed**